Category: hamburger

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

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

The Zuzu Burger Battle kicks off this week

The signature restaurant at Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho started the 8 week competition where members of the restaurant’s culinary team will create a unique burger. Each week’s burger will be featured on the brunch menu daily from 6:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and each burger is $19 and comes with fries or fruit. The winning burger will be selected on National Hamburger Day, May 28th with the winning team member winning $500 and the burger will be featured on the menu all summer long.

“Dollars for a Dozen” fundraiser returns to Over Easy

For the month of April the breakfast & lunch restaurant will match every dollar donated by guests to the United Food Bank. In addition every dollar raised will help a dozen eggs be delivered to the food bank by Shamrock Farms. Last year over $18,000 was raised and over 9,000 eggs were delivered. Guests can donate at any of 11 locations in Arizona.

Phoenix City Grille to host 5 course whiskey pairing dinner

The uptown Phoenix restaurant welcomes host Lewis Clyde (L.C.) May II of Clyde May Whiskey’s on Wednesday April 12th for the dinner with specially prepared menu. L.C. is Clyde May’s grandson and brand ambassador will be signing exclusive PCG single barrel bottles available for purchase at the event. The menu will feature cured pork belly, pork cheeks and more paired with the distilleries whiskey and rye. The evening begins at 6 p.m. and seats are limited and can be reserved for $150++ per person by calling 602-510-7174 or emailing brittnee.reed@outlook.com

Portillo’s announces 7th Arizona location

The Chicago- styled restaurant will open its next location in Queen Creek by the end of 2023. The location at Ellsworth and Elm will have indoor and outdoor seating for over 200 people and will feature their signature 2 lane drive thru for those on the go. When opened customer favorites like the Chicago style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches will be available. Managers and shift leaders will be hired in the near future and applicants can apply online.

Arizona restaurants left off list of finalists for James Beard Awards

Despite over 10 semifinalists earlier this year no Arizona restaurants or chefs made the cut of final nominees. The list was announced by the James Beard Foundation on Wednesday will the winners selected on Monday, June 7th. To see the full list of finalist head to their website.

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.

Saturday’s Laveen BBQ returns to Caesar Chavez Park

Over 100 vendors including BBQ pit masters and artists will be on hand at the 71st Annual Laveen BBQ tomorrow February 25th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission and parking is free with food and drinks sold separately.  The Laveen Community Council hosts the annual event that brings the community together for food and fun. The money raised stays in the community supporting local non-profits.

AZ Women in Food celebrate Women’s History Month

Thursday March 2nd will be an evening of women in the food and beverage industry with food, wine, cocktails and a good time in downtown Phoenix. Farish House hosts Gold. Glamour. Gourmet from 5 – 9 p.m. with tickets $95 at Tock.

GenuWine Arizona pouring Dos Cabeza wines March 3rd

Drop in to the downtown Phoenix wine bar next Friday night to sample wines from this celebrated Arizona winery. The tasting is free for those 21 and over and bottles will be 20% off that night.

Chompie’s is baking Hamantaschen for Purim

All 4 Phoenix area locations are getting an early start to the festive holiday on Tuesday, February 27th offering the baked delicacy. Raspberry, apricot, prune and poppy will be available through March 7th when the two day holiday ends.

Truland Burger offers Beer Cheese Pub Burger for a limited time

Just in time for Spring the downtown Chandler location adds a new burger to the menu. Get a hefty stack of two Niman Ranch all-natural beef patties, including our house-made beer cheese, all-natural bacon, crispy onions and a sweet-savory bacon jam for $14.50. Order it online or in person at 140 N Arizona Ave #100
Chandler, AZ 85225.

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

Federal American Grill to open first Arizona location in January

Arizona continues to attract new restaurants and that trend will continue into 2023 as Federal American Grill will open its newest location in Scottsdale. Offering a relaxed atmosphere, scratch made food and over 500 whiskeys the new concept will be open for brunch, lunch and dinner. The Scottsdale location will be the 5th for the Houston based concept and first outside of Texas.

