Considering Local Produce
Kid Sister’s menu reflects Chef Isaac Mendoza’s commitment to sourcing from nearby farms and markets. By building relationships with Arizona growers, Mendoza keeps ingredients fresh and seasonal, letting local flavors guide each dish. This focus on proximity not only supports regional agriculture but also gives diners a true taste of the desert’s bounty. Click on each marker to see where Chef Isaac Mendoza sources peak-fresh vegetables, herbs, meats, and wines.
​The downward trend of at-home groceries
Over the past five years, Americans have steadily shifted their food budgets away from groceries and toward dining out, according to USDA data. Food-away-from-home spending has consistently outpaced food-at-home purchases, with 2020 as the lone exception during COVID-19 lockdowns, when households turned back to home cooking. By 2024, spending on dining out reached nearly 58 percent of total food expenditures, underscoring a lasting trend toward convenience.
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Convenience Over Expierience
The data highlights the growing economic influence of fast-food and limited-service restaurants in Arizona, signaling a consumer shift toward convenience over experience. These establishments generated $25.53 billion in total output, which exceeds full-service restaurants by more than $3 billion. In Phoenix alone, nearly 1,000 limited-service venues now operate, outnumbering traditional sit-down restaurants. The trend reflects how quick, affordable dining options are reshaping the state’s restaurant economy. More consumers prioritize speed and accessibility over the leisurely, service-driven experience once central to dining out.
