Drayage Brokersin Phoenix, AZ

PHOENIX – Suns owner Mat Ishbia said Wednesday he has not had the opportunity to discuss coach Frank Vogel’s performance from this season. Over a 30-minute session with reporters, Ishbia did not even hint that the coach’s future was in jeopardy, only that he would be evaluated like everyone else.

“The way I look at it is, everyone is accountable,’’ said Ishbia, adding that he planned to talk with Vogel, general manager James Jones and players over the next few days.

On Sunday, the third-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves completed a four-game sweep of the sixth-seeded Suns, ending a season that began with championship aspirations. Although Game 4 was competitive until the final minutes, Minnesota controlled the series, beating Phoenix by an average of 15 points. Locally, some are referring to this as the most disappointing season in franchise history, which has sparked speculation on what should happen next.

Ishbia said he understood the frustration but the narrative that Phoenix’s “house is burning” is incorrect. He does not think the Suns are as far away as people might think.

“Ask the other 29 GMs — 26 of them would trade their whole team for our whole team and our draft picks and everything as is,” Ishbia said in a scheduled news conference. “The house is not on fire. We’re in great position. It’s not hard to fix. It’s not like we’re like, ‘Hey, we don’t have enough talent to win a championship.’ We have enough talent to win a championship. Do we have enough continuity? … There’s a lot of things we can look at. Do we have the right leadership in place?”

The Athletic reported Sunday that players had lost trust in Vogel and that they questioned the coaching staff’s ability to structure the offense and maximize the output of a lineup featuring top talents in Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. In addition, sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic that Durant, even though he averaged 27.1 points, was not always happy with how he was used.

The Suns also struggled defensively — although they improved on that end as the season unfolded — and with turnovers. Leadership and accountability within the locker room also were issues. After Sunday’s elimination loss, Booker said Phoenix simply needed to do a better job with details such as offensive and defensive rebounding and securing “50-50” balls. Durant declined to list specifics because he did not want to sound like he was making excuses.

Ishbia hired Vogel last summer after Phoenix had lost to Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals. After the Suns traded for Beal, expectations rocketed in the Valley of the Sun. It was “championship or bust” from the start, but the Suns never found the chemistry or edge required to reach such heights. They had to rally in the final week just to stay out of the Play-In Tournament. In the first round, they were overmatched.

Ishbia said the Suns will learn from the experience and grow from it.

“We’re in a great position — not a good position — a great position,” Ishbia said. “We didn’t win an NBA championship so we’re going to figure out what we got to change, what we got to tweak, what we got to improve to be better to win a championship next year. And guess what? We might not win one next year, but we’re going to sure as hell try every single year. So get ready for that.”

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(Photo: Barry Gossage / NBAE via Getty Images)

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PHOENIX — The 90s are back and sticking around as we head into the weekend.

We are tracking a few storm systems this week that are passing well to our north. They'll be too far away to bring any rain chances, but they will pick up our breezes at times.

Expect highs in the Valley in the low to mid 90s through Saturday. That is several degrees above normal for this time of year.

Winds will pick up even more this weekend, especially on Sunday as another storm system approaches. This one could even bring a few spotty showers to northern Arizona.

Peak gusts could top 50 mph across northern Arizona with 40 mph gusts possible in the Valley.

High Wind Watches are in effect Saturday and Sunday for Mohave County as gusts there approach 60 mph.

As these winds pick up, temperatures will drop.

Phoenix will fall into the upper 80s on Sunday. Then, we'll begin another warm-up next week.

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2024 Rainfall totals:

Sky Harbor Official Rainfall: 3.79" (+0.99" from average)

Valley Average (Phoenix Rainfall Index): 3.81"

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2023 Rainfall totals:

Sky Harbor Official Rainfall: 4.21" (-3.01" from average)

Valley Average (Phoenix Rainfall Index): 5.47"

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Daily rainfall reports from all across the Valley can be found here.

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PHOENIX IS GETTING DRIER - LOWER RAINFALL AVERAGES NOW

Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 2.71" of rain

NEW Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 2.43" of rain

Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 8:03" of rain

NEW Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 7.22" of rain

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Share your weather photos and videos with us anytime.

Email share@abc15.com.

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See the full 7-Day forecast

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The Pinnacle Guide, a new, self-described "Michelin-style guide for the bar industry," just released its first list of top cocktail bars in the world and two Arizona bars made the list — Little Rituals and Bitter & Twisted, both owned by Phoenix cocktail powerhouse Ross Simon.

