FOOD & DINING

Game on! 23 restaurants near University of Phoenix Stadium

Georgann Yara
Special for The Republic | azcentral.com
WaterDance Plaza at Westgate Entertainment District. Westgate is one of the close dining options to University of Phoenix Stadium.

If you’re ready for the Final Four, then you’re ready for serious eats and drinks. From brunch deals to late-night specials, these restaurants near University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale will satisfy every craving, before or after games.

Salt Tacos y Tequila

Share the Salt's nachos ($14) adding chicken, carnitas or chorizo for $3; or taco trios like chipotle coconut shrimp ($14), chorizo con huevo ($11) and potato with cheese ($11). Customize your meal with Juancho’s build-a-bowl ($13), choosing your rice, cheese, beans and protein, such as chicken, chorizo, carnitas, carne asada (add $2) or shrimp (add $4).

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-772-7282, saltglendale.com.

Hot N Juicy Crawfish

Savor the seafood: shrimp ($15 a pound) or Dungeness crab ($18.99 a pound when in season). During crawfish season, the succulent mudbugs are $13.99 a pound (live).

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-872-2984, hotnjuicycrawfish.com.

Bar Louie

Late-night happy hour from 11 p.m. to close Sunday-Thursday includes, $3.25 drafts, $4.25 wines, $5.25 signature martinis and half-price selected flatbreads and appetizers.

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-522-5810, barlouie.com.

Bar Louie | Late-night happy hour from 10 p.m. to close Sunday-Thursday includes $3 martini shooters, $3.25 drafts, $4.25 wines, $5.25 signature martinis and half-price selected flatbreads and appetizers. | Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-522-5810, barlouie.com.

Crave Waffle Sandwich Creations​

Here’s their version of a cheeseburger: The All American is a crispy waffle filled with ground beef, Cheddar, onions, tomatoes, greens, pickles and Crave sauce ($8).

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-772-0622, icravewaffles.com.

Crave Waffle Sandwich Creations​ | Here’s their version of a cheeseburger: The All American is a crispy waffle filled with ground beef, Cheddar, onions, tomatoes, greens, pickles and Crave sauce ($8). | Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-772-0622, icravewaffles.com.

McFadden’s

Fuel up on pre-game snacks like jalapeño poppers ($7.99), gooey mozzarella fritters ($7.99) and nachos topped with homemade chili ($11.99) or oven-baked chicken ($12.99), plus all the trimmings.

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-872-0022, mcfaddensglendale.com.

Saddle Ranch Chop House

Brunch dishes are served daily until 3 p.m. Try chicken and biscuits ($13.49), a fried chicken breast with a warm buttermilk biscuit and a creamy bacon gravy bath; or the classic Texas toast ($11.99), a take on the French version with thick-sliced bread dipped in vanilla egg batter and grilled. Mimosas and Bloody Marys are $3.49 until 3 p.m. with the purchase of a meal.

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-889-7770, thesaddleranch.com.

Saddle Ranch Chop House | Brunch dishes are served daily until 3 p.m. Try chicken and biscuits ($12.99), a fried chicken breast with a warm buttermilk biscuit and a creamy bacon gravy bath; or the classic Texas toast ($11.99), a take on the French version with thick-sliced bread dipped in vanilla egg batter and grilled. Mimosas and Bloody Marys are $2.99 until 3 p.m. with the purchase of a meal. | Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-889-7770, thesaddleranch.com.

Which Wich

The signature Wicked sandwich includes five meats: turkey, ham, roast beef, pepperoni and bacon. Choose up to three cheeses from options like mozzarella, provolone, American, Cheddar or pepper Jack (regular, $7.50; large, $11; super, $14.50).

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-977-9424, whichwich.com.

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Which Wich | The signature Wicked sandwich includes five meats: turkey, ham, roast beef, pepperoni and bacon. Choose up to three cheeses from options like mozzarella, provolone, American, Cheddar or pepper Jack (small, $7; medium, $10; large, $14). | Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-977-9424, whichwich.com.

Kabuki Sushi

Consider the spicy tuna salad ($10.95); sashimi salad ($13.95) with tuna, salmon and yellowtail; or the snow crab salad ($12.95) tossed in a yuzu vinaigrette. Snack on crunchy bites like steamed vegetables ($5.95) and lightly fried brussels sprouts ($5.95) with garlic chips and almond chips.

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-772-9832, kabukirestaurants.com.

Shane’s Rib Shack

Build your own barbecue plate with meats that are slow-smoked fresh daily. Choose two meats from a half chicken, four ribs, three tenders, six wings, barbecue pork or barbecue chicken ($14.99). The shack sampler ($13.99) includes baby back ribs, chicken tenders and quarter-pound barbecue pork or barbecue chicken. All plates come with two sides like baked beans, coleslaw, mac and cheese and fried okra.

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-877-7427, shanesribshack.com/glendale.

Ribs of Shane's Rib Shack. 9404 W. Westgate Blvd C101, Glendale, Az.

