The Valley is lucky to have a wide variety of Black-owned restaurants and food businesses offering incredible food. Here are 51 restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops and cafes to try soon.
Ace of Wingz
8052 N. 19th Ave.
The Phoenix eatery Ace of Wingz is known for its unconventional flavors, such as pizza wings topped with tomato sauce, parmesan, pepperoni and mozzarella; elote wings with lime, tajin and cotija; and wings tossed in hot cherry sauce. Initially launched by Abion Acoy as a food truck, Ace of Wingz's outside-the-box recipes have garnered lots of attention in-person and online, including a review from TikTok food influencer Keith Lee during his Phoenix food tour.
ATL Wings
Multiple Locations For some seriously good wings, go to ATL Wings. If you love a good dry rub, ATL Style should be your order. Each piece, drum or wing is hefty and evenly coated with that heavy, oily blend of herbs and spices. There are also plenty of options for sauce-doused wings with multiple varieties of Buffalo and other spicy sauces.Authentic EthioAfrican
1740 E. McDowell Road6989 Hayden Road, Suite A12, Scottsdale
Shining bright with the colors of the Ethiopian flag at 18th Street and McDowell Road, Authentic EthioAfrican is one of the Valley’s outstanding African restaurants. Injera is easily accessible, as are ginger-spiked chicken stew, fresh cheeses and vegetarian options. In 2022, the restaurant got a total overhaul. Ethiopian immigrants Anduale Hassan and his wife Elsabet Tiruneh first opened the restaurant more than a decade ago and mostly focused on takeout. But following a six-month closure and a trip home to Ethiopia to gather furniture and art, the couple reopened their dining room, described on their website as "an African-inspired afro-beat and jazz-bar atmosphere" complete with a traditional coffee service. In early 2025, the duo opened a second location in Scottsdale.
Bear and the Honey
13216 N. Seventh St., #2Bear and the Honey is an allergy-conscious bakery, “beestro” and bar in north Phoenix. Monique Harris launched Bear and the Honey as an online bakery specializing in gluten-free desserts in 2013. Those treats include cakes, doughnuts, cookies, pies and Zona Tarts – Pop-Tarts-esque pastries in the shape of the state, filled with housemade jam. Since opening, Bear and the Honey has added vegan and keto-friendly baked goods, along with a restaurant and bar serving brunch, lunch and happy hour daily. Bearded Barbecue
Multiple locations Pop-up and catering company Bearded Barbecue calls itself “your favorite street food vendor’s favorite street food vendor.” You’ll find the rolling barbecue spot popping up at Trevor’s Liquor, Wren House Brewing Co., Smith's on 7th and events around the Valley. Bearded Barbecue infuses Arizona flavor by using mesquite and olive wood to smoke its meats and local beer in its sauces. The company shares its pop-up schedule on social media, often teasing a rotation of brisket, ribs, loaded fries and sandwiches.Big Bacon's
719 E. Roosevelt St.Big Bacon’s serves Chicago soul food from a converted house on Roosevelt Street. Launched in 2017 as a catering business, Big Bacon’s grew into a ghost kitchen space at Tempe Food Court before moving to a brick-and-mortar location. Big Bacon’s serves comforting meals that include pot roast, pork chops and jerk chicken along with sides of seafood rice and bacon-wrapped asparagus.
Big Marble Organics
Served around the ValleyBig Marble Organics was created thanks to the since-closed Breadfruit & Rum Bar's usual ginger beer provider going dark. Searches for a good replacement weren’t going well, and the Rum Bar stopped making Dark and Stormy cocktails. So, proprietor Dwayne Allen made his own. The company has now expanded into producing multiple soda flavors. And Big Marble is getting notice for its craft bubbly drinks. Its ginger beer was awarded a platinum medal from the L.A. Spirits contest in April 2024, as well as a gold medal from the New Orleans Spirits Competition in July 2023.
