5 Best Things to Eat and Drink This Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Arizona Aloha Festival Saturday, March 8

This weekend, the 20th annual Arizona Aloha Festival will go down at Tempe Town Lake, bringing Hawaiian and Polynesian culture to the Valley. In addition to live performances and tons of vendors (you know you want one of those dashboard hula girls), you'll be able to pig out on a variety of Hawaiian eats including kalua pork, SPAM musubi, and more. And don't forget our favorite dessert, malasadas, a Portuguese confection similar to a doughnut. Admission to the festival, which will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both day, is free. For more information visit the Arizona Aloha Festival website.

See also: Bar Crudo's Spring Cocktail Menu Debuts Today (Plus a $5 Happy Hour Drink Menu!)

Chicago Fest Saturday, March 8

On Saturday, the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park will celebrate all things Chicago with live entertainment and plenty of Windy City eats. The resort will fly in Lou Malnati's pizza, one of Chicago's best-known names in deep-dish pizza, for its one-day Chicago Fest. Both cheese and sausage deep-dish pizzas will be available for $7 each as well as Vienna Beef Chicago Dogs ($8), Italian Beef Sandwiches ($8), and Old Style beer. The party will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on the resorts front lawn and admission costs $10 a person. For more information, visit the Wigmam website.

Hot Tamales! Class Sunday, March 9

If you've always wanted to learn how to make and wrap your own tamales, now is your chance. On Sunday, Denise Clayton of Denise Is Cooking will be hosting a Hot Tamales! class during which students will learn how to make each component of a tamal, including masa, sauces, and fillings. The class will cover green chile pork and red chile chicken tamales and will start promptly at 10 a.m. The class, which costs $75, will end around 4 p.m. and includes lunch, snacks and beverages throughout the day. For more information or to reserve a spot visit the Denise Is Cooking website.

Carolina Low Country Crawfish Boil Sunday, March 9

On Sunday, Scottsdale's Petite Maison modern French restaurant will host its second Sunday Picnic on the Patio. The event's theme will be Carolina Low Country Crawfish Boil, meaning chef James Porter will cook a menu of jumbo crawfish, shrimp, sweet roasted corn, andouille, new potatoes, skillet corn bread, green bean salad, and more. The dinner will be served family-style on a long table and begins at 5:30 p.m. The meal costs $35 a person and includes dinner and drinks. Reservations are required and space is limited. Call 480-991-6887.

Spring Training Specials

During spring training, Phoenix's Sierra Bonita Grill will offer all-day happy hour deals (in the bar only) to those who show a same-day ticket stub. Diners will be able to choose from seven cocktails priced at $6 each. Happy hour drinks include a fresh squeezed margarita, Sierra Bonita sangria, and a Paloma. The happy hour menu also features several red and white wines by the glass for $6, $3 domestic bottled beer, $4 well drinks and draft beer, and $6 Caguamas.

And be sure to check out our other spring training guides:

• Spring Training 2014: Your Ultimate Guide to Restaurants, Bars, and More in Metro Phoenix
• 5 Spring Training Food and Drink Specials Around Metro Phoenix
• 10 Best Places to Party After Spring Training Games in Metro Phoenix

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• Weekend Eats