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Take Out From Nanaya Japanese Kitchen in Phoenix AZ******NOW CLOSED FOR BUSINESS

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******NOW CLOSED FOR BUSINESS******Nanaya Japanese Kitchen recently opened in the Arcadia District of Phoenix Arizona. According to their menu they serve homestyle Japanese Food. Their menu is interesting and different with low prices so I assumed that the plates would be small but I was wrong.

They offer two kinds of ramen on their menu and both are chicken broth with tender chicken. One is creamy and the other is clear. We went with clear. We started out by sharing the Tori Chintan Ramen ($10.) They gave us a very large serving that is enough for two people. (maybe by accident?)

Here is my HALF!

The moist chicken breast is DELICIOUS and developed with flavors. It’s in a salt forward but very balanced broth enhanced with bamboo, asparagus, seaweed, chewy thin noodles and what they called a ramen egg. The egg seemed like a hard boiled egg to me. The chicken was really great in this dish even after traveling 35 minutes to get it home.

We shared a bunch of other dishes.

I’ll bring the food up closer.

We started with the spicy tuna sushi roll ($6.). It was prepared nice and neat but wasn’t really spicy. I liked that it didn’t fall apart. Next we shared some of the beef shigureni ($12.). It’s different and unique. It’s made of marinated beef topped with pepper threads. The beef is Japanese flavored in a way I never tasted before. It makes me think about a Japanese steak sandwich. The rest of the bowl is rice, cabbage and a ramen egg (like a hard boiled egg). (This plate differed slightly from menu description)

Another unusual plate is the Nanaya Elote ($5.). It’s an ear of corn that is covered with SPICY Japanese mayo and yuzu cheese. It was really SPICY HOT with flavors that were new and different to me.

My favorite plate was the Salmon Yuanyaki ($13.). The salmon was seasoned nicely. It came with shredded cabbage and Japanese potato salad. I don’t know if this is how they would serve it next time because the menu description did differ. We also had a container of rice that we didn’t use.

Nanaya Japanese Kitchen was a very nice take out that was unique and different.

******NOW CLOSED FOR BUSINESS*********

www.NanayaJapaneseKitchen.com

Everything is subject to change and we hope it does change for the better.

The Forking Truth

Take Out In Metro Phoenix AZ During The CoronaVirus Pandemic – Week 17 – Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery, Taco Fusion, Nanaya Japanese Kitchen, Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante

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Going out to eat can be deadly these days during the coronavirus pandemic. Take out is a less risky option. These days all restaurants are struggling. We resist going out as much as possible to avoid infected people so we are doing take out a little more often just for something to do.

Our first take out of the week was from Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery in North Phoenix. They offer most of your Vietnamese favorites except for pho. Their specialty is the banh mi baguette sandwich and offer around a dozen different varieties of it. Today we ordered pot stickers, a lotus root salad and a shaken beef banh mi.

Pot stickers are always tasty, Lotus root salad is herbal lightl and refreshing. The shaken beef banh mi is very good!

I know that the beef in it is rib eye but it is as tender as filet mignon. It’s all very good and all this food is less than $20. before tax and tip.

We always share some with the dogs.

Next take out was from Taco Fusion in Glendale.

We got a variety of tacos, a variety of fresh salsas and a side of vegetarian black beans. EVERYTHING was delicious! Taco Fusion is GREAT! They even use hand made tortillas. My favorite taco there is the mild chicken habanero taco with pineapple salsa. My husband says the shrimp tacos there are excellent. Of course our dogs were waiting to try some.

We tried a brand new Japanese Restaurant that just opened called Nanaya Japanese Kitchen in Phoenix.

I was expecting tiny portions but received full size large portions. We shared a spicy tuna roll, the salmon yuanyaki, beef shigureni, tori chintan ramen and a very unusual Nanaya Elote. WOW it was. all interesting and different. My favorite was the salmon yuanyaki with the surprise Japanese potato salad. Had plenty to share with the dogs.

Last take out of the week was from Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale/#UpperWestSide. I like how my salad came in a tamper proof bag.

I got a strawberry and chicken salad with toasted almonds and my husband got the Bottega Pizza that is topped with pepperoni and sausage. All was great and I shared my chicken with the dogs.

“We will get threw this thing and ALL THE FOOD together!”

