Scottsdale based sneakybird is opening their first West Valley location this Saturday, November 23rd in Surprise. It’s the fast casual concepts third location with three more openings planned in the next six months. The grand opening celebration starts at 10 a.m. at the Village of Prasada and has prizes, photo opportunities, music and more.
“The secret to the success of sneakybird, spelled with all lowercase letters by design to underscore its sneaky-good and sneaky guilt-free product, is the combination of a specially designed oven and innovative breading recipe that blends panko flatbread as well as aged parmesan that together combine to give the crunch and flavor of fried chicken,” said Dan Chaon, founder of the sneakybird.
Known for their “never-ever fried” recipes since 2022, sneakybird offers oven-roasted chicken sandwiches, wraps, tenders and wings in their dry rubs that include ancho lime, smoky honey peach, salted maple and more. Those that prefer breadless chicken can have their chicken “naked” (grilled) with salt, pepper and garlic. The flavorful chicken taste doesn’t stop with the dry rubs as there are several sauces available for dipping and topping your chicken. Sauces include “Sneaky”, their signature Buffalo style, “Soko”, Asian sweet & heat, “Music City Hot”, Nashville hot, “Fool’s Gold”, golden mustard & smokey BBQ sauce and “Teriyaki”.
“sneakybird also features handcrafted flatbreads – chicken pesto, pepperoni, and the Islander, which features honey-chipotle sauce, mozzarella, pineapple, capicola, and fresh cilantro – as well as three epic options for tater tots, including a sweet potato alternative, salad, coleslaw, and even a chilled vegetable medley,” said co-owner Jordan Strasser. “There are also copious options for kids, all focused on the same craveable philosophy.”
sneakybird Surprise is at 16430 W. Waddell Rd. and is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. For more information visit their website.
The popular O.H.S.O. Brewery has opened its first restaurant and brewery in West Valley with the opening of their Surprise location. The new location is in response to customers’ demand for a location closer to their West Valley homes. The opening also marks the first location from Kind Upper Room Ventures LLC.
The new LLC a three-way partnership between Kind Hospitality, Upper Room Hospitality and its owners Derek and Gloria Boettchner and B.A.D. Ventures and owner Brian Duertte. Derek Boettchner was Kind Hospitality’s V.P. of Operations before starting Upper Room and Duertte is the executive V. P. of Accounting for Kind Hospitality.
“With our Valley’s population growing and the city of Surprise’s population increasing rapidly, we are beyond excited to open this facility for all residents in the West Valley,” said Derek Boettcher, owner and Operator of Kind Upper Room Ventures LLC. “We are thankful for the support of the community and look forward to serving the longtime loyal guests of O.H.S.O as well as new guests and families in the area. We are also thankful to Brian Roerich, and Jon Lane for their trust in us representing their brand to the residents of the west Valley, as well as their support during our training and opening of the restaurant.”
What to expect at the new O.H.S.O Brewery
Like the other locations around the valley O.H.S.O Surprise offers an elevated menu of bar cuisine, a variety of craft beers along with seasonal and specialty beers on tap and brunch on Saturday’s and Sunday’s. The layout of the restaurant will be the same 2,000 square foot dog-friendly misted patio that is popular with guests and 4,500 square feet inside that can accommodate up to 350 guests.
O.H.S.O Surprise is at 13434 N. Prasada Pkwy. and is open Monday – Thursday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. – Midnight, Saturday from 9 a.m. – midnight and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. For more information visit there website.
Last week the popular California sandwich shop Mr. Pickles opened its first Arizona location in Scottsdale at Shea and Scottsdale Rd. The mom & pop restaurant was founded in 1995 by Frank and Michelle Faugudes who decided to retire and sold it in 2020 to Arizona resident Mike Nelson. The quick service restaurant is known for hot and cold sandwiches served on any of 10 breads and wraps.
Nelson is a longtime customer who is Chief Executive Officer and has over 30 years’ experience as an owner/ operator of restaurants including Wingstop, Subway and Carl’s Jr. franchises nationwide.
Hot and cold sandwiches at Mr. Pickles
The Scottsdale restaurant offer all the favorite sandwiches including the Mr. Pickle, which is chicken breast, bacon, Monterey jack, avocado and the works as it relates to veggies; the Santa Maria Tri-Tip, which is actual tri-tip sourced from the famed Santa Maria region topped with specialty barbecue sauce and the works.
Two new sandwiched have debuted at the new location; Listen Linda is named after Nelson’s wife of 36 years and is piled high with turkey breast, avocado, bacon, Swiss cheese and the works – including our specialty garlic sauce. Della’s Deli, honors Wilson’s business partner, best friend and Mr. Pickle’s president Dean Johnson’s wife of more than 40 years. It features turkey breast, ham, salami, cheddar, and the works. A wide section of chips, sides and of course a jumbo whole dill pickle are available and each sandwich, salad or wrap comes with a FREE chocolate chip cookie.
