The Garfield Phoenix exterior | Photo courtesy instagram.com/the_garfield_phx
After some hard work and elbow grease, the historical Garfield Phoenix diner has reopened under new ownership. If you’ve passed by the small storefront on Roosevelt and 10th streets, you’ve probably read the offerings painted on the diner’s façade: “Coffee, Ice Cream and Tacos.” However, this little spot is crafting a lot more than meets the eye, with even bigger things to come.
The soft glow of green and pink neon lights and architecture of yesteryear lure you in and make you feel like you’re walking onto the set of a classic film. Strung bistro lights illuminate the patio dining area, setting an enchanting scene. I half-expected to hear old songs humming from a jukebox. Instead, my ears were met with light chatter from fellow diners.
The charming structure is eye candy to anyone who appreciates historical buildings. It was relocated from Route 66 in Northern Arizona to Phoenix in the 1980s and is one of America’s famous Valentine Diners. Named after creator Arthur Valentine, these prefabricated mail-order small diners were produced and shipped nationwide out of Wichita, Kansas after the Great Depression.
The new tenants, husband-and-wife team Oswaldo Fuentes and Shannon Moss, have brought life back into the pint-size eatery after Welcome Diner moved out – and down the street – in 2018. In June 2021, Fuentes and Moss did extensive repairs to the property. “We wanted to give it a modern, revitalized look but still with the retro aesthetic complimenting the original Art Deco architecture,” Moss says. “The owner was very particular who he was going to lease the property to because he wanted someone who really appreciated the historic aspect of the diner… someone who was going to put their heart and soul into it. I feel we’ve done just that… resurrecting it into a vibrant spot in the Garfield neighborhood.”
The petite Mexican menu offers tacos and burritos thanks to Fuentes’ Mexican roots. He learned traditional recipes from his mother, and had always wanted a brick-and-mortar outlet to share her cooking methods. Because the diner was originally built for simple cooking, the couple has taken a portion of their grilling outside to a Santa Maria open fire grill, which you can taste in each mouthwatering bite. I happened to order both the tacos and burritos (don’t judge) and I must say that Fuentes’ carne asada is some of the best I’ve had. This meat has that perfect combination of spice and seasoning, alongside the counterpart fresh fixings.
While Fuentes is crafting his tasty Mexican fare, Moss is responsible for the sweeter side of things. She established Shanny’s Frozen Bananas & Ice Cream years ago and has now expanded to Shanny’s Bakeshop, where she showcases a variety of treats (check out the diner’s Instagram for sweet daily updates). During our visit, I had to steal a few licks of my son’s chocolate ice cream. It was thick, rich and decedent aka everything you want in ice cream. Although Garfield Phoenix is still in its infancy, Fuentes and Moss have plans of expanding their menu sooner rather than later and craft cocktails are on the horizon. Keep your eyes open for the couple building up the property into a special event venue utilizing the unique vintage vibe. Currently, the diner is only open in the evening for dinner, but follow its social media to keep up to date on its exciting changes.
“Our goal is to simply offer great quality food that’s made with love, time, care and attention to detail in a great location where people want to gather and visit,” Moss says. After being there myself, I can honestly say that’s exactly what they have done.
924 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, the-garfield-phoenix.square.site
