Phoenix Light Rail Dining

[50sGuy]

I'll be in the Phoenix area next month to take in some spring training games. Besides baseball, I also like trains, so am anxious to try the new light rail system. I plan to ride it from one end to the other and back.

Besides baseball and trains, I also enjoy good food. What do you recommend that is within walking distance of a light rail station? I'll be by myself, so a restaurant with bar seating or a sushi place would be perfect. Your ideas are appreciated. Thanks.

[silverbear]

Yes, as azhotdish noted (Thanks for the plug), I've made restaurants near light rail my nerdy hobby for the past 2 years.

Regarding your question of bar seating, there are a few places that stand out for that:

Portland's -- across street from Central / Roosevelt (haven't reviewed that one yet)
Cheuvront -- Central / McDowell station

As for sushi, there are two places right by rail stations, but I haven't reviewed them yet:

Sushi 101 -- University / Rural station
Ichiban -- Central / Thomas

Also, some of the best sushi in Phoenix, IMO, is at Hana Japanese Eatery. It's a bit far from nearest rail station -- just over 1/2 a mile north of 7th Ave / Camelback, but someone motivated and in good shape could easily make the walk in mild weather.

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Hana Japanese Eatery
5524 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013

Cheuvront Wine & Cheese Bar
1326 N. Central, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Portland's Restaurant & Wine Bar
105 W Portland St, Phoenix, AZ 85003

Sushi 101 Japanese Restaurant
920 E University Dr # 101, Tempe, AZ

Ichi Ban Japanese Restaurant
2815 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004

[werewolf]

I like trains too, but does that light rail thing actually go from anyplace to anyplace else that's useful to more than two dozen people? I guess if it has good bus connections...

[hohokam]

Head to Pane Bianco, get yourself a sandwich, and sit down facing Central Ave. Watch the trains go by as you tuck into your food. This would be a great way to collect the data needed to answer your question.

[silverbear]

Hohokam has the right idea. Enjoy eating and drinking well along the rail line regardless of how you travel or what you think of the project. I know where I stand, but I also know that a lengthy discussion of light rail's value is off-topic for this board.

[johnseberg]

It goes right by my office, in Tempe. I'm still more likely to drive to work. But, I will certainly buy the all day pass for a mere $2.50, on occasion, and check out a heck of a lot of Phoenix, after work, without the painful drive.

[50sGuy]

Great site, Silverbear. I'll spend some time reviewing it before I come to town. Thanks!

[azhotdish]

this is all you'll need - silverbear has done an amazing job of documenting nearly everything along the light rail.
http://www.phxrailfood.com/