News about places to eat & drink in Phoenix, Scottsdale and throughout Arizona
August 1-7: The New Yorker—Hot Pastrami topped with homemade coleslaw and Miracle Mile Dressing. It’s a little taste of New York’s best in every bite!
August 8-14: The Hot Brisket of Beef—A family recipe of the most tender and leanest beef that simply melts in your mouth.
August 22-31: The Straw—Hot Pastrami, melted Swiss cheese and steamy sauerkraut piled high on your favorite bread.
Louisiana craft brewer’s Abita Root Beer will be combined with creamy Vanilla ice cream to create a sweet treat and will compliment anything on TEXAZ’s comfort food driven menu such as their famous Chicken Fried Steak.
TEXAZ Grill is at 6003 N. 16th St. Phoenix, AZ 85016 602.248.STAR (7827) www.texazgrill.com
Many of the burgers are made with local, natural ground chuck beef while others will be made with other proteins such as chicken, pork, Spam and more with unique toppings giving each burger its own unique flavor and giving Traina the opportunity to show off a global spin to the all American burger.
If trying the unique burgers are not enough there is an incentive for those that visit and eat at least 10 different burgers during the month, a $50 Liberty Market gift card, eat all 31 different burger and get a $250 gift card. Customers must save all receipts and have verified by the end of the 1st week of September.
Liberty Market 230 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert (480) 892-1900 Daily 7a-9p, Friday & Saturday until 10p. www.libertymarket.com
The Burger Daze line up is…….
$14-1st-Coffee Burger: Coffee rubbed, smoked gouda, candied bacon, red onion cream, Hawaiian bun.
$15-2nd-Dossant Burger: Maple bacon dossant bun, Farm at Agritopia egg, havarti.
$16-3rd-The Hump Burger: Triple 4oz patties, habañero-bbq, havarti, matchstick boar’s head ham, griddled red onions, potato bun.
$14-4th-Pasta House Burger: Pasta, fresh mozzarella, marinara, parmesan, basil-garlic, ciabatta bun.
$14-5th-Chicken Wing Burger: Boneless chicken wings, Franks Red Hot®, blue cheese and celery (plus a drizzle of blue cheese dressing), onion bun.
$20-6th-Hangover Burger: Roasted short rib, fried Farm at Agritopia duck egg, parmesan, choice of Bloody Mary or Golden Monkey beer, pretzel bun.
$16-7th-Breakfast Burger: Fried Farm at Agritopia egg, american cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, breakfast potatoes, english muffin.
$15- 8th-Asian BBQ Pork Burger: 5 spice pork, asian slaw and sriracha aioli, crispy wontons, chile sauce, steamed bun.
$13- 9th-Bagel Burger: Chipotle cream cheese, Canadian bacon, tomato, onion, chives, everything bagel.
$14-10th-Black Bean Burger: Housemade black beans, pico de gallo, sliced avocado and queso fresco-jalapeño ciabatta.
$17-11th-Grilled Cheese Burger: American cheese, bacon tomato in between 2 grilled cheeses with havarti and munster cheeses.
$16-12th- Kal Bi Burger: Topped with Korean style grilled short ribs and sautéed vegetables (shiitake, baby bok choy, bean sprout, carrots), egg bun.
$13-13th-Brie and Apple Burger: Sliced brie, caramelized apple crisps, arugula, wholegrain honey mustard sauce, demi baguette.
$14-14th-Hamsteak Burger: Topped with griddled Boar’s Head® hamsteak, american cheese, tomato and fried Farm at Agritopia egg, ciabatta bun.
$14-Monday 15th-Brew Burger: 3 slices of swiss, lettuce, tomato, onion and beer steak sauce, pretzel bun, served open faced.
$14-16th -“Boy Howdy”Burger: Fried onion rings, smoked cheddar, spicy BBQ sauce-Texas toast.
$14-17th-Veggie Burger: Grilled portobello, jalapeño chips, oven-fried avocado, green goddess dressed spring mix, potato bun.
$14-18th-Chainsaw Chili Burger: Chili, shredded cheddar, sour cream, green onions, kaiser roll.
$13-19th-Hawaiian Burger: Grilled rum roasted pineapple, crispy spam, teriyaki sauce, green onions-Hawaiian bun.
$15-20th-Poutin Burger: Oven fries, cheese curds, brown gravy, parsley, kaiser roll.
$16-21st-Uncle Louie Burger: Chopped bacon, avocado, Russian dressing, crab salad, pretzel roll.
$14-Monday 22nd-Chorizo Burger: Chorizo/beef blend patty, lime slaw (cabbage and lettuce based), cilantro, cotija, bolillo.
$14-23rd-“Potato skin” Burger: Crispy crushed red potatoes, cheddar, bacon, sour cream, chives, cheese bun.
$14-24th-Peanut Burger: Chopped candied bacon, chips, peanut butter, savory waffle bun.
