November 21, 2020 - Casa Dona Lola - Superior, Arizona

 

I visited with Mike Thompson  after our Wallace Desert Garden Tour...the newest addition to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

I ordered the Lola’s Chimi…beans, nopolitas (that’s cactus)….it was served with beans and rice….it was huge and delicious.  It was the perfect vegetarian meal.  Mike ordered the two cheese enchilada combo plate….

Lola's Chimi

Casa Dona Lola

649 Hwy 60

Superior, Arizona 85173

(520) 689-0179

Hours:  Monday - Tuesday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

             Wednesday - Closed

             Thursday - Saturday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

             Sunday - 7:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

October 31, 2020 - Mimi's Cafe - Casa Grande, Arizona

 I visited with Jeanne and Willie Stecher.  We were in Casa Grande to see the Casa Grande Neon Light Park.  We arrived in the late afternoon...strolled through the Park and took pictures of the nine saved from demolition in the area.  They are displayed very nicely.

We then went and ate dinner.  After dinner we returned to the Park and viewed everything in the dark with all the signs lit...along with a blue moon overhead.

Willie and I ordered the French Pot Roast…served with carrots and mushrooms in a Merlot sauce…plated on a bed of mashed potatoes…Willie added a salad..and I added a cup of French Onion soup.

Both of us loved our meals…good comfort food…my French Onion Soup was excellent…and Willie’s salad looked fresh…both he and Jeanne liked their salad which they shared and our waitress who was wonderful served them each a half on a separate plate without us having to ask for that…

 Jeanne ordered the Chicken Pot Pie…and it was loaded with big chunks of white chicken meat.  She said it was delicious..and it looked delicious.  There was no shortage of food and our service was great..plus the restaurant is very large with lots of crooks and crannies…so there was no problem distancing.

 Dessert:  Willie ordered the Chocolate Volcano…I ordered the Pumpkin Brulee and shared with Jeanne.  ‘Tis the season…I love my dessert.  Willie really liked his.

Even though this is a franchise chain restaurant...it was just perfect for our needs this evening.

Of course, I was too busy eating..and forgot to take any pictures...my bad.

Mimi’s Café
839 N. Promenade Pky(520) 426-0193
Hours: Sunday – Thursday 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

October 3, 2020 - Bourbon Jacks Grill and Bar - Chandler, Arizona

 

I visited with Mike Thompson.  I ordered the American Melt - 1/2 pound of real American Angus ground beef, between two pieces of Texas toast, with caramelized onions smothered with classic cheddar cheese, and  homemade Thousand Island dressing…I chose the Garlic Fries.   I expect to get crisp hot fries…instead I was served droopy..oily fries.

 

Mike ordered the Whiskey BBQ Burger -l American Angus beef patty, with  cheddar cheese, applewood bacon, frizzled onion strings, iceberg lettuce, seasonal tomatoes, fresh dill pickle, and whiskey BBQ sauce. Served on a lightly toasted golden brioche bun…Mike chose the Fries.

 There were no menus...we had to scan this thing on the table…instead we just looked at the menu off my phone.  How relaxing…  Then when she brought me my check it was on her device...and it had a 30% tip…well….I am not being pushed around by tech…this time I can control it.  I changed it to 15% for $3…

 I will not be returning there any time soon for a meal.

Bourbon Jacks Bar and Grill
11 W. Boston St., Suite 1
Chandler, Arizona 85255-7877
(480) 269-0800
Hours: Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
            Saturday – Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

September 18, 2020 - Bluewater Grill - Phoenix, Arizona

 

I visited on September 18, 2020 for a business meeting.  I actually arrived earlier than anticipated.  I  went inside and was seated.  Because I just didn’t want to sit there I ordered a cup of New England Clam Chowder..it was thick but not a over thickness…lot of clams…tiny pieces of potatoes…and they served it was oyster crackers as well as two slices of a hot baguette with butter. 

I ordered the Fish and Chips…the Beer Battered Alaskan Co with fresh cole slaw and fries.  The cod was battered with a very light but crisp batter…and it was served with a herb and light tartar sauce mixture…yummy!  The cole slaw was homemade and the dressing was light.  It was tasty but tangy.  I really liked my choice.

My business associate ordered the Rainbow Trout from Idaho and her choices were mashed potatoes and spinach.  It was served all deboned with a very light sauce.  It looked good and she said that it was delicious.

My cup of New England Clam Chowder

Bluewater Grill

1720 E. Camelback Road

Phoenix, AZ 85016

(602) 277-3474

Hours:  Tuesday – Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

              Friday – Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

              Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

              Monday – Closed

July 4, 2020 - Sol Azteca Mexican Kitchen - Mesa, Arizona

I visited on July 4, 2020 with Candy Bailey, Mike and Carol Thompson.  We ordered off the lunch menu…Carol ordered the Chicken Street Tacos…Mike, Candy and I ordered the Lunch Chimichanga…Mike and I choose Beef…Candy ordered the Chicken.  Let me tell you…the Chimi was huge and it was loaded with shredded beef…in fact only beef was in it.  I loved it.  It came with rice and beans…and I had the green sauce.  $7.99…and since it was off the lunch menu…a small fountain drink…so I had Diet Coke…both Carol and Mike had a bottle of the Coke from Mexico.

