stevez wrote:Not having found much to eat at the Chinese Fest, I made a stop at the Ronnie Suburban recommended Texaz Grill on the way back to my hotel. Though they are known for her chicken fried steaks, I opted for the RS recommended smoked prime rib sandwich.

Great report, Steve. I certainly do miss the area quite a bit and am still hoping to get out there for a few days before it gets too warm. I was there in mid-April last year and it was already heating up.

As for the Texaz Grill, I've actually never had the Smoked Prime Rib in sandwich form there. It was always a big, hunking entree-sized slab of red meat on a plate that made the portion in your pic look paltry by comparison. I guess that's what the last serving of the day looks like!

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:As for the Texaz Grill, I've actually never had the Smoked Prime Rib in sandwich form there. It was always a big, hunking entree-sized slab of red meat on a plate that made the portion in your pic look paltry by comparison. I guess that's what the last serving of the day looks like!

=R=

I can believe that! Portions there are incredibly huge. The folks sitting next to me at the bar each ordered a "Lunch Portion" of chicken fried steak. Out came two plates heaped to the brim with food. When they pointed out that they only ordered the lunch portion, the waitress said that this was the lunch portion. The dinner portion is twice as big. The prime rib sandwich was a lunch special. I can only imagine what "The Mulligan" on the supper menu looks like.

I’ve never been in Phoenix in July before and am not eager to return in that particular month. The objection, “But it’s a dry heat” is true; however, I now know what raw cookie dough feels like as the oven door is opened. I was staying at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix at 340 North 3rd Street. I had no wheels and nothing except public transportation available, so my options were limited, to say the least. As a result, this abbreviated review covers a small selection of places within easy reach of that particular hotel.

Café at Phoenix Market – I only had a single dish, the Pork Chile Verde Pot Pie, but it was great. I had only just arrived in town and hadn’t remotely had a chance to get accustomed to the heat so I took it easy. The pot pie crust was lovely and the filling really wonderful: plenty of pork, depth of flavor, and a truly enjoyable dish in comfortable, cheery surroundings. Of all the places I visited, and I’d happily return to most of them, this is the one I most regret not getting back to. I can see it as ideal for plenty of occasions and the menu was tempting enough that I know a couple of visits, at the least, would be necessary to get a better feel.

Cartel Coffee Lab – What a wonderful little place. Many thanks to the Phoenix Food Nerd website and a thread devoted especially to places within walking distance of my hotel, a thread started long before my arrival, thankfully. For reasons I don’t entirely understand, their selection of coffees is remarkably different from what I’ve found in Chicago. At least three different Indonesian coffees and a host of other uncommon selections. In addition, you can choose not only different sizes but also different brewing methods. Coffee is ground specifically for your order. My only regret is that they don’t open until 7 am and that their selection of breakfast-type food/pastries was so small. (Check out their website, listed below. They have an online store, one I have little doubt I will be patronizing in the coming weeks and months.)

Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana – It may be being Phoenix Food Nerd-approved, but I was disappointed. We tried a couple different pizzas (they have a selection of about two dozen different kinds, most of which sound quite appealing) and an app. The app was easily the best dish. To start, our burrata Pugliese (splashed with a very little balsamic) was very good. It sat on a bed of arugula but the prosciutto surrounding it was surprisingly bland. From there, we moved on to pizza but I simply didn’t enjoy them. We chose the porcini and the contadina. Both were respectable but no more. The porcini were sauteed and while a presence on the top, were not generously portioned. The contadina was liberally strewn with its various (vegetable) toppings. But in both cases, the crust was extremely disappointing. It was a vehicle, no more. Although the flavor was fine, neither was baked long enough, and soggy toward the middle of each pizza. (I recognize that reasonable people can differ—and even become, uh, passionate on this particular issue.) By comparison, we ate two nights later at Pizzeria Bianco: there was no comparison. (FWIW, every single picture of a Pomo crust on the Food Nerd thread shows a crust far more well-done than what we got.) Maybe we hit them on an off night but the crusts just didn’t rate and the toppings, while good, couldn’t overcome that problem. I would be curious, but not eager, to return. Disappointing. Dinner was followed by espresso (good, but not noteworthy) and cannoli, which were excellent.

