East: Steakhouses (2) Also see "American" below.

These restaurants in the East Valley pride themselves on serving beef, as well as other entrees. Both fine dining and casual dining in the East Valley are included. For purposes of this section, East Valley includes Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert.

Fleming's Steak House
Locations in Chandler and Scottsdale. Fine dining specializing in beef, but with other selections as well. Over 100 wines available by the glass.

Monti's (Jay & Francy rate it 4 stars!)
Very popular and well known for its beef.  One in Scottsdale, one in Mesa and the original in Tempe near A.S.U.

Pete's Fish and Chips (Jay & Francy rate it 4 stars! Cheap & Good!)
Fish, chips, burgers and dogs. Family owned and operated since 1947.

Red Lobster  (Purists may scoff, but there is some good food here.)
Eight locations in Tempe, Chandler, Peoria, Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix.

Redfish (One of Jay's favorite happy hour spots. 5 Stars!)
Redfish is a New Orleans-themed Seafood Grill and Bar that offers, seafood and Cajun fare.

Rockfish (Never been, heard it's great)
A casual seafood restaurant which prides it self on very reasonable prices, where the environment is "reminiscent of a fly fishing camp." Located in Chandler.

Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy
Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy is upscale Mexican food, and not your typical burritos and tacos.

Carlos O'Brien's Mexican Restaurant
"Carlos O'Brien's reputation was built on outstanding service and plentiful portions of some of the best Mexican food in Arizona!" Locations in Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale.

Chevy's Fresh Mex (Jay says, "Maybe it was a one time thing, but the Mesa location had the *worst* service I've ever seen. Ever. I'll never go back".)
Fresh salsa, fresh chips, fresh guacamole and lots of other fresh stuff. Glendale, Phoenix and Mesa.

Los Dos Molinos (**HOT** but incredible New Mexico style. Jay gives it 6 out of 5 stars. IT IS **HOT**)
Los Dos Molinas is known for being best for those who like their food hot.

Macayo's  (Another great happy hour spot. Never ate there, only drank!)
A family owned Mexican restaurant with several locations around the Phoenix area.

Matta's Mexican Food
A popular family owned Mexican place in Mesa.  Smoke free.

Valle Luna
Sonoran style Mexican food served at four locations in the valley.

Barcelona
Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine. Live music every night starting at 7pm.

Buca di Beppo (Our friends rave, it's next on our list!)
Locations in Scottsdale and Chandler. "Guests feast on family platters of real immigrant southern Italian specialties in a boisterous, celebratory environment that recalls the Italian-American supper clubs of the 1940s and ‘50s."

Byblos
Very reasonably priced Mediterranean/Greek cuisine in Tempe.

Caffe Boa (Ahwatukee)
This is a "casual, euro-style pasta house/caffe and wine bar." Live jazz on weekends.

Caffe Boa (Tempe)
Located on Mill Avenue, the menu consists of Mediterranean, Slavic, Asian, and Cajun specialties, but it is best known as an Italian eatery.

My Big Fat Greek Restaurant
A restaurant review of My Big Fat Greek Restaurant.

Olive Garden (Our daughter Lauren's favorite!)
Locations in Sun City West, Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix. Good Italian food, low-fat choices, and Braille or cassette menus.

Oregano's Pizza Bistro
Casual Italian food in Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix.

Pasta Pomodoro
This Italian eatery will please your stomach and your wallet. Two locations in the East Valley: Chandler and Mesa.

Romano's Macaroni Grill  (A "chain", but darn good!)             
Two in Phoenix, one in Scottsdale, one in Mesa. They are all exactly the same. Good food, loud atmosphere (potential for singing) family environment. Children's menu.

T. C. Luigi's Pizza (A *cheap* place for lunch.)
Seven locations in the East Valley. Gilbert, Ahwatukee/Foothills, Tempe/South, Tempe/ASU, Mesa, Ocotillo, Scottsdale. Coupons often available.

Ichi Ban Japanese Restaurant (Jay loves sushi. This one gets 4 stars.)
Locations in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa.

