AW Smoke Shop

If you spend any time around the East Valley smoke shop scene, you'll hear AW Smoke Shop come up in Mesa. It's earned a solid reputation, and a big part of that comes down to the people behind the counter. Ask anyone who shops here and Bubba's name comes up again and again. Regulars talk about how he treats everyone with respect, knows every piece in the case inside and out, and always greets folks with a smile.

Chris gets the same kind of praise for being genuinely helpful, and locals will tell you the owner, Ali, has a knack for showing you what you need without a lot of fuss. The selection covers a lot of ground. You'll find vapes and disposables, e-liquid and vape juice, cigars, hookah and shisha, plus glass pipes, water pipes, and the smoking accessories to go with them. There's even the odd surprise, one regular came in for a nose ring and walked out with a whole lot more.

Word around Mesa is that they keep the shelves stocked and are always bringing in new items, and the prices land on the fair side. People mention getting a friendly discount now and then, which keeps them coming back. Since coming under new management, the vibe has been a positive one. "You can drive right past everyone else, this is the spot," is how one regular put it, and that sums up the loyalty this place has built.

A few folks have run into the occasional hiccup with a piece not holding up, so it's worth giving anything fragile a good look before you head out. Overall though, the friendly service and fair pricing are what keep this Mesa smoke shop on people's short list.