A somewhat largish group of us descended on Blue Hound Kitchen located on the second floor of the Hotel Palomar and we had a very enjoyable dinner. I can’t speak for the others and their particular dishes and my bill in this case only reflects my own dinner: short rib sliders () and Catfish Etouffee. The sliders were wonderful: accompanied with “root beer onions” and horseradish cream and served a miniature King’s Hawaiian bread rolls, they would have made a great dinner. As it was, they were a wonderful lead-in to a terrific piece of blackened catfish atop rice and a more than generous serving of crawfish. I don’t have a lot of specific comments, simply a very good memory of excellent dishes prepared and presented very nicely. The menu is eclectic and substantial with a slight Southern/New Orleans bent (fried green tomatoes, boudin balls, shrimp/grits with andouille, my catfish, etc.) The drink menu, in particular, seemed very tempting and I was sorry I was unable to sample from it.

Hanny’s began life in the 1940s as a men’s store in a new, and unusually designed, building. Now it’s a wonderful option for lunch (and, I presume, dinner). I had less than an hour to squeeze in lunch one day and popped in because it was close. The room is really terrific, almost noir-ish in décor and lighting, and the bar takes center stage, literally. The menu covers casual choices from salads to pizzas to sandwiches plus apps, generally with an Italian bent. My pork Calabrese (“charred” loin on ciabatta with peppers, onions, and mushrooms) was a great sandwich and really hit the spot. I had two small sides (included): onion strings (which, although perhaps not going to set the world on fire for originality, were very well-executed). The gorgonzola slaw was absolutely terrific. I was a bit apprehensive about the cheese overwhelming everything else; I needn’t have worried. Just a wonderful pairing of ingredients and simple but terrific creation.

The Pizzeria Bianco location we visited was the one in walking distance from our hotel and therefore not the Phoenix Food Nerd-approved location. Still, notwithstanding our hour-long wait (the room is quite small), we enjoyed the pizza tremendously. Our only criticism would be the selection: the menu lists a grand total of six pizzas, three with tomato sauce, three without. There were an additional five or six add-ins (wood-grilled mushrooms, soppressata, etc.). That said, the four of us had three different kinds of pizza and we were all were extremely pleased. The crust was the star: chewy, airy, deeply flavorful, and perfectly cooked throughout. A very enjoyable meal.

A group of six journeyed the short walk to The Breadfruit & Rum Bar and had an excellent meal. We weren’t quite sure what to expect but it was a small, nicely appointed, place. I had an app—butter beans and salt cod—and pimento wood jerk chicken. Others had curried prawns or pimento mussels. Everyone professed themselves quite pleased with the food. Portions were perfect and the my chicken was well seasoned and not blandified. I also opted for a drink that I’ve always enjoyed—jamaica (as it is known in Spanish) or hibiscus. It’s apparently called sorrel in Jamaica and the Jamaicans add allspice (or pimento berries) and ginger. Under any name, it’s terrific. I liked the addition of allspice; it brought a depth of flavor and unexpectedness that worked perfectly. (Their rum bar, it should be noted, has something like 150 different rums and would be a wonderful place to retire to, sitting all day, sipping and nibbling…. It should also be noted that they might easily call it the rum and cigar bar because they also have, as their website notes, a “well curated humidor of choice cigars and a lush courtyard to relax and enjoy….” Demands a return visit.)

I regret my inability to go anywhere more than a fifteen-minute walk from the hotel and the sheer variety of choices makes a return visit imperative—just not in July.



