Meat

Nikki's Five Picks for Arizona Restaurant Week (May 18-27)

Arizona Restaurant Week -- the Spring 2013 Edition -- begins Saturday, May 18 and ends Monday, May 27 (which is Memorial Day, when most of us will be grilling burgers and drinking beer at home . . . but never mind). By the end of this week, ARW officially will be upon us: a 10-day eating extravaganz ... More >>

The Original ChopShop in Scottsdale Caters to the Healthy Crowd

Mother's Day in Metro Phoenix: 7 Restaurants Perfect for Spoiling Mom

Mother's Day is on Sunday, May 12, this year -- that's about two weeks away -- and this is one occasion where you can't put off reserving a table (or special take-home dinner) until the last minute. Whether your mom prefers fine dining or a simple steak, a lavish outdoor brunch or a stay-at-home gou ... More >>

Surprise's Amuse Bouche: Excellent French Cuisine, With a Few Downsides

The Best of the Cheese and Wine Worlds Converge at Ahwatukee's Wedge & Bottle

New Restaurant Opens at Chase Field: Think Barbecue, Sandwiches Wrapped in Tape Measures, and the "Hottest Wings in Baseball"

Just in time for the Arizona Diamondbacks' opening day, Game Seven Grill, the new barbecue-style restaurant at Chase Field, will open its doors to hungry baseball fans. See also: - Chef Justin Beckett Opening Restaurant in Old Beef Eaters Building - Squid Ink Sushi Opening Second Location at Downt ... More >>

10 Easter Dining Options at Metro Phoenix Restaurants

Whether or not you celebrate Easter, with the holiday falling early this year (Sunday, March 31), a seasonal brunch or dinner is the perfect way to kick off spring. The following 10 restaurants are our top picks for Easter dining, thanks to menus that highlight local greens, succulent lamb, and fres ... More >>

Fourteen Valley Restaurants to Take Your Sweetie Pie to on Valentine's Day

On which day of the year does one-third of all Americans visit a restaurant? If you guessed Mother's Day, often referred to as the busiest day in the restaurant biz, you're wrong. Valentine's Day is the holiday that draws out the diners, so if you're planning a fancy date night with your special som ... More >>

Six More Valley Restaurants Serving Christmastime Brunch and Dinner

The gifts are purchased and wrapped, the tree is lit and decorated, and Christmas cards and packages are in the mail. But what about the holiday feast? If you still don't know what to eat for your celebration, here are six more restaurants in metro Phoenix that are serving Christmastime specialties ... More >>

Seven Restaurants Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Greater Phoenix

Christmas is a holiday for good cheer and spending joyous time with loved ones, and sometimes being in the kitchen can get in the way of that. Forget about stressing out and make reservations to celebrate Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at one of the top restaurants in town. You'll be wined and dined ... More >>

Petite Maison's Halloween Offal Dinner Puts Elegant Spin on Spooky Animal Parts

For some people, offal (pronounced OAF-uhl) is as cringe-worthy as a slasher film.That's surely why James Porter, chef-owner of Petite Maison, decided two years ago to create a tongue-in-cheek Halloween menu built around animal organs and the occasional odd part. He knows that for the squeamish, liv ... More >>

New Deli and Smokehouse Moving Into Old Stanley's Sausage Location

Stanley's Homemade Polish Sausage Company may have moved out of its location on 2201 East McDowell Road this spring, but the tiny brick structure in Central Phoenix soon will be occupied by another meaty establishment with a rather, er, cheesy name. See also: Stanley's Sausage Company on McDowell M ... More >>

New Hong Kong: Authentic Chinese Food Hiding in Plain Sight

"Grass Roots" Pakistani Cuisine at Zaidi's Grill

Old Town Sarajevo Is a Bread and Meat Lover's Dream

Ten Favorite Phoenix Meat Shops

These days, most of us have never experienced (or have forgotten) the joy of going to a real live butcher or the intoxicating fragrance of fresh smoked meat or even the taste of imported cheese straight off the wheel. Most of us just hit the grocery store and pick up whatever's in the neatly wrapp ... More >>

