There’s a story behind every dish at NPX – A Neighborhood Joint, located just west of Tatum Boulevard on Bell Rd in North Phoenix.
Elevated comfort food is somewhat vague and overused, so what do you call homemade tater tots the size of a large meatball or pot roast braised with root beer and Huss Brewing’s Koffee Kolsch? “We’re fancy bar food,” says Chef/Owner Michael Siggins. Considering everything at NPX – A Neighborhood Joint is made from scratch and some dishes take weeks to prepare, that description may not do it justice, either.
NPX has been open since July 2018. Although it is located near one of the busiest intersections in the Valley, it fills multiple voids for the area: upscale sports bar, independent family restaurant, and foodie destination. The bar and patio are off to the left and the dining room sits to the right. Sports jerseys and televisions dot the walls. Near the entrance by the dining room, NPX has a small children’s play area with large Lego-style blocks and a video game screen. It’s apparent that considerable thought has been given to make every guest walking in feel at-home.
The drink menu features cocktails, wine, draft and bottled/canned beer, and a selection of over 30 whiskeys. The whiskey menu, labeled “sipper selections”, includes favorites like Angel’s Envy, Redemption Rye, as well as Irish, Scotch, and Japanese selections. The “craft cocktails” are headlined by two barrel-aged (for over 300 days) cocktails – a Manhattan and Negroni. For something lighter, the Rosemary Lemonade made with Deep Eddy lemon vodka is refreshing. That cocktail also holds a special place in Siggins’ heart and tastebuds, as it was the cocktail served at his wedding. There’s even a shoutout – possibly unintentional – to the former tenants of the building, called the Haymaker Breeze.
The single-page dinner menu is divided into appetizers, soups and salads, sandwiches, and “knife & fork” items. The sides, desserts, and kids’ menu are also there. Any discussion about the food at NPX should start with the “Tot Stop”: three distinct superhero-sized, beer-battered tots that are made in-house. They are served with housemade spicy ketchup and ranch dipping sauces. The thin, crispy breading allows the stuffed tot to burst with flavor. Other unique appetizers to try are the Asian Nachos with pepper jack cheese, teriyaki chicken, peppers and caramelized onions; or the waffle-battered chicken served with maple syrup. From the “Soup & Salad” department, Ashley’s Biscuit Chili is the recipe that belongs to Siggins’ wife and a local favorite.
The pastrami at NPX is cured for two weeks then slow-cooked for 12 hours, and highlighted in two sandwich dishes. It has a starring turn in the Twisted Reuben and a guest role on the Eponymous Burger.
In the Knife & Fork section, the aforementioned Ray’s Root Beer Pot Roast is lovingly named for Siggins’ Dad. It’s the dish he knew would be his Dad’s favorite – and only – order (unless chicken parmigiana was on the menu). Another highlight is the Fried Chicken Dinner, served with a sausage gravy that adds a welcome richness to the dish, white cheddar mashed potatoes, and glazed carrots.
Whether you want to watch the game with a burger or some wings, or you want to take the family somewhere that everyone can find a dish they’ll love, NPX – A Neighborhood Joint is the place for it. They open at 11 a.m for lunch Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. for brunch on the weekends. NPX is open until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday.
For more information and to view the full menus, visit their website at npx.life.
Their clam chowder is the best in the state!