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OCTOBER 25, 2020 • BEST OF THE BEST
FIRST PLACE
GILBERT & MESA
TACOS Backyard Taco 1420 S. Higley Road, Gilbert | 480-247-2775 1633 S. Stapley Drive, Mesa | 480-378-2095 1524 E. University Drive, Mesa | 480-464-8226 backyardtaco.com
Pita Jungle
FIRST PLACE
MESA
1850 W. Southern Ave, Mesa | 480-615-7482 1652 S. Val Vista Drive, Mesa | 480-339-3595 5609 E. McKellips Road, Mesa | 480-590-6058 pitajungle.com
HEALTHY FOOD
An engineer and a broadcaster who had had it with their respective careers are responsible for what was an off-the-beaten-path niche eatery that has grown to be a mainstream healthy-dining icon, Pita Jungle. Their formula: fresh ingredients with minimal modification to preserve their integrity, an eye on nutrition and allergens, and being friendly to vegans and most other diets. The real key here is that the dishes are tasty.
READER RECOMMENDED GILBERT, MESA & CHANDLER CHANDLER Original ChopShop Salad and Go
35 W. Boston St., Chandler 480-426-0216 originalchopshop.com
Three Mesa locations Two Gilbert locations One Chandler location saladandgo.com
ON
CARB S AL TACO
It started in their west Mesa backyard. Ruben and Maricela Alvarez brought with them their culture, love of good food and, most importantly, recipes from Mazatlan, Mexico. The beneficiaries largely were friends and family, for whom they cooked in their backyard. More people were coming, lines were forming and soon they were serving their tasty tacos from a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Now, they have four serving mesquite-grilled meats for tacos and burritos through the East Valley.
READER RECOMMENDED MESA Nando’s Mexican Cafe
6715 E. McDowell Road, Mesa | 480-830-8181 nandosmexicancafe.com
GILBERT Joyride Taco House East
302 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert | 480-632-8226 joyridetacohouse.com
GRACIAS FOR TE
VOTES!
Voted “Best and Voted “Best Tacos” inTacos” the Best of the Best! “Best Mexican Food” in Mesa again!
MESA: 1524 E. UNIVERSITY DR. MESA, AZ 85203 MESA: 1524 E. UNIVERSITY DR. MESA, AZ 85203 1633 S. STAPLEY DR. MESA, AZ 85204 1633 S. STAPLEY DR. MESA, AZ 85204 GILBERT: 1420 S. HIGLEY RD. GILBERT, AZ 85296 GILBERT: 1420 S HIGLEY RD. GILBERT, AZ 85296 CHANDLER: 2400 S.backyardtaco.com GILBERT RD. CHANDLER, AZ 85286 backyardtaco.com