Skip to main content
DiningBlog

15 Tastiest Restaurants in Mesa, AZ

By February 7, 2023February 8th, 2023No Comments

Arizona is, without a doubt, home to some of the best restaurants in America. Just outside of bustling Phoenix lies Mesa, a town known for its rich cultural landscape and bustling food scene. Here, you can expect to find everything from classic Italian to rustic brunches and a never-ending selection of authentic Mexican restaurants.

You’ll be minutes away from countless bars, restaurants, and cafes when you stay at one of our vacation rentals. Luckily, no matter where you’re spending the day, you’ll never be more than a stone’s throw away from some of Mesa’s best restaurants.

Here are our 15 favorite places to eat in Mesa that we recommend you try for yourself.

República Empanada

This cozy, family-run spot serves up the best empanadas in the valley. They offer savory empanadas with traditional Latin American fillings like slow-roasted pork and tender seasoned veggies, alongside more creative sweet empanadas like their Dizzy Fig, stuffed with local figs, creamy mozzarella, and decadent dulce de leche.

They also offer classic Latin American platters with perfectly seasoned meats alongside rice, and their cocktail menu is simple but curated. Their house made sangria and margaritas are some of the best in Mesa.

Red White & Brew

  • Address: 6740 E McDowell Road #102, Mesa
  • Website: rwbaz.com
  • Price point: $11-25

Red White & Brew features a from-scratch kitchen with a warm, welcoming dining room, a full bar, and an extended patio offering misters to keep you cool in the warm summer months.

Their eclectic menu offers everything from fresh seafood to strombolis to juicy ribeye steaks, but what they’re really known for is their brick oven pizzas and a lengthy list of craft brews, cocktails, and wine.

Bobby-Q BBQ Restaurant & Steakhouse

Bobby Q’s serves up some of the best from-scratch BBQ in Mesa with classic BBQ dishes like smoked beef brisket, juicy pulled pork, and tender baby back ribs. Everything is made in-house, including the complimentary cornbread cakes and doughnuts, which you’ll notice frying away as soon as you walk in the door.

In addition to exceptional BBQ, Bobby Q’s also offers up some of the best fried chicken in Mesa and an expansive list of handcrafted cocktails, local brews, and wines for every palate.

T.C. Eggington’s

  • Address: 1660 S Alma School Road #129, Mesa
  • Website: tcegg.com
  • Price point: $11-25

This spot offers award-winning breakfast with generous portions, friendly staff, and ever-flowing coffee. T.C. Eggington’s serves up all the classic players for an exceptional brunch taken up a notch. With buttery pancakes, fluffy french toast, savory omelets, numerous vegetarian options, and fresh fruit smoothies, there’s something for everyone here.

Tip: T.C. Eggington’s also offers pre-orders online for those who want to indulge with takeout breakfast back in their vacation rental.

Organ Stop Pizza

Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

When it comes to a full-fledged dining experience, you can’t go wrong with an evening at Organ Stop Pizza. It’s essentially dinner with a show, and that show is the world’s largest indoor pipe organ, the “Mighty Wurlitzer,” played by talented organ players.

Sit on the main level for a full-on view of the pipe organ as it ignites the theater with color and exceptional sound, or sit on the balcony for an overhead view. Guests can request everything from Disney songs to Katy Perry, which makes for a fun and lively atmosphere.

As for the food, it’s a pretty standard pizza menu with a full salad bar, sandwiches, beer, and wine. Most guests come for the dining experience.

All Pierogi Kitchen Restaurant & Euro Market

Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

  • Address: 1245 W Baseline Road, 101-103, Mesa
  • Website: allpierogi.com
  • Price point: $11-25

The All Pierogi Kitchen is an authentic Ukrainian eatery serving up traditional dishes like dill pickle soup, kielbasa, savory sausage plates, cabbage rolls, and of course, pierogies with an assortment of fillings.

The ambiance is casual and comfortable, perfect for a quick and authentic lunch. While you’re there, pop in next door at the European Market, which offers an assortment of fresh European foods hard to find elsewhere.

Two Hands Korean Hot Dogs

  • Address: 1933 W Main Street, #6, Mesa
  • Website: twohandsus.com
  • Price point: Under $10

If you’ve never had a Korean hot dog, then you’ll want to rectify that with a quick stop at Two Hands.

This funky spot makes fast food look gourmet. The menu features custom corn dogs filled with your choice of sausage, mozzarella, or a mix of both. Then, they’re battered with optional add-ons like rice puffs or potato cubes (don’t knock it till you try it!) before being deep fried and covered in sauce. There’s usually a line, but it’s always worth the wait.

