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.

Macayo’s Patron Reposado Tequila now available in Mesa

Macayo’s Mexican Restaurants recently introduced their own barrel selected tequila along with new menu items. Macayo’s partnered with Patron to supply the restaurants the tequila aged in an Hungarian oak barrel for five months. Patron often partners with restaurants to supply their own barrel aged tequila. The Barrel Select Margarita ($11.59) uses the tequila at all locations and a bottle ($69.99) can be purchased at the Mesa location.

The restaurant also introduced new menu items along with returning favorite based on customer requests. Spinach con Queso ($5.99 cup, $8.99 bowl), Carne Asada Fries ($8.99), Harvest Chopped Salad ($10.99) and Armando’s Steak Dinner ($16.99) has debuted. Returning to the menu is the popular California Burro.

Also returning today is their popular Recipe Box filled with over 80 recipes from the last 70 years. The Recipe Box sells out quickly and makes a great gift for the upcoming holiday season. You can purchase a Recipe Box at any Macayo’s location or online for $40. For $20 you can purchase only the recipe cards included in the box.

To order your Recipe Box or find a Macayo’s location near you go to https://www.macayo.com/

My Nana’s Best Tasting Salsa Challenge returns April 13th

Do your friends and family tell you that you make delicious salsa or margaritas? If so then you may want to enter My Nana’s Best Tasting Salsa Challenge or the Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix-Off. All entrants have until March 20th to to sign up for the April 13th event at Sloan Field in Mesa.

Not only could you win money with the best recipe but you’ll help to raise money for the Arizona Hemophilia Association. This is the 35th annual fundraiser for the organization.

My Nana’s Best Tasting Salsa Challenge

Anybody can win a piece of the $3,500 in prizes awarded to winner, first runner-up, second runner-up and third runner-up by the judges. You also have the chance to win Arizona Diamondbacks tickets. Individuals, non-profits and restaurants/business will compete for the winning salsa in three categories…Hot, Mild and Anything Goes.

Professional and celebrity judges will pick the winners in a double-blind tastings based on color, taste, after taste and more.

My Nana's Best Tasting Salsa Challenge

Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix-Off

At 12:30 bartenders from across the area will shake things up to win the $500 grand prize for best margarita. Audience members can bid on the winning margaritas with proceeds going to the hemophilia association. They will also be able to bid on vacation packages, sports memorabilia and more.

To enter the contest go to https://salsachallenge.com/contestants/

During the 8 hour event their will be live music, a kid’s zone, a 5K run and more festivities.

The festival starts at 10 a.m. at Sloan Park 2330 E. Rio Salaldo Pkwy in Mesa. For more information and to purchase tickets head to their website

 

A relaxing all day Cinco de Mayo at Sierra Bonita Grill

Cinco de Mayo celebrations come in all shapes and sizes on Friday May 5th and not everybody wants shots of tequila, loud music or parties in to early Saturday morning. Some prefer to celebrate with a relaxing lunch, a refreshing margarita or an after work Happy Hour with friends or co-workers. If that’s your plan continue reading about what central Phoenix’s Sierra Bonita Grill is serving up.

A Cinco de Mayo margarita

Cinco de Mayo Margaritas

Starting at 11 a.m. SBG will be offering their popular Fresh Squeezed Margarita and Pomegranate Margarita for only $5 until they close. These thirst quenching margaritas are made with tequila, fresh squeezed lime juice, a splash orange juice, orange liqueur, house made sweet and sour mix, agave nectar and PAMA liquor.

Lunch and extended Happy Hour

Lunch goes well with margaritas and SBG is serving up 5 tempting lunch specials for $12 until 3 p.m. Guests can choose from Jalapeño Chicken Pasta, Green Onion, Spinach and Cheese Enchiladas served with rice and beans, Chicharron and Potato Taquitos, Red Chile Pork Tostadas, and a Green Chile-Chicken Quesadilla.

If you can’t get in early for lunch SBG is extending their Happy Hour from 3 p.m. until closing. in the bar with cocktails, appetizers and entree items available for $7. Signature cocktails such as Miguel’s Mule, Sangria or the Daiquiri Anos will be available along with dishes that include Carne Asada Street Tacos, a Sonoran Hot Dog and Borracho Nachos.

Sierra Bonita Grill is at 6933 N. 7th St., Phoenix, Ariz., 85014. 602-264-0700 http://www.sierrabonitagrill.com/

 

 

National Tequila Day is this Sunday 7/24 and Macayo’s, Z’Tejas & Taco Guild are celebrating.

Arizona Sunset
Tequila sure has come a long way since our college days of doing shots to get the night started and now it has it’s own day to celebrate as this Sunday July 24th is National Tequila Day and to celebrate several Phoenix area restaurants are celebrating……here are a few of my picks.

