Seven Spots on Chow Bella's Mill Avenue Wish List

We were delighted this week to see Paletas Betty open on Mill Avenue -- and it got us thinking. (Always dangerous.) If Betty Alatorre can bring a second location of her gourmet Mexican popsicle shop to Mill, what else could thrive there? Yeah, yeah, we know, Mill's a notorious sink hole...

By Amy Silverman

August 22, 2011

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We were delighted this week to see Paletas Betty open on Mill Avenue -- and it got us thinking. (Always dangerous.)

If Betty Alatorre can bring a second location of her gourmet Mexican popsicle shop to Mill, what else could thrive there? Yeah, yeah, we know, Mill's a notorious sink hole for anything good, currently over-run with fro yo and tee shirt shops, but with tens of thousands of ASU students and staff just blocks away, couldn't something more creative than a Hooter's make it?

It's not like anyone would have to start from scratch; just open a second (or third) Valley location of a place we love. We promise we'll brave the bad parking and pooping grackles on Mill if you do it -- and we'll bring our friends.

Here's our wish list for Mill Avenue. What's on yours?

7. Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles

Mill is in desperate need of late night dining options (not that we don't love you, Jack) so why not start with a local classic -- Larry White's southern fried chicken and melt-in-your-mouth waffles. If it can work in Scottsdale, why not Tempe.

6. Jobot

This little coffee spot proves you don't need a lot of space to make a go of it -- making it the perfect candidate for a teeny tiny piece of real estate on Mill. Crepes with peanut butter creme, anyone? Toddy?

5. Chino Bandido

We couldn't decide which Mill needed more desperately -- additional Mexican options, or Chinese. How about both, wrapped up in a tortilla. Or over rice.

4. Green

Damon Brasch doesn't seem to be able to get off the dime to open the Phoenix location of his super-popular vegan comfort food joint. Maybe he should ditch that for Mill. The soynami-selling options are limitless.

3. Tammie Coe Cakes

Ooey Gooey cupcakes, MJ's soft pretzels and a fondant-covered cake for your roommate's birthday. Yes, please.

2. Food Trucks

Yes, once a week the grilled cheese truck comes by the Tempe Farmers Market on University. That's not nearly enough in a metropolis boasting food trucks with everything from pita-wrapped hot dogs (Short Leash) to creme brulee (Torched Goodness). How about a food truck court? That turn-around on 5th Street east of Mill would be perfect.

1. Sweet Republic

We'll trade you a Red Mango and a Mojo for just one scoop of Sweet Republic's Mint Chip.

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Amy Silverman is the former managing editor of Phoenix New Times. She is a two-time winner of the Arizona Press Club’s Journalist of the Year award. Her work has appeared on the radio show This American Life and in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Lenny Letter, and Brain, Child.