Best Recording Studio Dog
Chunk
The Rancho De La Luna recording studio is an iconic landmark, as sessions for Queens of the Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys, Iggy Pop, Foo Fighters and many others have taken place in the charming Joshua Tree space. While the alumni-allure of this world-famous studio remains, much conversation online is dedicated to studio owner David Catching’s adorable dog, Chunk.
I had the chance to record at Rancho De La Luna this year, and I became infatuated with this adorable goofball. He quickly noticed the packed lunch our guitarist brought, shoving his cute nose into the bag before he’d even warmed up to us. Our band loved on him hard during our studio day. Since the studio is booked nearly every day of the year, it’s safe to say that Chunk has a lot of friends.
When artists take to Instagram to share memories of an awesome day spent making music in the desert, there is often a shout-out to Chunk. Paradise Vultures, Tarah Who?, Courtney Barnett, Amyl and the Sniffers, Ecca Vandal and many, many others have taken to Instagram to share Chunk pics, crafting a rockstar photobook for this photogenic dog. Maybe he is the secret to the iconic studio’s sound. —Matt King
Best Carne Asada
Taqueria Mazatlan
I’d become blasé about carne asada over the years due to so many encounters where it was mediocre, at best. Then I visited Taqueria Mazatlán, where I was shaken free of this indifference.
Tucked into a parking lot at 83598 Indio Blvd., beside a tire shop, are the food truck, some tables and chairs, a cooler filled with cold beverages and a salsa stand. While the menu has expanded to include shrimp and al pastor, the star is the carne asada—and, in particular, the Papa Loca. Simply put, this loaded baked potato topped with carne asada is something I didn’t know I needed in my life until I saw it arrive at a neighboring table, and now I can’t comprehend life before it. A loaded potato is already a winner, but the grilled-to-perfection meat adds an otherworldly element. I think about it more than I should.
Don’t take my word for it; go and experience this for yourself. It’s well worth the drive from anywhere you might be in the Coachella Valley. Learn more at www.taqueriamazatlanca.com. —Brett Newton
Best Sound Guy/Scene Supporter
Miguel Arballo
Miguel Arballo is my friend and bandmate—but I am certainly not the only person in this desert who appreciates the tireless work he puts in to support our local entertainment scene.
Arballo, who has been stockpiling audio equipment for years, is one of the main reasons for the success of the DIY music movement in the Coachella Valley. In an effort to elevate the quality of barebones backyard shows, Arballo began investing in top-notch sound gear like speakers, monitors, microphones, a mixing board and even amps and drums.
Thanks to him, DIY shows sound as good as some professional concerts. When he’s not running sound for makeshift shows in backyards and hotels, or at venues like the Coachella Valley Collective, he’s helping out production-wise at Desert Theatreworks in Indio.
Everyone in the music scene appreciates Arballo; he’s one of the unsung heroes who is helping strengthen a musical movement here in our desert. Even though he’ll rarely ask for money or help, make sure you give him a big “thank you” next time you see him sweating at a show. —Matt King
Best Impersonation of a Sicilian Resort
Bar Issi
If you’re intrigued by a place where pepperoni pizza deserves a double take, and the surroundings make you feel like you’ve wandered into a Sicilian resort, Bar Issi—located at the Thompson Palm Springs, at 414 N Palm Canyon Drive—is the place to be.
Bar Issi’s wood-oven pepperoni pizzais the best I’ve had in the valley. The crust is hot, crisp and flavorful, while the pepperoni slices curl slightly at the edges, and the cheese is generously applied without making things gooey. You can taste the intention in every bite.
Bar Issi’s interior is a full-blown style statement. Make sure you take a moment to check out the wallpaper; the styles are truly gorgeous and create a dining-room vibe that feels elevated and fun. Pro tip: Aim for an early dinner, or sit outside, because the live DJ, who starts around 8 p.m. some nights, can make it hard to hear.
