Cafe: Tapas Papa Fritas

Mention Southbridge and watch us have a Pavlovian reaction. We’re hungry for tapas and now we’ve got new destination to get our fix. Food Critic Michele Laudig on Tapas Papa Frita: Dinner started off with a basket of freshly baked rolls and a ramekin of garlicky, tangy allioli, the Catalan…

Smashburger’s Chicken Pickin’s Are Okay, But We’ll Stick to the Beef

Unleashing seven new chicken entrées may sound reasonable for a chicken-chow chain, but Smashburger? That’s right. The acclaimed “better burger” restaurant has gone chicken, with three new Smashchicken sandwiches: BBQ Ranch, Avocado Club, and Buffalo — and four new chicken Smashsalads: Honey Mustard, Caesar, Harvest, and BBQ Ranch — all…

Chef Joseph Gutierrez Resurrects Tapas Papa Frita at SouthBridge

Things are starting to look up for SouthBridge, if new eatery Tapas Papa Frita is any indication. This vibrant Spanish restaurant is a welcome sign of life in these parts. The space where it’s located — upstairs from swanky Marcellino’s, right next to the canal bridge — has been vacant…

Damon Brasch of Green New American Vegetarian Restaurant, Part Two

Damon Brasch of Green grew up in awe of his grandmother’s magical cooking powers: “She could cook massive feasts out of this teeny tiny kitchen in the cabin house my grandfather and great-grandfather built.” That inspired him to take some kitchen risks of his own, cooking up tons of tasty vegan food in a teeny tiny kitchen himself.

1: Braised Leeks With Mozzarella at FnB

[jump] Number 1: Braised leeks with mozzarella at FnB It’s really, really hard to blog about a favorite dish that isn’t available just yet. I make myself hungry as I write this, knowing that I’ll have a craving for a while. All summer long, I’ve been thinking about an item that…

Quesadilla Quest: Eating Out at Dick’s and Sam’s

Mexican food is everywhere in Phoenix — toss a chili pepper anywhere in the city and you’ll likely hit a food cart, grocery or restaurant dishing up tasty tacos and burritos. But no Mexican-inspired dish has been more successful than the quesadilla, a tortilla and cheese delight that can be found on restaurant…

2: Stetson Chopped Salad at Cowboy Ciao

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, which hits the streets tomorrow, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order.Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make Phoenix a little more interesting for all…

Win Tickets to the Best of Phoenix A’Fare

​ It’s a bird, it’s a plane — it’s a glamorous evening featuring food and drink from more than two dozen Valley restaurants! Our Best of Phoenix issue comes out this week, and that means it’s time to celebrate. We want you to join us at our annual soiree –…

Subway’s Two New Subs Trying Super Hard Not to Taste New

Usually when a fast-food chain introduces a new item to its menu, there’s something about it to set it apart from the rest: crazy-big, premium ingredients, Double Down disgusting-ness, you get the picture. Too bad about Subway’s newest menu additions — the Steak & Cheese (on the right) and the…

4: Griddled Bread Pudding at Liberty Market

We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make Phoenix a little more interesting for all of us…

5: Tuna Tartare at BLT Steak

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make Phoenix a little more interesting for all…

The Fastest Fast Food?

You know that stuff you wish for that if it came true it would make your head explode (miniature exotic animal pets!) Well, it’s happened to Fry Girl — almost. Conveyor-belt sushi, or kaiten-zushi, might be the fastest food ever. So it’s spicy tuna rolls and edamame floating by instead…

6: Inside Out Bleu Burger at Maizie’s

Hungry yet?We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make Phoenix a little more interesting for all of…

7: Vampiro at America’s Taco Shop

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series…

8: Buffalo ’66 at That’s a Wrap

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series…

9: Tsukune at Yasu Sushi Bistro

Hungry yet?We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular orderLeave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section.Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make…

10: Cochinita Torta at Tortas El Guero

Hungry yet?We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular orderLeave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section.Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make…

11: Amaebi at Shimogamo

Hungry yet?We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular orderLeave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section.Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make…