Hundred Mile Brewing Company dream coming true

In the next couple months Sue Rigler’s dream of opening a brewery becomes reality when she opens Hundred Mile Brewing Company in Tempe. She’ll be opening it with co-founder Todd Kessel who brings the experience of general contractor of breweries to the table.

“Opening my own craft brewery after the last of my four kids finished high school has been a longtime dream of mine,” says Rigler. She is no stranger to the brewing industry herself as she’s worked for brewery equipment manufactures and has done research at over 500 breweries. She completed the Certification Brewing Program at U.C. San Diego and has served on the board of the Pink Boots Society, a non-profit raining awareness and funds for women in brewing.

Head Brewer Valerie Adee will focus on brewing hoppy, West Coast IPAs and Pilsners in the 10 barrel brewing system. Adee learned to make beer while at ASU before heading to California to learn more at Firestone Walker and as Head Brewer at Trademark Brewing. Once opened Hundred Mile will brew and pour 24 craft beers on tap and to ensure the freshest beer no beers brewed will travel more than a hundred miles away. A full menu will feature tacos, burgers and other beer friendly foods.

Hundred Mile Brewing Company, a community spot

The three attended ASU so the Tempe was ideal for them. “This location, by Tempe Town Lake and ASU, is where my energy is centered — from being on the same dirt as the Devil House and becoming an Ironman finisher in and around Tempe Town Lake to my deep love for the city of Tempe and ASU. It exceeds my dreams and is truly perfect for everything I envision Hundred Mile Brewing Company to be!”

Over 10,000 square feet will accommodate brewing operations, two bars, event space, a taproom and a dog friendly patio. Rigler envisions the space to be a community meeting spot not just for beer lovers but for bicycling & running clubs and to make connections throughout the community.

“We are built on the foundation of our love for clean, balanced handcrafted fresh beer,” she says. “We will serve this beer with incredible, high-quality food in an atmosphere that is friendly, respectful and welcoming to all of our guests. We hope Hundred Mile Brewing Company becomes the new gathering place of Tempe and surrounding neighborhoods.”

Hundred Mile Brewing Company will be at 690 N. Scottsdale Rd. Tempe 85281. 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.

 

 

The Dash Inn re-opens in Scottsdale after 27 years

If you attended ASU from 1967 – 1994 you probably spent some of your parent’s money on beer and food at The Dash Inn. Closed in 1994 by the fourth set of owners the popular dive bar was an institution at Apache & Rural Rd. has re-opened as part of Brat Haus in Scottsdale. The Dash Inn Tribute Room’s owner Dave Andrea is also the owner of Brat Haus and was one of the last owners at the original location. I visited the new location with a very excited ASU alum on the 2nd night it was opened and many local alumni have been strolling down memory lane as the stopped by to remember their college years. Rumor has it when it was billed to a credit card it read “the library”.

“The Dash Inn was a hip joint, and you could see that just by walking in,” said former employee Tom Cole. “Management never gave long-haired waiters a hard time when they applied for work, which gave the personnel and restaurant a look that attracted the counter-culture while its traditional Mexican feel attracted everyone else.”

Andrea uses one of the dining rooms at Brat Haus for The Dash Inn as guests prefer the outdoor beer garden. Guests will find nostalgia and 500 MTV music videos on a rear projection TV and a limited menu of Mexican food. The menu includes the popular secret recipe margarita and cheese crisp with all menu items costing $8 or less.

“Luckily, I had kept all of the old recipes and plenty of pictures to help replicate the details of design, smallware and furniture,” Andrea said. “The Dash played an important role in thousands of people’s happy memories of a simpler time and college life in the ‘70s and ‘80s. It’s been so much fun listening to all their stories as we bring it back.”

The Dash Inn Tribute Room is located at 3622 N. Scottsdale Road 85251. Hours are Wednesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to close and Saturday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to close. For more information and updates check out their Facebook page.

Plant based GuacStar Kitchen to open first location in Tempe

One of the biggest trends in 2019 was plant based foods and soon the first plant based restaurant in Arizona will open in Tempe. When GuacStar Kitchen and Cantina opens near ASU at University & Rural Roads it will be a one of a kind eating, drinking and entertaining restaurant.