“Since 1995, Mr. Pickle’s has been a premier sandwich shop specializing in innovative and craveworthy sandwiches, salads and catering,” says Nelson, “During its first three decades, thanks to its community culture, incredible recipes, and all its fans, the brand grew from one to 56 locations across northern California. We look forward to building this brand that now calls Arizona home, as well as helping grow it nationwide in the years to come.”
Continuing to grow
Important to Nelson is its close knit relationships with its vendors and the company continues to grow. “We partner with as many artisan bakers, regional farms and ranches that we can when sourcing our products, making every item unique to us,” says Nelson, who spent the past year bringing the business into the digital age and investing in technology that will propel the brand forward nationwide. “You will not see six-inch and foot-long sizing from us, more specialty breads than uniform options.”
Nelson plans to open locations in Chandler, Laveen, Queen Creek, Surprise and a second location in Scottsdale in the next 18 months. Up to 20 locations are expected to open in California in the next 7 years. Mr. Pickles also relocated it headquarters to North Scottsdale last year and kept its franchisee support center in California.
The restaurant is at 10701 N. Scottsdale Road and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Quick sips of news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant, beer & wine community.
Pedal Haus releases RAD Pumpkin Ale for Rob Dollar Foundation
The Tempe & Chandler brew pub is releasing its first pumpkin ale on Saturday October 17th. On Saturday in Tempe from 3:00 -6:30 p.m. guests can enjoy the beer at happy hour prices with half of the beer’s sales being donated to the foundation named after the avid cyclist who was killed in 2017. The foundation helps the cyclist community promote safety and awareness to other motorists.
Friday & Saturday nights get Reverse Happy Hour at Nook Kitchen
Starting tonight the Arcadia restaurant is giving customers a few dollars off selected drinks and appetizers starting at 10 p.m. A DJ will be setting the late night vibe until 2 a.m. Last call for food is at 1:30 a.m.
It’s a Pink Out on Saturday 10/17 at Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant
The family owned restaurant with 5 east valley locations celebrates the life of co-owner Stephanie Serrano who passed away last year from breast cancer. The sales of Stephanie’s favorite dish Stacked Enchiladas will be donated to HonorHealth’s Virginia G. Piper Foundation, where she received treatment. Customers are encouraged to wear pink and a special price of $10.99 will be offered for the enchiladas.
It’s Pastra-ME Mondays at central Phoenix deli
Start your week off at Miracle Mile Deli and its popular weekly sandwich feature where you get a pastrami sandwich, fries & pickle spear for only $10. The Straw & New Yorker are $12. Good for dine-in or take-out through the end of the year.
Reel Deels now available all week at Reels Pizza Pies
The Surprise pizzeria has added daily Deels in addition to their Monday Reel Deel. Every day two 18-inch one-topping pizzas are just $34.99 or guests can get an 18-inch cheese pizza and 20 wings for $29.99. For a “Reel Deel” lunches available until 4:00 p.m. get a free drink with any two-slice pizza order, free drink with any slice and side salad order or any sub and a medium drink for just $8.
A sure sign of the change of seasons and cooler weather is the re-opening of farmers markets across the valley. Farmers markets feature locally grown produce and other food products and crafts and have become very popular in recent years. Several feature coffee, food trucks and have local restaurants preparing ready to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner. Others offer cooking demonstrations and seminars for the communities benefit. 2020/21 markets are following CDC guidelines with social distancing and wearing of masks to keep everybody safe and healthy. Many welcome dogs as long as they are on leashes. Markets if not running year round usually end before the summer heat kicks in in May.
The this Saturday October 3rd brings the re-opening of the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market. The popular market starts at 8 a.m. and runs until 1p.m. at 2nd St. and Brown.
The return of north Phoenix’s High Street Farmers Market is set for Sunday October 25th. Over a 100 vendors will be selling food, arts and more from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Some farmers markets haven’t waited for the weather to cool down such as Momma’s Organic Market in Surprise. The new market started up at The Sterling Grove Market on Sunday September 6th. Momma’s market at Park West in Peoria kicks off Wednesday October 7th at 4 p.m. Their Glendale market at Arrowhead Town Center is open on Saturday mornings.
Arizona Community Farmers Markets organizes 10 markets in the Phoenix area including the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market. For information and their locations visit their website.
Update: The Surprise market has moved to Asante Prep Academy at 23251 N 166th Dr. in Surprise and the Peoria Night Market at Park West has been cancelled for the season due to unforeseen circumstances. The Glendale market has not changed.
It’s starting to feel like fall as local farmer’s markets start getting ready open back up. For this year’s season Momma’s Organic Market is adding two new locations to its west valley schedule. For over 10 years the market has been held at Arrowhead Town Center in Glendale offering locally made foods and more with a long list of vendors.
