A List of Phoenix Area Farmers Markets

We love buying from local farms! Farmers markets are a great way to get the freshest local food and they are a lot of fun too. Here is a list of Phoenix area farmers markets. Fall hours are listed. 

As a rough guide, fall/winter hours can go from October through March but it varies, so you may want to confirm the times before you go. Some markets close for the summer and others are year-round. Enjoy!

How to Make Chips and Salsa Like a Boss

Writing and images by Marily

Favorite Places: Get Your Nom On At Nami

We are excited to be starting Favorite Places where every week we share a great location from somewhere in Arizona. This week's spot is one of Cailin's favorite dessert spots, and maybe it will become one of your favorites too.

Writing and images from Cailin Koy, blogger at Sassy Dove  and Mommy Dove.

Other than the occasional ASU-adjacent bohemian stint you find in Tempe (inevitably tucked between Buffalo Wild Wings and Native New Yorker), there are few places in the Phoenix metro more hip than those gracing Roosevelt Row. Just north of this urban Mecca near 7th St. and McDowell is nami (lowercase by design), the kid sister of local favorite Green. 

Nami's fare is coffeeshop-chic for the underground set and blends breakfast with dessert; locally roasted coffee, scramble-stuffed burritos, donuts, cupcakes, and decadent ice cream treats make up their daily menu. Did I mention all that stuff is vegan?

Back To School Traditions

Back to school fever is here.  As a past educator and current mother I have many philosophies about education, but one BIG one is that we need to show Arizona kids that we value education.  For me this starts at home.  Each year before school starts we have a few traditions to show our children  just how much we value the ability to be educated and how great the learning process can be.  Think of how awesomer (I'm allowed to use made up words - even when talking about education) Arizona kids would be if we can get them to love learning more.  Life long learners - yes please!!  

Favorite Places: Carolina's Mexican Food in Phoenix

Writing and images by Marily.

You know when you go someplace great and you have to tell your friends about it? It's really the best way to find great new places. We are calling this new series on the blog Favorite Places designed to highlight great places in our state and share our favorites with each other. Keep reading to find out how you can share your favorites with us too.

I am going to kick off the series with one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in Phoenix: Carolina's. Driving through this part of Phoenix you might not think of stopping for a bite until you see the white brick building--the parking lot is filled with family vans, cops, and luxury cars owned by business people on their lunch breaks. Still, you might not want to go here in the dark without a bodyguard. It's worth the scary neighborhood though if you are looking for authentic Mexican food that would make you proud to live in the Southwest. 

What I would recommend
Definitely get the machaca. You can get it in tacos like I did or a plate, a burrito, or even machaca and eggs which I hear is great. We also love the enchiladas and the homemade tortillas and chips which are available for sale.

Where is it?
Carolina's is at 1202 E Mohave St in Phoenix, right outside downtown Phoenix. This was the perfect stop for dinner before we headed to the Diamondbacks game last week. They also have a location in North Phoenix. 

Want to share one of your favorite places? Email me at contactus@iheartaz.com.

Girls' Night Out: P.F. Chang's Style (And Win a Trip to Boston!)

Writing by Marily, images by Kathryn.

My husband Mark and I have a thing with P.F. Chang's. You see, it's kind of been "our place" since Mark use to work there as an accountant when we were first married. Did you know their headquarters is in Scottsdale, Arizona? As an employee benefit, Mark got $900 on a "Lucky Cat card" (gift card) every year to use at the restaurant and oh, how we loved (and sorely miss) that card!

That being said, I have tried a lot of things on the P.F. Chang's menu.

This time though, I left my husband and kids behind and headed out with Kathryn for a much-needed girls' night to try some new items on the P.F. Chang's summer menu.

We had a fun time trying out some of their tasty drinks (non-alcoholic for us) and delicious new foods. 

Where to Buy 3-Gallon Tubs of Ice Cream

Writing and Images by Marily

This is how we are celebrating National Ice Cream Month at our house. A couple big tubs of Thrifty ice cream, some cones, and some friends. What could be sweeter than that? 

Want to know our secret? The big 3-gallon tubs of Thrifty Ice Cream are from Restaurant Depot. These are so fun to pull out for a party or event. Restaurant Depot has over 30 flavors--all of your favorites and some really fun ones too like coconut-pineapple, cotton candy, strawberry cheesecake, and chocolate malted crunch. Ice cream and sherbet is priced at around $14 - $19 per tub depending on the flavor which ends up being about $2.50 - $3.25 per half gallon (not 1.75 like most containers of ice cream.) If you are looking for a dairy-free option Restaurant Depot carries a brand of Italian ice in 3-gallon tubs as well.

Where to Shop:
There are three locations in Arizona, in Mesa, Phoenix, and Tucson. If you don't have a membership to Restaurant Depot you can also get 3-gallon containers of ice cream at Smart and Final. The store by me has Thrifty vanilla ice cream and about four or five Smart and Final brand flavors. Another perk with Smart and Final is you don't need a membership card.

Membership Info:
You must have a membership card to shop at Restaurant Depot.  Memberships are free for business owners (you need to provide a business license or tax-exempt certificate.) The nice thing about these memberships is the cardholder does not have to be present. This is not a store for kids, actually you have to sign a waiver every time you bring a child into the store. 

This is how we are celebrating National Ice Cream Month. How about you?

Your Favorite Ice Cream and Treat Shops in Arizona

Writing and images by Marily

In celebration of National Ice Cream Month, we asked what your favorite ice cream and treat places were. You answered! We got such a great list of ice cream spots to check out that I am feeling both excited and disappointed. The disappointment is because in my whole life I might not be able to get to all of these places. 

