(And don’t worry, it’s ok to celebrate. He’s not related to those other Kochs.) Jim Koch co-founded Boston Brewing Company in 1984, armed with a family recipe and a brewing process that his great grandfather used in the mid 1800s. These days the brewery, which you’ll know for its signature…
If you think Mexican beers are all about the light and dark lagers, think again. A new Mexican brewery made it’s way north of the border, and it brought everything except for a cliched Mexican lager…
This summer, local frozen confection fave Gelato Spot has been hosting its 1st Annual Local Chef Flavor Competition, inviting restaurant professionals in the Phoenix metro area to create something that captures their culinary point of view. Twelve chefs were split into three groups and battled head-to-head in June, July and…
As an Arkansas native, there are many things I miss from the South. One of them is the ability to float around on the White River that ran through town while my best friend’s dad caught what would be fried for dinner — catfish. Now that I live in a…
I have a vague memory of going out for lunch. It’s there, in the back of my mind, with eight-hour workdays, the top of my desk, and having time to think. These days, I’m sizing a photo, sending an e-mail and posting an event on the website while I wolf…
Mesa residents now have one fewer option for pulled pork, brisket, and racks of ribs — 5 Star BBQ & Grill has shuttered. The ‘cue joint, owned by Jim and Joanne Hauer, who started 5 Star as a barbecue-focused catering company in 2009, opened in a former Taco Bell on…
Planning on heading to this year’s Arizona Taco Festival on October 19 and 20? With more than 100,000 tacos expected to be served and plenty of boozing to be done, we don’t blame you. But how about a chance to do so VIP-style, with access to a private bar, restaurants,…
This year, two very good Mediterranean-style spots — Hummus Xpress and Tzikii Pita Grill — opened in Tempe, luring diners with healthful, homemade creations packed into pitas, bowls, and plates, served Subway-style, and priced to please. Their appearance couldn’t be more timely. All over the country, healthy eating is on…
Since it closed temporarily two weeks ago, Astor House, the charming, small plate spot from DJ Fernandes (Tuck Shop, Vovomeena) that opened last spring, has been going through a transformation — of the ‘cue kind. Featuring smoked meats done in a barbecue style Fernandes refers to as “Coronado Cue,” the…
Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? There’s plenty to eat and drink around the Valley, from some of the world’s best beef to Italian wines at Scottsdale’s The Cove Trattoria. For your planning pleasure, here are a few of events we have on the books…
For those who fantasize about real-deal ramen and Asian teas, T.Spot, the new space inside Tien Wong, the casual hot pot restaurant in Chandler, might be the place of your dreams. Courtesy of chef Johnny Chu and wife, partner, and general manager Linda Q (the couple also owns SoChu House…
Break out the lederhosen and fill your glass boots with beer, or rather “bier,” because it’s time for Oktoberfest fever to take over the Valley. Whether you’re looking for a one-day fest to celebrate German food, drink and culture or a days-long party with live music and more beers can…
For those who have seen calzones jotted on the bottom corner of your local pizza shop’s menu without ever trying one — what are you waiting for? A calzone is basically a pizza ready to devour on the go. Not to be confused with its cousin the stromboli, a calzone’s…
Steak ‘n Shake, the diner-style restaurant chain located primarily in the Midwest and South and known for its Original Steakburger and hand-dipped milkshakes, is making its first foray into Arizona — by way of Tempe’s Mill Avenue…
Welcome to Chow Bella’s Bites & Dishes, where Valley chefs and restaurateurs respond to a question New Times food critic Laura Hahnefeld has on her mind. Have a question you’d like to ask? E-mail laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. Last month, Squid Ink, the food blog of our sister paper LA Weekly, pondered the…
We love growing things to eat, and there are lots of great growers here in Phoenix. But you might not know Monika Woolsey. She’s a dietitian and head of Hip Veggies, an educational collaboration between artists and food professionals that aims to promote locally grown produce, support local artists, and…
Recently, PETA sent a letter to Drew Cerza, founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival asking the event to “take steps to ensure the safety of pregnant women” by not allowing them to participate in eating impressive amounts of chicken wings during the annual-wing eating contests. Why? Because the animal…
All over the country, healthy eating is on the rise. And in the realm of fast-casual dining, that means replacing the iceberg lettuce and “lite” mayonnaise with roasted vegetables and well-seasoned sauces served up fast, fresh, and with a nod to all kinds of diets — from vegan to gluten-free…
The Spot: Last Drop Bar 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley 602-955-7878 www.hermosainn.com…
Mambo’s, the family-owned restaurant serving traditional comida dominicana in Queen Creek, has shuttered. Courtesy of former New Yorker Eddie Taveras and his family, Mambo’s, which opened under a year ago, brought the food and flavors of the Dominican Republic to a former pizza joint in Queen Creek. “We wanted to…
The Guilty Pleasure: Mighty Wings Where to Find It: McDonald’s; limited availability now, soon available everywhere Price: About a buck per piece. What it Really Costs: For most of metro Phoenix, time. For a few weeks (possibly months) now, I’ve heard that McDonald’s has a new product on the way:…
Welcome to “Schaefer,” in which Eric Schaefer — a local guy with a big (but discerning) appetite and a sense of humor to match — takes on the Phoenix food scene. Whatever happened to fine dining? Sure, you can have a James Beard-worthy meal at a number of Valley restaurants,…
