Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? We've got you covered. Check out what's on our plate.
See also: - Ten Acres of Tacos at the Arizona Taco Festival - Food of the Arizona State Fair (Slideshow) - Eating the Arizona State Fair: Red Velvet Funnel Cake, Gigantic Ribs, Pineapple Lemonade -- and the Hunt for the Cap'n Crunch Hamburger
Fried Foods and Supersized Eats at the Arizona State Fair
The fairgrounds offer more than whirligig rides, bright, colorful lights, and concerts. We're talking fried food, and there's plenty of it. Of course there are the typical funnel cakes, corn dogs, and French fries. There are also supersized favorites, like massive beef ribs (doggie bag included) and onion rings as big as a whole onion. Fair food vendors up the ante every year, and this time we're not disappointed. Don't miss the latest additions: maple bacon donuts and deep-fried cinnamon rolls.
Sometimes food just tastes better when you make it yourself, and that's especially true for the all-American style of cuisine: barbecue. Learn to cook favorites -- including St. Louis style spareribs, rip tips, pork butts, beef brisket, and even salami -- to competition standards alongside Pit Master Harry Soo of Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ. Each student will take home a hefty box of leftovers and sides, a bound copy of the BBQ 101 class manual, Harry's top-secret rub (made in class), a commercial grade apron, a completion certificate, and one year of free BBQ tech support. Class kicks off at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale with breakfast at 7 a.m. and also includes an all-you-can-eat lunch of the fruits (or, more likely, meats) of students' hard work. The class is now $399 -- that's 50% off!
Pupusas at Restaurante Salvadoreño #3
Looking for a cheap meal this weekend? Forget about fast food and fill up on pupusas. If you've never had one of these Salvadoran specialties, you're really missing out. A pillowy, soft outer tortilla sandwiches your choice of filling -- like loroco flower, carne asada, and revueltas -- making this one fresh, non-greasy snack that we can't pass up. At Restaurante Salvadoreño #3, these fresh and tasty pockets are only $2.15 apiece, so it won't break the bank to order two or three.
Get a multi-cultural experience this weekend at the Arab American Festival, held Saturday and Sunday at Steele Indian School Park from noon to 9 p.m. There will be plenty of authentic cuisine to enjoy, including juicy kabobs, fresh pita, hummus, and succulent shwarma. Live entertainment will include music from Eslam Farouk and Rafi Kamal, as well as performances by the Sharazad and Raqs Sharki dance troupes. Adults can enjoy the hookah lounge, and activities and games are provided for children. Tickets are $5 for adults; children 12 and under get in for free. Show up early for free entry from noon to 4 p.m.
For anyone who doesn't like big crowds, food festivals are quite possibly the worst place to end up. There are thousands of people and lines to stand in as far as the eye can see. If that sounds like a nightmare, definitely skip this weekend's Arizona Taco Festival. Instead, enjoy the best of the bunch and gobble up some tacos from last year's winner. At the 2nd annual Taco Fest, then-yet-to-open Distrito surprised everyone with a victory. Sample the grand champion mahi mahi taco, served with chipotle remoulade, avocado, red cabbage, and lime.