August 26, 2021 - Aunt Chiladas Squaw Peak - Phoenix, Arizona

I visited with one of my ushering friends, Cindi.

Our chips and salsa were delicious.  I love the big fried flour tortilla chips that were served with a very hearty salsa.

Chips

Salsa

Cindi ordered the Seafood Enchiladas – two enchiladas filled with seasoned shrimp, scallops…covered with a Mexican cheese sauce.

Seafood Enchilada

 

I ordered the Super Taquitos – three long-rolled machaca tacos, with sour cream and cotija cheese.  Served with guacamole and a green chili sauce.

Super Taquitos

 
Both meals were served with rice and beans.
 
Dessert:  Tres Leche Cake…a huge piece that was moist and delicious....with whipped cream and a strawberry on top.   It was served with ice cream and sauce.   I really like it.   "Three milks cake" in Spanish.  I have made this cake many times.  It is very easy to make.
 

Tres Leche Cake 

I enjoyed my meal because I haven’t had this type of taquito in years.  They reminded me of the taquitos we always ordered at Juanita’s on Olvera Street in Los Angeles in the late 60s and early 70s.
 
The food wasn’t great Mexican food but I enjoyed the building’s history and the comfortable setting.

Aunt Chiladas Squaw Peak
7330 N. Dreamy Draw Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85020
(602) 944-1286
Hours:  Monday -Thursday 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m
              Friday – Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
www.auntchiladas.com

 History of the building:

“In the early 1890s, shortly after the reluctant surrender of Geronimo in Skeleton Canyon, Arizona was still an untamed territory and what is now Aunt Chiladas Dining Room was the general store for the laborers who worked the Rio Rico Mines. The mines, quite unintentionally, gave this area its name. The men would emerge from a long day in the mines somewhat intoxicated and dreamy-eyed from the Mercury fumes. And as they walked the road to the general store, people were heard to remark, ‘The men are back from The Dreamy Draw.’ ”

-          Taken from the history of the building and the restaurant’s website

 
Fare:  Sonoran-style Mexican food $-$$

July 31, 2021 - Com Tam Thuan Kieu - Mesa, Arizona

After a morning bridge session in Sun Lakes, Cathy, Tor and I drove the Asian District in Mesa.  We ended up at the Mekong Plaza.  We were looking for this one dish that Cathy loves.  She thought it was Vietnamese.  The first restaurant we walked into had what she wanted.  She was a very happy girl.

Tor and I ordered the Bun Tu Chon Thit, Bo, HOAC GA – I chose grilled sliced beef with rice vermicelli – delicious – I poured all my fish sauce over everything -perfect.  Under the vermicelli were fresh cubed cucumbers and carrots.  

There was also an eggroll cut in four pieces on the top of the dish.  Mine was a shrimp eggroll.  I loved my dish. 

Tor had exactly what I had except he chose chicken for his meat.

This is what Tor and I ordered.

Cathy ordered the Bun Cha Gio Tom Tu Chon Bo, Thit, HOAC GA Nu Ong.  Her meat choice was the grilled sliced beef…and her dish came with a Chicken Eggroll.

Com Tam Thuan Kieu
66 S. Dobson Roada
Mesa, AZ 85202
(480) 668-5959
Hours:  Daily 10:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.