Category: Arizona made

Circle K and Burrito Express expand in-store partnership

What started in February with a hybrid location in a Gilbert Circle K, Burrito Express and its partnership with the global convenience store is expanding around the Phoenix Metro area. Currently there are 5 new Burrito Express Fast & Fresh locations are in the planning stages with 4 in the East Valley and 1 in Maricopa.

“At Circle K, even as we have grown into a global brand, our roots here in the valley run very deep, which is why it’s important to us to collaborate with local innovators in bringing new value to our customer experience,” said Morten Jensen, vice president of operations for Circle K’s Grand Canyon Business Unit. “Burrito Express enjoys a tremendous following and adds an exciting new dimension to the Circle K food offer. We’re very pleased to be partnering with them in serving up some of the best-tasting burritos you can find in the valley.”

The partnership highlights the quality of fresh food Burrito Express prepares and the customer service they provide. The partnership is part of the global convenience stores hub and spoke model. Each location’s kitchen acts as the hub preparing fresh food. “We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Circle K and to make our fresh, wholesome burritos available to a broader clientele,” said Angel Marin, co-owner of Burrito Express with his brother Mark Marin. “We look forward to the strategic expansion of Burrito Express Fast and Fresh in hubs throughout the valley and beyond.”

Each location will serve 4 breakfast burritos and 4 lunch burritos from 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday – Friday and 7a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information visit Burrito Express’ website.

  • Breakfast Burrito Supreme
  • Steak and Egg Burrito
  • Potato and Egg Burrito
  • Chorizo and Egg with Potato Burrito
  • Steak Potato and Cheese Burrito
  • Burrito Supreme
  • Chicken, Potato and Cheese Burrito
  • Bean and Cheese Burrito

M.I.K.I.D and Red, White & Brew partner to raise money

Red, White & Brew is partnering for the month of May with Mentally Ill Kids in Distress (M.I.K.I.D) at its Mesa and Prescott restaurants. The Arizona nonprofit is committed to improving the behavioral health and wellness of children and youth through its family centered approach.

Starting today through May 31st guests can “Dine & Donate” by ordering the popular Lemon Basil Chicken entree and or a Church Music IPA from The Shop Beer Co. $2 will be donated for each entree ordered and $1 from each beer sold hurchwill be donated to directly to M.I.K.I.D. Every bite and sip will help to raise money for critical support, preventive education and reunification of families navigating the challenges of youth mental health throughout Arizona.

For more information visit Red, White & Brew’s and M.I.K.I.D. websites.

Local wineries to be featured at Verde Valley Wine Festival

Twenty local wineries will be pouring their wines in Downtown Cottonwood for the 7th Annual Verde Valley Wine Festival on the weekend of May 10th & 11th. Beer and wine will also be poured along with food trucks on-site with freshly made food for purchase. The City of Cottonwood and The Verde Valley Wine Consortium partner to bring the local wineries together to share the fruits of their labor.

The festival organizer, Paula Woolsey, said, “This event is the best way to celebrate Mother’s Day! It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to celebrate mothers while enjoying local wines and delicious food. The chance to meet the winemakers adds a personal touch, allowing attendees to learn more about their favorite wines directly from the source.”

Wineries including Cove Mesa Vineyard, Cella Winery and Grand Canyon Winery will be there along with Desert Diamond Distillery, Wild Tonic pouring non-alcoholic Kombucha & other beverages and The Belfry Brewery will be pouring beer. Campfire Grill, Craft Wood Fired Pizza and other food trucks will be serving up a variety of foods and several sweet treats will be available from Carolina’s Chocolate, Gia’s Toffee and Poppin in the Pines Kettle Corn and others. Live music, artists and other exhibitors will be on hand to entertain attendees.

Early Bird tickets are on sale starting at $20 with tickets at the door available starting at $25. 6 tasting tickets and a commemorative wine glass are included. Tickets for non-drinkers are $10, and all tickets can be purchased here with more information available at their website.

