Archive for the 'Mesa' Category
August 13th, 2009, 6:01 pm by Jess Harter
If breakfast isn’t your first meal of the day, can it technically still be called breakfast?
You can ponder this philosophical point Friday when nine Valley restaurants participate in a breakfast-for-dinner event to benefit Arizona’s Children Association statewide foster care programs.
Dubbed “PJs & Eggs,” the promotion is sponsored by Hickman’s Family Farms, Arizona’s only commercial egg producer, which is celebrating its 65th anniversary.
The nine breakfast spots, which typically close after lunch, will open at 5 p.m. Friday and offer their full breakfast menus.
Diners are encouraged to wear pajamas. Those who donate a pair of new pajamas in any size will receive a dozen free eggs and be entered in a drawing for a breakfast party for 65 people.
The participating restaurants:
• TC Eggington’s (pictured), 1660 S. Alma School Road, Mesa, (480) 345-9288.
• Stax/Breakfast Club, 4400 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, (480) 222-2582.
• First Watch, 16455 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, (480) 248-9602.
• Bacon, 4175 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale, (480) 947-3090.
• Scramble, 9832 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, (602) 374-2294.
• Over Easy, 4031 N. 40th St., Phoenix, (602) 468-3447.
• Matt’s Big Breakfast, 801 N. First St., Phoenix, (602) 254-1074.
• U.S. Egg, 402 E. Greenway Parkway, Phoenix, (602) 993-2122.
• Kiss the Cook, 4915 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, (623) 939-4663.
Posted in: Mesa • Phoenix • Scottsdale • West Valley | 2 Comments »
July 28th, 2009, 11:23 am by Jess Harter
The Cheesecake Factory is celebrating National Cheesecake Day on Thursday by offering slices of any of its 30 cheesecakes for half price.
The day also will mark the debut of the restaurant’s newest flavor, red velvet.
Cheesecake Factory has East Valley locations at Chandler Fashion Center and Superstition Springs in Mesa.
Posted in: Chandler • Mesa • Cheesecake Factory | 2 Comments »
July 28th, 2009, 11:21 am by Jess Harter
Wednesday is National Lasgana Day, and Buca di Beppo is marking the occasion by giving away free lasagna.
Anyone who purchases a pasta dish or entrée at any Buca location will receive a free lunch-sized portion of lasagna.
The offer is not valid on take-out orders.
Buca has East Valley locations in Mesa, Chandler and Scottsdale.
Posted in: Chandler • Mesa • Scottsdale • Buca di Beppo | Post a Comment »
July 14th, 2009, 2:16 pm by Jess Harter
Luka Muslin remembers when he arrived in the United States eight years ago to attend Grand Canyon University.
“One of the things that shocked me when my friends and I would go to a restaurant, the moment we finished eating, the waitress would start hinting we should leave,” he says.
It was not what the Serbian-born Muslin, who had lived in France for 18 years and played professional soccer throughout Europe, was used to.
 “At restaurants in Europe — with apéritifs, smoking breaks — meals are more of a social thing. That’s the concept of our place: A European place where you don’t have to rush out the door.”
The “our place” to which he refers is Pastis Delicatessen and Eurogrille, which has assumed the former Oasian Noodle Bar across Val Vista Drive from Dana Park in Mesa.
Muslin (pictured at left) opened Pastis last November with friends Steve Djekic (whose sister is married to Sasha Cosic, owner of Ahwatukee’s popular Va Bene) and Slaven Grubisha, both second-generation Serbian-Americans.
“We felt there was a need for a modern European bistro in this area,” Muslin says. “It’s pretty much chain restaurants around here.”
Their restaurant takes its name (pronounced pass-teese) from an anise-flavored apéritif — a pre-dinner drink meant to stimulate the appetite — popular in the south of France.
Pastis’ menu covers France, Italy and the Mediterranean, as well as Serbia and Bosnia — “all the dishes we liked in Europe,” Muslin says.
When Pastis opened, the menu ran about two dozen sandwiches, a roster that’s since been cut in half. All are named after European cities.
 The Athina ($7.75, including side), a hot pastrami sandwich topped with horseradish-tinged slaw, is the most popular. Next is the Madrid ($7.75), turkey and prosciutto with mozzarella pulled in-house.
Deli-style sandwiches, though, are only the beginning at Pastis.
The homemade mozzarella also is used in the Stuffed Pastis Burger ($9.75), which Muslin calls a “European-style burger.” Red peppers are mixed with the ground beef, and it comes with delicious, hand-cut French fries.
Chicken Cordon Bleu ($14.75) is one of five stuffed-meats entrées. There’s also a tasty shrimp pesto pasta ($14.75).
If you want to try something traditionally Slavic, chevapi ($9.75, pictured above) is a national dish of both Serbia and Bosnia. The ground sirloin sausage links come with chopped sweet onions and a puffy flatbread called lepinja, made by a local Bosnian baker.
 Sudjuk ($9.25), another dry, all-beef Bulgarian sausage, comes in longer links that are sliced lengthwise on toasted lepinja, also with onions on the side.
“In our culture, the food is pretty bland,” Muslin says. “There’s no sauce, so we look for a mix of flavors.”
The exception to the “no sauce” rule is ajvar, which highlights the meza plate ($13.50, pictured at left) of smoked meats. The sweet and smoky red paste, made from roasted eggplant and red peppers, is addictive.
“It’s a delicacy in our country,” Muslin says. “We jokingly call it Serbian caviar.”
Crepes ($5.75) — you can choose two toppings, such as Nutella, bananas, strawberries, walnuts or jam — are the must-have dessert. They’re so popular Pastis has to mix eight batches of batter every day.
A small bar offers drinks from Smithwick’s red ale to Armenian bourbon to, of course, pastis. By this fall, Muslin hopes to add tap beers from France and Russia.
Non-alcoholic drink options include sparkling French lemonades and various European juices, including a rose-petal juice from Romania.
Many of the European foods and drinks on the menu also can be purchased from the restaurant’s retail section. I’ve already got my jar of ajvar.
Pastis Delicatessen and Eurogrille
Where: 1935 S. Val Vista Drive, Mesa (between U.S. 60 and Baseline Road)
Open: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Prices: Appetizers $7.50-$11.75, salads $4.50-$9.50, sandwiches $7.25-$7.75, entrees $9.25-$18.75, desserts $3.50-$5.75
Info: (480) 926-3354 or pastisaz.com
Photos by Tim Hacker, East Valley Tribune
Posted in: Mesa • Phoenix • Pastis | 1 Comment »
July 14th, 2009, 11:06 am by Jess Harter
The Chick-fil-A restaurant at Mesa Riverview is celebrating its Customer Appreciation Week with a number of events, contests and giveaways this week. Among the highlights:
Today, the fast-food eatery is offering customers a “fine-dining experience” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - complete with a full-service wait staff and meals served on plates.
On Thursday, customers who dress up as movie characters will get free meals (those who partially dress up get a fre entree) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The restaurant will be decorated with a Hollywood theme.
On Saturday, the restaurant will hand out free chicken sandwiches from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Carson/Westwood Aquatic Center in Mesa. Pool admission is $1.75 for children and $3.50 for adults.
The Riverview Chick-fil-A is located at 905 N. Dobson Road, Mesa. Info: (480) 834-0573.
Posted in: Mesa • Chick-fil-A | Post a Comment »
July 10th, 2009, 6:02 pm by Jess Harter
Ernie Serrano Sr., patriarch of the Serrano’s Mexican Food restaurants family, died today of bone cancer. He was 79.
The Serranos lay claim to operating the oldest, continuously family-owned business in Chandler, having opened its doors in 1919. For the first 60 years, Serrano’s sold clothing. It wasn’t until 1979 that Ernie and Eva Serrano decided to open a small Mexican restaurant.
Today, the family has seven Serrano’s in the East Valley, plus a Mexican breakfast eatery called Brunchies in downtown Chandler. (Read my July 2007 review of Serrano’s in Chandler.)
Serrano is survived by his wife, eight children, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The visitation for Ernie Serrano Sr. will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chandler. The rosary will be said at 7 p.m.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be sent to the St. Mary’s Building Fund.
Posted in: Chandler • Gilbert • Mesa • Tempe • Serrano's | Post a Comment »
July 9th, 2009, 9:01 pm by Jess Harter
The recession has been hard on Valley restaurants, but out of adversity comes opportunity. Amidst all the closures, a number of new eateries have risen from the ashes like Phoenix’s mythical namesake. Here are five that recently have opened:
 Il Vinaio: Formerly called Valley Eatery, this massive restaurant has been remodeled, including the addition of a wine and microbrew bar. Breakfast and lunch remain basic, but chef Patrick Boll, last seen at Scottsdale fun spots Geisha a Go Go and Drift, has created a Mediterranean-influenced dinner menu. 270 W. Main St., Mesa, (480) 649-6476.
Nunthaporn’s Thai Cuisine: Former Benjarong Thai owner Treekamol Nunthaporn has taken over the Main Street space that housed Christel’s Bavarian Deli for nearly two decades. The lunch/dinner menu includes a wide variety of traditional Thai chicken, beef, pork, duck and seafood dishes, most $9 to $10. 17 W. Main St., Mesa, (480) 649-6140.
Rendezvous Point Restaurant: Longtime French restaurant Citrus Café, which closed after its most recent owner was charged with stealing diners’ credit card numbers, has re-opened under new ownership. The lunch menu features basic salads, sandwiches and burgers; the dinner menu focuses on steaks and pasta dishes. 2330 N. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 855-5566.
Fired Up Grill: Former Chandler Buca di Beppo manager Joe Busone takes over the nearby space (pictured above) that housed popular nightlife spot 56 East. Pasta dishes and individual pizzas lend an Italian flair to the menu; entrees range from Southwestern meatloaf ($13.99) to Caribbean grilled ahi tuna ($16.99). 7131 W. Ray Road, Chandler, (480) 940-4040.
Trophy’s Steakhouse: Nearly three dozen big-game mounts are a clue this restaurant focuses on meat, including many kinds of wild game. The eight-ounce filet mignon ($21) is one of the best values in the Valley. Other must-tries are the pork “wings” ($9), buffalo burger ($10) and buffalo and elk meatloaf ($13). 7215 S. Power Road, Queen Creek, (480) 840-3981.
Posted in: Chandler • Mesa • Queen Creek • 5 to Try • Fired Up Grill • Il Vinaio • Nunthaporn's Thai • Rendevous Point • Trophy's Steakhouse | 4 Comments »
July 2nd, 2009, 4:51 pm by Jess Harter
 The Food Writers Act of 1902 requires me, as well as every other food writer in America, to produce a story every Fourth of July about either hot dogs or apple pie. I flipped a coin, and this year it’s hot dogs:
Ted’s Hot Dogs: This longtime Tempe favorite is famous for its charcoal-broiled hot dogs, footlongs, cheese dogs and chili dogs, as well as delicious homemade onion rings. The lines can get long during peak hours, but they usually move quickly. 1755 E. Broadway Road, Tempe, (480) 968-6678.
Pittsburgh Willy’s: The Wild Willy (pictured) — an all-beef kosher dog topped with chipped ham sauteed in butter and then covered with cheddar cheese — is a bestseller at this small shop inside the Market Square antique mall. 1509 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, (480) 857-2860.
Al’s Chicago Style: The walls are covered with Windy City memorabilia, but it’s the Vienna Beef hot dogs, Gonnella rolls and Giardiniera peppers — not to mention the neon green relish — that establish the Chicago authenticity of this shop’s dogs. 53 N. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert, (480) 545-3267.