Rosa’s Mexican Grill

  • Address: 328 E University Drive, Mesa
  • Website: rosasgrill.com
  • Price point: $11-25

Arizona is known for its wealth of authentic Mexican food. While the options are endless, Rosa’s Mexican Grill features some of the best award-winning Baja-style Mexican food in Mesa.

Their menu features a variety of classic Mexican dishes like mole enchiladas and carne asada on fresh tortillas, alongside street tacos and hearty burritos. They also offer a selection of fresh seafood and creative salads.

Charleston’s Restaurant

Charleston’s features classic Americana dishes like baked potato soup, juicy burgers, and crispy fried chicken alongside high-end sirloin steaks and prime rib. In addition, they also offer an entirely gluten-free menu, making it the perfect spot for dietary restrictions.

With an expansive wine and cocktail list, there’s something for everyone. The ambiance is elevated yet comfortable, perfect for a date night or a larger get-together.

Crackers & Co. Cafe

  • Address: 535 W Iron Avenue, UNIT 131, Mesa (Eastgate)
  • Address: 1325 N Greenfield Road, #101, Mesa (Greenfield)
  • Website: crackersandcompanycafe.com
  • Price point: $11-25

With two locations in Mesa, one in Eastgate, West Mesa, and one in Greenfield, East Mesa, you’ll never be too far away from an all-day breakfast. Service is excellent at Crackers & Co. Cafe, and there are tons of breakfast and lunch options for everyone.

They’re best known for their stuffed crepes and hearty skillets, though you can’t go wrong with any sandwich off their lunch menu.

Worth Takeaway

Whether you’re looking for a quick grab-and-go sandwich and a cup of coffee, or you’re in the mood for a sit-down brunch in a minimalist cafe, Worth Takeaway is “worth” the stop.

So much more than just another sandwich shop, Worth Takeaway emphasizes local ingredients with a housemade flare. Their grilled cheese is irresistible, as is their homemade banana pudding. And, if you are in a rush, they offer the option to order online.

Vito’s Pizza & Italian Ristorante

  • Address: 1947 N Lindsay Road, Mesa
  • Website: vitospizza.com
  • Price point: $11-25

A Mesa staple, Vito’s Pizza is a casual rustic Italian restaurant that offers classic dishes such as lobster ravioli, shrimp scampi, and pesto gnocchi. That said, you can’t go wrong with one of their Chicago-style thin-crust pizzas, especially their Siciliano. Vito’s also offers gluten-free and vegan options, so no one has to feel left out.

Jalapeño Bucks

Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

  • Address: 3434 N Val Vista Drive, Mesa
  • Website: jalapenobucks.com
  • Price point: $11-25

Jalapeño Bucks is an epic outdoor restaurant offering BBQ and Mexican food in a casual and fun setting. Surrounded by citrus groves, this spot began as a shack for selling oranges and, eventually, BBQ sauce. Today, it’s known for hearty burritos, tender smoked pulled pork and beef brisket sandwiches.

Jalapeño Bucks is outdoor seating only and has a walk-up window for ordering, putting you even closer to their smoker, which fills the air with the irresistible smell of homemade BBQ while the misters keep you cool.

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

If the name doesn’t say it all, Gus’s serves up southern-style spicy fried chicken, made to order, in a casual setting. They like to joke (or maybe not) that Gus’ recipes are “dead man” recipes, and he’ll never tell.

Their menu is simple, emphasizing fresh fried chicken and classic southern sides, each made in-house, down to the shredded cabbage in the coleslaw and the chopped potatoes in the savory potato salad. Oh, and don’t forget dessert. Their pecan pie is irresistible and – of course – baked fresh daily.

Green Corner Restaurant

Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

Green Corner serves traditional Mediterranean food out of a fast-casual counter-service spot, where the portions are more than generous, perfect for sharing. Authentic dishes like stuffed grape leaves, chicken shawarma, and lamb gyros are each made perfectly, priced reasonably, and served with a smile.

Enjoy Mesa’s Best Restaurants

Arizona is the perfect destination for families, couples, hikers, and foodies. With this long list of dynamic restaurants, you’ll never need to worry about a bland meal in Mesa.

Whether replenishing after a hike up Scottsdale’s Camelback Mountain, exploring Downtown Mesa’s shops, or just relaxing at one of our vacation rentals, you’ll always be around the corner from great food and exceptional food restaurants in Mesa, Arizona.

Next Post

Leave a Reply