Blue Adobe Grille (144 N. Country Club Drive, Mesa, [480] 962-1000). The carne adovada plate is the highlight of the New Mexican dishes found at this award-winning establishment. There’s an excellent selection of Southwest infused seafood as well, including lobster tamales with mango salsa and raspberry chipotle. $$

Two fast-food Mexican restaurants were robbed Wednesday about 35 minutes apart, possibly by the same person.

Alex Yanez may live in Cave Creek, but that doesn’t stop him from driving all the way to Chandler for what he believes are the best tacos around.

Julio César Chávez, the beloved boxing legend from Mexico known by his fans as “The Lion of Culiacan,” plans a namesake entertainment and restaurant venue in Mesa.

I want Mexican for lunch. My co-worker wants Chinese. Fortunately, we both can get what we want at Chino Bandido Takee-Outee. The super-casual Chandler restaurant features one of the East Valley’s most unusual “fusion” menus.

Let’s just cut to the chase: Cantina Laredo is one of the best restaurants I’ve eaten at this year.

A Chipotle Mexican Grill is open at 6602 E. Superstition Springs Blvd. in Mesa. The restaurant chain promotes a variety of socially conscious ideals by selling food that helps family farms, sustainable agriculture and the environment.

These are the worst East Valley offenders from restaurant health inspections reviewed July 21-27. For more details, or to search for any restaurant in Maricopa County, click here.

Ernie Serrano Sr., patriarch of the Serrano’s Mexican Food restaurants family, died Friday of bone cancer. He was 79. The Serranos lay claim to operating the oldest, continuous  family-owned business in Chandler, having opened its doors in 1919.

This story is for all the adventurous (some say insane) people out there who never judge a restaurant by its outside — or inside, for that matter.

ADDRESS: 20221 N. 67th Ave., Glendale, in the Legends Shopping Center on the northeast corner of 67th Avenue and Loop 101.

PHONE NUMBER: 623-376-6270.

HOURS: 11 a.m. 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

OWNERS: Jennifer and Dino Kodofakas.

CUISINE: Fast-casual Mexican.

ADDRESS: 20221 N. 67th Ave., Glendale, in the Legends Shopping Center on the northeast corner of 67th Avenue and Loop 101.

PHONE NUMBER: 623-376-6270.

HOURS: 11 a.m. 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

OWNERS: Jennifer and Dino Kodofakas.

CUISINE: Fast-casual Mexican.

Brunchies (17 E. Boston St., Chandler [480] 899-5036). Brought to you by the folks behind Serrano’s Mexican restaurants, this downtown spot serves brunch until 2 p.m. daily. The tasty spread includes all the usual suspects — pancakes, eggs, fruit, sausage and home fries — along with a variety of soups, desserts and Mexican breakfast favorites. $

GILBERT

MESA

NORTH SCOTTSDALE

It’s been a rewarding three weeks for south East Valley diners who have been waiting for worthwhile new restaurants.

CHANDLER

TEMPE

TEMPE

FORT WORTH, Texas - Few products are as closely associated with the American lifestyle as Coca-Cola.

Pancheros Mexican Grill, a fast-casual Mexican restaurant, is opening Jan. 29 in Chandler, and they’ll sell $1 burritos to mark the occasion.

When most people think of New Mexican cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is chile peppers. So you might be surprised by Blue Adobe Grille, which has been serving tasty but not necessarily spicy New Mexican food for nearly a decade near downtown Mesa.

Some members of the Matta's family are starting a new Matta's at Mesa Riverview. They plan to open it in February, following a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday.