217 september 28, 2023 | WWW.bestofphoenix2023.c0m | best of phoenix 2023 Best Food Court MEKONG PLAZA 66 S. Dobson Road, Mesa 480-363-9009 mekongplaza.com Mekong Plaza in Mesa contains a group of Asian-inspired and -owned businesses and restaurants. Some of the restaurants are tucked in the spacious food court. Binh Duong Quan and Huế Gourmet sell Vietnamese cuisine, including Vietnamese chicken salad, a host of rice and glass noodle soups, and crispy deep-fried rolls or fresh rice paper rolls to snack on. Heng’s Kitchen has Chinese snacks and dishes, including a smorgasbord of dim sum dumplings and other finger foods, tradi- tional rice dishes and noodle bowls. Wholly Grill has a Filipino vibe with grilled barbecue sticks over rice, lumpia and an array of authentic cuisine made to order. Asian-inspired gift stores and specialty shops surround the food court to entertain you after a hearty, conveniently fast and affordable bite. Best International Market LEE LEE’S INTERNATIONAL SUPERMARKETS 2025 N. Dobson Road, Chandler 480-899-2887 7575 W. Cactus Road, Peoria 623-773-3345 leeleesupermarket.com If you’re an aspiring or seasoned chef, Lee Lee’s is the place to explore. Embark on a delicious journey worldwide through the different aisles filled with items from every corner of the globe. If you’re looking for authentic curry ingredients for your Thai- or Indian-inspired meal, the chain supermarket covers you with veggies, meats and spices. Are you looking to fry lumpia from the Philippines? You can buy them frozen in various brands or make them from scratch with thin lumpia wrapper packets, ground pork, cabbage and carrots; more than a few sweet chili dipping sauces are also offered here. Though much of the real estate is occupied by Asian food items, Lee Lee’s is still the place to find things like Eastern European meats and dairy products, French potato chips and even regional American foods. Lastly, the supermarkets, with over 200,000 square feet spread within its three stores in Chandler, Peoria and Tucson, sell housewares to cook and present the global delicacies you are about to serve. Best Middle Eastern Market PRINCESS PITA MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT AND MARKET 2620 W. Broadway Road, Mesa 480-894-1499 princesspitaaz.com Family-owned Princess Pita Mediterranean Restaurant and Market knows what it knows, which is falafel, kababs and various sundries from the Middle East, Greece, India and Persia. The aisles won’t necessarily overwhelm, and you’ll have plenty of time to look at each item and study the ingredients. The market also has cheeses, olives, spices, dates and grape leaves, as well as a full line of halal meats including lamb, goat, beef and chicken. Before or after you take a look at all the grocery items you want to buy to make a meal at home, you can grab a bite to eat at the restaurant, which dishes up beef shawarma, chicken and beef kabobs, koftas, hummus, rice and salad. The bakery counter also has baklava to try on-site or as a take-home dessert. Best Italian Deli ROMANELLI’S ITALIAN DELI 3437 W. Dunlap Ave. 602-249-9030 romanellisitaliandeli.com Walking into Romanelli’s Italian Deli is like gliding into an olfactory orgy. As soon as the smells of freshly baked bread, zesty spices, piquant peppers, tangy cheeses and cured meats hit your nostrils, your mouth starts watering, and your eyes start wandering. Where to start? At the deli counter for a George’s Special sandwich, overflowing with ham, capicola, salami, mortadella, pepperoni and provolone? Or hit the grocery aisles in search of the perfect pasta or extra-virgin olive oil? The family-owned and -operated Romanelli’s
