January 21, 2023 - Chicago Hamburger Company - Phoenix

 I visited with Jonah Hayes and Judy Svendsen on January 21, 2023.

Jonah and I ordered the 1/ 3 pound Broiled Chuck Burger – grilled on an open flame, topped with grilled onions, relish, ketchup, Dusseldorf mustard, lettuce and tomatoes.  I had everything on mine.  Jonah only wanted ketchup and lettuce.

Judy ordered the 1/ 3 pound Cheddar Burger which was cooked exactly like ours and all the ingredients…except hers had Merkts Sharp Cheddar Cheese.

We ordered one large order of fries…and they came hot and crisp…fresh out of the frying oil.  I liked the way they were served with the bottom layer wrapped in paper which kept them hot while we ate the top layer…good plan!

Jonah also ordered the Old Fashioned Chocolate Milk Shake which was delicious. 

Chicago Hamburger Company
3749 E. Indian School Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
(602) 955-4137
Owner – Bob Pappanduros
Hours:  Monday – Friday 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
             Wednesday – Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

December 29, 2022 - Angie's Lobster - Mesa, Arizona

 

I visited for the first time with Peg Hartman.  I usually don’t review fast food restaurants…but this one is new in the Valley…and I like lobster…gives a whole new twist to fast food.

You can only go through a drive through…you can only pay with a credit card…and there are no straws for your drink. I went online and read their Mission Statement…very interesting…but truthful.

We both chose #2 on the menu board - Maine Lobster served warm with seasoned lemon butter in a toasted and buttered bun…Angie’s sauce…fries and a drink…we ordered lemonade (your choices are lemonade or sweet tea)….all for $9.99.  If I criticized at all I would say they need a sturdier bun…but I can live with it.  I will return…there are other items I want to try.

 We went back to Peg’s house…and ate dinner and visited. 

Angie’s Lobster
2848 A. Signal Butte Road
Mesa, Arizona 85212
Hours:  Daily 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

December 17, 2022 - Zona Cantina + Cocina - Mesa, Arizona

 

I visited with one of my usher friends, Rhona, when we went to an early dinner before ushing Joy To The World  - a Sacred Christmas By Jenny Oaks Baker and Family Four at the Mesa Arts Center.

Rhona ordered the Grilled Chicken Plate – grilled chicken with sauteed seasonal vegetables served with a side of baby arugula salad, pico de gallo, guacamole, beans, rice and tortilla.

Grilled Chicken Plate

I ordered Asada Tacos  - 3 carne asada street tacos, topped withe pico de gallo, cabbage, sour cream, mild spicy mayo and mild habenero ailoli, served with rice and beans.  I loved mine...the street tacos were stuffed...and had a kick to them...but just as I like 'em.

Asada Tacos

 I loved that they were served on a wooden carving board.  The ambience was wonderful…soft music but one was able to visit quite easily over the music and the sounds of diners.  The serving staff was accommodating and efficient.  They were knowledgeable.  It was a nice comfortable dining experience.  I look forward to returning many times as there are many other items I would like to try on the menu.

 Zona Cantina + Cocina
5609 E. McKellips Rd.  Unit #101
Mesa, Arizona 85215
(480) 912-1853
Hours:  Monday  - Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
             Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
            Sunday – 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

December 7, 2022 - Nick's Italian Restaurant - Scottsdale, Arizona

I visited with Jody, Joshua and Jonah Hayes after a Cheyenne Traditional School soccer win v. 
Tonalea 4-0.  It was my very first dinner there.  I ordered the Baked Ziti with Bolognese sauce….perfect…hot…  Joshua ordered the Gnocchi with Bolognese…Jody ordered Linguine Melanzane – sliced eggplant, chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and olive oil..…….Jonah ordered the 9” pizza – Pepperoni and Sausage.

It was delicious...and I liked the local customer atmosphere in the restaurant!  Our service was excellent.

Nick’s Italian Restaurants
13910 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
(480) 314-9445
Hours:  Lunch:   Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
             Dinner: Sunday – Thursday 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
                          Friday – Saturday 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

November 12, 2022 - Frank and Lupe's - Scottsdale, Arizona

 Peg Hartman and I went to Old Town Scottsdale for the Canal Convergence...which is an annual displayof pieces of art on the canal...water...lights...fire...

We decided to eat at Frank and Lupe's for dinner.  

The complimentary chips and salsa was very good…great chips.  I liked the salsa but it did have a kick to it…and Peg would have liked it a little heartier.

 Peg Hartman ordered the Beef Tostado Plate…she chose the ground beef and she chose guacamole as her topping…and rice and beans.

 I chose the Stuffed Sopaipilla Plate – large sopaipilla stuffed with carne adosada and lots of lettuce…and rice and beans.  I chose the red sauce as the topping on the sopaipilla.  I really liked my dinner. It was different.  Our wait staff was very accommodating .

Frank and Lupe’s
4121 N. Marshall Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85251-3809
(480) 990-9844
Hours: Open daily 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

October 26, 2022 - The Perfect Pear - Tempe, Arizona

 Our monthly Mesa Arts Center Usher Group ate lunch at this restaurant in Tempe...Cindi, Rhona, Lisa, Ella, Marie, Gini, Lorraine, Donna, Peggy, Bobbie, Syd and myself.  

We started with a toast in memory of Mikki…and Rose who will never usher with us again. They will be missed.

I ordered the Perfect Grilled Cheese – brie, four cheese blend, arugula and crispy bacon….served on a grilled pear bread.  Yummy!  I would go back and try something else because there are so many yummy items on their menu.  You know the food is good at this restaurant because it is always packed.

The Perfect  Pear Bisto
603 W. University
Tempe, Arizona
(sw corner of University and Roosevelt)
(480) 966-7327
Hours:  Daily 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

 

October 3, 2022 - Stone and Barrel - Sun Lakes, Arizona

 

I ordered the Millionaire Burger – certified angus chuck, white cheddar, bacon, carmelized demi onions, lettuce, tomato, house sauce on a toasted brioche bun and served with my choice of Herb Parmesan Fries.

 The best burger I have had in a very long time.  Plus you could take a bite out of it because it wasn’t really tall.

Stone and Barrel – Sun Lakes
Oakwood Clubhouse
24218 S. Oakwood Blvd
Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
(480) 317-3605