Fast Casual in Phoenix

13730 W. Camelback Road, Suite A Litchfield Park

623-334-7744

A burger is an easy thing to find in metro Phoenix, but a great burger? That's a little harder. Aioli Gourmet Burgers, which also has a food truck, is our pick when we've got a burger craving. Aioli's offerings start with a Kobe beef patty, and it just gets better from there. Our favorite is the California burger, which tops the meat with avocado, pickled red onions, pepper jack cheese, an over-medium egg, and chipotle aioli. But we've also had great luck ordering the special burgers that are only available for a limited time; past creations include a French onion burger with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese, and a Dad Burger with Sriracha honey peanut butter and apricot preserves. If, for some crazy reason, beef isn't your thing, fear not: You can sub in a chicken breast or a vegan patty. Fresh salads, crave-worthy sides, and a selection of malts and shakes round out a menu that has something for everyone.

Aioli Gourmet Burgers

10652 N. 32nd St. North Phoenix

602-971-5555

Burgers, Fast Casual, Best Of, Readers' Choice

A burger is an easy thing to find in metro Phoenix, but a great burger? That's a little harder. Aioli Gourmet Burgers, which also has a food truck, is our pick when we've got a burger craving. Aioli's offerings start with a Kobe beef patty, and it just gets better from there. Our favorite is the California burger, which tops the meat with avocado, pickled red onions, pepper jack cheese, an over-medium egg, and chipotle aioli. But we've also had great luck ordering the special burgers that are only available for a limited time; past creations include a French onion burger with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese, and a Dad Burger with Sriracha honey peanut butter and apricot preserves. If, for some crazy reason, beef isn't your thing, fear not: You can sub in a chicken breast or a vegan patty. Fresh salads, crave-worthy sides, and a selection of malts and shakes round out a menu that has something for everyone.

15 articles

Aioli Gourmet Burgers

430 E. Bell Road, #103 North Phoenix

602-633-3030

Burgers, Fast Casual, Menu

A burger is an easy thing to find in metro Phoenix, but a great burger? That's a little harder. Aioli Gourmet Burgers, which also has a food truck, is our pick when we've got a burger craving. Aioli's offerings start with a Kobe beef patty, and it just gets better from there. Our favorite is the California burger, which tops the meat with avocado, pickled red onions, pepper jack cheese, an over-medium egg, and chipotle aioli. But we've also had great luck ordering the special burgers that are only available for a limited time; past creations include a French onion burger with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese, and a Dad Burger with Sriracha honey peanut butter and apricot preserves. If, for some crazy reason, beef isn't your thing, fear not: You can sub in a chicken breast or a vegan patty. Fresh salads, crave-worthy sides, and a selection of malts and shakes round out a menu that has something for everyone.

Barro's Pizza

15440 N. 7th St. Ste 13 North Phoenix

602-863-3888

Pizza, Fast Casual

Is it the thick crust, so light it might floats away? Or is it the tangy red sauce Barro's slathers on top? We're never sure, but one thing is certain: This is some of the best, most authentic Italian pizza pie in town. Whether you dine in or take out, don't eat here without trying the White Pizza. Unbelievably tasty.

The Buffalo Spot

1660 W. Southern Ave. Mesa

602-962-7768

American, Fast Casual

1 article

The Buffalo Spot

1831 E. Camelback Rd. #3 North Phoenix

602-975-6213

American, Fast Casual

The Buffalo Spot

1537 W. Broadway Rd. Tempe

480-534-1533

American, Fast Casual

Original ChopShop Co.

7158 E. 5th Ave. Central Scottsdale

480-794-1536

New American, Fast Casual, Recommended

The “chop” portion in the name of this fast-casual place of healthy eats in Old Town Scottsdale refers not so much to meats (although it has them), but to its handling of vegetables. Here, carrots, kale, cucumbers, and the like are pressed into juices, placed into bowls, and packed into sandwiches and wraps for a small menu of mostly average but hefty, all-natural offerings that don’t go over the ten-dollar mark.