Café at Phoenix Public Market
14 East Pierce Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 253-2700
http://phxpublicmarket.com/cafe/

Cartel Coffee Lab
1 North 1st Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 432-8237
http://www.cartelcoffeelab.com

Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana
705 North 1st Street,
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 795.2555
http://www.pomopizzeria.com

Hanny’s
40 North 1st Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 252-2285
http://www.hannys.net/

Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails
2 East Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 258-0231
http://www.bluehoundkitchen.com/

Pizzeria Bianco
623 East Adams St
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 258 8300
http://www.pizzeriabianco.com/#about

The Breadfruit & Rum Bar
108 East Pierce Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 2167-1266
http://www.thebreadfruit.com/

My girlfriend is very serious about living in a warm climate for a part of the upcoming winter. One of our choices is the Phoenix area. It's kind of funny how when you are traveling you want to eat at places that are in that area, but if you have to be out of town for an extended period, you miss Chicago food. That being said, it's nice Portillo's is there if I must have a beef or hot dog.

I recently spent 4 nights in AZ (between flagstaff, phoenix, and Tucson). It wasnt my first visit, probably wont be my last, but its just an odd place for food. There really isn't any regional food, perhaps Mexican?

Anyways my only meal worth talking about was at Little Miss BBQ. Some of the nicest people I have encountered, if they had accents I would have thought I was in the south. A gentleman offered us free water for the wait outside, gave us a tour of their smokers, and offered a free taste of some sausage. Then getting into the door we got some free pastrami.

The Pastrami (Thursday only) was fantastic. Very fatty, flavorful, and good amount of bark. The jalapeno grits were also amazing, and would put them up their with southern grits. The ribs, while good, were a little to salty for my taste, but still solid. The gentleman told me they only had lean brisket left (which I despise), but I still went for it. If it had more fat on it, I think it would have also been superb. The rub was great, generous portions, but well it was just too lean

4301 E University Dr
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(602) 437-1177

stevez wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:As for the Texaz Grill, I've actually never had the Smoked Prime Rib in sandwich form there. It was always a big, hunking entree-sized slab of red meat on a plate that made the portion in your pic look paltry by comparison. I guess that's what the last serving of the day looks like!

=R=

I can believe that! Portions there are incredibly huge. The folks sitting next to me at the bar each ordered a "Lunch Portion" of chicken fried steak. Out came two plates heaped to the brim with food. When they pointed out that they only ordered the lunch portion, the waitress said that this was the lunch portion. The dinner portion is twice as big. The prime rib sandwich was a lunch special. I can only imagine what "The Mulligan" on the supper menu looks like.

I love chicken fried steak with cream gravy and it seems that Texaz Grill does it in the proper Texas tradition. I checked out some online pictures, I am definitely going to eat there.

Ram4 wrote:I love chicken fried steak with cream gravy and it seems that Texaz Grill does it in the proper Texas tradition. I checked out some online pictures, I am definitely going to eat there.

Yes. If it's CFS you're after, don't miss it. Also, for some good New Mexican food in a similar roadhouse atmosphere, check out Dick's Hideaway located directly across the street from Texaz Grill.

Texaz Grill
6003 N 16th St
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 248-7827

Dick's Hideaway
6008 N 16th St
Phoenix, AZ 85014
(602) 241-1881

I was just out in Scottsdale again ... 110 plus in the shade is impressive but so is the discount on rooms at the Fairmont Princess and the spa there is unbeatable. So needing a work break, i spent a long weekend. They've opened a new Richard Sandoval restaurant, Toro which features Latin American food and 110 rums plus a "rum princess" to educate you on the options. I was a bit leery - and had planned to go back to Bourbon Steak as it was so good last year but then figured what the heck.

Toro was wonderful ... and seemingly not yet busy. The dining room in in the clubhouse for the Phoenix Open overlooking the 18th green ... I do not golf but it made for a very pretty view. The service was so friendly yet also polished ... I loved the staff - and the Rum Princess who came over with a generous after dinner sampling of a Trinidadian Chai Rum that I would happily drink nightly. We had a great conversation about rums without any pressure to buy which I appreciated.

The food was superb ... they do sushi for weekend brunch but made me a lovely platter of nigiri and then filled out the meal with one of the loveliest ceviches I have ever had along with delicious grilled corn and more. I flipped over a ricoto salsa ... does anyone know what this is?