Celebrate BBQ Season in Style with "Haute" Dogs

You may be thinking of having a hot dog to commemorate Independence Day. You may also be thinking you don't really want to DIY over a hot grill in 110-degree weather just to eat a plain old mystery-meat wiener with mustard and relish. Frankly, we don't blame you. Here are three places to eat upsca ... More >>

Distrito Kicks Off Fourth of July with Barbacoa Tasting Dinner and Prix Fixe Menu

Slow-cooked meats went fast at Chef Jose Garces' Distrito Barbacoa Tasting Dinner Thursday night. The dinner, which was led by Chef Michael Fiorello, Culinary Director for the Garces' Restaurant Group, served as both a barbacoa how-to as well as a preview for the restaurant's upcoming prix fixe di ... More >>

Distrito to Hold Smoking (Literally) Cooking Class This Weekend

Staying in town this Memorial Day weekend? You cannot be bored. Not yet. Get up off your lazy butt and do something productive -- like attending a class on outdoor cooking. Let's embrace the season, people! This Sunday afternoon, May 27, Distrito will bring back its popular "Cook Like an Iron Chef" ... More >>

So Who Won the Burger Battle at the Scottsdale Culinary Festival?

It was burgers galore last night at Scottsdale Stadium and although there wasn't a huge turnout for the Scottsdale Culinary Festival's very first Burger Battle it was a really fun (and filling) experience and the folks that did shell out the $55 for a ticket got their money's worth. Zinburger, Mod ... More >>

Fu-Fu Cuisine: Where Africa Meets the Caribbean

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers' Classic Fare Goes Awry

Chef Dan Moody Defends Pink Slime

We have probably moved past the point in which reasoned debate will enter the furor over pink slime, but some people are going to try. Chef Dan Moody, who has cooked at Posh and visits the Valley frequently, wrote a post on his blog defending the merits of pink slime in the broader context of feedi ... More >>

O.H.S.O. Eatery and nanoBrewery Can't Get Beyond So-So

How the Valley's Legendary Restaurants Keep Up With the Times

Easter Brunch Roundup

Whether or not you celebrate Easter, it's definitely one of the best Sundays of the year to indulge in a lavish brunch. The holiday falls on April 8 this year, and while you might be thinking that gives you plenty of time to make plans, it's never too early to book a table and secure your very own r ... More >>

11 Favorite Barbecue Joints in Greater Phoenix

Nearly every meat-eating American speaks the language of barbecue. From the backyard to the upscale restaurant to the hole-in-the-wall 'cue house, cooking meat with smoke and heat has become somewhat of an art form -- taking on various styles, techniques, and rituals around the globe. Which is why ... More >>

Battle of the Food Truck Hot Dogs: Epic vs. Short Leash

You've seen gourmet food trucks all over town. Each one has its own different spin, giving a unique twist to casual street eats. For the most part, each better-known truck has its own specialty... except two of them. There is a pair of trucks prowling the Valley offering gourmet hot dogs. Since the ... More >>

Jose Garces' Culinary Star Power Shines at Old Town Whiskey and Distrito

Tom's Tavern Fumbles After Renovation

Ten Phoenix Hot Dogs Worth Their Mustard

Our 10 Favorite Hot Dogs in Phoenix

​The snap of the casing, the juicy mystery meat, the seasonings -- thankfully, the mighty hot dog makes its home not just in ball parks and backyard barbecues, but at plenty of wiener stands across the Valley. With so many places to choose from and always a new hot dog to try, we at Chow Bell ... More >>

Bernie Kantak's Citizen Public House Is Your New Favorite Restaurant

BLD Does Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner -- But Gets None of Them Quite Right

Taking a Bite Outta Guy Fieri's Hot Wieners

The Virgin gets hands on with her wiener.​In honor of Guy Fieri's visit this Tuesday, June 7, with his Guy Fieri Road Show, I dug through the Food Network Top 100 Guy Fieri recipes and found a gem from Guy's Big Bite: Hot Wieners Rhode Island Style. Now, to us non-Rhode Islanders (or would ... More >>

Cretons: Pork Scrap Breakfast Spread

Erica O'NeilToast, mustard and a tub of cretons makes for a hearty breakfast.​Despite what the supermarket aisle may lead you to believe, there's more to an animal than neatly wrapped styrofoam trays of meat. From tongue to tail, offal (pronounced awful) encompasses all those taboo edibles that do ... More >>

