Celebrate Juneteenth with good food at these 5 Phoenix events

Share and honor the holiday over brunch, barbecue or cocktails at these experiences happening around the Valley.

June 19, 2025

Image: SugarJam The Southern Kitchen is cooking up specials for its Juneteenth Brunch.

SugarJam The Southern Kitchen is cooking up specials for its Juneteenth Brunch. SugarJam

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Juneteenth is observed on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States, when the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 and announced that all enslaved people would be freed.

The day, which became a federal holiday in 2021, is honored across the Valley through a number of events that celebrate and educate people about the nation’s second Independence Day.

Sharing food will be part of many celebrations, but some Valley events are focusing on food. Whether you want to visit a Black-owned restaurant, pair live music with barbecue or taste creative cocktails, there’s something for every food fanatic to enjoy and honor Juneteenth.

SugarJam The Southern Kitchen

15111 Hayden Road, #170, Scottsdale Head to north Scottsdale on Thursday morning for a special Juneteenth brunch hosted by SugarJam The Southern Kitchen. Celebrated chef and restaurant owner Dana Dumas will be serving specials, including smoked Gouda mac and cheese topped with fried lobster and shrimp, drizzled with chipotle remoulade. Trade noodles for grits in a rich plate of fried lobster tail and crab balls atop grits layered with shrimp and Creole gravy. A whole fried snapper will also be available, served over dirty rice with turkey sausage. Not a seafood fan? Opt for the decadent braised oxtails with smoked Gouda grits. The specials range from $37.95 to $41.95. Pair your brunch with one of the restaurant’s June drink specials, such as the Junebug Mimosa Flight or Blackberry Bramble. The restaurant will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended.

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Entryway sign at West Alley BBQ and Smokehouse.

Chandler's West Alley BBQ & Smokehouse is celebrating Juneteenth and its seventh birthday.

Sara Crocker

West Alley BBQ & Smokehouse

111 W. Boston St., Chandler West Alley BBQ will celebrate two special events on Thursday: Juneteenth and the Chandler restaurant’s seventh anniversary. Starting at 6 p.m., the bar and eatery will host live music from the Rob Hudson band. West Alley specializes in Tennessee-style barbecue and during the event, there will be giveaways, tastings and food and drink specials. The fun runs until 9 p.m. and kicks off a busy weekend, with live music also scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.

Lasgidi Cafe at Little Rituals

132 S. Central Ave., Fourth Floor Chef Patience “Patty” Ogunbanjo of Lasgidi Cafe is bringing her signature Nigerian cuisine to Little Rituals in downtown Phoenix. The cocktail lounge and food truck owner have teamed up to host a Juneteenth Jamboree on Thursday. The evening of curated bites and sips starts at 5 p.m. and reservations are recommended.

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Ocho Rios is hosting a special edition of its brunch series.

Ocho Rios Jerk Spot

4220 W. Northern Ave.
13291 W. McDowell Road, Goodyear The Caribbean eatery Ocho Rios Jerk Spot will host a special Juneteenth edition of its weekend Rum Punch and Brunch at its Phoenix and Goodyear locations from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 22. The over-the-top brunch event features specialty mimosas, rum punch towers and jerk chicken and waffles. DJs will set the vibe at each restaurant, and ladies will receive a complimentary rum punch with an entree purchase.

The Archwood at Eastlake

1401 E. Van Buren St. The Juneteenth Family Reunion returns for a second year, hosted by BlackNet AZ with Cactus & Culture. Guests can expect even more music, activities and food. Taste and vote for your favorite chicken wing during the reunion’s first AZ Chicken Wing Showdown. SipTale will offer a mixology class and share its canned cognac cocktail. There will also be local food trucks serving a selection of bites. This event is free to attend and guests can RSVP here.

Sara Crocker is a staff writer for Phoenix New Times where she focuses primarily on food. She began freelancing for New Times in July 2022 and joined the staff in February 2023. Prior to New Times, Sara worked for publications such as The Denver Post, Phoenix Magazine, Phoenix Home & Garden and Colorado Life Magazine. When she’s not reporting on the Valley’s dining scene, Sara brews beer at home and is an avid cook.

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Tirion Boan is the Food Editor of Phoenix New Times where she’s worked since May 2022. Tirion keeps a close eye on restaurant openings and closings, offers dining recommendations and reports on metro Phoenix food news and trends. She also publishes major annual lists like Top 100 Bars and Top 100 Restaurants, and contributes to the Best of Phoenix project. Tirion previously worked for publications including The Arizona Republic and The Tucson Weekly. She holds a bachelor’s of arts in journalism from the University of Arizona.