McDowell Road, in that sleepy stretch east of downtown Phoenix, has long been a reliable source for good, home-style Mexican food. There’s La Barquita, with its molcajete dinners for two, a pile of grilled meats, nopales, and fresh herbs that’s hearty enough to stretch into a light dinner for four…
When a new spot opens in town, we can’t wait to check it out — and let you know our initial impressions, share a few photos, and dish about some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that…
The Guilty Pleasure: The Big Texas BBQ Dog Where to Get It: Doglicious Hot Dogs Price: $5.95 What it Really Costs: Your “cheat” day for the week, so you may as well double-down on calories and get a couple of hot dogs while you’re here. Is there a more quintessential…
Southeast Valley residents, we have some good news. As of today, you have a new destination for ramen, soba, takoyaki, and more. The new Japanese eatery is called Nishikawa Ramen, and it’s located at 1909 East Ray Road, on the southwest corner of Cooper and Ray roads in Chandler. According to owner…
There’s nothing sweeter than enjoying sweets with your sweetie, right? Yeah, we know, which is why we’ve got a deal that will let you and your bae get in on the dessert- and booze-filled fun going down next weekend at New Times’ Sips and Sweets. In case you’re not already…
If you have a favorite local chef or bartender, you can show him or her some love with a nomination for the 2016 Ripe Awards. Public nominations are being accepted through tomorrow, Friday, June 17, and can be submitted through the Ripe Awards website. The Ripe Awards is entering its…
We’ve already told you the final lineup for New Times’ Sips and Sweets, the brand-new food-and-drink fest where we’ll gather top local bartenders, pastry chefs, bakers, and confectioners for a day of sugar and booze-filled fun. Attendees will get to down craft cocktails and desserts, plus peruse a vendor village…
For the last five years, small-scale organic farmer Erich Schultz has operated The Farm at Agritopia, which serves as the centerpiece for the Agritopia planned community in Gilbert. If you’ve picked up produce from the farm stand or purchased a share in the farm’s CSA, then you might have met…
A lawsuit accusing Scottsdale’s Fate Brewing Company of trademark infringement has caused Steve McFate, the brewery’s owner, to change the name of his business to McFate Brewing Company. Moving forward, the Fate Brewing Company located at 1312 North Scottsdale Road — frequently referred to as Fate South — will be…
For Yasu Hashino, chef and owner of North Phoenix’s Yasu Sushi Bistro, preparing sushi is serious stuff. “Sushi is not just my job,” Hashino says. “It’s bigger than that. This is about me saying to you, ‘How can I show you guys what we enjoy back in Tokyo? What can I…
One of the best-preserved downtown districts in metro Phoenix belongs to the city of Mesa, a town whose heritage includes pioneering Mormon settlers, historic citrus groves and cotton ranchlands, military airfields, and most recently, a thriving performing- and visual-arts scene. But even the most optimistic city booster would probably admit…
Jessica Rose Boutwell and Joyce Boutwell are a mother-daughter team that does one thing really well: create stylish, high-end cakes with local ingredients through their business, Ruže Cake House. Joyce, or mom, has been baking for most of her life. She and Jessica would often make desserts – cookies, macarons,…
Good news, health-minded Scottsdale residents. The sixth MAD Greens location in the Valley will open in North Scottsdale on Thursday, June 16. The restaurant’s grand opening will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 14850 North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard. The new addition to the MAD Greens family…
A Flagstaff brewery and Northern Arizona University’s Cline Library Special Collections and Archives have come together to honor the work of Mormon cowboy artist William Dean Fausett with the limited release Archive Ale. The unfiltered IPA will be available both at the brewery and inside Grand Canyon National Park — although only…
Since opening earlier this year in Scottsdale, Ahipoki Bowl has wasted no time becoming a go-to destination for diners in search of a fast, healthy meal on the go. And although it’s only been two months since the restaurant made its debut, the company’s already announcing plans for a second…
A lot is happening this summer for The Joy Bus, the local nonprofit organization that delivers free meals to home-bound cancer patients. The foundation’s Joy Bus Diner is scheduled to open in July, creating a home-base kitchen for founder Jennifer Caraway and about 20 volunteers, and all proceeds will go…
The Guilty Pleasure: Custom ice cream sandwiches Where to Get It: The Baked Bear Price: $3.95-$4.95 What it Really Costs: A hard fall off the diet wagon. But you can always climb back on tomorrow. For a certain set of Phoenicians, summer would not be complete without a beach vacation…
There aren’t many places in metro Phoenix where you can find northwestern Chinese fare, a regional cuisine perhaps best known for its dough-y offerings including scallion pancakes, beef pies, and xiaolongbao, or delicate dumplings filled with hot soup broth. But for those seeking these hard-to-find dishes — plus bubbling clay…
From rodent issues to difficulties with basic hand-washing skills, last month’s restaurant health inspection infractions might make you think twice before you head out for lunch. La Familia Carniceria, Phoenix (2801 East Van Buren Street) “Tripe at 112-128F, chicken wings at 88-112F, and turkey butts in 92-118F in the steam…
The countdown is officially on. In less than three weeks, New Times will host its first Sips and Sweets event at The Vintage 45 in downtown Phoenix. We’ve already told you some of the participating bakers, bartenders, and chefs, and now we’re ready to announce the final lineup. Attendees can…
Japanese ramen, like Mexican street tacos and American regional barbecue, has in recent years become the object of intense connoisseurship. Ramen lends itself well to this sort of obsession because it offers a nearly endless variety of regional styles and preparation methods to ponder and study and argue over. You…
Openings Tratto, Phoenix After months of awaiting Chris Bianco’s new eatery in the Town & Country shopping center, the chef’s first pasta-focused restaurant finally opened up. It’s the famous pizzaiolo’s first spot to not serve pizza, but promises top-quality Italian dishes. Lou Malnati’s, PhoenixNow open in Uptown Plaza in central Phoenix,…
