Category: food truck

Taco Fest Phx comes to downtown Phoenix this Saturday

Taco aficionado David Tyda is back in the taco festival game with this Saturday’s Taco Fest Phx. The co-founder of the Arizona Taco Festival sold his share of several years ago but that hasn’t stopped him from eating his way through as many tacos as possible and organizing other food festivals in downtown Phoenix.

Tyda and business partner Lisa Duffield block party styled festival will be held over two city blocks near 1st St. & Moreland as the sun goes down from 6 – 11 p.m. Over 10 taco makers and more than twice as many beer, agave and spirits producers will keep the people fed and happy all night.

Taco makers will be making just one kind of taco so you can taste as many tacos as possible from Random AF Taqueria, Lola’s Tacos and Sabor A Mi and more. Firme Mezcal, Codigo 1530 and Avion Tequila will be making margaritas, craft cocktails and offering samples. Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages from Topo Loco Mineral Water, Vita Coco and Alani Premium Purified Water will keep the crowd hydrated. Local DJs Spin, Lizzy, Vinyl Vagos, CRVNT3S and DJ Big Rube will energize the crowd.

A limited amount of tickets for this 21 & over event are $40 and include a wristband for 6 alcoholic beverages. Tacos are to be purchased separate from admission tickets. Discounted Designated Driver tickets for those not drinking alcohol are $15 while supplies last. Tickets for Taco Fest PHX can be purchased at their Eventbrite page. The festival is produced by Phx Fest and presented by Phoenix Magazine and benefits Downtown Phoenix Inc.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Arizona Wine Month is here and the Grand Festival is weeks away

Last year Governor Ducey proclaimed March Arizona Wine Month and March 25th the Arizona Wine Growers Association hosts an outdoor festival celebrating the local wine industry. The 2nd Annual Arizona Wine Month Grand Festival and Governor’s Cup Celebration kicks off at 11 a.m. at Steele Indian School Park that is sponsored by ArizonaWines.com and Dawning Public Relations. Wineries from the state’s three wine regions Verde Valley AVA, Willcox AVA and Sonoita/Elgin AVA will be in attendance.

“With March officially being Arizona Wine Month, and the Governor’s Cup wine competition being held that month as well, we had to take this opportunity to celebrate this thriving industry, the state’s award-winning wines and the winemakers who make it all possible,” said Kris Pothier, president of the AWGA and owner of Chateau Tumbleweed.

In addition to award-winning wines food trucks and local artists will be on hand. There will be live music to entertain festival goers as well. General admission tickets are $35 online and $45 at the door. Admission includes a commemorative glass and 8 tasting tickets. VIP tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the door with entry at 10 a.m. and extra tasting tickets. Tickets are non-refundable. Because of limited parking, ride sharing and arriving by light rail is encouraged. This is a 21+ event and only service dogs will be allowed and the festival is happening rain or shine.

To see a full list of participating wineries and to purchase tickets visit the AWGA website or Eventbrite.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

The Camp Verde Wine & Pecan Festival is back for its 22nd year

Downtown Camp Verde celebrates two of the region’s biggest draws Saturday and Sunday March 18th and 19th with the return of the 22nd Annual Camp Verde Wine and Pecan Festival. Fifteen of the region’s best wineries, food trucks, live music, a variety of pecans, a competitive pecan eating contest and more will keep attendees busy during the two day event.

The Verde Valley Wine Consortium and the Town of Camp Verde host the annual festival. “The Verde Valley American Viticulture Area (AVA) has achieved so much acclaim since its designation in 2021 that we are expecting a great turn out this year,” said Parks & Recreation Manager Michael Marshall.

Bodega Pierce, Salt Mine Wine and Burning Tree Cellars are a few of the wineries pouring wine starting at 11 a.m. Live music starts at 12 p.m. with Eric Ramsey on Saturday and Chicago Bob & The Blues Squad on Sunday.

The festival is free to attend and open to all ages. Those 21 and over can purchase tasting tickets in advance for $20 at http://www.verdevalleywine.org/  or Eventbrite. Day of tickets are $25 and all tickets include a commemorative glass and 6 tasting tickets. Additional tickets will be available for purchase at the festival.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

 

“Little Italy” comes back to Phoenix and first event Sun City

Downtown Phoenix’s Heritage Square and the Sun Dial Recreation Center in Sun City become “Little Italy” for two weekends in March when The Italian Association of Arizona hosts its 8th Annual Italian Festival. Saturday & Sunday March 4th & 5th the festival will be at Heritage Square then the celebration of Italian heritage and culture heads to Sun City for the first time March 11th & 12th.

“The Italian Festival is part of a dream to bring a piece of Italy to the desert,” said Italian Association’s Executive Director, Francesco Guzzo. “We started with a small event along the Southbridge in Old Town Scottsdale in 2014 with a few vendors and lot of enthusiasm. Eight festivals later, we are hitting attendance capacity and keeping Italian traditions alive.”

Festival goers can expect local food vendors serving authentic Italian cuisine, opera singers, The Sicilian Band, dancers and more entertainers. Pizza, gelato, espresso, pasta and more will be available from local vendors Pomo, Pasta Rea, L’Impasto, Little Italy of Scottsdale and others. Non-food vendors including Italian leather purse makers and handmade jewelry will be available for purchase. A Kid’s Zone with face painters and balloon makers will be on hand to keep the kids happy.

Tickets are available online for $10 in advance and $20 the day of event and children under 12 years old are free. For more information or to purchase tickets visit the Phoenix and Sun City websites.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

 

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

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

Wing Wednesday specials at The Bar in Gilbert

Have you heard the news, people are flocking to downtown Gilbert to get their hands on the flavorful, crispy & juicy John Blaze Honey Hot, Buffalo, BBQ, “Blow Your O-Ring” and Teriyaki wings. The Bar‘s grilling then fried wings are specially priced every Wednesday from 3 p.m. – 1 a.m. for $9 for 6 wings or $14 for a dozen. Each order comes with celery & carrots and your choice of blue cheese or ranch dressing.

Pillsbury Wine Co. and more pouring at Arizona Wine Festival

20 Arizona wineries and other vendors will make downtown Phoenix’s Heritage Square home January 28th -29th. Beer and food trucks will also be on hand with tickets for $35 on Saturday and $30 on Sunday. Friday night will be a benefit for Horses Help and the festival starts at 11 a.m. on both days. Information and tickets can be purchased can be found at Eventbrite.

Outerbound Wines featured at Hyatt Scottsdale Winemaker Dinner Series

The Gainey Ranch resort and spa continues its Winemaker Dinner Series in 2023 with its first dinner on Thursday, January 19th. High end wines from Sonoma County will be paired with a five-course dinner from Chef Joaquin Estolano Jr. and his team. The reception starts at 6:30 p.m. with Phillip Kube of Outerbound Wines followed by dinner at 7:00. Seats are $170 per person and can be reserved by calling 480-629-6231.

Save your receipts for 50% off at Koibito Poke

For the month of January purchase lunch between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. then return for dinner from 5 p.m. til closing and get half off. The “Save Your Receipt” promotion is good on the same day 7 days a week at all 4 locations.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Tickets on sale for Off the Vine Arizona Wine Festival

Just in time for the holiday shopping season tickets are on sale for the “9th Annual Off the Vine Arizona Wine Festival” on Saturday, February 23rd 2023. Over 30 wineries will return to Oro Valley’s Steam Pump Ranch for the 6 hour event hosted by the Arizona Wine Growers Association.

“After multiple sell-out years, we were able to work with the Historic Steam Pump Ranch and nearly double our footprint for this year’s festival,” said Kris Pothier, president of the AWGA and owner of Chateau Tumbleweed. “This will not only allow for more attendees, but more wineries, food vendors and ample parking.”

8 local food trucks will have food to purchase and artists will be in attendance along with live music to entertain festival goers. Taking the stage will be Heather Hardy Trio (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.), Paul Green and Midnight Blue (12:30 – 2:30 p.m.) and Matrix featuring Lexa Raquel (3 – 5 p.m.). A few of the wineries pouring include Callaghan Vineyards, Los Milics, Carlson Creek, Winery 101 and Garage -East.

“Given the year over year success of the event combined with the extra space available, we are now also adding a VIP option for attendees that will include early admission, a wine tote swag bag, and a parking pass,” said Pothier. “There is also a limited opportunity for guests looking for some seats and shade to reserve a picnic table with an umbrella and seating for eight, which are $250/each and include one VIP ticket.”

The festival goes from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. with general admission tickets on sale for $30 per person and VIP tickets are $70. If any tickets remain the day of the event they will be $40 each. Tickets are available at Eventbrite or www.offthevine.com For more information visit the Arizona Wine Growers Association website.

Four Peaks Oktoberfest coming to Tempe Beach Park

Three days of live music, carnival rides, wiener dog races, a celebrity brat eating contest and more are scheduled for the return of Four Peaks Oktoberfest to downtown Tempe. The fun starts at 5 p.m. on Friday October 7th with happy hour and goes until Sunday afternoon at Tempe Beach Park.

Festival goers won’t be bored with entertainment from start to finishing that also includes watch parties for both ASU and Cardinal games on Saturday and Sunday. Bands such as Authority Zero, Wyves, The Black Moods, 2 Tone Lizard Kings, Voyager and SuperHero will entertain attendees on 2 stages. Denmark Foods will be featuring vegetarian and poblano chicken empanadas along with Island Noodles and German desserts. Four Peaks beers will be poured along with German style drafts, wine and cocktails.

Tickets for Pour Peaks Oktoberfest are $20 on Friday and Saturday with free admission on Sunday. Attendees under 20 years old are free all weekend and pre-sale tickets are available for discounts. For more information and to purchase tickets head to their website.