“We are so honored to be opening in a community as awesome as Scottsdale,” said Matt Brice, Federal American Grill founder and CEO. “We’re eager to introduce this area to our obsessed hospitality, great food and craft cocktails. No matter what your request, yes is always our answer. We can’t wait to get involved and give back to the community surrounding our new location.”

Hospitality and the Federal name is in Brice’s blood dating back to the 1960’s as his family is passionate about hospitality, great food and a fun environment. So much so that the company culture is “Where yes is the answer. What’s your question?”. He is excited to work with longtime friend and Arizona resident Steve Parker. He will be the Operating Partner running the restaurant with his team. “I can’t wait to meet all of our new neighbors and community members as soon as we open,” said Parker.

On the menu at Federal American Grill

The extensive menu at Federal American Grill will have something for everybody. The menu is classic American favorites including comfort foods, seafood, steak, pasta, all American burgers and more. Lunch and dinner signature dishes include a Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Fried Cheeseburger Egg Rolls, Truffle Stuffed Chicken and of course The Federal Burger. Weekend brunch features Creme Brûlée French Toast with bacon, breakfast potatoes and maple syrup, Chicken and Waffles with homemade waffle, buttermilk fried chicken, bacon, cinnamon icing and breakfast potatoes.

Craft cocktails offer something for any time of day with Mimosas and The French 75 popular on weekends. The Bourbon Peach Smash, Rosemary Blush, Paper Plane and the tableside prepared smoky Flaming Oldie will delight guests.

Guest can also expect a calendar of community focused events and fundraisers for local non-profits.

Federal American Grill will open at 7000 E. Mayo Blvd. in the Scottsdale 101 shopping center. For more information visit their website or follow them on Instagram.

Burger and pairings from local chefs

Americans eat almost 50 billion hamburgers a year and there are just as many combinations of toppings for your burger. The debate on whether the hamburger was created in Hamburg Germany or in Texas still goes on. May is National Hamburger Month and May 28th is National Hamburger Day, here a few Arizona chefs offer up their restaurant’s favorite burger and pairings.

The Gringo Burger at Butterfly Burger– Sedona

Chef and Owner Lisa Dahl’s burger was the “People’s Choice” winner at the 2016 Scottsdale Burger Battle and she made it on the Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay”. She also featured it in her new cookbook and memoir “A Romance with Food” where a chapter, “Bodacious Burgers and Their Buddies” is dedicated to the hamburger.

Topped with Tillamook White Aged Cheddar, Louis Remoulade, Shredded Romaine & Crispy Onion Strings on Artisan Bun, Dahl likes to pair it with a Luscious Skinny Margarita. Feature photo credit: Scott Yates

W & W Burger at Weft & Warp– Scottsdale

Chef Dushyant Singh prepares this burger with Angus chuck/brisket blend, Hobbs Bacon, Organic Tomato Jam, Bibb Lettuce, Chive Gloucester Cheddar, Mustard Aioli. It comes with a side of Truffle Fries and his suggested pairing is See You Amaro – berry-infused amaro, bulleit rye whiskey orgeat, and egg white.

Burgers and pairings
Photo credit: Dushyant Singh

Triple B burger at Black Angus Steakhouse- Multiple locations

Chef Fernando Garcia resurrected this popular burger from years gone by for National Hamburger Month. This hand-formed, half-pound, Certified Angus Beef® ground chuck burger is stacked high with bacon, bleu cheese and balsamic red onions. He pairs it with a cold Bullseye Brew.

 

 

 

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.

May the Fourth be with you

Star Wars fan get it and you can too with local food and drink specials next Wednesday May 4th in downtown Mesa. Myke’s Pizza will have a several Star Wars pizza & dessert specials including Dago- Bahn Mi Pizza. Pair Cupworks will offer Chewbaccaccino ($4.25) with chocolate syrup, espresso and milk and other coffee & tea specials. Cider Corps will be pouring their Mango-lorian Cider Slushie in the cantina.

Local restaurants say thanks to teachers and nurses

Teacher and Nurse Appreciation Week starts Monday, May 2nd and they can save money at these local restaurants until May 6th.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria get 15% off when they dine-in or take-out at all Phoenix area locations.

Koibito Poke is offering 25% all orders.

Eat Up Drive In in Arcadia gives 15% off for the week.