Founded by beverage industry consultants Hannah Sharman-Cox and Siobhan Payne who cofounded London Cocktail Week in 2010 and Dan Dove, a 20-year industry veteran of bar operations, international event management, beverage marketing and advocacy development.

Bars submit an application to The Pinnacle that includes questions about the front and back of the house, drinks program, look and feel, staff management and the bar's involvement in the community, which includes working with charities, encouraging responsible drinking and anything the bar owners are proud of. Those selected are visited by an anonymous panel of experts for in-person evaluation to "assess the 'feeling' generated by the bar within the reviewer, through the drinks service, hospitality and ambience, factoring in the thoughtful touches that elevate a guests experience."

Bars can receive one, two or three pins, which correspond to Excellent, Outstanding and Exceptional status respectively. The symbols are an upside down V with a period over the apex for one pin, two inverted Vs (like two mountains), each with a period on the apex for two pins and three inverted Vs with periods over the apex for three pins.

The inaugural list included bars from United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Singapore, Mexico, Dubai and Australia, currently the only country where the guide has reviewers. Based on the above criteria, 25 bars were awarded one pin, 12 won two pins and none of the bars earned three pins.

'Way ahead of the curve':How a star bartender from Scotland changed the way Phoenix drinks

Little Rituals in downtown Phoenix received 1 pin for Excellent

“For our team, this is a defining moment," said Aaron DeFeo, co-owner of Little Rituals, in a news release. "We sought out the scrutiny of a very difficult judging process and we succeeded in making our mark and becoming pinned… In a sense, it’s worth it just to try, but actually getting a pin is just all the more rewarding. We have been recognized before by amazing committees and awards, but many awards are transitory, especially if you are a finalist or runner-up. This is the type of recognition that puts a seal of approval on our bar and forces us to defend that seal. I love that.”

Previous wins: Little Rituals was in the Top Four "Best Hotel Bars" in 2023 and "Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. West" nominee in 2024.

Details: 132 S. Central Ave., Phoenix (on the fourth floor of the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix Downtown). 602-603-2050, littleritualsbar.com.

Bitter and Twisted in downtown Phoenix received 2 pins for Outstanding

"In the past decade, our journey has certainly encountered its share of challenges, but it has been one of passion, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to crafting exceptional hospitality while also striving to promote social and environmental thoughtfulness within our bar and team," said Ross Simon, owner of Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour and co-owner of Little Rituals, in a press release. "Not to mention, serving some truly delicious cocktails along the way. This recognition reaffirms that we've been doing something right all these years. We're immensely proud of our team and eagerly anticipate the ongoing F&B cultural advancement for both the city and the state on the global stage."

Previous nominations: Bitter & Twisted received nominations for "World's Best Cocktails Menu" and "Best U.S. Cocktail Bar" in 2023 from Tales of the Cocktail.

Full Speed Chicken & Ribs, the much-anticipated poultry and pork concept from Little Miss BBQ owners Scott and Bekke Holmes, opened its downtown Phoenix doors with little fanfare on April 26.

Enthusiasts of the Holmes’ much-lauded smoked sausages, brisket and ribs served at Little Miss BBQ’s two locations in east Phoenix and Sunnyslope likely noticed the Instagram post that served as the only announcement of the opening of the fast-casual spot.

“We didn’t tell anyone we were going to open… we just kind of opened up,” Scott Holmes said on Tuesday, just as the lunch crowd started to pour in and queue at the counter. “It was just some small social media post and that was it.”

What's on the menu?

The succinct menu offers fried chicken tenders and thighs served in three heat levels ranging from “Southern” being the mildest and “hottie hot hot” on the other end of the spectrum. All of the chicken is fried-to-order in beef tallow - clarified beef fat - from Little Miss BBQ, Bekke explains.

Chicken plates come with two classic comfort food sides such as coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, pork and beans and french fries. The Holmes’ famous ribs can be dressed up with barbecue or hot honey sauce and ordered by the rack, half-rack or single rib. Of course, chicken and ribs plates served with sides and sauces are an option for those who can’t decide.

Georgann Yara

Both the fried chicken and pulled pork can be served in a sandwich with slaw on Noble Portuguese bread, or paired with a housemade buttermilk biscuit.

In addition to bottled soda, water and lemonade, there’s beer in bottles and on draft, including the Full Speed Red Chili, which is specially brewed for the restaurant by Wren House Brewing. Two cocktails round out the beverage menu: Don’t Be a Chicken featuring pineapple-jalapeno tequila and the Four Roses Bourbon-based Daisy Duke’s.

