Saturday, February 21, 2015

February 21, 2015 - Chompie's - Tempe, Arizona

The Hayes Family and I met the Thompsons for breakfast after Judson's hockey game at Chompie's in Tempe.  This was my first visit to this New York Jewish Deli in Tempe.  We ususally have breakfast at the Chompie's on Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale.

I ordered the 2-stack Banana Nut Pancakes.  Carol ordered the 2-stack Blueberry Pancakes.  Mike ordered the Corned Beef Hash.  Joshua ordered the Breakfast Sliders.  Judson and Jonah shared the Breakfast of Champions (2 eggs, 2 pancakes and 2 pieces of bacon).  I can’t remember what Jody ordered.

I was hoping that I would be served pancakes from a Banana Nut Bread type of dough.  Nope.  It was regular buttermilk pancakes with chopped nuts and sliced bananas on top.  I was disappointed.  Especially since I could have ordered Latkes - Potato Pancakes - one of my favorite items at Chompie's.

My Banana Nut Pancakes


Mike's Corned Beef Hash


Chompie’s
1160 East University Drive
Tempe, Arizona 85281
(480) 557-0700
Hours:  Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Saturday and Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Friday, February 20, 2015

February 20, 2015 - Zinc Bistro - Scottsdale, Arizona

This is one of my favorite all-time restaurants.  It is located in the Kierland Commons in Scottsdale, Arizona.

I visited today with Mike and Carol Thompson.  Carol ordered the French Onion Soup.  Mike and I ordered the Zinc Burger Bacon Blue Cheese.  It was served open faced…and I ate it that way.  The meat tasted good.  The Blue Cheese sauce was tangy…delicious.  It topped the burger.  Fresh bacon bits topped the sauce.  The hamburger bun was toasted so that was an A+ with me.  It was served on a bed of lettuce and tomato.



Zinc Bistro
15034 North Scottsdale Road, Suite #140
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254

(480) 480-603-0922

Friday, February 13, 2015

February 13, 2015 - Midwestern Meats Restaurant - Mesa, Arizona

I visited  with Judy Heath on our way to Mesa Spirit  to play our first game of bridge together.  Both of us ordered the Special…Pot Roast.  It came already shredded and tasted delicious.  It was served with great mashed potatoes and brown gravy…along with a vegetable mixture (that was pretty bland) and a homemade bun from the bakery.  I loved the lunch.  Then you could have a piece of pie for $.99…so I ordered cherry and had it ala mode…pie total $1.98…what a bargain.  I liked the cherry pie but it wasn’t as good as the one at the Iowa Café…because the crust was better at the Iowa Café…but I am not complaining…the cherry filling was sweet.  This was comfort food…my kind of comfort food.


This restaurant is part of the butcher shop and bakery complex.  The meat is Iowa raised so it’s corn fed beef…good prices. The bakery had lots of good treats.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

February 10, 2015 - Andreoli Italian Grocer - Scottsdale, Arizona

I visited with Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes.  Jody ordered the Cosa Nostra – roast beef sandwich with hot giardiniera.  Jody gave me a bite…and I think I will try it on my next visit.  Judson ordered the Penne with veal meat sauce.  I ordered the Rigatoni in a creamy veal meat sauce with peas.  I actually liked my sauce better than Judson’s.  Jonah ate the Penne with butter and grated Parmesan.  I liked his the best.  I am definitely going to ask for that dish next time.  We spent time dipping our great bread in the butter sauce in the bottom of Jonah’s dish…just fabulous.

The bread is wonderful…hard crusty outside…just like in Italy.  It was served with dipping oil.  It is made right on site with a limited quantity available for purchase.  They also make their own prosciutto.

It was recently one of the featured restaurants on Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives.


Saturday, February 7, 2015

February 7, 2015 - Over Easy Cafe - Scottsdale, Arizona


Revision:  August 25, 2018  - this restaurant is no longer at this site.  The other site twhere I have eaten is located at 6451 E. Southern Avenue - Mesa, Arizona 85206   (480) 832-3447.

I visited  with Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes.  It is located in the Ice Den in Scottsdale.

Judson ordered the Waffle Dogs – 3-two ounce sausages on sticks dipped in waffle batter.  Named Best Food by Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.



Jody ordered the special  - Huevos Rancheros. 



I ordered the Cheddar-Jalapeno Biscuits and Sausage Gravy.  Jonah ordered two pieces of bacon.




This café has some neat breakfast items on the menu.  All these years I have been coming to the Ice Den to watch hockey…and never tried this café…didn’t even know it was an Over Easy Café.

Over Easy Cafe
9375 E. Bell Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 270-3447

Hours: Monday – Friday 6:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Saturday – Sunday 6:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.



I visited on June 9, 2015 with Sandy Wilts.  We were there for the Thesman Communities Singles Group.  I tried the Carmelized Banana and Pecan Brioche French Toast…thank God I ordered a 1/ 2 order..because it was very sweet.  I just don’t like the taste of the food at this Over Easy as I do the one in Scottsdale.



Carmelized Banana and Pecan Brioche French Toast


Over Easy Cafe
6451 E. Southern Avenue
Mesa, Arizona



Thursday, February 5, 2015

January 12, 2015 Oak Creek Cafe - Blanco, Texas

I finally found the pictures from ourstop at this little cafe during my visit with Bonnie and Darryl Patrick.  We were passing through Blanco on our way to see the LBJ Ranch and the Texas White House.

This was the first time that I have ever eaten Chicken Fried Steak in Texas.  I love Chicken Fried Steak.  It was just the way I like it…crisp cutlet…great tasting meat…white gravy and good mashed potatoes.  It came complete with a great homemade dinner roll...and very tasty cole slaw.

I only like mine with white gravy...not too choosy, huh?


Oak Creek Café
419 3rd Street
Blanco, Texas 78606
(830) 833-3063
Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.