Derby Day at Match Market & Bar

Every first Saturday in May is the Kentucky Derby and the downtown Phoenix restaurant in the Found:RE Hotel is offering signature cocktails and themed brunch buffet starting at 11 a.m. Oversized hats and Derby Day fashions are encouraged. Tickets are $65++ per person and can be bought on Eventbrite.

Weekly burger specials for National Burger Month at Miracle Mile Deli

All month of May get a 1/3 lb fresh beef burger, fries and pickle for only $11 at the midtown Phoenix deli.

2-7 Try the Uptown Burger with pepper jack cheese, avocado, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato and chipotle.

9-14 Taste the Ellis Island Burger is served with your choice of aged cheddar, imported Swiss, classic American, provolone or pepper jack cheese along with green leaf lettuce, tomato and red onion.

16-21 Enjoy the Jack & Patty Melt gets grilled onions, pepper jack cheese and Miracle Mile dressing served on grilled rye bread.

23-28 Its time for the Broadway Burger. This incredible cheeseburger is topped with aged cheddar, crispy bacon, green leaf lettuce, tomato, red onion and Miracle Mile dressing.

Babbo Italian Eatery raised a lot of money for the Seena Magowitz Foundation.

A follow -up to a post from earlier this month as the restaurant raised over $105,000 on April 7th that will be donated to pancreatic cancer awareness and research.

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.

Sid’s Garage bringing high energy vibe to Desert Ridge Marketplace

Phoenix is getting a new burger restaurant when Sid’s Garage starts serving high intensity burgers, cocktails with an attitude on May 15th. With 2 locations in Idaho, owners Nicole and Will Primavera bring their industrial vibe to The District next to AMC theatres where guests will also enjoy adult games, an outdoor patio and a private dining room for group events.

Get ready to chow down on burgers, award-winning cocktails and boozy shakes not for the faint of heart. Burgers include the Boss Hog Burger – half-pound Wagyu and Black Angus Snake River Farm beef patty, 48-hour roasted pork belly, onion rings with scratch-made Sriracha-bourbon sauce or Sid’s version of Bacon and Eggs – four pieces of candied bacon suspended above two flash-fried deviled eggs with a honey mustard dipping reduction.

Enjoy favorite cocktails and shakes such as the Velvet Revolver made with vodka, tyku, lime, muddled cucumber and sriracha; the 420 shake has crumbled Oreo, vanilla ice cream with a buttercream rimmed glass and a huge dark chocolate ice cream sandwich; the Fat Elvis shake includes a peanut butter rim, raspberry jam, vanilla bean ice cream, crunch berries and a full size strawberry short cake bar.

Sid’s Garage will be open daily at 11 a.m. until  9 p.m. Sunday – Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information visit their website.

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.

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.

Woo Woo Burgers coming to Scottsdale with pop-up kick off

Z’ Tejas ghost kitchen that launched last June in Chandler is coming to Scottsdale starting Monday January 3rd 2022. With a pop-up launch by the lake at their McCormick Ranch location the first 200 guests get a free burger, side & a drink. Starting Monday the full menu will be available in Scottsdale for curbside pick-up or third party delivery. The pop-up starts at 11 a.m. and goes until there are no more burgers to serve.

Start 2022 with National Bloody Mary Day at Daily Dose

Drink too much ringing in 2022, get back in the saddle first thing Saturday morning January 1st 2022 with the classic cocktail. All 3 locations kicking it off with their Bacon Bloody Mary and more with brunch.

New hours at Maui Pasta

The popular Gainey Ranch pasta shop and eatery come January 3rd 2022 will be open Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. The new hours reflect a continued focus by Chef Patty & her staff on making fresh pasta and scratch made Italian & Hawaiian food for dine-in, take-out & catering.

New year, fresh salad specials at Miracle Mile Deli

Those making resolutions to make better eating decisions can head to the central Phoenix deli for weekly $12 salads in January. Starting the 3rd-8th The Mediterranean Salad followed every Monday by the Aloha, Fiesta and Big City Chopped Salads are available.

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.

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

What’s going on in the Phoenix food & beverage scene?