Siun wrote:I flipped over a ricoto salsa ... does anyone know what this is?

Rocoto chiles are a stubby-looking Peruvian breed that are quite hot and mighty tasty

Dom is exactly right, but there's more: it is damn tasty, our rocoto, with some unique flavours all of its own. (It has a cousin, the rocotillo, which looks like a scotch bonnet, but is all flavour, no heat).

Geo

Thanks - they were amazing in the salsa which was served at Toro with a special cheese bread that they bring for the table. It was hot but so much more than that, so flavorful ... I wanted more and more!

I'm hoping to go back this winter when I'm in Scottsdale for a business event .. and it makes me look forward to Sandoval's planned Block 37 place here.

We're recently back from a week in Phoenix, where we ate and drank fairly well. The main purpose of our visit was watching Cubs pre-season baseball and my strong advice is to avoid eating anything at any of the cactus league ballparks. We've been to several of them over the past few years and the food never ascends to well below industrial grade. Even the Hot Doug's kiosk at Sloan Park, no longer under Doug's supervision, is wholly worth avoiding.

That said, we made some worthwhile stops . . .

Pane Bianco - great sandwiches, salads and soup. Super chill environment
Pizzeria Bianco - still among my favorite pizzas anywhere. The Rosa reins supreme
Tratto - Chris Bianco's relatively new, ~30-seat Trattoria, where he works the line. 10-item menu, etc.
Crudo - still going strong, with a great cocktail program by Micah Olson
Okra - Crudo's younger, southern-themed sibling, with another outstanding Micah Olson beverage program
Andreoli Italian Grocer - old-school deli and grocery with a killer sandwich counter and terrific daily specials
Tacos Chiwas - crispy tripas, Taco Chiwas, carne asada and salsa bar all worth a dedicated trip
Counter Intuitive - outstanding cocktails powered by a superior back bar
In & Out Burger - completely respectable west-coast-chain burgers -- and a great stop on the way to the ballpark of your choice

=R=

Pane Bianco
4404 N Central Ave # A
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 234-2100

Pizzeria Bianco (food here every bit as good or better than original location)
Town and Country Shopping Center
4743 N 20th St
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone: (602) 368-3273

Tratto (next door to Pizzeria Bianco)
Town and Country Shopping Center
4743 N 20th St
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 296-7761

Crudo
3603 E Indian School Rd (back side of mall)
Phoenix, AZ 85018
(602) 358-8666

Okra
5813 N 7th St (back side of mall)
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Phone: (602) 296-4147

Andreoli Italian Grocer
8880 E Vía Linda
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(480) 614-1980

Tacos Chiwas
1923 E McDowell Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 358-8830

Counter Intuitive
7133 E Stetson Dr #4
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

In & Out Burger
Camelback Colonnade (and several other Phx-area locations)
4840 N 20th St
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(800) 786-1000

I was in AZ last April and I did get over to the Texaz Grill. I was pleasantly surprised by their sign that had a count of how many chicken fried steaks had been ordered since they opened (it was hundreds of thousands). It was great (HUGE portion) and did not disappoint. Cool over the top Texas decor inside. I have to say I didn't like Pizzeria Bianco. I am not an adventurous eater like many of you, but the sausage pizza I had was meh and for what it cost - double meh. But I know it's very popular so don't take my word for it. Had my In-N-Out and Del Taco guilty pleasure fixes too.

Ram4 wrote:I have to say I didn't like Pizzeria Bianco. I am not an adventurous eater like many of you, but the sausage pizza I had was meh and for what it cost - double meh.

I tend to avoid the meat there because it doesn't come in combinations I really like. My favorite Bianco pizza is, by far, the Rosa (Red Onion, Parmigiano Reggiano, Rosemary, AZ Pistachios) but I also enjoy the Marinara (Tomato Sauce, Oragano, Garlic, no cheese). Their dough is something special; with a tremendous depth of flavor throughout the chew.