Bonnie’s Bread & Butter
777 N. Arizona Ave., ChandlerAfter more than 40 years in the restaurant industry, Bonita "Bonnie" Henderson opened her own restaurant in Chandler in December 2024. Bonnie’s Bread & Butter is an all-day restaurant whose menu is centered around fondue and sandwiches. Try a cornmeal-battered Shrimp Po’boy or The Phoenix, the restaurant’s take on a Philly cheesesteak made with poblano peppers and nacho cheese sauce. Other options include loaded baked potatoes, soups and salads. The Boom Boom Room
1544 E. McDowell Road It’s easy to spot The Boom Boom Room from McDowell Road. Just look for the larger-than-life mural of Beyonce and Jay-Z decorating the side of the small bar. Inside, owner Rasheda Worthy and her team mix craft cocktails while customers enjoy R&B tunes throughout the week. Chandelier lights reflect the glow of neon signs in the space decorated with murals and giant canvases celebrating musical greats. Grab a seat in one of the plush leather lounge chairs or reserve a VIP table for a night of cocktails at this central Phoenix spot.Brunch House
3340 W. Southern Ave. #131 For a party brunch experience, head to Brunch House in Laveen. Alongside dancing and day parties, the restaurant serves a menu of sweet and savory Southern brunch staples. Pair a mimosa flight with some shrimp and grits or red velvet waffles.Brunch & Sip
3950 E. Indian School RoadOne of many Valley restaurants from the White family, Brunch & Sip serves breakfast, brunch and lunch on Indian School Road. The restaurant’s menu offers some Southern staples, such as shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes, but it also adds a little Southwest flavor, with chilaquiles and huevos rancheros. For those looking to level up their brunch, go all out with the lamb chops or lobster-topped pancake stack. Cocktails and spiked coffee drinks keep the party going.
Café Lalibela
849 W. University Drive, TempeMetro Phoenix has several standout African restaurants and coffee shops. But one is a cut above, and we've deemed it one of the Valley's top restaurants. Located in Tempe, the husband-and-wife-run Café Lalibela is a cozy Ethiopian restaurant that has occupied a strip mall suite for decades. The eatery specializes in vegetarian dishes, though several meat items are on the menu like the key sega wat, cubes of spicy, stewed beef. Injera, or a crepe-like sourdough bread made with teff, is served with most meals.
Cajun Breakfast Joint
85 E. Southern Ave., TempeCajun Breakfast Joint serves Cajun and Creole dishes, with a dose of Southern hospitality. The restaurant opened in June 2024 in Chandler. It moved to Tempe this spring, setting up inside the Tempe Eats food hall. Morning meals include beignets, biscuits and crawfish gravy or the Classic Cajun Bowl, served with two eggs, cheesy grits, sausage and toast. If you’re dining later in the day, try the shrimp etouffee, catfish po’boy with cajun fries or crisp frog legs and grits.
CC's on Central
2800 N. Central Ave.Tucked into the ground floor of an office building in midtown Phoenix, CC's on Central is slinging some of the best Southern food in town. The menu comes courtesy of a California family with Southern roots, who are serving a combination of Southern and soul food dishes. Mom and son duo Sharon and Devan Cunningham launched the concept in late 2022. Following Devan's recent win on the cooking competition show "Chopped," the restaurant has tweaked its focus, putting Southern classics at the center of the menu.Charlie Mae’s Southern Bistro
2319 E. Indian School RoadNamed for the grandmother of restaurant co-founder Marcus Moody, Charlie Mae's Southern Bistro has served classic, comforting meals since 2019, first in Laveen and currently in Phoenix. Moody, who previously ran Smoothie Run in Laveen, wanted to share Southern cuisine and memorialize his late grandmother. Some of those dishes include fried catfish, smothered pork chops, rib tips and slices of red velvet cake.Charlie’s Backyard BBQ
1140 S. Country Club Drive, #109, MesaCharles Glover opened Charlie’s Backyard BBQ in Mesa in July 2024. The restaurant is inspired by backyard cookouts, down to the outdoor decor in the dining room. Charlie’s offers smoked meats – brisket, chicken, hot links, ribs and pulled pork – by the pound, on sandwiches or paired with sides for a combo plate. Add on classic side of potato salad, beans, mac and cheese or red beans and rice.Chilte
765 Grand Ave. Grand Avenue eatery Chilte started as a pop-up before graduating to a food truck, and eventually a brick-and-mortar restaurant near downtown Phoenix. Chef Lawrence “LT” Smith and his partner Aseret Arroyo run the funky eatery at the renovated Egyptian Motor Hotel. There, Smith cooks up a rotating menu of Mexican-inspired dishes with modern, creative twists. This year, he was named a 2025 James Beard semifinalist for the category of Emerging Chef.
