MARCH 2025 36 S pring training has officially started and the Valley is alive with the sounds of the bat hitting the ball, the cheers from the stands… and the grumble from hungry bellies. Never fear, for the Valley has plenty of spots for a classic hot dog or a giant plate of nachos – all the things that make baseball season in Arizona a can’t- miss event. Chicago Hamburger Company 3749 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix chicagohamburger.com Chicago Hamburger Company – an Arcadia staple for over 30 years – specializes in Vienna hot dogs (imported directly from the shores of Lake Michigan) and sandwiches, but the top seller is the sliders: with or without cheese, onions and ketchup. Owner Bob Pappanduros is a life-long baseball fan who doled out 2,016 sliders in 2016 to celebrate the Cubs’ World Series win, and 121 sliders in 2024 to commemorate his favorite team’s season of 121 losses. He’s holding out hope for this year, though! The Phoenician Tavern 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale thephoenician.com Those who prefer to watch the games from afar can check out The Phoenician Tavern, which offers happy hour daily from 3 to 6 p.m., and features exclusive menu items like jalapeño cheese curds, Kobe beef sliders, chicken wings, and BBQ chicken nachos. Drink specials include draft beers, house mules, Spiked Phoenician Iced Tea, wine, and specialty cocktails. Frasher’s Smokehouse 3222 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix frasherssmokehouse.com Bring in your game day ticket and receive a free appetizer (chicken wings or tendies, onion rings, potato skins, among others) with any purchase at Frasher’s Smokehouse. “Our local beers are the perfect match for mouth- watering dishes like tender ribs, savory brisket or burnt ends, and delicious pulled pork,” Owner George Frasher said. “And to top it all off, indulge in our world famous gooey butter cake for the ultimate finish!” Lou Malnati’s 3433 N. 56th St., Phoenix loumalnatis.com Lou Malnati’s family-owned pizzerias are known for their deep dish pizza, which follows the traditional Chicago-style recipe – made from scratch with a buttery, flaky crust, a special sausage blend, plum tomatoes, and Wisconsin mozzarella cheese. The deep dish recipe is a family tradition that has been passed down for over 50 years, and could be perfect for before or after any ball game. The Sugar Bowl 4005 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale sugarbowlscottsdale.com While the grown-ups are potentially looking for an actual meal before or after the game, the kids are probably in the mood for something sweet. Enter The Sugar Bowl, a bubblegum-pink ice cream shop that’s been open since 1958. The menu offers ice cream, sundaes, floats, sandwiches, and salads, along with an arcade and gift shop. Thirsty Lion 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe thirstyliongastropub.com Head to Thirsty Lion after the game and enjoy 20 percent off your check with a same-day game ticket (excluding happy hour and alcohol). The menu offers burgers, pub pretzels, sandwiches, and entrees like grilled salmon and fried chicken mac and cheese. Pita Jungle 4340 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix pitajungle.com Pita Jungle will offer a free small hummus to guests who bring in a same-day Spring Training game ticket. Offer valid until March 25 at participating locations, and the ticket must be shown when ordering. Adobe Bar & Grille 2400 Biltmore Estates Dr., Phoenix azbiltmoregc.com The Adobe Bar & Grille launched a Spring Training-inspired Curveball Cocktail that features a mix of Bullet Rye, Campari and sweet vermouth with an orange peel twist. The Biltmore Dog, a Vienna Beef hot dog topped with onions, relish, mustard, ketchup and giardiniera served on a toasted poppy seed bun has also become a baseball fan- favorite. Adobe also launched a Sunday Brunch with half-off select bottles of bubbles and live music on the patio from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cantina: Spring Training Experience 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale ec70phx.com/cantina Executive Council 70, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the community’s youth through fundraising events, will host its 15th annual Spring Training Experience Cantina at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. The all-inclusive food and drink event will offer private shaded viewing decks for guests to watch 10 select baseball games, with proceeds going to EC70’s nonprofit Executive Council Charities. Diego Pops & The Montauk 4338 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale diegopops.com or themontaukaz.com Guests can bring in their same-day ticket from any Spring Training game to receive a $4 ‘Bad Birdie - Juicy Golden Ale’ draft beer by Four Peaks Brewing or NUTRL Vodka Seltzer, perfect for enjoying after a day in the sun. Offer valid through March 25. 810 Billiards and Bowling 50 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix 810bowling.com 810 Billiards and Bowling offers happy hour daily from 4 to 7 p.m., with drink specials like $4 well spirits, house wines, and domestic pints, $5 craft pints, and $7 signature cocktails. During happy hour, all starters are half off: bangin’ shrimp, buffalo chicken dip, and bacon cheese fries are just a few options. Late-nighters can also check out happy hour specials from 9 p.m. to close. Streets of New York 6730 E. Thomas Road, Scottsdale streetsofnewyork.com Through March 25, guests can bring in their Spring Training ticket and receive $5 off their order (with a minimum $25 purchase). Customers can also get $1 off pints or mugs and $2 off pitchers of Cactus 76 Light Lager at all 15 locations. Aftermath Bar & Kitchen 1534 E. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix aftermathphoenix.com Guests who bring in a same-day Spring Training ticket can enjoy the Aftermath Burger and a beer for just $15 through March 25. Portillo’s 10574 N. 90th St., Scottsdale portillos.com Portillo’s offers everything Windy City: Chicago dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, cheese fries, chocolate cake, chocolate cake shakes and more. For those hosting watch parties, Portillo’s Shop N’ Ship also offers a catering deal for up to 20 people. THIS MONTH: TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME Aftermath Bar & Kitchen Frasher’s Smokehouse The Phoenician Tavern Portillo’s

O L D T O W N S C O T T S DA L E A Z . C O M Where would you like to go today? Art galleries, museums, wineries, boutique shops? How about all the above; in other words, Old Town Scottsdale. We are known for our high concentration of multi-faceted fun. The public art installations alone will bring a smile to your face and draw you deeper into our mini wonderland that mixes the best of the old west and the best of the new; new bars and restaurants, new hotels and new shops. You’re never quite sure where the fun began or if it will ever end. That’s the magic of Old Town. Culture. Shopping. Dining. With a touch more leather and grit.