Phoenix Suns Gorilla helps create new pizza with Spinato’s

As the new season for the Phoenix Suns is about to start their mascot had a busy off season. The Gorilla has been working hard at creating the new “Courtside Classic” pizza with Spinato’s Pizzeria and will be showing it off at launch party next week. After working on several recipes everybody decided the “Courtside Classic” will be made with Spinato’s classic red sauce, hot Soppressata (Italian dry salami), Spinato’s secret spice, house-pickled jalapeños, red onions and mozzarella. The pizza will be made with fresh dough and ingredients for every Suns and Mercury game.

Spinato’s co-owner Anthony Spinato was impressed with the Gorilla’s pizza making skills. “We didn’t know what to expect, but he did a pretty good job helping me in the kitchen,” Spinato said. “He’s nimble and has a good work ethic. If he wasn’t working for the Suns, we might consider hiring him.” It’s not the first time Spinato’s has partnered with someone outside the family as they just finished a collaboration with the Wizard of Za and Beer Research Institute.

Phoenix Suns
Courtside Classic Pizza

The pizza will be available at all Spinato’s locations and at The Footprint Center starting Tuesday, October 11th for $28.50. The Central Phoenix location will host a launch party on the 11th from 4-6 p.m. and will feature Phoenix Suns Gorilla, Phoenix Suns Dancers, the Mercury Scorch, State 48 and Four Peaks Brewing Company. Spinato’s ran a contest to choose the name of the new pizza and Maria Linder won a $100 gift card.

The Central Phoenix location of Spinato’s is at 5509 N. 7th St. Phoenix 85014.

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.

National Burger Day is Saturday 5/28

A favorite of many, the hamburger is celebrated all month of May and especially tomorrow. Two local restaurants are taking advantage of the American comfort food with free offerings.

Eat Up Drive In Get a Free side of fries with every burger purchase when you mention this promotion at the Arcadia restaurant.

Woo Woo BurgersBuy One Burger Get One Free when you order online for pick-up or delivery from their Chandler or Scottsdale ghost kitchens.

FiiZ soda shop opens tomorrow in Downtown Mesa

A cold refreshing soda hits the spot and Fiiz’s list of sodas has almost 60 on it. Italian sodas, smoothies, flavored coffee drinks (Choffy) and add-ons make sure you won’t go thirsty. At 52 S. Mesa Dr. this is the first of what the owner hopes to be 6-8 locations in Mesa. Snacks include pretzels, nachos, Chonuts (churro & donut) and more are also available. The new shop will open Saturday May 28th from 12-6 p.m. Regular hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays. FiiZ will be closed on Sundays.

Four Peaks Brewery to give grants to 12 teachers

You have until June 30th to nominate a teacher for the “Four Peaks for Teachers” campaign. 12 teachers nationwide will be surprised with $1,000 grants for school supplies. In addition a portion of sales from its Kilt Lifter Amber Ale will be set aside to purchase 10,000 school supply kits for teachers in 5 states. Four Peaks is partnering with the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Rising to host kit distribution events in July.

The brewery’s 8th Street pub in Tempe is hosting several specials for teachers through July 31st.

  • Weekly food specials — $1 from each special is donated to the nonprofit Four Peaks Charities to help fund the Four Peaks For Teachers program.
  • Teacher Tuesday “All Day Happy Hour” featuring $4 pints through July 31.
  • “Buy a Teacher a Beer” tear pad program…these are pint tear pads — pub patrons can buy one, put them on the wall and then teachers can pull them off and redeem them.

Barro’s Pizza raising money for Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children in June

The community minded , family owned restaurant with 47 locations in Arizona is raising money for the 7th year for children and families affected by pediatric cancer. Along with Pepsi they will donate up to $40,000 from sales from any lunch special until June 30th. Lunch hours vary by location.

Food and drink specials at Morning Squeeze for Pride Month

The Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix locations share the love and support of the LGBTQ community with 2 specials in June. Pride Punch ($10) is rum cocktail with peach schnapps, pineapple & lemon juice and a melon liqueur. It’s garnished with a candy rainbow ribbon. Stuffed French Toast ($14) layers cream filling between two slices of the restaurant’s original French toast and tops it with colorful garnishes.

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.

Angelo’s Ale on tap at Barro’s Pizza in the East Valley

Beer drinkers wanting to taste the new Angelo’s Ale from Four Beaks Brewing Company need to get the east valley. It’s for a good cause as Barro’s Pizza’s east valley locations will pour the beer named after Barro’s founder Angelo Barro. In 1961 Angelo opened the first restaurant Chicago then opening in Arizona in 1980. He passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2015 and proceeds from Angelo’s Ale are being donated to the Alzheimer’s Association, Desert Southwest Chapter.

“We are really moved by Four Peaks’ offer and partnership to honor our Dad with a local brew,” said Bruce Barro, co-owner of Barro’s Pizza. “We saw our dad suffer from Alzheimer’s, and it means a lot to be able to help fund Alzheimer’s education and support.”

During a kickoff event in mid-November a $5,000 check was presented to the Association.

There is no better combination than pizza and beer,” said Rocky Arredondo, Four Peaks’ sr. director of marketing. “We wanted to find a way to honor the patriarch of the Barro family while also Four Peaks Brewing Company and Barro’s Pizza helping fight Alzheimer’s. He was an important icon in Arizona, and it only felt right to come up with a brew that we could dedicate to him. We’re honored to have our beer available at Barro’s locations across the East Valley.”