$14-25th-Barcelona Burger: Creamy manchego, romescu, kale-pinenut salad, pan basico.
$15-26th-Enchilada Burger: Chili cheese enchiladas and sauce, diced tomato, shredded lettuce, cheddar, jalapeño ciabatta.
$17th-27th-Beef Wellington Burger: House blended beef, duxelle, crispy red potatoes, red wine gastrique, chives, brioche (served open faced).
$16-28th-Roy Rogers Burger: Buttermilk fried chicken, BBQ sauce, coleslaw, parsley, kaiser roll.
$13-Monday 29th-German Burger: Flaky pastry stuffed with seasoned ground beef, swiss, onions, kraut, wholegrain dijonaise, lettuce, tomato, onion, pastry bun.
$13-30th-Turkey and Kale Burger: Turkey patty, swiss, tomato, lemon aioli, kale cranberry salad, Texas toast.
$14-31st-Santa Fe Burger: Spicy con queso with roasted chilies and corn, shredded lettuce, jalapeño ciabatta.
Take a new and very popular taco restaurant and combine it with the Asian specialties and signature cocktails of one of Phoenix’s most respected cocktail parlours and what do you get……a Pop Up dinner with Bitter & Twisted hosting Tacos Chiwas on Sunday July 31st at 5:30pm. The menu is inspired and will be prepared by Taco Chiwas husband & wife owners Armando Hernadez & Nadia Holguin and Bitter & Twisted’s executive chef Bob Tam who will bring his Asian inspirations to the 8+ (lucky number in Chinese culture) course menu. Cocktails will be available a la carte with specialty cocktails created just for the evenings dinner.
The Mexican & Asian menu is as follows….
Snack
shrimp cracker, green chili guac, salsa webona
Sopa de Chacales
dried corn, tomato, asadero, onion
Tempura Flounder Taco
lemon, avocado, salsa verde, pico, cotija
Pipian Rojo
carne seca, pumpkin seed sauce, steamed jasmine rice
Xinjiang Lamb Gordita
potatoes, cilantro, garlic chives, cheese curds, crema
Betelnut Rajales Eggrolls
pork belly, caramelized onion + hatch chilies, asadero, smoked pepper, mojo verde
Dumplings Course
Tinga DE POLLO Bao
smoky pulled chicken, avocado, crema, lettuce, queso fresco, pickles, chinese steamed bun
TACO-CHIWAS Baked Fried Rice Casserole
carne asada, hatch chili, asadero cheese, fried rice, green chili mac + cheese sauce, crisp tortilla
Dessert
H. K. milk tea flan
coco passion mango paleta con tajin
The cost for this is all inclusive (except cocktails) for $58.88 and can be purchased https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chiwas-chino-dinner-tickets-26356853057?aff=efbnreg
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour is at 1 W. Jefferson St. (Jefferson & Central) Phoenix 85003 602-340-1924 www.bitterandtwistedaz.com
Beer drinkers around the world rejoice as Williams, Arizona based Grand Canyon Brewing Company is expanding with a new Brewhouse and Tap Room a couple of miles down Route 66 from their current location. The Tap Room will open July 28th with the Brewhouse set to begin production in January 2017. 
The new larger production facility will allow Grand Canyon Brewing to increase production to 20,000 barrels in 2018 and 40,000 barrels by 2020 and to continue distribution outside the southwest. Currently their beer is only available in Arizona, Nevada and South Korea. Owner John Peasley has his sights set for international distribution in China, Canada, Japan, Australia and beyond according to Peasley “With the addition of the new brewery we will be able to double our brewing capacity over the next two years, helping us to meet demand locally while tapping into more global markets,” 
The brewery will also be able to increase production of its small batch and specialty beers, “Shotgun Series” a set of 4 seasonal double IPAS, a cask program and other bottlings.
Check their website www.GrandCanyonBrewery.com for updates and announcements.
Tequila sure has come a long way since our college days of doing shots to get the night started and now it has it’s own day to celebrate as this Sunday July 24th is National Tequila Day and to celebrate several Phoenix area restaurants are celebrating……here are a few of my picks.
All Phoenix area Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen’s will be celebrating all day with guests being able to create their own unique Margarita for $8.00. Macayo’s skilled bartenders will make your margarita after you’ve chosen your favorite…Tequila(1800 Reposado, Don Julio Blanco, Partida Blanco or Sauza Blue Reposado), flavor(Desert Pear, Mango, Peach, Pineapple, Strawberry) and float(Cointreau, Ginger Beer, Grand Marnier). www.Macayo.com
Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill 5 Phoenix area locations will be offering their signature Margaritas from 3-5pm for $5. Margaritas available….6th St. Margarita, Chambord Margarita, Hard Day Margarita, Skinny Girl Margarita, Skinny Cucumber Mule and the Tejas Mule. Z’Tejas also celebrates Tequila Tuesdays with 1/2 off all Tequila drinks except Happy hour prices. www.ztejas.com
Central Phoenix’s Taco Guild will have Happy Hour from 2pm – closing and will include $5 1893 Margaritas. Other Tequila cocktails will be available all day including Founder’s Guayaba cocktail made with Herradura Double Barrel Reposado tequila and their These Boots Are Made For Oaxacan made with Peligroso Anejo tequila. Taco Guild is at 546 East Osborn Road in Phoenix. 602.264.4143 www.tacoguild.com.