11 articles

Colados Coffee & Crepes

15479 W. McDowell Rd. Ste. #109 Goodyear

623-248-6187

Breakfast/Brunch, Fast Casual, Menu

Colados Coffee and Crepes is where you'll find the best crepes in the west Valley. We suggest the balsamic chicken crepe, which you may pair with a Colados cold brew or latte. If you're hoping for a sweeter option, try the tropical crepe and add ice cream for an extra $1.25. During the hotter months, the seasonal mango crepe is a must-try. But be prepared for a little wait. These crepes are in high demand.

Colados Coffee & Crepes

10685 W Indian School Rd. Ste. G Avondale

623-215-3826

Breakfast/Brunch, Fast Casual

Colados Coffee and Crepes is where you'll find the best crepes in the west Valley. We suggest the balsamic chicken crepe, which you may pair with a Colados cold brew or latte. If you're hoping for a sweeter option, try the tropical crepe and add ice cream for an extra $1.25. During the hotter months, the seasonal mango crepe is a must-try. But be prepared for a little wait. These crepes are in high demand.

1 article

Crunch 50

13240 N 7th St. Central Phoenix

602-892-5217

Coffee Shops, Community Venues, Fast Casual

Crunch 50, a vibrant new eatery on the corner of Thunderbird and 7th St, offers a cereal bar where patrons mix and match cereal allowing for creative creations such as “Apple Pie Crunch” made with Apple Jacks and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Waffles more your thing? Try a light, crispy delicious waffle with original or cereal batter options. Menu items also include oatmeal, bagels and yogurt parfaits. Ever tried Cartel “Cold Brew” Coffee? It’s a must for every coffee aficionado. Soft Serve Ice Cream makes for a nice mid-morning or afternoon snack.

Culver's

825 E Camelback Rd Central Phoenix

602-595-7876

Fast Casual

Emilio's Tacos & Hotdogs

13803 N. 19th Ave. North Phoenix

602-810-1468

Mexican, Fast Casual, Best Of, Essentials

A sunny yellow-and-hot pink exterior, a flashing neon open sign and glowing window frames, and bright Loteria-inspired artwork hint at the explosion of flavors on deck at Emilio’s Tacos & Hotdogs on 19th Avenue. Customers on the go can pick up their orders at the drive-thru, but we recommend grabbing a table either inside or on the small patio to soak in the full experience. The Sonoran Hot Dog is the best we’ve found in Phoenix and comes with all the requisite ingredients, including beans, tomatoes and mayo piled high on top of a bacon-wrapped hot dog. The tacos are great, the carne asada fries are a must, and the thick bright pink strawberry horchata is an unusual treat that straddles the line between drink and dessert.

3 articles

Grabbagreen

15689 N Hayden Rd. North Scottsdale

480-991-9901

Fast Casual, Health, Salads, Smoothies, Best Of

2 articles

Hot Bamboo

980 E. Pecos Road, #4 Chandler

480-257-3304

Asian, Fast Casual, Best Of

At many a food festival, the Hot Bamboo booth has served dumplings, rice bowls, and bao looking like cute characters. Now, the family-run food stand, owned by Jakarta, Indonesia-born Anna Heinbach, has opened a brick-and-mortar setup in Chandler. However, Hot Bamboo still plans to be a heavy hitter in the food festival world.

1 article

Jimmy John's

2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway Tempe

480-839-2100

Sandwiches, American, Fast Casual

Jimmy John's sandwich empire was founded in an Illinois garage by Jimmy John Liautaud, who graduated at the bottom of his high-school class. Clearly he showed them, since the company now boasts more than 1,200 franchises across forty states. The chain advertises "free smells" and "freaky fast delivery" of its sandwiches, constructed from house-baked French bread (or seven-grain or even a lettuce wrap, for all the Phoenix carb-counters) and a fairly minimalist selection of toppings: fresh meats like shaved roast beef, baked turkey breast, bacon, ham and salami, plus a token tuna option, and provolone, provolone, or provolone cheese (sorry, American lovers). Massive cookie and dill pickles are also available. Find your nearest Jimmy John's freaky fast on Voice Places.