Sol Azteca Mexican Kitchen

9265 E. Baseline Road, Suite #103

Mesa, Arizona 85209

(480) 656-9060

Hours:  Monday 10;00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

            Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

             Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

             Sunday – Closed

June 6, 2020 - Oak Creek Brewery and Grill - Sedona, Arizona

Dona Pierce and I drove almost to Flagstaff...exited onto Highway#89A.  We drove south toward Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon...lovely weather...but crowded.  I don't think I would do this agan on the weekend.  After arriving in Sedona... we went on the Upper Red Rock Loop drive...then decided to have lunch at the Oak Creek Brewery and Grill.

Both of us ordered the Fish and Chips…and they were quite good. We were served four pieces with really good seasoned fries…tarter sauce..and a cole slaw that was delicious…it had light raisins in the salad.  I have never eaten raisins in my cole slaw.  I liked it.  The batter was very crisp and light.

Oak Creek Brewery and Grill

336 AZ-179, Suite D201

Tlaquepaque Village

Sedona, Arizona 86336

(928) 282-3300

Hours:  Daily 11:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

May 29, 2020 - El Rincon - Sedona, Arizona

I took a drive with friends, Candy Bailly, Mike and Carol Thompson to Sedona.  We decided to have lunch at El Rincon .  Mike, Candy and I ordered a House Margarita.  We started with chips and salsa.  The chips were different…no salt.  Carol ordered the Chicken Fajita Plate…Candy ordered the Shrimp Fajita Plate…which was served with onions and bell peppers, guacamole, tortillas, rice and pinto beans.

House Margarita

Mike ordered the Carne Asada Chimichanga and I ordered the Machaca Beef Chimichanga – a hand rolled Sopapilla Mesa wrapped around the filling then deep fried…served with choice of red or green chile sauce, cheese and onions with a choice of Guacamole Salad or Rice and Beans.    Since everyone says it is Mexican food with a Navajo flair…I thought my filling was wrapped in fry bread.  I really did like it without the tortilla…it didn’t seem so much like a fried burrito.

Machaca Beef Chimichaga

Shrimp Fajita

El Rincon

Tlaquepaque

336 AZ-179,

Sedona, AZ 86336

Creekside Entrance

A112

(928) 282-4648

Hours:  Daily 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

January 16, 2020 - The Bourbon Cellar - Scottsdale, Arizona

I visited this restaurant for the first time today for lunch with Carol Thompson,  Carol ordered the Chicken Burger and Sweet Potato Fries.  I ordered the Bacon Infused Burger with Fries.

I asked for no pink and it was served to me very rare.  When I complained about it, the chef explained that it was due to the bacon infusion.  I will accept that.  The meat tasted wonderful.  Everything was very good.  Carol loved her Chicken Burger.

The Bourbon Cellar

Pinnacle At Scottsdale

23623 N. Scottsdale Road

Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

(480) 595-5868

Hours:  Daily 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

December 29, 2019 - Elbow's Mac 'n Cheese - Gilbert, Arizona

The Bridge Babes tried a new place deep into Gilbert…called Elbows Mac ‘n Cheese….I liked it.  Cathy and I both chose the More Cheese 4 Me…Cathy added lobster to hers…I decided on a regular size with an order of Fried Pepperoni Slice served with white cheese sauce and marinara sauce…very good.  Marilyn ordered the Shrimp with Mac ‘n Cheese. I am happy that we found this place. 

It is fast food.  You have to place your order but what I really like is there is a choice of sizes of the meal.  That is always perfect.  For those of us who crave mac ‘n cheese once in a while....'n cheyou need t go somewhwere for many different choices...they also have pizza, etc...when someone in your group doesn't want mac 'n cheese.

Elbow’s Mac ‘n Cheese

Crossroads Towne Center

3757 S. Gilbert Road

Gilbert, Arizona

(480) 656-5899

Hours:  Sunday- Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m.

December 8, 2019 - Linda's Hoosier Cafe - Mesa, Arizona

I have visited this restaurant many times…the first time Carol Richmond took me here when I first moved to Las Palmas…and I have returned many times....but I have never written a review about the restaurant.

December 8, 2019 I went there for breakfast while I waited for my windshield to be repaired.  I ordered the Two Pancakes with Scrambled Eggs and Bacon…crisp.  It was delicious.  The pancakes were served with lots of butter and syrup…a whole plate of eggs.  It was a great breakfast.  I must come here more often when I am looking for a place to eat breakfast.  It is a small tiny restaurant but the food that comes out of the kitchen is delicious.

Linda’s Hoosier Café

5050 E. University Dr. #110

Mesa, Arizona 85205

(480) 649-3340

Hours:  Daily 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Decmeber 9, 2019 - Flo's - Scottsdale, Arizona

I visited on December 9, 2019 by myself.  I had driven to Scottsdale for Jonah’s first cello concert at the Cheyenne Traditional School.  I have always wanted to try this restaurant…and I had my opportunity.

I ordered the Spicy Ginger and Onion Beef with brown rice but was served white rice and that’s okay.  It was delicious but very…very spicy.  I plan to return because there were several items on the menu that I would like to try.

Flo’s – New Asian Cuisine

15027 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

(480) 661-8883

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

            Saturday – Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

December 6, 2019 - The Maine Lobster Lady

I went to the Tempe Arts Festival with Carol Thompson and Pat Scarrow.  Carol spotted the Maine Lobster Lady..and I couldn’t resist.  I have been trying to find her for five years.  She is a winter resident.  I have gone online to get her schedule, but she is always close by when  I have something else to do…or I don’t want to go to that particular festival…at last…

I ordered the Lobster Roll with Butter.  It was delicious…huge…lots of lobster meat.  I really enjoyed my roll.

To find her just Google the Maine Lobster Lady for her schedule.  She doesn't have a permanent establishment in any of the cities in the Valley.