All Phoenix area Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen’s will be celebrating all day with guests being able to create their own unique Margarita for $8.00. Macayo’s skilled bartenders will make your margarita after you’ve chosen your favorite…Tequila(1800 Reposado, Don Julio Blanco, Partida Blanco or Sauza Blue Reposado), flavor(Desert Pear, Mango, Peach, Pineapple, Strawberry) and float(Cointreau, Ginger Beer, Grand Marnier). www.Macayo.com
Ztejas
Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill 5 Phoenix area locations will be offering their signature Margaritas from 3-5pm for $5. Margaritas available….6th St. Margarita, Chambord Margarita, Hard Day Margarita, Skinny Girl Margarita, Skinny Cucumber Mule and the Tejas Mule. Z’Tejas also celebrates Tequila Tuesdays with 1/2 off all Tequila drinks except Happy hour prices. www.ztejas.com
Taco Guild
Central Phoenix’s Taco Guild will have Happy Hour from 2pm – closing and will include $5 1893 Margaritas. Other Tequila cocktails will be available all day including Founder’s Guayaba cocktail made with Herradura Double Barrel Reposado tequila and their These Boots Are Made For Oaxacan made with Peligroso Anejo tequila. Taco Guild is at 546 East Osborn Road in Phoenix. 602.264.4143 www.tacoguild.com.

California Pizza Kitchen celebrates its 30th anniversary with the “Next Chapter” new look and menu items

Like many people or companies who turn the BIG 30 they take time to re-evaluate their maturity and prepare for the “Next Chapter” in ones life. California Pizza Kitchen www.cpk.com has done just that by introducing new menu items and a new look. One of the 1st locations to go through this evolution is at Phoenix’s Biltmore Fashion Park.

Maine Lobster Flatbread
Maine Lobster Flatbread
The new look and vibe includes an upscale look, a warm and inviting and rustic decor that uses sustainable materials that include natural elements such as oak floors, tabletops made from reclaimed wood and natural stone counter tops. Vintage artwork of the Grand Canyon and other Phoenix landmarks adorn the walls and the restaurant now features an open kitchen.

According to General Manager, Daniel Smederovac, CPK Biltmore Fashion Park, “The Biltmore Fashion Park was the valley’s first CPK and we are proud chosen to be the first to bring the new look, new menu and new experience to our Arizona guests.”

Strawberry Fields salad with chicken
Strawberry Fields salad with chicken
New menu options have bold flavors that go “Beyond the Crust” and feature a Harvest Kale salad, entrees such as a Fire Grilled Ribeye and Hearth Roasted Halibut along with seasonal items such as Maine Lobster Flatbread, Roasted Garlic Chicken and Strawberry Fields salad. “We still do pizza really, really well, but we are now serving some new fabulous entrees, imaginative salads and fresh new desserts,” said Smederovac.

Whether you eating a CPK favorite or one of the new menu items you’ll need something to wash your food down with and the new California Fresh Cocktails including a Strawberry Lime Margarita or how about a glass of a premium wine or a cold crafted beer will do just the trick.

The Biltmore location is one of the first company wide to go through the new remodel with all 270+ locations including the other 5 Phoenix area locations to be complete by 2016.

Biltmore Fashion Park
2400 E. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 553-8382

Scottsdale
10100 Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
(480) 596-8300

Desert Ridge Marketplace
21001 North Tatum Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85050
(480) 473-3336

Tempe Marketplace
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway
Tempe, AZ 85281
480-967-0498

Dana Park
1850 South Val Vista Drive
Mesa, AZ 85204
480-558-7505

Chandler Fashion Center
3163 W. Chandler Blvd.
Chandler, AZ 85226
(480) 855-3301
About California

Bar Louie Tempe Celebrates “Cinco” for two days May 4th & 5th All Day!

Strawberry Margarita
Strawberry Margarita

Celebrate Cinco the Bar Louie way! Bar Louie is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with two days of mouth-watering offers.

All day Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th, 2013
11a.m.-2a.m.

For only $3.00 guests can enjoy 14oz drafts of XX Dos Equis, regularly $5.00 or for $5.00 guests can enjoy a delicious hand-shaken margarita, regularly $10.00.

Bar Louie is offering the following Margaritas for $5.00

· Dos Sauza Margarita, a mix of Sauza Gold, Sauza Tres Generaciones Añejo, triple sec, fresh sour and lime

· La Fresca Margarita, Avión Silver, fresh orange, lemon and lime juices, agave nectar, lemon-lime foam

· Pomegranate margarita, Cazadores Reposado, pomegranate syrup, fresh sour, lime, cranberry juice,

· Strawberry margarita, Sauza Blue O3 fresh sour lime strawberry purée
Free Chips and salsa with any who purchases a Margarita or XX Dos Equis.

Bar Louie Tempe
Tempe Marketplace
2000 Rio Salado Parkway Suite 1220
Tempe, AZ 85281
480-658-1600 or https://www.facebook.com/BarLouieTempe[caption id=”attachment_836″