Brown stew fish, deftly fried and smothered with a vibrant sauce, is one of the menu highlights at Cool Vybz.
Dominic Armato
Cool Vybz Jamaican Restaurant
2340 W. Northern Ave.If you have a craving for exceptional Jamaican cuisine, head to Cool Vybz in North Phoenix. There, chef Nakia Raymond has got you covered. He learned his craft working in kitchens in Spanish Town, Jamaica, before moving to Arizona. Now, he serves specialties including stewed goat, oxtails and curry chicken. Make sure to ask about the seafood specials, as they rotate often and aren't always listed on the menu. Dough Boy Pizza Co.
455 N. Third St.The Phoenix location of Dough Boy Pizza Co. is a local franchise of the Alabama-born fast-casual chain. The restaurant opened in the Arizona Center in November 2024 – one of several new eateries joining the shopping, entertainment and office complex located near Third and Van Buren streets. Dough Boy’s menu includes a selection of Neapolitan-style pies, salads and air-fried wings. Among pizzas is the Goodfellas, piled high with pepperoni, ham, bacon and Italian sausage, or the Wiseguys, loaded with fresh veggies, including red onion, roasted red peppers, green peppers, mushrooms, spinach, cherry tomatoes and black olives. Dough Boy also offers focaccia or cauliflower pizza crusts and vegan cheese.
Early Bird Vegan
2152 E. Broadway Road, TempeChef and owner Krystal Harris cooked for NBA stars before launching her own plant-based spots, starting with the Trash Panda Vegan food truck in 2020 and brick-and-mortar Early Bird Vegan the following year in south Phoenix. Diners can now find Harris’ sandwiches, bowls and cold-pressed juices in Tempe on the Sonoran University of Health Sciences campus. Among Early Bird Vegan’s offerings is the Famous Dr. J Sandwich, an English muffin topped with “cheez” sauce, a tofu egg, plant-based sausage patty, avocado, arugula, tomato and a Southwestern aioli, as well as barbecue jackfruit rib tips piled atop a bowl of Mac N Cheez.
Fraool Muleta and his mother Abebech “Abby” Ejerssa reopened Ethiopian Famous Restaurant in Tempe.
Mike Madriaga
Ethiopian Famous Restaurant
933 E. University Dr. #112, TempeLongtime Valley residents may remember the first iteration of Ethiopian Famous Restaurant, a small restaurant that served customers from 2011 to 2016. After a break to raise her family, owner Abebech “Abby” Ejerssa and her now-adult sons reopened the restaurant in a new spot in June 2024. The eatery, located near Arizona State University in Tempe, serves slow-cooked stews and spicy vegetable sides served atop spongy injera bread.Gojo Restaurant
3015 E. Thomas Road, #101Gojo Restaurant is named after the Amharic word for hut, and the place is indeed cozy and homelike. Like most quality Ethiopian restaurants, Gojo serves a variety of flavorful stews, like doro wot (chicken), key wot (beef) and alitcha wot (lamb). It also serves Ethiopian coffee and cinnamon or thyme teas to accompany your meal.
