Good Asian food? (Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler: home, school, university)

[SpaceNeedle]

For Thai restaurant, I'd recommend Wild Thaiger (2631 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004). Their website is www.wildthaiger.com. Not as good as Thai restaurants in Seattle but it's above average around here.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

That's one of the biggest things I miss about Denver-- there is no Tokyo Joes here. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, it's a fast-casual "Japanese"-style bowl/ California roll chain. Ok, I guess it's not "authentic" asian food, but it is really healthy and delicious food. Pei wei is okay, but for me it's starting to get old fast. Kyoto HOLE tastes like dog food and Samurai Sam's is either always burnt or undercooked. Is there any good rice-bowl style place in the valley?

Neo-Tokyo 48th st and Ray. Try it you will not be dissapointed trust me.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by jco

My recent trip to Seattle left me craving authentic Asian food. I've been to a lot of American-ized restaurants as well as grease pits, but can't seem to find anything quite like what I've had in other states. Does anyone have any suggestions? So far Abacus Inn on 59th and Beardsley is my favorite... oh wait, the package of Mandarin Orange Chicken from Trader Joe's tops that!

How about Trader Joe's I think it's called Citris chicken. It comes in the frozen package with chicken either rice or the soft noodles, peanuts and sauce. Delicious! The Frozen package chowmein is also excellent.

[MicheleVanDetti]

I love Ichi Ban on Alma School and Southern. Probably not terribly authentic but their filet and shrimp is killer, and it's fun to get a cooking table. Saki has a way of making things better sometimes too.

[AksarbeN]

I like the China Rainbow at 67the Ave. and Cactus Rds. very nice lunch specials during the weekdays and excellent food anytime of the week.

[gigi927]

I really love Sesame Inn for Chinese..there is one on Camelback somewhere, and one up in Carefree at Scottsdale Road and Carefree Highway. They use super high quality meats and the food is always so good. My husband loves the house special catfish. Gosh, I wish I didn't live 1600 miles away now, I'd be there for lunch right now!

There's also an Americanized bistro over at Desert Ridge marketplace that is called Malee's Thai bistro...some of the food there is pretty good. I'd liken it to a PF Chang's, but they also serve Thai and sushi (sounds suspect, I know!)

My husband also always loved Sushi on Shea for sushi.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by sheena

Neo-Tokyo 48th st and Ray. Try it you will not be dissapointed trust me.

I just ate there for lunch... not exactly impressed. That was exactly the kind of "rice bowl" restaurant I had in mind, but I didn't think the food was anything to brag about-- just your run of the mill tacky tokyo bowl joint. That's actually a general trend I've been noticing about food in Phoenix in general. Unlike what some people say, there are many individual, locally owned eateries all over the place-- it's just that most aren't that great. I appreciate your suggestion, though-- I love exploring new places.

I'm definitely not a "foodie," I don't know anything about gourmet food-- I just know what tastes good. I probably have unrealistic expectations too-- after eating Tokyo Joes, I don't think I'll ever be satisfied with any other rice bowl joint. Meanwhile, I'll continue on my quest for decent "Japanese" food in the valley...

[sheena]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

I just ate there for lunch... not exactly impressed. That was exactly the kind of "rice bowl" restaurant I had in mind, but I didn't think the food was anything to brag about-- just your run of the mill tacky tokyo bowl joint. That's actually a general trend I've been noticing about food in Phoenix in general. Unlike what some people say, there are many individual, locally owned eateries all over the place-- it's just that most aren't that great. I appreciate your suggestion, though-- I love exploring new places.

I'm definitely not a "foodie," I don't know anything about gourmet food-- I just know what tastes good. I probably have unrealistic expectations too-- after eating Tokyo Joes, I don't think I'll ever be satisfied with any other rice bowl joint. Meanwhile, I'll continue on my quest for decent "Japanese" food in the valley...

Hmmm I better see if they have a Tokyo Joe's here in NC.

[Gretchen B]

I like Flo's (Frank Lloyd Wright & Thompson). I think there's a couple of other locations, too.

[mmikulak]

Have you tried the Chinese cultural center around the 202 and 40th st???

Mike