Starting Sunday September 6th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Momma’s will be in Surprise at The Sterling Grove Market. The market at 17193 W. Montpelier Street will run through May. Wednesday October 7th will bring the return of Momma’s to Peoria where it was for over a decade. The late afternoon market will be located at Park West at 9744 W. Northern Ave from 4 -7 p.m. weekly until May.
‘This is an incredible period of growth for us and we’re thrilled to bring our free market to two amazing neighborhoods,” says Christa Esquibel, owner. “Our expansion is a testament to the fact that Arizonans want to, and will continue to, support local. It is a collaborative effort between our location hosts, dedicated vendors and loyal customers.”
The Glendale market will continue to run on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. All 3 markets are free, family friendly and will offer a rotating list of local vendors and food trucks. Cash and credit cards are accepted with trained and leashed dogs welcome.
A short list of Momma’s Organic Market local vendors.
TJ Farms, Udder Delights Dairy, Mama Olga’s Tamales, Mama Olga’s Tamales, Bella’s Candy Shoppe, Can I Get A Ruff Ruff, Tree Huggin’ Bakers, Willy’s Tomatoes and Chilies, My Flower Bed, Dukes Barkery, All About The Booch and Shannon’s Kitchen.
Many more vendors show up and a a complete list of weekly markets can be found at their website.
Kaleb Copenhaver, owner of the new Reel Pizza Pies had two passions growing up, pizza and music. So what do you do, you open a pizza restaurant with a great playlist. That’s what the 22 year old Copenhaver did with his new restaurant that opened May 20th in the Marley Park shopping center in Surprise.
“Reel Pizza Pies is a cool place to go with great music and great pizza,” says Copenhaver of his 1,200-square-foot, 15-seat restaurant that serves slices, whole pies as well as sandwiches and subs via counter-service style. “We set ourselves apart by using the best and freshest ingredients in an energetic and fun environment,” he adds.
Copenhaver started working in pizza restaurants at the age of 16 and has traveled the country tasting great pizza before opening Reel Pizza Pies. He uses 00 organic flour, fresh mozzarella and organic Bianco tomatoes in his New York style thin crust and thick Sicilian style pizzas and makes fresh bread and dough with a traditional approach. Pizza is baked in an Electric Deck Oven he calls the “pizza master”. He also makes subs, salads and desserts and meatballs using his grandmother’s recipe.
Starting at 11 a.m. Friday May 22nd the first 50 customers will receive a free cheese pizza with the purchase of a beverage. Saturday June 20th will be the official grand opening with a pizza tasting, games, prizes and more.
The restaurant is at 13953 W. Waddell Road, Suite 103 Surprise 85379. Delivery is available within specific boundaries. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. For more information and a complete menu, visit their website.
As culinary events and food festivals get postponed or cancelled due to the coronavirus a new festival is moving forward as planned. The first ever Rib Fest Showdown debuts April 25th & 26th 2020 in Surprise at Mark Coronado Park. The Throwdown pits Kansas City vs. Texas pitmasters to see who makes the best smokes meats. With the aroma of burning wood in the air festival goers will taste ribs and other smoked meats.
The city of Surprise was chosen as co-host of the event as it’s the Spring Training home of both Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals & Texas Rangers.
“We are thrilled to partner with the City of Surprise to launch this exciting event,” said Landon Evans owner of HDE Agency. “Supporting the economic growth and working together to build a cornerstone event for the city that will come to be recognized as an annual program is both rewarding and awesome.”
LDE Agency is also producing the KNIX BBQ & Beer Festival on March 28th in Chandler and is taking every per-caution to make sure both festivals are safe, clean and happen as planned.
The family friendly festival also features a ‘Battle of the Bands” with local and national performers, a kid’s zone, food eating contests and more.
The Rib Fest Showdown goes from 12 – 10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are on sale with 2 for $16, 4 for $30 or 6 for $40. Walk -up tickets the day of will be $10 each. VIP tickets and a Stay & Play overnight packages are available. A portion of the proceeds from the Rib Fest Throwdown will be donated to Mighty Change of Heart, a local non-profit that provides support for foster children.
With a few pre-season NFL games already played Fantasy Football draft parties are being planned in the next few weeks. There’s no better way to draft your winning team than in a festive environment surrounded by big screen TV’s, food and beer.
Here are a few restaurants that are celebrating the start of football season and are ready to host your Fantasy Football draft party so let your league commissioner know where to go.
Thirsty Lion Fantasy Football draft party
The Phoenix area Thirsty Lion Gastropub and Grill’s are offering Happy Hour menu when you reserve a table for your draft party. $1 off pints of beer, $4.95 well drinks, wine & house margaritas will help you wash down wings, pizza and more delicious food.