Kabob Grill N' Go

3050 N. 16th St. Central Phoenix

602-607-5272

Armenian, Mediterranean, Fast Casual, Best Of, Essentials

If you’ve never been to Kabob Grill N’ Go and don’t know what to order, don’t worry, you’re in good hands. Because chances are that co-owner Hasmik Chilingaryan will be at the front counter to greet you with a warm smile. She’ll assure you that everything is made fresh in-house and that her husband, Tony, the recipe master, is a culinary perfectionist. It’s not hard to believe given the meaty marinated skewers on display in the case just waiting their turn to be roasted over live coals. You may even get a glimpse of the grill as Tony enters the restaurant from the kitchen in a haze of mesquite smoke. Regulars will happily chime in with passionate assurances to promise that this is the best chicken, like, ever. The combos, which are big enough to easily feed two, come with more than a pound of meat, basmati rice, Shirazi salad, grilled veggies and choice of dip. The restaurant also offers wraps, but the combos are the way to go. And next time, you’ll be the one telling the new guy that this is the best beef, like, ever.

7 articles

Koibito Poke

4280 E. Indian School Rd., #108 East Phoenix

602-671-2445

Asian, Fast Casual, Best Of

14 articles

Koibito Poke

8877 N. Scottsdale Rd., #406 North Scottsdale

480-306-8440

Asian, Fast Casual

9 articles

Los Sombreros

2534 N. Scottsdale Rd. South Scottsdale

480-994-1799

Mexican, Fast Casual, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

The setting is a cute converted brick home. The cuisine is classy central Mexican, with exotic ingredients like Cotija (dry crumbly white cheese), rajas (poblano chile strips), string-style white Oaxacan cheese, pumpkinseed, and cilantro crema. Everything is homemade, like killer guacamole, grilled chicken in mole poblano, sweet-spicy lamb adobo, and pepita-crusted snapper.

42 articles

Mr. Mesquite Taqueria

7345 E. Shoeman Lane Central Scottsdale

480-508-4469

Mexican, Fast Casual

3 articles

Mr. Mesquite Taqueria

1222 S. Crismon Rd. Mesa

480-687-0478

Fast Casual, Mexican

Mr. Mesquite Taqueria

7000 E. Mayo Blvd. Ste. 1066 North Phoenix

480-502-6925

Fast Casual, Mexican, Menu

Mucha Lucha Taco Shop

7620 E. McKellips Rd. South Scottsdale

480-636--8619

Mexican, Fast Casual

Mucha Lucha Taco Shop, with locations in south Scottsdale and south Tempe, is a lucha libre-themed taco shop that specializes in guisados, the home-style Mexican braises that are slowly simmered for hours, and prepared with different blends of chiles and seasonings. You’ll find about a half-dozen varieties of meat preparations, including an excellent chipotle chicken tinga, a very spicy chile verde, and slightly crisp, flavorful carnitas. All of these are dolloped onto your choice of corn or flour tortillas. There are also enormous, and enormously tasty, burritos, including a meat-lovers burrito called El Hefe, and massive Surf & Turf burrito stuffed with big, plump shrimp, bundles of slightly chewy carne asada, and layered with grilled peppers, beans, and rice.

Mucha Lucha Taco Shop

7620 E. McKellips Rd. South Scottsdale

480-636-8619

Mexican, Fast Casual

Mucha Lucha Taco Shop, with locations in south Scottsdale and south Tempe, is a lucha libre-themed taco shop that specializes in guisados, the home-style Mexican braises that are slowly simmered for hours, and prepared with different blends of chiles and seasonings. You’ll find about a half-dozen varieties of meat preparations, including an excellent chipotle chicken tinga, a very spicy chile verde, and slightly crisp, flavorful carnitas. All of these are dolloped onto your choice of corn or flour tortillas. There are also enormous, and enormously tasty, burritos, including a meat-lovers burrito called El Hefe, and massive Surf & Turf burrito stuffed with big, plump shrimp, bundles of slightly chewy carne asada, and layered with grilled peppers, beans, and rice.

