Both the Valley and Arizona as a whole are well known for their creative dining identities. If the Arizona Coyotes really want to be the hockey team of the state, they should diversify their dining options at the new arena.
Have you ever heard of Beckett’s Table in central Phoenix? Or El Gùero Canelo in Tucson?
Both are famous Arizona eateries and both should be on a short list to be concession tenants at the new arena.
The Arizona Diamondbacks started hosting local eateries at Chase Field a couple years ago (Lolo’s Chicken and Waffles and Paradise Valley Burger Company), which only made the D-Backs concession game one of the strongest in Major League Baseball.
So if the Coyotes really want to complete their transition from the Phoenix Coyotes to Arizona Coyotes, it’s time to change our hearts. And the best way to change someone’s heart is through food.
Obviously not all of Arizona’s famous eateries are stadium friendly or could adapt their menu to include a short list of arena-adjusted options, but it is not impossible. Here are a few examples, some more simple than others, along with the previously noted eateries:
- Joe’s Real BBQ (Gilbert): It’s not hard to have a pulled-pork sandwich at a sports stadium, so why not have one of the best in the state be at the game?
- Salsa Brava (Flagstaff): Widely considered one of the best places for Mexican cuisine in the northern part of the state, Brava’s menu could easily be adapted to fit an arena menu.
- Los Dos Molinos (Phoenix): Have you been to Los Dos? Yes? Then I don’t need to explain this suggestion.
- Pizzeria Bocce (Cottonwood): It isn’t hard to make pizza fit in an arena, but having a personal pizza like Bocce’s that doesn’t taste like cardboard (looking at you, Papa Johns) would skyrocket the Coyotes to the top of the ‘Best Arena Pizza’ list.
- Aunt Lena’s Creamery (Chandler): Ice cream at a hockey game; it’s not all that odd of an idea. But supporting a local business in a professional sports arena is, which is exactly why the team should do it.
There are hundreds more options the team could look at for concessions eaters.
Obviously not all of the concessions should be unique like these are.
However, making a concerted effort to boost local business profiles while ditching crappy chains and showing off what makes Arizona, and the Coyotes, unique would unequivocally enhance an Arizona Coyotes hockey game.