Cocomo Joe's, Cave Creek

The staff at Cocomo Joe’s characterize the restaurant as a “pause button” from the ringing phones and stressful traffic of reality. Here, the melody of lively music, roar of televised sports games, and chatter of friends permeate the restaurant’s festively decorated space. Strings of lights dangle from the ceiling of the colorful, island-themed dining room, illuminating pool tables and flat-screen televisions. Bartenders dart about beneath a straw-thatched canopy, doling out tiki glasses of margaritas and frozen drinks. Servers emerge from the kitchen, bearing platters of spicy tacos, juicy burgers, and the hot wings lauded by reporters from Dine Out Phoenix. Teams assemble on Tuesday nights for trivia. Come Friday, the joint booms with the beats of live music from local bands. During Wednesday and Sunday-night karaoke, it’s the guests who take the stage to belt out favorite pop songs, beloved oldies, and meaningful hot-dog commercial jingles.