A Valley original, Black Spinx Dates have been harvested here since the 1920s

In case you can’t tell by the sniffling of your co-workers, it’s pollen season here in the Valley. Yes, from roadside desert flowers to the unmistakable scent of citrus blossoming Valley-wide, our local flora is in full-on bloom. Which is why, here in the heart of one of Phoenix’s poshest neighborhoods, one local plant lover is riding around inside a cherry-picker, armed with a machete and a passion for preserving one of the Valley’s rarest, most historic crops.

Named the Black Sphinx Date, these creamy, unbelievably-sweet treats grow naturally here and no where else in the world. »READ MORE

Seriously, are there two better words in the English language other than ‘gourmet hotdogs’? We’re talking hand-crafted sausages and frankfurters from those ground meat gurus at Schreiner’s in Phoenix who’ve been cranking out casings inside a family-run factory since 1955. And forget ketchup and mustard, these posh puppies are topped with exotic delights such as mango chutney, aged English cheddar and fresh cilantro, and then served on a warm Indian-style flatbread called naan.

Sounds a little froufrou and pricey, you say. Besides, aren’t the best hotdogs served out of the back of a roadside stand? Well, meet Short Leash Hot Dogs, the Valley’s first ‘mobile hot dog eatery.’

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