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

June 2, 2024 - Society - Tempe

 June 3 was my 76th Birthday.  My son and daughter-in-law  invited me to dinner to celebrate with them and my two grandsons.  

It is a funky looking interior but the menu looked delicious and it was difficult to make a decision. I ordered a Bloody Mary….and then couldn’t make up my mind for dinner.  Joshus ordered appetizers.

 Pork Belly – 7-day cured Iberico pork belly – arugula – picked red onion – goat cheese – tare – sour apple gelee  - lemon vinaigrette.  My first time trying this and it was really good…and I liked the bed of salad type of presenting it.

 Whipped Feta Dip – feta-garlic honey drizzle – ciabatta – pita  - divine.  I was in heaven…it was presented beautifully…and it tasted even more wonderful.  My favorite – I am looking for a recipe…stay tuned.

 Arancini – Risotto – Mozzerella – Peas – House Made Pomodora and Calabrian Aioli.

 Judson ordered  Chicken Alfredo – house made tagliatelle pasta – Adobo chicken Alfredo with parsley.

 Jonah ordered Penne alla vodka  – house made penne pasta with tomato and parmesan.  He added a meatball.

 Jody and Joshua shared a Mushroom Pasta – house made tagliatelle pasts with Mushroom Crema – shallot – garlic – mushroom – parmesan.

 I ordered the Pound of Mussels – Portuguese garlic cream sauce – Calabrian Chili – caper butter – ciabatta.  I loved it…the sauce was very spicey… I love just it…It had a very fiery bite to it.  Perfect for me…after all I am of Calabrian descent.

 At the start of the dining experience Jody told the waiter it was my birthday…and he gave me the choice of  a shot…or the Italian doughnut hole dessert…was there a choice?  Of course not…I chose the dessert – four huge hot out of the grease doughnut holes…placed in a small bowl with ice cream in the center...with a strawberry topping.  Yummy!

 The whole dining experience was just wonderful.

Society
Cornerstone
920 E. University Dr #204
Tempe, Arizona 85288
(480) 550-7801
Hours:  Daily 4:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Note - I took a big portion of my mussels home.  I heated them up in a sauce pan one day for lunch. They were delicious along with the Garlic Crisps which was a birthday present from AJ's - Arcadia District.  Delicious!

May 23, 2023 - Portillo's - Scottsdale, Arizona

 In the fall of 2023 I was hungry for a good hot dog...so I started looking.  I then realized that Chicagoland Hot Dogs and More....was just up the street from me...so I tried a  hot dog...Chicago style and loved it.  I am sorry to say that I didn't continue on my search.  I forgot all about my quest.

So you can imagine my interest in an "Arizona Republic" article written by Bill Goodykoontz.  He went on the same quest looking for his 10 favorite hot dogs…but he decided not to rank them…and he has 17…which made me laugh…just call it your 17 favorite hot dogs….

On his list was Portillo's...a local transplant chain from Chicago.  I stopped at Barnes and Noble the other day.  There is a Portillo's in  the shopping area.  

I have been there many times but I have never tried their hot dogs.  Of course they are Chicago dogs.  So I ordered a Jumbo Portillo’s Beef  Hot Dog and it was served on this wonderfully soft…steamy poppy seed bun..  The hot dog was covered with mustard, relish, celery salt, freshly chopped onions, sliced tomatoes, a kosher pickle, and sport peppers. $4.99 (the regular sized is $3.99)    I do agree with Bill…the tomatoes slices are just too big.

I rated it #2 on my  list behind Chicagoland Hot Dogs because of the tomato slices...and the relish was just  tastier in Mesa.  Next time I will try Portillo's Polish Sausage.

Portillo’s Scottsdale
10574 N. 90th Street
Scottsdale AZ 85258
480-451-2888
Hours:  Daily 10:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

A little history -  How It All Began - The “Dog House” was Dick Portillo’s first hot dog stand in 1963. Years later, what is now known as Portillo’s still sells hot dogs, but the menu has grown to include Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads, and  their world famous chocolate cake.

