Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant (seven Valley locations) has become a local institution for serving healthful versions of classic Mexican dishes, with no lard and cholesterol-free vegetable oil. Garcia’s has some of the best beans around, with a nice creamy texture and smoky flavor, so eat them with chips or in a burrito — the El Magnifico Sampler comes with beans and rice in addition to a beef chimichanga, beef taco, cheese enchilada and chicken burrito. The restaurant also serves great margaritas to be enjoyed in the casual, lively setting.

See more: Southeast Valley restaurants, Tempe restaurants, Mexican restaurants