Brad's Place

This snug, sports-oriented Ahwatukee tavern and eatery possesses a definite Midwestern bent. Besides a series of large, color-filled displays adorning the walls and serving as memorabilia-laden shrines to the collegiate and professional sports teams of Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota, folksy Great Lakes kitsch like framed snowshoes and bait shop ephemera dot the decor. The theme extends to the repast, which (along with a largely American pub grub spread of sandwiches, burgers, and finger foods) includes such homespun heartland staples as soft pretzels, beefy bratwurst, breaded pork loin sandwiches on sesame seed buns, thick slabs of meatloaf, and savory deep-fried white cheddar cheese curds. Huge filets of walleye are also available either grilled, pan-fried, or beer-battered, which the Minneapolis expats who frequent Brad’s Place wolf down with gusto as they discuss how Kirby Puckett’s walk-off homer in the 1991 World Series serves as the Twin Cities’ most thrilling sports moment.