There’s good food around, even late at night
Phoenix is not a late-night town, but it’s edging ever closer.
A decade ago, eating after hours was an exercise in compromise, typified by a bevy of ‘bertos and subpar pub grub. Today, it’s easier to eat late and well.
Since I last updated this list in 2016, more great spots have opened or extended hours to give us legit late-night eats. Generally, that means serving food until midnight on weeknights and later on the weekends.
There are a bunch of great options out there, but if I’m looking to chow when most local restaurants have closed up shop for the night, here’s where I go.
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
Take the cavernous ground floor of a historic building in Phoenix, add tufted leather banquettes and pulp sci-fi murals, an encyclopedia-size libations list and dishes like the Dragon Dumpling Burger and the Angry Panda, and you’ve got Bitter & Twisted. The rest of the ‘hood has finally caught up to B&T’s late hours, but this remains a top spot for a late-night bite downtown. Chef Bob Tam’s playful Asian dishes are far better than they need to be for a hip watering hole, while barman Ross Simon holds down the liquid side of the equation with aplomb.
Details: 1 W. Jefferson St. (in the Luhrs Building), Phoenix. 602-3401924, bitterandtwistedaz.com.
Late hours: Kitchen closes at 1:30
a.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
The Brickyard Downtown
I’m willing to stretch my definition of “late night” just a touch to recommend The Brickyard in Chandler. Comically whiz-bang when it opened two years ago, the kitchen has matured under chef Aaron Rickel, so if you found the food showy at first, give it another look. This is still an eclectic menu of “global tapas” that jumps from “banh mi” tacos to shrimp ceviche to truffle mac and cheese. But The Brickyard has found its foundation. A fun, well-executed menu paired with Bobby Kramer’s killer cocktails and a buzzing mix of speakeasy chic bathed in electro swing make this a great latenight spot.
Details: 85 W. Boston St., Chandler. 480-9631373, brickyarddowntown.com.
Late hours: Open until 11 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Kitchen closes at 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Cafe Ga Hyang
In most cities, “late night” and “Korean barbecue” are practically synonymous. Strange that Cafe Ga Hyang has so little late-night competition, but fortunate the best happens to be open the latest. Those who insist on cooking their own meats or chasing them with soju will need to look elsewhere — Ga Hyang has no liquor license or tabletop grills. But they’ll be missing out on some outstanding Korean, including chewy rice cakes in a flavorful chile sauce (duk boki); a delightfully crisp scallion pancake bursting with seafood (haemul pajeon); scads of fiery soups and stews; and the best banchan in town.
Details: 4362 W. Olive Ave., Glendale. 623-9378550.
Late hours: Open until 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.
Drunken Tiger
Adding Mesa’s Drunken Tiger might make this list a touch Koreanheavy, but so is the Valley these days. Justin Park’s darkened den of soju and Korean vittles is the poster child for late-night fare, brash and spicy and even better with booze. A lengthy slate of Korean barbecue, fried chicken and assorted punchy nibbles (don’t miss the padak or the fire chicken) make this place equally ideal for snacking or gorging. Plus, if you need a break from the food, there’s always karaoke.
Details: 1954 S. Dobson Road, Mesa. 480755-7555, facebook.com/ drunkentigermesa.
Late hours: Open until midnight Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Open until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Tuesdays.
El Caprichoso
A Sonoran hot dog is the quintessential latenight street food: A meaty and spicy concoction that’s peddled for pennies at tented roadside enclaves that spring up at dusk and disappear by dawn. Phoenix isn’t hurting for late-night doguerias, especially west of Interstate 17. But the best I’ve found — and not by a narrow margin — prepares their dogs just so, carefully layering a lengthy roster of toppings after griddling the whole shebang, bun and all, to a warm, toasty crisp.
Details: Southwest corner of 35th Avenue and Thomas Road, Phoenix. 602-561-3723.
Late hours: Open until 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.
Harvey’s Wineburger
Nothing against fancy burgers, but when the midnight hour approaches, a juicy, greasy classic in dive bar environs feels far more correct. A Valley classic that’s perfectly seasoned and steamed in wine as it sizzles on the flat top, Harvey’s wineburger is what happens when tradition and execution meet. What Harvey’s griddle lacks in weekend hours, it makes up for during the week, offering what might be the best bar burger in town until midnight on school nights.
Details: 4812 N. 16th St., Phoenix. 602-2489950, harveyswineburger.com.
Late hours: Kitchen closes at midnight daily.
Joe’s New York Pizza
In a town crammed with artful wood-fired pizza, featuring a cheap, greasy slice in Scottsdale’s club district almost feels scandalous. Artful it
isn’t, but as dawn approaches, a slice of Joe’s, with its thin, chewy crust and just-sweet-enough sauce, sounds better and better with each passing moment. Just give me two. There’ll be plenty of time to regret that second slice in the morning.
Details: 7321 Shoeman Lane, joesny.pizza.
Late hours: Open until 4 a.m. daily.
Mi Nuevo Nayarit
Scottsdale. 480947-5637,
This mariscos joint might not be among the city’s best, but the value of a place serving solid Mexican seafood deep into the night on the west side of town can’t be understated. Ceviches, cocteles and tostadas loaded with plump, cool sea creatures join the full complement of grilled, sauteed and fried standards in a spot that’s casual and bright with plenty of booze and a friendly staff.
Details: 6740 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix. 623849-9593, facebook.com/minuevonayarit.
Late hours: Open until midnight Mondays through Thursdays, 1 a.m. Fridays through Sundays.
Pig & Pickle
The name says it all. Pig & Pickle’s menu features items both porcine or pucker-inducing, and it comes along with one of the chummiest bars in town. The tots aren’t tots, strictly speaking, but these potato croquettes change flavors daily and are usually delicious. Meanwhile, gutbusters like the Duck, Duck, Pig! (bacon, Mornay and a fried duck egg atop duck fat fries) and a ground pork burger that goes by Apocalypse Sow conspire to ensure you’ll lay down a solid foundation for the booze. There’s also a salad or two, but let’s be honest, that’s not why you’re here.
Details: 2922 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. 480990-1407, pigandpickle.com.
Late hours: Kitchen closes through Sundays.
Welcome Diner
at 1 a.m. Tuesdays Though his time at the nine-stool Valentine diner has come to a close, Michael Babcock is still bringing big late-night flavor just a few steps down the road at Welcome Diner’s roomy new home. Babcock’s hearty Southern-esque fare is made for midnight (or later), and equally delicious inside the restaurant or at a picnic table out front. The food is packed with soul. And nothing goes better with a po’ boy, fried chicken or crusty mac and cheese than good folks, a bottle of Crystal hot sauce and neon light.
Details: 929 E. Pierce St., Phoenix. welcomediner.net.
Late night: Open until 2 a.m. daily. 602-495-1111,