https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tortas-2-1280x720.jpg

Phoenix’s food scene has been growing rapidly but family-owned food purveyors on the west side have been slinging solid meals for decades. Check out these three hidden gems next time you’re in the West Valley. Start Your Day Off at TJ’s Homestyle Restaurant Looking for a classic, comforting morning meal? This family-owned rustic restaurant has an old diner feel, complete with farm animal figurines, ’50s advertisements and traditional American comfort food. The Farmers Breakfast features...

https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_4234-1280x720.jpg

Charles Barber looks happy tooling around in his new restaurant, a sleek North Phoenix spot he named Aftermath to reference what came before and what comes next for him. As you may already know, he partnered with Dom Ruggiero to open Hush Public House in 2019, Barber running the front of the house, Ruggiero manning the stove. The place was a runaway hit and remains wildly popular, but after two years, Barber was ready to...

https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Dirty-Dough-1280x720.jpg

The holidays are over, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop eating delicious desserts. Going into the new year with a sweet tooth? Check out these three places for treats around the Valley. Dough-Not Miss Out on Express Donuts This local donut shop serves the classics: glazed, Boston cream and apple fritters but also switches things up with Asian-inspired drinks like a Thai iced tea smoothie. As you enter the donut shop you will...

https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/261073891_332559728244800_5554959236193501975_n-1280x720.jpg

THE SCENE Is there a more played-out cocktail-bar trope than the “speakeasy”? I use quotation marks because so few of these purported speakeasies possess any of the qualities of their historical namesake. Even pre-COVID claustrophobia, the whole cramped, underground bar scene wasn’t my vibe. Give me an open-air space with a fresh breeze and elbow room any day – or night. Finally, a trend seems to be aligning with my selectively social soul: Rooftop bars...

https://www.phoenixmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Supersuckers_Frank-Schwichtenberg-1280x720.jpg

Supersuckers | Photo by  Frank Schwichtenberg   Every week, we present a curated list of live music in a wide range of genres all around the Valley. This week brings everything from modern blues and cowpunk to Motown legends and vaunted jazz musicians. Supersuckers Wednesday, January 12 at the Rhythm Room Tucson rock band Supersuckers plays its brand of alternative cowpunk. American blues-punk “Dirty Old One Man Band” Scott H. Biram is also on the bill....