Georgann Yara

Full Speed ahead on Roosevelt Row

The 1,700-square-foot building features an indoor dining area of tables and booths that accommodate a total of 34 diners. A back patio offers tables, chairs and an L-shaped banquette beneath shade trees and string lights, with misters to come soon.

In the entryway, a long bar is available for those who wish to sit or stand while they eat and take in the views of Roosevelt Street life.

That's where Michael Racy chose to have his first Full Speed meal, a chicken sandwich with fries. He also ordered ribs, coleslaw and macaroni and cheese to take home for later.

Racy lives around the corner and says he has been watching the site for weeks. He's tried the Holmes’ food at Little Miss and when he finally saw Full Speed was open, he was excited to come in.

“I love everything they make and I love what they’ve done with the space,” said Racy, who had also been a customer at Trap Haus BBQ, the restaurant that was previously in the building.

A side window accommodates online orders where customers can get their food to go. Bekke anticipates this will come in especially handy on First Fridays, when attendees can answer their cravings by placing their orders on their mobile phones, grabbing their snack and continuing on.

“You can have a couple of tenders and walk around,” she says.

Georgann Yara

Branching out from barbecue

So how and why does a barbecue pro turn his hand to fried chicken? Scott developed his fried chicken recipe during the pandemic.

He experimented with the brine, breading and process as his family ate fried chicken five or six times a week and offered feedback.

Georgann Yara

A previous plan to open a third location of Little Miss in midtown Phoenix fell through after many challenges and delays with an old landmark buidling. But Scott discovered the vacant spot on Roosevelt and deemed it a fit. With a wood ceiling and exposed brick inside and out, the structure also appeals to his passion for older architecture and its beautiful quirks.

Scott talks excitedly about finally seeing this new restaurant make its debut. He says the upcoming First Friday will be the first big test. Full Speed is open 11 a.m to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, but Scott hopes to eventually be able to push the closing time to 10 p.m. on big event nights.

“It’s pretty wild,” Scott says as the line to order at the counter steadily grows and the tantalizing aroma of barbecue and fried chicken wafts throughout the space. “I love it down here on Roosevelt and being an Arizona native, it’s pretty amazing what’s been going on downtown.”

Full Speed Chicken & Ribs

513 E. Roosevelt St.

You've certainly heard of Salad and Go. Probably of Angie's Lobster, and maybe of Angie's Prime Grill. Well, now there's another arm to this growing family tree of Valley restaurants.

Angie's Burger is now open at the Angie's Prime Grill spot on Thomas Road.

The newest concept comes from Tony and Roushan Christofellis, the duo who founded the fast-growing Salad and Go chain. They sold Salad and Go in 2021 and turned their focus to the Angie's concepts, named after Tony's late mother.

Similar to Salad and Go, the concept behind the Angie's restaurants is to make quality food affordable. The first Angie's restaurant, Angie's Lobster, sells lobster rolls for between $8.99 and $12.99. Snow crab sandwiches and shrimp rolls made with "five wild-caught Mexican colossal shrimp," are also available for $7.99 each, according to the website.

In October 2023, Angie's Prime Grill hit the Phoenix market, with the catchphrase "Prime steakhouse meets drive-thru." This concept offers meals including a drink and a choice of three protein options: chicken for $7.79, USDA Prime top sirloin steak for $10.70 or four wild-caught Mexican colossal shrimp for $11.99. Customers can then add their chosen protein to a warm bowl, grilled burrito or salad. Many of the salads may feel familiar to fans of the owners' original chain.

In order to achieve such affordable prices, each of the concept's websites tout their company's efficiency model. A "How do we do it?" page explains cost-saving measures such as having only eight employees at each location, simple non-branded packaging and no extras such as straws, salt or pepper.

One of those cost-saving techniques inspired Angie's Burger, according to a news release announcing the new concept. When trimming steak for Angie's Prime Grill resulted in leftover meat, the opportunity to make burgers presented itself, according to the release.

“If we are going to make luxury food... affordable to everyone, we cannot apply the traditional restaurant business model. We are going to have to be extremely innovative,” Tony said in the release. “We are a disruptive restaurant model changing what and how the average, hard-working American eats.”

Angie's Burger started slinging patties made of those Prime trimmings on Tuesday. The menu currently includes four options: a classic burger, cheeseburger, bacon cheeseburger and burger with an over-medium egg. Customers can order a la carte or make it a meal with fries and a drink. Prices range from $7.99 to $11.99.

The Thomas Road location is one of only a few in the family of restaurants with indoor seating, so customers can take a seat and try the new burger menu for themselves.

Angie's Burger

53 W. Thomas Road