The 38 Best Restaurants in Phoenix | Eater Phoenix

"Because Arizona borders the Mexican state of Sonora, Phoenicians have long assumed they know what’s what when it comes to Sonoran food. Then René Andrade opened his tiny, hot pink Grand Avenue restaurant and devoted it to all things Sonoran. He chars steak, local chicken, elote, and just about everything else on a Santa Maria grill; sources local vegetables for light, beautiful salads; hauls up fiery chiltepins from his family’s ranch; and pours Sonora’s signature spirit — bacanora — in a dramatic, cinnamon-scented presentation of fire and smoke. Andrade demonstrates that Sonoran cooking can be simple yet complex, codifying this regional cuisine as a staple the city is only beginning to fully appreciate. Hot tip: Reservations drop on the first of the month and disappear fast — but the bar is your best bet for a walk-in." - McConnell Quinn