Happy Labor Day weekend, Arrowhead! We’ve got new coffee brewing, Hatch chiles roasting, live acoustic music playing and, believe it or not, some actual tangible progress on the Loop 101. Throw in a new Chipotle headed to Bell Road, and there’s plenty happening around the neighborhood as we roll into the long weekend.

Grab a coffee, make some plans and enjoy the extra day off. Here’s what’s happening around Arrowhead…

In this week’s newsletter:

Have an amazing weekend!!

A little progress on the Loop 101! New westbound lanes opened this past week between 51st and 75th avenues, giving drivers a first taste of the improvements to come. The overall project still has a long way to go, with completion expected in spring 2027, but after months of construction headaches, it’s nice to see a bit progress.

Another familiar Bell Road building could soon have a whole new look. The former Pizza Hut at 5825 W. Bell Road has received City of Glendale approval to be demolished and redeveloped as a new Chipotle restaurant. The project will bring another fast-casual option to the busy Bell Road corridor.

Not a very exciting option, but it does create new jobs at a location which has sat vacant for many years.

There’s a new coffee spot in Arrowhead! Phin Brew is now open near 59th Avenue and the Loop 101, bringing Vietnamese-style coffee, matcha and specialty drinks to the neighborhood. Located at 20020 N. 59th Ave., it’s another great local option for your morning coffee run.

I stopped by this week to give it a try, and per usual I had no clue which of their signature drinks to get, but the staff was super helpful and took the time to ask what type of drinks I like, as well as explaining their different options as well as showing images of them on a tablet. I went with their basic drink, Ca Phe Sua Da, which was very good. I’ll be going back again soon to try some of the other drinks (link & map)

Reminder: Labor Day Weekend

What is Best of Arrowhead? It will be a collection of my favorite restaurants, individual dishes, local businesses & all sorts of cool stuff that makes Arrowhead Ranch the best neighborhood in the northwest valley.

Check the newsletter each week for a new ‘best of’ or visit BestOfArrowhead.com

t’s easy to make a suggestion on where to eat, go here, go there, its the best! And that is great to recommend a restaurant to someone, but I need more than that. Tell me exactly what you get, I don’t want to go and then miss out on the best dishes because I didn’t know.

This approach is part of why I’m making the “Best of Arrowhead” a bit more specific, and also a bit of everything, lol.

One of my favorite dishes in the Arrowhead area is an appetizer at Babbo Italian Eatery, called Mozza-balls.

I’d love your input on what you think is the Best of Arrowhead. Click here to send me an email with your favorites.

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Live, local and right here in Arrowhead! Arrowhead resident Bruce Donaldson will be playing classic acoustic favorites at Pier 83 on September 4th . Grab a bite, enjoy some live music and support a neighborhood musician!

Cars, food trucks and live music make for a pretty solid Friday night! First Friday Fuel Up rolls into Westgate tonight, September 4th, from 4 to 10 p.m., featuring a car-themed gathering with 70+ vendors, food trucks, live music and more. (link)

Hatch chile season is here! 🌶️ SummerWinds Nursery in Glendale is hosting a FREE Hatch Chile Roast on September 5th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. No registration needed, just show up and enjoy, while supplies last! (link & map)

Looking for an excuse to head up to Wickenburg? Fiesta de Septiembre celebrates the town’s Hispanic heritage with mariachi and live music, folklórico dancers, an outdoor mercado, food, kids activities and crowd-favorite salsa, guacamole and margarita contests. It’s a colorful celebration of the people and traditions that helped shape Wickenburg. Saturday, September 5th. (link)

A new spot for live music is kicking off in Glendale! Burgers & Brews at 67th Avenue and Cactus launches its Saturday night music series every Saturday from 7–9 p.m. There’s no cover, with more live music planned each Saturday, including Emmy G on Sept. 5 and father-daughter duo Brian & Z on Sept. 12. (link)

It’s going to be a “beary” fun day in Historic Downtown Glendale! 🧸 The 22nd annual Teddy Bear Day returns Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. with free family activities, crafts, treats, local shopping and first responder displays throughout Catlin Court and Old Towne. The event also supports the Trauma Teddy Program, which has provided more than 16,000 teddy bears to comfort local children during emergencies. (link)

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