221 september 28, 2023 | WWW.bestofphoenix2023.c0m | best of phoenix 2023 are astonishingly fair, they also sell in bulk for deeper discounts and offer quarter, half and whole cows cut to your specifications by their expert butchers, who can do custom cuts on smaller orders as well. Best Fish Shop NELSON’S MEAT + FISH 2415 E. Indian School Road 602-596-4069 14224 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-935-3736 meat.fish Nelson’s Meat + Fish just gets better and better over time. Chris Nelson will sell you a slab of salmon, sure, but where else in town are you going to find razor clams, fresh sardines, footlong tiger prawns and live Nantucket Bay scallops in the shell? Nelson’s Instagram account routinely heralds fresh shipments of highly prized specialties, and the shelves are stocked with plenty of sauces, supplements and tinned fish to boot. Meanwhile, the meat locker is no slouch, filled with steaks and chops from local producers plus premium sausages and charcuterie from across the country. And though it isn’t a formal dining establishment, the menu boasts the city’s best lobster roll, a sparkling chilled seafood tower, outstanding creative crudo specials and more, all plated for you to walk over to the taproom next door. Best Hamburgers STOOP KID 901 N. First St. getstoopkid.com Stoop Kid blew up for a hot minute when it entered the scene back in 2020, as much for its bagels as for its burgers. But while a tsunami of smashburger pop-ups rose and receded, Stoop Kid kept doing its thing over at The Churchill, slinging a couple of basic burgers along with the occasional special. Now that the dust has settled, circling back to Stoop Kid has been a pleasure. The thing about those “basic burgers” is that they’re done awfully well. Flavorful brisket patties are seared to a startling crisp, layered and tucked into a pillowy brioche bun that’s substantial without being too bready. A slab of quality cheese, deeply caramelized onions, some thick pickle chips and a swipe of bright house sauce are a tried-and-true formula, but here they’re a sterling take on the total package, juicy and dripping and messy in all the best ways. Bonus: The house-made potato chips kick ass. Best Sandwiches NOBLE EATERY 4525 N. 24th St. 602-688-2424 nobleeatery.com There’s no shortage of excellent places to find bread baked fresh locally. Noble has been at it for over a decade, and while you can sample their breads at farmers markets and restaurants around the Valley, Noble Eatery showcases how that bread serves as an excellent foundation for a sandwich. The wood-fired deli and bakery is only open for lunch on weekdays, but you’ll understand the midday rush once you sink your teeth into a soft pide (a Turkish bread) stuffed with tuna, beans, potatoes and farro and punched up with a Cabernet vinegar. The menu of sandwiches is small but hits all the right notes, ranging from turkey to an Italian, with breads that can withstand whatever is piled atop them. Be sure not to miss the rotating chef’s specials, which have included Cubanos, meatball subs and roast beef. Best Late- Night Dining DRUNKEN TIGER 1954 S. Dobson Road, Mesa 480-755-7555 drunkentigeraz.com The pandemic took a bat to the kneecaps of Phoenix’s late-night dining scene, and it still hasn’t fully recovered. But Korean has proven to be one of late-night’s most resilient subgenres, and it’s often your best bet for grabbing some- thing better than a ’Bertos. Korean anju (booze food) is ascendant, and Drunken Tiger remains our favorite purveyor thereof. Justin Jin Park’s buzzy little pub slings soju and sustenance past midnight on the weekends, and you can stuff yourself silly with Korean fried chicken, tteokbokki, corn cheese and the like. This is the kind of brash, aggressive cuisine that’s a religious experience when you’re smashed, but unlike a lot of similar joints, Park’s food tastes just as sharp when you’re sober. The padak is crisp and craggy, the barbecue sizzles, and the fire chicken brings some serious flavor to back up its punishing heat.
