Best Local Restaurants Near ASU’s West Campus in Glendale

When school’s in session for Arizona State University students, there are many things to keep in mind. Academics aside, this includes where to get your books, where to park your car or bike, and where to grab a decent lunch (maybe even a beer).

The college kids of ASU West are surrounded by student-friendly establishments throughout Glendale and west Phoenix, some right across the street and some hidden down the block. Here are some of our favorite local restaurants near ASU West.

Ohya Sushi, Korean Kitchen & Bar

4920 West Thunderbird Road, Glendale

Aside from studying and wearing flip flops, college is also about fun. Across Thunderbird Road from ASU West, Ohya Sushi, Korean Kitchen & Bar offers happy hour specials, a modern lounge setting, and private karaoke rooms. But if you’re just trying to stop in for lunch or dinner, Ohya offers Korean barbecue dishes, a full sushi menu, starters like tempura and edamame, and much more. Guests will also find tofu options, and a small list of desserts like tempura ice cream.

Ronnie’s Café

4323 West Cactus Road, Glendale

Since 2006, Ronnie’s Cafe has been serving hot breakfast and quick lunches to ASU West students and Glendale residents alike. This is where you’ll find first meal staples like eggs, pancakes, omelets, and waffles in the type of atmosphere that’ll top off your coffee before you ask. Also on the menu are salads, sandwiches, burgers, and vegetarian options. Best thing about this place? It’s open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily — perfect for stopping in after that all-nighter.

ASU West students have dining options for miles.

New Times Archives

Baker Wee

4263 West Thunderbird Road

Need a quick treat? Something in the neighborhood of a cupcake, cookie, or whole, entire cake? Baker Wee is a family-owned bakery that’s been around a few decades, and it happens to be neighbors with ASU West. This is the place where you’ll grab that quick coffee and poppy seed muffin before class, or pick up an order of custom cupcakes if you’ve been designated as treat fairy for your study group. There are also sugar-free options, as well as fruit bars, teas, and the peacekeeping black-and-white cookie.

Taylor’s Chowder House

3538 West Calavar Road

Since 1985, Taylor’s Chowder House has been serving up that down East flavor via its lengthy lunch and dinner menu of seafood favorites. The full-service seafood restaurant offers jumbo shrimp, calamari, grilled mahi-mahi, and more. Or you can opt for the house specialty — Taylor’s Famous New England Creamy Clam Chowder. And for flavors from the UK, you’ll have to order a plate of batter-fried goodness: fish and chips.

Daddy-O’s Grill

4163 West Thunderbird Road

Here’s your wood-paneled haunt near ASU West. Daddy-O’s Grill is the type of bar and eatery that opens at 6 a.m., so there’s a chance you may open this place if you pull an all-nighter. The bar offers substantial breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day. There are also ice-cold beers, sports on the TVs, and quick bar-food items like wings, pickle fries, and pretzel bites if you just need some sustenance.

EXPAND

Jimbo’s Bar & Grill in Glendale.

Lauren Cusimano

Jimbo’s Bar & Grill

12224 North 51st Avenue, Glendale

Need an after-class drink? This northwest Valley haunt is more like an adult activity center. At Jimbo’s Bar & Grill, you can grab a stool at the horseshoe bar, order off a full menu (including the famed wine burger), put on your jam at the internet jukebox, or post up by one of the TVs or projectors. And since this place opens at 7 a.m., there’s a killer breakfast — including three eggs, two pieces of bacon, two sausages, hash browns, and toast — best paired with a morning cocktail. (Hey, it’s college.)

New York Wok

5026 W Cactus Rd #10, Glendale

Nothing speaks more to busy students than takeout or delivery, therefore it’s a blessing that nearby New York Wok does both. The menu at this strip-mall Chinese food joint includes Kung Pao chicken, beef and broccoli, and New York-style shrimp. And it’s easy to catch one of the lunch specials, available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and served with an egg roll, fried wonton, and choice of steamed or fried rice.

EXPAND

Pizza and wings are a staple for college students.

Sardella’s

Sardella’s Pizza and Wings

4212 West Cactus Road

Pizza and wings are a staple for college students, so it’s a good thing one of Sardella’s four Valley locations is less than a mile from ASU West. The pizza is made with thick dough and hand-tossed (we suggest the Buffalo chicken), and the wings, meatballs, and garlic knots are all ideal sides. Sardella’s also offers gluten-free pizza as well as salads. Hook into the North Mountain Village plaza for a slice, or bring the whole class.

Phoenix Phresh Café

5830 West Thunderbird Road, Glendale

Looking for an acai bowl? A simple wrap? Some juice? Phoenix Phresh Café sits on Thunderbird Road as a quick-service lunch and dinner spot — though you will find breakfast sandwiches on the menu. You’ll also find sandwiches, build-your-own salads, pitaya bowls, and specialty smoothies like the Bob Marley with peanut butter and apple juice and the Protein Colada. Something else to consider: the Glendale Club with Purple Haze juice.

Bangkok Thai

13828 North 51st Avenue, Glendale

This Thunderbird Plaza Thai joint offers lunch specials like yellow curry, bamboo stir fry, and more in a casual dining room covered in regional décor. In addition, Bangkok Thai is the place to go for a quick order of fried egg rolls and wonton soup, or if you’re visiting for dinner, try the Phad Prig King (sided with steamed Jasmine rice).

Grab a bowl before class.

New Times Archives

Pho Avina

4920 West Thunderbird Road, Glendale

A few things set Pho Avina apart from the usual bare-bones, strip-mall Vietnamese joint. The cheerful décor is one; the exhaustive menu is another. Along with standards like pho and all kinds of seafood dishes, this place serves a variety of roll-your-own spring rolls, lots of vegetarian dishes, sweet boba drinks, and a dozen banh mi, Vietnamese subs that aren’t as ubiquitous as they should be. Located right across from ASU West, this place is inexpensive and homey — something you don’t need to be a student to appreciate.

Greek Palace Mediterranean

4356 West Thunderbird Road, Glendale

We like how, based on the name, you know what to expect at Greek Palace Mediterranean. Here’s where you’ll find a Greek salad, hummus, shawarma, kabobs, and falafel plates. But you’ll also find vegetarian options, some seafood, baklava, and some Turkish coffee for that stroll back to campus.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on August 21, 2019. It was updated on January 11, 2021.