Partners James Carlin, Tom Cerino, Randy Feldman, Suzanne Davis and Julie LaRussa look to re-define plant based restaurants with an upbeat and hip concept found in N.Y.C and L.A. “GuacStar’s goal is very simple – to show the masses that you don’t have to sacrifice your taste buds or your wallets by eating plant-based cuisine,” said Carlin, GuacStar co-owner. “Our mission is to make healthy food sexy and to create an exciting, unpretentious plant-based dining destination where the overall experience counts just as much as the food.”

Executive Chef Vincent Contreras has created plant based versions of classic Mexican cooking. The full-service restaurant will also have a beer, wine and cocktail program.

GuacStar Kitchen and Cantina will have a contemporary decor with soft lighting, raw materials and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The restaurant will be open for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and late night dining.

GuacStar Kitchen and Cantina will be at the Cornerstone Mall at 930 E. University Dr. Tempe 85281.

The Bodhi is packed with healthy food & information

Fast casual and healthy eating continue  to be priorities in the local restaurant community heading into 2018 and the newly opened The Bodhi in Tempe checks both boxes.

For those looking to extend new year resolutions to eat healthy as long as possible this restaurant can help you extend it.

Steak and eggs bowl. All photos courtesy of The Bodhi

In the heart of downtown Tempe on College Ave. will serve more than the  ASU crowd with its organic vegetables and vitamin rich foods at an affordable price.

The Bodhi provides

Whether you’re building a bowl, having salad or taking a cold pressed juice on the run all ingredients are crafted for a healthy and nutritious diet with research to see which ingredients and combinations work best.

Their blog provides information and facts on nutrition and healthy habits for its customers.

521 S. College Ave #112 Tempe 85281. Full menu and more! (480)699-0409Bodhi

 

Chicken is the main ingredient Chick-In on the ASU campus

Chicken is the #1 food trend for 2018 according to Nation’s Restaurant News which is great news for the local quick casual concept Chick-In. Located on the ASU campus in Tempe, Chick-In uses chicken as the main ingredient in its Mediterranean inspired cuisine with an emphasis on authentic Israeli dishes.

Owner Yariv Elazar is from Israel opened Chick-In in May of this year with head chef Maayan Glass who wanted to bring authentic dishes of his homeland to the ASU campus.  Israeli cuisine is #3 on the list of top food trends of 2018.Chicken The versatility of chicken as a protein and its affordability are two of the reasons it placed at the top of the list released in early November.

That versatility and affordability are evident on the menu at Chick-In with an assortment of sandwiches, platters, bowls along with vegan options as well. The restaurant also keeps kosher. All meals are made fresh to order and Grab & Go salads are made fresh daily.

Chick-In is in Wilson Hall at 24 E. Orange Mall Tempe 85281. 480-665-2185.  For hours and to see the menu visit their website.

 

Ahipoki Bowl coming The Wedge near ASU

Locally owned Ahipoki Bowl has announced its 3rd location to be across from ASU at the new Wedge building on Rural Rd. between Apache & University. They are hoping for a March 2017 opening.

Logo courtesy of Ahipoki Bowl
Logo courtesy of Ahipoki Bowl

Ahipoki Bowl at The wedge

The Wedge had been a well-known bookstore but is being converted to take better advantage of car and foot traffic along Rural Rd. to serve the area with other amenities. According to co-owner Jason Janzen ” The campus at ASU has been on our radar since day one, Ahipoki Bowl has a massive appeal to health conscious millennials and we expect this new location to be our busiest location to date and a launching point for our upcoming beer and wine program roll-out”

What is Poke?

Poke is native to Hawaii dish and is made from sushi grade fish including Ahi tuna, salmon and shrimp and garnished with vegetables and exciting toppings such as seaweed salad and is served over a bowl of rice.

Ahipoki Bowl will be at 1015 S. Rural Rd. Tempe 85281 & more information can be found at www.ahipokibowl.com Other locations are in Scottsdale and Chandler with 4 more in southern California.

 

 

 

%d bloggers like this: