Tucson, AZ

restaurants

Inca's Peruvian Cuisine

Head to Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine for a first-class culinary ticket to Peru in Tucson. Try the Seco de Carne con Frijoles, beef braised in cilantro and Peruvian sauce, and the Lomo Saltado, marinated beef tenderloin sauteed with onions and tomatoes and poured over crispy fries.

Tucson, AZ

cafe

Tumerico

When Wendy Garcia moved to the states from Mexico she ditched the carnivore life and starting cooking things her own way. She uses fried jackfruit for her Carne Asada plate and serves it with eggplant chicharron and crispy soy chorizo. The dish was so good Guy had to call his mother and tell her all about it. Also try the cactus tacos. Nopalitos are cooked down with cashew sauce and loaded into tortillas with cabbage and pickle veggies and topped with cashew cream.

Tucson, AZ

restaurants

Zemam's

Chef and Owner Amanuel Gebremariam is bringing the bold flavors and traditions of East Africa straight to Arizona. Guy loved everything saying, “each one of the dishes is individually its own little song and what comes together is the Ethiopian musical.”

Mesa, AZ

restaurants

Aloha Kitchen

Can’t get to Hawaii? Aloha Kitchen will transport you to the islands on a plate. Lynn Tso and her husband Ray are serving classic Hawaiian plate lunches and marinated meats to the people in the Arizona dessert. Try the super soft Manapua steamed pork buns or the Korean-style short ribs.

Tucson, AZ

restaurants

Renee's Organic Oven

At Renee’s Organic Oven, husband and wife team Steve and Renee Kreager are serving up Italian classics their own way. The Tailored Tony is like a Sloppy Joe made for a healthier palate. For this open-faced focaccia local organic beef is infused with tomatoes and topped with melted provolone and roasted red peppers. Also try the Spinach Dip Calzone. Guy described it as a cross between the best jalapeno popper you’ve ever had, a gigantic perogi and a chicken sandwich.

Gilbert, AZ

restaurants

Grubstak

Grubstak is an Arizona spot with a knack for the stack. Owner Colton Grubb and chef Seth Widdes work together to create towering flavor combinations to please any palate. A popular pick is the Sweet Lou’s BBQ, which is a combination of shredded braised beef, applewood-smoked bacon and house-made cole slaw all piled on top of crispy sweet potato and regular fries.

Phoenix, AZ

restaurants

Tacos Chiwas

Husband and wife team Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin are introducing the people of Arizona to flavors from their home state of Chihuahua. Guy tried the smoked beef cheek Barbacoa Tacos and the smoked brisket Deshebrada Roja Gorditas. “When I eat this I’m tasting culture,” he said.

Scottsdale, AZ

restaurants

Slanted Rice Vietnamese Bistro

A native of Vietnam, chef and owner Hue Tran describes the food at Slanted Rice Vietnamese Bistro as 90% Vietnamese and 10% fusion. Don’t miss the vegetable packed egg rolls rolled in lettuce and fresh mint and served with a spicy-sweet vinaigrette.

Mesa, AZ

restaurants

República Empanada Restaurant

Republica Empanada is all about family and Latin-American comfort food. Try the classic Arroz con Pollo or the Cubano Empanada which is filled with slow-cooked shredded pork, ham, mozzarella cheese and pickles.

Scottsdale, AZ

restaurants

BOOTLEGGERS MODERN AMERICAN SMOKEHOUSE

Chef Kevin Slade found his calling on the barbecue circuit. He infuses his American gastropub cuisine with real-deal smoked meat and kicked-up sauces. Try the crispy Boot Dumplings which are filled with smoked pork belly and shrimp and drizzled with a house-made mango-chipotle barbecue sauce.

Flagstaff, AZ

restaurants

Fat Olives

At Fat Olives, Chef and Owner John Conley is making true Neapolitan pizza using an oven handcrafted in Italy, handmade mozzarella and the finest “00” Caputo flour. The Belgio Dulce Pizza is a creative mix of brussels sprouts, house-made Calabrian chile oil, honey and pistachios on a cream base.

