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Make mine meat
El Corral - 2201 E. River Road. A cowboy-up kind of place, with colorized black-and-white prints of Silver Screen stars on the walls. It specializes in steaks with surprisingly low prices. 299-6092. $ FH
Firebirds - 2985 E. Skyline Drive, at La Encantada shopping center. The steaks are aged, thick and juicy. 577-0747. $$$$ FH
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar - 6360 N. Campbell Ave., No. 180. The noise level is high, but the satisfaction level is even higher. Reservations recommended. 529-5017. $$$$ FH
Li'l Abner's Steak House - 8500 N. Silverbell Road. This former stagecoach stop serves steak grilled over mesquite wood. No reservations. 744-2800. $$ NW
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McClintock's Restaurant - 3755 W. Conrads Way. The restaurant calls the cuisine organic American. We think it's more classic American grill featuring steaks, seafood, pastas and salads. You won't get past the gatehouse without a reservation. 579-2100. $$$$ NW
McMahon's Prime Steak House - 2959 N. Swan Road. The upscale restaurant with glassed-in wine room features meats and seafood. 327-2333. $$$$ C
Mr. K's BBQ - 830 S. Park Ave. This BBQ institution drew the most raves in our Food Fight on the best ribs in Tucson. It also was featured in the 2006 book "Killer Ribs: Mouthwatering Recipes From North America's Best Rib Joints." 792-9484. $ S
Oracle Inn Steakhouse - 305 E. American Ave., Oracle. The creative Southwestern hot steak is worth the 35-mile drive from Tucson to this family-owned steakhouse and gathering spot. But it's the inspired desserts, including a stunning Grand Marnier frozen soufflé, that will bring you back. 1-520-896-3333. $$-$$$ NW
Pinnacle Peak - 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road, in Trail Dust Town. Ol' West hullabaloo can put you right in the mood for a thick, juicy steak cooked just the way you want it over a mesquite fire. 296-0911. $$ FH
Rod's K.C. Barbecue - 601 N. Fourth Ave. Friendly dining spot with a down-home ambience serves savory, lean and tender ribs. No alcohol. 623-0182. $ C
Sam Hughes' Place - 446 N. Campbell Ave. Championship dining - try to find a classier sports bar anywhere else. 747-5223. $$$ C
Sullivan's Steak House - 1785 E. River Road. It's worth the indulgence. 299-4275. $$$$ FH
Taste of Texas - 8310 N. Thornydale Road. Serves dinner daily in an old-town, family-style atmosphere. 572-5968. $$ NW
Mediterranean
Athens on Fourth - 500 N. Fourth Ave. It's all Greek to this restaurant. And pretty darn good, too. 624-6886. $$ C
Luxor Cafe - 3699 N. Campbell Ave. A Mediterranean-style restaurant. Delicious cucumber salad, vegetable sambosa, Za'atar Mana'ish (personal pita pizza) and shawerma beef wrap. 325-3771. $$ C
My Big Fat Greek - Two locations -95 W. River Road, 888-0428; and 7131 E. Broadway, 722-6000. Great food that operates on the philosophy: "As long as we're above ground, we should have a great time." $$ W
Opa! - 2990 N. Campbell Ave. The Greek cuisine here is at once hearty and elegant, authentically foreign and yet pleasingly familiar. 327-2841. $ C
Pizza
1702 - 1702 E. Speedway. In addition to soups, salads and a vast variety of beers, this UA-area eatery features six specialty pizzas, and each comes with five toppings. The portions are huge. 325-1702. $ C
Arizona Pizza Co. - 4955 N. Sabino Canyon Road, 299-7311; 5855 E. Broadway, 514-0909. Not your average pies, with selections such as chicken pesto and the Hawaiian. $$ FH, C
Bazil's to Go - 4777 E. Sunrise Drive. Flavorful Chicago-style pizza and pasta for take-out only. 577-1100 $$ FH
Bianchi's - 1110 N. Silverbell Road. West Siders' pizzeria of choice, with loads of toppings available. Drive-through and delivery. 882-8500. $ C
Brooklyn Pizza Co. - 534 N. Fourth Ave. The best-selling pizza is the tried-and-true pepperoni, but the staff recommends the cheese pizza with tomato and basil sauce. 622-2902. $ C
Canal Street Pizzaria - 5655 E. River Road. Generous servings and a menu scattered with comments that read like script notes from "The Sopranos." 615-2262. $-$$ FH
Eclectic Pizza - 7065 E. Tanque Verde Road. Organic dough and choices such as jalapeño cream sauce and red curry sauce give you a reason to visit. 886-0484. $$ FH
Enoteca Pizzeria and Wine Bar - 58 W. Congress St. Simple and savory pie with crispy crust topped with such items as goat cheese, caramelized onions and other gourmet delights. 623-0744. $$ C
Magpie's Gourmet Pizza - 8295 N. Cortaro Road, 572-4300; 605 N. Fourth Ave., 628-1661; 4654 E. Speedway, 795-5977; 105 S. Houghton Road, 751-9949. Locally owned chain makes even plain pepperoni a gooey delight. NW, C, E, FH $$
New York Pizza - 8771 E. Broadway. Inch-thick crusts and to-die-for garlic bread. 885-0116. $$ E
Pizazz Pizza Bistro - 1763 E. Prince Road. The pizza here is shockingly good, and the table-side fresh pesto will blow your mind. 325-9040. $$. C
Pizzeria Vivace - 4280 N. Campbell Ave., in St. Philip's Plaza. The brainchild of Vivace owner Daniel Scordato, this restaurant pays close attention. Takeout orders not accepted. 529-2700. $$ FH
Rocco's Little Chicago Pizzeria - 2707 E. Broadway. Mounds of cheese on the pies and one of the best thin crusts around. The restaurant also serves distinctive hot wings. 321-1770. $$ C
