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.

Burrito Express opening first hybrid location inside Circle K

The valley’s hometown burrito joint since 1995, Burrito Express continues its expansion with its first hybrid location inside a Gilbert Circle K. A grand opening celebration and festivities is scheduled for next Sunday, February 23rd from 7a.m. until noon. The first 50 guests will receive a free burrito and buy one burrito, get one free will be offered until noon.

Other grand opening festivities include…

  • The first 50 guests will also receive a free swag bag filled with merch, including a Burrito Express Platinum Card that offers cardholders 10% off their Burrito Express purchases throughout 2025. This special card also grants cardholders a chance to win tickets to Arizona sports events such as Diamondbacks, Suns and ASU games throughout the year.
  • Customers can also experience a meet and greet with ASU athletics players. From 7-8 a.m., ASU baseball players Rohan Lettow and Kien Vu will be onsite and from 9-11 a.m., ASU football players C.J. Fite, Xavion Alford, Kyson Brown and Chamon Metayer will be onsite for autographs and photos.
  • The Burrito Express Fast and Fresh grand opening event supports the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps first responders, veterans and the families of 9/11 victims. From Sunday, Feb. 23 through Friday, Feb. 28 a percentage of sales from this Burrito Express location will be donated to the organization.

The new location inside Circle K joins the seven other Phoenix area streetside locations and is located at 7165 S. Val Vista Dr. Gilbert 85298. For more information visit their website.

ASU’s Cameron Skattebo signs NIL deal with Burrito Express

Now that college athletes can get paid for their name, image and likeness (NIL), Arizona State University running back Cameron Skattebo has signed a deal with locally owned Burrito Express. Brothers Angel and Mark Marin co-own Burrito Express and are ASU alumni presented Skattebo with his first NIL deal. He has since turned down other lucrative offers since signing with Burrito Express.

“We are extremely excited to work with Cam and offer him his first NIL deal,” said Angel. “And we’re humbled by the fact that despite other companies’ best efforts to lure him away from our contract, he has chosen to remain loyal to the Burrito Express family.”

ASU running back Cameron Skattebo

This isn’t the first NIL deal for the community minded Marin brothers who have long supported local sports and will continue to collaborate with ASU athletes. In its 30 years Burrito Express has provided thousands of free burritos to high school sports programs throughout the valley.

With the signing of Cameron Skattebo comes a signature burrito available at all 7 Burrito Express locations. The Boo-ritto is a hearty combination of chicken, beans, cheese, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, guacamole and rice for $11.88. To find a Boo-ritto near you or see about their community involvement visit their website.