Category: Surprise

“Baseball for Babbo” fundraiser honors restaurant’s founder

Locally owned Babbo Italian Eatery lost its founder Ken Pollack to pancreatic cancer in late 2022 and will honor him with a fundraiser on Thursday, June 15th. 100% of the “Baseball for Babbo” sales at the 8 locations will be donated to the Seena Magowitz Foundation and donations will be matched by Ken’s family and Roger Magowitz. Babbo means “daddy” in Italian and Ken was a leading figure to his staff and family along with being an avid baseball fan.

“‘If you give you will get, and if you get you should give,’ was my Dad’s quote. This event is the perfect way for us to honor his legacy and live by his motto,” said Marketing Director of Babbo Italian Eatery Taylor Schultz. Guests can honor Ken and help raise money whether they dine-in or take-out on the 15th.

The Seena Magowitz Foundation was founded by Roger Magowitz named after his mother who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in 2001. Pancreatic cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer deaths with a five year survival rate. The foundation is the voice of the disease and helps bring awareness and how to reduce the risk of getting it.

“The foundation accepts the challenge in pursuit of an eventual cure,” said Magowitz. “We thank Babbo Italian Eatery for their desire and commitment to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research, done by the brightest, most innovative minds in medical science.” Donations can be made directly to the foundation or through Babbo’s donation page.

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 of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant, beer & wine community.

Pedal Haus releases RAD Pumpkin Ale for Rob Dollar Foundation

The Tempe & Chandler brew pub is releasing its first pumpkin ale on Saturday October 17th. On Saturday in Tempe from 3:00 -6:30 p.m. guests can enjoy the beer at happy hour prices with half of the beer’s sales being donated to the foundation named after the avid cyclist who was killed in 2017. The foundation helps the cyclist community promote safety and awareness to other motorists.

Friday & Saturday nights get Reverse Happy Hour at Nook Kitchen

Starting tonight the Arcadia restaurant is giving customers a few dollars off selected drinks and appetizers starting at 10 p.m. A DJ will be setting the late night vibe until 2 a.m. Last call for food is at 1:30 a.m.

It’s a Pink Out on Saturday 10/17 at Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant

The family owned restaurant with 5 east valley locations celebrates the life of co-owner Stephanie Serrano who passed away last year from breast cancer. The sales of Stephanie’s favorite dish Stacked Enchiladas will be donated to HonorHealth’s Virginia G. Piper Foundation, where she received treatment. Customers are encouraged to wear pink and a special price of $10.99 will be offered for the enchiladas.

It’s Pastra-ME Mondays at central Phoenix deli

Start your week off at Miracle Mile Deli and its popular weekly sandwich feature where you get a pastrami sandwich, fries & pickle spear for only $10. The Straw & New Yorker are $12. Good for dine-in or take-out through the end of the year.

Reel Deels now available all week at Reels Pizza Pies

The Surprise pizzeria has added daily Deels in addition to their Monday Reel Deel. Every day two 18-inch one-topping pizzas are just $34.99 or guests can get an 18-inch cheese pizza and 20 wings for $29.99. For a “Reel Deel” lunches available until 4:00 p.m. get a free drink with any two-slice pizza order, free drink with any slice and side salad order or any sub and a medium drink for just $8.

 

Farmers markets heat up as the weather cools down

A sure sign of the change of seasons and cooler weather is the re-opening of farmers markets across the valley. Farmers markets feature locally grown produce and other food products and crafts and have become very popular in recent years. Several feature coffee, food trucks and have local restaurants preparing ready to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner. Others offer cooking demonstrations and seminars for the communities benefit. 2020/21 markets are following CDC guidelines with social distancing and wearing of masks to keep everybody safe and healthy. Many welcome dogs as long as they are on leashes. Markets if not running year round usually end before the summer heat kicks in in May.

The this Saturday October 3rd brings the re-opening of the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market. The popular market starts at 8 a.m. and runs until 1p.m. at 2nd St. and Brown.

The return of north Phoenix’s High Street Farmers Market is set for Sunday October 25th. Over a 100 vendors will be selling food, arts and more from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Some farmers markets haven’t waited for the weather to cool down such as Momma’s Organic Market in Surprise. The new market started up at The Sterling Grove Market on Sunday September 6th. Momma’s market at Park West in Peoria kicks off Wednesday October 7th at 4 p.m. Their Glendale market at Arrowhead Town Center is open on Saturday mornings.

Arizona Community Farmers Markets organizes 10 markets in the Phoenix area including the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market. For information and their locations visit their website.

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

Quick bits of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant, beer & wine scene.

Good news with a Reel Deel Monday’s in Surprise

The newish and popular Reel Pizza Pies in the northwest valley now offers a Reel Deel that includes 2-18 inch cheese pizza pies, a Caesar salad, an order of garlic knots & two cannoli’s for only $39.99. For more information or to order head to their website.

Roaring Fork’s “Dinner on Us” returns for Labor Day

The Scottsdale restaurant celebrates the end of summer with it’s annual Labor Day (Monday Sept. 7th) promotion where guests can Buy One Get One free starting at 4 p.m.

U.S. Egg has new cocktails and a Bloody Mary flight

All 6 locations of this breakfast and lunch favorite spot have introduced a new cocktail menu. Included are a Dreamsicle cocktail, new Mimosa flavors and a Bloody Mary flight.

