Romeo’s Euro Cafe
When owner/chef Romeo Taus moved his successful European-inspired eatery from Mesa to a smaller space in downtown Gilbert in 2004, he had to substantially downsize the menu – which is hard to believe when you peruse the 160-plus remaining items, ranging from gyro-filled pitas to spicy puttanesca to wiener schnitzel to Transylvania chicken. But leave room for dessert. Open for lunch and dinner daily. 207 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert (map), 480-962-4224.
Joe’s Real BBQ
When Joe Johnston sold his Coffee Plantation empire in the ’90s, he decided to get into the barbecue biz. The result was Joe’s, which many people swear serves up the best ’cue in all of Arizona. Housed in a 1929 brick building, this cafeteria-style landmark offers pecan-smoked pork, beef, and poultry paired with traditional sides – the BBQ beans are killer – and desserts. Open for lunch and dinner daily. 301 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert (map), 480-503-3805.
The Farmhouse Restaurant
It’s easy to find The Farmhouse – just look the ever-present line of people waiting outside on the sidewalk for one of the rustic restaurant’s 50 seats. Owners Sylvia Hilligardt and daughter Milli have been making farmer-worthy breakfasts, as well as lunches, for more than two decades. The all-comfort-food menu is bolstered by a plethora of daily specials detailed on a chalkboard. Open for breakfast and lunch daily. 228 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert (map), 480-926-0676.
Liberty Market
Joe Johnston and chef David Traina converted downtown’s historic grocery store into an all-day restaurant whose industrial-like decor pays tribute to the building’s past. The something-for-everyone menu includes huge salads, farm-fresh sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, and the signature Tower Burger. The E61 espresso bar offers a variety of coffee drinks. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. 230 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert (map), 480-892-1900.
Postino Wine Cafe & Joyride Taco House
It took two casual concepts from restaurateur Craig DeMarco’s Upward Projects to resuscitate an awkwardly shaped, oversized building that had seen five occupants in six years. On one side, his flagship Postino offers bruschetta, salads, paninis, and $5 glasses of wine. On the other side, lively Joyride dishes tacos, tortas, burritos, and aguas frescas. Both are open for lunch and dinner daily. 302 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert (map), 480-632-6363 (Postino), 480-632-8226 (Joyride).