Order the pepperoni pizza; maybe pair it with one of the standout cocktails; and soak in the atmosphere. You’ll leave satisfied—and probably already planning your next visit. Learn more at www.thebarissi.com. —Charles Drabkin
Best Arepas
PasteListos
There’s one thing I dislike about PasteListos: Unless it’s Thursday, I can’t get an arepa for dinner.
Yep: To enjoy PasteListos’ Venezuelan fare, you can either head to Palm Springs VillageFest on Thursdays, or you can go to the tiny restaurant at 186 S. Sunrise Way, in Palm Springs, in the morning or early afternoon on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays or Saturdays.
So … unless it’s a Thursday or a Sunday, how about an arepa for lunch?
An arepa, if you’re unfamiliar, is a sandwich—specifically, a grilled cornmeal cake filled with a mix of meats, veggies and sauces. My personal fave is the shredded beef arepa, with a choice of cheddar or mozzarella (I recommend cheddar), microgreens and a delish green sauce. So tasty.
All of the food we’ve tried from PasteListos has been fantastic. If you like empanadas, and you haven’t yet been to PasteListos, you’re missing out.
Visit instagram.com/pastelistos_store to learn more and get details on all of PasteListos’ fantastic fare. —Jimmy Boegle
Best Breakfast With a Cuban Flair
Rick’s Restaurant
A comfort-food breakfast with Cuban flair keeps me returning to Rick’s Restaurant, at 1596 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs.
While I love the pancakes and the breakfast burrito, I am a creature of habit, and more often than not, I order the same plate: two poached eggs, beans and rice, and fried plantains—and it never disappoints. The eggs are always perfectly cooked: not too hard, not too soft. The plantains arrive golden, sweet and just a little caramel-crisp; they’re a delicious foil to the earthiness of the beans.
The service at Rick’s is always top-notch. Although all the servers are wonderful, I need give specific props to Janice, who is always sweet and friendly. If you like your morning with a little kick, ask for the Garlic Pepper Plant Hot Sauce.
No matter what you order at Rick’s, you won’t be disappointed. Learn more at ricksrestaurantps.com. —Charles Drabkin
Best Bookstore in the Coachella Valley
Best Bookstore in Palm Springs
The name might sound like an exaggerated claim, but The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs delivers.
Whether you’re looking for a poolside vacation read, a tome about recent political events, or an engaging book for a young reader, this friendly independent bookshop, at 113 La Plaza, features handpicked titles tailored to Palm Springs readers. The shelves and display tables are alive with personal, hand-written recommendations, and staff members are always happy to share the books they love.
The husband-and-wife owners, writers Sarah Lacy and Paul Bradley Carr, are passionate about building-community and promoting local authors. The community’s appreciation for the shop shows; when the store had a broken air conditioner this summer, patrons rallied to support them and even helped the store move to a new location.
The Best Bookstore not only fills a void; is a dynamic center in the literary landscape of the Coachella Valley, and Southern California as a while—and soon, it’ll be a dynamic part of Union Square in San Francisco, where Lacy and Carr are opening a second location! Learn more at bestbookstore.com. —Eleanor Whitney
Best Adaptable Guitarist
Quanah Lienau
It was an average day for local guitarist Quanah Lienau, who plays in the band Fever Dog, when he got the craziest request of his life: John Garcia, Kyuss vocalist and desert-music icon, needed a guitar player. A few days into a tour, Garcia’s guitarist had an emergency and had to go home—and Garcia was asking Lienau to step in. With just a few days before the next show and a list of songs to learn, Lienau boarded a plane.
After practicing like an animal during and after his commute, Lienau stepped onstage and saved the day for Garcia and his band, sticking with the group for the remainder of their tour. Lienau shredded through songs he had known for mere hours, nailing the intricacies of the desert-rock genre with ease … and some patented Quanah flair.