The Grind by Chic Chef
45 W. Jefferson St., Suite JThe “Chic Chef” Nik Fields has opened her latest concept, a modern coffee shop, in downtown Phoenix. The Grind is a hub for work and meetings fueled by specialty coffee and house-blended teas. The cafe works with local bakers and producers for its pastries and snacks. Harlem Coffee Co.
Multiple locations This roving coffee bar has been popping up at Sauvage Wine Bar and Shop and spots around the Valley since October 2023. Harlem Coffee Co. – whose name is an homage to the Harlem Renaissance – serves espresso from Denmark coffee company La Cabra plus matcha and tea, among other drinks. In the summer, we’re partial to Harlem Coffee Co.’s mango espresso tonic, a tropical upgrade to the refreshing classic.
Honey Bear’s BBQ
5012 E. Van Buren St.Many restaurant owners have stories, but not all can recall a time they catered for the crew of "Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure." It's true. Honey Bear’s BBQ owner Mark Smith remembers the first time this group of highly energetic and friendly young people walked into his barbecue restaurant in 1987, one year after opening. The next three months would be filled with some excellent adventures. The restaurant specializes in Tennessee-style barbecue and the sauce here is good enough to drink.
Hot Pot Caribbean Cuisine
2081 N. Arizona Ave., #132, ChandlerAround for over 15 years, Hot Pot Caribbean Cuisine is a small restaurant inside a featureless strip mall in Chandler. But the dishes here are multiple times more eye-catching than the eatery’s exterior. Hot Pot serves a mean brown stew chicken, plus goat curry oxtails and deep-fried Escovitch fish. Hot Pot also has a food truck that pops up around town.
Hunnie Butter
4700 N. 12th St., #122Phoenix scratch bakery Hunnie Butter serves homey cookies and brownies, as well as artfully crafted cheesecakes, glazed pound cakes and layered cakes. Among those is the bakery’s signature Hunnie Butter cake – a brown butter cake sandwiched with brown sugar Swiss buttercream and honey caramel. The outside of the cake has a flawless coating of buttercream with caramel dripping down the sides. Hunnie Butter is helmed by couple Jasmine Frank and Jonathan Wilson, who met while working at a bakery before opening their Phoenix sweets shop in 2023. In addition to offering baked goods from an enticing case, guests can order custom cakes (including for weddings) and seasonal desserts, such as Thanksgiving pies.Industry Standard
128 E. Roosevelt St.Industry Standard is the successor of Roosevelt Row stalwart Carly’s Bistro. Mike Cheathem, an operating partner of Old Town Scottsdale spot Scapegoat Beer & Wine, DashTrack founder Jordan Hudgens and longtime hospitality pro Mike Bodow teamed up to open the restaurant in January. Chicago transplant Edward Mclachlan runs the kitchen. The owners pulled inspiration from their years of experience to build a neighborhood restaurant and bar that is also a go-to spot for those in the hospitality industry once they clock out. That means a food menu of globally inspired shareable eats, such as duck meatballs, street corn and lobster rolls. At the bar, there are craft cocktails, beer, wine and a special menu of “industry standard” sips for $6 or less. 
JL Smokehouse
2010 E. Broadway RoadSmoke master James Lewis once told our former food critic "I got the best pulled pork in the country." Lewis' barbecue joint, JL Smokehouse uses oak and mesquite in service of exceptional menu items like smoked sausage, brisket, pulled pork, rib tips, and sides like coleslaw, potato salad, mac and cheese made with smoked gouda and beans that taste halfway between barbecue and Cajun.
Kingpin BBQ
Multiple locations Chef Jimmy Cole can be found slinging barbecue from his eye-catching food truck at locations around the Valley. Kingpin BBQ specializes in tri-tip, stuffed and smoked turkey legs, ribs, chicken and pulled pork. But you won’t find these ribs slathered in sauce. The truck’s motto is “No sauce for the boss” and Cole makes the argument that well-seasoned meat should stand on its own. Welcome accompaniments, however, are sides such as macaroni and cheese, collard greens with smoked turkey and sweet potato casserole. Cincinnati chili cheese fries and meat and mac-loaded waffle fries are also on the menu. Check Kingpin’s social media for updates on where the truck will park next.Kitsune Brewing Co.