Scottsdale’s Taste of Italy arrives in October

The Scottsdale Waterfront will host Italian food, culture, opera singers and more when the Italian Association of Arizona hosts Scottsdale’s Taste of Italy on Saturday & Sunday October 15th & 16th. The 2 day festival will also feature two stages with live music including Michéal Castaldo considered the next Andrea Bocelli. Non-food vendors will be set up so you can shop off the calories.

Foodies will want to indulge in Italian cuisine from food trucks including L’Impasto along with pizzas, and Italian desserts cannoli, biscotti, gelato and more. Nothing goes better with Italian food than Italian wines and there will be wine tasting as well.

Tickets for Scottsdale’s Taste of Italy and Music Festival will be sold online for a limited time and can be purchased in advance for $10. Day of tickets are $20 and children under 12 are free. The festival starts at 11 a.m. both days and goes until 9 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Sour & Sweet Beer Fest coming to Scottsdale in August

Fate Brewing Company host’s the first annual Sour & Sweet Beer Fest Saturday August 13th at The Clayton House in Old Town Scottsdale. Fate’s director of Operations Steve Ellefson and Head Brewmaster Adam came up the idea for the new beer festival only a few months ago as they noticed the popularity of sour beers and no other festivals taking place during the summer. Sour beers are one way brewers can get creative using a “melting pot” of ingredients for unique flavor profiles.

“A crisp lager or sour hits differently on a hot Arizona summer day,” said Fate Head Brewer Adam Schmeichel. “So, we thought, ‘Why not bring together the best light and sour beers our brewing community has to offer into one festival?’ Thus, the Sour & Sweet Beer Fest was born. Best of all, we’ll be indoors.” Fate will be pouring their Blueberry Lemonade sour which uses lemons from Tempe’s Silent Orchard.

What to expect at Sour & Sweet Beer Fest

13 Arizona breweries will be pouring over 50 light & sour beers and ciders at the event that begins at 1 p.m. Familiar names such as Grand Canyon Brewing, Goldwater Brewing and Cider Corps are a few breweries that will be in attendance. Popular food trucks Dilla Libre, French Me and Eis Cafe will have food for purchase during the festival. A collaborative dessert from Fate and Eis will feature the Blueberry Lemonade sour and Birthday Cake ice cream for the festival.

Tickets for the Sour & Sweet Beer Fest are $45 for general admission which gets you 15 tasting tickets and a commemorative glass. VIP tickets are $65 and get you early entry at 12 p.m. and a commemorative t-shirt. Designated driver tickets are $10 and the event is rain or shine with no refunds. Tickets can be purchased online or at Fate’s Tempe or Scottsdale locations where you can save the processing fee. The event is for 21 & over and The Clayton House is at 3719 N.75 St. Scottsdale 85251. Free parking is located at the event or in the nearby Civic Center Library garage.

Sips & Bites: News you can use from the Phoenix restaurant community

Quick sips & bites of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Arizona Restaurant Week starts today

The twice yearly Arizona Restaurant Week gives locals & visitors a chance to visit new restaurants and try something new at their favorites. 126 restaurants are ready to serve a special 3 -course menu starting today and running until Sunday May 29th.  Prie-fixe menus of $33, $44 or $55 allow guests to discover unique dishes specially created for the next 10 days. Visit the Arizona Restaurant Association’s website to see participating restaurants and their menus.

Meet the owner of Aridus Wine Company

Founder & owner Scott Dahmer will be stopping by their Scottsdale tasting room today from 5-8 p.m. He’ll be telling his story of why he founded the wine company and about what’s next with the brand.

Pedal Haus downtown Phoenix add to brunch menu

Saturday’s and Sunday’s just got a little better in downtown Phoenix as the newest location of the award-winning brewery adds to their brunch menu.

The “You Wake, We Bake” special are the Southwest Gourmet Breakfast – fluffy scrambled eggs, chicken apple and chorizo pork sausage links, bacon, seasoned breakfast potatoes, black beans, pico de gallo, grilled peppers, and tortillas. Also the Haus Gourmet Breakfast – fluffy scrambled eggs, chicken apple and pork sausage links, bacon, seasoned breakfast potatoes, baked beans, roasted mushrooms and tomatoes, and toast.

Each entree comes with your choice of a select Pedal Haus beer, a BEERmosa, a regular mimosa or a Bloody Mary for $16.

“Dinner on Us” returns to the Roaring Fork

It’s been a Memorial Day tradition at the Scottsdale restaurant when you buy one entrée you get a 2nd for free on Monday, May 30th. Choose from Rotisserie Chicken, the Big Ass Burger, Bacon Wrapped Beef tenderloin and other wood-fired favorites. Reservations are suggested for dinner that starts at 4 p.m. and more information is at their website.

The Culver’s Food truck rolls into the Phoenix Zoo today.

All things are good as the “From Wisconsin With Love” Food Truck Tour makes its way to Phoenix today. As mentioned on Monday the truck will be serving up cheese curds and frozen custard from 10 a.m. – 4p.m. today.

Don’t forget to check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.