Giant Hamburgers: Its name references burgers, but this inexpensive strip-mall hangout also serves tasty hot dogs and chili dogs cooked on its flat-top grill. Be sure to include a side of some of the best French fries in the East Valley. 2753 E. Broadway Road, Mesa, (480) 733-6542.
The Mission: This Old Town Scottsdale restaurant’s Latin American food can get a bit pricey, but the lunch menu offers a fantastic Kobe beef dog wrapped in bacon and topped with green chile pintos, Cotija cheese and grilled onions. 3815 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale, (480) 636-5005.
Posted in: Chandler • Gilbert • Mesa • Scottsdale • Tempe • 5 to Try • Al's Chicago Style • Giant Hamburgers • Pittsburgh Willy's • Ted's Hot Dogs • The Mission | 3 Comments »
June 24th, 2009, 6:05 am by Jess Harter
At a time when burgers are trending more upscale — exotic meats, gourmet cheeses and fancy toppings — there’s something comforting about a good old-fashioned burger.
For the past decade, that’s exactly what the aptly named Giant Hamburgers has been serving.
The cramped strip-mall space on the southwest corner of Lindsay and Broadway roads in Mesa certainly is no-frills. There are six small booths, eight two-person tables and an eight-seat lunch counter.
The décor, such as it is, consists of a mirror, a clock and a couple of inexpensive prints.
The heart of Giant Hamburgers is a large flat-top grill that produces just about everything on menu, whose simplicity is documented on the wall behind the cash register. No table menus or table service here.
 The delicious burgers, which start at $4.25, are made with fresh meat — never frozen — and require two hands to handle. Mayo, mustard, lettuce, onion and tomato are the standard, but you can customize to your taste.
There’s no skimping: Cheeseburgers come with two slices of cheese (applied while the patty is cooking, making the cheese extra gooey); bacon cheeseburgers get three slices of bacon.
Fries ($1.50) — wonderfully well-done on the outside yet soft on the inside — are the only side option, unless you consider a bowl of chile ($2.35) a side dish.
Other lunch and dinner choices include a grilled chicken sandwich ($5), a grilled steak sandwich ($6.40), a grilled fish sandwich ($4.75) and a grilled cheese sandwich ($3.20).
No-nonsense breakfast combos start with one egg, hash browns, choice of meat and toast ($3.85) and go up in one-egg increments. Again, nothing fancy. Just basic and good.
 For dessert, nine varieties of homemade pies ($2.20 per slice, $11 per pie) range from apple to chocolate cream and are showcased in a case next to the register.
When he’s not working the cash register, friendly owner Don Horne (who almost named the place Horne’s Hamburgers) usually is bussing tables and chatting with diners.
From teenagers to retirees, Giant’s customers seem to enjoy the vibe. No one walks out the door without a genuine “Thanks for coming!” from at least one member of the staff.
Good old-fashioned food. Good old-fashioned prices. Good old-fashioned friendliness.
For me, those three things will never get old or go out of fashion.
Giant Hamburgers
Where: 2753 E. Broadway Road, Mesa (southwest corner of Broadway and Lindsay roads)
Open: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Prices: Burgers $4.25-$6.25, sandwiches $3.20-$6.40, sides $1.50-$3.20, breakfast combos $3.85-$7.95, pie $2.20-$2.95
Info: (480) 733-6542 or gianthamburgers.com
(Photos by Darryl Webb, East Valley Tribune)
Posted in: Mesa • Giant Hamburgers | 5 Comments »
June 22nd, 2009, 5:25 pm by Jess Harter
 If you’re in Tempe or Mesa on Tuesday, keep your eyes peeled for Famous Dave’s Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que trucks.
Five of the barbecue chain’s catering trucks will be cruising the streets of the two cities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. handing out free barbecue sandwiches, coupons for free wings and free bottles of barbecue sauce.
The offer is not available at Famous Dave’s restaurants.
