About Us
Our Goals
Our long term goal is to open and operate a 24 hr destination queer coffee house on Melrose. We want to create a dedicated space to enjoy superior coffee, excellent and affordable food, and especially connection to one another. We want a place that feels like where you want to be when you don't want to be at home, where you expect to bump into people you know and meet new people, where you know that you belong as soon as you walk in the door. To get there, we're hustling and grinding. Phase 1 is nearly complete as our humble food stand outside The Rock can't keep up with our demand and we have the funding to move forward. In Phase 2 (launching April 2026) , we are moving to a fixed food trailer, which will allow us to expand our menu and be open 6 days a week at The Rock as their dedicated vendor. Phase 3 is to leverage our track record of positive revenue and savings to open the coffee house. We want to live on property with our doggies.
About Us
We are a queer couple living in Phoenix, AZ and working hard to make a living out of our favorite things; food, doggies, the queer community, and coffee. We have three decades of food service experience between us and have worked everything from general manager to dishwasher, in small restaurants and corporate chains. Now more than ever, we want to work for ourselves and are risking a lot to do it. This is the 2nd chapter in both our work and marriage, and we're excited to see where it goes.
Our food comes from our experiences growing in rural Arizona and a suburb of Boston, MA. Mexican and Italian-American flavors come together on our menu to offer something for everyone that just hits the spot.
Our Gratitude
There are a few people whose kindness and support are the reason we can do what we are doing. These people provided an opportunity for us to prove ourselves and have continued to be some of biggest supporters and champions. Thank you for taking a chance on us.
Doug Presavento - The Rock
Bear Gonzalez - The Rock
Morgan Pearce - (formerly) The Rock
Matthew Nevarez & Fredy Marin - Rainbow on Wheels
Gabriel Arias - Funday Games LLC
Bear Necessities Phoenix
Meet the Team
Lucky
Jessica
Jessica
Lucky (co-owner) has been in foodservice since he was old enough to work. After working as a burger boy at Pat O's Bunkhouse, he was the graveyard weekend waiter at the infamous Jenny's (IYKYK) for more than a decade. Lucky is responsible for creating our most popular items with explosive, authentic Mexican flavor.
Lucky is grateful he get
Lucky (co-owner) has been in foodservice since he was old enough to work. After working as a burger boy at Pat O's Bunkhouse, he was the graveyard weekend waiter at the infamous Jenny's (IYKYK) for more than a decade. Lucky is responsible for creating our most popular items with explosive, authentic Mexican flavor.
Lucky is grateful he gets to live his dream of working for himself and living in-and-for the queer community.
Jessica
Jessica
Jessica
Jessica (co-owner) started her life and her career working in food, but abandoned the path after college for something "practical". After 15+ years, she abandoned her career and took everything she learned as well as all of her savings/retirement to return to her first love - making food. She loves using cooking techniques from around the
Jessica (co-owner) started her life and her career working in food, but abandoned the path after college for something "practical". After 15+ years, she abandoned her career and took everything she learned as well as all of her savings/retirement to return to her first love - making food. She loves using cooking techniques from around the globe to create new yet familiar fusion offerings.
Jessica is grateful she can live her life working in food and for a community where she feels safe and loved.
Terry
Jessica
Terry
Terry joined Hustle + Grind initially to fill in the occasional shift gap, but as the business grew she became an important part of our ongoing operations. She is a Native to the Valley and the land.
Terry has been part of the Phoenix LGBT+ community for more than 20 years and is excited to be working in the heart of Melrose.