Today, organizers say fast-food workers in Phoenix are expected to walk off their jobs in what’s expected to be the largest-ever strike to hit the $200 billion industry, spanning 50 cities and every region of the continental United States…
Dottie’s True Blue Cafe in Scottsdale, the second location of the famous 20-year-old diner in San Francisco from chef-owner Kurt Abney, has shuttered. Opened in February of last year by Abney’s brother, Brent, at 4151 North Marshall Way (in the former home of Bada Boom Pasta Room), the Scottsdale Dottie’s,…
When Starbucks, the Earth’s largest chain of coffee houses, decided a good place to plop its newest store (one of 20,891 locations in 62 countries) was right next to Urban Beans, the Midtown java shop owned by Virginia Senior (who also owns its wine bar, Tertio), state Senator Katie Hobbs…
Phoenix Cooks! Saturday, August 31 The annual Phoenix Cooks! event is just around the corner, which means that we’ve officially kicked off the fall culinary event season. This year, the Westin Keirland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale will host chefs including Stephen Jones of Bluehound Kitchen and Cocktails, Michael Rusconi…
On the heels of last week’s opening of Huss Brewing Co., the Tempe brewery from husband-and-wife-team Jeff and Leah Huss, comes a second East Valley brewing establishment ready to kick up the craft when it comes to local ales. From 11 a.m. until midnight Monday, September 2, Arizona Wilderness Brewing…
Cronuts™ have been dominating food news all summer, and New Yorkers are still lining up in the wee hours of the morning to get a taste when the bakery opens at 8 a.m., a trend that — with the promise of a fig-mascarpone variety in September — isn’t likely to…
Beer: Velvet Merkin Brewery: Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Style: Oatmeal Stout ABV: 8.5 While the hair that grows around ladyparts is today mostly thought of as something to be avoided, back in the 15th century, pubes were the bee’s knees. A prostitute with an impressive undercarriage could command an army…
After a long wait — perhaps a little too long for Michigan transplants — Detroit Coney Grill, the Motor City-minded hot dog joint in Tempe, will open at 11 a.m. this Friday, August 30. Courtesy of Michigan native David Najor, who spent years working for his family’s grocery stores in…
Last week, we got to tell you about a brand new pizza joint, Fired Pie. Quick version: Some guys who worked together at California Pizza Kitchen and Oregano’s got together to create their own quick-service pizza place. Since I’m the Guilty Pleasures guy, I had to make a beeline for…
Isabel, or Nana Isabel, is the matriarch of the Vasquez family, and her recipes not only fed three generations, but they inspired the opening of the Vasquez’s first restaurant, South Phoenix’s Poncho’s in 1972, and Someburros, the fast-casual, six-restaurant chain which opened its first store in Tempe in 1982. Now,…
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. Arizona Restaurant Week, the twice-a-year event put on by the Arizona Restaurant Association, is gearing…
This time of year, conversations at Chow Bella staff meetings tend to turn to who’s eaten what — where. With the summer travel season in full swing, we bring you Food Tours, our writers’ suggestions of what to eat and drink out of town. For most people travel means sightseeing…
By now you know that the world’s rarest and most expensive coffee is picked from the feces of palm civets, or toddy cats. Coffee berries are part of the Southeastern Asian animal’s diet, and after the beans are excreted, they’re collected, fermented, and roasted to make Kopi Luwak, which sells…
What do the stars of this year’s Valley dining scene look like so far? Like many across the country still adapting to the effects of the recession (so long, fine dining) and reacting to a culture more informed about food than ever (11 seasons of Top Chef and counting), they’re…
The Spot: House of Tricks 114 East Seventh Street, Tempe 480-968-1114 www.houseoftricks.com…
Pastry chef Country Velador, best-known for her inventive, top-notch desserts at Cowboy Ciao in Scottsdale, is teaming up with husband Sergio to open a new sweet shop. Based on the couple’s handcrafted confections business (currently, you can find their products at places like Bodega, Pane Bianco, and The Farm at…
Heads up, Valley diners: Chef Bernie Kantak, Andrew Fritz, and mixologist Richie Moe — the trio behind the stylish yet easygoing Citizen Public House in Scottsdale — have announced their newest restaurant, The Gladly, will open this Saturday, August 31. Located at 2201 East Camelback Road (formerly Ruth’s Chris Steak…
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. The Vitamix is a $400 blender. Read those words again: The Vitamix is a $400 blender. It sounds insane…
This is part two of our interview with Marco, Jinette and Edmundo Meraz of Republica Empanada in Mesa. Today Jinette dishes on how she met her husband and why it wasn’t love at first sight. Marco share the advice he got from Chris Bianco and where they got the inspiration…
If you thought the bacon trend had peaked long ago, turns out you’re wrong. But it actually may have happened one week ago in Chicago with the opening of a restaurant that serves sandwiches that are topped with different types of bacon, including Chinese bacon, chicken liver-bacon banh mi spread,…
Bone marrow has begun to pop up on restaurant appetizer menus all over town. If you haven’t tried it yet, do yourself a favor and order it next time you see it. If you have, you know the rich, buttery flavor and smooth texture is unlike any other you’ve had…
Marco, Jinette and Edmundo Meraz Owners and chef Republica Empanada republicaempanada.com This is part one of our interview with the Meraz family, the folks behind Republica Empanada, the Latin American eatery that opened in downtown Mesa in June. Owners Jinette (she’s also the chef) and Edmundo join their son Marco,…
