Welcome Diner in downtown Phoenix, located on the corner of Pierce and 10th Street in the Garfield neighborhood, beckons with its nostalgic charm and mouthwatering dishes. Originally opened in 2004 on Roosevelt Row by artist Sloane MacFarland, this beloved establishment relocated to its current location in 2018 after bringing Michael Babcock on board as a partner and chef in 2013. Many may recognize the name from its Tucson location, sadly shuttered by COVID. Welcome Diner remains an iconic downtown fixture and a stop for tasty neighborhood eats.
Upon stepping inside, Welcome Diner’s retro decor and peacock blue banquettes create a cozy and inviting ambiance, enhanced by plenty of natural light. The kitchen is currently under the leadership of Executive Chef Ian Rosales, a California transplant with a love of skateboarding and culinary arts. Having been in the industry since a teenager, Rosales recalls, “I think the story I like to tell people is that I started cooking at an early age by making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which was inspired by the television show Barney. [Once] I figured out how to make food for myself, it was pretty much off to the races.”
Rosales’ grandmother was an inspiration for cooking, as well as his mother who always had the Food Network on the TV. “There were definitely a lot of strong women in my life who enjoyed cooking,” Rosales recalls. Since Ian was a teenager, he has been working in kitchens. He began washing dishes at a retirement facility and worked his way up to line cook and executive chef. Rosales first moved to Tucson and worked at the Welcome Diner down south, before moving to the Valley in 2020-21 to head up the kitchen at the Garfield location.
At Welcome Diner, generously portioned comfort food rooted in Southern and Cajun cooking reign supreme. A focus on using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients adds to the freshness and quality of their dishes. Specialties from the All Day Menu include a gooey Macaroni and Cheese made with smoked Gouda and Muenster cheeses, a Fried Green Tomato Sandwich with corn relish and chipotle ranch, and the signature Big Jim buttermilk-fried chicken sandwich, served with applewood smoked bacon, melted cheddar, and sausage gravy sandwiched between house-made buttermilk biscuits.
Welcome Diner also offers a variety of vegan options on their menu, such as the Three Sisters Burrito made with squash, tepary beans, and corn, and the Jackfruit Po’boy served on a Noble Bread roll with a tangy and delicious purple cabbage slaw. Says Rosales, “We run a vegan special every Thursday. That’s something we really tried to stick to, to have a night specifically for a different demographic of eater. I take a lot of pride in being able to offer dishes [to those] with different diets.”
Remaining committed to supporting the local community, Welcome Diner proudly collaborates with numerous local businesses. To highlight a few examples: they source their biscuits and baked goods from Hayden Flour Mills, offer a unique blend of Xanadu Coffee with beans specially roasted for Welcome (which patrons can also purchase), craft sandwiches with bread from Noble Bread, procure protein from Schreiner’s Fine Sausage and Capital Farms based in Wickenburg, and obtain fresh produce from McClendon and Ramona Farms. Additionally, they utilize Bianco’s DiNapoli tomatoes for sauces and in their signature Bloody Mary.
Speaking of cocktails, Welcome Diner’s dedication to quality extends to the bar. Signature cocktails such as the Paloma and the Hurricane celebrate a blend of Southern and Latin influences. According to Rosales, these two classics serve as the heart of their cocktail menu, reflecting the laid-back charm and diverse influences that define Welcome Diner.
Welcome Diner is open every day, from 11 am to midnight on weekends and from 11 am to 10 pm on weeknights. On Saturday and Sunday, they serve a brunch menu until 3 pm, which includes dishes such as the Biscuit Benedict, the Andouille Scramble, and Tofu Scrambowl. For the late-night crowd, they have a shorter, more streamlined Later Skater menu. No, it is not a reflection of Rosales’ love of skating; rather, he says, “that menu is designed and built for the ease of trying to pump something out for the late night, and not to over-encumber a line cook who has been working all day; it is about making things as quickly as possible for our guests and to help facilitate a tighter close.”
With its welcoming atmosphere, inventive cuisine, and dedication to local partnerships, Welcome Diner stands out as more than just a restaurant. It’s a hub for the community, where guests feel like family. So, relax, enjoy the flavors, and be part of something special.
Welcome Diner, 929 E Pierce St, Phoenix www.welcomediner.net
written & photographed by: marci symington