^ I Support Local Community Journalism Support the independent voice of Phoenix and help keep the future of the New Times clear. Needless to say, it was a chaotic year in the Phoenix Metro food and drink world because you were clearly paying attention. That said, you read a lot of our food and drink stories that depict so much. Here are the 10 most read stories about the Valley food scene in 2020. Some stories have been excluded as they relate to restaurants that are temporarily closed and / or reopened in the early pandemic days, but we still have some gems. “Gone for Good: Phoenix Restaurants That Didn’t Survive the Shutdown” By Lauren CusimanoLet us look at the period May 17-31. During this window, a group of restaurants failed to make it. This was the first wave of permanent Phoenix restaurant closings, and you can see a fully updated list of closings here. EXPAND bars and breweries offer liquor to go through the valley. Thunderbird Lounge “Greater Phoenix Bars Open for Takeout Booze, Bottles and More” By Lauren Cusimano As you probably already know, bars in Arizona have been closed for an extended period of time (March 17th to date for some). But there were / are still ways to support your local pubs. Here is an ongoing list of Valley Bars offering takeaway liquor, growlers, crowlers, cigarettes, food, and more. EXPAND Who’s ready for takeaway? Well, you have to be. Sushi Roku Scottsdale “Greater Phoenix Restaurants Open for Take Away, Curbside or Delivery” By Lauren CusimanoOn March 17th, all restaurants in Phoenix City were closed to the public. A large number of restaurants have had to switch to take-away, pick-up and delivery models – some restaurants are offering take-away orders and delivery options for the first time. As a result, we created the Phoenix Restaurant Directory, a guide to restaurants moving in Valley (and many are now serving food with extensive security). EXPAND Chimichanga under a small mountain of sour cream. Chris Malloy “7 Hidden Gem Mexican Restaurants in Phoenix in 2020” by New Times StaffPhoenix has great Mexican restaurants. It’s not a secret. But so many fly under the radar and don’t get the attention or love they deserve. Here we share seven Mexican restaurants that are something of a hidden gem. The food in these restaurants ranges from Sonora to Oaxacan, tortas to Mariscos, unusual corn preparations such as Memela to the good old corn tortilla taco. King died on April 4, aged 55, of melanoma, a type of cancer Living Room, CHoP Steakhouse, and Rock Lobster died on April 4, aged 55, of melanoma, a type of cancer. King began his catering career in Phoenix with Mastro’s Group at the classic Scottsdale Steakhouse What’s Your Beef. King is said to have helped open and develop more than 70 restaurants. Expand Word of Mouth’s Demetrious Blemish in His Smoker. Jackie Mercandetti Photo “Where to Find Great Black-Owned Dining in Greater Phoenix” Posted by Lauren CusimanoHigh-high plates of chicken and waffles in Youngtown. Crunchy Catfish Po’boys in South Phoenix. Bites from Hoppin ‘John that would take you to the sultry outdoor cafe tables in the French Quarter. The Valley is fortunate to have a wide variety of black owned restaurants that offer incredible food in vital spaces. We have a lot of suggestions. Here is an ongoing list of restaurants and dining outings in the greater Phoenix area that we recommend for today and well beyond. EXPAND Many more ALDIs are on the way. ALDI “Attention Grocery Enthusiasts: ALDI Comes To Arizona This Fall” By Lauren CusimanoALDI is in the midst of an expansion westward. This summer, the discount grocery chain announced that it would open 70 new locations in 2020. Part of that growth includes setting up a store in Arizona, its 37th state. By the end of 2020, four new ALDI stores were announced for the Phoenix metropolitan region – two in the West Valley, two in the east. And yes, the Goodyear and Chandler locations have already opened. EXTEND A wide-angle view of the huge area at Lon’s – there is more space outside than inside. Jacob Tyler Dunn, “The 15 Best Outdoor Dining Decks in Metro Phoenix,” by New Times Staff, Eating al fresco has its best year ever for obvious reasons. And if you want to enjoy a meal in an atmosphere that consists of a breeze, maybe a couple of umbrellas and festive lights and a slight chatter, we have some recommendations. We recommend visiting the terraces of these 15 restaurants on Metro Phoenix. EXPAND your guide to eating and drinking downtown. Lauren Cusimano “Dining Guide: Where to Eat and Drink in Downtown Phoenix” By Natasha Yee At first glance, one might think that there are few places in downtown Phoenix to have a good coffee, a bite to eat eat or enjoy a sip of vino. But imagine the center of the city like an onion; All you have to do is peel off the layers. We even peel it for you. Enjoy our overview of where you can get everything – from morning brews to breakfast, lunch, afternoon pick-me-ups, dinner and late-night meals. EXPAND Cecelia Miller, founder of Fry Bread House. Sandra Miller “Cecelia Miller, Activist and Founder of Fry Bread House, Has Died” By Chris MalloyCecelia Miller, who founded Fry Bread House in 1992 and ran Fry Bread House until the mid-2010s, died in May after a long, non-COVID illness. She was 81 years old. Her eatery has been a pillar of Phoenix native cuisine for decades and a gem in Arizona’s dining scene. As evidence of this, Fry Bread House won the 2012 James Beard Award, the highest honor for American food. and we would like to keep that. We offer our readers free access to concise coverage of local news, food and culture. We produce stories about everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with bold reporting, stylish writing, and staff who have won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Feature Writing Award to the Casey- Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with the existence of local journalism under siege and the setbacks in advertising revenues having a bigger impact, it is now more important than ever for us to raise funds to fund our local journalism. You can help by joining our “I Support” membership program which allows us to continue to cover Phoenix without paywalls. Lauren Cusimano is the Food and Drink Editor for the Phoenix New Times. She is a journalist and food waste writer based in Tempe. Joys include eating grand pianos, riding bikes, knowing everyone at the bar, talking too much about The Simpsons, and falling asleep reading.
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