Since Andrew is from Phoenix, AZ, I’m lucky enough to get to spend time there several times a year visiting family and relaxing. We just got back from a Phoenix trip, during which we did some cooking, hiking, and restauranting. Over the years I’ve managed to find some places I really enjoy in the Phoenix area—here’s my mini guide to a few of them!
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
This downtown cocktail bar is housed in the historic Luhrs building, former prohibition headquarters of Arizona. !! !!! !!!!!! If that beautiful irony isn’t enough for you, the cocktails are delicious, and the food isn’t bad either.
Welcome Diner
Eat food, possibly too much, mostly fried. This little trailer of a restaurant with outdoor seating only (heat lamps for cold weather, water misters for hot) has a menu that seems to consist of all possible combinations of fried chicken, biscuits, barbecue pork, french fries, cheese, and sausage gravy. Yum.
Barrio Queen
Gourmet-ish modern Mexican cuisine + a huge tequila list!
Wright’s at the Biltmore
Fancy, fancy modern American food with a focus on local, Southwestern ingredients and flavors. Get the Grand Marnier soufflé!
In-N-Out Burger
Yes, it’s a chain, but it’s only located in a select few Western states, and is SO delicious. When in Rome. . . .
Angel’s Trumpet Ale House
A massive beer list, plus tasty bar food like Hawaiian spam sliders and poutine.
Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles
Very delicious and crispy fried chicken, with thin, buttery waffles. Also, you can get various Kool-Aid flavors in mason jars.
Welcome Chicken + Donuts
More fried chicken! With different sauces/flavorings. And funky-flavored fried donuts! All things in the fryer!
Bootleggers Modern American Smokehouse
Here you can order a Bloody Mary with a miniature cheeseburger sticking out of it. And/or a bacon board, so you can sample multiple bacons. Or apple-pie-flavored moonshine that is good, not gross. Or all of these things at once!
Richardson’s Cuisine of New Mexico
“Home of the original green chile potato [GCP],” Richardson’s serves up New Mexican dishes like chorizo-stuffed pork chop, green chile pork enchiladas, and prickly pear margaritas.
Four Peaks Brewing
House-brewed beer, pub food classics with a Southwestern bent, and daily food and beer specials.
Tavern Americana
More tasty bar food and a great beer and wine list—there we recently ate chorizo tots, brussels pizza with bacon, and mac and cheese with bacon, and a little bit wanted to die, but in a good way, I swear!
