20 Aug 29th-Sept 4th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | the Nexa Apartments building on Apache Boulevard, the modern restaurant and bar is fun and unpretentious, while still elegant. Start things off with some flaming edamame or tempura calamari before digging into a bowl of ramen or sharing some sushi. The rolls are split into two categories, the “you already know” rolls and “crazy” rolls. The colorful options are made with fresh ingredients and are dressed up with flavorful sauces and toppings such as a pile of spicy popcorn shrimp. Kuka is not only one of the best restaurants near Arizona State University’s campus, it’s also a top sushi spot Valley-wide. Pedal Haus Brewery 730 S. Mill Ave., #102, Tempe Pedal Haus Brewery’s original location has been a staple of dining and drinking in Tempe and the greater Valley since 2025. The bike- and dog-friendly brewpub has stretched its legs beyond that first location, serving its award-winning beers and bites at three other locations around metro Phoenix, with a fourth coming this fall. But, we’re partial to the OG, particularly for an ASU football watch party. The Tempe location got a refresh last year, providing more room to hang out and watch sports, as well as dedicated space for its regular rotation of live musicians. When we pull up to a table, we’re ordering the Brewer’s Board, a massive Bavarian pretzel paired with lots of sweet and salty toppings, including a beer brat, maple butter and beer cheese. The beers, crafted by a team helmed by expert brewer Derek “Doc” Osborne, are tasty, true-to-style renditions. A pint of Day Drinker pairs perfectly with football. Perfect Pear Bistro 603 W. University Drive, Tempe Perfect Pear Bistro has served fresh, seasonal fare at its all-day restaurants for more than a decade. The north Tempe location is often bustling with students and community members alike who drop in to sample the large selection of salads, sandwiches and pasta. Can’t decide what to pick? Luckily, Perfect Pear has a combo option pairing half orders of salad, soup or pasta. These servings are still generous and we usually leave with leftovers. When the air turns crisp and signals the coming fall, the dish we crave from the bistro is its Creamy Mushroom Marsala. In the Perfect Pear’s rendition of the trattoria classic, we don’t miss the meat thanks to umami-rich mushrooms. Roasted garlic and caramelized onions add depth to the creamy marsala sauce that bathes al dente rigatoni. Taco Chelo 521 S. College Ave., #112, Tempe Taco Chelo has been a fixture along downtown Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row since chef Suny Santana, artist Gennaro Garcia and restaurateur Aaron Chamberlin opened the modern, fast-casual taqueria in 2018. For their second location, which opened in May, Taco Chelo’s owners stayed close to an ASU campus, this time in Tempe just steps from Mountain America Stadium. At Taco Chelo, tortillas are hand–pressed, made to order and stuffed with a variety of toppings. Our go-to is the Costra, a quesataco with griddled, richly caramelized cheese, tender carne asada and onion. A surprising, albeit untraditional, option is the vegetable taco, a sweet, smoky option made with sweet potatoes, romesco sauce, crunchy toasted pepitas and feta cheese. The space is small but vibrant, and if you’re imbibing, try the Pica Pina, a pineapple mezcalrita with a Tajin rim. The menu at Taco Chelo draws inspiration from chef Suny Santana’s family recipes. (Photo Taco Chelo) Campus Chow from p 19
