Bacanora is, without a doubt, the most exciting thing going in Phoenix right now. It’s up for James Beard awards. National mags are saying it’s one of the best restaurants in America. Local mags are saying it’s the best thing since sliced bread. If you like big flavors and meats cooked over fire (think backyard steaks and the best pollo asado), you’re in for a treat.

The first time I had chicken and waffles was at Lolo’s, back in the early 2000’s. Soul food wasn’t a new concept to me or anything, but this seemed different. It was incredible. At some point I found out that Lolo was the grandson of Ms. White, whose restaurant had been a downtown staple for decades. And that was that. I went, found the perfectly cooked chicken fried steak I was hoping for, and was a forever fan.

If you’re looking for vegan food in the Valley, you really only have one good option per neighborhood—this isn’t Portland, LA, or Seattle. Fortunately for those on the western side of downtown, Earth might be the best vegan spot in the city. The menu has a lot of your typical vegan fare—wings, a burger, and alt-milkshakes (the milkshakes here are really pretty amazing)—but the real star of the show is the Mexican food.