Southern Comfort at High & Rye

The Place: High & Rye
The Location: 5310 E. High Street, Phoenix
By: Shoshana Leon

High Street, located off the Loop 101 and 56th Street in North Phoenix, offers a variety of restaurants and fun happy hour options. Opened in March 2018, High & Rye offers something different on High Street.

“Our Southern comfort food is unique to this area, which is growing with new businesses and new homes,” said Terry Vanyo, one of the restaurant’s managers. High & Rye’s menu includes fried chicken, beef brisket which is smoked in house, shrimp and grits, and collard greens. Shareable plates include fried green tomatoes, and a Pimento cheese and meat plate with country ham, deviled eggs and pickled vegetables. Side dishes include blue crab hush puppies, macaroni and cheese, buttermilk biscuits and jalapeno cornbread.

In addition to these Southern staples, the menu offers many other tasty options. “Customers love our crispy Brussels sprouts with bacon and our hamburger,” said Executive Chef Brice Niehaus, who has been with the restaurant since it opened. “Our cheese curds and smoked chicken wings are very popular as well.”

In line with its Southern theme, High & Rye offers more than 100 varieties of rye, whiskey and bourbon with $5 shots of select whiskey available on Whiskey Wednesdays. There is also a large selection of wine, beer and craft cocktails. Customers have the option to make their own customized version of a martini, Manhattan or Old Fashioned.

High & Rye’s happy hour includes discounts on shareable plates and select beer, wine and well cocktails. High & Rye offers live music on Friday and Saturday nights. High & Rye’s Saturday and Sunday brunch options include French toast, chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, and house-smoked brisket hash.

In addition to an open and spacious dining area, High & Rye has separate event space that can accommodate more than 200 guests for corporate events and private parties. There is also a private VIP lounge that can accommodate up to 25 people.

With its Southern cuisine, live music and versatile event space, High & Rye is excited about bringing comfort food and a fun experience to customers on High Street.

High & Rye’s Southern cuisine was one of several vendors at Taste About Scottsdale at Kierland Commons on January 26.