Joe's Diner: A Little Piece of Mayberry in Melrose

Small town, local, and making friends with customers is common where I am from, but here in Phoenix, it seems rare. Leave it to another hard working, creative, small town transplant to show Phoenix how it can still be done.

Joe’s Diner on 7th Avenue and Indian School Road exemplifies the classic diner experience. The food is standard American comfort foods and diner fare, but this where so many “home style” diners in Phoenix, end the experience. A diner is not just a title on a business. It’s not just the classic eggs and bacon breakfasts, and burger and fries lunch menu. Diner means friendly, local and home. It means coming out to greet your customers as the neighbors they are. It means supporting neighborhood farms, suppliers and other businesses.

Joe has been the prime example of the little Mayberry like town in Southern Arizona that he was raised in. Bringing the small town attitude is no easy task in a big city, but Joe was willing to take on the task. With jams and jellies, croissants, and biscuits made in house, and nearly everything else including; the eggs, sausage, and vegetables locally collected, this diner means the business for living local. Built on love, respect, and with his own sweat and blood, the diner itself is a labor of love. From the dividing walls of each booth, to the paint on  the walls, Joe and his family had their hands in making this dream a reality.

So, where did it all start really? After nearly 25 years as a professional chef, Joe knows food. Even when camping, Joe couldn’t keep out of the kitchen. Spending time to make some of his favorite dishes during vacations with his wife and young children, Joe puts to shame those of us who are content with an unevenly charred hot dog or burger. Inviting another family along on one excursion lit the fire for a new adventure in his cooking career. So in awe of the feasts laid by Joe, his friend’s praise spread to several more families. It wasn’t long before Joe was catering for the entire campsite and reviews of his food made it clear.

Requests for Joe to open a restaurant would not be silenced. And the rest is hometown history.

Joe’s Diner

4515 N. 7th Ave.

Phoenix, 85013

(602) 535-4999

Monday - Sunday 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

Pirates, Trolls and Books at Lo-Fi Cafe, Mesa

This outing really did become an adventure! On Sunday mornings Brick Cave Books hosts a local authors book browse at downtown Mesa’s Lo-Fi Café. Max and I were not just there to browse however, we were part of the action! I will get to that after the thrill of the pastry!

Lo-Fi is very much the trendy coffee shop of the new millennia, with everything from hot and cool Chai Lattes to the hi-tech brewing methods for some very earthy teas, there is something for anyone. Oh and the pastries, of course! They are to die for of course, and vegans need not feel left out. Try the vegan chocolate chip scones!

So, what about the books? Lo-Fi Café caters to pirates, fairies, rogues, and trolls as well as the casual hipster and hometown coffee seeker. Stop by on a Sunday morning to be a part of the story, or any day to make your own. 

Lo-Fi Café

105 West Main Street

Mesa, Arizona

(602) 769-3689

www.loficoffee.com

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Great lunch! Great sandwiches! Strange atmosphere for local musicians.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop isn’t really a local venue but it is very tasty and they do cater to the local entertainment community. During lunch rush is really not the best time to experience the full flavor of this location but at least they are fast and friendly and the food is well made and reasonably priced.

We couldn’t hear the musician in the corner of the store because it was so loud. I really felt bad for the guy because I am sure he was doing a great job, but people are just too hustle and bustle during the week. We will try to get back to this venue on a weekend or later evening to try the entertainment ambiance again.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

534 West McDowell Road

Phoenix, Arizona

602-283-3267

www.potbelly.com

Lunch at Green in Phoenix

A word before I continue on with this entry; Max is not, I repeat, not, a vegetarian, vegan, or otherwise greenie. That said, he devoured this week’s lunch.

Green is indeed all vegan, but carnivores should not avoid a taste. Max was quite content with the “Moo” shroom po-boy, and while he wasn’t thrilled by the pasta salad side, I took care of it without question along with my order. The jerk tofu salad left me full and content and not regretting a bite.

If you are not super hungry, still stop in, the décor is very unique and the vimto drink is amazing!

Green

2022 North 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 258-1870

http://greenvegetarian.com/

Ladybug Sandwich Shop

As I am now among the staff of the Alzheimer’s Association Desert South West Chapter, visiting fun lunch places downtown is even more of a thrill. Ah yes, the life and times of a cube worker. I am very much enjoying my Public Allies position in the Alzheimer’s Association though!

On to the business at hand though. Max and I had lunch at a great little “spot”. The Ladybug Sandwich Shop! This place is adorable! The cute little patio and cozy dining area are truly crawling with ladybugs of all sizes. More importantly, the sandwiches are tasty! The prices are a bit high but totally worth every penny. A warning about the amazing homemade pickles; they will make you pucker. 

If you are looking for a super cute place to dine on your lunch break, I completely recommend Ladybug. They are also open Saturdays now, so maybe a nice weekend stop.

Ladybug Sandwich Shop

1611 N. 11th Street

Phoenix, 85006

(602) 254-6269

www.ladybughouseofsandwiches.com

DREAD Mud and Happy Belated Birthday Max!

The DREAD Fleet’s Commodore Max enjoyed plenty of booty at the Fourth Annual DREAD Pirate Mud Wrestling. It was great to see some repeat offenders from the Arizona Roller Girls and make some new allies with the Desert Dolls. We are also thrilled to have a new set of friendly ports in Carly’s Bistro and Revolver Record's.

The Derby Girls and Desert Dolls, the Concubine Militia and wild wenches of the DREAD Fleet got wet, really wet when Mother Nature decided to assist in a wet t-shirt contest and some wild monsoon action. We thank Ahab for sticking through the weather with his light and sound equipment and are super grateful that everything still works just fine.

Ship Ecstasy’s Mo’Pain lost her reigning title to Sissy Space Case, but Mo’s sister dancer, Saoirse Amidala of the Concubine Militia, took third place!

Thank you to everyone for all the support and effort in making Pirate Mud Wrestling another awesome event! To our friends and diehard fans, who held through unexpectedly cold and wet weather, thank you! You are the reason we continue to raid the desert! See you at Westgate City Center in Glendale to get our drink on for Talk Like a Pirate Day V on September 22^nd 2012!

Stephen Yap took some amazing shots! Check out his Facebook page or ours!

Arizona Derby Dolls

www.desertdollsrollerderby.com

Arizona Roller Girls

www.arizonarollergirls.com

Bint Hazine (Concubine Militia)

Facebook.com/bint.hazine

Carly’s Bistro

128 East Roosevelt Street, Phoenix
(602) 262-2759

www.carlysbistro.com

The DREAD Fleet

Facebook.com/fleetdread

www.theDREADfleet.com

Revolver Records

918 North 2^nd Street, Phoenix

(602) 795-4980

www.revolveraz.com

Stephen Yap

Facebook.com/Stephen-Yap-Photography

Tovrea Castle Summer Hours

There was little time for a Castle related excursion this week due to holidays, pirates and writing adventures, but I cannot go without mentioning the change in tour hours and summer plans without feeling as though I am shirking my duties on this subject.

Tovrea Castle tours will not cease even in the summer heat! July through September Tovrea Cararro Society docents remind visitors to wear lightweight clothing, apply sunscreen and drink plenty of water on the outdoor tours but please do not let the desert heat keep you from experiencing this amazing site. In fact, the early bird 7:00 AM tour time might be an even better reason to schedule during the summer. What could be a more inspiring start to the day than a sunrise view of the spectacular castle and grounds? We dare you to have a bad day at work after that.

So, please, do not forget our humble castle this summer!

Tovrea Carraro Society
5025 East Van Buren Street
Phoenix Arizona

www.tovreacastletours.com/

602-256-3221