Posted in: Mesa • Tempe • Famous Dave's | Post a Comment »
June 19th, 2009, 6:59 am by Jess Harter
Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations are giving away free 24-ounce smoothies to the first 500 people wearing flip-flops today. No purchase is necessary. However, if you do buy anything, all proceeds are donated to Camp Sunshine, a retreat for terminally ill children and their families.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe has three locations in Mesa, two in Chandler, one in Mesa and one in Queen Creek.
Posted in: Chandler • Mesa • Queen Creek • Tempe • Tropical Smoothie Cafe | 2 Comments »
June 18th, 2009, 7:10 am by Jess Harter
Dads come in all shapes, sizes and types. While it’s unfair to paint all dads with the same brush — for example, while I’m sure most enjoy a good steak, there undoubtedly are some vegans out there — I think it’s safe to say many dads share certain hobbies and passions.
So at the risk of perpetuating some stereotypes, here are five East Valley restaurants that should appeal to your dad — if he fits into one of these common categories:
 Country music fan: If your dad’s idea of rap music is Cowboy Troy, he’ll fit right in at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill. The famous country singer’s super-sized restaurant and honky tonk at Mesa Riverview offers a trailer load of comfort foods, such as chicken fried steak, fried catfish, fried bologna sandwiches and deep-fried Twinkies. 1065 N. Dobson Road, Mesa, (480) 844-8629.
 Big-game hunter: All 29 species of big-game animals found in North America — from bison to polar bear to musk ox — are on display in the museum-like dining room of Trophy’s Steakhouse. Besides traditional beef steaks, this recently opened Queen Creek restaurant dishes up such wild game as elk, buffalo and antelope. 7215 S. Power Road, Queen Creek, (480) 840-3981.
 Beer drinker: If the closest thing to a vegetable your dad regularly eats is hops and barley, he’s sure to find a beer to his liking at SanTan Brewing Company. The downtown Chandler microbrewery makes seven different beers that complement a menu of traditional pub grub, such as burgers, sandwiches, wings and pizzas. 8 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, (480) 917-8700.
 Sports fan: Besides great steaks and ribs, Don & Charlie’s has one of the best sports memorabilia collections this side of Cooperstown. The entryway is lined with 800 autographed baseballs, autographed NFL and NBA jerseys hang in the bar and the dining room’s walls are covered with autographed photos and magazine covers. 7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, (480) 990-0900.
 Car lover: Whether your dad is a weekend mechanic or weekend roadtripper, he’ll feel at home at Cadillac Ranch, a Tempe Marketplace roadhouse where the auto-fixation runs from the Cadillac mounted above its entry to the ceiling covered with license plates. The menu emphasizes burgers, steaks and ribs. 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, (480) 894-1111.
Posted in: Chandler • Mesa • Queen Creek • Scottsdale • Tempe • 5 to Try • Cadillac Ranch • Don & Charlie's • SanTan Brewing Co. • Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill • Trophy's Steakhouse | Post a Comment »
June 16th, 2009, 7:29 pm by Jess Harter
It’s a difficult time to launch a restaurant, especially a large restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Especially in downtown Mesa, which doesn’t have a very restaurant-friendly track record.
But these challenges aren’t stopping Cameron and Cindy Selogie (pictured below), who recently bought the blandly named Valley Eatery and are transforming it into Il Vinaio Beer & Wine Bar.
 “We’ve been told we’re crazy to do this,” admits Cameron Selogie, whose background is in electronics manufacturing. “My only response is we’re going to create a destination of our own.”
The Selogies bought the 36-year-old, 5,200-square-foot building on the northeast corner of Country Club Drive and Main Street in October and have continued to run it as a no-frills breakfast and lunch restaurant.
In the meantime, though, they’ve brought in a “name” chef — Patrick Boll (pictured below), for years Robert McGrath’s right-hand man at Roaring Fork and later on his own at, among other places, Old Town Scottsdale’s trendy Stingray Sushi, Drift and Geisha a Go Go — to develop a dinner menu.