May 2, 2024 - The Chuckbox - Tempe, Arizona

My friend Rhona and I visited this burger joint after I read an article in the "Arizona Republic". 

It looked shabby and grubby on the outside but inside it was just fine…there definitely was a continual crowd.

So they offer The Great Big One – 1/ 2 pound of ground beef
                      The Big One – 1/ 3 pound of ground beef
                      The Little One -  1/ 5 pound of ground beef
                           Under this one was written “For Kids and Little Old Ladies”
So we decided this one was for us…we added ordered of Beer Battered Onion Rings…and I had a Diet Coke.                 

The burgers were just fine…but I don’t know if I would rate them the best ever…but now the Onion Rings were delicious.  It is cash only…

Chuckbox
202 E. University Drive
Tempe, Arizona 85281
(480) 968-4712
Hours:  Monday  - Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Sunday 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

 

 

April 26, 2024 - Salt and Pepper - Prescott, Arizona

 

My traveling buddy, Sylvia and I spent a weekend in Prescott.  We found this wonderful restaurant for breakfast.

I ordered the Lemonberry Ricotta Pancakes – ricotta pancakes, blueberry maple compote, sweet vanilla cram mascarpone whipped cream.  They were delicious and filling. Hot coffee to drink.

 

• 

Sylvia ordered the Salt & Pepper Classic – three eggs over easy, bacon, house potatoes and wheat toast.

 The place was filled with locals…so you know it is good and it is…there menu is most unique.  I must come here every time I visit Prescott just to try some breakfast item I have never tasted.

 

Salt and Pepper
443 Miller Valley Road
Prescott, AZ 86501
(928) 445-0188
Hours:  Wednesday  - Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
             Monday and Tuesday – Closed

April 24, 2024 - Pitch - Scottsdale, Arizona

 After attending a lecture at the Historical Society of Arizona Museum - Tempe on George W. P. Hunt (the first Governor of Arizona) my friend Sylvia and I had lunch at this restaurant and bar.

Sylvia ordered the Meatballs with Focaccia Bread…and said that the marina sauce was delicious because it didn’t have such a heavy tomato taste.  She thought her meatballs were very tasty.  She was disappointed in her bread because she felt it was more like a cornbread...and not like the Italian flat bread or oil bread.

 

I ordered the Grilled Cheese and Fries…(the cheeses were cheddar and white cheddar) and I upgraded my fries for $1 to the truffle fries– parmesan cheese, spices and truffle oil.  My lunch was delicious.  

Pitch Scottsdale – Pizza Restaurant and Liquor Store
The Quad
6350 E. Thomas Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 272-7500
Hours:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Friday – 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

April 19, 2024 - El Charro - Tucson, Arizona

 

I was in Tucson for a bridge tournament.   I drove to Tucson the day before I played.  My plan was to go visit the Arizona Historical Society Museum - Tucson...and then try to get into El Chorro.]

I spent about 3 hours in the museum...thoroughly enjoying my visit.  If you have never been...stop...and take the kids.

I went after 1:00 p.m.  and I had no problem getting into the restaurant.  They started by serving me chips and salsa…their salsa was very good. I ordered House Margarite and  the Charro Birria Verde Chimichanga – tender shredded brisket, mile green chile and seasonings with a cream green sauce (extra)…served with refired beans (I believe Sonora style), rice with green peas and fresh pico salsa.  It was delicious.  It was also a huge serving.  I had to take half of it to the hotel with me.

 I have always wanted to try this restaurant when in Tucson.  I never could get in because the reservations for the evening were always filled.

 History:

 “Monica Flin started El Charro Café in 1922 and it’s still run by her kin, making it the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family.

Legend has it Flin invented the chimichangas after accidentally dropping a burrito into a vat of hot oil.  More El Charros have opened in Tucson but the original is where carne seca,  thin strips of lean spiced beef, are air-dried in cages on the roof.  They taste delicious bursting form a crispy chimichangas.”

El Charro Cafe 
311 N. Court Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 622-1922
 
Other Locations:
7725 N. Oracle
Oro Valley, AZ 85704

(520) 229-1922
 
6910 E. Sunrise
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 514-1922