Yesterday, for "research purposes," I took my boys to Sweet Republic.  This little ice cream shop has been featured on Food Networks' "Best Thing I Ever Ate" as well as received several other accolades like a Top 10 spot in Bon Appetite Magazine. I thought we would see what all the hype is about. 

We went simple this time. The boys got ice cream cones and I got a cup of their coconut sorbet. It really was some of the very best ice cream I have ever had. The ingredients are locally sourced and the flavors are amazing. Even the waffle cone was better than any waffle cone I'd ever had. It is a great spot for foodies and also a great place to take a group of rowdy little boys (ask me how I know.) We will definitely be back--next time I plan on sharing a sundae with my honey on a date night.

And here are your suggestions! I couldn't include them all, so if you want to be a part of the dialogue and see the rest of the list, like us on facebook! And please, if this info is helpful to you, we'd really appreciate you sharing with your friends. 

Okay, on to the ice cream!

Nami (Phoenix)
Nami is the dessert-loving vegan's dream come true. The shop serves soy ice cream treats as well as donuts, pastries, cookies, and more. Their sister-restaurant Green serves a full menu as well as soy soft serve.

Autumn: "I am not able to have dairy and there is a wonderful vegan dessert place in downtown phoenix called Nami. They have these amazing blizzard type desserts made with your choice of mix-ins and soy vanilla soft serve. They are called Tsoynami's. They are amazing!!"

Churn (Phoenix)
This adorable ice cream and candy shop is pretty much the cutest place in Phoenix. 

Kim: "We tried Churn in Phoenix for the first time last month---WONDERFUL!"

Kelly: "Churn is AMAZING. They have dairy free choices."

 Rita's (several locations Valley-wide)

Jesse: "Rita's!! Ice. Custard. Happiness!!!"

Sugar Bowl (Scottsdale) 
Take a trip back in time. Head to Old Town Scottsdale to try Sugar Bowl's ice cream and 50's-style fountain drinks.

Lenny's (Mesa, Phoenix, Glendale)

Carolyn: "If you are looking for a good deal for the family Lenny's on the SE corner of Southern and Stapley in Mesa has either root beer floats or ice cream Sundays for a dollar. They also have awesome fries with fry sauce!"

Gelato Spot (Phoenix, Scottsdale)
The Scottsdale location serves wood-fired pizza and gelato. If all of that goodness sounds like too much for just one stop, head to either of the two Phoenix locations for gelato only.

Yogurt Jungle (Maricopa, Queen Creek)
Local business in the outer edges of the Phoenix area for great frozen yogurt

Udder Delights (Gilbert)
Support this great local spot which is owned by Superstition Farms. They milk the cows in Arizona and turn it into ice cream. That is something worth putting your money (and your mouth) into. You can now also buy other local dairy items like butter, cheese, and buttermilk at Udder Delights.

Sub Zero (Mesa, Paradise Valley)

Kristy: "SubZero ice cream on The SW corner of Baseline and Stapley. They make it in front of you. They turn a liquid into ice cream by using liquid nitrogen. Kids love watching it. Lots of different favors to try and anything from custard to sugar free. We drive all the way from queen creek to go there."

Casa Manana (Safford)
This is a Mexican restaurant, but their fried ice cream is so incredible I had to include it on this list. This thing is greasy and delicious, and rich enough that you might want to share with someone. 

Frost (Gilbert, Phoenix, Tucson)
Artisan gelato, gelato cakes, and other delicious treats.

BTO (Flagstaff)
Locals rave about this place. 

Megan: "Really good yogurt and great customer service."

Lelia: "My 1 year old can't have dairy and they always have the best non dairy flavors for him!"

Catherine: "It's super healthy we are the only yogurt place that makes our yogurt!"

Black Cow Cafe (Sedona)
This is a great place to check out if you are in Sedona and looking for a sweet little stop.

Twisters (Williams)
If you are headed to the Grand Canyon, stop by Twister's for ice cream and their old fashioned drink fountain.

Anyone else feeling hungry? 

Are there any other places not on our list? What are your favorites?

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10 Ways to Celebrate National Ice Cream Month

A little factoid for you: In 1984 President Reagan proclaimed July to be National Ice Cream Month and July 15th to be National Ice Cream Day. Since then, National Ice Cream Day has been delegated to the 3rd Sunday of July, making it July 20th this year. You can read the official proclamation here. It's so legit it's a bit hilarious. If you do need a reason to celebrate ice cream you have the rest of the month to do it!  We're here with a few ideas to help you party ice cream style, starting with this list of ways to celebrate.

Head out! There are tons of options of great ice cream and dessert places around the state. Here are a couple of lists to check out:

Your Ultimate Guide to Tasty Treats in Tucson

Top 10 Shops for Ice Cream, Gelato, and Treats in Metro Phoenix

Here are a couple of deals going on for National Ice Cream Month:

Carvel
BOGO sundaes every Wednesday. Use this coupon on July 20th for 80 cent cup or cone.

Baskin Robbins Buy two scoops get a free waffle cone throughout July.

Udder Delights (Gilbert) BOGO milkshakes on Mondays

Enter this contest on Instagram for free ice cream.

Make homemade ice cream. There is nothing like homemade.

If you don't have an ice cream maker, try these ideas:

The base of this cake is made from ice cream sandwiches, yum!

How fun would it be to invite some friends over to devour this thing?

Ice Cream in a Bag

Head outside, let the heat engulf you and dream about ice cream. Check back tomorrow for a list of YOUR favorite ice cream places. Or, join us on Facebook to add to the conversation!