Goodeats 

Anntony's Caribbean, 400 S. Tryon St., 704-339-0303; 2001 E. 7th St., 704-342-0749. All locations have different owners. A hint of the tropics; rotisserie chicken with Jamaican jerk sauce, ribs, Paradise Island fish special, curries, and Caribbean styled greens. $$

Azteca, 116 Woodlawn Rd., 704-525-5110; 9709 Independence Blvd., 704-814-9877; 1863 W. Franklin Blvd. (Gastonia), 704-866-7574. A favorite of many, Azteca offers a lengthy roster of flavorful dishes. $$

Brixx Wood-Fired Pizza, 801 Scott Avenue, 704-376-1000; 225 E. 6th St., 704-347-2749; 16915 Birkdale Commons Pkwy. (Huntersville), 704-894-0044. Home of the MBA program, and the "B" stands for beer. Late night noshing on goat cheese and shrimp pizzas has become a standard. Not complicated, but consistently good. Open late. $$

Fuel Pizza Cafe, 1501 Central Ave., 704-376-3835; 319 W. Trade St., 704-344-1767; 404 S. Main St. (Davidson), 704-896-0200; 1801 South Blvd., 704-335-7375. Hand-tossed New York style pizza with kitschy automobile and gas station memorabilia. Traditional and gourmet style pizzas, calzones, and chicken wings. $$

McAlister's Deli, 4130 Carmel Rd., 704-540-7199; 19330 W. Catawba Rd. (Cornelius), 704-896-3354; 8046-D Providence Rd., Arboretum, 704-752-9665; 15201-A John J. Delaney Dr., Ballantyne Commons East, 704-542-0727. Offers over 100 items including sandwiches, salads, appetizers, plus they do more with a baked spud than you can imagine. $$

Mellow Mushroom, 4422 Colwick Rd., 704-362-5335; 4100-A Carmel Rd., 704-341-8236; 5814 Prosperity Church Rd., 704-875-2418. An Atlanta-based franchise with a local twist: a large selection of domestic and imported beers. The relaxed atmosphere and variety of pizzas attract all ages. $$

Midtown Sundries, 7715 Pineville-Matthews Rd., 704-541-8117; 618 Kenilworth Ave., 704-358-3933; 18626 Harborside Dr. (Cornelius), 704-896-9013; 3425 David Cox Rd., 704-597-7413. Very popular, festive spot for burgers and wings while watching a wide screen, playing pool, or listening to live music. $$

Restaurant Y Taqueria La Unica, 2801 Central Ave., 704-347-5115; 1621 Walkup Ave. (Monroe), 704-282-2369; 140 Eastway Dr., 704-597-1699. A hybrid offering fast food as well as entrees and most items feature the flavors of Mexico City. Try the sensational al pastor taco. $$

Salsa's Mexican Restaurant, Galleria Village Shopping Center, 1640 N. Sardis Rd., 704-846-3374; Carmel Commons Shopping Center, 6676 Carmel Rd., 704-759-9886. Singles and families crowd this vibrant, friendly dining room to feast on a mix of standard dishes (chimichangas, enchiladas, burritos, fajitas) with a smattering of homemade tastes. $$

The Graduate, 911 E. Morehead St., 704-377-3808; 2014 Sharon Forest Rd., 704-532-2562; 8334 Pineville-Matthews Rd., 704-543-4020. Popular hangouts with college crowd, offering good variety of dishes, subs, sandwiches, calzones and pizza. Try the cheese fries. $

Vinnie's Sardine Grill & Raw Bar, 1714 South Blvd., 704-332-0006; 643 Williamson Rd. (Mooresville), 704-799-2090; 142 E John St. (Matthews), 704-849-0202. You won't find sardines, but at this lively place the after-work crowd gathers to chow down on raw oysters, wings and more. $$

Wolfman Pizza, 10620-A Providence Rd., 704-845-9888; McMullen Creek Market, 704-543-9653; Cotswold Mall, 704-366-3666. Flashy wide-ranging selection of California-style pizza, with everything from the sweet-tangy Maui, to New Mexico, to Shrimp, Pesto and Goat Cheese. Also home of the Howlzone (calzone). $$

Zapata's Cantina Mexican Restaurant, 8927 J. M. Keynes Dr., Suite 900, 704-503-1979; 1990S NC Hwy 73 (Cornelius), 704-987-8890; 15105 John J. Delaney Dr., 704-752-6869. Extensive, quality Mexican dishes like grilled lamb, along with a variety of burritos, enchiladas and more in a rustic, Old Mexico atmosphere. $$

Dilworth/Southend

300 East, 300 East Blvd., 704-332-6507. Locals have long gathered at this casual neighborhood bistro in a vintage house featuring an eclectic menu. $$$

Berrybrook Farms Natural Foods, 1257 East Blvd., 704-334-6528. Homemade soups, herbed tofu sandwiches, bean burritos, and freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices found in a natural food shop. $

Comet Grill, 2224 Park Rd., 704-371-4300. Dependable bar food in a friendly neighborhood joint. Big burgers, great fries, a spicy shrimp app and some vegetarian alternatives, too. $

Dominick's Little Italy, 200 East Bland St., 704-331-4010. This modest, but inviting Italian joint serves popular and predictable dishes, primarily Southern Italian, in large, family-style portions. $$$

Mangione's Ristorante, 1524 East Blvd., 704-334-4417. Opened in 1977. If you can't decide between Northern and Southern Italian, they have it mixed here. All the familiar bases are covered, plus you have Mr. Mangione's personalized service. $$$

McIntosh's Steaks and Seafood, 1812 South Blvd., 704-342-1088. Folks head over to Greg McIntosh's steak and chop house for a round up of straight forward menu selections, gargantuan portions, and man-sized knives and forks. Elegant surroundings and service. $$$$

Mister K's, 2107 South Blvd., 704-375-4318. A South Boulevard institution since 1967, but with a 50s-ish ambience: burgers, dogs and soft ice cream. Homemade onion ring lovers make this a second home. $

Nikko Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, 1300-F South Blvd., 704-370-0100. Sushi chef and owner Joanna Nix radiates warmth and hospitality throughout this traditional Japanese cuisine oasis. In addition to sparkling fresh sushi, there's yakimono, teriyaki, tempura and udon, too. $$$