218 nuggets, salads and delicious loaded fries. Get messy with the Southwest Fully Loaded Fries, which come topped with melted vegan cheese, jalapeños, chipotle aioli and crispy onions. This unique spot feels so indulgent and satisfying, you won’t miss the meat one bit. 22222 B EST FA R M E RS’ M A R K E T Uptown Farmers Market 5757 N. Central Ave. 602-859-5648 uptownmarketaz.com Uptown Farmers Market is an experience that you won’t soon forget. Over 100 vendors showcase coffees, fresh produce, pancakes, desserts, burritos and waffles. There are options for those who want gluten-free or vegetarian options, as well as foods from around the world. Supporting local is key at this farmers’ market, and in addition to food items, Valley makers sell soap scrubs, wooden cutting boards, jewelry and much more. There are bounce houses for the kids, and of course, you can bring your well- behaved dog. Take a leisurely stroll and make it your personal goal to sample something from every single vendor. The market is usually open on Saturdays and Wednesdays, and if you go once, you’ll put it on your to-do list for future visits. B EST AS I A N G RO C E RY STO R E H Mart 1919 W. Main St., Mesa 480-207-4560 hmart.com This massive grocery chain has everything you need, and plenty of items you didn’t know you needed but will bring home with you anyway. Buy and try Hello Kitty sake, yellow dragon fruit, decorative chopsticks, Korean skincare, shrimp-flavored chips and oh-so-much more. You’ll want to pick up fresh kimchi from the ready-to-eat food station in the back corner or check out the fish options at the extensive seafood section. Before or after your shopping trip, stop at the food court which boasts a number of restaurants cooking up fried pork belly, spicy noodle soups, fried chicken, bulgogi risotto and French- inspired desserts, just to name a few choices. B E ST JA PA N E S E M A R K E T New Tokyo Food Market 3435 W. Northern Ave. 602-841-0255 The Asian megamarket boom is both deli- cious and exciting, but sometimes there’s no substitute for a well-stocked neighborhood market. Forget its diminutive footprint. There’s no better place in town to stock up on everything you need for Japanese cooking. New Tokyo is free of fluff and a boon to the indecisive, loaded with a thoughtful selection of ingredients that feature one or two quality options rather than a mountain of junk. Shelves of pantry staples are joined by fridge and freezer cases filled with fresh ingredients, from miso to mackerel to myoga. The sweets and snacks aisle is no slouch, brimming with deeper cuts than the same old, same old you’ll find everywhere else. And a small selection of kitchenwares is joined by an extensive collection of Japanese DVDs for those looking to catch up on their dramas or learn the language while watching some anime. 22222 B E ST I TA L I A N D E L I Romanelli’s Italian Deli 3437 W. Dunlap Ave. 602-249-9030 romanellisitaliandeli.com It’s more Italian-American than Italian if we’re splitting hairs, but anybody who grew up with Italian subs, cannoli and a big pot of gravy on Sundays is going to feel right at home in this place. Romanelli’s strength lies in its ability to offer a wide selection of groceries that range from the fancy-pants imported delicacies to the cheap everyday staples, with plenty of options in between. Meanwhile, the deli slings some formidable subs, from piles of cold cuts with cool vegeta- bles and a tart vinaigrette on crisp bread to hot sausage and beef sandwiches dunked in marinara or jus with your choice of peppers. And when you’re ready for some sweets, the bakery case offers a bevy of favorites, including cannoli that aren’t too sweet, perfect almond-scented pignolate and surprisingly good sfogliatelle.