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Get the Golden Pancake, win pancakes for life at Eggstasy new Queen Creek location

Pancake lovers need to head to the new Queen Creek location tomorrow Saturday, April 5th as 3 guests will find a Golden Ticket with their order. Order any specialty pancakes or pancakes as your side dish for a chance to win. Its owner Peter Yarros way of saying “thank you” to the QC community who’s embraced the new location since opening in January.

Boo-Rrito raffle at Burrito Express in April

As ASU running back Cam Skattebo has announced he’s entering the upcoming NFL Draft guests ordering the signature Boo-Rrito any of the 7 restaurants around the valley will have the chance to enter the month-long raffle. Prizes include cleats, gloves and a signed football from the NFL hopeful. BE hopes to sell 3,000 Boo-Rrito’s (a hearty combination of chicken, beans, cheese, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, guacamole and rice) in April.

Papago Orange Blossom is Beer of the Month at Famous 48

As spring begins to bloom so is the Mandarin Wheat beer from the locally owned brewer at the Scottsdale restaurant. A 16 oz. pint is $5 and a 22 oz. is $7 for the light fruity and smooth draft beer.

Greek wine tasting at GenuWine Arizona next Thursday

Have you ever had a Greek wine? Did you even know they made wine in Greece? Whether you did or didn’t know, the Roosevelt Row wine bar is pouring 3 Greek wines next Thursday, April 10th from 6-8 p.m. The cost is $10 unless you’re a Wine Club member then it’s free. Member or not you’ll get 20% off any bottles you purchase from the tasting.

Two from Arizona nominated for James Beard Award

The were over a dozen potential James Beard Award winners from Arizona when the semifinalists were announced earlier this year. The Foundation announced this week the nominees that will have the chance to win the prestigious restaurant industry award at the June 16th ceremony. Crystal Kass from Phoenix’s Valentine has the chance to win Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker and Lom Wong’s Yotaka Martin is up for Best Chef: Southwest.

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Final weeks at Pillsbury Wine Co. Cottonwood Tasting Room

April 13th is the last time at the popular watering hole in Central Arizona to taste the award-winning wines. Come grab some bottles, have some wines and hear stories of the good times had in Cottonwood. It’s open Wednesday – Sunday 12:00-7:00 p.m.

The fifth annual “Dollar for a Dozen” returns to Over Easy in April

The month-long fundraiser for Phoenix Children’s Hospital where guests at all 17 locations can donate $1. The restaurant will match by donating a dozen eggs to the United Food Bank for every dollar donated. Over $65,000 dollars have been raised for the cause since 2020.http://www.eatatovereasy.com/

Chateau Musar dinner at Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion

Seats are going quickly for the Wednesday, April 15th dinner that will feature wines from Lebanon’s Bekka Valley. The reception will start at 6:00 p.m. and guests will hear about the wines and pairings guided by the expertise of Marc Hochar, wine director Jodi Bronchtein and General Manager Wesam Kawa. Seats are $550++ per person and can be reserved here.

Spring ’25 Arizona Restaurant Week dates announced

The Arizona restaurant scene get its twice annual boost with ARW from Friday, May 16th – Sunday, May 25th. The 10-day event has restaurants around the state creating prie-fixe menus for $33, $44, or $55 and includes well over 100 restaurants participating with at least 8 first time restaurants. On May 1st the website start posting restaurant’s menus for the event and will update as more restaurants join.

Pie ciders and Guinness on tap at Cider Corps.

Newly added to the downtown Mesa’s cidery’s tap program include American Apple Pie, Blueberry, Mixed Berry and Cherry Pie. Guinness has been added to create Snakebites with their cider and other craft beers are now available including beers from Flagstaff’s Dark Star Brewing and Coronado Brewing beers from CA.

State Forty Eight collaborates with Spinato’s

Locally owned Spintato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen and the State Forty Eight Foundation are collaborating on a new pizza and margarita to support local entrepreneurs until May 31st at all six Spinato’s locations. The State Forty Eight Pizza is the first specialty pizza at Spinato’s using Hayden Flour Mills flour. In late 2024 Spinato’s decided to offer a healthier and locally grown & milled flour and made the switch to Hayden Flour Mills, which is one of Arizona’s oldest companies.