National Beer Lover’s Day at Miracle Mile Deli

Enjoy Labor Day with $4 pints and $20 growlers all day long at this central Phoenix deli. Choose from Tower Station IPA, Papago Orange Blossom, Kiltlifter & Leininkugel’s Summer Shandy.

Fantasy Football draft parties at Twin Peaks

Pick your teams at 3 Phoenix area locations or have them bring the party to you. Dine-in or take out league commissioners get $50 gift card and each league member gets a $5 gift card for a future visit.

Momma’s Organic Market adds 2 new farmer’s market locations

Update: The Surprise market has moved to Asante Prep Academy at 23251 N 166th Dr. in Surprise and the Peoria Night Market at Park West has been cancelled for the season due to unforeseen circumstances. The Glendale market has not changed.

It’s starting to feel like fall as local farmer’s markets start getting ready open back up. For this year’s season Momma’s Organic Market is adding two new locations to its west valley schedule. For over 10 years the market has been held at Arrowhead Town Center in Glendale offering locally made foods and more with a long list of vendors.

Starting Sunday September 6th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Momma’s will be in Surprise at The Sterling Grove Market. The market at 17193 W. Montpelier Street will run through May. Wednesday October 7th will bring the return of Momma’s to Peoria where it was for over a decade. The late afternoon market will be located at Park West at 9744 W. Northern Ave from 4 -7 p.m. weekly until May.

‘This is an incredible period of growth for us and we’re thrilled to bring our free market to two amazing neighborhoods,” says Christa Esquibel, owner. “Our expansion is a testament to the fact that Arizonans want to, and will continue to, support local. It is a collaborative effort between our location hosts, dedicated vendors and loyal customers.”

The Glendale market will continue to run on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. All 3 markets are free, family friendly and will offer a rotating list of local vendors and food trucks. Cash and credit cards are accepted with trained and leashed dogs welcome.

A short list of Momma’s Organic Market local vendors.

TJ Farms, Udder Delights Dairy, Mama Olga’s Tamales, Mama Olga’s Tamales, Bella’s Candy Shoppe, Can I Get A Ruff Ruff, Tree Huggin’ Bakers, Willy’s Tomatoes and Chilies, My Flower Bed, Dukes Barkery, All About The Booch and Shannon’s Kitchen.

Many more vendors show up and a a complete list of weekly markets can be found at their website.

Reel Pizza Pies offers “Pies & Vibes” and more in Surprise

Kaleb Copenhaver, owner of the new Reel Pizza Pies had two passions growing up, pizza and music. So what do you do, you open a pizza restaurant with a great playlist. That’s what the 22 year old Copenhaver did with his new restaurant that opened May 20th in the Marley Park shopping center in Surprise.

“Reel Pizza Pies is a cool place to go with great music and great pizza,” says Copenhaver of his 1,200-square-foot, 15-seat restaurant that serves slices, whole pies as well as sandwiches and subs via counter-service style. “We set ourselves apart by using the best and freshest ingredients in an energetic and fun environment,” he adds.

Copenhaver started working in pizza restaurants at the age of 16 and has traveled the country tasting great pizza before opening Reel Pizza Pies. He uses 00 organic flour, fresh mozzarella and organic Bianco tomatoes in his New York style thin crust and thick Sicilian style pizzas and makes fresh bread and dough with a traditional approach. Pizza is baked in an Electric Deck Oven he calls the “pizza master”. He also makes subs, salads and desserts and meatballs using his grandmother’s recipe.

Starting at 11 a.m. Friday May 22nd the first 50 customers will receive a free cheese pizza with the purchase of a beverage. Saturday June 20th will be the official grand opening with a pizza tasting, games, prizes and more.

The restaurant is at 13953 W. Waddell Road, Suite 103 Surprise 85379. Delivery is available within specific boundaries. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. For more information and a complete menu, visit their website.

Surprise to host inaugural Rib Fest Showdown in April

Update: Postponed, no new date set.

As culinary events and food festivals get postponed or cancelled due to the coronavirus a new festival is moving forward as planned. The first ever Rib Fest Showdown debuts April 25th & 26th 2020 in Surprise at Mark Coronado Park. The Throwdown pits Kansas City vs. Texas pitmasters to see who makes the best smokes meats. With the aroma of burning wood in the air festival goers will taste ribs and other smoked meats.

The city of Surprise was chosen as co-host of the event as it’s the Spring Training home of both Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals & Texas Rangers.

“We are thrilled to partner with the City of Surprise to launch this exciting event,” said Landon Evans owner of HDE Agency. “Supporting the economic growth and working together to build a cornerstone event for the city that will come to be recognized as an annual program is both rewarding and awesome.”

LDE Agency is also producing the KNIX BBQ & Beer Festival on March 28th in Chandler and is taking every per-caution to make sure both festivals are safe, clean and happen as planned.

The family friendly festival also features a ‘Battle of the Bands” with local and national performers, a kid’s zone, food eating contests and more.

The Rib Fest Showdown goes from 12 – 10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are on sale with 2 for $16, 4 for $30 or 6 for $40. Walk -up tickets the day of will be $10  each. VIP tickets and a Stay & Play overnight packages are available. A portion of the proceeds from the Rib Fest Throwdown will be donated to Mighty Change of Heart, a local non-profit that provides support for foster children.