Ingo’s Tasty Food is located at 4502 N. 40th St. Phoenix 85018 (602)795-2884 www.ingostastyfood.com
Winemaker Curt Dunham of Arizona’s Lawrence Dunham Vineyards is proud to release 2 new wines as of late, 2013 Syrah and the premier vintage of the wineries 1st dessert wine, 2012 The Epilogue.
The 2013 Syrah is made from all estate grown grapes that are grown at 5,000 feet above sea level down in Cochise County. It’s a blend of 88% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah & 6% Grenache. After fermentation the wine is aged for 30 months in American oak with the Syrah aged in mostly new oak and the Petite Sirah and Grenache aged in neutral oak. This wine will continue to evolve but currently shows great intensity. According to Kurt “This full-bodied wine is filled with aromas of coffee and berries that lead into multiple layers of dark fruit on the palette. It has a decadent, soft mouth feel that is luscious and sensual. Enjoy with grilled meat.”
With only 170 cases produced this wine won’t be around for long. $32 from the winery.
The 2nd release is the 1st dessert wine produced from LDV, The Epilogue made from 100% Petite Sirah. This sweet but not syrupy wine is a lesson in patience as Kurt waited 40 months to let 50% of the wine age in new American oak and the the other 50% age in neutral oak. As you can imagine he and his team are very excited to finally release it. Kurt’s take on his 1st dessert wine is that “The Epilogue exudes tobacco, toast, and berries in the nose that leads to a powerful rush of dark fruit on the palette. This fruit explosion is followed by a long, sweet, and savory caramel and spice note finish. Enjoy with chocolate, blueberries and cream, bleu cheese, or your favorite cigar.” Bottled in 375 ml bottles they’ve only produced 100 cases of this wine and sells for $24.
www.ldvwinery.com
Photos courtesy of Lawrence Dunham Vienyards
Hot dogs, apple pie and lemonade are classic American food staples and for the week of July 18th-24th Miracle Mile Deli is celebrating one of those staples…the hot dog as July is National Hot Dog Month as Americans eat about 20 billion hot dogs a year.
During lunch and dinner that week you can purchase a Hebrew National hot dog, French fries and a small soft drink for only $5 when you ask for the “hot dog special”.
Miracle Mile Deli has been in the Valley for 67 years and the locally-owned restaurant is located at 4433 N. 16th Street in Phoenix www.miraclemiledeli.com
The recently opened Burger Theory connected to the Holiday Inn & Suites on McDowell Rd. at 44th St seemed like an out of the way place for a sit down burger restaurant despite the heavily trafficked intersection. As my dining companions arrived we weren’t sure if this was an independently owned restaurant renting space from the hotel or part of the hotel, many indications led us to believe it’s part of the hotel’s corporate structure. Regardless of who owns and runs it we were there for burgers and with 6 1/3 lb. burgers of Angus chuck, brisket and short rib blended beef and another 4,300+ ways to Build Your Own Burger we dove into the menu to see which burger each of us would go for.
Although all of the burgers sounded delicious I opted for the Farm Fresh burger with a single patty for $10 (a double patty is $14) and comes topped with a Portobello mushrooms, grilled onions, diced roasted red peppers, iceberg lettuce (on the bottom half), goat cheese and roasted garlic mayo in between a toasted potato bun that looked and tasted like you ordinary hamburger bun. All came served in a plastic basket lined with Burger Theory wax paper.
Although satisfying I felt there was a heavy hand when it came to the Goat Cheese and that’s not easy to admit as I love Goat cheese but the strong flavor took away from the flavors of the vegetables and made the roasted garlic mayo un-necessary. The burger which is cooked to order was cooked pretty much the way I like it and had drops of juices dripping after the first few bites. Sides are not included in the price and a side of fries will set you back another $3.50.
I was somewhat happy with the Farm Fresh burger but felt a bit let down with a 1/3 lb burger for $10 with sides being extra. There are better burgers around town for your burger dollar. I decided to include a picture from the Burger Theory website and a photo of my actual burger. Had I been served the burger from there website this could’ve been a better burger.
Burger Theory is at 4401 E. McDowell Rd. Phoenix, Arizona 85008 602-358-0924 and is open for lunch and dinner from Mon-Thu. 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat. 11am-12am and Sunday 11am-11pm www.burgertheoryphx.com
