230 Best of phoenix 2023 | WWW.bestofphoenix2023.c0m | septemBer 28, 2023 sprinkled with big flakes of salt, the colorful confetti and the sweet and cinnamony snickerdoodle. Sugar cookies come in the format of buttery shortbread shaped into cute saguaros or seasonal snowmen. Stop in throughout the year for a selection of flavors to meet any occasion. Best Pancakes OTRO CAFE 6035 N. Seventh St. 602-266-0831 otrocafe.com Remember that saying about eating dessert first? Well, the pancakes at Otro Cafe make a strong argument for eating dessert for breakfast. These flapjacks come single or in a short stack and topped with fresh berries or chocolate chips. But the real winner is the Cajeta Flapjacks. This decadent breakfast starts with fluffy pancakes topped with fresh sliced bananas and creme fraiche. The whole thing is then drizzled with a dizzying, salty-sweet cajeta caramel and sprinkled with candied peanuts. It’s rich, sweet, salty and over the top in the best way possible. Otro starts service at 8 a.m., meaning this dessert can be a very good way to start your day. Best Doughnuts DUTCH DONUT FACTORY 1152 N. Power Road, Mesa 480-748-4037 dutchdonutfactory.godaddysites.com In our current age of wild, over-the-top doughnuts laden with toppings, there’s something to be said for a doughnut shop that keeps it simple. At Dutch Donut Factory in east Mesa, some of the doughnuts have sprinkles. That’s about it as far as bells and whistles go, but when the basic element is this good, you don’t have to slap a bunch of stuff on it. All the classic varieties of doughnuts are represented here — plain, glazed, frosted — as well as other mainstays like cinnamon rolls, bear claws and apple fritters. They’re excellent warm if you get there in early in the morning or later in the day, with just the right texture and sweetness. Best Ice Cream SWEET REPUBLIC 6054 N. 16th St. 602-535-5990 And other Valley locations sweetrepublic.com There’s no shortage of ice cream shops in a place that sees more than 100 days over 100 degrees, but Sweet Republic’s three shops continue to be where we love to cool off and indulge in inventive, sometimes surprising and savory flavors. Founded 15 years ago by Helen Yung and Jan Wichayanuparp, the ice creamery endures as a favorite with items that delight, from its Campfire S’mores Sundae to root beer floats. At the center of it all is hand-spun ice creams and sorbets. We’re partial to salted caramel swirl and bananas Foster, but find ourselves coming back to try rotating seasonal flavors like sweet corn and dill pickle. Best Gelato COOL GELATO ITALIANO 7373 E. Scottsdale Mall, #125, Scottsdale 480-941-3100 coolgelatoitaliano.com If you’re fortunate enough to try authentic gelato in Italy, you’ll probably spend the rest of your life looking for a similar version in your hometown. Phoenicians can stop searching, because Cool Gelato Italiano is in their backyard. Owners Alberto Della Casa and Leticia de Lucia, native Italians, began their foray into the food industry by working as consultants for various groups. They traded their desk jobs to make gelato and haven’t looked back. They bring their knowledge of gelato and make it on-site. Some favorites include raspberry and Meyer lemon flavors; the sweetness isn’t overpowering and the texture of the gelato is light and airy. But the fruit varieties aren’t the only offering. There are choices like chocolate and hazelnut as well. The owners feature 20 varieties daily, and customers will feel like they’re eating flavored clouds while sitting inside or on the outdoor patio. Try it once, and Cool Gelato Italiano will quickly become your go-to gelato spot. Best Candy Store SWEETIES CANDY OF ARIZONA 1986 N. Alma School Road, Chandler 480-899-4245 sweetiescandyaz.com From Airheads to Zotz, if you want to find candy from the current times or decades past, Sweeties probably stocks it. The size of a small supermarket at 13,000 square feet, it’s a sweets superstore in which customers can find everything from elusive
