EDIT 4/2/14: At the request of some other people, I have added more restaurants! Also, I strongly recommend checking out the reddit comment threads, as they also contain information from other Phoenix-area players.
In a few days, (hopefully) plenty of you will descend upon Phoenix to battle in the first Grand Prix in Arizona in nearly eight years! While Magic is likely the top of mind for you folk, there is also another thing we all have in common – we all need to eat! I asked our local Facebook group (here is the link for those who are not aware) for recommendations on restaurants nearby the Phoenix Convention Center. If you are looking for a place to eat Friday night, before or after the main event, consider this a personal recommendation from your friends here in Arizona. Welcome to Phoenix and good luck at the Grand Prix!
| Name | Address | Style of Food | Website | Yelp Link | Distance from Venue (walking): |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Cooperstown | 101 E Jackson Street | Burgers, Barbecue | Website | Yelp Link | 8 minutes |
| Athenian Express | 814 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | Greek, Mediterranean | Website | Yelp Link | 15 minutes |
| Bonjour Vietname | 202 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | Vietnamese | Yelp Link | 10 minutes | |
| Cibo | 603 N 5th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003 | Pizza | Website | Yelp Link | 20 minutes |
| CityScape Phoenix | 1 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | Varies (multiple restaurants) | Directory | 6 minutes | |
| Coney Island Grill | 16 W Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85003 | Hot Dogs | Website | Yelp Page | 8 minutes |
| Crescent Ballroom | 308 N 2nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003 | Lounge | Website | Yelp Link | 15 minutes |
| Duce | 525 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | Lounge | Website | Yelp Link | 15 minutes |
| Five Guys Burgers and Fries | 50 W Jefferson St | Burgers | Website | Yelp Link | 7 minutes |
| Green New American Vegetarian | 2022 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006 | Vegan & Vegetarian | Website | Yelp Page | 30 minutes |
| La Tolteca | 1205 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85006 | Mexican | Website | Yelp Link | 20 minutes |
| Lolo's Chicken and Waffles | 1220 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003 | Chicken and Waffles | Website | Yelp Page | 30 minutes |
| Majerles Sports Grill | 24 N 2nd St | Sports Bar | Website | Yelp Link | 15 minutes |
| Matt's Big Breakfast | 825 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | Breakfast and Brunch | Website | Yelp Link | 15 minutes |
| Pete's Fish and Chips | 1111 E Buckeye Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85034 | Fish and Chips | Website | Yelp Link | 30 minutes |
| Pizzeria Bianco | 623 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | Pizza | Website | Yelp Link | 10 minutes |
| Short Leash | 110 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | Hot Dogs, Food Truck | Website | Yelp Page | 15 minutes |
| Thai'd Up | 110 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | Thai | Website | Yelp Link | 10 minutes |
| The Arrogant Butcher | 2 E Jefferson St | Burgers | Website | Yelp Link | 7 minutes |
| The Rose & Crown | 628 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | Pub | Website | Yelp Page | 10 minutes |
| Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery | 2 E Jefferson St | Sports Bar | Website | Yelp Link | 7 minutes |
| Tom's Tavern & 1929 Grill | 2 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | American (Traditional) | Website | Yelp Page | 6 minutes |
| Welcome Diner | 924 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85006 | Diner, Traditional American | Website | Yelp Link | 25 minutes |
| Yasda Bento | 18 W Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85003 | Asian Bowls | Yelp Page | 8 minutes | |
| Z Pizza | 111 W Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ 85003 | Pizza | Website | Yelp Link | 10 minutes |
Also going on this Friday, April 4th is First Fridays, an event in downtown Phoenix that celebrates culture from 6pm to 10pm. There are food trucks, art exhibits, and sometimes capoeira or breakdancing performances. Here is a sample video of things that happen at First Fridays: