phoenixfoodfanatic

For those of you still looking for good produce in the Valley, you might be interested in the following: Join Slow Food Phoenix this Sunday, September 18 for the Produce Info Fair at the Calico Cow Restaurant. You'll hear about Valley-wide options for local and/or organic produce pick-up and delivery. This is a quick and easy way to eat more fruit and vegetables! Representatives from local CSA's, Buying Clubs and Produce Delivery Companies such as Boxed Greens, Crooked Sky Farms, Desert Roots Farm, the Little Farm in Gilbert and North Valley Organics will be on hand to tell you about their offerings. Bring your friends - we'd like a big turn out to support our local Valley farmers and produce companies. This is a free event. Light refreshments will be served. 3:00 to 5:00 pm Calico Cow Restaurant 8525 N. Central Avenue in Phoenix

They don't have the waffles, but I also enjoy the fried chicken at Lil' Mama's Soul Cafe, 4306 North Seventh Avenue.

Brad, There ARE a few BYO restaurants in Phoenix. The August Phoenix magazine listed four BYOBs that were worth checking out: Atlas Bistro Coup de Tartes Guiseppe's Sixth Avenue Bistro Chez Francois The only one that I have personal experience with is Atlas Bistro and I'd heartily recommend it. You can pick out your wine next door at AZ Wine Company which has everything from basic quaffs to splurge wines, all at bargain prices.

Summer's the least interesting time for Farmer's Markets in Phoenix, but there are a few that are year-round. Check out the Town & Country Market on Wednesday afternoon and Road Runner Park (on Cactus) on Saturday morning. The Phoenix downtown market on Saturday morning has fewer producers during the summer, but check out Maya's Farm for local eggs, herbs, flowers and some produce. The larger market in Mesa is the one on Center Street on Fridays, but I'm not sure how much they have in the heat of the summer either. Another summer option is to visit some of the farm stands in the West Valley such as Tolmachoff Farms. The best way to get fresh local produce in the Phoenix area is to join a CSA, although again they tend to run from October to July. Try Desert Roots Farm or the Little Farm in Gilbert. Victory Farms was serving central Phoenix, but this is their last week and the future is uncertain.