The shameful bronze. The withering yellow ribbon. Third place sucks. What’s the number-three U.S. burger chain supposed to do, what with Burger King’s Steakhouse and McDonald’s Angus burgers all up in its freckle-faced grill? Dig the scene on Wall Street last May: Wall Street Analysts: Listen, you redheaded freak, you’re…
Can you feel it? The grill smoke burning your eyes? The grease stinging your fingers? The pound, pound, pounding of the patties? There’s a war going on out there, people. A burger war. And poor Wendy’s has been taking on some heavy fire lately what with Burger King’s Steakhouse and…
I love a good challenge. So when a friend recently declared that “only seafood restaurants have good crab cakes” I was determined to prove her wrong. Armed with only a camera and the pipe dream of finding fresh fish in the desert, I headed out to two neighborhood restaurants in search…
How well do you know your favorite cookhouse contraptions? See if you can guess today’s gadget and check back next week for the answer, and to see if you’ve won a most-awesome prize. Here are a few shots at this week’s trickster, add yours to the comment box below: -…
Chris Danowski The artistic director for Theater in My Basement and owner of the Basement Gallery in downtown Phoenix is gearing up for a mediated ritual for live performance event this summer. Check out http://timb.org for more details What’d you eat for dinner last night? Pinto beans, spiced with epazote,…
Wow, being asked to join a major network like NBC must be quite an honor. Imagine being in the same category with respected show hosts like Jay Leno and Regis and Kelly. Looks like the Food Network’s own cutting-board jumping/Mortimoro offending chef, Bobby Flay, is going to take the leap…
Another week has come and gone leaving us to ponder the upcoming events that will shape our lives and, more importantly, our dinners out. But before we move on, let’s have one last look at the blog posts from this week: A Sweet Ending for the Devoured Culinary Festival Phallic…
It may be their shared Germanic roots — or their common Midwestern ubiquity. But for some reason, we’ve always associated burgers with beer and beer with burgers.But not anymore. Now we’re thinking burgers and wine, baby!The genesis of this happy change of heart? Sam Fox’s latest gift to Phoenix, Zinburger…
You don’t generally associate Scottsdale’s Phoenician resort with “affordable retail,” but in the case of it’s latest endeavor Grape & Grain, you actually can. While it is considered a wine, beer and spirits boutique, the Grape & Grain doesn’t purchase any of its inventory and can therefore can keep the…
Molecular gastronomy. Sure, it sounded interesting at first: Buy a kit, make some fun stuff using chemicals and food. The brochure even said, “Easily Get Started…” – easily! Soon, ingredients were impossible to find, an invasive measurement system reared its ugly head, additional money was needed for supplies, recipes couldn’t…
A bar with good atmosphere is enough to draw a crowd. A bar with good atmosphere and lip-smacking good food is enough to draw a crowd of regulars. Such, so it seems, is the way at The Vig. Food Critic Michele Laudig on The Vig: There’s just something about this…
This week, we’ve heard from Stacy Phipps of Stacy’s Smokehouse on his favorite ingredients and his good cooking philosophy. Today he shares his recipe for his BBQ pork ribs…
Late-night cheap Sonoran grub is about as easy to find in Phoenix as a flashing yellow light. That is, unless you know where to look. For you sundown socialites and twilight trollers with a case of the Mexican munchies, check out my review of La Frontera Comida Mexicana. And speaking…
Whenever I mention The Vig to people, I expect a certain reaction — the gushing enthusiasm of a devotee, or the eyeball-rolling groan of a critic. Rarely do I encounter indifference. There’s just something about this edge-of-Arcadia tavern, a magnetism that attracts all the quirky social flora and fauna from…
It’s late. You’re hungry. Options? Pickin’s are slim in this town, unless you know where to look. Point your peepers to 16th Street and Van Buren. The Jack in the Box? Nah. The adult bookstore? Not now. Track down the truck. See it? The white one with the awning? The…
Nine companies have joined the proposed class action lawsuit against Yelp, the San Francisco-based Internet giant, attorneys in Miami and California announced this morning. The new plaintiffs are located everywhere from Tujunga, California to Washington, D.C. They include businesses ranging from a sofa outlet to a bakery to the heart…
It’s not as if you need another reason to go to the fabulous downtown market on a beautiful Wednesday evening, but the Phoenix Public Market is giving you not one but two great excuses to postpone your St. Patrick’s Day debauchery. Inside the Urban Grocery and Wine Bar, take advantage of…
When you hear the word “pudding,” you likely think of a creamy, milk-based dessert. Over in the British Isles they have different meanings for the same word, some of which aren’t quite as pleasant. There’s blood pudding, a sausage made with congealed animal blood. Black and white pudding is blood sausage paired with a pork fat sausage…
Yesterday we sat down with Stacy Phipps of Stacy’s Smokehouse. Today, the conversation continues. Want to hear more about Stacy’s favorite kitchen tool and what’s next? Read on.Where does your culinary inspiration come from?My mother. She cooked the best stuff for me growing up and now she works with me…
Stacy Phipps is ready for a challenge. No, really. He wants to challenge every barbecue master in the Valley to a cook off. “I want Don and Charlie (they won our Best Of Ribs in 2009). I want the guys from Honey Bears. I’ll even take Bobby Flay.” Anyone up…
How well do you know your favorite cookhouse contraptions? See if you can guess today’s gadget and check back next week for the answer. Here are a few shots at the answer, add yours to the comment box below: – Alien Chalice – “Topsy” the Topple Vase – Crocodile Muzzle…
Andrew Jemsek The self-proclaimed, semi-professional accordion and organ player, singer, guitarist, comedian and freelance guidance counselor performs at Ice House Tavern Saturday, April 3 with World Class Thugs and at The Trunk Space Saturday, April 24 for The Real Coachella. What’d you eat for dinner last night? A lovely veggie…
