Perfect for: Antique-hoarding, tattoo-collecting, astrologically minded, theater-loving foodies with a sweet tooth
Past & Present
The community began, oddly considering its present party atmosphere, as an alcohol-free zone. Settled in 1892 by hooch-forswearing Brethren Christians under the guidance of W.J. Murphy as Glendale Temperance Colony and incorporated 18 years later, Glendale was initially a market town for westside farmers. The downtown consists of two sections: the idyllic Catlin Court residential blocks, and Old Towne proper’s commercial storefronts and – sorry, Brethren – bars.
One Day in Glendale
First: Shop for miniatures or pedal cars at Auntie Em’s Miniatures and Smilin’ Jack’s Pedal Cars and Vintage Toys. Check out Bears & More (bearsandmore.com) for sweet old-school toys, books and stuff.
Next: Load up on highbrow or lowbrow literature by browsing the shelves at Velma Teague Library (glendaleazlibrary.com) or Drawn to Comics (drawntocomics.com); your call as to which outlet carries which brow level.
Then: Get your aura photo taken ($20) or interpreted ($35) at The Astrology Store (theastrologystore.com) or book ahead to get a full-on medium reading.
Finally: If the message from the spirit world indicates that it’s an auspicious day for body art, get yourself tattooed at Inkenstein (inkensteintattoo.com). Then snarf some oatmeal goodies at Coyote Oaties (coyoteoaties.com) cookie shop.
On the Calendar
On Teddy Bear Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. September 12; Bears & More will collect monetary donations for “trauma teddy” programs, and other downtown merchants will participate in this observation of National Teddy Bear Day. October 10 brings the music-and-food Front Porch Festival (glendaleaz.com).
3 Places to Eat
1. Bitz-ee Mama’s: The nearly half-century-old diner serves fine huevos rancheros or eggs Benedict for breakfast; they do Mexican and American lunch and dinner, too.
2. Haus Murphy’s: The best German food in town hails from this eatery across Glendale Avenue from Murphy Park. Don’t miss the jager schnitzel. They do an Oktoberfest most years, too. hausmurphys.com
3. Little Saigon: One of the Valley’s best Vietnamese restaurants serves pho, spring rolls and other treats in a charming house with a white picket fence.
Nearby Fun
Cerreta Candy Company: Walking distance east of the historic downtown – in case you want to walk off your indulgence – is the Valley’s best-known confectioner, offering intriguing tours as well as sweet stuff. cerreta.com
Dazzo’s Dog House: A few blocks west of the railroad tracks on Glendale Avenue is this purveyor of Chicago-style eats. It’s also a small museum of sports memorabilia. dazzosdoghouse.com
La Purísima Bakery: Grab some pan dulce or other such Mexican delectable delicacies on your way east on Glendale Avenue.
Fun for Free
You can drop plenty of dough on food and drink at the annual downtown Glendale Glitters holiday light fest; but soaking up the good cheer is free.
Get Your Bearings
Murphy Park is the beating heart of downtown Glendale, which informally extends east to 56th Avenue and north to Myrtle Street.
One Day Bonus!
Brelby Theatre Company (brelby.com) stages interesting local productions in a repurposed Catlin Court house.
5 Questions with Du Le
The patriarch – and chef – of popular family-owned Vietnamese restaurant Little Saigon explains why he moved it to Glendale.
This restaurant was originally located in the Christown Spectrum Mall in Phoenix. Why did you move?
Because I am broke at Christown.
What made you decide to relocate here to Glendale?
The customers that come to eat the last day I am at Christown, when I tell them I am going out of business, they tell me that they have a place in Glendale to rent. I tell her, “I buy it. I don’t want to rent.”
What does Glendale offer that you can’t find elsewhere?
It’s a good location, lots of customers. And my old customers from Christown can follow me out here, too.
How it is operating out of a house?
Customers love it; they want to take pictures all the time.
Any evidence this place is haunted?
No, no, no!
Future Glendale
• Several new businesses are changing the face of downtown despite of the recent COVID challenges. Take, for instance, The Black Sheep Coffee+Tea+Smoothies (theblacksheepaz.com). “They actually opened in May, at the height of the pandemic,” says Lori German of the city of Glendale. “They’re West Valley people, so they bring that passion to move the West Valley forward. They’re folks from Honduras, who get their coffee from their family back on the plantation.”
• Also new since the pandemic are Don Juan’s Mexican Grill (facebook.com/donjuansmexgrill) and Santos Tamale Kitchen (santostamalesaz.com). Slated to open soon is The Village in Glendale. “They’re a collective restaurant and market, getting ready to open; planning lots of vegan options. They’re super interesting,” German says.
2020 Population: 279,000
2050 Population: 333,000 (est.)
Source: MAG
