We have been generally underwhelmed by the Arizona Republic and the art/food coverage is pathetic.

I’m just happy that other people feel like we do and are attempting to do something about it. So far we’ve been happy with Carl’s Bad Tavern on Hayden and Grimaldi’s Coal Oven Pizza.

I’ll read the websites suggested and if anyone finds great treasures, please send out a shout!

We refuse to go to Oregano’s out of spite from that idiot review that was clearly an advertisement.

El Conquistador – small Mexican place with Jalisco-style food on 32nd Street south of Bell Road

Sala Thai – our #1 Thai restaurant in Phoenix, on 32nd Street north of Shea

Joe’s Farm Grill (http://www.joesfarmgrill.com) – Yummy American style food, located way out in Gilbert. Uses a lot of locally grown food. Best bathrooms in Metro Phoenix

Persian Garden Cafe (http://www.persiangardencafe.com/) – Outstanding Middle Eastern/Iranian food that goes way past hummus and tabouli. Vegetarian and vegan-friendly. Now serving organic food. 1335 W. Thomas Road

Last but not least:

Mrs White’s Golden Rule Cafe – A Phoenix food landmark with most awesome soul food, especially the fried chicken. 808 E Jefferson. Open only on weekdays 11 am – 5 pm and you better be early because they SELL OUT.

If I think a little longer I’ll probably come up with a few more items. But it is true – you can’t argue taste.

both good resources though- thanks for sharing.

sean

http://feastinginphoenix.com/

I would argue that food suffers the same dilution as everything else in the valley. Phoenix has lots to offer on every front. The distances slow the travel of information and even if you know about something the cost (in time, gas and patience) of going may be too high.

Austin

I do find your “pasteurized and lame” statement extreme. Your list of numerous high-quality local restaurants belies such a bleak conclusion. I could come up with a similar list with no overlap of your own.

Of course, not everyone’s going to agree all the time. I never enjoyed the food at the Sesame Inn and will not miss it at all. Nevertheless, from what I’ve seen on your restaurant list, we probably agree more than we disagree.

Since the Republic seems out of touch with the local food scene, the suggestion to focus on alternative media is appropriate. The URL for the actual Chowhound board is http://www.chowhound.com/boards/6. There’s also a SW board on Egullet, reviews on Yelp, and numerous food blogs around town. Fortunately, the gap left by our daily paper’s dysfunction can be filled by many alternative media channels for the discovery of good restaurants.

I’m not aware of any social sites like you are looking for. However, you might want to check out chow.com’s southwest message board. It’s pretty active and has all kinds of good info for Phoenix metro.

Also, there’s a Google group spun out of Chowhound for Phoenix local. Right now, it has about 75 members and is good for recommendations as well as meet-ups.

http://groups.google.com/group/PhoenixHoundGathering

Nice list by the way – I see a lot of places I like there.

sean

Sorry, but your whole premise offends me at a very deep level. “We Arizonans are clueless….” Except you, of course. You know better. The rest of us sheep just watch TV and say, “Must go to Olive Garden for some hospitalissimo.”