Lauren Gilger/KJZZ

Chris Malloy is food critic for the Phoenix New Times.

Lauren Gilger/KJZZ

The Market Sandwich at Pane Bianco.

A city’s food says a lot about it’s culture and growth. For Phoenix New Times food editor Chris Malloy, it’s helped him learn about his adopted city.

Malloy is from Philadelphia and New York and moved here about a year ago. Since he's moved here, he’s tasted a lot of Phoenix’s food.

Now, he and New Times’ food critic Patricia Escarcega have put together the latest edition of their series, “Essentials” wherein they ask the question: What does Phoenix taste like?

They’ve spotlighted 50 essential Phoenix restaurants and dishes that, together, paint a picture of the city’s food scene.  

Malloy joined The Show to talk about their choices and recommendations.