Dining in Mesa is a deliciously deceptive affair. It’s where you celebrate anniversaries with perfect steaks or debate life’s big questions over tacos, but it’s also where culinary reputations are forged and broken. Mesa is the city of serious eats – if you aren’t navigating its sizzling grills, savoring slow-cooked traditions, and spotting a truly remarkable dish before the first bite, you’re missing the point entirely.
Alibertos Mexican Food
$ | (480) 834-2259 | WEBSITE
Even though it’s just off the main drag in Mesa, Alibertos Mexican Food is a straightforward spot for those craving a quick, satisfying meal. The drive-thru isn’t fancy, but it’s efficient enough that you can get your food without a long wait. The carne asada burritos are when you want to be here for flavorful meat and generous portions.
Boca Taqueria
$ | (480) 659-8790 | WEBSITE
It’s been one of those afternoons and the last thing you need is a $15 fancy cocktail and a dining room full of food bloggers. Boca Taqueria is a vegetarian’s paradise and the kind of easy-going neighborhood spot that doesn’t exist anywhere else in Mesa. There’s no meat required here, so don’t come craving it. But meet your friend here at 6pm for a hefty burrito and quick chat about your week, and you’ll walk out feeling better.
Outback Steakhouse
$$ | (480) 615-7667 | WEBSITE
Outback Steakhouse is the perfect place to head on a Friday night after a long week when you just want to treat yourself without any fuss. While it does get busy here on the weekends, the atmosphere stays welcoming, and you can always count on the exceptional staff to make you feel valued. The filet mignon is definitely the go-to here, and the lobster and ribs are delicious as well. $5 off all steaks during the early dinner special is a nice feature too.
L J’s Pizza Patio
$ | (480) 834-9164 | WEBSITE
Yes, that L J’s Pizza Patio. Though the legendary spot is a bonafide local favorite these days, this is the hidden gem and the authenticity endures. You come to L J’s after you’ve already settled in for the evening only to decide that you actually do need that pizza. Slide into one of their always-cozy booths, enjoy the small-town atmosphere, and watch families share the best pizza they’ve ever had. All in your comfies.
5 R CHA Thai Bistro
$$ | (480) 854-1487 | WEBSITE
5 R CHA Thai Bistro is a cozy spot perfect for when you want to impress without overdoing it. There’s a whole dining area, but you want to grab a table near the front to soak in the warm, inviting atmosphere. The place shines during lunch hours, Monday through Friday, 11:30am-2:30pm, where you’ll find $12 lunch specials and $6 appetizers. Order the Kao Soi.
Sakura Sushi
$$ | (480) 590-8688 | WEBSITE
Yes, we gave Sakura Sushi a pretty straightforward review and no, this is not us overselling it. But when you approach Sakura Sushi correctly, it can be just right – and the all-you-can-eat lunch is how you do it. Slide into a booth with your hungry friends, watch the chefs quickly assemble fresh hand rolls behind the counter, and get yourself a well-stocked plate in one of Mesa’s most reliable spots.
Hope’s Frybread
$$ | (480) 465-2666 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Mesa is this tiny, humble neighborhood joint…just kidding. It’s the f*cking Hope’s Frybread. If that name means nothing to you, grab the nearest local food guide and flip open to the “Where Locals Go To Get Their Frybread Fix” section. That will answer all your questions. Although, serious eating does in fact happen here – so if you have some, this is the power spot to get it done.
The Trough
$ | (480) 986-1119 | WEBSITE
The more you bring The Trough into your life, the better off you’ll be. And that’s especially true for Friday nights with friends. While they may not specialize in fancy cocktails, the attentive staff is happy to accommodate special requests and that’s huge when you just want to unwind. Waiting inside for you is a lively, vibrant restaurant, where people let you laugh your laugh, play your pool, and drink your cold beer in peace.
Taco Bell
$ | (480) 831-7846 | WEBSITE
Taco Bell is the fast-food chain known for its Mexican-inspired fare. The food is nothing to write home about, but the Mesa location has a convenient, laid-back setup and great value. Also, there’s a consistently quick drive-through that stays open late, with items like the Baja Blast and crunchy taco supreme under $3. No one’s ever too mad about a side of pinto beans with cheese while grabbing a quick bite.
What’s Crackin Cafe
$ | (480) 264-6832 | WEBSITE
What’s Crackin Cafe is a genuinely fun neighborhood breakfast spot in Mesa where you go when you want to avoid the usual boring chain restaurants or people just grabbing coffee and rushing out. The space feels like a lively weekend brunch place that’s been a local favorite for years, and there’s often live music on weekends that includes delicious mimosa flights and great local bands.
They also serve a very solid breakfast menu largely composed of things you want to eat while enjoying a morning out.
Twisted Pies Pizzeria
$ | (480) 699-8022 | WEBSITE
This cozy shrine to meticulously made pizzas is also a solid spot to take a deep breath and enjoy soft jazz music after work. The clean and welcoming interior is perfect for anything from a relaxing lunch with colleagues to a casual unwind with the family.
Smashburger
$ | (623) 888-6635 | WEBSITE
Smashburger is one of those places that looks like just another fast-food joint from the outside and is actually the opposite inside. Sure, this casual burger spot is a popular lunch destination for families and workers, but they’re here for the same reasons you are. To grab a satisfying meal without breaking the bank, enjoy those crispy sweet potato fries with friends in the clean dining area, and take full advantage of that friendly, efficient service.
Mae-Khong Thai Tapas & Bar
$$ | (480) 702-0367 | WEBSITE
Visit Mae-Khong Thai Tapas & Bar for a romantic Thai dinner and you’ll find the perfectly adequate strip plaza restaurant that it actually is. Use it to share small plates with friends on their very functional patio and celebrate how much you love authentic Thai food, and it works wonderfully. You can order the crispy chicken and spicy papaya salad if you’re hungry and actually eat it like everyone else here, but you’re enjoying your Thai tea tonight and that’s exactly how you want it.
LA CASA DEL GUAJOLOTE
$ | (480) 406-9394 | WEBSITE
It’s not even noon and you’re already dreaming of a lunch that actually tastes like something. Forget those chain burritos for now because your craving for real Mexican food is calling and it wants to answer. La Casa Del Guajolote is the kind of spot you don’t find often in Mesa – authentic but unassuming, and the right kind of crowded. They have some of the best homemade sauces in town, and a menu from Hidalgo that’s way more flavorful than it needs to be.
Aren’t you glad you didn’t settle for fast food?
Roll Avenue
$$ | (480) 245-7892 | WEBSITE
Roll Avenue is one of the best ice cream shops in Mesa, tucked away in a convenient spot with plenty of parking, and somehow people still don’t really know about it. Which is good news for you and your low-key family outing plans. The cozy shop has a fun, welcoming feel, and the crowd inside is mostly families and ice cream lovers watching their treats being made. The atmosphere is relaxed, you can always find a seat if you’re there early, and the rolled ice cream is fantastic.
Just know you’ll have to find somewhere to eat beforehand.