You already know about the classic buffalo wings at chain spots (we see you, Buffalo Wild Wings) and the basic baskets at sports bars. But this list isn’t about those. We’re here to guide you to Glendale’s hidden gems—where the sauce is house-made, the crunch is legendary, and the vibe makes you want to order another round. Because great wings should thrill the eater, not just fill them.
Domino’s Pizza
$ | (623) 582-3332 | WEBSITE
Domino’s Pizza is decorated with bright red and blue accents, pizza-themed wall art, and a counter where you can grab extra dipping sauces. In terms of food, it’s definitely for the locals who want something reliable and satisfying. They’ll get to experience hot pizza delivered promptly by friendly drivers who always smile. If that seems too simple, order the wings, which come with ranch dressing that might ruin the bottled stuff you keep in your fridge.
This is more for the busy folks who need a quick meal but don’t want to cook. You’ll appreciate the service more than your takeout, but you’ll still get a perfectly hot pizza at the end.
Trevizo’s Tavern
$ | (623) 939-2576 | WEBSITE
The bar stools line up parallel to the pool tables at Trevizo’s Tavern. So every time someone sinks the eight ball or hits a bullseye at the dartboard, a wave of cheers erupts from the crowd celebrating South Glendale’s favorite new hangout. If a hungry local were asked to design a late-night menu, it’d probably look a little like this one—pizza, outstanding Buffalo wings with mesmerizing sauce, and ice-cold Miller High Life on tap.
The renovated space has a lot of better seating that’s first come, first served. Plus, the beer buckets are super cheap, so if the kitchen’s amazing cheeseburger starts inexplicably disappearing from plates, you can order another round without breaking the bank.
IL Primo Pizza & Wings
$ | (602) 439-1333 | WEBSITE
IL Primo Pizza & Wings has a bar-like atmosphere that somehow still feels family-friendly. You can spend an entire happy hour (patience gets shorter every weekend) enjoying their low-priced drinks and beer specials, or perhaps the standout Philly steak and fries if you’re oddly hungry. This is also the only pizza place in Glendale that functions as a proper neighborhood spot. They have pizza, meatballs, and this hot Italian sandwich that’s delicious even as leftovers the next day.
The dining area is lively and consistently busy, especially on weekends with that short wait time.
Pizza Patrón West Olive Ave.
$ | (623) 435-9191 | WEBSITE
Kids love choices as much as they love pizza. That’s why Pizza Patrón West Olive Ave. is such an easy and reliable spot to take little opinionated eaters out for dinner. They’ll likely gravitate towards the Carnes pizza, because you can add garlic butter to the crust for extra flavor. They also have excellent wings, especially the buffalo and garlic parmesan varieties, and the Veggie pizza that can be used as a form of bribery to eat something green. They do have friendly staff led by Mr. Joel D.
in case you need someone to make the experience smooth.
Native Grill & Wings
$ | (623) 877-4500 | WEBSITE
Native Grill & Wings is a lively spot that’s part of Glendale’s wing scene (that’s what the list calls it). The entire place is perfect for casual gatherings. You can grab a seat at the bar, catch a game on the patio TVs, and look for Angelica, the standout server. Even though this restaurant is mostly for wings, they do make a solid Caesar salad and other well-liked items. Plus, the generous portions are a hack to get your money’s worth.
Little Caesars Pizza
$ | (602) 978-0446 | WEBSITE
Little Caesars has many locations in Arizona, but only the one at Bell and 61st Ave has the walk-up doors that make you feel like you’re grabbing pizza from a friendly neighbor’s kitchen. Don’t worry about long waits because during the dinner rush, this spot becomes a Glendale family hub with kids happily munching on free cookies in every direction. The pizzas are good and they have enough options to please a picky cheese-only kid.
The little ones with a more adventurous palate can try the stuffed crust with that thin, crispy base everyone raves about.
Ric’s On 95th Sports Grill
$ | (623) 594-0900 | WEBSITE
The crispy thin crust pizza from Ric’s On 95th is the reason to plan a Sunday football watch party with your sports buddies and their families. The kids’ menu at this sports grill comes with crayons and a word search, so you can act proud when your child finishes it during halftime. They have a spacious dining area with multiple TVs showing games with sound, so you can cheer along as the plays unfold. If the bar section gets too lively, the open booths in the main area are also a great option.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
$ | (623) 282-3868 | WEBSITE
Raising Cane’s is the most family-friendly chicken spot in Glendale. On weeknights, the dining area turns into a neighborhood hangout with upbeat music playing. It’s essentially a casual joint where kids can enjoy their meals at the colorful booths and, if they’re feeling hungry, devour those crispy chicken tenders (extra sauce edition). It’s also welcoming to everyone, so the friends you brought along can join in on the feast.
On weekends, they have the same reliable menu, but keep an eye on their service to ensure your order is correct and your fries aren’t overly salty.
Lucky’s Pizza
$ | (623) 878-7888 | WEBSITE
We included this spot on our chicken wings list for good reason. Lucky’s Pizza is responsible for serving some of the best wings on this side of town and a well-done pepperoni pizza that can instantly satisfy a hungry family (results are consistent). We’ve also seen them welcome kids with that friendly, family-owned atmosphere that’s been drawing loyal customers for over 25 years.
And we can confirm that the mango habanero wings and hot wings are just what you need when you’re craving something crispy yet juicy with great flavor. Try to come during off-peak hours—maybe late afternoon—and you shouldn’t have to wait long for that welcoming, kid-friendly vibe.
Fazoli’s
$ | (602) 755-8001 | WEBSITE
Fazoli’s is trying very hard to be a sophisticated Italian restaurant. But no matter how many breadsticks they serve, there’s no denying the menu was made for families with sticky fingers and a Disney+ fixation. The Classic Sampler comes with those famous breadsticks that are comparable to Olive Garden. They’re good enough to make the parents excited. They also have fast-food style dining with the option to sit down or use the drive-thru. It’s one big, comfortable kids’ paradise.
Last time we were here, the clientele was 90% Glendale families blowing off some steam after a long day of soccer practice.
Potato Corner
$ | (602) 679-0914 | WEBSITE
It’s time for a fry feast in a spot where you won’t have to settle for soggy spuds and squeeze your whole party into a booth built for a solo diner. Potato Corner serves the crispiest fries in the county. They even have a standout dish for serious fry fans, featuring chili cheese fries with a double layer of chili and cheese. Just make sure you get there early when the fries are fresh off the fryer.
And don’t blame us when you start craving that perfect crunch and real chili cheese goodness for your next home movie night.
Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings
$ | (623) 780-4239 | WEBSITE
Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings has a rare menu that you and your friends can both get behind. This place is all about cheesesteaks and wings. You’ll both probably appreciate the atmosphere, too. It’s bright, it’s bustling, and everyone gets a friendly smile. This Walmart restaurant is certainly not the kind of place you’d expect to find within 100 meters of a gourmet food hall.
Still, it’s got enough energy and strawberry lemonade to let the shoppers have as much fun as the regulars, who can spend the evening nibbling wings and scribbling a note of thanks on the receipt.
Sauced and Loaded Chicken Wings
$ | (623) 900-9464 | WEBSITE
This Glendale gem is part flavor laboratory, part comfort food haven, and part wing enthusiast’s paradise. It’s the kind of indulgent meal that’ll guarantee a satisfied food coma in the near future. Sauced and Loaded stays busy year-round, so it’s a perfect weekend treat or game day destination. Let your taste buds explore flavors they won’t find at chain restaurants and maybe venture beyond basic buffalo. Sometimes, you’ll catch the staff offering samples of new sauces to regulars.
But the biggest draw is the wings themselves. Be prepared to debate which flavor reigns supreme when you see everyone else’s loaded plates. Also, don’t skip the cheese fries. They’re legendary.
Venice Pizza
$ | (623) 934-0000 | WEBSITE
To me, Venice Pizza is just a perfectly fine neighborhood spot with amazing prices for the quality. But to the devoted regulars who’ve been coming here since 2000, this place is a treasure trove where you must order the ‘bomb wings’ and ‘bomb pizza’ with those good deals. It’s right there in Glendale, which has kept locals happy for over 25 years. Once you inevitably get tired of other pizza chains, you can try their homemade spaghetti and meatballs.
It’s just as hearty, though the pasta may be a bit overcooked.
Church’s Texas Chicken
$ | (623) 939-7117 | WEBSITE
A stop here is the best way to introduce your friend to the wonderful world of chicken beyond dry, bland fast food. Just don’t come on a busy Friday night. It is in Glendale, after all. But if you come on weekdays when they’re open for lunch, it’s more of a relaxed crowd. There are no fancy tables, but they have a convenient soda fountain for refills.
Since it’s in Glendale, near a parking lot for 1-15 cars and many other spots, you can grab your order afterwards and try to find that helpful staff member Perla who makes the take-out experience better.
