**July 2026: Saturday Late Afternoon Visit**…read more When I'm on vacation, I'm always on the hunt for local Arizona products at grocery stores, and AJ's Fine Foods did not disappoint. I was excited to find Prickly Pear Lemonade by AZ Lemonade, which was exactly the kind of local gem I was hoping to discover. This is definitely a really nice grocery store and gives off a bit of a Pavilions/Whole Foods vibe, but in a more quaint, slightly more mom-and-pop kind of way. The produce looked super fresh, and they had a really good assortment of Arizona products like BBQ sauce, honey, and other local items. Overall, it feels like a more upscale shopping experience, and if you're looking for a grocery store with local finds and a nicer atmosphere, this is a great stop.

I love AJ's drinks, but the customer service today was disappointing. I ordered the seasonal…read moreStrawberry Basil drink, and although the first employee was kind and helpful, the drink didn't taste right, so I went back to have it fixed. The second employee had a very negative, irritated attitude and made me feel like I was bothering her just by asking for the drink to be sweeter. She rolled her eyes, mentioned an extra charge, and still managed to remake the drink poorly and dump out all the ice. I'm all for paying extra when needed, but the attitude was completely unnecessary. AJ's has great drinks, but customer service matters too. Hopefully management addresses this, because I'd hate for poor service to be the reason customers stop coming back.

Finally made it here and my rating is LOVE IT!! Monsoon Market is a small market featuring curated…read moregift-y items, wines and canned drinks, and a selection of fun pantry items. It was the latter I came for, and I got some Aiyoh Miso mayo and some cool heirloom beans. The store itself is so fun and the vibe was great on a Sunday afternoon. So many people stopping by and interacting. The non-food/wine products were really fun -- most interesting selection of Baggu I've seen, and just lots of fun stuff. If I had a place for it, a candle holder would have come home with me. There's actually a decent sized parking lot right out front so don't hesitate to swing by!

I had been meaning to check out this store for some time ever since stumbling upon their Instagram…read morefeed. It looked like a fun store with lots of unique items. I made haste when they announced they were considering closing shop. When I finally did visit, I was not disappointed. I chatted at length with the shop clerk, learned about their natural wine selection, even got to sample a crisp white wine, and explored everything that was part of their eclectic inventory. I came away with quite a few impulse buys, but I really enjoyed the experience! Looks like they're sticking around since they renewed their lease and even started up a new coffee shop/eatery in the same plaza. But I encourage everyone to support this amazing local business and bask in a wack-a-doodle shopping experience!

This location was actually super quiet when I stopped by around 1 PM on a weekday, which made…read moreshopping really easy and stress-free. The store felt really spacious and clean too. There's mainly one aisle for the random fun finds like toys, kitchenware, and home stuff, but the freezer section had sooo many options. It's mostly self-checkout with one cashier at the front helping out. I didn't have a quarter for a cart, so I just tossed everything into my insulated bag while shopping and kept it open the whole time so it didn't look suspicious lol. And honestly... the internet was right. I managed to get at least a week's worth of snacks and lunch foods for under $50, which felt kind of unreal. I also did a little research beforehand on the cleaner ingredient options, and there were actually some really good finds. Plus there's plenty of parking outside, which is always a win.

When this ALDI location opened up, I went with my wife for their grand opening. I now get weekly…read moreads for them, and while the doorbuster items are great, I rarely go for the deals as most items are less expensive at Fry's or Safeway. At the same time, this location is closer to me than my nearest Fry's or Safeway, and if I just need a particular item, I may still head over to ALDI. I was there this past week, when I needed a few canned goods quickly for a canned food drive at work as well as some milk for home. I got in and out very quickly. ALDI is known for everyday low prices on quality groceries and home goods. They have fresh meat and seafood, produce, pre-made deli items, baked goods, frozen treats, and more. You can order online for curbside pickup or grocery delivery. You can get a cart to use for a quarter and when you return it, you get your quarter back. They are open daily from 9 AM to 9 PM. They accept payment through credit cards, cash, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and contactless payment. You can learn more about this particular store at https://info.aldi.us/stores/l/az/phoenix/4553-e-cactus-road/fc34. The store isn't too big but they have the basics. Bring a reusable bag to use or be prepared to pay for plastic bags at the store. Unlike the shopping cart, you won't get money back when you're done using the bags; however, if you have a pet to pick up after, the bags could be useful. I do appreciate the wide aisles as it is easy to navigate other people if it happens to be busy on a given day. But I do recommend also checking out their shopping ads in advance (again in case there are items advertised as on sale or their door busters). While this isn't my usual shopping option, I would still occasionally find myself in ALDI for a pleasant experience.

Burritos here are amazing. Today I had carne asada. With everything (beans, rice, guacamole)…read more Incredible. My friend had Menudo which he says may be the best he's ever had. He stood in line before 8:00 am,; mostly Spanish speaking people in line and employed here. Incredible. My burrito which was HUGE was $11.99.

