Joe's Midnight Run in Uptown Phoenix Opens Today — Here's A Look Inside

Seventh Street is exploding with restaurants.

We already told you about plans for two new dining spots in the uptown Phoenix neighborhood including Stock & Stable, a restaurant and bar from two of the names behind The Clever Koi, and Phoenix Ale Brewery Central Kitchen, a beer and food-focused eatery on track to open at The Crown on Seventh next month. Just last week we saw the opening of The Herb Box at The Colony near the intersection of Seventh Street and Missouri Avenue, and today, you can add Joe's Midnight Run to the list. 

The new restaurant, which takes over a former drive-thru liquor store at 6101 North Seventh Street, specializes in wood-fired fare ranging from blistered shishito peppers and grilled wings to oven-roasted foie gras with blackberry jam and cashew butter. With a '90s hip-hop theme, Joe's owner hopes to bring an edgy, irreverent vibe to the bourgeoning neighborhood, which will be complemented by a menu of beer, wine, and spirits on tap and a kitchen that's open until 2 a.m. 

The Joe's Midnight Run building was originally built in the 1960s as a liquor store, and has been expanded to make room for the restaurant's bar and kitchen. Diners can take in the original wood ceiling beams that stretch over the dining room, and a large skylight in the center of the space bathes the room in soft natural light.

Wooden accents, exposed brickwork, and playful lighting give the space a subtle Midcentury Modern style, while textural elements like a steel partition keep things fresh. 

To the right of the dining area, you'll find the restaurant's open kitchen, which offers plenty of counter seating for diners who want a front row view of all the action. The center piece of the kitchen is a pair of Argentinian grills. These, in addition to the restaurant's wood-fired oven, will do most of the kitchen's heavy lifting. 

The menu, which is available online, takes globally-inspired cuisine — everything from Belgian frites with garlic aioli to Korean short ribs with fresh kimchi — and adds a few decadent options such as the Cantina Poutine (yes, a Mexican take on the Canadian classic) and the Notorious B.I.G. Burger. The latter includes a ground brisket and chuck burger patty topped with American cheese, red-wine-braised pork butt, Southern-style slaw, and house-fried pork rinds.

But don't worry, veggie heads, there are lighter and more refined options, too. In addition to the restaurant's three salads and starters such as curried cauliflower and Italian-style roasted veggies, lighter diners can enjoy an ahi tuna plate that features barely-grilled tuna with pineapple, chile, tomato, shallots, and coconut lime cream. 

You'll find the Joe's Midnight Run bar in the back of the restaurant, and here is where you're destined to have the most fun. The restaurant offers beer, wine, and, yes, spirits on tap including Tito's Vodka, Fernet Branca, and Jameson. The beer list includes a nice range of local and national brews including Four Peaks SunBru, SanTan Moon Juice IPA, Funkwerks Saison, and Bell's Oberon wheat ale. And in a fun twist, Joe's offers beers by the pint or in a 40-ounce container, in place of pitchers. In keeping with the hip-hop theme, Joe's even sells 40s of King Cobra for just $3.

A short list of $8 cocktails includes options such as the French Kiss '95 made with gin, absinthe, lemon, and bubbles, and The Chunk, a caramel-covered dessert martini inspired by a Baby Ruth candy bar and named for Jeff Cohen's timeless The Goonies character. 

Joe's Midnight Run opens to the public on Tuesday, April 12 at 11 a.m. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and serves brunch, lunch, and dinner from 9:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

For more information, check the Joe's Midnight Run website.