October 25, 2024 - Moreno's Mexican Grill - Mesa, Arizona

 I don't know why I have never written about this restaurant.  It was new to our 'hood in 2017.  I went there quite often but haven't since COVID.  I noticed that they had a new menu..  On that menu was a Sonoran Dog for $5.79.

After Jonah's hockey game in Scottsdale I drove home.  I was hungry so I though now is the time to try that hot dog.  I had read Bill Goodyboontz's article in the Arizon Republic about his quest  for hot dogs (March 25, 2024 and updated July 1, 2024).  I have been trying to visit his Top 10 which at that time was 17...and that made me laugh...but now is down to 14.

Anyway...It was tasty…came in this soft hot bun covered with chopped onions, tomatoes and bacon bites then a whipped mayo over the top and some swirls of mustard.  It was very good and filling.  They had started me off with chips and the three sauces…bean dip, salsa and tomatillo…and I had a lot left in the basket so what the heck…and I ordered a margarita…blended (frozen) with salted rim…yum…

I might add that I tasted tiny bite of the grill jalapeno...it was hot!

House margarita

    Moreno’s Mexican Grill

6819 E. Main Street
Mesa, AZ 85207
(480) 807-3093
Hours:  Monday – Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
                                  Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m

 I plan to include my list the next time I tell you about my hot do quest in the Valley.

    

October 17, 2024 - Hope's Frybread - Mesa, Arizona

 On my way home from the Mesa Arts Center where I ushered Twelfth Night I thought about looking for Hope's Frybread.  I have wanted to try that for the longest time.  I didn't take me long to find it.

I ordered the Navajo  Taco (the original) with the chili beans, ground beef, lettuce and tomato.  It wasn’t what I expected…too many beans…and too soggy...who can help that…but it tasted good…hardly any meat.  They have a lot of different things so I think I will be trying something different on my next visit.  I did though have the doughy fried bread… just like the Plains Indians in Montana.  I grew up with it there.

 

Hope’s Frybread
144. S. Mesa Drive
Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 465-2666
Hours:  Monday – Friday 10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
             Saturday – Sunday – Closed

October 15, 2024 - Firebird Wood Fired Grill - San Tan Villlage Mall - Gilbert, Arizona

Cindi (aka The Princess) and I went Coach shopping today at the Outlet Mall in Chandler.  Yes...as always we go through every purse and then walk away from each other.  I had decided on the one I liked so I started going through it once again...not too big...had to a closed pursed...can't have the handles and the shoulder strap...and must be the soft leather.  I always thought I was never too picky but when one writes about a subject one soon learns just how picky you are.  Soon The Princess is over where I am and she decides that she also likes my purse.  We have been doing this together for some time.  We always buy the same purse but a different color.

We also hit the Sketchers store where I purchased my very first pair of Slip-Ons in black.  Yes...I have ushered in them three times now but bare footed...they are machine washable.

We decided to try this restaurant for the very first time.

The Princes ordered the Fish Tacos – grilled (cod, I believe) – cabbage – charred corn salsa – spicy sriracha – sour cream.

I ordered the Firebird’s Durango Burger – chile spiced – pepper jack cheese – fired onions – roasted garlic ranch dressing.  Mine was delicious.  The only drawback was that was one of those "too tall" burgers.  I always have to use my knife on it...and take it apart and then eat it bite by bite.  I have to remember to ask from now on ....is it a "tall burger?"

Firebird Wood Fired Grill
1930 E. Williams Field Road
Gilbert, Arizona 85295
(480) 912-8970
Hours:  Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m – 11:00 p.m.

September 25, 2024 - Ranch House - Santa Fe, New Mexico

 

This is where Neal , Rose Marie and I met their youngest daughter Torie who now lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I ordered off the lunch menu. Brisket plate with cornbread…and one side which I chose potato salad.  It was very good.

Ranch House
2577 Cristo’s Road
Santa Fe, New Mexico
(505) 424-8900
Hours:  Daily 11:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

August 26, 2024 - Noble Eatery - Phoenix, Arizona

 

I visited with Kris Ertz on August 26, 2024.  This eatery is part of the Noble Bakery. I bought a loaf of Sunny Flax bread and it is delicious.  The top of the bread is very crusty.  We both ordered the Chopped Salad  - spicy salame, provolone cheese, pepperoncini, tomato, oregano vinaigrette.  The salad was huge and delicious.  I took half of it home and enjoyed it once again for dinner.

I have wanted to go to the restaurant for a long time.  Mission accomplished.

Noble Eatery
4525 N. 24^th Street
Phoenix, Arizona
(602) 688-2434
nobleeatery.com
Hours:  Monday – Friday 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
             Saturday – Sunday – Closed
Homemade sourdough…top-notch meats, cheeses and produce on house-baked flatbread

July 9, 2024 - Knuckle Sandwiches - Mesa, Arizona

 I am renovating my house.  I am in the first phases....painting the entire inside of the house a light gray color.  My grandsons come in behind the painter and re-hang all the pictures and items that were hanging on the the walls.

Today was their first day so I took them out to lunch.

Jonah ordered the Philly Steak-- lots of shaved ribeye steak with grilled onions, green peppers placed on a heated, soft Amoroso roll with provolone cheese and then topped with a cheddar cheese sauce. He really liked the real cheddar cheese sauce over the top of the shaved rib eye steak.

Judson’s was delicious especially their homemade horseradish sauce.  

I ordered the BLT – bacon, lettuce, tomato and Mayo on White bread…we all had the meals...which included a drink and chips.  I chose the Creole Onion chips…and they had a slight sweet taste to them…but I really liked them.  This is was first every eating this flavor of a chip.

.It was a fun lunch.

Knuckle Sandwiches
1140 N. Higley Rd.  #103
Mesa, Arizona 85205
(480) 630-4132
Hours:  Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

History of this restaurant – They are celebrating their 50^th anniversary, marking half a decade of serving mouth-watering meals made with family recipes right in my neighborhood and this is the first time I have ever visited.

June 17, 2024 - The Spot Neighborhood Grill - Scottsdale, Arizona

 

My grandson  wanted to go to this restaurant because he really loved those fried cheese "things" but no mozzarella sticks."  We were off.  This was my first visit  to the eatery in his neighborhood.  

Jonah and I started with Crispy Cheese Curds – hand battered cheese curds, siracha ranch dip.  (These were the cheese "things".)  They were very good…not a heavy curd…it was like air when one bit into them.

We shared a Sedona Chicken Sandwich – grilled chicken breast, sun dried tomato aioli, bibb lettuce, bacon, avocado, cheddar.  The bun was really tasty and beautiful to see. I was full after a few bites of the sandwich so I gave the rest of mine to Jonah and he ate everything.  It was served with Beer Battered Fries…

The Spot Neighborhood Grill
18251 N. Pima Road #120
Scottsdale, Arizona 85256
(480) 687-0410
Hours:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Sunday – 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Happy Hours – Monday – Friday 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Good Happy Hour Menu