=R=

There's a Del Taco near my sister's in Mesa that I am unable to avoid turning into every visit I have with her. For what it is, it's excellent. Really.

Geo

ronnie_suburban wrote:

Ram4 wrote:I have to say I didn't like Pizzeria Bianco. I am not an adventurous eater like many of you, but the sausage pizza I had was meh and for what it cost - double meh.

I tend to avoid the meat there because it doesn't come in combinations I really like. My favorite Bianco pizza is, by far, the Rosa (Red Onion, Parmigiano Reggiano, Rosemary, AZ Pistachios) but I also enjoy the Marinara (Tomato Sauce, Oragano, Garlic, no cheese). Their dough is something special; with a tremendous depth of flavor throughout the chew.

=R=

I guess if I go back I'll do something without meat (didn't like their sliced sausage on pizza).

Geo wrote:There's a Del Taco near my sister's in Mesa that I am unable to avoid turning into every visit I have with her. For what it is, it's excellent. Really.

I agree - I really like Del Taco for what it is. I heard Levy Restaurants were buying them (a couple of years ago) and were planning on expanding to Chicago.

Bump!
Any updated info appreciated
Will be in Phoenix this Thurs-Mon
Thanks
E

I am currently on my way back to Tucson from Cincinnati so I do not have all of the necessary links as I post from my phone.

Dom posted a list of restaurants located near the spring training sites from several years back. His list is excellent and MOST of the restaurants are still in business.

Dom also wrote an article for the Arizona Republic listing his Top 100 of Phoenix restaurants. I have been to about 20 of them and his recommendations are excellent.

I'm here in Phoenix until Thursday for my annual trip visiting the in-laws. Been coming for many years, but need to refresh some recommendations. I'm not looking for fine dining, mostly GNR type places. My usual favorites here include Old Town Sarajevo (which has the best chevapi and lepenje I've had anywhere outside of the former Yugoslavia -- Seriously, if anyone looks into this thread, give them a shot -- they're in Phoenix near Glendale. I will leave info below.) Last year I discovered a charming Cambodian-Arab joint in Chandler called Thaily's. Pizzeria Bianco used to be a must-stop for us, but now we'll hit it if we're in the area. It just hasn't quite been the same since Chris Bianco stopped working there and they expanded their hours and added a location. (It's still good though, and I think worth a stop for the Pizza Rosa.) Rita's Burritos is also a must-stop for us for their minimalist non-as-big-as-your-head style burritos (I normally do not like the usual type of burrito you find in Chicago or Mission-style burritos.) Somehow, in nearly 15 years of coming here, we haven't had anything fry bread related, so a suggestion for that would be useful. Or if there's good New Mexican cuisine places. We've tried a number over the years, and they've all been serviceable, but nothing that really stuck out. Stanley's Homemade Sausage on Bell, though not a restaurant, is also a must-stop for me for their Hungarian sausage, which is easily the best I've had outside of Hungary, and I've tried a bunch in Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee, wherever I see Hungarian sausage being sold.

Anybody got any suggestions?

Old Town Sarajevo
411 W Northern Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85051
(^probably my favorite place in Phoenix. Their lepinje bread is just something else and brings me back to my time in Croatia near the Bosnian border.)

Thaily's
444 E Chandler Blvd ste 1
Chandler, AZ 85225

Rita's Burritos
4040 S Arizona Ave #17
Chandler, AZ 85248

First, I would drive down Dobson Rd. in Mesa. Between Broadway and Main on Dobson is Mekong Plaza which has approximately 15 restaurants ranging from sit-down to carry out.

https://mekongplaza.com/

In the mall, there are three restaurants that stand out:

Hue Gourmet - Central Vietnamese cuisine
Cơm Tấm Thuận Kiều - Southern Vietnamese cuisine
Thai Spice - solid Thai food

Adjacent to the H-Mart is a Korean hot dog chain that you really have to experience. I had to visit the store four times before it had less than a 30 minute wait.

https://www.twohandsus.com/

A restaurant that I have really enjoyed was Shaanxi Garden, which is great as long as you enjoy spicy Chinese food. Two dishes that I have really liked is the Four Bowls of Happiness and Lamb Noodles.

https://shaanxibiangbiang.com/

I hope that helps.