“We are big fans of State Forty Eight and we jumped at the chance to collaborate with them on a pizza to raise funds for their foundation,” said Anthony Spinato, CEO of Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen. “Mike Spangenberg and his State Forty Eight team do tremendous work supporting small businesses and startups. We admire their innovation and commitment to strengthening our community, and we’re excited that our guests can help support their efforts as well.”

The State Forty Eight Pizza is a zesty Southwest Margarita pizza made with olive oil, mozzarella, Pico de Gallo, feta, lime crema, cotija, and cilantro. The Phoenix is an orange blossom margarita paying tribute to valley’s once thriving citrus industry.

Celebrate State Forty Eight on April 9th

The celebratory launch is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9th at Spinato’s Gilbert location at Epicenter at Agritopia from 6 -8 p.m. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended where guests can win prizes, fun surprises and enjoy live music from Hayley Green. A portion of the proceeds from pizza, margarita, t-shirts and stickers will be donated to the SFE Foundation.

“Arizona is full of incredible, talented entrepreneurs with diverse business challenges. Our goal is to lift them up with support and guidance. Ultimately, we want to build a thriving ecosystem of local businesses committed to creating a stronger economy for all who call Arizona home,” Mike Spangenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of State Forty Eight and Chairman of the Board for the State Forty Eight Foundation said. He is also grateful to collaborate with Spinato’s to support local business’.

Prices for the pizza are $18.25 (small); $24.25 (medium), and $30.25 (large). The Phoenix Margarita is $16. Special pricing packages are also available that include the pizza, margaritas, stickers, and the special collaborative T-shirt.

Wine festival coming to Cave Creek this weekend

The Stagecoach Village Fine Art & Wine Festival pulls into Cave Creek for 3 days this weekend starting tomorrow Friday, March 7th thru Sunday. More than 85 food trucks, artists and live entertainment start at 10 a.m. each day. For those looking to sample some of Arizona best wines you’ll have to wait until 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Stagecoach Fine Art & Wine Festival is hosted by Arizona Wine Events and Willcox Wine Country. Both are leading promoters of Arizona wines and showcasing them at local events.

“Cave Creek’s rugged terrain and beautiful scenery, along with its small-town feel, make it an ideal location for the Stagecoach Village Fine Art & Wine Festival,” said Mike Pigford, Event Organizer and Owner of Arizona Wine Events. “Attendees can stroll around and relax in the tranquil environment while enjoying the artwork, entertainment, food and an incredible selection of wines.”

Early bird tickets are available for wine & beer tastings from between $15-$35 and are available at the door for between 420-$45. 10 tastings tickets are included and for wine tastings guests get a commemorative glass. Information and tickets are available online. Stagecoach Village is at 7100 E. Cave Creek Rd. Cave Creek 85331.

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse to host Whitehall Lane wine dinner

The Carefree restaurant is hosting a 5-course pairing dinner next Wednesday, February 26th starting at 6 p.m. Each course will be paired with a red or white wine from the Napa Valley winery with a Stuffed Pork Tenderloin and Prime Baseball Cut Sirloin paired with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as the main courses. Seats are $110++ and can be reserved by calling 602-374-4784.

Spanish wine tasting at GenuWine Arizona

The downtown Phoenix wine bar & retail shop will be pouring 3 Spanish wines next Thursday, February 27th between 6-8 p.m. The tasting is free for Wine Club members and $10 for non-members with all 3 wines will be 20% off bottles for everyone.

Queen Creek Olive Mill celebrates its 20th anniversary with limited edition olive oil

The locally owned olive mill is offering a special limited edition extra virgin olive oil. Made with 100% Arizona grown olives, the mid-harvest ripe olives offer a balance of fruitiness and pungency. The anniversary olive oil is available at the mill or online.

M Culinary Concepts donates of 30,000 lbs of food to Waste Not

The event & catering company donated unused food from the WM Phoenix Open to the local non-profit that collects unused food from restaurants, etc and donates it to other non-profits to help feed the hungry before it winds up in a landfill. YMCA Centers, Josie’s Closet, New Horizons Community Care and Native Health were a few of the over 30 non-profits that the food was redistributed too.

