Okay foodies, just for you, I've now visited the 'other two' in town so as to lend some more credibility to my assessment. That's Blue Nile and Lalibella.

The Blue Nile has the atmosphere, with one side being typical bistro seating and tables, and other room having the real-deal hardwood stools and woven straw tables. Very authentic looking.

The Enjera is awful. While they promote the 'magic' of teff in a placard on the table, it reeks of the smell of wheat. Dark brown, just like wheat bread. The server {an anglo kid w/Rasta dread-locks tucked up under his hat} readily admitted the addition of wheat. What this does, besides cheapening the product, is spoil its authenticity. It robs it of the spongy, bouncy quality that helps hold it together while you use it to scoop your food. Needless to say, that part that absorbs the liquids from your meal turns to absolute mush.

My meal? I ordered a sambusa appetizer, which was two little deep-fried pockets filled with ground-beef. If there was any seasoning used on the meat, I sure couldn't tell. I would've liked to have asked for a salt-shaker, but I didn't bother to ask. I thought it best to order a large combo to get a good scope of variety they offer. It had Dorowat chicken, Beef Tebs, collards, eggplant, and lentils. {Served by a latino kitchen staffer.} The chicken was so spicy as to be 'almost' a complete turn-off. The beef was tough, w/onions and green peppers, and it clearly belonged beside a stack of tortillas at a fajita joint, not classed as "Ethiopian". The eggplant and lentils were okay, but the only thing that was really good were the collards. They had garlic and possibly even ginger, and were the stand-out in this otherwise uninspiring meal.

Verdict? Never again for this diner. {Is there any Ethiopian working there?}

Lalibella.

I barely got my iced-tea, and washed-up before my food was placed in front of me. FAST! I got a combo with a mild lamb stew, string beans w/carrots, and their collards. The lamb was fresh, and done in what I would class as a mild yellow curry sauce. Good, but not scrumpscious. The collards were not quite as good as BN's, but were tasty in their own right. The stand-out here were the string beans. IIRC, it's called 'fosolia'. The enjera was a pale white, with the proper texture and lightly sour taste. No nasty smell of wheat in this mix, though the menu says they do use it.{It must be a case of moderation?}

Obviously, there's real Ethiopian folks working there and running the place. It has zero atmosphere, other than a couple of native pieces of art and musical instruments on the way. Very pedestrian dining room.

Verdict? I would eat there again if asked by someone who liked it, or perhaps if it was a date's favorite place. Other than that, I would GLADLY drive the extra 20 mins. or so to get to the best.....Tina's.

Food first, homey atmosphere, combined with a warmth that makes you feel like you're with family.

I've been to Hong Kong twice, and Pacific more times than I can count. IIRC, HK's price for dinner was $18 before drink, whereas PSB's is only $15 at dinner.

HK has HUGE roll menu, prepared to order with glaring tip jar. PSB has a smaller selection of rolls, done as-needed, included with your buffet.

IMO, PSB has a far larger variety of hot dishes. Plus, there's things you can't always count on. They had roasted quail there one evening. Yum! Thankfully, the frog legs and duck seem to be standards there now.

I like Dragonfly a lot, and I've been about a half-dozen times. As for pho, it's in my top-3 of all the places I've sampled it before. VERY flavorful.

I also like the fact that they will substitute a wonderful mix of steamed vegetables in-lieu of the rice for those of us who are watching our carbs, or starches. Broccoli, baby bok-choi, onions, pea pods, and mushrooms.

I like the fact that the owners are a young couple, and that the place actually has an atmosphere. Generally, you can't fathom any sort of ambience in conjuction with Viet food here in town. Inviting decor, and nice jazz music don't hurt anything, and the prices are in line with the quality.

I've been too all listed so far, save for Jewel of the Crown.

Your CLOSEST is India Dehli Palace, and it's very good Northern, IMHO. Your next closest, and with better food, is Dehli Place. Priya is definitely worth the drive for Southern style, and I would also have you try Pasand. I've been there twice, and once was just TOO much spice for me. However, it sounds like what you're after.

I eat at Maharaja frequently, but only during the lunch buffet. Good and consistent, but not worth a drive for you. Taste of India is even better, but ditto.