I cannot help you with your other requests. However, you really need to get to a reservation for the fry bread experience. We generally buy ours at the Mission of San Xavier del Bac south of Tucson or at the rodeo in Sells, AZ in January. I think that there is a Fry Bread House and Maria's in Phoenix but I have never tried them.

I live about 130 miles south of Scottsdale but we make is up there about 6-8 times per year for shopping and other business. We spend most of our time in Mesa stocking up our pantry.

Thanks. I’ve been to Mekong Plaza once, I think in 2019, but had no idea where to eat so I think all we ended up doing is getting rolled ice cream with the kids and perusing the grocery stores. (Oh, wait—I got a sardine banh mi at some place there.) All those places sound right up my alley, especially that Korean hot dog. Will definitely check it out. Looks like there’s a Two Hands location here in Chandler (well, I’m next door in Sun Lakes), so today’s lunch may be figured out. And you answered my questions perfectly -- there's nothing else I'm seeking in particular.

I still rave about the two meals I had at FnB.

http://www.fnbrestaurant.com/
7125 E. 5th Ave. Suite 31
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-284-4777

Oh, the sample winter menu I see on the website looks very much like something we'd like. I may have to get away from the kids and take my wife there for a nicer "date-night" meal, as it's been many years (like eight plus years) since we've have a nice night out alone. (We usually end up at a Grimaldi's or bar eating chicken wings when we tear ourselves away from the kids.)

Unfortunately, never made it out to FnB. So our streak of lack of date nights continues (though we're going to a Blackhawks game tomorrow and leaving the kids at my folks. Yay!) Will have to save it for next visit.

The whole clan did enjoy Two Hands. No line whatsoever in Chandler, though after we arrived a dozen people showed up out of nowhere. The potato dog was quite good. As were the classic Korean dog and the spicy dog. There's a number of these types of places here in the Chicago area, too, but I haven't tried them yet, so can't compare. But it hit exactly the right spot for what I was looking for a lunch that day. I'm a little upset we had no chance to get up to Old Town Sarajevo this time, but the kids were having so much fun with their activities, so no biggie. We'll save it for next time.

The lines were at the Mesa location. Every time I went there, there were at least 10 people outside waiting to get in. On my last trip to H-mart, I nticed no line and decided that I had to try it out ... even though I had just finished dinner. It was great.

I looked at my travel notes and found out that I had been at thheir H-mart location in San Diego a few Christmas Day ago.

Any current recommendations on this forum? Also spending a full day in Tucson and a lunch in Tombstone(?). TIA

Twodales wrote:Any current recommendations on this forum? Also spending a full day in Tucson and a lunch in Tombstone(?). TIA

My recommendations above are two weeks old. Seriously.

As for Tucson, what are you looking for? Give me some idea and I can give you some recommendations.

I would love some Tucson Southwest cuisine recs.

I have to confess upfront that I find most of the Tucson food scene to be rather disappointing. Annually, I spend more money eating out in Phoenix and Las Vegas than I do in Tucson. A lot of it is due to the response that I generally get from my wife when we eat out locally - YOU could have done better than THIS at home. That is a kick in the pants when you have dropped $60.

Here are several recommendations:

1) Mariscos Chihuahua - it is a pretty typical Mexican seafood restaurant. The most noteworthy is is the shrimp culichi. It is shrimp baked in a green poblano sauce covered with melted cheese. It does not sound like much but when served with garlic bread, It is a really good dish.

There are several locations but I have not found there to be much difference between them.

2) Casa Valencia is another reliable Mexican seafood restaurant. You are best to stick to the seafood dishes here.

Casa Valencia Seafood Bar and Grill
1825 W Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85746-6555
(520) 294-0208

3) Tucson Tamales and Perfectos are both known for making their homemade tamales. I have had them both and they are better than most you will try.

