Tag: restaurant

Tucson favorite eegee’s to open 5 locations in Phoenix area

Rumors started earlier this week that the popular Tucson fast food chain would be making its way up I-10 to open locations in the Phoenix area. Rumors became facts when it was announced that 5 locations would open in the second quarter of 2021. eggee’s is known for its Ranch Fries, grinders and frozen fruit drinks will open locations in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale and 2 in Gilbert.

“We look forward to becoming a part of the Phoenix metroplex, through job creation at our five new restaurants, charitable giving, and of course, our trademark frozen eegees,” said CEO Ron Petty.

Ranch Fries. All photos courtesy of eegee’s

The chain has opened over 20 locations around Tucson since 1971 and have seven more planned around town in 2021. It’s received several Tucson foodie awards including “Best French Fries” and “Best Fast Food”. In 2019 Food and Wine magazine named it “Best Fast Food” in Arizona. The company has donated over $3 million dollars to Tucson area charities and has several corporate initiatives benefiting the local community. The company started a recycling program in 1987 and strives to be a zero waste company.

Updates and details of the upcoming Phoenix openings can be found at their website as they become available.

 

Virtual cooking classes offered from Hotel Valley Ho

Looking for new recipes to impress friends and family look no further than new virtual cooking classes coming from Hotel Valley Ho Executive Chef Russell LaCasce. The R+R Show will feature Russell and his “Sous Chef” hotel General Manager Ronen Aviram preparing dishes with recipes and ideas for cocktails and leftovers viewable one Friday a month.

The free classes debut October 23rd with the VH Chopped Salad. Future virtual cooking classes include Petaluma Chicken on Nov. 20, the Hawaiian Poke Bowl on Dec. 18, The John Berry on Jan. 22, and Charbroiled Ribeye on Feb. 26. All classes are viewable at http://www.hotelvalleyho.com/. Private viewable classes are available for groups and private celebrations.

Also happening at the Scottsdale hotel will be a celebration of the tropics on Tiki Weekend October 30th – November 1st. Dust off your favorite Hawaiian shirt and tropical attire for a luau Friday night. Enjoy live music, a pig roast & tropical cocktails, hula dancers, fire dancers and more under the palm trees of the Palm Court. Tickets are $129 per person include chef prepared food, 3 drinks and a festive lei.

Halloween night put on your best tiki inspired costume for a Tiki-Mask-erade Party. The guest whose costume gets the loudest applause will be the winner. Enjoy cocktails, small bites, DJ music and of course Halloween candy outside in the Main Place Courtyard and hotel’s ballrooms. $99++ per person includes 4 drinks, small bites and candy. Space is limited to all events with social distancing enforced as will mask wearing unless seated. Special room rates are available starting October 27th and will include a welcome cocktail and $50 resort credit. See the website for details and to reserve your room.

 

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.

Weekend brunch back on the menu at Rusconi’s American Kitchen

Weekends just got better at the intersection of Shea and Tatum as Rusconi’s American Kitchen has re-introduced brunch on the weekend. In the past the scratch kitchen had served brunch only on Sunday’s but added Saturday’s from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to get sweet & savory favorites. Eggs, pancakes, soups, sandwiches and entrees with Rusconi’s twist have returned including……..

-Pork Chile Verde with corn tortillas, sunnyside up egg, cotija cheese, green chile sauce, grape tomato salsa and radish, $14

-The Kitchen Benedict featuring beef short ribs, poached eggs, citrus hollandaise, English muffin and creamy red pepper grits, $12

-RAK French Toast with cinnamon cream, powdered sugar and real maple syrup, $10

-Rico’s New Orleans Beignets with house made jam and chocolate sauce, $9

-Roasted Pork Posole with hominy, corn, avocado, grape tomato salsa, and watermelon radish, $7, bowl; $11, large bowl; add an egg for $2 more

-Roasted Chicken and Strawberry Salad with rhubarb vinaigrette, praline pecans, granny smith apples and goat cheese, $12

-Harris Ranch “Kitchen” Burger with goat cheese, caramelized onions, arugula and tomato, $14 (add a fried egg for $3)

Enjoy house made Bloody Mary’s and Mimosa’s for $5 with you meal whether you choose to dine-in or take-out.

Weekend brunch reservations can be made by calling (480)493-0009 or online at https://rusconiskitchen.com/. Rusconi’s American Kitchen 10637 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix 85028

Sandwich deals for the month of August at Miracle Mile Deli

Phoenix’s Miracle Mile Deli re-opens it’s dining room at 50% capacity today just in time for National Sandwich Month. To celebrate the are offering weekly $10 sandwich deals for four of their popular sandwiches. In addition to limiting seating they’re following other CDC guidelines including requiring wearing face masks when not seated to keep customers safe and healthy.

The weekly deals are for dine-in, take-out or curbside pick-up and come with a choice of a side dish and a kosher dill pickle spear. The sandwich deals below are available Monday – Saturday from 11 a.m. – 7p.m.

