212 FOOD & DRINK SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 | WWW.BESTOFPHOENIX2025.C0M | BEST OF PHOENIX 2025 gent eats with a late-night vibe bathed in the neon glow of classic beer signs. TJ Culp and Esther Noh’s decadent dive is the perfect spot for stick-to-your-ribs fare that can be just for fun or a fitting end to a riotous evening out. Order a chili dog or burger loaded with cheese, jalapenos, onion rings and barbecue sauce, then wash it down with a beer: Sidewinder is also home to some of the city’s most reasonably priced brews. We’re partial to pulling up one of the patio’s mismatched chairs with a crisp Bud Heavy. e e e B E S T S T E A K H O U S E STEAK 44 5101 N. 44TH ST. 602-271-4400 STEAK44.COM We’re going to say something controversial: A good steak isn’t rocket science, and plenty of places around the Valley know how to do right by a prime cut. So what makes a steak- house stand out, then? At Steak 44, it starts with the ambiance. The dark, sleek interior whispers elegance and luxury, setting the tone for a special night out. Then there’s the service. It’s attentive without being over- bearing, and no matter how many questions you’ve got about the menu, your server will be able to help. Last, the steak is only part of the meal, and Steak 44’s menu is stacked with well-executed appetizers, sides and desserts, plus a dizzying array of cocktail and wine options. So while it’s true that Steak 44 does wonders with 28-day-aged cuts of meat, it’s really just the cornerstone of an all- around stellar meal. e e e B E S T S O U T H E R N F O O D CC’S ON CENTRAL 2800 N. CENTRAL AVE., A100 602-253-9220 CCSONCENTRAL.COM CC’s on Central has been evolving, doubling down on Southern fare that touches on elements of Creole, Cajun and soul food — and the roots of the family that runs the restaurant. Founded by mother and son duo Sharon and Devan Cunningham, CC’s has recently shifted its hours later to focus on the lunch and dinner crowd, tweaking the menu as a result. Diners will find fried chicken, po’boy sandwiches and classic dishes including shrimp étouffée, jambalaya and red beans and rice. Don’t skip the restau- rant’s collards, served raw in a vibrant salad with honey vinaigrette, dried apricots, smoked almonds and cheese or stewed in a piquant potlikker. On Wednesdays, guests can also taste uniquely sauced and rubbed chicken wings in flavor combinations that change up each week. e e e B E S T H AWA I I A N R E S TA U R A N T LOCO STYLE GRINDZ 901 N. FIRST ST. INSTAGRAM.COM/LOCOSTYLEGRINDZ Tucked inside the Churchill’s shipping container courtyard just off Roosevelt Row, Loco Style Grindz is ready to transport you to the islands without ever leaving down- town Phoenix. The counter service spot specializes in Hawaiian barbecue, with options including kalbi short ribs, kalua pork and flame-grilled teriyaki chicken. There’s not a bad way to go, but our favorite way to get a taste of everything for an exceptional value is to share with a friend. Opt for the three- or four-entree mixed plate and receive a takeout container piled high with tender meats doused in sweet and savory sauces, paired with rice and tangy mac salad. e e e B E S T B R I T I S H P U B GEORGE & DRAGON 4240 N. CENTRAL AVE. 602-241-0018 GNDPHX.COM Pubs in Britain are all-purpose venues, akin to public libraries, perhaps with slightly cleaner tap lines. Rather than twist itself trying to achieve some sublime ideal of Englishness that not even the English have time for, George & Dragon has for 30 years now swaggered into the something-for- everyone model: A sprawling front patio with abundant, almost performatively productive misters. Huge TVs playing Premier League or Yankees-Red Sox across from a rerun of Matthew Broderick’s “Godzilla.” High-backed wooden dividers along the red-curtained front windows, perfect for keeping conversations intimate. People play pool, people play cards and on Mondays, people belt out karaoke. On Tues- days, you get $2 tacos; on Wednesdays, whiskey specials. But any night of the week can feel cozy with a kitchen this strong. It serves up the usual roster of pub standards (pasties, curries, fishes, chips, bangers, mashes) alongside a cornucopia of drafts and draft mixes, most with a Guinness base. If you stumbled into a pub in Bath or Ludlow or Heddon-on-the-Wall and Americanly
