Lunch options near Recker/Baseline (Mesa)

[azhotdish]

Chain city, right? I used to live in the area, but have been gone for years and my SO works around that corner. Are there any decent options within a 3 mile radius for lunch? Thanks...

[azhotdish]

Thanks for all the responses, sounds like my gf has some decent options for lunch.

[aztami]

You have a few great options, I just moved from Greenfield and Baseline:)
Bola Thai @ Baseline/Greenfield (Basha's Shopping Center) is pretty good for fast thai food but Mike Thai @ Higley/Southern is awesome!! Owned by the people who used to own Mint Thai Cafe (wow! has it gone downhill since they sold it)

Caruso's also @ Baseine/ Greenfield, excellent family owned italian!!!

AJ's @ Val Vista is a great choice w/a full salad bar, 6 kinds of soup daily, 2 or 3 lunch specials, pizza by the slice, plus a full bar-b-que outside (great made to order burgers (yes they will cook med. rare!) Great prices also for the quality of food you receive.

Outside of AJ's, no chains!!

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Mike Thai
5110 E Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85206

AJ's Fine Foods
1836 S Val Vista Dr, Mesa, AZ 85204

[scorpioscuba]

I second the vote on Mike Thai. We've enjoyed all of our meals there.

[nau_snowbunny]

I third Mike Thai. They are friendly, fast, and food is enjoyable.

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

I always forget about those burgers at AJ's... man are they ever delicious! It's easily one of the best burgers in town.

[boingo2000]

At Ellsworth/Baseline, there's an Uncle Bear's, which is a sports bar and grill. I haven't been to that location, but regularly patronize the original Cooper/Warner location. They have great, friendly service and above average burgers, wings etc.

[boingo2000]

Link

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Uncle Bear's Grill & Bar
9053 E Baseline Rd, Mesa, AZ

[yamalam]

I just returned from an amazing slice of pizza at Venezia's on Guadalupe and Ellsworth (more or less 3 miles) and so, must pipe in here. If you are a fan of NY style pizza, this place is the best in the Valley, in my, and countless native New Yorkers, opinion. Heads up though, it's best when you order a slice and eat there, or if you must feed others, you have to get the Party Pizza, an enormous 24" pie that feeds 10 (I've never bothered to try the other sizes but apparently the crust gets too thick). The Party Pizzas are $18.99 on Wednesdays. Slices are always $2.25 each. Crust is crispy on the bottom, good ratio of cheese to sauce to crust, sauce is delish, good quality cheese... I like Bianco or Humble Pie for fun toppings, but V's is top dog for classic cheese or pepperoni pies.

[zebcook]

Well, I don't work that far away, so here are some options I know of. Yes, the pickings are thin for non-chain choices, but not hopeless. (Has anyone found a proper taqueria in that distance?)

Salerno's Pizza -- proper thick crust Chicago pizza, old school red sauce pasta (lasagna especially). Restaurant is a Chicago extension (Berwyn, actually). Co-worker who grew up in Chicago remembers them up there from his youth.

Tum Nak Thai -- good basic Thai place. Once they get to know you they will bring it properly spicy if you ask.

Chicago's Old Neighborhood -- Hot dogs, gyros and fries.

Sakana Sushi -- Sushi and some tempura dishes. Not my favorite but not awful either.

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Tum Nak Thai
2060 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85209

Salerno's Pizza Restraunts
3921 E Guadalupe Rd # 9, Gilbert, AZ

Chicago's Old Neighborhood
6610 E Baseline Rd # 109, Mesa, AZ

Sakana Sushi & Grill
1853 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85206

[cjs123]

Be careful of Chicago's Old Neighborhood. The owner (not a manager or cashier) got exasperated when I didn't understand something he was asking, then started yelling over a further misunderstanding. When I tried to straighten things out after getting the food, he went off a third time. In my opinion, no food is worth such grossly unprofessional treatment. Do yourself a favor--go to one of the other several places around that area.