The tour closer at Pappy and Harriet’s in July was extremely special, as Garcia said onstage that the tour wouldn’t have been possible without Lienau. —Matt King
Best Birria Taco
TacoN’Todo
If you’re hungry but are unable to eat for whatever reason, do NOT, under any circumstances, visit the TacoN’Todo Instagram page. It’s full of images and stories depicting all sorts of mouth-watering Mexican fare, available via TacoN’Todo’s catering side and/or at the TacoN’Todo tent regularly found at events like Palm Springs VillageFest and the Certified Farmers’ Market at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
Yes, all of the food looks O-M-G delicious, but whenever I visit TacoN’Todo at one of the aforementioned events, I always order the same thing, because it’s so darned addictive—the red taco. It’s a piping-hot birria taco, dipped in birria juices, and served with a cup of consommé. (I am dead-serious when I say piping hot, so consider yourself warned.)
So. Much. Yumminess.
One of these days, I’ll order something besides a red taco (or two) (maybe three) at TacoN’Todo, and I am sure whatever order will be delicious—but that day has yet to come. —Jimmy Boegle
Best Hot Spring Soak on a Budget
Sam’s Family Spa
Despite what my friends back East think, it gets cold in the desert in the winter, and sometimes I need a hot-water soak to revive me. Unpretentious, uncrowded and clean, Sam’s Family Spa and RV Park is my go-to.
Sam’s, in Desert Hot Springs at 70875 Dillon Road, features chlorine-free, natural hot spring-fed pools in varying temperatures, from bathtub warm to instantly-burn-all-the-tension-out-of-your-body hot. The tubs are drained and cleaned daily, and big enough to soak in without getting too cozy with your neighbors. There’s also a (chlorinated) swimming pool surrounded by palm trees, a dry sauna, a welcoming garden and picnic area, and a duck pond, making Sam’s a relaxing, down-home experience that’s authentically desert.
Sam’s attracts a diverse crowd, including RV park residents staying for a few days or months, desert locals and visitors just passing through. If you like to benignly eavesdrop, people-watch or meet new friends, Sam’s is your place. While the spa may not boast fancy amenities, it’s affordable and welcoming.
Day passes, as of this writing, are $25 on weekdays and $30 weekends and holidays. You’re welcome to bring your own food, but alcoholic beverages must be purchased onsite. Learn more at samsfamilyspa.com. —Eleanor Whitney
Best Collaborative Hardcore
Built to Break
In addition to heavy guitar riffs and brutal vocals, the hardcore music genre places an emphasis on collaboration. Whether it’s through teaming up with other musicians or working with an audience to create lively concerts, hardcore is a joint effort. One local band that lives and breathes collaborative hardcore is Built to Break.
CVHC DEMO ’25, the group’s debut release, features vocalists from other desert bands such as Bronca, Face Facts and Killfloor. Built to Break works with the masters of the scene to craft powerful pieces of music that inspire, motivate and proclaim an adoration for the desert. Jack Harris, vocalist of Killfloor, shouts alongside Built to Break frontman TJ Jackson on the track “It’s About Time”: “Coachella Valley is up next / Bitch we might be.”
In the live setting, collaboration comes in the form of raucous energy, as Jackson riles up hardcore fans with rallying commands to two-step or go side-to-side before pointing the mic to the crowd for shout-along lyrics like, “I’m just another dead end kid.” The band and fans work together to showcase the intense yet beautiful existence of the Coachella Valley hardcore scene. —Matt King
Best Addition to the Pizza Scene
Black Cat Pizza
You’ve heard of New York-style pizza, and you’ve heard of Chicago-style pizza. But have you heard of Detroit-style pizza?
If the answer is no, then get thee to Black Cat Pizza, in Palm Desert, at 72795 Highway 111, pronto.
Here’s what you’ll find when you get there: deep-dish pies, kind of like Chicago-style pizzas, but rectangular, because they were supposedly originally made in automotive drip pans. Because, y’know, Detroit. Anyway, the sauce is added last, dolloped in “racing stripes” atop the cheese and toppings.
A tip: Even if you’re a fan of sauce, like me, don’t skip the edge pieces. Even though these slices may have less sauce, they’ll have more crispy cheese. Mmm.
To see the current menu, visit instagram.com/blackcatpizza_pd. Trust me: It’s good stuff. —Jimmy Boegle
