Sunday, June 30, 2019

June 7, 2019 - Las Posta de Mesilla - Mesilla, New Mexico


I visited on July 7, 2019  with Cindi Walcott.  I ordered the Combination Plate #2 - Rolled red enchilada, red chile con carne, two rolled tacos, frijoles, rice and Mexican slaw.  Plus I needed a drink and I ordered the La Posta Rita – their classic house margarita served salted in a grande mug – frozen – tequila, limes and Good Times!





Combination Plate #2


Cindi ordered the Shrimp and Chicken Fajita -  marinated shrimp and chicken on a sizzling skillet of grilled onions, red and green bell peppers and tender green chile strips.  Served with fresh guacamole, rice, refitos and side of sour cream, pico de gallo, Cheddar cheese and three flour tortillas.   I rated the food good but what moved the meter was the presentation of Cindi’s entrée…plus I loved the history of the site.




Shrimp and Chicken Fajita

Las Post de Messila
2410 Calle De San Albino
Mesilla, New Mexico 88046
(575) 524-3524
Hours:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Friday 11:00 a.m. -9:30 p.m.
             Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
             Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.


The History is taken from their website.  They know it best:

“Earliest records indicate the La Posta Compound was originally constructed in the 1840's. Sam Bean and his brother Roy Bean, operated a freight and passenger service line to Pinos Altos from this building in the 1850's.

After the Civil War, The La Posta Compound became an important stop on the Butterfield Stagecoach Line. During the 1870's and 1880's, the Corn Exchange Hotel, one of the finest lodges in the Southwest, operated from the building. John Davis, the proprietor of the hotel, died in the late 1870's, however, his wife Augustina continued to operate the hotel, a restaurant and other businesses in the building until the early 1900's.

La Posta de Mesilla Restaurant originated in the northwest corner of the building in 1939 by Katy Griggs Camunez. The business has grown to become one of the most famous restaurants in the Southwest, occupying over 17,000 square feet of the “Compound” which now includes several shops, more private dining options, two Cantinas and a beautiful courtyard with outdoor seating year round.

After Katy passed away, the property and business was acquired by her great niece, Jerean Camunez Hutchinson, and her husband Tom, a.k.a. "Hutch", who continue to offer the same quality Mexican food and great service in the unique dining environment Katy created. The
restaurant offers many fine traditional "New Mexico" Mexican dishes make from century-old recipes handed down over the years from the Fountain, Chavez and Griggs families.


One of our most famous dishes, the "Tostada Compuesta", originated at La Posta in 1939. This dish consists of a toasted corn tortilla cup filled with frijoles, red chile con carne or green chile chicken, topped with chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes (or substitute the garnish with our famous La Posta Mexican Slaw) and grated cheddar cheese. If you prefer green chile, the "Locals" favorite is the sour cream enchilada. This dish consists of corn tortillas smothered with green chile sauce (hot or mild), topped with grated cheddar cheese or Monterrey Jack cheese and sour cream, and includes refritos, rice and our very tasty Mexican slaw.

Other La Posta favorites include our La Posta Fajitas (beef, chicken, and/or shrimp), carne adovado, compuesta/fajita salads, red and green enchiladas, folded and rolled tacos, beef or chicken flautas, our tasty chile rellenos, as well as a wonderful selection of desserts including our very delicious homemade flan, empanadas, and fried ice cream. Perhaps one of our best kept secrets is our tasty, succulent steaks and green chile cheeseburger!!!…and of course, a visit to La Posta is not complete without tasting one of our award winning margaritas or sampling tequila from one of the Southwest’s largest tequila collections!”

Saturday, June 22, 2019

June 7, 2019 - Sparky's - Hatch, New Mexico

I visited this unique restaurat in Hatch during my trip to the southwestern section of New Mexico with Cindi Walcott. 

I was so full (from breakfast)  I ordered a Green Chile (fresh Hatch chiles) Chocolate milkshake.  I thought it was really delicious in comparison to the image I had in my mind. In fact the cold and the chocolate really did tamp down the hot…hot of the chiles.

Cindi ordered a pulled pork sandwich with fries and a root beer float.

The pulled pork was like big hunks of ham…very tasty.  I really liked this sandwich. The shake had big hunks of chiles in it.  The fries had a chile salt on them…I ate some but they were just too hot!

If you don’t go for the food…go to have a look at Teako’s Giants…he has a huge collection of giant statues.  But have something to eat.  You can’t go to Hatch without eating something with the famous Hatch Chiles in the item you order.


Sparky’s
115 Franklin Street
Hatch, New Mexico 87937
(575) 267-4222
Hours:  Thursday – Sunday 10:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
             Monday – Wednesday – Closed
             Closed – New Year’s Day
                            3:00 p.m.  Super Bowl Sunday
                           Easter Sunday
                           Thanksgiving
                           Black Friday
                           Christmas Day
Owners:  Josie and Teako Nunn

Thursday, June 20, 2019

June 6, 2019 - McAlister’s Deli - Las Crusces, New Mexico


I visited on June 6, 2019 with Cindi Walcott.  It was late.  We had just arrived in Las Cruces…had checked into our motel.  All we wanted to do was eat something.  This restaurant was recommended to us by the clerk at the motel.  It was close by. 

I ordered the 1/ 2 Four Cheese Grilled Sandwich and 1/ 2 cup of Tomato Bisque.  It was nothing special but it hit the spot.  I was happy with my meal.



McAlister’s Deli
2800 Mall Drive
Las Cruces, New Mexico
(575) 522-3287
Hours:  Sunday – Thursday 10:30 a.m.  9:00p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 10:0 p.m.

Sunday, June 16, 2019

June 6, 2019 - Horseshoe Cafe and Bakery - Benson, Arizona


I visited  with Cindi Walcott.  We were headed to the Southwest corner of New Mexico for the weekend. I ordered the Patty Melt…it was perfect…grilled onions, Swiss Cheese on Marbled Rye bread.  The bread was fabulous…very thick patty and it was cooked well…no pink!  Just the way I like it.

Cindi ordered the Mushroom Burger…it was huge but looked very good almost too high to have a good bite.   Both were served with fries.



Horseshoe Café and Bakery
154 E. 4th Street
Benson, Arizona 85602
(520) 586-2872
Hours:  Monday – Saturday 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
             Sunday 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 15, 2019

June 3, 2019 - High Tide - Gilbert, Arizona


I visited with Jeanne and Willie Stecher .  We were celebrating my 71st Birthday. We arrived during Happy House …so started with drinks…I had a Bloody Mary…Moscow Mule for Jeanne…and Willie had a beer. Jeanne ordered the Calamari for a starter…it was fabulous…like butter… it was battered calamari served with two types of sauces…Old Bay Lemon Aioli and Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce. I loved this starter.



Calamari

I ordered the Fish ‘n Chips – Battered Alaskan Cod…served with Mixed Fries, Peach Cashew Salad and Remoulade.  (Remoulade is a seafood dressing made from hard boiled egg yolks, oil and vinegar  - flavored with mustard, capers and herbs.



Fish 'N Chips

Willie ordered the Louisiana Gumbo-rich Creole Stew of Andouille, Sausage, Chicken, Okra, Crab Meat, Shrimp and Crawfish..served with a scoop of rice…he ordered Dirty Rice.  (Willie is allergic to shellfish and they were able to accommodate him.)


Louisiana Gumbo


Jeanne ordered a Crab Cake off the Crabby Hour Menu...and a bowl of Lobster Bisque.The Crab Cake was served with Lemon Aioli, Fried Avocado and Micro Greens.


Crab Cake




Lobster Bisque

Because it was my birthday they gave me pistachio gelato..which was creamy and soft…delicious.


High Tide

2540 S. Val Vista Drive
Suite 101
Gilbert, Arizona 85295
(480) 821-9950
Hours:  Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Happy Hour:  Monday – Saturday  - 3;00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

May 30, 2019 - Ristorante Giuseppe - Scottsdale, Arizona

Joshua, Jody, Judson and Jonah Hayes took me to dinner in celebration of my upcoming 71st birthday.  Ristorante Giuseppe is a small restaurant in Scottsdale.  It is always packed.  It oozes my Italian heritage.


For starters…once again we chose Bruschetta (lots of chopped tomatoes dripping in olive oil…just like Grandma used to make…served on thinly sliced hard roll bread and large grated pieces of parmesan cheese).  It was delicious.  I could have just made that my meal.



Bruschetta

I chose the Pasta Alex as did Judson.  It was wonderful but a little too spicy this time for me….I like spicy…but this was mouth burning spicy.  Jonah ordered the Spaghetti with the Famous Meatball…Jody ordered the Eggplant Parmesan…and Joshua ordered the Special…the Italian Ribs…just like Grandma Filicetti’s.



Pasta Alex

Dessert:  I chose spumoni but it was more of a Neapolitan…and I was disappointed.  I like more of the type that has a fruity and nutty taste taste to it.




Ristorante Giuseppe
13610 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 9
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
(480) 991—4792
www.giuseppescottsdale.com
Hours:
Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Cash only accepted – no credit cards
Bring your own wine - they will uncork and set up without a charge

Thursday, June 6, 2019

May 23, 2019 - College Bar and Grill - Tempe, Arizona


I ordered the Jalapeno Agave Burger – half pound ground chuck hand pattied and cooked your way…topped with fresh sliced jalapenos that were sauteed in agave syrup, Jalapeno aioli, Applewood smoked bacon, and sharp white cheddar cheese.  The burger wasn’t the greatest…pretty much it was very dry…but the whole burger was delicious.  It came with fries…they were just delicious.




Julie ordered Fried Dill Pickles...which were really very good.




College Bar and Grill
502 S.  College Avenue, Suite 103
Tempe, Arizona 85281
(480) 699-6363

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

May 11, 2019 Aloha Kitchen - Mesa, Arizona


I visited with Mike and Carol Thompson.  All of us order the Bulgogi Plate – thinly sliced top sirloin in Korean barbecue sauce, charboiled and served on a bed of cabbage.  Served with rice and my choice macaroni-potato salad.  It was delicious.  I love the taste of Korean barbecue sauce.  I am not a fan of macaroni salad but I liked this one.  The dressing did not have a heavy taste.  The rice was very good tasting and consistency.  I can never distinguish the type of rice by taste, but this had an almost jasmine taste to it.  I will ask next time because it was so good.

These dishes are served with a choice of “mini” or “full” portion.  Carol and I ordered the “mini”…Mike ordered the “full”.  My portion was just perfect.  I could never have eaten all of Mike’s…I would have had to take most of it home.  I really like this when a restaurant gives you the choice of portion size.



Aloha Kitchen
2950 S. Alma School Road
Mesa, Arizona 85210
(480) 897-2451
Hours:  Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. -8:00 p.m.
             Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
             Closed Monday
Fare:  Japanese -  Hawaiian – Chinese – Korean