Mucha Lucha Taco Shop

818 W. Broadway Rd. Tempe

480-966-3337

Mexican, Fast Casual, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu

Mucha Lucha Taco Shop, with locations in south Scottsdale and south Tempe, is a lucha libre-themed taco shop that specializes in guisados, the home-style Mexican braises that are slowly simmered for hours, and prepared with different blends of chiles and seasonings. You’ll find about a half-dozen varieties of meat preparations, including an excellent chipotle chicken tinga, a very spicy chile verde, and slightly crisp, flavorful carnitas. All of these are dolloped onto your choice of corn or flour tortillas. There are also enormous, and enormously tasty, burritos, including a meat-lovers burrito called El Hefe, and massive Surf & Turf burrito stuffed with big, plump shrimp, bundles of slightly chewy carne asada, and layered with grilled peppers, beans, and rice.

1 article

My Pie Pizza

3765 S. Gilbert Rd. Gilbert

480-268-7738

Pizza, Fast Casual, Menu

1 article

NakedQ BBQ

2340 W. Bell Rd. North Phoenix

602-439-4227

Barbecue, Fast Casual

Local minichain NakedQ has three locations around the Valley that serve some of the best barbecue in Scottsdale, Glendale, and north Phoenix. As the name indicates, this ’cue is light on the sauce and served in a style that not only lets the meat shine but also offers it nowhere to hide. Tender slices of brisket stand out along with smoky pulled pork and St. Louis-style ribs. Order a butcher paper-lined tray filled with a selection of meats and exceptional sides, such as the peppery mac and cheese and sweet cornbread. For those who prefer sauce, house, spicy, and mustard-based varieties are served on the side.

1 article

NakedQ BBQ

10240 N. 90th St. Ste. 105 North Scottsdale

480-912-2102

Barbecue, Fast Casual, Menu

Nekter Juice Bar

2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Ste. 1213 Tempe

480-781-0800

Health, Vegan, Cafe, Fast Casual, Gluten-Free, Health and Fitness, Vegetarian

2 articles

New York Flavor

15170 W. Bell Rd. Surprise

623-266-2520

American, Bakery, Breakfast/Brunch, Deli, Fast Casual, Sandwiches, Recommended, Best Of

At this small but comfortable, fast-casual eatery in Surprise, ex-New Yorkers, or those who just want to eat like one, can find great-tasting food for less than a ferry ticket to see the Statue of Liberty. Featuring an all-day breakfast and lunch menu of New York-style grinders, salads, burgers, and other bites, sandwich favorites include the classic hot corned-beef or the signature cold hoagie made with thin-sliced roast beef and zingy horseradish mayo called the Tribeca. Less New York but worth the detour are burgers like the gourmet-minded Basil Mascarpone and a moist and flavorful vegetarian creation even the staunchest of carnivores can't help but enjoy. Don't miss house made desserts like classic chocolate cake and heavenly New York cheesecake. Read our review.

9 articles

Original ChopShop Co.

222 E. University Dr. Tempe

480-307-9336

New American, Fast Casual, Recommended, Menu

The "chop" portion in the name of this fast-casual place of healthy eats in Old Town Scottsdale refers not so much to meats (although it has them), but to its handling of vegetables. Here, carrots, kale, cucumbers, and the like are pressed into juices, placed into bowls, and packed into sandwiches and wraps for a small menu of mostly average but hefty, all-natural offerings that don't go over the ten-dollar mark.

13 articles

Pasta78

2780 W. Chandler Blvd. #6 Chandler

480-855-1794

Italian, Fast Casual

1 article

Fast Casual in Phoenix

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