Top Five Downtown Restaurants
1: My Big Fat Greek Restaurant
My Big Fat Greek Restaurant has a beautiful patio for people to eat on.
Address: 455 N. 3rd street, Ste. 108, phoenix arizona, 85004
Website: http://mybigfatgreekrestaurant.com/
Known For: My Big Fat Greek Restaurant is a family restaurant in the Arizona Center. They are known for their Greek style food, hence the word Greek being in the name. The restaurant is known for being very family friendly and having good service. Their specialty are their gyros which is a mixture of beef and lamb carved straight off the rotisserie. The restaurant also has very good hummus dips and fish. If you aren't in the mood for meat, they have a very good athenian pasta which is an olive oil based sauce. Overall My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, has a great variety of choices to choose from.
What students say about it:
“All of their meals are a reasonable price for how much you pay, I always leave happy with the service and I absolutely love their pistachio covered ice cream and baklava.” - Ariel Lankton
Website: http://mybigfatgreekrestaurant.com/
Known For: My Big Fat Greek Restaurant is a family restaurant in the Arizona Center. They are known for their Greek style food, hence the word Greek being in the name. The restaurant is known for being very family friendly and having good service. Their specialty are their gyros which is a mixture of beef and lamb carved straight off the rotisserie. The restaurant also has very good hummus dips and fish. If you aren't in the mood for meat, they have a very good athenian pasta which is an olive oil based sauce. Overall My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, has a great variety of choices to choose from.
What students say about it:
“All of their meals are a reasonable price for how much you pay, I always leave happy with the service and I absolutely love their pistachio covered ice cream and baklava.” - Ariel Lankton
Tied for #2: Matt's Big Breakfast
A small restaurant, Matt's serves giant portions of food
Address: 801 N. 1st street, Phoenix AZ., 85004
Website: http://www.mattsbigbreakfast.com/
Known For: Matt's Big Breakfast is obviously known for their great breakfasts. They are also known for having very long lines all throughout the mornings due a small number of people being seated. The wait is well worth it though. They give their customers giant portions of food with omelets the size of your face. Once inside however, the wait is fairly short for you to receive your food. Matt's big breakfast is known for its eggs as well as their meats. They also have very good coffee.
What students say about it:
“Matt’s Big Breakfast not only great food but a great environment as well” – Ryan Cohan
"Matt's is great because it's one of a kind. The atmosphere, the people, the food, there's nothing else like it around Phoenix. Plus it's delicious!" – Evie Carpenter
Website: http://www.mattsbigbreakfast.com/
Known For: Matt's Big Breakfast is obviously known for their great breakfasts. They are also known for having very long lines all throughout the mornings due a small number of people being seated. The wait is well worth it though. They give their customers giant portions of food with omelets the size of your face. Once inside however, the wait is fairly short for you to receive your food. Matt's big breakfast is known for its eggs as well as their meats. They also have very good coffee.
What students say about it:
“Matt’s Big Breakfast not only great food but a great environment as well” – Ryan Cohan
"Matt's is great because it's one of a kind. The atmosphere, the people, the food, there's nothing else like it around Phoenix. Plus it's delicious!" – Evie Carpenter
Tied for #2: Subway
Students waiting in line for their Subway sandwich.
Address: 555 N Central Ave, Ste. 104 Phoenix, AZ 85003, USA
Website: http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/index.aspx
Known For: Subway is known for their five dollar footlong sandwiches. Subway is an easy place for students, and other professionals to get a quick cheap bite to go fast. Subway is known to have fresh bread and meat to put on the sandwich. Some of the five dollar options include, the new chicken marinara melt, a cold cut combo, spicy italian and even a veggie delight option.
What students say about it:
“Subway has set the standard in sub pricing. If I go anywhere else that charges more then $5 for a footlong sub then I just walk away because I know I can get a better deal at Subway” –Ian Blake
“I like Subway because of the choices. I like that you can see them making your sandwich, so you know your order is correct. I also like that they have $5 sandwiches and meals, but it makes me sad that turkey isn't one of the $5 options.” - Megan Fay Mattox
Website: http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/index.aspx
Known For: Subway is known for their five dollar footlong sandwiches. Subway is an easy place for students, and other professionals to get a quick cheap bite to go fast. Subway is known to have fresh bread and meat to put on the sandwich. Some of the five dollar options include, the new chicken marinara melt, a cold cut combo, spicy italian and even a veggie delight option.
What students say about it:
“Subway has set the standard in sub pricing. If I go anywhere else that charges more then $5 for a footlong sub then I just walk away because I know I can get a better deal at Subway” –Ian Blake
“I like Subway because of the choices. I like that you can see them making your sandwich, so you know your order is correct. I also like that they have $5 sandwiches and meals, but it makes me sad that turkey isn't one of the $5 options.” - Megan Fay Mattox
4: Hooters
Hooters is a great place to watch your favorite sports teams
Address: 455 N. 3rd street, Ste. 190, phoenix AZ, 85004
Website: http://www.hooters.com/home.aspx
Known For: When most people think of Hooters, the first thing that comes two things that come to their mind are girls and wings. Hooters is known for their wings, especially on Wingsday which is all you can eat wings on Wednesdays. They also have big juicy burgers if you aren't in the mood for any wings. In terms of appetizers, they are known for their curly fries as well as their fried pickles. These are both very popular at the restaurant. Go there any sunday, and you will be able to watch any NFL game as they have many television sets tuned into the big sporting events going on.