Bad meat and bad guacamole very acidity it's bad. So is their chorizo. Acidity flavor. Trust me…read moreit's going rotten

First visit of many more to come. What I got- Jalapeños…read morecheddar brat - A Blueberry Maple - A+ Fig & Pistachio - A++ Service - A+++

Wonderful sausage spot. I've driven past here a zillion times and have always meant to stop. I…read morehad the day off and been meaning to pick up some linguica and breakfast sausage. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable and not afraid to share opinions for newbies. I cooked the breakfast sausage the same day and it was amazing. I'll be back for more later.

Found us a little treasure while visiting the Scottsdale area. Family oriented shop with friendly…read moreservice specializing in Arizona dates. We enjoyed a delicious date shake and picked up a couple of small boxes to take home. Enjoyed a few samples while there an expected treat while visiting the area..

**July 2026: Thursday Afternoon Visit**…read more My friend and I were visiting Phoenix during a 110-degree heat wave and desperately needed something to cool us down, so I went searching and came across Sphinx Date Co Palm & Pantry. The date milkshake sounded too good to pass up, so my friend and I made the drive out to Scottsdale for a little afternoon treat--and it was absolutely worth it. As soon as we walked in, the shop owner was incredibly warm and welcoming. She offered us a sample of a Medjool date, and wow--it was plump, rich, and had this deep caramel-like sweetness that instantly sold me. You can really taste the quality. We each ordered a large date milkshake, and it was everything I hoped for. It tasted clean and simple in the best way--like it's made with just dates, milk, and ice cream (which is typically what a classic date shake includes). It was creamy, naturally sweet, and super refreshing in the Arizona heat. I also loved that the store carries a variety of Arizona-made local products, which made souvenir shopping so easy. They had everything from BBQ sauce and hot sauce to wines and cactus candy. I ended up picking up a few sauces and some jumbo Medjool dates to bring home as gifts. The owner also shared that they carry different types of dates depending on the season. I'm already looking forward to coming back to try their Sphinx dates, which she described as having a thinner skin and a more honey-like flavor--apparently available in late summer. Overall, I really loved this shop, its mission, and the quality of its products. This is definitely a spot you'll want to bookmark for your next Phoenix trip.

This halal market serving alot of haram so beware Muslims but overall good quality and choices best…read moredeli and butcher department. Get rid of hookah tobacco products please and have different milk available besides shamrock farms they beat and abuse their animals haram

I've spent time living in the Middle East and every so often, I like coming here to get some items…read morethat brings me back to Syria and Turkey. I like coming here to get all different kinds of Middle Eastern style breads which include pita, lavash and tanour bread. There is so many to choose from! This time also I was able to get some za'atar brioches and oh my goodness, I had these for breakfast this morning and they were delicious! I also like to get things here where I can't find elsewhere so I got some pomegranate juice, and some roasted chick pea snacks. They have quite a selection of spices here and I also picked up some roasted sesame. Lots of nuts to choose, and plenty of Middle Eastern/Arabic sweets and desserts available. They also sell hookah supplies here (not a fan - really bad for you). I hadn't been to this location in awhile and I miss that the inside restaurant is no longer open. I liked to get some of the ready made dips and sandwiches here. Bummer. Towards the back, lots of fresh sweets for sale including all kinds of baklava and there is also fresh olives for sale also! Fresh, halal meat available and also some meat that's been marinated and ready to cook. Fresh cheeses also available. I think I like the Mesa location better as I can get spinach and za'atar pies there and the fresh produce selection is better. And also you can get hummus, babaghanoush and other dips at the other location. Overall, I would say that these Baiz grocery stores are my happy place. It brings me back to a sweet and memorable time. It's worth a visit to check out all the unique items here and their pita and breads are fresh, tasty and well priced!

Great people and much needed help. Ty. I have really never met people so friendly, food is fresh…read moreand I need that extra assistance

their food is amazing... their kindness is as well... i have a severe brain injury.... and they…read morehave been beyond gracious to us... truly heartfelt and always fresh veggies, fruits, options... they have heart and proud to think of them as friends i have met as well as a place that assists

The Meat Shop is no longer open at this location. Another meat processor has obtained this location…read moreand it is no longer a retail operation or opened to the public. The Meat Shop has not been operating out of this location for over two months now. This information I obtained in person from the new owners.

These guys are the best. Great Products. Great Service. Everything you could want in a butcher…read moreshop.

Sunshine, great coffee, and a place where both you and your pup are truly welcomed. Honeycomb…read moreCoffee Co is a walkup window tucked inside a neighborhood on 16th street. With a huge outdoor space including games, plenty of seating, and some cute shops, there's something for everyone and it's a great place to hangout. As someone who values plant-based options, I truly appreciated the care and inclusion on the menu. I tried the avocado toast, a vegan donut, and a dirty chai latte with oat milk. All delicious! I came for coffee in the morning and returned later for a First Friday event. This isn't just a coffee shop, it's a fun community space that cultivates connection. I'll be back soon!

I noticed the Honeycomb nearby when out on a lunch break with my daughter and decided to head over…read more They are located in The Hive which I best describe as a coop of local artists and such. Honeycomb is a walk up window with some great drink options and some food items. They have a nice patio with an amazing mural and even a cute little free library. We opted to take our drinks to go since it was already pretty hot out. There is some covered seating which is great, but I can imagine spending a good amount of time out here during cooler temps. Service was friendly and great. Our drinks were great.