The Selogies and Boll hesitate to categorize the new menu, which they plan to launch Friday, but when pressed describe it as “American, Italian, Mediterranean and rustic.”
Starters, for example, include bruschetta with miti crema, caramelized peaches and toasted pecans ($8) and griddle crab cakes with pink grapefruit and spring mix salad ($10).
Entrees, which Cameron Selogie says will all be under $20, range from Marsala braised pork shank ($18) to crispy chicken piccata ($15) to gnocchi with roasted chicken ($14).
“We don’t want to be a five-star restaurant,” he says. “This is Mesa. We want to appeal to Mesa.”
 In addition, the Selogies have gotten the restaurant’s first liquor license. Il Vinaio will offer a half-dozen microbrews on tap and about 40 wines ($18 to $65 per bottle, $5 to $10 per glass - see wine/beer list pdf).
While the new menu (see breakfast/lunch menu pdf or dinner menu pdf) is ready to go, the restaurant’s interior is still a work in progress. The restaurant closed in late May for eight days of demo work, which included removing the old booths and the drop ceiling.
Five bar-height, eight-person oak tables are being custom-made for the center of the dining room. Around the outside edges of the room, two- and four-person tables will be draped with white linens in the evening.
A major addition will be a 16-foot wood bar, shaped like a wine bottle, in the back of the space. A separate lounge area in the front of the restaurant will offer free wi-fi. The new interior, which the Selogies hope to finish by mid- to late July, will accommodate 130 diners.
The Selogies also are planning a variety of entertainment — from live music on weekends (classical guitarist and harpist Ariel Laurel Strong will perform this Friday and Saturday) to staged readings after plays at the nearby Mesa Arts Center to winemaker classes and dinners.
As for downtown Mesa’s reputation as a restaurant graveyard, Cameron Selogie says, “There’s a lot to do down here. People just don’t know about it.
“We thought long and hard about what we want to do with the rest of our lives. This is what we want to do. We don’t have any visions of being a big chain.”
Il Vinaio Beer & Wine Bar
Where: 270 W. Main St., Mesa (northeast corner of Main Street and Country Club Drive)
Open: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends for breakfast and lunch. 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday for dinner. Closed Mondays.
Prices: Breakfasts $2.95-$8.50, salads $5.95-$7.75, sandwiches and burgers $3.95-$7.95, dinner entrees $11-$19.
Info: (480) 649-6476 or ilvinaio.com.
Posted in: Mesa • Il Vinaio | 12 Comments »
June 12th, 2009, 9:03 am by Jess Harter
When scorching summer temperatures descend upon the Valley — and, despite our current respite, they are coming — I can’t stomach the thought of a heavy meal. Here are five summer salads that, thanks to lots of fresh fruit, are light and refreshing entrees any time of the year.
Cork: This south Chandler restaurant and wine bar starts its unnamed salad ($9) with purple loose-leaf lettuce known as lollo rosso, which is mixed with strips of dried apricot, candied kumquats and fresh strawberries and blackberries in a Meyer lemon-thyme vinaigrette. It’s served on a big piece of delicious Bucheron goat cheese. 4991 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 883-3773.
Pita Jungle: This popular local chain of Mediterranean eateries offers 11 salads, including the Caribbean ($9.49) with pineapple, orange, grapefruit, apple, strawberry and banana over a bed of mixed greens, topped with shredded coconut and raisins and served with a strawberry vinaigrette. Locations in Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix and Glendale.
Crackers & Co. Cafe: The Fruited Chicken Salad ($8.99) at these dishes-from-scratch cafes is made with white-meat chicken, raisins, celery, pineapple, mandarin oranges, strawberries and almonds on a bed of mixed greens with a creamy lemon dressing. 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa, (480) 898-1717; 1325 N. Greenfield Road, Mesa, (480) 924-9977; 1285 W. Elliot Road, Tempe, (480) 705-7900.
