Home Grown

Gilbert’s dining scene has many stories to tell, some old & some new
By Jeff Atwell
With a massive urban farm that’s almost 100 years old and a nearby flour milling operation that dates to the late 1800s, it’s no surprise that Gilbert businesses have kept it close to home for generations. Visit these community favorites that focus on fresh, flavorful products sprouted in Gilbert’s backyard.

Roots Run Deep

Agritopia flipped the urban-farm concept by establishing the farm first and building a community around it. Twenty years ago, streets lined with single-family homes and spindly trees sprang up around the venerable Agritopia Farm. Today, the tight-knit community has grown to include shops, a school, restaurants, and gathering spaces where neighbors mingle under mature shade trees. Joe’s Farm Grill is a favorite spot on the farm surrounded by citrus groves and fields of seasonal produce. At Uprooted Kitchen, the same bees pollinating the garden might buzz by fresh vegetarian dishes. 

Another pillar of the East Valley’s origin story, Hayden Flour Mills has been an Arizona staple since the late 1800s, when the mill processed desert-grown grains in Tempe. The new mill set up shop next to Sossaman Farms, a prolific Queen Creek grower. Hayden sells its flour mixes, pastas, and crackers in a Gilbert market open to the public. On Tuesdays they open their kitchen, too, preparing farm-fresh lunches and selling loaves from Barrio Bread. Barrio owner and James Beard Award-winner Don Guerra knows his customers can taste the difference stone-milled heritage grains make and wants to tell that story in
Gilbert too. 

Over the years, good neighbors kept coming. It was a natural fit when Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. chose Gilbert for its flagship location more than 10 years ago. The popular brewpub takes a leave-no-trace approach to producing beers flavored with prickly pear fruit, peppers, and other seasonal ingredients grown in Gilbert. Agritopia Farm provides the oranges used to sweeten AZ Dreamsicle and Hayden Flour Mills provides the Sonoran White Wheat used to brew Kachina Kolsch.

Plate of yellow rice, chicken cutlets and vegetables.
Round purple fruit on the vine
Bowl of soup

Building Community in Epicenter

When the mixed-use Epicenter project opened adjacent to Agritopia Farm, Gilbert had many more options for housing, dining, and entertainment. To fill the ground-level commercial spaces, Epicenter developers hand-picked tenants who walk the walk, and as a result the collective serves as a hub for some of the best of Arizona shopping and dining. 

Matt’s Big Breakfast was the first to sign up, adding a new location of the 20-year-old Phoenix eatery to Gilbert. Spinato’s Pizzeria opened its Gilbert location nearly 50 years after opening its first in Phoenix. At Source, chef Claudio Urciuoli opened a fast-casual Mediterranean concept after 20 years of creating ingredient-driven menus in Phoenix. These new eateries brought decades-long partnerships with area growers, ranchers, and hen houses to infuse their menus with local flavors.  

Other established Arizona restaurants followed, eager to be a part of the Epicenter community and excited by the prospect of having Agritopia Farm in their backyard. Buck & Rider brought their raw bar and seafood concept to Gilbert. Belly Kitchen & Bar added their Asian-fusion, small-plates eatery here. Peixoto Coffee Roasters opened a new café in Epicenter. They source coffee beans from their family farm in Brazil and roast the beans just down the street in Chandler. 

People eating outdoors at a restaurant.

Good Neighbors in the Heritage District

Liberty Market was the only grocery store in Gilbert from the 1930s until 1981. Today, the historic charmer operates as an all-day café with a wood-fired pizza oven and an espresso bar. A vintage neon sign marks the spot. Directly across the street is newcomer BATCH Cookie Shop, featuring an assortment of yummy gourmet cookies and bars baked fresh on-site. From warm lava cookies and gooey lemon bars, they even boast a collection of gluten-free options.

The same script of fresh ingredients and scratch cooking carries over to recent additions to the district. Prep & Pastry quickly became Gilbert’s favorite brunch and day-drinking spot with spicy micheladas made with local beer and mixed drinks sweetened with Arizona citrus. Upstairs, Sotol Modern Cocktail Kitchen is the first rooftop bar to come to Gilbert. Prickly pear, citrus, peppers, and other local flavors find their way into colorful dishes and cocktails at this agave-centric concept. Throughout Gilbert, visitors find homegrown eateries that share a passion for everything local.  

Doughnut-like pastries
Purple mixed drink
Group 7 1
Street fair with multi-color tents.
Man posing under a tent in front of several potted plants.

Gilbert Farmers Market

Every Saturday morning in the Heritage District, visitors can see firsthand what’s fresh from area farmers and makers. Up to 100 vendors gather under the historic water tower to sell fresh produce and locally made items—everything from salsa and tamales to soaps and home goods. Shop for handmade pasta and sauces from Sonoran Pasta Company, fresh tortillas from Bennie Blanco, or a refreshing beverage from The Local Lemon.

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Museum sign
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Landscape of industrial buildings and a body of water.
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