Septembeer 27, 2023 - Big Nate's Family BBQ - Mesa, Arizona (on Main Street)

 

My bridge partner Kim and I did quite well at bridge in Tempe on September 27, 2023….1^st Flight A Overall, 1^st Flight B Overall, 1^st Flight C Overall, 1^st Flight A E-W, 1^st Flight B E-W and 1^st Flight C E-W with a 69% game….for 2.33 master points…yes!  We are back…….

 I decided to celebrate by myself and  Big Nate’s Family BBQ which just opened across the street from me where Allison’s BBQ used to be….it was delicious…I ordered the Brisket Sandwich…and we combined it….with two sides – cole slaw and BBQ baked beans and a drink.  I am stuffed.  It was a huge sandwich…I swear a pound of meat!  Very tasty also.  I tried all the sauces and picked the one I liked the most…but I will try the others when I visit in the future.

 Welcome to the ‘hood.

Big Nate’s Family BBQ
6750 E. Main Street
Mesa, AZ 85205
(480) 525- 7291
Hours:  Monday – Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
             Sunday Closed

Septembdder 23, 2023 - Chicagoland Hot Dogs and More - Mesa, Arizona

I was hungry for a brat or polish sausage.  Rhona and I decided to try this place just up the street from my house.

I ordered the regular Polish Sauage and yes – I wanted Chicago style with the mustard, pieces of tomato, peppers, onions, cucumbers and relish…plus a large order of onion rings served with ranch dressing…and water to drink.  Rhona had the cheese dog and an order of  Fried Zucchini.  I loved mine…and I am not a big fan of relish but this seemed homemade…and it was fresh and delicious.

Chicagoland Hot Dogs and More
1152 N Power Road
Mesa, Arizona 85205
(480) 981-3647
Hours:  Monday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
             Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Note they are apparently having problems with finding help so call first and see if they are there…and it is usually weekends 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

September 22, 2023 - Uncle Bear's Bar & Tap - Greenfield - Mesa, Arizona

 

I was dying to have some Beer Cheese Soup..so I decided to try it at Uncle Bear’s.  I thought maybe I could get  a soft pretzel to go with it…guess what?  On the menu Baked Bavarian Pretzel with a side of Beer Cheese Soup and mustard…then I visited with my waitress who was wonderful…and she gave me a bigger cup of soup…and no mustard…but more cheese…yes!

I loved it…it was a thinner soup than The Hub’s…and I like my Beer Cheese soup not so thick…so I was a happy girl.

 

Uncle Bear’s Grill & Tap
1110 S. Greenfield Rd #101A
Mesa, Arizona 85206
(480) 256-1415
Hours:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
             Friday – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
             Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
             Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

September 9, 2023 - Elysian Fields Artisan Bakery & Dainties - Mesa, Arizona

 

Thee is a new bakery in the ‘hood…and it is delicious…first Gabriel asked me if I liked vanilla or orange…and I said, “Orange.”  He gave me a free orange short bread cookie.  It was a thick cookie…but what amazed me is how long the taste of orange stayed in my mouth.  Delicious!  They have at least 20 different flavors of short bread...and I am going to try all of them.

I decided to try a Carrot Cake Loaf - and bought a Vanilla Cream Tart (they have both large and small)...I chose the large...it was delicious - so soft and velvety smooth.

Pecan - Caramel - Chocolate Bon Bon - they make their own candies....and this was delicious.

German Chocolate Cake - Chocolate Bon Bon  - this one, though was my favorite.  I love German Chocolate Cake...and when I took my first tiny bite...it was heaven.

Almond Croissant - delicious - this was fresh with lots of layers...and the inside had this creamy almond type paste.  I really liked.  I would go back for more.

 

Elysian Fields Artisan Bakery & Dainties
6727 E. McDowell Road
Mesa, Arizona
(480) 590-0646

I took my friend Rhona there on September 15, 2023.  They gave her a free short bread cookie...and she chose the pineapple flavor...and loved it.

We also had a chocolate au pain...I had mine with hot coffee.  We sat outside on their patio...at the tables with cloth tablecloths...and on each table was a vase of fresh flowers.  The atmosphere is just splendid.

July 27, 2023 - Early Bird Cafe - Pine, Arizona

 My friend Rhona and I took a road trip to Pine-Strawberry...where we had a wonderful time...and saw much.  We ate breakfast in this cafe before heading over to the Lavender Farm in Pine.

Rhona ordered the French Toast…and I ordered the Pancake Combo – two eggs over medium, 2 pancakes and 2 crispy pieces of bacon.  It was very good.  My kind of breafast.

Early Bird Café
3618 AZ-87
Pine, Arizona 85544
(928) 476-4092
Hours:  Wednesday – Sunday 6:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
              Monday – 6:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
              Tuesday  - Closed

July 9, 2023 Casa Ramos - Mesa, Arizona

 My neighbor Sandy and I used to go to Casa Ramos on a regular basis before the light rail estension to Gilbert Road.

The restaurant closed.  We had lost hope of it ever returning but it did this summer.  They remodeled the whole resturant and the frontage of the restaurant.  It is beautiful.  We went to celebrat the return...plus I wanted to thank her for all the nice things she does for me.

We started with margaritas to drink with the chips and salsa…but soon the salsa was too hot for Sandy.  I love it though.  We shared a Shrimp ala crema meal served with rice and beans…and it was delicious…five huge shrimp…delicious.  I even took one shrimp and some rice and beans home with me.

Casa Ramos
1526 E. Main Street
Mesa, Arizona 85203
(480) 272-7220
Hours:  Wednesday - Friday 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
              Saturday - 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
              Sunday - 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
              Monday - 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
              Tuesday - Closed

June 14, 2023 - Safire Restaurant & Lounge - Springerville, Arizona

 My friend  Rhona and I were on a road trip.  We stopped for the night in Springerville.  After good reviews from some of the town people we chose Safire Restaurant and Lounge for dinner.

We both ordered the chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy plus a trip through the salad bar. The steak was hand cut daily.  It was delicious.  I also ordered a house margarita.  The service was perfect.  The meal was very reasonable.

Safire Restaurant & Lounge
411 E. Main Street
Springerville, AZ 85938
(928) 333-4512
Hours:  Daily 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.