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers celebrates 10 years with $10 burger & beer deal

Every Monday – Friday from 3 p.m. –  6p.m. in November the locally owned burger & beer joint is celebrating a milestone anniversary with a deal hard to pass up. All 12 Phoenix area locations are ready to welcome customers with this deal which includes an All-American Burger, chips & domestic draft beer.

Pedal Haus Brewery opens 3rd location in Phoenix

Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix is where Julian Wright decided to open the third location of his popular taproom. The award-winning beers will be delivered daily from the Tempe brewery and guests can expect signature dishes including Haus smoked wings, a giant Bavarian pretzel and more like that found at the Tempe & Chandler locations. An extensive vegan and gluten-free menu offered in Tempe will be rolled out in coming months in Phoenix.

Pork on a Fork awaiting new restaurant opening with Food Truck Friday

Every Friday from 5- 8 p.m., or until they sell out, the food truck will hit the brakes in the parking lot of its future brick & mortar location in Chandler. $200 worth of gift cards will be given away and future food truck events will be announced. The new restaurant will be at 1972 N. Alma School Rd. Chandler 85224.

Chompie’s offering to-go Hanukkah meals

Just when you’re tired of turkey Hanukah starts Sunday, November 28th and Chompie’s Deli locations in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe & Chandler are offering deli platters and dinners for curbside pick-up. A minimum 24 hours’ notice is required and all pre-orders can be made by calling 480-348-2287, online or in person.

Dapper & Stout Coffee Company now open in Uptown Phoenix

The third location of has opened in at Uptown Plaza offering everything from coffee to food to cocktails. They open bright and early at 6 a.m. seven days a week and stay open til 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday & Saturday. Happy hour is daily from 3 – 6 p.m. with special on cocktails, wine & beer and $2.00 of Small Bites.

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.

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.

Burger & a beer for $14.99 at U.S. Egg for National Hamburger Day

I’ll be at my nearby U.S. Egg for lunch next Wed. July 28th to celebrate a favorite food. Choose from 9 options on the menu and pair it with a draft beer including several local breweries. To find one of th 6 Phoenix area locations of the locally owned breakfast & lunch restaurant check their website.

Koibito Poke introduces Dole Whips, Happy Hour and more

Starting today at 4 p.m. at Arcadia, Scottsdale Waterfront & Chandler locations start daily happy hour with drink specials from 4-6 p.m. and all day Saturday & Sunday. Gainey Ranch to launch soon with $4 beers & $5 wines, seltzers, sakes until Sept. 31st. They just introduced the cool and refreshing Dole Whip at the Gainey Ranch location & via delivery from other locations. The 5 oz. pineapple treat is only $4.99 with new flavors coming soon. Keep an eye out for their new food truck hitting the streets of the valley this summer with poke bowls and more. The truck is available for private catering & corporate events.

LDV Winery releases 2015 Sky Island Grenache

Cheers to a perfect summer wine from this southern Arizona winery. This weekend get 10% off at their Scottsdale tasting room. Only 336 cases were made and it retails for $30 or $10 a glass at the tasting room.

Nonna Urban Eatery offers 3 course summer menu

Choose from 6 dishes from each the 1st & 2nd courses before narrowing down a choice of 3 desserts at this Old Town Scottsdale restaurant. Choose from Hiramasa Sashimi, Pastor Pork Chops, Bouillabaisse and more for $48++. Reservations can be made by clicking the link. Modified menus can be made for bar & patio dining, for more information visit their website.

Sailor Cherry and Sailor Strawberry ciders available at Cider Corps

The award-winning Mesa cidery pays tribute to “Navy tattoo art” and to Navy tattoo legend “Sailor Jerry” Collins with 2 new ciders that are available on tap or in 4 pack cans. The labels were made by fellow downtown business Naysayer Tattoo Shop. The sour cherry and sweet strawberry ciders also have hints of peach, tangerine, lemon & lime.

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.

 

I talk French fries on The Great Food Feud with Brian Howie

I recently appeared on the first episode of the revived The Great Food Feud podcast. The topic was one of my favorite foods, French fries. We talked about the different styles of fries, fast food fries, toppings, condiments and more.

Enjoy and let me know what your favorite style of fries are and where you go to get your French fry fix.

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.