Battle of the Dishes

15 Metro Phoenix Chefs Tell Us What Food Trends They Wish Would Disappear in 2017

By Teresa Traverse
Dec 6, 2016

Kale tops one chef's must-go list.
Vegan Pizza Showdown: NYPD Pizza v. ZPizza

By Amy Young
Sep 30, 2015

Pizza without a layer of bubbling cheese is pretty much a no-go for most pie lovers — and that includes vegans. An increasing number of pizza restaurants are adding non-dairy cheese options, with varying success. We visited locations of two pizza chains with multiple locations around the Valley to check out...
Butter Chicken Brawl: The Dhaba in Tempe v. India Oven in Mesa

By Sara Weber
Sep 16, 2015

Murgh makhani, also called butter chicken, is a staple dish at any Punjabi restaurant. To make it chefs combine complex and bold flavors in a spicy, but irresistibly smooth dish. To achieve the creamy texture, chicken marinates in yogurt, turmeric, ginger, garlic, cumin, chili, and other spices for hours. It's...
Quinoa Salad Showdown: Chestnut Fine Food and Provisions vs. Luci's Healthy Marketplace

By Sara Weber
Aug 11, 2015

Quinoa is a versatile food that's gained significant fame in the past few years. Its slightly-nutty flavor and crunchy texture make it a good gluten-free alternative to most grains, but quinoa isn't just for those who are avoiding wheat. You can also add quinoa to salads as a source of...
Maple-Bacon Doughnut Melee: Welcome Chicken + Donuts vs. Born & Glazed

By Cal Faber
Aug 6, 2015

Is there a more contemporary-turned-classic breakfast treat than the maple-bacon doughnut? We don't think so. Combining some of our favorite morning meal picks — bacon, maple syrup, and doughnuts — it's a complete package rolled into one pastry. Obviously, a good maple-bacon doughnut is the sum of its three parts...
The Bagel Man vs. Lox Stock & Bagel: Battle of Bagel and Lox

By Sara Weber
Jul 29, 2015

Lox, or brined salmon, takes an ordinary bagel with cream cheese and turns it into a savory and hearty meal. Then add capers, onions, and tomatoes and call it a day. This deli staple is available at many Valley restaurants, but we wanted the best of the best, so we...
Haemul Pajeon: Café Ga Hyang vs. Hodori in a Seafood Pancake Scuffle

By Sara Weber
Jul 15, 2015

The term seafood pancake doesn't necessarily have instant appeal. But think about it: Eggs, vegetables, scallions, and seafood all cooked together in spices and deep-fried to a thin but surprisingly fluffy finish. Now it’s starting to sound good, right? If you're not convinced, hear us out. Haemul pajeon is a...
Tortilla Española Takedown: Vovomeena v. Alo Cafe

By Sara Weber
Jul 7, 2015

Legend has it that during the Spanish Civil War, Basque General Tomás Zumalacárregui visited a farmhouse and demanded the woman of the house cook him something quickly. In a panic, she combined egg, potato, and onion, the only foodd she had. Zumalacárregui liked it so much, he brought the recipe...
Wineburger Warfare: Harvey's Wineburger vs. The Original Wineburger

By Lily Altavena
Jun 10, 2015

Chefs have been spiking their burgers with red wine for decades, but Harvey’s Wineburger and The Original Wineburger have made wineburgers an art form. Both are rumored to bring some serious game, but only one can be the best wineburger in town. In This Corner: Harvey’s Wineburger The Setup: Harvey’s,...
Mucho Macho Tacos v. Restaurant Atoyac: Taco Takedown

By Sara Weber
Jun 3, 2015

Pablo Lopez and Dan Maldonado broke some hearts in this town when they closed the doors at Tacos Atoyac back in February 2014. The restaurant's abrupt clpsure left the Valley's taco enthusiasts lost and wondering where they would find such affordable and authentic Mexican fare. Much to everyone's delight, Lopez...
Flower Child vs. Original Chop Shop: Kale Salad Knockout

By Sara Weber
Jun 2, 2015

Kale is rumored to have been discovered by the ancient Greeks, but in recent years, the green veggie has transformed into the trendiest pick in the produce aisle. It's transcended food geek culture to become a cultural icon in its own right. Don't believe us? Check out these "Hail Kale!" bumper...
ChopShop Co. vs. Naturally Sweet Food Truck: Sweet Smoothie Square Off

By Chloe Nordquist
Apr 2, 2015

With temperatures heating up and spring pushing its way into the Valley, we pinned two chocolate peanut butter banana smoothies against each other to answer the ultimate question: which smoothie has what it takes to satisfy our sweet tooth and cool us off?...
Shimogamo vs. Harumi: Sushi Smack Down

By Kristy Westgard
Mar 16, 2015

Typically here at Chow Bella we love pitting similar dishes from two different restaurants against each other for a traditional Battle of the Dishes. But this time around, the stakes have risen. In this battle, it is not simply a fight for the best dish, but a fight for the...
The Normal Diner vs. Essence Bakery: Clash of the Quiches

By Kristy Westgard
Mar 10, 2015

Like the holy trinity, the triple threat or the trifecta, all good things come in three. For the simple quiche, this rule holds true. When you mix together eggs, cream and cheese, nothing can go wrong. Here at Chow Bella, we fully support that breakfast for lunch life, and find...
Waffle Love AZ vs. Waffle Crush: Waffle Truck Take Down

By Chloe Nordquist
Mar 2, 2015

These aren't your average waffles. No, these are mobile and more -- gourmet food truck liege waffles with delicious toppings and homemade creams. We put two Valley waffle food trucks up against each other to answer the question, who has the better sweet treat?...
Jerk Hut Jamaican Grille vs. Hot Pot Caribbean Cuisine: Jamaican Jerk Battle

By Kristy Westgard
Feb 26, 2015

Jamaican food is hard to come by in the Valley, and whipping up an authentic Jerk Chicken dish at home can be darn near impossible. In any case, you do not "whip up" a dish that is known for having a laundry list of ingredients and should ideally be marinated...
JT's vs. Long Wong's: Hot Wing Showdown

By Chloe Nordquist
Feb 13, 2015

Got a post-season hankering for hot wings? We've got you covered. Today we're hosting a cock fight, putting JT's in Arcadia up against Long Wong's on West Indian School to see which lights our fire. In this corner: JT's Bar & Grill The setting: JT's is the quintessential small bar...
Chelsea's Kitchen v. Hopdoddy Burger Bar: Ahi Tuna Burger Take Down

By Kristy Westgard
Feb 6, 2015

With its delicate flavor, yet meaty texture, ahi tuna is a contradiction. Though this ingredient is a restaurant staple, it is at its absolute best when left barely touched by its preparer. The introduction of bolder ingredients to the modest fish can overwhelm it. Instead, ahi tuna effortlessly holds its...
Timo Wine Bar vs. Humble Pie: Butternut Squash Soup Square Off

By Chloe Nordquist
Jan 29, 2015

We aren't quite done with winter eats yet, and butternut squash is a classic ingredient for some popular seasonal dishes -- including butternut squash soup. While soup season is still in full swing, we decided to try out two local butternut squash options and see which one wins our battle...
Deer Garden Signature vs. Slanted Rice: Clay Pot Clash

By Kristy Westgard
Jan 20, 2015

There are two kinds of people in this world -- those who eat the crust, and those who don't. We're not just talking about sandwich and pizza crust. In this case the crust in question is that of the traditional Chinese clay pot rice dish. In a cuisine full of...

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