Admittedly, we’re pretty prejudiced against out-of-state stuff at PHOENIX. BOV is for locals! But sometimes, you gotta rave irrespective of origins.
Best Rocky Mountain Art Transplant
Relévant Galleries
Artist David Yarrow’s photography syncs nicely with the Scottsdale aesthetic: sexy, sophisticated and hinting – or rather winking – at an Old West vibe. So it makes sense that Denver-based gallery Relévant, where Yarrow is the featured player, would open its second U.S. location in Scottsdale.
7165 E. Main St., Scottsdale, 480-941-4001, relevantgalleries.com
Best Asian Grocery
H Mart
The “H” in H Mart is short for the Korean phrase han ah reum, or “one arm full of groceries,” but you’ll need more than one arm when visiting the Mesa location of this wildly popular Asian supermarket, which is as large as a Walmart and boasts row upon row of tofu, kimchi, Chinese vegetables, Japanese beer, Korean soju, and on and on. It’s the next best thing to a flight to Seoul.
1919 W. Main St., Mesa, 480-207-4560, hmart.com
Most Eagerly Awaited Donut Shop
Voodoo Doughnut
You can get a buttermilk bar from pretty much any doughnut shop, but Voodoo’s doll-shaped doughnuts are exclusive. Sure, the famed Oregon-based chain (due to arrive in Tempe later this year) makes the usual fluffy, yeasty, round-with-a-hole varieties, but in flavors that are anything but ordinary. There’s the Bourbon Street-inspired Ring of Fire, a cake doughnut dusted with cayenne; and the French Quarter-friendly Grape Ape, studded with lavender-flavored sprinkles.
1324 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, voodoodoughnut.com
Best Drive-Thru Snow Cone
Bahama Buck’s
Is there another place in town where someone will bring a cotton-candy-infused snow cone before you have a chance to put your car in “park”? Probably not. You can create your own tropical toppings and fruit-blended smoothies via text at this heat-beating cone parlor, and the chain’s Surf Club gives redeemable points for every dollar thirsty customers spend. On the down-side: It’s from Texas!
3121 E. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, 602-569-1505, bahamabucks.com
Best Soul Food Joint
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Out of Memphis and into our hearts is how we’d characterize the soul-food chain’s recent invasion of the Valley, first in Mesa, and now with Downtown and Uptown locations. Seriously some of the most flawless chicken you’ll ever have, in a folksy milieu that isn’t chain-ish.
gusfriedchicken.com
