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The Dish with Jess Harter ~ Pursuing food and fun across the East Valley

Archive for the 'Don & Charlie’s' Tag

5 to try: Restaurants for dads

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:

Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & GrillCountry 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.

Trophy's SteakhouseBig-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.

SanTan Brewing Co.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.

Don & Charlie'sSports 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.

Cadillac RanchCar 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 • • • • • • | Post a Comment »

Burger bar is back at Don & Charlie’s

June 16th, 2009, 8:21 am by Jess Harter

Downtown Scottsdale steakhouse Don & Charlie’s, well-known for its Chicago-style barbecue and owner Don Carson’s museum-quality sports memorabilia collection, is bringing back its popular burger bar.

Don & Charlie'sLast summer’s burger bar featured a bar-only menu of a half-dozen different burgers, each with a side of cole slaw, for $7.99.

This summer, there are eight options, $7.95 to $8.95, ranging from a Bleu Royale (with blue cheese dressing and onion straws, pictured) to a Peter Pan (sauteed mushrooms, Swiss cheese) to a Cabo (guacamole and pepperjack cheese).

The special menu (see menu pdf) also includes three appetizers, three chicken sandwiches, a barbecue beef sandwich, broasted chicken, three salads and three mini desserts.

The burger bar menu is available 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily in the bar area only at Don & Charlie’s, 7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. Info: (480) 990-0900 or donandcharlies.com.

Posted in: Scottsdale • | Post a Comment »

5 to try: Where to go after Cactus League games

February 25th, 2009, 9:10 pm by Jess Harter

Arizona’s Cactus League has kicked off its 2009 schedule. For the next month, 14 major-league baseball teams are playing exhibition games at 11 stadiums, including Mesa’s Hohokam Park, Tempe Diablo Stadium and Scottsdale Stadium.

After the games, most of which are held in the afternoon, you can keep the fun going for extra innings at one of these East Valley restaurants, which are popular with players and fans alike.

Don & Charlie’s: The walls of this old-fashioned Chicago steakhouse are covered with the autographed photos of the famous athletes, as well as celebrities and politicians, who have enjoyed its steaks, ribs and stiff cocktails. The extensive sports memorabilia includes more than 800 signed baseballs on display in the entryway (pictured). 7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, (480) 990-0900.

Pink Pony: This dimly lit Old Town Scottsdale establishment has been a spring training mainstay for 60 years, and famed baseball writer Roger Angell calls it the best baseball restaurant in America. Huge steaks are served with homemade biscuits and Pink Pony’s own steak sauce. Look for the collection of commemorative bats lined up behind the bar. 3831 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, (480) 945-6697.

Diamonds Sports Grill: Originally called Harry and Steve’s (for then-owners and Cubs broadcasters Harry Caray and Steve Stone), this Mesa sports bar has undergone several incarnations (Steve Stone’s, Sluggo’s) over the last 20 years but remains a favorite watering hole for Cubs players and fans every spring. Large murals of Cubs players grace two of the walls. 161 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, (480) 844-3888.

Pier 54: If you don’t get enough sun during the game, head for this all-patio restaurant and bar on the edge of a man-made Tempe lake. This offshoot of a family-run catering business serves up very tasty salads, burgers and sandwiches. There’s live entertainment on the weekends, when it’s usually packed with locals. 5394 S. Lakeshore Drive, Tempe, (480) 820-0660.

Half Moon Sports Grill: OK, the concept is little juvenile — this place takes it name from the numerous posters of amateur athletes (mostly young women) unintentionally baring a portion of their behinds — but the atmosphere is fun and friendly and the chicken wings, burgers and sandwiches are seriously good. 2121 E. Highland Ave., Phoenix, (602) 977-2700.

Posted in: Mesa • Phoenix • Scottsdale • • • • • • • • | 2 Comments »
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