3321 E. Bell Road, Suite B-5North Phoenix spot Kitsune Brewing Co. is a destination for creative craft beer. Owner Tyler Smith leaned on his experiences traveling in Japan for inspiration for the brewery’s name, logo and artwork. He’s recently expanded the Japanese influence by offering sake. In the future, he plans to add a ramen restaurant next door as well. 
James Beard Award semifinalist chef Stephen Jones reopened The Larder & The Delta with a new fine-dining format.
Katie Leveen Photography
The Larder & The Delta
2320 E. Osborn RoadThe Larder & The Delta continues to evolve. What started as a stand in a downtown Phoenix food hall later became a casual eatery on Portland Street. Then, the concept became a fine-dining destination designed around tasting dinners with a dozen courses. This summer, the menu goes a la carte. One thing that has remained present throughout all of the restaurant’s versions is the skillful cooking of 2025 James Beard semifinalist and owner chef Stephen Jones. 
Chef Patience Ogunbanjo, also known as Chef Patty, brings Nigerian food to the Valley with Lasgidi Cafe.
Lasgidi Cafe
Lasgidi Cafe
Multiple locations Patience Ogunbanjo, or as most people know her, Chef Patty, is the driving force behind Lasgidi Cafe, a Nigerian-American food truck that pops up around the Valley. The business started with catering in 2016, expanded to include cooking classes, private chef services, community-focused events and a food truck. Highlights on the menu include Puff Puffs, a Nigerian fried doughnut, Suya beef or chicken grilled and coated in a peanut-based spice blend, zesty Jollof rice and Egusi stew made with spinach and melon seeds along with assorted meats. Through her catering, classes and truck, Ogunbanjo aims to share Nigerian culture and cuisine with her customers.
Evelia Davis says the majority of wine and spirits brands at Latha are Black-owned or created.
Geri Koeppel
Latha
628 E. Adams St.This downtown Phoenix restaurant and market is dedicated to celebrating Africa and the African diaspora. Latha, which is a reference to the Swahili word for flavor, finds its home in the historic Silva House in Heritage Square across from Pizzeria Bianco. The menu draws influences from Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and the South. Chef Digby Stridiron moved from his home in St. Croix to craft a menu at owner and CEO Evelia Davis’ concept. Enjoy a plate of Dayboat Moqueca or berbere steak before browsing the soko, or market, filled with products made by Black artisans and producers.Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles
1220 S. Central Ave.3133 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Two Valley locations of Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles serve hungry customers sweet and savory Southern classics. As the name suggests, this spot specializes in crispy fried chicken and hot, thin waffles. The menu also includes biscuits and gravy, breakfast platters with grits, wings and specialty cocktails.
Maya’s Cajun Kitchen
Multiple locations Maya’s Cajun Kitchen fits inside a mobile food truck that owner and chef Maya Bartlett drives all around the Valley. She serves Cajun and Creole recipes she learned growing up in Louisiana, however, there’s a twist. This Cajun Kitchen is entirely vegan. Plant-based offerings include H.O.P.’n Creole Cakes made with hearts of palm, Smokin Jackfruit Po' Boys and Maya’s Etouffee. Check social media for updates on where to find the truck. Midwest Wings XL
201 E. Washington St., #109This downtown wing shop was launched by nurse-turned-restauranteur Kiara Adams in August 2024. Midwest Wings XL serves bone-in and boneless wings that can be tossed with sauce or dry rub. The restaurant also serves a crispy chicken sandwich and loaded fries topped with spicy buffalo chicken or Philly-style with steak, melted cheese, peppers and onions. Located a block from the Phoenix Suns stadium, it’s an ideal spot to grab a bite before heading to a game.