Phoenix, AZ

restaurants

Chino Bandido

Chino Bandido's Chinese-Mexican-Jamaican dishes have garnered lifelong fans. Guy loved the fusion, calling it one of the most original on DDD. The best part? The menu has more than 90,000 combinations. For a spicy option try the Pollo Diablo, Jade Red Chicken and Jerk Fried Rice. Pow!

Glendale, AZ

restaurants

Haus Murphy's of Glendale

At Haus Murphy's, you'll find hearty food made from scratch that owner Rose Hoffman grew up with in Munich. Enjoy a big pretzel and a beer, let the sauerbraten tickle your sweet and sour taste buds, or try a German sour roast served with potatoes and cabbage.

Phoenix, AZ

restaurants

Matt's Big Breakfast

Guy isn't usually a breakfast fan but he'll stop by Matt's Big Breakfast anytime of day. He orders the Chop & Chick, a giant Iowa pork rib chop that's marinated in a tangy pesto sauce and served with 2 eggs. It's "good eats" and possibly the closest thing to green eggs and ham.

Phoenix, AZ

restaurants

La Santisima

Once you've chosen tacos, like Mexico City-style chicken tinga or spicy Yucatan pork shoulder, top it with fresh salsa from the abundant salsa bar.

Phoenix, AZ

restaurants

The Wild Thaiger

This fiery Thai restaurant gets playful with spicy flavors and classic preparations, for dishes like Dragon Eggz — pork, crab and shrimp dumplings — and boar in chile sauce.

Gilbert, AZ

restaurants

Sal's Gilbert Pizza

This pizzeria is a slice of New York in the middle of the desert. Some of the signature pizzas are Italian mash-ups, putting classics like lasagna, ziti and spaghetti and meatballs on top of pies.

Phoenix, AZ

restaurants

The Duce

No need to feel guilty about indulging in the savory delights at The Duce in Phoenix — there's a gym connected to the restaurant for getting back into shape afterward. So go ahead and feast on comfort food faves like Beer Can Chicken, S’mores Cheesecake and Mac & Cheese Muffins (they blew Guy away).

Scottsdale, AZ

restaurants

Tom's Thumb Trail

Tom’s Thumb is a gas station, car wash, craft shop, wine cellar and competition-style barbecue restaurant, all in one. Chef and owner Kipp Lassetter is a former surgeon, and here he runs a fine operation. Chicken, pork and brisket are all smoked in-house. Try the smoked and fried pork over creamy grits with jalapeno bacon.

Phoenix, AZ

restaurants

Paradise Valley Burger Company

When it comes to burgers, this Phoenix institution knows no bounds. Paradise Valley Burger Co.’s patties are exceptionally creative and universally appealing. Guy tried the country-fried burger, which features a deep-fried patty, green chili gravy and crisp onions.

Scottsdale, AZ

restaurants

Andreoli Italian Grocer

Andreoli’s is the kind of restaurant that makes Italians a little less homesick. This authentic Italian market not only sells imported goods — they make their own takes on international classics in-house. Here, fresh-cured prosciutto hangs in the walk-in, and bread bakes to crusty perfection in the wood-fired oven.

Glendale, AZ

restaurants

Thee Pitts Again

The award-winning Thee Pitts Again in Glendale, Ariz., has barbecuing accolades stacked over and under the fridge. On Triple D, Guy loved the low-and-slow smoking technique for the succulent pulled pork. As Guy also learned, the technique makes for super tender turkey and catfish, too

New River, AZ

restaurants

Tortas Chano

Visitors to Tortas Chano come back saying they serve "true Mexican food." Guy experienced firsthand the killer green chile sauce used for everything from the juicy tacos al pastor made with pork and pineapple to the chimichanga burritos. Guy asked to be a chimichanga ambassador.

Phoenix, AZ

restaurants

Over Easy

Come to Over Easy for a quality scratch-made Sunday brunch with a Midwest touch. Guy admitted that the savory red-eye gravy on a ham steak was better than his own. The chicken-fried steak was enjoyed for its tomato jam and potato hash browns. The banana French toast made with brioche was "dynamite."