Phoenix and Scottsdale’s Twin Peaks restaurants are offer a free room for your draft party along with a draft board to help organize your league.
In addition the commissioner gets a $50 gift card and each player gets a $10 gift card and gets entered into free Twin Peaks for a year.
Twin Peaks is located at 2135 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix and 8787 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. in Scottsdale. http://www.twinpeaksrestaurant.com/
Uptown Alley’s free room rental
Surprise’s bowling alley and laser tag venue, Uptown Alley is offering a free room, AV equipment and a $5 game card when you book your draft party until Sept. 6th with a minimum of 10 people.
The new menu at their Red Embers Bar & Grill will be available with additions that include pulled pork potato skins, pizza rolls and sliders.
While many of us are focused on food, friends and football on Thanksgiving Day many more could care less about the turkey and all the trimmings and are anxiously waiting for Black Friday and Thanksgiving weekend for shopping, eating & family fun.
Below is a list of food and retail deals around Phoenix for Black Friday and the weekend that follows.
Fired Pie
Nothing says Thanksgiving like pizza or salad! Get that early Black Friday shopping started out on a full stomach at Fired Pie’s Tanger Outlet location. On Thanksgiving Day Fired Pie at Tanger opens its doors at 6 p.m. and stays open straight through 10 p.m. Friday evening. The fast casual pizza and salad concept makes it easy to pop in and out no matter what your holiday plans are! While there, buy a gift card for $25 and get a $5 bounce back that’s good at any Fired Pie location January through March of 2017. http://www.Firedpie.com
Crepe Club
Photo courtesy of The Crepe Club
If you’re a Black Friday shopper, you can check the coffee off your to-do list. The Crepe Club at the Biltmore Fashion Park will be offering a free cup of coffee with purchase on Friday, November 25. The Crepe Club will have free coffee for guests who purchase an item until 11 am. The restaurant has fresh-baked French pastries, sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches and salads.
The Crepe Club is on the west end of the Biltmore Fashion Park beside William Sonoma at 2502 E. Camelback Rd., #130. www.TheCrepeClub.com
Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill
Photo courtesy of Z’ Tejas
Power up before hitting the stores with a festive, bold brunch at Z’Tejas at Fashion Square Mall. Opening early at 9:00a.m the expanded brunch menu features delicious new dishes including South of the Border Benedicts, Bananas Foster French Toast and Stuffed Breakfast Relleno. Brunch will be served on Black Friday from 9:00am – 12:00pm. For more information visit www.ztejas.com
Uptown Alley:
Looking for a break from shopping, Uptown Alley is hosting some Turkey Day Weekend Specials to make sure the holiday weekend is one the whole family can enjoy!
You can get a game of bowling for four with shoes, 1 large topping pizza, 4 sodas, and $40 in-game play a $100 value all for $59! This is available on Thanksgiving from 4pm- close and then November 25th-27th from 11am-5pm. For more information visit www.uptownalleysurprise.com Uptown Alley is at 13525 N. Litchfield Road, Surprise, AZ 85379
Arizona Animal Welfare League:
The Arizona Animal Welfare League is hosting their “Fall in Love With Animals Camp” on November 25th. The camp is available for kids ages 8-12 and is $60 per child. AAWL is hosting this special one-day camp to help show kids how to give back to animals and the community. Kids will learn how to care for animals and the environment, backyard wildlife and how to enrich the lives of animals every day through crafts, games and animal interactions. The camp is at the education center at 15 N 40th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85034 and is from 9am-3pm. You can sign up for the camp at www.aawl.org/fallcamp2016.
Spa810:
Black Friday is the perfect time to get all your holiday gifts for your friends in need of some relaxation. At spa810 they are selling their Comfort and Joy package a $273 for $109. Enjoy everything from a 50 minute customized facial with a hydrating masque to a 50 minute massage with a sugar foot scrub! Call spa810, Scottsdale-Shea at (480) 588-6809 for more information visit www.spa810.com/scottsdale-she
The Melting Pot
Stop in to The Melting Pot after a long day of shopping for a delicious four-course fondue dinner at a steal of a deal! The Melting Pot Restaurants of Arizona are offering the below four-course meal for $29.95! You must request the specialty menu to get the promotion! For more information visit www.meltingpot.com. The menu will be available all Thanksgiving weekend from Friday November 25th– Sunday November 27th.
Photo courtesy of The Melting Pot
Cheese Fondue
Cheddar • Spinach Artichoke • Featured Cheese Fondue Selection (ask your server)
Salad
Caesar • California • Featured Salad Selection (ask your server)
Entrée
Pacific White Shrimp • Teriyaki-Marinated Sirloin • All-Natural Breast of Chicken • Spinach and Artichoke Ravioli
Chocolate Fondue
Yin Yang • Flaming Turtle • Featured Chocolate Fondue Selection (ask your server)