Monroe's Hot Chicken
45 W. Jefferson St. Suite K430 N. Scottsdale Road, #108, Tempe
Remember when hot chicken was all anyone could talk about around here? One place has done it extra well — but not extra well done. The sandwiches are juicy and hot at Monroe's Hot Chicken, which we discovered in a very early visit. But we had such a good time on follow-up visits we gave the restaurant, owned by Larry White (also the man behind Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles), a 2019 Best of Phoenix award for best downtown lunch. What's more, there's now a Tempe location.
Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe
808 E. Jefferson St.Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe is an icon in the Phoenix restaurant scene. Named for founder Elizabeth White, it serves utterly timeless food. This decades-old restaurant is where you’ll find one of Phoenix’s most famous Southern dishes: the golden-brown Southern fried chicken (with suggested sides of cabbage and black eyed peas). Smothered pork chops and fried catfish are also on the menu, along with recently added sandwiches.
Set in one of Phoenix's revered historical buildings, Ms. Martha serves up delectable island dishes.
Ms. Martha's Caribbean Kitchen
Ms. Martha's Caribbean Kitchen
1820 W. Northern Ave., #110Inside the thick walls and curved archways of the historic Spanish Colonial building on the northeast corner of 19th and Northern avenues resides Ms. Martha’s Caribbean Kitchen. There, the kitchen churns out delicious island staples. Start with some festivals or Jamaican fried dumplings before diving into a rich oxtail or curried goat bowl. There’s also jerk chicken, brown stew chicken and plenty of flavors of wings. Round out your meal with sweet fried plantains and rice and peas. Drink options include Jamaican sodas and fresh-pressed juices, all available for takeout or dine-in at this welcoming, casual eatery.Nana’s Kitchen
777 N. Arizona Ave., ChandlerChandler restaurant and roving food truck Nana’s Kitchen turns soul food classics into delicious vegan meals. Fried chicken gets a mushroom makeover, fried cauliflower wings offer all of the flavor without any meat, and vegan mac and cheese, loaded fries and cornbread round out the experience at this 100% plant-based eatery.Ocean Blue Caribbean Restaurant and Bar
6140 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler Get a taste of Jamaica in Chandler at Ocean Blue Caribbean Restaurant and Bar. The large menu includes island classics such as jerk shrimp and chicken, curry goat, brown stew chicken and saltfish. The menu also incorporates burgers, salads and wraps along with seafood plates of whole red snapper and stuffed salmon. Finish on a sweet note with a slice of Jamaican sweet potato pie. Find the restaurant in west Chandler on the northwest corner of Kyrene Road and Chandler Boulevard.
Ocho Rios Jerk Spot
4220 W. Northern Ave. #10413291 W. McDowell Road, E-7, GoodyearOcho Rios Jerk Spot has been bringing a taste of Jamaica to Phoenix since it opened in 2017. The modern yet welcoming restaurant located on the northeast corner of Northern and 43rd avenues is decorated with murals in the colors of the Jamaican flag and customers can grab a table or pull up a stool at the bar. A second restaurant has also opened on McDowell Road in Goodyear. At both locations, the menu includes traditional Jamaican patties filled with beef or chicken, sweet fried plantains and coco bread. Of course, as the name suggests, there are many dishes that include fiery jerk seasoning, including chicken wings, shrimp and pork. Curry goat, oxtails, and Ackee and Saltfish are also on the menu. Baked desserts, Jamaican ice cream and fresh juices round out the offerings.
The Original Pancake House
6840 E. Camelback Road, ScottsdaleSome restaurant recommendations hardly need to be stated. If you want pancakes, The Original Pancake House in downtown Scottsdale is where you go. The breakfast chain has been around since 1953, and the Scottsdale location has been open since 1988, when the griddle was first overseen by owner Ron “The Pancake Man” Horton. The midcentury vibe, coupled with house specialties like the French Crepes, Dutch Baby and Combo Hash with pastrami and corned beef, make this place a real first-meal gem. Read our 2022 feature on the history and the people that make this spot so special.
