The inaugural Michelin Southwest ceremony took place on Aug. 26 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Arizona restaurants took home multiple accolades, including 12 Michelin recommended restaurants, seven Bib Gourmands and three individual chef awards.
But when it came to the coveted stars, the state was snubbed. In the entire Southwest, only four restaurants earned one star, and one restaurant earned two stars. Four out of the five restaurants to receive stars were in Las Vegas, plus one spot in Utah.
The results are bittersweet. While there are endless reasons to celebrate the 19 Arizona restaurants and three chefs that were deservedly recognized by the Michelin Guide, many Arizonans have also expressed frustration at the state's lack of restaurant stars.
Here's what users on social media had to say about the results of Arizona's first Michelin Guide.
Influencers say 'Arizona was robbed'
The common consensus among Arizona foodies was that the state deserved to win some stars.
"Christopher's at Wrigley Mansion, I don't know how you didn't win a star," said Mr. AZ Sports, who regularly posts both local dining and sports content and has over 160,000 Instagram followers.
"I think it's freaking crazy that Arizona did not get a single Michelin star, and honestly I hope they change their mind in the future because we have some freaking great restaurants here," said TikToker @wildjoyexperiences in her video posted shortly after the ceremony.
Another content creator, Ian Simon, said in an Instagram reel that he thought Course, a fine dining restaurant in Scottsdale, was one of the biggest snubs that deserved a star. Not only did Course not receive a star, but the restaurant did not even make it into the recommended section.
But not all reactions from influencers were negative. Many shouted out a few "underrated" restaurants that they were happy to see on the list.
In his video recounting the ceremony, Mr. AZ Sports called Little Miss BBQ, which won a Bib Gourmand, "by far the best barbecue in the country." He also called Kid Sister, which won a Bib Gourmand, and Hush Public House, which earned a recommended designation, "hidden gems."
Course, Kai and Cafe Monarch were among most mentioned snubs
Ian Simon was not the only one on social media disappointed by Course's absence from the Michelin Guide. In the comments of an Instagram post from @eatlocalphoenix, multiple users mentioned the restaurant by name.
Several users were also surprised that neither Kai nor Cafe Monarch made the Guide. It is worth noting that the Cafe Monarch team's other Scottsdale restaurant, Reserve, made the list in the recommended section. Wine director John Germain also won the individual Best Sommelier Award.
"No Course, (Cafe) Monarch or Kai. The fact that Christopher's and Atria were only recommended also was a shock. However I had a feeling they would favor Vegas," wrote one Instagram user.
No stars in Tucson?
Tucson's absence from the list was one of the biggest talking points across multiple social media platforms.
In the comments of WildJoy's TikTok, one user wrote, "The fact that restaurants in Tucson were not on the lists you showed is diabolical since Tucson was designated as the first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in the United States... We have amazing restaurants here!"
Another comment on the same video read, "Didn't dip a SINGLE TOE into Tucson even for a recommended restaurant or a bib? Insane to me."
Of the 19 Arizona restaurants that made the Guide, the only one outside of Phoenix or Scottsdale was Atria in Flagstaff.
How do you feel about the way Arizona fared in the Southwest Michelin guide? Let the reporter know at eddie.fontanez@azcentral.com. Follow @ERFontanez on Instagram.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Foodies are crashing out over Michelin snub. 'Arizona was robbed'