8/3-8/9 – The Straw
8/10-8/16 – Brisket of Beef Sandwich
8/17-8/23 – Combo (Pastrami & Corned Beef piled high)
8/24-8/30 – New Yorker

Side dishes include….

French Fries
Potato Salad
Cole Slaw
Macaroni Salad
Carrot Raisin Salad
Pasta Salad
Fresh Fruit
Applesauce
Steamed Vegetables
Jello
Potato Chips

Miracle Mile Deli is at 4433 N. 16th St. Phoenix 85016.

 

 

Carnitas Way delivers California beach style healthy Mexican food

A new concept has a emerged in the restaurant industry as ghost kitchens a.k.a cloud or virtual kitchens have become popular. Theses kitchens don’t have traditional store front locations and don’t offer dine-in service with delivery the only option. Carnitas Way launched last week from Kurt and Colleen Riske, owners of Los Sombreros. California style burritos, bowls and salads are made at the three locations in Mesa, Scottsdale and Phoenix then delivered via GrubHub, Postmates and Door Dash.

“We’ve been working on the Carnitas Way concept for some time,” says Kurt Riske. “And while it may seem unusual to open a new restaurant in the midst of a pandemic, it’s actually great timing for this delivery only restaurant that features delicious dishes made with healthy ingredients that offer people serious value.”

Outrigger BowlCarnitas Way

Carnitas Way burritos, bowls & salads.

All menu items are under $10 and burritos can be made into bowls. All burritos and bowls include carnitas except the North Shore.

Baja – black beans, peppers, onions, cabbage, chipotle cream sauce & jack cheese.

Newport – potatoes, poblano peppers, drunken salsa & queso fresco.

Laguna– pinto beans, pico de gallo, & chipotle tomato sauce.

Kapalua – potatoes, carrots, poblano peppers, onions, roasted tomato salsa.

San Carlos – chopped mango, pico de gallo, & habanero salsa.

Outrigger – zucchini, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, pinto beans & mole verde sauce.

North Shore – Veggie

Wedge –  ntwo scrambled eggs, cajun seasoned potatoes, bacon, chipotle tomato salsa, pico de gallo & avocado.

Cancun – salsa verde & jack cheese.

Salads include…

Tamarindo Salad – cabbage, spring mix, diced onions, red pepper, roasted corn, honey lime dressing, tajin, chopped cilantro, goat cheese & fried tortilla strips.

Corn Salad

“Carnitas Way was created to make life a little easier and more enjoyable, by delivering satisfying, flavorful meals right to your door,” says Colleen Riske. “From the beach-inspired names of Carnitas Way menu items to our overall vibe, we’re excited to connect with people who appreciate the simple pleasure of a delicious meal done right.”

Orders can be placed at their website.

Fogo de Chao adapts to a new reality amid Covid 19

When restaurants shut down dining rooms in March due to Covid 19 they had to rely on takeout and delivery until the lock down ended in May. Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao was no different furloughing 90% of staff with managers becoming cooks, order takers and delivery drivers. The restaurant offered Fogo to Go butchered raw meats, meals to go, catered off site meals for small groups and Caipirinha cocktail kits. Management at the headquarters in Dallas were devising a plan for locations throughout the country as how to adapt to the new reality when dine-in service resumed.

Fogo de Chao is known for its generous assortment of meats skewered and served table side by gauchos but also for its generous assortment of cold salads, meats and cheeses at it salad bar. That’s where it biggest challenge would be on how to serve guests who were used to making their way to the salad bar stocked with over 30 items.fogo de chao

The new normal at Fogo de Chao

A recent visit to the Scottsdale location I found out what has changed since they re-opened for dine-in service last month. The changes were obvious once you enter to restaurant, hostess’s and all employees wear face masks, a poster board next to the hostess stand reviews their commitment to health and safety and fewer tables in the dining room for social distancing. Gone were menus, salt & pepper shakers and the green (Go) and red (Stop) coaster cards diners use to let gauchos know whether to approach you for more meat.

As for the buffet, selections have been reduced. Servers now bring a charcuterie board of meats, cheeses and olives followed by courses of salads to choose from. Gauchos continue to roam the room carving slices of beef, chicken, pork and lamb to your heart’s desire as they did prior to Covid 19. Only difference is they approach you asking if you’d like more meat.

Fogo continues to offer Fogo- to-Go’s butcher shop, catering with curbside pick-up and contact-less delivery. Summer promotions are being finalized and I will update as soon I as I hear what they are.

The Scottsdale location is at 6300 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale 85250. The restaurant offers full service dining as well as group dining, an outdoor patio and bar. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner & brunch on weekends. For more information and to make a reservation head to their website.

Kasai Japanese Steakhouse re-opens with a new look

When Kasai Japanese Steakhouse re-opens on Tuesday June 16th guests will notice a new look and a new streamlined menu. The highlight of the new look are 4 new hood-less teppanyaki tables, a first in Arizona. With the new tables the restaurant will have 14 tables to accommodate 146 people. Most tables are in the back of the restaurant but the new ones are in the front so all can see the fire and fun.

