December 17, 2016 - SanTan Brewery Company - Chandler, Arizona

I visited on December 17, 2016 with Jeanne Stecher....after we were at Chandler Park...peeking at the Tumbleweed Christmas Tree. 

First of all when they ask for your phone number…give them your cell phone number not your home phone number.  It took us a few minutes before Jeanne realized that when your reservations were ready, they texted your phone.  These kids nowadays just assume that everyone has a cell phone…the hostess never even explained it to us.  Leave it up to the Patrick girls though…we will figure it out…we never miss a meal.

We choose this restaurant because Trip Adviser on Jeanne’s phone said it was #2 out of 658 restaurants in the area.  Who could go wrong…we didn’t.   But I did wonder what all those other restaurants were like because Chandler is supposed to have a huge number of good restaurants.  I bet Trip Adviser bases everything on how many responses, comments, etc they receive.  I think it is still best to go with us eaters and writers. 

It was close to where we were.  It was lunch.  It worked.

Jeanne ordered the Blue Bayou Burger – Cajon seasonings, blue cheese sauce, smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion on a split top bun.  You had a choice of fries, salad, potato salad, etc.  Both of us chose the house salad with blue cheese dressing.  Jeanne doesn’t do a lot of spicy things.  They were more than willing to cook it for her without a heavy dose of Cajon seasonings.

 Blue Cheese Burger and Salad

She choose a Diet Coke to drink…plus she was the driver.

I ordered the Mac+ Cheese Burger – you know – I just had to try it.  It was a mac and cheese cake with beer cheese sauce served on a pretzel bun.  I paired that with a glass of the American Amber. Perfect.

Mac+ Cheese Burger

I would probably not ever order that again…and not because it wasn’t tasty…but it was messy to eat.  I finally did take my fork and just eat most of the mac and cheese cake…the I ate the burger.  It was, however, a fun adventure.  Who cares that I used 20 napkins.  I didn’t get one drop on my clothing.  I thought that was a big success.

See that mac and cheese cake...I had to eat some with my fork..couldn't get a bite of the whole thing in my mouth.

The salads were fresh…the dressing was delicious…it was served with cucumbers, red onions.  I just couldn’t complain.  I would return…but next time I want to try the Fish and Chips.  I watched those come out of the kitchen.  They looked wonderful.

SanTan Brewing Company

85 San Marcos Place

Chandler, Arizona 85225

(480) 710-6603

(480) 917-8700

www.santanbrewing.com

Hours:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

             Friday and Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

             Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

December 9, 2016 - Sweet Cakes Cafe and Bakery - Mesa, Arizona

I visited on December 9, 2016 with Irma Heasley.   We were returning home on the light rail from visiting the Rosson House in Heritage Square.  Irma and I shared a Pecan Chicken Salad on a croissant…they gave each of us a cookie…and I also bought a peanut butter cookies…huge cookies…very good.

This small bakery is just perfect little lunch spot.  It is very casual…but what is important is the food…and what we ordered was large and tasted good.

I love peanut butter cookies…and I really liked the one that I ordered.  It was quite large.  It was crisp but not crisp because it was thin.

Sweet Cakes Café and Bakery

21 W. Main Street

Mesa, Arizona 85201

Hours:  Tuesday – Friday  9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

              Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

              Sunday – Monday - Closed

December 7, 2016 - Chelsea's Kitchen - Phoenix, Arizona

I met  my friend Kellie Jo Welk for dinner.  We decided just to order the soup of the day – Pozole with Tortilla Chips – it was a thin red, spicy broth with the pozole and chips. Fresh cheese was scattered over the top.  It had a bit of a kick but was delicious.  I was busy visiting…but I think there was a touch of kale in the soup. This restaurant seems to use a lot of kale.  I thought it was the perfect soup.      

Both Kelli and I decided to order the Corn Bread with Green Chile starter and the Chicken Nachitos starter.  The chips were very good as was the homemade guacamole.  The salsa was served on the side. Sour cream and slice jalapenos also were served on the platter.  The pieces of chicken were large.  I thought the plate was delicious when served hot.  So we must have really been visiting because I didn’t think it tasted that good once it was cold.  I don’t know if I would order this particular starter again on another visit.

The Homemade Corn Bread with Green Chile was served hot in a square shaped pan.  The top of the bread was really crusted and all the spilling over and dripping down batter was baked onto the side of pan…just yummy!  I thought there was too much green chile in the bread as did Kelli.  I decided to take the leftover home and try it in the morning which I did.  It was delicious…still very moist and the green chiles were not a dominant taste in the cold bread.  I would try this again.

The service was very nice.  I arrived early and was able to be seated at the table by the fireplace.  This was perfect because I have been freezing lately in the evenings.  It is a small restaurant but very put together.  I liked the way we really couldn’t hear any of the people sitting around us.

As one leaves, feel free to grab a chocolate chip cookie with sea salt on the way outside…grab a bunch if you feel like it.  I just took one…and Kelli tasted a piece of my cookie.  Nice touch!

I also would like to return for another visit and try the Short Rib Tacos.  I would also like to try one of the hamburgers on the menu.  I will be back.

Chelsea’s Kitchen

5040 N. 40^th Street

Phoenix, Arizona

(602) 957-2555

Hours:  Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

             Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

             Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.