The Halal Guys

This New York City transplant opened on Rural Road and Lemon Street in the retooled building that once housed a popular ASU bookstore. The Arizona kitchen turns out signature dishes such as chicken-and-rice platters, gyro sandwiches, hummus and baklava.

Details: 1015 S. Rural Road, Tempe. 480-2757502, thehalalguys.com.

Culinary Dropout

Complete with a game and lounge area, this is a fun place to take friends. The soft pretzels and provolone fondue are a musttry. Entree salads, sandwiches, burgers, fish, pasta and steak round out the dinner menu.

Details: 149 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe. 480-9056920, culinarydrop out.com.

Matt’s Big Breakfast

The thick-cut bacon, fluffy pancakes and fromscratch waffles at this local breakfast spot have created a loyal following for restaurateur Matt Pool. Students can visit locations in downtown Tempe and downtown Phoenix. They just have to get there before mid-afternoon. The kitchen opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 2:30 p.m.

Details: 400 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. 480-967-5156, mattsbigbreakfast.com.

The Funky Monk

This Mill Avenue restaurant and bar replaced the short-lived Wasted Grain, which took over the former World of Beer location. Look for pizzas, salads, entrees and a craft beer selection. During happy hour, 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, enjoy $5 munchies and $3 beers.

Details: 526 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. 480-2191376, funkymonk tempe.com.

The state’s largest brewery has expanded quickly since it was purchased in 2016 by Anheuser-Busch InBev. The Tempe brewery and pub on Eighth Street is the original, and last year the space added a new bar, shop and larger patio. The bar pours eight permanent selections in addition to seasonal picks, and you can see the tanks and fermenters from your table in the sports bar. Four Peaks is a short walk from the light rail, so you always have a designated driver.

Details: 1340 E. Eighth St., Tempe. 480-303-9967, fourpeaks.com.

Rula Bula

This “bad boy” serves tacos, main dishes, salads, sides and cocktails at CityScape, near Jefferson Street and Central Avenue in downtown. Available at lunch and dinner, tacos come in carne asada, duck carnitas and crispy avocado, among other varieties. At dinner, main dishes include seared diver scallops with chimichurri and chile rib eye with a mole hollandaise.