Kona Grill (Sushi is good, but expensive -- except during happy hour!)
Located a Scottsdale Fashion Square and the Chandler Fashion Center, Kona Grill serves Pacific Rim cuisine along with sushi. Indoor and outdoor dining.

P. F. Chang's (*Excellent* 5 stars! You must try the lettuce wraps!)
Get there early! Two locations in Scottsdale and one in Tempe. Not your typical Chinese food, and a bit pricier.

Pei Wei Asian Diner (Also excellent - 5 stars!)
The food at Pei Wei is reasonably priced, and everything is a la carte. Brought to you by the folks at P.F.Chang's (A cheaper versions of PFs)

RA (Jay has only had the sushi at the Scottsdale location, and it was great! Non-sushi food looked good. Do the happy hour for MUCH cheaper sushi.)
This sushi bar and restaurant has several locations, one of which is in Tempe.

Bill Johnson's Big Apple
Meat, barbecue, ribs and more meat! All-you-can-eat ribs special during the week. Seniors menu. Deep dish apple pie a la mode is a yummy Phoenix tradition.

Bistro at Kokopelli Winery
In downtown Chandler you'll find this quaint bistro organized around some good quality local wines.

Cheesecake Factory (HUGE portions. Great food. Amazing cheesecake)
Locations at Kierland Commons, Chandler Fashion Center and Biltmore Fashion Park. This very popular restaurant has over 200 items, and no matter what you order, you won't go hungry.

Chili's
The awesome blossom is, uh, awesome. More than 10 locations in the valley. Kid's menu and some good healthy choices.

Claim Jumper
Deer Valley, Tempe at Arizona Mills. The menu features "over 150 items including Choice steaks, prime rib, fresh fish, appetizers, wood-fired pizzas, pasta, dinner-size sandwiches, rotisserie barbecue chicken, baby back pork ribs, and a variety of baked goods and desserts."

El Paso Barbecue (Jay has been searching for real Texas style barbecue in Phoenix. This is close. Of course, real Texans use mesquite, not pecan...)
Mesa, Ahwatukee, Glendale and Scottsdale. "Primary menu items concentrate on high-quality, pecan-smoked barbecue. All dishes include an assortment of side items, along with a variety of El Paso's outstanding secret barbecue sauces."

Four Peaks Brewing Company (Never been there, but any place with a Elvis shrine can't be all that bad!)
Located in Tempe. They have an Elvis Shrine. Ten of their own beers are on tap.

House of Tricks
A popular, small, romantic place in downtown Tempe, Arizona. "The house has a cozy interior with twelve tables and an old stone fireplace built with local river rock."

Landmark (The site of one of Jay & Francys first dates! The salad ROOM is amazing! 5 stars!)
This restaurant in Mesa used to be a Mormon Church.  See some of the Photo Gallery online, but see all of them in the halls of the restaurant. Huge salad bar, good food.

McDuffy's
12 giant screens and over 70 regular TV's, complete satellite coverage of every sport, Off Track Betting on Thoroughbred Horse and Greyhound Dog Racing, and a full service menu every day until midnight.

Mining Camp Restaurant
All-you-can-eat family style western-type dinners in Apache Junction. Open October through June.

Ruby Tuesday
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale. Burgers, salads, sandwiches, platters in an upbeat setting.

Top of the Rock (The site of Jay & Francy's first kiss! You pay for the view -- I don't remember the food, just that kiss... but it's supposed to be outstanding. $$$)
Award winning Southwestern cuisine with a panoramic view.

Vine Tavern & Eatery
Irish American tavern with locations in Phoenix, East Valley and Scottsdale.

Voodoo Daddy's
Cajun cuisine near Warner and McClintock Roads in Tempe.

Waldo's BBQ
Mesa, Phoenix and Scottsdale. They've got pig and more. Check the website for coupons.

Wildflower Bread Company (Jay had a turkey & guacamole sandwhich here and it was amazing. But it's not on the menu anymore. Other stuff looked amazing too.)
Located in Tempe, Scottsdale and Northwest Phoenix.  Gourmet sandwiches and home baked goodies.