December 31, 2024 - Waldo's BBQ - Mesa, Arizona

The pinochle group that I sub for…asked me if I wanted to go out to eat with them on New Years Eve.  Yes!  I was with Irma, Ethel, Donna, Conne and Jim.

Water was served in big mason jars.

I started with a Blackberry Moon Shine drink.  I didn’t taste any alcohol in it…but it wasn’t bad.  I ordered the Riblets (which everyone else did but Ethel who ordered the Shrimp basket.) my sides were coleslaw- which was house made and very tasty – and the Fried Corn Cob.  I had never seen that on a menu before now.  I really liked it but it wasn’t hot…not even warm….it could have been a show stopper but wasn’t.  I also paid an extra $1 for a piece of the green chile corn bread.  I did not care for it because it didn’t have the consistency of corn bread…and I never tasted a chile even though I could see pieces of it in the bread.  It also was never served hot or even warm.  

They gave me 3 or 4 huge pieces of BBQ meat…it was cooked well and tender…I ordered my sauce on the side and they brought two skillets to our table with sauce…and I did like dipping my meat into sauce because I really don’t like BBQ sauce slathered on my meat.

Our waiter was very nice, accommodating and efficient!  They wouldn’t let Ethel substitute anything for her fries…and her fries looked loaded with grease…and probably warm…not hot and crispy.

I enjoyed my meal because of the people there with me…but I wouldn’t ever chose to just go there for a great meal simply because this restaurant needs to put out the meals hotter…not faster.

After we went to Ethel’s house and played pinochle with five people.  The dealer sat out and the other four played together.  I liked it.  It was fun.  Just before it was midnight in New York at Tines Square, Ethel dug out the asti and we each had a glass as we toasted to the new year…none of us could have stayed up until midnight.

November 30, 2024 - Chile Pepper - Yuma, Arizona

Sylvia and I ate here on our 2-day trek to Yuma. I ordered the Fiesta Platter -  carne asada plate with refried beans and rice…and it came with onions, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, and three small flour tortillas.  It was very good.

Chile Pepper    
1030 W. 24th Street                                 
Yuma, Arizona 85364
 (928) 783-4213
 Hours:  Monday – Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m
               Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.    

November 29, 2024 - Space Age Restaurant - Gila Bend, Arizona

 Sylvia and I ate here on our way to Yuma on our 2-day Yuma trek. 

I ordered the two egg breakfast – two eggs over medium, hash browns and rye toast. I couldn’t believe the prices…this was $14.99…and the wasn’t too bad…but 3 pieces of bacon $8.99…I thought was over the top.

It wasn’t that good but we were hungry.  Plus it was the only restaurant that was open that we could find.  We didn’t want fast food.

Ourside of the restaurant

Sign outside

Door Monitor

Booths

One of the inside murals

Another mural in the eating area

Creatures from another world

Friendly creature at the cashier area

Space Age Restaurant

401 E. Pima Street

Gila Bend, Arizona 85337

(928) 683-2761

Hours:  Daily 6:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

November 23, 2024 - Big Earl's Greasy Eats - Cave Creek, Arizona

 I visited with Sylvia after a wonderful visit to the Cave Creek Museum.  And the bonus- we watched the mill stamp operating.  All the volunteers were wonderful and full of information. 

I ordered the Big Earl’s Cheeseburger and (as  the Museum volunteer Darlene for the day told me - I ordered the adult milk shake) Creamcycle Milk Shake which came in this plastic red cup with the Big Earl’s Logo on it and the saying   “Boozy Milkshakes? Yes,  Please!”  Everything was delicious.  I plan to return with friends.  

After our meal, we went into Big Earl’s candy shop where Sylvia bought two big pieces of fudge which was homemade on Mackinaw Island, Michigan.

Big Earl’s Greasy Eats
6135 E. Cave Creek Road
Cave Creek Arizona 85331
(480) 575-7889
Hours:  Sunday – Thursday 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday  7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Reto eatery serving breakfast, burgers, shakes, cocktails in a former gas station with a large patio…and a candy store, too.

Big Earl's Sign

A mural on the building wall

November 3, 2024 - Sizzlin'House - Mesa, Arizona

After the Jonah's hockey  game in Mesa... Joshua, Jody, Jonah and I went to lunch at The Sizzling House – Sizzling and Ramen in the Mesa Asian District…both Jody and Jonah ordered the Miso Ramen (chicken broth, chashu, egg, bean sprout, corn, green onion, woodear mushroom and seaweed and a fish cake.

Miso Ramen

Joshua and I ordered the Sizzling Plates (edamame beans, corn, garlic butter, green onion and fried garlic)..his protein was chicken….Joshua added an egg…mine was Angus beef.  We both ordered it with white rice.  We both ordered the Black Pepper Sauce. Delicious!  

Angus Beef Sizzling Platter

They brought Joshua and I each a  small dish of Miso…and a dish with four of the best tasting…piping hot spring rolls that I have ever eaten and two little dishes of sauce.  I loved them.  I could have ordered another four and been happy as a lark.

When the young man delivered it to the table…he asked if I wanted to mix or have him mix it.  I had him do it so I could take pictures for my blog.  Joshua mixed his own.  

Several shots of my Angus Beef Platter being mixed by our server.

Sizzling House

66 S. Dobson Road #106

Mesa, Arizona, 85202

(480) 572-1010

Hours:  Daily 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

I thought their take out bags were darling - 

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