What students say about it:
“Hooters is a quality restaurant in the heart of downtown Phoenix. There's not many options in the area for students who have class downtown. Hooters is open later than other restaurants in the area. It is a great place to watch games and relax with friends.” – Zach Solomon Beloin
“I really like their buffalo chicken sandwich, while most people go for the girls i actually go because I like the food” – Andrew Boven
Website: http://www.hooters.com/home.aspx
Known For: When most people think of Hooters, the first thing that comes two things that come to their mind are girls and wings. Hooters is known for their wings, especially on Wingsday which is all you can eat wings on Wednesdays. They also have big juicy burgers if you aren't in the mood for any wings. In terms of appetizers, they are known for their curly fries as well as their fried pickles. These are both very popular at the restaurant. Go there any sunday, and you will be able to watch any NFL game as they have many television sets tuned into the big sporting events going on.
What students say about it:
“Hooters is a quality restaurant in the heart of downtown Phoenix. There's not many options in the area for students who have class downtown. Hooters is open later than other restaurants in the area. It is a great place to watch games and relax with friends.” – Zach Solomon Beloin
“I really like their buffalo chicken sandwich, while most people go for the girls i actually go because I like the food” – Andrew Boven
Tied for #5: Five Guys
Five Guys gets crowded for lunch when workers get out
Address: 50 W. Jefferson, Ste. 180, phoenix, AZ, 85003
Website: http://www.fiveguys.com/home.aspx
Known For: Juicy burgers made fresh when you order them with 16 toppings to choose from. Fries, both Cajun if you want some kick, or regular, made fresh filling the bag steaming hot to go perfectly with your burger. Many people compare the burger joint to In n Out. Barack Obama even considers it to be his favorite burger place. This is a great place you want to grab a fast burger with your own personal choice of toppings and fries. If you aren't in the mood for a burger, they have hot dogs for you as well.
What students say about it:
"As a college student, grabbing a great bite to eat at an affordable price is important, Five Guys Burgers hits the spot" - Porfirio Caldera
“Five Guys is really good. They're fries are awesome. It's nice to get some new tastes into Downtown Phoenix. That's the one thing that Arizona can pride itself on--there is a large variety of restaurants, tastes, and styles.” – Josh Frigerio
Website: http://www.fiveguys.com/home.aspx
Known For: Juicy burgers made fresh when you order them with 16 toppings to choose from. Fries, both Cajun if you want some kick, or regular, made fresh filling the bag steaming hot to go perfectly with your burger. Many people compare the burger joint to In n Out. Barack Obama even considers it to be his favorite burger place. This is a great place you want to grab a fast burger with your own personal choice of toppings and fries. If you aren't in the mood for a burger, they have hot dogs for you as well.
What students say about it:
"As a college student, grabbing a great bite to eat at an affordable price is important, Five Guys Burgers hits the spot" - Porfirio Caldera
“Five Guys is really good. They're fries are awesome. It's nice to get some new tastes into Downtown Phoenix. That's the one thing that Arizona can pride itself on--there is a large variety of restaurants, tastes, and styles.” – Josh Frigerio
Tied for #5: Lolo's Chicken and Waffles
There are two locations, one Downtown, one in Scottsdale
Address: 110 W. Yuma St., Phoenix, AZ, 85003
Website: http://www.loloschickenandwaffles.com/
Known For: Lo-Lo's is known for being a great and one of a kind type of place. Restaurants that serve chicken and waffles are very rare. They are known for being original in their foods and drinks which include sweet tea and Kool-Aid. This is a famous and classic restaurant in Phoenix. The waffle is sweet and fresh with the butter and syrup and mixes well with the crunchy fried chicken.
What students say about it:
“It's such a random combination of food, having chicken and waffles. but its really close to our dorms so its convenient to get to and its so good.” -Robyn Robledo
“Aside from the great food, does it get any better than chicken, waffles and a big jar of kool-aid? they also offer a weekly 50% off offer to students that makes if affordable too!” – Arielle Hurst
Website: http://www.loloschickenandwaffles.com/
Known For: Lo-Lo's is known for being a great and one of a kind type of place. Restaurants that serve chicken and waffles are very rare. They are known for being original in their foods and drinks which include sweet tea and Kool-Aid. This is a famous and classic restaurant in Phoenix. The waffle is sweet and fresh with the butter and syrup and mixes well with the crunchy fried chicken.
What students say about it:
“It's such a random combination of food, having chicken and waffles. but its really close to our dorms so its convenient to get to and its so good.” -Robyn Robledo
“Aside from the great food, does it get any better than chicken, waffles and a big jar of kool-aid? they also offer a weekly 50% off offer to students that makes if affordable too!” – Arielle Hurst
View Downtown restaurants in a larger map. Map compiled by Jennifer Crane.
Sixty-two Downtown Phoenix students surveyed and photos by Jacob Bash