“We are thrilled to be able to give more of what everyone loves with the expansion of our highly successful teppanyaki program,” said owner, Mike Russello. “Our guests want that high-energy dining experience that they look forward to when they come to Kasai”. Included in the new look is a more open and inviting floor plan.

The Scottsdale restaurant has a new streamlined menu including thinly sliced Kasai Filet Carpaccio and the favorite Mongolian Lamb Chops. The teppanyaki menu offers over 50 dinners & combinations served in seven courses. The fun at the tables starts with the energetic chefs offering fresh made food & flare. New custom cocktails include Violet Solstice, made with Hendricks Mid-Summer Solstice Gin, Crème de Violette, and fresh lemon juice. The P. King cocktail (in honor of original owner Patrick King) is made with Toki Japanese whiskey, lychee liqueur, fresh lime juice & bitters.

Kasai Japanese Steakhouse serves dinner starting at 4 p.m. and happy hour from 4 – 6:30. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. & Sunday from 4 to 9 p.m. Kasai is at 14344 N. Scottsdale Rd. For more information visit their website or Facebook page.

 

Dine-in is back on the menu at Phoenix area restaurants

Restaurants can now re-open for dine-in service as of May 11th according to Gov. Doug Ducey. Many restaurants are opening for guests to dine-in while others will wait it out a bit longer while they continue to offer takeout. Many are having staff where masks and adhering to new sanitizing guidelines.

These Phoenix area restaurants are opening their dining rooms and may require reservations to space out diners. Check back as this post will be updated as more restaurants open their dining rooms for service.

Chandler- Downtown Ocotillo

The Living Room, Rock Lobster, CHoP Steakhouse, Press Coffee, Cherish, Humble Pie. Downtown Ocotillo is at 2475 W. Queen Creek Road 85248.

Chandler- Chase’s Diner 2040 N. Alma School Rd. 85224.

Scottsdale- North

The Spotted Donkey at El Pedergal 34631 North Tom Darlington Drive, Carefree 85377. Liberty Station Tavern 34522 N. Scottsdale Rd. Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., Carefreee

Dominick’s Steakhouse 15169 N Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale 85254. The Americano 17797 N Scottsdale Rd 85255.

Scottsdale- Downtown/ Mid

Tommy V’s Urban Kitchen 7303 E Indian School Rd. 85251. Merkins Vineyards 7133 E. Stetson Dr. 85251. Pomo Pizzeria 8977 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale 85253

Ocean 44 4748 N Goldwater Blvd, Scottsdale 85251. Zuzu at Hotel Valley Ho 6850 East Main Street 85251. Paul Martin’s American Grill 6186 North Scottsdale Road 85253.

Glendale

Urban Margarita 6685 W. Beardsley Rd. 85308

Phoenix- Arcadia/ Biltmore

Steak 44 5101 N 44th St. 85018

Phoenix metro

The Stockyards Restaurant 5009 E Washington St. 85034.

Phoenix- North

Original Breakfast House (May 28th) 13623 N 32nd St. 85032, Ocean Prime (5/19) 5455 E. High St. 85054

Phoenix- Central/ Uptown

Joe’s Diner 4515 N. 7th Ave. Phoenix

Phoenix- Downtown

Pomo Pizzeria 705 N. 1st Street

Multiple locations

Angry Crab Shack, Koibito Poke, Fired Pie, U.S. Egg, Barro’s Pizza, Chompie’s

Twin Peaks Restaurants, Wildflower (Deer Valley & Gilbert only for now.)

SanTanitizer now being made at SanTan Brewing Co.

Restaurants haven’t been the only businesses to change the way they operate business in the world of coronavirus. Breweries and distilleries are doing their part trying to keep the at home public refreshed with cold beer and cocktails. Many are trying to keep us healthy and safe by using their breweries and distilleries to make hand sanitizer. SanTan Brewing Co. has decided to not sell 16,000 gallons of beer and turn it to SanTanitizer.

The medical grade hand SanTanitizer will make 400 gallons to be donated to HonorHealth and the City of Chandler. The public can purchase bottles for home use when they order takeout from SanTan’s brewpubs. Last week the brewery had their distributor return mostly IPA for making the SanTanitizer that for retail and restaurants.

“SanTan beers are best served fresh, we insist on serving each beer within 90 days of brewing. So, this idea struck me as a great way to repurpose and give back to our Arizona community. We want to do our part to help flatten the curve, save lives and get Arizona back to work,” said Anthony Canecchia, founder + brewmaster, SanTan Brewing Company.

Making the SanTanitizer

The distilling and kegging process happens this week and expects the SanTanitizer to have a pleasant tropical aroma.

“With local bars and restaurants closed to dine in business, we have an abundance of keg beer that is going past the “best before” date. Under normal circumstances at Crescent Crown we would simply destroy the out of date beer. However, once Anthony from SanTan found out about this process he asked us to send his beer back to him so that he could distill it and turn it into medical grade hand sanitizer,” Said Joe Cotroneo, EVP General Manager, Crescent Crown Distributing.

Visit http://www.santanbrewing.com/ and social media to see when the SanTanitizer is available for purchase.