Pillsbury Wine Co. brings home medals

The Willcox winery with a tasting room in Cottonwood won 7 medals from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. They received Double Gold Medals for their Inappropriate 23 and Malvasia ‘Bonnie Lee’ 23 and five Silvers for our Chardonnay 23, Grenache 22, Mourvedre 22, Petite Sirah 22 and Symphony 23.

Don Guerra opening Barrio Bagel & Slice in March

James Beard award-winning baker Don Guerra broke ground recently at a former Sonic Drive-In in Gilbert where he plans to open his Barrio Bagel & Slice drive-thru next month. The “drive-thru worth driving through” will bake his popular artisan Barrio bagels, Barrio breads and slices of pizza on site using Arizona grown and milled Heritage grains. Guerra is committed to supporting the “grain chain” throughout Arizona and is partnering with restaurateur, farmer, developer and contractor Oren Molonvinsky.

“We want our wholesome high-quality, healthy foods to be accessible to our entire community,” said Guerra. “Barrio Bagel & Slice is the next step in the evolution of our mission to be community supported and customer centered while redefining the concept of fast casual dining”.

Scratch made ingredients will top pizzas and bagels which will be available in a variety of flavors for breakfast bagel sandwiches and Sicilian style focaccia dough pizzas will be available during lunch and dinner hours. Signature sandwiches will be made with a choice of a Sonora bagel, torta roll or sourdough focaccia panini. Loafs of bread will be available all day daily at 9 a.m. until they’re sold out. Salads, sweets, coffee, tea and cold brews will also be available.

The fast casual drive-thru will keep the covered parking and will be designed with nostalgia and murals. Take-out, drive-thru and third-party delivery will be available. A second location in Tucson is already in the planning stages.

Don Guerra is looking to mentor and hire new bakers

With his Barrio Bread expanding and the opening of Barrio Bagel & Slice, Guerra is looking to hire enthusiastic new bread bakers who are looking to be ambassadors to his mission. Those food service professionals with prior baking experience and those looking to learn to make artisan breads using quality ingredients and Arizona Heritage grains from centuries old recipes should apply. Bakers will be involved in all aspects of the baking business from production to logistics & operations to customer service. For complete job descriptions and to apply, visit http://indeed.com/job/lead-baker (lead baker) and http://indeed.com/job/baker (baker).

Barrio Bagel & Slice will be at 689 N. Arizona Ave. and will be open 7 days a week at 7 a.m. and stay open until 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and until 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information about the new drive-thru visit their website.

 

 

Cove Mesa Vineyard wins medals at prestigious wine competition

Arizona wineries came home with a bunch of medals from the Annual San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, 106 medals to be exact. Cove Mesa Vineyard brought home 31 of those medals including 6 gold and 19 silver, an impressive feat for a winery that produced its first wines in 2020.

The Verde Valley winery is owned by Emil and Cindy Molin where Emil is executive winemaker, and Cindy handles the business side of the business. The Molin’s aren’t new to the wine business as they were investors at Oregon’s Rex Hill Winery when they lived up that way before moving to the Verde Valley in 2015. The reason for the move was so Emil could attend Yavapai College earning an Associate Degree in Viticulture & Enology with Honors in 2016.

Today Cove Mesa Vineyards has 12,000 vines in two vineyards, Cove Mesa and Solair where they make European style red, white and rose wines. There are 8 planted varietals including Assyrtiko, Aglianico, Mourvèdre, Barbera, Teroldego, Graciano, Petit Manseng and Greco di Tufo. The Molin’s also source grapes from Southern Arizona’s Willcox region including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Sangiovese, Petit Sirah, Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Picpoul Blanc, Malvasia Bianca, Vermentino, and several Rose’ including a Double Gold Award Winner.

During a recent trip to Italy to meet with European winemakers, sommeliers and restaurateurs their wines were tasted blind and positive comments about their old world style wines were shared and many thought the wines were from France. In 2022 they opened a tasting room in Cornville to share their wines and it’s been voted Best Tasting Room in Verde Valley in the two years it’s been open.

To see the list of Cove Mesa Vineyard wines that brought home medals visit their website and to see the full list of winners from Arizona visit WillcoxWineCountry.org