Sapiens Paleo Kitchen
10411 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, ScottsdaleAt Sapiens Paleo Kitchen in Scottsdale, French cuisine is offered via a paleo and gluten-free menu. Helpfully named menu items include the Keto Burger and the Paleo Dip, while other entrees include French rabbit stew, Sapiens Duck and free-range chicken. Plus, every entree has a keto-friendly substitute option that will swap out any vegetable high in sugars such as potatoes, carrots and sweet potatoes. Non-dairy desserts are also available.
Stacy's Off Da Hook BBQ and Soul Food
1804 W. Glendale Ave.Stacy's Off Da Hook BBQ and Soul Food serves barbecue, fried chicken, catfish, chicken gizzards and smothered pork chops in a cozy counter-service restaurant on Glendale Avenue. The crispy fried chicken comes from a secret recipe concocted by owner Stacy Phipps himself.
Chef Dana Dumas is the talented chef and owner behind SugarJam The Southern Kitchen.
Carlos Rene Castro
SugarJam The Southern Kitchen
15111 N. Hayden Road, #170 ScottsdaleIn 2021, SugarJam Bake Shop & Bistro became SugarJam The Southern Kitchen. And with the rebrand came a location change. Owner Dana Dumas moved her bakery, bar and breakfast spot, but she definitely brought her deep fryer. For fans of crispy chicken, this is exciting news. Brunch items include the best French toast in town.
Süss Pastries
5341 N. Seventh Ave. Jasmin Smith started Süss Pastries out of her kitchen in Tempe in 2016 while working as a pastry chef at Chateau Luxe. In January, Süss added a small storefront area next to Hatch-It Green Chile Burgers & Tacos. The Germany-born, Arizona-raised pastry chef crafts cakes as well as classic and nostalgic pastries infused with local ingredients. Try Smith’s savory green chile bressane or a fruit pocket – a flaky hand pie stuffed with raspberry and prickly pear jam and topped with vanilla frosting. In addition to its brick-and-mortar location, Süss baked goods are available at local farmers markets. 
The four-meat plate comes with two sides and allows customers to try a little of everything at Sweet Magnolia Smokehouse.
Tirion Boan
Sweet Magnolia Smokehouse
4929 E. Chandler Blvd., #405Tucked into a little strip mall spot in Ahwatukee, Sweet Magnolia Smokehouse serves some standout barbecue. The menu focuses on Mississippi-style meats and sides. Don’t miss the pork hot links, peppery macaroni and cheese or tender collard greens. The counter-service restaurant also serves sandwiches and barbecue-loaded mac and cheese bowls.West Alley BBQ & Smokehouse
111 W. Boston St., Chandler We’ve been fans of West Alley BBQ & Smokehouse in downtown Chandler since it opened in 2018. After attending Chandler’s Great American BBQ & Beer Festival in early 2017, Jackson, Tennessee transplants and father and son duo Bardo and Christian Brantley decided to spring for a storefront in the East Valley. The barbecue joint specializes in St. Louis-style ribs and Tennessee-style barbecue and frequently hosts live music.
Word of Mouth Grill
7660 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe 4810 E. Ray Road, #14 In 2020, we took an extended tour of the Valley’s grilling, smoking, and saucing world in “Cafe Review: Journeying Through Phoenix’s Thriving Black Barbecue Scene.” During it, we met Demetrious Makel and his wife, Jacque Gomez-Makel of Word of Mouth Grill in Tempe. The Makels are big on seasoning but make sure there is plenty of flavor in the meat as well. We recommended his nine different house-made sauces and the “uncommonly juicy” rib tips. Recently, the company expanded and opened a second location in Ahwatukee.
Know of another restaurant that belongs on this list? Let us know!
