Phoenix-Tempe area

I've spent a  little time in the Phoenix area with my husband, who went to ASU for several years.  Our two favorite stops are neither fancy nor expensive, but we like them.  One is Monte's La Casa Vieja, a steak place on Mill Ave. in Tempe.  It's built around the old house that was the birthplace of the first governor of AZ (Charles Hayden?).  Good steaks and greatbread, usually busy.  The other is just a little 'burger joint called the Chuck Box, across from ASU on University about3 blocks east of Mill Ave.  Their 'burgers are called 'The Big One' and 'The Great Big One' and are grilled over mesquite.  Excellent.  Both of these are very much on the casual side :-).

For breakfast, you might try T.C. Egginton's in Mesa (at the southwest corner of Highway 360 and Alma School--it's just a mile or so from the Tempe border); the Good Egg in Phoenix or Scottsdale; The Eggery in Phoenix; on Sundays, try the breakfast buffet at Charley Brown's on Lakeshore Drive in Tempe (but be prepared to roll yourself out the door afterwards!)

Thai Food--The Siamese Cat at Price and Baseline in Tempe; Malee's in Scottsdale.

Mexican--Rosita's in Tempe or Mesa; Los Dos Molinos in Mesa or Phoenix; Teepee on Indian School in Phoenix (get the chiles rellenos--YUM!)

Middle Eastern--Salam's on Forest north of University in Tempe; Haji Babas on Apache in Tempe.

Italian--Riazzi's in Tempe; Sorrento's in Mesa; Guido's in Mesa

Barbecue--Honey Bears on Van Buren in Phoenix; Bill Johnson's Big Apple in Phoenix, Mesa or Chandler; Don & Charlies in Scottsdale (best happy hour buffet in town)

Pizza--Nello's in Tempe or Mesa; Red Devil on McDowell in Phoenix (they have generally good Italian food, too)

Chinese--C-Fu Gourmet in Tempe; Chez Song in Scottsdale; Shangri La de Old Cathay in Mesa

Japanese--Kyoto Bowl in Tempe; Ayako of Tokyo in Phoenix (but it's more expensive)

Hamburgers--Chuck Box in Tempe; Flakey Jakes in Tempe; Fuddruckers in Mesa; Ed Debevics in Phoenix (50's type diner)

Steak--Monti's in Tempe; T Bone Steakhouse on South Mountain in Phoenix (not much on atmosphere; however, food and the view overlooking Phoenix is great)

Various--Rustler's Rooste at the Point South Mountain in Phoenix (good steaks, barbecue, etc.--unbeatable view; moderate price)

If there's any other specific type of food you're interested in, E-Mail me and I'll do a "brain check" for good restaurants.  Have fun!