How Goodyear eats: from cotton fields and scallions to bagels and sushi

Goodyear's food story starts in the dirt. Its land has been farmed for cotton, for scallions and, today, for organic herbs, and the restaurants along McDowell Road, Dysart Road and Elliot Road reflect a city that filled up fast with people from everywhere. Here is how Goodyear eats now, from the fields to the table.

A city built on farmland

Farming along the Gila River is far older than Goodyear. The Gila River Indian Community traces its roots to the Huhugam, who built hundreds of miles of river-fed canals and grew cotton, corn and beans, and the Akimel O'odham and Pee Posh who followed them farmed the same river.

Goodyear itself began as farmland. In 1917 the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company bought 16,000 acres here to grow cotton for tires, and the farm gave the town its name. More recently, the 150 acres that became the downtown district called GSQ were a scallion farm when their family owners bought them in the 1970s.

Farming hasn't left. Duncan Family Farms, founded in 1985 by Arnott and Kathleen Duncan, keeps its headquarters on West Indian School Road in Goodyear and describes itself as one of the largest growers of certified organic produce. It grows culinary herbs, microgreens and seasonal vegetables such as radishes.

Where to find local produce

Goodyear Ballpark, best known for spring training, has put a farmers market on its calendar this fall, with produce from local farms, handmade foods, global street food and artisan goods. The ballpark's events page is the place to watch for market dates. Food trucks are a regular part of the city's own events too, from Chalk Art in the Park at the Goodyear Recreation Campus to Jazz in the Park at Civic Square.

A table of many traditions

Goodyear's independent restaurants reflect the families who brought their recipes here.

Popo's Fiesta Del Sol has served Mexican food in the Valley since 1964, starting in Maryvale. Its third location opened on West McDowell Road in Goodyear in April 2024.

Ocho Rios Jerk Spot, on West McDowell Road, is a Jamaican restaurant, bar and brunch spot with happy hour and live music. Its other location is in north Phoenix.

Dino's Greek & Italian Grill on North Dysart Road covers two Mediterranean kitchens under one roof: gyros, moussaka and a Greek feast for two on one side, chicken marsala and pizza on the other. The menu notes that the lamb chops are Dino's own favorite.

Royal Jasmine Thai Restaurant on West Indian School Road welcomes guests with "sawasdee ka," the traditional Thai greeting made with pressed palms, and offers a full dine-in menu, with starters such as fried egg rolls and crab puffs. It also makes party trays for gatherings.

Nakama Sushi Restaurant & Lounge, also on West McDowell Road, makes sushi for dining in and takeout, with combos and an all-day Sunday happy hour.

Mornings and neighborhood standbys

Out in Estrella, Oasis Bagels is a family-owned shop that bakes New York-style bagels on site each morning, with a crisp crust and chewy center. It turns them into lox sandwiches, Reubens and breakfast sandwiches, sells cream cheese by the half pound and caters events.

Arizona Pizza Company on West Roosevelt Street was founded in Goodyear and is locally owned and operated. Its hand-tossed pizzas use fresh mozzarella and a sauce made with vine-ripened tomatoes, and the owners say they look for locally grown ingredients. There are more than 20 specialty pies, plus wings, subs and salads.

What's new on Goodyear's plates

Spring training has its own food culture. At Goodyear Ballpark, the concession stands mix ballpark staples with regional dishes that nod to Cleveland and Cincinnati, the home cities of the Guardians and Reds, and the 2026 season added rice bowls and a Desert Heat Burger.

Much of the city's restaurant news in 2026 has centered on GSQ. In 2025 the city asked residents which restaurants and retailers they most wanted, and several of their top picks have since signed leases there. The city's GSQ page keeps a running list of what is open and what is still coming.

The city's video podcast, Inside Goodyear, spent a November 2025 episode with Melissa Anaya of the EatDrinkAZ social media account, who said West Valley diners are hungry for more options. Between the old farm roots and the new arrivals, Goodyear is busy feeding that appetite.