S’Bistro: This downtown Mesa bistro counters the chili-spiced chicken in its Las Cruses Salad ($8 lunch, $14 dinner) with the sweetness of grilled pineapple, strawberries and mango. It also comes with blue cheese, all served on a bed of California field greens and topped with a berry vinaigrette. 124 W. Main Street, Mesa, (480) 962-0344.
Pier 54: This patio restaurant on an urban lake borrows from Down Under for its Strawberry Kiwi Salad ($6.99 small, $7.99 regular). Sliced strawberries and kiwi are placed on a bed of greens, tossed with a raspberry vinaigrette and topped with dried cranberries and candied walnuts. 5394 S. Lakeshore Drive, Tempe, (480) 820-0660.
Posted in: Chandler • Gilbert • Mesa • Tempe • 5 to Try • Cork • Crackers & Co. • Pier 54 • Pita Jungle • S'Bistro | Post a Comment »
June 4th, 2009, 9:47 pm by Jess Harter
Until a few days ago, I didn’t know June is National Turkey Lovers Month. (Who declares these things anyway?) I guess the timing makes sense, though. It’s just over the halfway point between last year’s Thanksgiving and this year’s. What better time to remind diners of the wonders of the bird that almost became the symbol of our country? To tide you over until November, here are my five favorite turkey sandwiches in the East Valley:
 Chile Verde Birdie at Flancers: A few years ago, the Tribune enlisted a panel of reader-judges to find the best sandwich — of any type — in the East Valley. After nearly three months and 30 sandwiches, the Chile Verde Birdie ($7) emerged victorious. Hunks of roasted turkey pulled straight off the bone are topped with provolone, tomato, lettuce and Flancer’s homemade New Mexican green chile mayonnaise. You can add bacon and avocado for an extra $1.50. 610 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, (480) 926-9077; 1902 N. Higley Road, Mesa, (480) 396-0077.
 Smoky Mountain at Dilly’s Deli: My personal favorite for more than a decade, the Smoky Mountain ($6.99) gets its name from the trio of smoked Pepper Mill turkey, smoked gouda and smoked bacon, all combined with red onions and spicy Russian mustard and served between thick slabs of freshly grilled foccacia bread. So filling, but so delicious. 3330 S. Price Road, Tempe, (480) 491-1196; 414 W. University Drive, Tempe, (480) 929-0111; 14202 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, (480) 596-3354; 2895 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 722-0645.
 Picnic at Liberty Market: Although this downtown Gilbert market/eatery is less than a year old, the Picnic ($8 with side) is fast becoming the Smoky Mountain’s main rival for my turkey-related affections. A soft roll is filled with roasted turkey, mixed greens, gorgonzola, thin slices of green apple, caramelized pecans and a roasted red pepper aioli. Sharp and sweet, crunchy and smooth, warm and cool — all at the same time. It’s also available as a salad (also $8). 230 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, (480) 892-1900.
 Turkey Sue-ben at Teakwoods Tavern & Grill: Named for one of Teakwoods owner’s best friends in college, the Sue-ben ($8.99 with side and pickle) is this popular neighborhood hangout’s companion to its traditional Rueben sandwich. Nearly an inch of shaved turkey is covered with Swiss cheese, sautéed onions and jalapeno cole slaw on grilled sourdough bread. For my side, I always get the crunchy tater tots. 151 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert, (480) 899-8325; 5965 W. Ray Road, Chandler, (480) 961-0945.
 Blue 32 Turkey Rueben at Blue 32 Sports Grill: Another turkey version of the Rueben, the Blue 32 ($7.99 with side and pickle) comes with roasted turkey and Swiss cheese on grilled rye bread — but the extra special ingredient is the “black and blue” cole slaw infused with pungent blue cheese and little bits of Applewood Smoked Bacon. After all, doesn’t bacon make just about anything taste even better? I’m also a big fan of this 5-month-old sports bar’s flaky “pub-style” fries. 1524 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert, (480) 963-0032.
