The Hits

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Business owners

I’m happy for you all and glad to be back patronizing some places I haven’t seen in a while! We saw a lot of places reopen in October.

Movies

FilmBar has returned with covid precautions and Gracie’s Tax Bar is now showing socially distant movies outside on the patio. I recommend following both their instagrams for updates. Plus, drive-in movies are still a fabulous choice with the current Arizona weather.

The Strand

Recently reopened, they now have amazing deals on drinks, including their fabulous cocktails, on Thursday nights.

Chico Malo

Like the Strand, this downtown gem was also closed for quite a while. They’re back to brunch with a vengeance, and their churro waffle is one of the best things I’ve ever tasted.

Jobot Coffee + Bar

They’ve always been a great cafe, and I enjoy their ongoing collab with Melt Ice Cream, but their new dim sum launch is phenomenal!

UrbanCookies

I love how responsible and easy their online ordering is, and their seasonal rotating selections never miss a beat. The latest and greatest? Fig mascarpone and chocolate pecan pie!

The Misses

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People acting like everything is back to normal

For obvious reasons. Now is quite obviously still not the time. Be safe, fellow Arizonans. Cases are climbing.

Copper Blues

I missed this place during their long shutdown, but their reopening menu has some pretty serious cuts. If you’ve missed a particular menu item, you’re probably still going to miss it now that they’ve reopened.

The Grand

I love this formerly 24/7 stop as a coffeeshop, but much less as a restaurant and a bar. Unfortunately, their reopening hours favor those who prefer bartenders to baristas, and they’re still closed on Mondays. I miss grabbing a 7am chai latte, but I’ll keep waiting.

Medical marijuana “doctors” offices

May this scam rest in peace now that Prop 207 passed. It will not be missed.