Yard House

Take advantage of happy hour deals from 3 to 6 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays. The menu features $1 off well drinks and domestic pints; $3 house martinis; $4 off craft and imported half yards; $5 moo shu egg rolls, onion-ring tower and vampire tacos; and $8 classic sliders.

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-872-3900, yardhouse.com.

International Bistro

There’s a little bit of everything on the menu at this bistro near Westgate Entertainment District, off Glendale Avenue and Loop 101. Burgers, tacos, pasta, gyros, kebabs, grilled seafood, orange chicken and veggie wraps are among the many dishes served.

Details: 6922 N. 95th Ave., Glendale. 623-872-1105, internationalbistroaz.com.

Mama Gina’s Pizzeria

Hand-tossed New York-style pizzas include the white pizza ($12.49, $20.50) with ricotta, fresh garlic, Parmesan and mozzarella; and the signature Mama’s Supreme ($12.49, $25.50) with mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, onions, green peppers, mushroom and extra cheese.

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale.  623-872-0300, mamaginaspizzeria.com.

Mama Gina’s Pizzeria | Hand-tossed New York-style pizzas include the white pizza ($11.99, $19.50) with ricotta, fresh garlic, Parmesan and mozzarella; and the signature Mama’s Supreme ($11.99, $24.50) with mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, onions, green peppers, mushroom and extra cheese. | Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-872-0300, mamaginaspizzeria.com.

Gordon Biersch

Score with sliders: bratwurst simmered in lager on pretzel roll with chips ($3.99, three for $10.29); beef sliders with Brie on garlic-buttered buns $4.99, three for $14.29); and barbecue chicken sliders on a toasted bun with apple-cider slaw and crispy onions ($3.99, three for $11.29).

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-877-4300, gordonbiersch.com.

Whiskey Rose

Mac and cheese fans will have lots to ponder. The Santa Fe ($12) includes pulled pork, green chiles and pepper Jack cheese, while the blue barbecue mac ($13) is topped with smoked brisket, blue cheese crumbles and a barbecue sauce drizzle. Ask about the rotating mac of the month ($12), or opt for the traditional ($9).

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-877-7673, whiskeyroseaz.com.

Calico Jack’s

The crowd-pleasing fiesta sampler ($16) boasts all the favorites: Buffalo wings, jalapeño poppers, mini chimis and chips and salsa.

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-877-5225, calicojacksglendale.com.

An order of nachos is a meal in itself at Calico Jack's Cantina in Glendale.

Fresh Healthy Cafe

What's light but filling? Turkey, bacon, avocado, Cheddar cheese and low-fat ranch dressing as a wrap, panino or salad ($9).

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-505-3277, freshrestaurants.com.

Opa Greek Life

Say opa! to a skewer of lamb souvlaki, served with two sides including rice, fries, veggies or a Greek salad ($17.25).

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-242-8338, opalifegreek.com.

Opa Greek Life | Say opa! to a skewer of lamb souvlaki, served with two sides including rice, fries, veggies or a Greek salad ($15.95). | Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-242-8338, opagreeklife.com.

Chipotle

Dig into a burrito bowl, with barbacoa, rice, beans or fajita veggies, sour cream and salsa ($6.50-$7.50, add guacamole $1.95).

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-201-1758, chipotle.com.

Closeup of a custom burrito being made at Chipotle Mexican Grill, in Gilbert, on May 10, 2005.

Johnny Rockets

Tackle the spicy Houston ($7) with jalapeños, pepper Jack cheese and the signature smokin’ chipotle ranch sauce.

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-877-2977, johnnyrockets.com.

Burger, fries and soda at Johnny Rockets. Credit: Johnny Rockets.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Looking for something to share: The Tablegating Sampler includes wings your way, soft pretzels and queso dip, warm pita chips and spinach-artichoke dip, and roasted garlic mushrooms ($14.49).

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-877-9127, buffalowildwings.com.

An appetizer sampler at Buffalo Wild Wings.

El Tataki Sushi and Mexican Grill

Have the best of both worlds: the Mexican sushi roll with salmon tempura, spicy crab, avocado, cucumber, yellow peppers and Tataki sauce, orange and eel sauce ($12.95).

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-877-9575, eltatakisushi.com/.

Fired Pie

In a hurry? Dash in to Fired Pie and build your own pizza in minutes. Choose your favorite sauce, cheese, toppings and herbs, and it’s out of the oven in a flash ($7.99).

Details: Tanger Outlets Westgate, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-872-2222, firedpie.com.

Pizzas are made to order at Fired Pie. Emilio Zazeta (kitchen manager) checks a pizza in the oven, August 4, 2014, at Fired Pie, 2855 W. Ray Road, Chandler.

Nestle Toll House Cafe

Start with a flatbread topped with such favorites as chicken, turkey, cheese or bacon ($7.99). Finish with an ice cream sandwich ($4.69) made with two chocolate-chip cookies flanking a slab of chocolate mint ice cream.

Details: Tanger Outlets Westgate, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-872-7676, nestlecafe.com.