Mesa rib house, 4 other restaurants are fantastic - if you can find them
By CRYSTAL PETROCELLI
GET OUT

In the restaurant biz, there’s the impossible-not-to-notice places (think giant, glowing red chili peppers) and then there's the blink-and-you’ll-miss-them spots.

I drove past one of my favorite new restaurants for a year before noticing a small “Best ribs in AZ” sandwich board on the north side of Main Street in Mesa.

Why? Because R&B Ribhouse set up shop in a nondescript strip mall so far off the street you could barely see the barbecue joint’s sign.

Here’s the scoop on R&B, as well as four other favorites worth busting out a GPS to find.

CLASSIC ITALIAN PIZZA

A pizzeria that easily could go head to head with Pizzeria Bianco (the critically acclaimed downtown Phoenix restaurant that’s nearly impossible to get into), and yet I’ve never had to wait for a table? True story. The thin, slightly char-edged 12-inchers (8 inches at lunch) are covered with the finest of toppings, including in-house mozzarella, tasty sauce and thin strips of Italian pork sausage. The huge calzones are also outstanding. It ain’t cheap, but neither are the gourmet goods used throughout the menu.

Try these: Italian sausage pizza, tiramisu, beef sausage calzone.
Where to find it: 1030 E. Baseline Road, Tempe (north side of Baseline Road, east of Rural Road, in the northeast corner of a Big Lots-anchored strip mall).

If you still get lost: Call

CRACKERS & CO. CAFÉ

This from-scratch breakfast and lunch spot is tucked into an industrial park, but many East Valley foodies have discovered it since it opened in 1988. The vast, square dining space is awash in sun streaming through a big skylight. Colorful clay roosters, huge Italian tapestries and weathered shelving set a country-Tuscan feel. (Note: Look for a new Crackers to open in late October at the northeast corner of Brown and Greenfield roads in Mesa.) Try this: Breakfast burrito, pork carnitas skillet and any of the 11 daily soups.

Where to find it: 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa (west of Country Club Drive on Iron Avenue, which is just south of U.S. 60, behind The Home Depot — look for the blue awning).

If you still get lost: Call

CYCLO

A modest suburban storefront hides a Vietnamese restaurant whirling with wine-fueled couples and friends taking full advantage of the BYOB policy and fantastic food. Justina Duong — the touchy-feely, thirtysomething hipster who owns and runs Cyclo — has crafted a menu of crave-worthy soups, salads, appetizers and entrees, all of which are $8 or less.

Try this: Pork short ribs, crispy lemongrass chicken, Justina’s Pagoda.
Where to find it: 1919 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler (southeast corner of Chandler Boulevard and Dobson Road).

If you still get lost: Call

R&B RIBHOUSE

A recent expansion can only mean one thing for this family-run barbecue restaurant — they’re doing something very, very right. Owners Reggie and Mary Payne didn’t forget to pack their Southern hospitality and precious family recipes when they left Mississippi. They take great pride in their slow-cooked meats and handmade desserts and sides.

Try this: Ribs, barbecued chicken, fried catfish, bread pudding.
Where to find it: 1616 E. Main St., Mesa (north side of Main Street, halfway between Stapley Drive and Gilbert Road).

If you still get lost: Call

SWADDEE

This unassuming Thai place has a strange side entrance within a strip mall, making it tough to find even if you see the sign. It’s worth the hunt — most of the other Thai dishes in town pale in comparison to what these spice wizards whip up. Beware: They have a serious five-star heat scale.

Try this: Mee krob, massaman curry, spicy noodles, coconut ice cream.
Where to find it: 5055 W. Ray Road, Chandler (south side of Ray Road, west of Rural Road).

If you still get lost: Call