Posted in: Chandler • Gilbert • Mesa • Scottsdale • Tempe • Blue 32 • Dilly's Deli • Flancer's • Liberty Market • Teakwoods | 3 Comments »
May 27th, 2009, 8:44 pm by Jess Harter
 Toby Keith will deliver some “Shock’N Y’all” Wednesday in Mesa. The country singer-songwriter will be on hand to celebrate the “official” grand opening of his Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill at Mesa Riverview.
The giant restaurant and bar, named after a 2003 hit song by Keith, actually opened in mid-April. The singer will take part in a press conference at 4 p.m. Wednesday, followed by an invitation-only VIP party at 5 p.m. The venue will open to the public at 8 p.m.
Read my First Taste of the restaurant here.
Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, 1065 N. Dobson Road, Mesa, is open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. weekends. Info: (480) 844-8629 or tobykeithusa.com.
Posted in: Mesa • Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill | 7 Comments »
May 19th, 2009, 10:35 pm by Jess Harter
The Landmark Restaurant certainly lives up to its name. In a populace-come-lately metropolitan area where “historical” often is used to describe any structure built before 1980, the red building on the southwest corner of Main Street and Extension Road in Mesa began life as a Mormon church in 1908.
More than a century later, the complex — the original building was joined by a recreational hall in the 1920s and a smaller meeting hall in the ‘30s — has gone through several incarnations. In 1963, it housed Phoenix College’s first Mesa branch, which later became Mesa Community College.
Since 1972, though, it’s been a restaurant, one that embraces its heritage. Credit New Hampshire natives Don and Candy Ellis, who took over what was then called Roach’s Schoolhouse Restaurant in 1981 and have lovingly restored and maintained it as The Landmark.
 The exterior still looks like a church. But through the heavy wooden door and up 12 stairs, entering the dining room is like walking into a Victorian-era parlor. The dark blue and green colors and floral-like design of the old-fashioned carpet are continued on matching wallpaper and the chair upholstery.
Blue-and-white porcelain-ware and oversized floral arrangements decorate the dark wood shelves and hutches. Faux windows are covered by white lace curtains. Five ornate chandeliers hang from the high ceiling. This is definitely your grandparents’ type of restaurant.
Which is why, I suppose, the menu caters to that demographic. Can you think of another East Valley restaurant that offers beef stroganoff ($13.95)? It’s just one of the many traditional comfort foods available, along with braised pot roast ($14.75), stuffed meatloaf ($14.25), chicken Kiev ($17.25), pork tenderloin ($15.25) … you get the idea.
 It may not be adventurous cuisine, but dishes are made from scratch. The meats are quality cuts, preparations are near-perfect and portions are ample. Even sides — like sliced carrots glazed with maple syrup — are simple but delicious.
The big draw at The Landmark, though, is the salad bar, which takes up an entire room. In the days before Souper Salad and Sweet Tomatoes arrived, this was the Valley’s biggest salad bar. Today, it remains one of the most diverse.
Quail eggs? Check. Pickled watermelon? Yep. Prickly pear cactus. Sure. Along with about 75 other items, ranging from chili to meatballs to cinnamon rolls.
The salad bar ($9.95 at lunch, $14 at dinner) easily can serve as a meal by itself. But I also add it (for an extra $6) whenever I order a sandwich or entrée. The price is a bit steep for an add-on, but I’d rather take home some leftover entrée than miss out.
The Landmark Restaurant
Where: 809 W. Main St., Mesa (southwest corner of Main Street and Extension Road)
Open: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Prices: Lunch sandwiches/entrées $7.45-$14.95, appetizers $6.95-$9, dinner entrees $11.95-$23.25, desserts $5-$6.50.
Info: (480) 962-4652 or www.landmarkrestaurant.com
(Photos by Darryl Webb, East Valley Tribune)
Posted in: Mesa • Landmark | 2 Comments »
|
|
Twitter
Facebook