Sidewinder

Best New Restaurants in Phoenix, Arizona, Spring 2025 | Eater Phoenix

"T.J. Culp and Esther Noh, known for Sottise and Restaurant Progress, have turned the old Welcome Diner spot into a dive bar for the ages. Sidewinder may have fewer than 10 bar stools inside but the roomy front and back patios, equipped with misters for those scorching Phoenix days, make up for it. In contrast to the fine dining at their other locations, Sidewinder embraces a playful, no-frills vibe without sacrificing flavor or affordability. Expect dishes like the aptly named Cheap Sloppy Joe, jalapeño poppers, Frito pie, and elote ribs, plus bigger plates like a chili dog or the Not So Sonoran Dog — a Tucson-meets-Chicago mashup topped with escabeche, mustard, crema, tomatoes, and green onions. There’s also a smoked bologna sandwich with sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and Swiss cheese. Drinks follow suit with cold shots of Fernet-Branca or spicy mezcal alongside cheeky cocktails such as the Naked But Not Famous (mezcal, Aperol, piña, lime) and a Mesquite Old Fashioned. Open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., with the kitchen running until 1 a.m., Sidewinder is fast becoming a late-night favorite in Garfield." - McConnell Quinn