Archive for the 'Murphy’s Law' Tag
October 23rd, 2009, 11:56 am by Jess Harter
Every day seems to be some sort of holiday in the food world, from National Popcorn Day (Jan. 19) to Beans ’n’ Franks Day (July 13) to National Pfeffernüsse Day (Dec. 23). Here are some food holidays coming up in the next five days, as well as a suggestion of where to celebrate each:
Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill: Saturday is National Bologna Day, and the fried bologna sandwich ($9.99, pictured below) is one of the signature menu items at the country singer’s restaurant at Mesa Riverview. The thick-cut bologna is topped with onions, American cheese and Miracle Whip and served on grilled garlic toast. 1065 N. Dobson Road, Mesa, (480) 844-8629.
 Heart Attack Grill: Sunday is National Greasy Foods Day, and no one revels in dietary fat and cholesterol more than this Chandler burger joint (pictured above) with “naughty nurse” servers. The Quadruple Bypass cheeseburger is made with four half-pound beef patties and 12 strips of bacon, and the Flatliner fries are deep-fried in pure lard. 6185 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler, (480) 205-7777.
SanTan Brewing Company: Monday is National Pretzel Day, and some of the best soft pretzels you’ll find outside a ballpark are served at this downtown Chandler brew pub. A pair of large pretzels ($6.50, or just $5 during happy hour) with or without salt come with spicy beer mustard and beer cheese for dipping. 8 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, (480) 917-8700.
Murphy’s Law Irish Pub: Tuesday is National Potato Day, and who knows the starchy tubers better than the Irish? House-fried potatoes take the place of chips in the Irish nachos ($8.95), and eight varieties of spud sides include bacon blue mash, green chili cheddar mash, beer cheese mash and parmesan-herb mash. 58 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, (480) 812-1588.
Romeo’s Euro Cafe: Wednesday is National Chocolate Day, and this Gilbert eatery has the most decadent dessert case in the East Valley. Specialty cakes include the Intoxicated Love, made with dark, milk and white chocolates, and Dark Desire, hazelnut-chocolate cake with dark chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache (both $6 per slice). 207 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, (480) 962-4224.
Posted in: Chandler • Gilbert • Mesa • 5 to Try • Heart Attack Grill • Murphy's Law • Romeo's Euro Cafe • SanTan Brewing Co. • Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill | Post a Comment »
June 25th, 2009, 1:02 pm by Jess Harter
Two weeks ago, while driving home from work, I was involved in a minor traffic accident. A young woman in a Mazda sports car drove through a red light and into the side of my Chevy Tahoe. Fortunately, no one was hurt and the damage — to my full-size SUV, at least — was relatively minor. (The same couldn’t be said about her Mazda.)
When two Chandler police officers showed up to gather information and take statements, I struck up a conversation about their favorite restaurants. Call it an occupational hazard — I’m always asking people where they like to eat. Here’s where the officers, whose department is located in downtown Chandler, said they like to go:
 The Greek’s Grill: The heaping shawarma platter ($7.99 chicken, $8.99 beef) is the must-have entrée at this Mediterranean eatery. Lunch specials, available 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, include such selections as gyro sandwiches and chicken pitas (all $5.75) and come with a side of Greek fries. 610 N. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 855-7692.
Tokyo House: It’s not surprising law enforcement would uncover this obscure rice-bowl spot, which I think I’ve eaten at more than any other restaurant in Arizona over the past two decades. This strip-mall gem isn’t much to look at, but the teriyaki chicken bowls ($4.49 regular, $5.59 large) are among the best in the Valley. 2050 N. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 963-0015.
Floridino’s Pizza & Pasta: This friendly pizzeria, usually packed for lunch and dinner, is a neighborhood favorite and offers great lunch specials. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., get a one-item junior pizza and large fountain drink for just $3.99, or a two-item calzone (pictured) — as big as a partially deflated football — and drink for $5.99. 590 N. Alma School Road, Chandler, (480) 812-8433.
Murphy’s Law Irish Pub: When your shift ends after midnight, restaurant options are limited. Fortunately, the blackened chicken garlic pizza ($8.95) — actually on flatbread — is available until closing time at this Irish pub. A late-night special includes one of the small pizzas and two domestic drafts for $11.50. 58 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, (480) 812-1588.
Benihana: This Japanese restaurant chain — where the chef’s skills are as much about entertainment as good-tasting meats and seafood — isn’t a regular stop in the officers’ meal rotation, but one of them said he had recently eaten at the Chandler Fashion Center location and liked it. 3025 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, (480) 812-4701.
Posted in: Chandler • Benihana • Floridino's • Greek's Grill • Murphy's Law • Tokyo House | Post a Comment »
March 12th, 2009, 3:21 pm by Jess Harter
With St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday, this weekend is the perfect time to indulge in corned beef, shepherd’s pie or a boxty. Here are five places in the East Valley to go green any day of the year:
Fibber Magees: My Irish friends tell me this Chandler favorite’s corned beef and cabbage ($12.95) is the closest you can get here to what they eat in Ireland. The shepherd’s pie ($12.99) is made with minced lamb, and the boxty, a rolled-up potato pancake, comes with choice of three fillings (all $12.99). Don’t miss the traditional bread and butter pudding ($6.99) for dessert. 1989 W. Elliot Road, Chandler, (480) 722-9434.
 Murphy’s Law: This relative newcomer to downtown Chandler serves one of the best shepherd’s pies ($9.95, pictured at left) I’ve come across. Baked in a metal pot, the beef chunks and veggies are covered with a thick layer of mashed potatoes and topped with a puff pastry. Seven sandwiches, ranging from corned beef to bangers (sausages), also can be ordered in a boxty ($7.95-$8.95). 58 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, (480) 812-1588.
Rula Bula: Featuring both traditional and “New Irish” cuisine, this Mill Avenue hotspot starts meals with two delicious house-made soda breads, followed by Irish staples like grilled salmon glazed with a molasses-whiskey sauce ($14.95), Guinness-braised sirloin in a puff pastry ($14.95), One and One (a.k.a. fish and chips, $11.95) and Irish lamb stew with root vegetables ($10.95). 401 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, (480) 929-9500.
R.T. O’Sullivan’s: These two Irish-themed sports bars in Mesa aren’t true Irish pubs, but they offer a number of traditional Irish dishes, including shepherd’s pie made with ground beef in a bread bowl ($10.95), corned beef and cabbage ($10.95), fish and chips ($12.95) and a Reuben sandwich ($8.95, with side dish). 1010 W. Southern Ave., Mesa, (480) 844-1290; 6646 Superstition Springs Boulevard, Mesa, (480) 396-9933.
D’Arcy McGee’s: This Tempe Marketplace eatery, part of a Canadian chain, offers a corporate-devised menu of Irish and English dishes, including Donegal fisherman’s chowder ($5.99), shepherd’s pie ($7.99) and a Guiness-braised steak and mushroom or chicken tikka masala boxty ($9.99 each). The bar features an extensive roster of Irish beers and whiskeys, but service can be sketchy. 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, (480) 557-9087.
Posted in: Chandler • Mesa • Tempe • D'Arcy McGee's • Fibber Magees • Irish • Murphy's Law • R.T. O'Sullivan's • Restaurants • Rula Bula • St. Patrick's Day | 1 Comment »
|
|
Twitter
Facebook