Certified Local Fall Festival Wins Fans With Free Comfort Food

Whoever said there's no such thing as a free lunch clearly missed out on this weekend's Certified Local Fall Festival at Duck and Decanter, 16th St. and Camelback Rd. in Phoenix. Sponsored by Local First AZ, the event included local merchants, live music, hourly raffles, a silent auction and tons of free food.

A slice of Spinato's Mediterranean pizza with feta and red peppers is even tastier when it's free!

Free garage parking was even offered throughout the day. That alone might've been enough to get us there -- and apparently, other Phoenicians agreed. White tents were pitched in the parking lot at Duck and Decanter and from the top of the parking garage we could see hundreds of locals milling around the festival sampling foodstuffs from local restaurants like Radio Milano, Postino and Spinato's Pizza.

The folks at Postino show off their bruschetta, and their community spirit.

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Chinese Sesame Wraps from That's a Wrap in Phoenix.

​When we say free lunch, we're not talking about the little teensy sample plates you get at the Valley's major culinary events. At the Fall Festival, you could've gorged yourself silly just on

A tower of goodies from Urban Cookies.

​the veggie wraps from That's a Wrap, cut in half and served alongside samples of Green's

​famous mock boneless buffalo wings. Honey Bear's BBQ had a full-on catering line, with steaming metal trays of pork, beef and chicken dished onto a fluffy bun.

Now if you're a gourmand with a sophisticated palate, pizza and barbecue might not cut it. But for an event that is supposed to encourage parents, families, locals to support independent restaurants and local chains in their neighborhood, it was perfect.

Raw butterfish and foie gras don't appeal to the masses in the same way that these comfort foods do. Everything here was tasty -- the kind of dishes you loved as a kid (and probably still do, even if you won't admit it publicly). There was even a booth of cookies, and one with samples of birch beer, blue raspberry soda and other fun flavored drinks from Pop the Soda Shop. 

Get your caffeine and sugar fix at Pop the Soda Shop.

We were amazed to see how much food was offered at this free festival; far beyond what you see at pricey culinary festivals. It just goes to show how important local support is for a restaurant to survive. If you didn't have a chance to check out the festival, definitely make the effort next year. We'll see you there!