Phoenicia Cafe ∙ Tempe, AZ
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Phoenicia Cafe is a Greek and Middle Eastern restaurant located a block north of University Dr. near ASU. It’s a favorite among locals, but it’s kind of tucked away and you’d probably never know it was there if you were just driving past the university.
The building has a decidedly Greek look, with white walls and blue tiles. There’s a modest dining area inside as well as a nice umbrella-covered patio outside. On a warm day, the patio makes for a great setting for a meal.
They use fresh fruit in their Mango Shake ($3) when possible, but since mangoes aren’t currently in season they used an imported juice instead. I honestly couldn’t tell the difference, it had a very natural flavor. I liked the added touch of topping it with chopped pistaccios and whipped cream. It was a truly delicious shake. My wife and I were fighting over every drop.
One of Phoenicia Cafe’s specialties is Falafel ($5 for small order, $7 for large), which is more of a Middle Eastern food. We got a small order, and we were all pleasantly surprised upon our first bites. I never knew falafel could taste so good. They were really crunchy and had a very hearty flavor. They were just a bit dry, but that’s where the dipping sauce came in. Let the falafel soak in the yogurt for a couple seconds and it moistens them up and adds another dimension to the flavor. Don’t miss out on these guys.
My dad got the Chicken Kabab ($10), which couldn’t have looked any better. The large, juicy chunks of marinated chicken breast were charred up nicely, with grill marks evenly distributed all along the kababs. It was served with a thick garlicky yogurt sauce that was as good as the chicken. The sauce had a powerful, fresh garlic flavor, and was very smooth. It probably wouldn’t be a good idea to order this on a date.
I got the Gallabah ($10), which has chunks of chicken breast sauteed with onions, red and green sweet peppers, and tomatoes. The veggies were fresh and flavorful, but the sauce turned out to be a little too sweet for me. The chicken was tender and picked up a lot of flavor from the other ingredients. Saffron-infused basmati rice filled a good portion of the plate. It had a pleasant fragrance and fantastic color.
My wife loves lamb, so she ordered the Shish Kabab ($10). It was grilled nicely, but she said it was a little dry. The lemon wedge and yogurt sauce cured that though. The dish was a winner for her.
The Hazelnut Baklava ($2) stole the show. This was the best baklava I’ve ever had. The owner, who I understand is of Greek and Macedonian descent, prepares it herself. It had three distinct layers of finely ground, syrup-soaked hazelnuts between delicate layers of Greek phyllo dough. The texture and flavor was unbeatable. Drizzling chocolate sauce on top made the presentation and flavor even that much better. If you ever go to Phoenicia Cafe, don’t leave without trying the baklava.
We also tried the traditional Pistachio Baklava ($2). It was excellent, but the hazelnut was my favorite, even though the pistaccio version is more authentic.
Phoenicia Cafe is an excellent choice for Greek/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine. Vegetarians will find they have plenty of tasty and healthful options, and meat-lovers will salivate over the beauty of Phoenicia’s flavorful grilled meats.
Note: the owners have a second restaurant in Gilbert called Phoenicia Grill (address below).
Phoenicia Cafe
616 Forest Ave. (Map)
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 967-8009
hours: need to confirm
Phoenicia Grill
1150 S. Gilbert Rd. #104 (Map)
Gilbert, AZ 85296
(480) 503-GYRO
Phoenicia is one of my favorites for lunch in Tempe. I just wish it were open more hours at night. The service can be little irregular, but the hummus, falafel, and couscous have all been oustanding on every visit.