Phoenix, AZ

restaurants

Los Taquitos

At this Mexican restaurant, five sisters and a brother are pumping out 300 tacos a day the way Mom used to do it. Guy was head over heels for the carnita taco, calling it "killer." The savory Bombero Sauce was "excellent" as well; he appreciated the spicy kick it gave to the Bombero Burrito.

Phoenix, AZ

restaurants

Giuseppe's on 28th

At Giuseppe's you'll find a world-class musician turned chef who's serving some authentic Italian food. Guy admitted that the Bolognese ragu with fresh made pasta was "crazy good" and better than his own. The "super flavored" pork shanks are a treat. He also enjoyed the osso buco done three ways.

Flagstaff, AZ

restaurants

Brandy's Restaurant & Bakery

At Brandy's, an eclectic range of food with a homey feel is being served. According to Guy, the Southwestern beef stew was a "cornucopia of flavors." The flat iron steak with chimichurri and a sweet potato corn cake did not disappoint either. Locals enjoy the currant fish cakes too.

Gilbert, AZ

restaurants

Joe's Farm Grill

Not a whole lot of burger joints can boast about having farm-fresh ingredients, but then again, most burger joints don't have a whole produce farm on their property either. At Joe's Farm Grill, try the ahi tuna burger with Asian slaw; Guy thought it was ''out-of-bounds ahi.''

Flagstaff, AZ

restaurants

Salsa Brava

If you want to eat Chef John Conley's giant Navajo Taco, you can use your fork and knife, or follow Guy's advice and dig in with your hands. The "King-Kong-meets-popover" tacos are Chef John's idea of Mexican cuisine that uses big flavors like cilantro cream sauce, roasted pork and fresh salsa.

Scottsdale, AZ

restaurants

DeFalco's Italian Deli & Grocery

At DeFalco's in Scottsdale, Ariz., the Italian sausage is made with a nearly century-old family recipe that has brought in locals for decades. This spice-laden delicacy is available in sandwich form as the star of the sausage with peppers option that left Guy impressed. The Centurion calzone truly is a meal fit for a warrior, with two layers of mozzarella and sliced sopressatta — Guy said it rivals most NYC delis.

Tempe, AZ

restaurants

Curry Corner

The Curry Corner in Tempe, Ariz., may look like a typical Pakistani restaurant at first, but it's home to some of the best chicken Guy's ever had on Triple D — specifically, the Tandoori chicken tikka, topped with garam masala. Another specialty is the tender Goat Karahi.

Phoenix, AZ

cafe

Barrio Cafe

At Barrio Cafe you will find some real-deal Mexican food. Guy loved the almond sauce in the Chiles en Nogada, or chicken-stuffed chiles. The tilapia wrapped in banana leaves was a "package deal," and the Cochinita Pibil and Yucatan pulled pork were bursting with flavor.

Phoenix, AZ

restaurants

St. Francis

Chef Aaron Chamberlin likes to cook everything over an open fire just like when he was a boy scout. Guy adored the smoky and creamy Pig Dip filled with pork, prosciutto and fennel onion marmalade. The rustic Iron Skillet Pancake with berry compote and the Moroccan meatballs also impressed.

Scottsdale, AZ

restaurants

Perk Eatery

If you're craving a classic American breakfast with a Southwest twist, visit Perk Eatery. The tender pork shoulder in the breakfast enchiladas impressed Guy, as did the gravy over crispy sausage and sage stuffing. Locals enjoy the Wine Country French Toast with roasted grapes and Brie cheese.

Glendale, AZ

restaurants

La Piazza Al Forno

A father-son operation, the duo churns out delicious pizzas and Italian favorites. Guy couldn't keep his hands off of the Italian Stallion, a pizza loaded with sopressata, Parma prosciutto, Italian sausage, and pepperoni. Still hungry? Try the baked spaghetti pie topped with fresh mozzarella.