Ribbon Tripe: Pho Tai Sach Bo Vien from Khai Hoan

Erica O'Neil Ribbons of omasum tripe afloat in a bowl of pho tai sach bo vien​Despite what the supermarket aisle may lead you to believe, there's more to an animal than neatly wrapped styrofoam trays of meat. From tongue to tail, offal (pronounced awful) encompasses all those taboo edibles ... More >>

Last Minute Easter Brunch Roundup

​We don't want to rain on anyone's parade or anything, but Easter is like on Sunday. That's in about two days. If you're planning on getting your brunch on you had better book your table quick or else you will be stuck in a champagne-less kitchen attempting to make your own version of brunch which ... More >>

Dos Ranchitos Pork Cracklins: Fried Backfat

Erica O'Neil A crispy mound of Dos Ranchitos pork cracklins. ​Despite what the supermarket aisle may lead you to believe, there's more to an animal than neatly wrapped styrofoam trays of meat. From tongue to tail, offal (pronounced awful) encompasses all those taboo edibles that don't make ... More >>

Easter Holiday Brunch Happenings Part 1

Viking ​Don't want to cook on Easter but haven't got a clue where to go? We're here to help. We have rounded up over a dozen restaurants and resorts that would be delighted to spend Easter with you. All you have to do is call and RSVP then let the experts handle the rest. Scottsdale's trendy ... More >>

Sam Fox Shoots but Doesn't Score with The Arrogant Butcher

Chicken Livers: Country Pate Platter from Beckett's Table

Erica O'Neil The colorful and rustic country pate platter from Beckett's Table. ​Despite what the supermarket aisle may lead you to believe, there's more to an animal than neatly wrapped styrofoam trays of meat. From tongue to tail, offal (pronounced awful) encompasses all those taboo edibl ... More >>

Closed for Business: Chaka Chaka

​I hope you're not hungry for a jerk chicken sandwich with seasoned mayo, hunks of meat, shredded cabbage, basil, and scallions. That's the signature dish at Chaka Chaka, a tiny eatery on 7th Street, south of Chase Field, that just closed its doors. Owner Charlie Blonkenfeld says he si ... More >>

Thymus Glands: Fried Sweetbreads from Big Earl's BBQ

Erica O'NeilA basket of deep fried thymus glands-- sweetbreads from Big Earl's BBQ.​Despite what the supermarket aisle may lead you to believe, there's more to an animal than neatly wrapped styrofoam trays of meat. From tongue to tail, offal (pronounced awful) encompasses all those taboo edibles t ... More >>

Where Can I Find Blood Sausage in Phoenix?

Wiki-Emmanuel Boutet black pudding​ A few weeks ago we wrote about Hungarian paprika, and a reader left a question: "Where can I find gurkha also known as blood sausage? I live in Phoenix area." While blood sausage is found in every cuisine from Asia to America, we could not find a nam ... More >>

Salmon Skin Roll: Shimogamo Japanese Restaurant

Flickr- Island Vittles A mound of crispy, fried salmon skin that would put bacon to shame.​Despite what the supermarket aisle may lead you to believe, there's more to an animal than neatly wrapped styrofoam trays of meat. From tongue to tail, offal (pronounced awful) encompasses all those t ... More >>

Tempe's House of Tricks Amazes Audiences with Seared Foie Gras

Hog Maws: Spicy Pork Stomach from Lao Ching Hing

Erica O'NeilA mound of spicy pork stomach from Lao Ching Hing in the Chinese Cultural Center. ​Despite what the supermarket aisle may lead you to believe, there's more to an animal than neatly wrapped styrofoam trays of meat. From tongue to tail, offal (pronounced awful) encompasses all those ... More >>

Scrapple: The Pennsylvanian Treat from Schreiner's

Erica O'Neil A feast of fried scrapple and other breakfast fixings. ​Despite what the supermarket aisle may lead you to believe, there's more to an animal than neatly wrapped styrofoam trays of meat. From tongue to tail, offal (pronounced awful) encompasses all those taboo edibles that don ... More >>

Bliss Doesn't Live Up to Its Culinary Promise