Best Of Phoenix^® 2020

An understatement: It’s been a weird year.

We didn’t expect to be producing Best of Phoenix® in a pandemic — we didn’t expect a pandemic! — but very little about 2020 has matched our expectations, whatever those were.

Best of Phoenix, though, is non-negotiable, a force of nature mightier than any virus. In the pages ahead, you’ll find more than 300 categories recognizing the best local personalities, food, recreation, stores, news highlights, and much more.

The theme is Fantastic Phoenix, an homage to the pulp magazines of the mid-20th century and a celebration of the strange history, unusual places, and creepy tales that add a touch of the bizarre to life in the Valley.

We hope this, the 42nd annual Best of Phoenix issue, fills you with thrills and chills — and most importantly, an appreciation for the fantastic metropolis we call home.