As to T-Times, I've been ONCE. I'll try it again, but I think it's got more atmosphere going for it than the food. Nice bar, club type layout, with generous patio seating. The belly dancer was a treat for me, but I would've been a bit embarrassed were I with a spouse or date.

Copper Kettle has two 'affiliated' locations, not really at all alike. They're Paki-owned, and the cuisine overlaps with N. Indian. Guadalupe and Baseline has the atmosphere. Tempe, by ASU Main has the value, particularly if you can hang with the college crowd and you don't need tablecloths and linen to be impressed.

You're two best options for quality, quantity AND cost are down in Chandler. JUST N. of Elliott Rd. on Arizona Ave is Pacific Seafood Buffet. At the NE corner of Dobson and Warner Rds. is Phoenix BBQ Palace. Both are $7+ lunch, and 11+ at dinner.

Both ARE pre-made, but in small batches. I can't recall anything bad yet. Pacific puts out less of a roll selection, BUT ...they include tempura rolls in that mix. Plus, I'm told that the sushi crew will 'build-to-suit' for tips. PBBQ puts out over a dozen varieties of rolls, and about a half-dozen sashimi. I don't know one way or the other if they will prepare to order.

Both venues also have a large array of hot seafood dishes, as well as things like roast duck, pork ribs, etc. Either is worth the drive for you, espesially if you need the fix.

>>>There is a Thai restaurant named: Pink Thai or something, on Bell, just West of 8th. Very good food, and warm, friendly, accommodating staff. Nice atmosphere also (a little upscale, not divey like some good Asian restaurants can be).<<<

The Pink Pepper is at the s.w. corner of 3rd St. and Bell. They have a fantastic lunch buffet that's a good way to break-in any newbie's to that type of food. Do NOT confuse them with their former affiliate of the same name over in Tempe. Tempe is now a different owner, and not NEARLY as good as Bell. { I sampled there buffet twice, about a month apart.)

>>>Not sure if Blue Plate Brunchery is open for dinner. It is definitely a Mom and Pop feel. It is a diner.<<<

After spending a little more than $10 there last Monday for a breakfast that didn't fill me up, I wouldn't dare sample them for dinner. It WAS good, mind you, it's just that I found them to be no competition with Bill Johnson's about a mile away on 19th Ave.

>>>There are always a ton of cars at "Pancho's" which is a Mexican buffet at 12th St and Bell. Haven't been there myself, but it is popular.<<<

Pancho's is known under the term 'barf-fet', rather than buffet. Gave them three tries, once with my son. No mas!

>>>Ray's NY Pizza, on the west end of the Safeway shopping center is very good pizza. Surly waiters (which I don't find appealing, but it is NY style). Not upscale by any means, but good food.<<<

Generally owned and run by Italy's cousins across the bay, Albanians. Just short of what you might picture as a 'Pizza-Nazi' experience, ala 'Seinfeld'.

>>>There is an Italian restaurant at 7th and Union Hills (NE corner), called Nina's Passion Bistro. It was supposed to be really great years ago, but apparently has gone a little downhill. Haven't tried it myself.<<<

At the NW corner, there is Joey's Italian Bistro. I haven't been in a couple of years since my divorce, so it may certainly have changed. My understanding is that it's owned by Tomaso's and the same recipes are in use at more family-friendly prices.

Speaking of the Mexican - dog experience....

There's a sweet young lady that sets-up on Thomas, just east of the I-17. I believe it's Tues-Sat. evening. She's about 100yds east of the Jack-in-the-Crack and on the north side of the road. She puts tables outsdide in the parking lot of a closed business.

You ought to order 'en toto', which is EVERYTHING.. You get a soft, warm French-style roll much better than any bun, a layer of cheddar(?), slice of deli ham, the dog(previously flame-grilled?), sauteed onions, guacamole, cooked jalapenos, Mexican white-cheese and probably a couple goodies I'm forgetting. I skip the jalapenos, and I swear it's the best dog experience, EVER.

Ted's is good, but I agree on the sides. They're not up to the taste of the brats and dogs. One thing about Ted's, however. If you stand and suffer through the long lunch line, go ahead and order MORE than you think you might eat. You may crave just ONE more weiner or brat, and you won't have to stand through that L I N E once again, LOL.