July 15, 2016 - Echo 5 Sports Pub - Mesa, Arizona

I visited on July 15, 2016 with Sandy Wilts, Joan and Pat Bershok.  We met there for Happy Hour.  I ordered the Friday Night Special – Fish and Chips.  I was served four pieces of lightly battered cod.  The fish was perfect…flaky…not slimy…cooked all the way through…perfect white meat.  Tarter sauce was good.  The fries were thin and crisp.  I really liked my meal.  It was an all you can eat – but I was full.  I never asked for any seconds.

Sandy ordered the Happy Hour Appetizer – Potato Skins.  She couldn’t eat all of hers so I tasted a couple pieces…and they were good.  The skins still had some of the baked potato attached.  Lots of bacon pieces on top with green onions.  It was served with sour cream.

The Bershoks ordered an order of Sweet Potato Fries…huge basket.  I didn’t try any of them but they looked good.  I plan to return several times.  I liked the looks of their burger menu.

Sweet Potato Fries

Pat and Joan

Lynda and Sandy

I was so hungry that I forgot to take a picture of my Fish and Chips.  I liked them.  You can see what was left after dinner as proof.

Echo 5 Sports Pub

2855 N. Power Road #101

Mesa, Arizona

480-832-8989

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

             Friday 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

            Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

            Sunday  9:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. 

July 11, 2016 - The Trough - Mesa, Arizona

I visited on July 11, 2016 with Sandy Wilts…and 48 other people from Las Palmas.  Sandy I shared a Patty Melt and Fries.  It was delicious…not greasy.  Probably the best Patty Melt I’ve eaten in Arizona.  The meat had that charcoal grill taste to it that I love.  Seared perfectly and cooked with no pink showing.  I don’t like my hamburger with any pink.

The Trough

9303 E. Apache Trail

Mesa, Arizona 85207

(480) 986-1119

Hours:

            Summer:  Sunday-Thursday  10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

                             Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Monday - $5.50 Burger Night

July 2, 2016 - The Horny Toad - Cave Creek, Arizona

I visited on July 2, 2016 with Sandy Wilts. We had driven to Carefree for the morning to visit the Carefree Desert Gardens to have a peek at Ray Villafane's "Elephant and Mouse".  

Sandy ordered the BLT.  I ordered the special for the day – Guacamole, Bacon and Cheeseburger with Fries.  The food was just plain average food.  I was not impressed with the taste or the presentation.  I most likely would not return for a meal.

Pictures of my Quacamole, Bacon, Cheeseburger with Fries.

I thought the menu was quite nice.  I loved the map of Cave Creek on the front of the menu. Plus it has The Horny Toad explanation and The Truly Forgettable Saga of the Horny Toad on the back of the menu.

The Horny Toad

6738. E. Cave Creek Road

Cave Creek, Arizona 85331

(480) 488-9542
thehornytoad.com

Hours:  Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

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

                                       

June 25, 2016 - McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon - Glendale, Arizona

I visited on June 25, 2016 with Kristin, Zach, Kaleb and Madison Hammler, Judson Hayes.  We were on our way to the COPA 2016 at the University of Phoenix Stadium.  It was the USA vs. Colombia for the bronze.  The USA lost 1-0 but it was an exciting event to attend.  Everyone wore their USA soccer gear, shirts and hats.  

Judson ordered the Fish and Chips.  

Madison and Kristin ordered the Pit Burger. 

Kaleb ordered the Classic Burger.  Zach ordered the Pulled Pork Slide and Onion Rings.  I ordered the three Carne Asada Tacos.

The food was runof the mill bar food.  I had no complaints about any of what I tasted…except that most of it was fried…and heh…we need a little of that once and a while, too.  I wish that I had ordered the Blu Burger or the Burger Melt but that’s for next time.

Kristin said their Pit Burgers had way too much BBQ sauce on the burgers.  Kristin said that she should have “ordered it on the side.”

McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon

9425 West Coyotes Blvd.

Glendale, A 85305

623-872-0022

www.mcfaddensflendale.com

Hours:  Open Daily 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

June 10, 2016 - Vincent Market Bistro - Phoenix, Arizona

I was by myself for breakfast.  Oh…it is so darling and cozy…old French looking tables and chairs draped in colorful old European tablecloths – almost an Impressionist look.  One feels tucked away in a backyard garden. You would swear you were in the South of France.  French dining in the French Countryside.

I was given a single sheet menu.  Great selection.  I ordered the Scrambled Eggs and Chives with bacon that I ordered crispy.  I as served this huge mound of the most delicious cheesy tasting scrambled eggs and chives.  Two pieces of the best crispy bacon formed a cross over the scrambled eggs.

I asked if there was toast or croissants…and was brought a plate of four tiny, hot out of the oven, soft, buttery croissants with a fresh strawberry compote.

My perfect breakfast…and lots of coffee.  I will be returning soon…I want to try Vincent’s quiche.

Vincent  Market Bistro

3930 E. Camelback Road #204

Phoenix, Arizona 85018

(602) 224-3727

Hours:  Tuesday – Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

             Monday – Closed

Chef/Owner – Vincent Guerithault

Inception:  2003

June 3, 2016 -Grandma's Bakery - Prescott, Arizona

Visited on June 3, 2016  with Sandy Wilts.  I bought a Peanut Butter Cookie and a Bear Claw.  I love Peanut Butter Cookies.  This one was perfect. The outside of the cookie was crusty like you gets from baking…but the inside was moist at the same time.  I loved the flaky crust of the Bear Paw plus the great splash of almond taste as I chewed was delicious.  I will be back.

Plus I heard the lady talking about her son’s birthday…and I asked her if it was today, June 3^rd…yes…and when I told her it was my birthday also…his name was Jacob…and he was 14…she gave me another free cookie – a Peanut Butter Cookie…how nice is that?

It appears that the bakery has a new owner.  I didn't see an 80 year old Grandma hanging around. 

Grandma’s Bakery

207 W. Gurley Street

Prescott, Arizona 86301

(928) 776-8485

Hours:  Vary

Cash Only

June 3, 2016 - Dinner Bell Cafe - Prescott, Arizona

I visited on June 3, 2016 with Sandy Wilts, Carol Richmond, Pat Shetler, Linda Allen and Dolores Smith.  I tried the Patty Melt with Fries.  It tasted just fine, but nothing extraordinary. It was served with everything that I like on my Patty Melts – grilled onions and Swiss cheese on grilled rye bread.

It was too hot that day for us to eat on the outdoor patio.

Dinner Bell Cafe.

321 West Gurley Street

Prescott, Arizona 86301

 (928) 445-9888.

“Locals know this is one of the best places in town to enjoy breakfast and lunch.  It’s tucked beside the creek ( Blogger: Granite Creek,)  just a block or so off the square.  Food is home cooked and healthy, and an inviting outdoor patio makes it hard to leave.  Chef/owner is Ben Alvarez.  No credit cards $.”

          Day Trips from Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff – Pam Hait

As of June 3, 2016 credit cards were accepted.