Tucson Tamale
7286 N Oracle Rd
Tucson, AZ 85704
520.403.1888
(their main store is closed due to Broadway Street destruction, I mean construction)

Perfectos
5404 S 12th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706, USA
Phone:
(520) 989-5651

4) If you make it to S. 12th Ave, you might as well try the two Sonoran hot dog stands - BK's and El Güero Canelo. Everybody loves these places BUT I think that they are very overpriced and living off of the hype.

BK Tacos
5118 S 12th Ave
Tucson, AZ · (520) 295-0105

El Güero Canelo.
5201 S. 12th Ave.

5) If you are in Tucson, I would recommend a stop at the San Xavier del Bac Mission on the Tohono O'odham reservation. Generally, on most days, you will see tribal members selling their own version of fry bread and fry bread tacos. They are pretty good. There are several fry bread restaurants in the South Tucson area but I have not made it to them yet.

All of our visitors request yet another trip to Rudy's BBQ in Chandler as they all like Texas BBQ.

We just got back from several days in and near Phoenix, and a couple in Prescott.
My first surprise is that there doesn't seem to be a very vibrant Arizona or PHX cuisine, unlike New Mexico and Santa Fe. Sure, there's "Southwest Cuisine" but it mostly seems to consist of steaks and chops.

We did find one outstanding example of Southwest: Valentine, on 7th St in the Melrose district. Melrose was pitched as hip, LGBT-friendly artsy neighborhood... but seemed like it probably hasn't worn the COVID crisis well: there's not a lot of cool shops we saw there (Bizarre Guitar and Drums was a notable exception). But Valentine is the front half of a building with vintage furniture in the back, and both halves sport an atomic-age mid-mod decor.

They are making their own limoncello, which we did not sample, but there are big jars with infusions of buddha's hand citron and makrut lime leaves, in the shelves separating the open kitchen with live wood fire.


We started with a hatch chile-yuzu-lemonade, red wine, and warmed olives with house-made escabeche.


The pretzel below had a fantastic crust (something missing from most fresh-baked one), served with honeycomb and "guinea hen butter" which contains rendered fat whipped into butter. Mmmm schmalz. This was truly awesome.


Roasted dates with pistachios were good, not too exciting.


The best bite of the night was the bison tartare tostada (half seen below; the other half in SueF's mitts) Topped with chicharron, carne seca XO sauce, and escabeche, lots of great textures and flavors.



The Elote Pasta had most of the ingredients of elote over house-made tagliatelle. There were bits of crispy corn in there, giving it lots of great textures.



The only "miss" of the evening was pastor mushrooms in mole. Too many competing flavors, I thought, but still pretty nice. A little simpler would have been better.


They comped us a pair of their pork ribs -- one of the dishes the server had recommended, but we hadn't chosen, so this was a nice surprise. Not smoked, very tender, perfectly rendered. Sauce wasn't anything special -- we enjoyed, but I don't know that a whole rack of these would have been worth it. More pistachios for texture, and an apple salad.

I'd put this as a not-miss restaurant for Phoenix, and it's going to be one of my top meals of the year.

Valentine
4130 N 7th Ave - Phoenix, AZ 85013
https://www.valentinephx.com/
(602) 612-2961

The next couple days were out in Anthem for my Aunt's 80th b-day, so we didn't dine out except for lunch of tacos at Tacos Chilangos in Avondale on the way back from an art fair. SueF had al pastor, I had queso tacos with birria (no consomme provided for dipping, sadly) -- both very good. Nice salsa bar, more diverse menu than most of the places out there which seem to be stuck in 1970s Tex-Mex.

Tacos Chilangos
1573 N Dysart Rd B2, Avondale, AZ 85392
https://tacoschilango.com/avondale-taco ... -food-menu

As part of the birthday weekend, we had Lou Malnati's pizza. As usual, it does not travel well, the crust suffered the distance from where it was picked up, but they're hitting the flavors (especially the sausage).