Urban Cookies

You might have heard of Urban Cookies before, but they would have been going by the alias Ollie Cakes. At least that’s the name they used when they competed on – and won – Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. Owners Brady and Shaun Breeze keep things fun and family-oriented at their bakery and though neither is […]

Urban Phoenix Cafe

Urban Phoenix Cafe is the brick-and-mortar eatery from the Left Coast Burritos folks, Keri Frazier and Steven Contreras. The congenial dining room on Indian School Road is packed with personality: vibrant street-style art, an open kitchen, low-key music, friendly service. The food is part Mexican, part Southwestern, with a dash of stoner and circus. Burritos, […]

U.S. Egg

For nearly a quarter century, this family-owned breakfast and lunch shop has been serving up the best omelets and hot cakes around. Return customers head for the spacious patio, and are often heard ordering the signature Spinach Florentine, an Italian-inspired three-egg number with fresh spinach, mushrooms and bacon and topped with Monterey jack cheese and […]

USA Martial Arts

Thanks to Hit Girl, the pint-size heroine of Kick-Ass, we’ve figured out that anyone can be a superhero given the right training. Founded by sixth-degree Black Belt and former Army Special Forces operative John Nottingham, USA Martial Arts doesn’t wimp out by teaching just karate or aikido. The school’s intense program combines tae kwon do, […]

Usery Mountain Regional Park

This may be our all-time favorite hike in the Valley. If you want to see the Sonoran Desert in its entire splendor, head to Usery and rock the Pass Mountain Loop hike. Just make sure it’s between February and May when our unique vegetation actually looks fertile (for once). Yes, the saguaros will be tipped […]

Usery Mountain Shooting Range

Whatever your preference, if you’re into firearms, Usery Mountain is the place to go. Whether you’re a beginner who wants to get comfy with a new firearm in a safe environment or a seasoned marksman, you will feel welcome at this massive outdoor shooting range. Usery Mountain’s versatility is impressive. The shooting range boasts several […]

Valentine

Its Arizona-centric food and drink creations have brought this cozy and sophisticated Melrose District hot spot recognition from Esquire magazine and The New York Times, the latter of which was enamored with Valentine’s soft pretzel crafted from white Sonoran wheat and served with butter blended with Arizona-grown guinea hen fat and a hunk of local […]