Week 17 of take out during the coronavirus pandemic was from –

Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery – North Phoenix

Taco Fusion – Glendale

Nanaya Japanese Kitchen – Phoenix

Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante – Glendale/#UpperWestSide

Everything is subject to change and we hope it does change for the better.

The Forking Truth

Weird Forking Drinking and Eating Masks Out There For The CoronaVirus Pandemic

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We are in a serious health crisis and it is advisable and also the law depending on your location to wear masks when you are in a public space. Scientist have proved that much of the virus can stop spreading if we all wear masks. This mandate upsets some people but wearing a mask is the right thing to do. People who don’t wear masks are selfish and can unknowingly be carriers of the virus. They can unintentionally infect others. I was looking at masks for sale on eBay and I noticed that many people now are selling eating and drinking masks.

I don’t think any of these mask can possibly be effective because they all have openings in them.

For a mask to be effective it is suppose to be tight but breathable. It’s suppose to have layers. I’m not a scientist so I Don’t know if this is true but I read that not all but some masks actually provide partial protection against the virus. The bad news is that you can still the catch the virus wearing a better mask that offers partial protection. (kn95, mask with hepa filter are considered better masks. Best masks are reserved for health care workers) The good news is that chances are that you won’t catch as much of the virus with a better well fitting mask. That can make a difference that is more valuable than any amount of money.

If your FORKING Mask has a hole or slit in it you are spreading germs and more germs can spread to you.

#Don’t Kill Grandma Wear a sensible Mask

There is a bunch of Forking Weird Eating and Drinking Masks Out There for sale during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Every FORKING THING is subject to change and we hope IT DOES CHANGE FOR THE BETTER!

The Forking Truth

Take Out During The CoronaVirus Pandemic in Metro Phoenix Week 16 – Pita Kitchen, Fabio On Fire, Scott’s Generations Restaurant and Delicatessen, FnB, Aioli Burgers

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Dining out can be deadly these days during the pandemic. Take out is a less risky option. All restaurants are struggling and we have little else to do these days anyway so we are giving as much support as we can to restaurants.

Our first take out of the week was from a small casual Mediterranean/Greek restaurant Pita Kitchen in Glendale (#UpperWestSide). I didn’t go in to pick up but my husband said that they installed more plexiglass inside for our safety.

Pita Kitchen bakes their own fresh pita bread that is always delicious. I usually get the chicken kabob Greek Salad. The kabob always taste delicious with lots of flavors and always has a delicious char. 18 out 20 times it is also juicy. My husband usually gets the gyro meat on a Greek Salad.

My dogs always love Pita Kitchens’ food.

Next Take Out was from Fabio On Fire in Peoria (#UpperWestSide). This is a small Italian Restaurant that offers Neapolitan Pizzas, various Italian dishes, amazing breads and desserts (FORKING FABULOUS Gelato). They have a 100% contact free curbside transaction. You order and pay online and all the communication is done by text. They sanitize a table and your order is placed there.

We got family style pear salad, pappardelle con fungi and peach gelato. Everything was very good. Portions were very large. P.S. That peach gelato is the best in the whole wide WORLD. Fabio should go to shark tank to sell his gelato across America….YES IT’S THAT FABULOUS!

Pups were happy to try a little cheese from the salad.

We also did take out from Scotts Generations Restaurant and Delicatessen in Phoenix. They offer breakfast dishes and delicatessen favorites.

My husband got a pastrami sandwich (or actually 2) I got the smoked fish supreme platter and tomorrow we will try the latkes for breakfast. My platter is a really great value. My platter is large and I get three meals out of it. One of the fish I pick is Lake Sturgeon…..I don’t think any other restaurant sells it in Phoenix and it cost around $40. a pound. My platter also comes with a bagel, cream cheese, cole slaw, potato salad, fresh made pickles and vegetables. It’s a nice treat to have once in a while. We also like that Scott’s is open on most of the holidays.

Our dogs were very excited to try some of Scott’s.

FnB in Scottsdale had a take out special on fried chicken so we got two. In case you have been living under a rock…..FnB is co-owned by a James Bead award winning chef Charleen Badman so if she offers a take out special like this it would be advisable to try it.

Half a fried chicken with a peach and feta salad, macaroni and corn salad and potato salads. This is also way more food than anyone can possibly eat. But WOW! This take out was GREAT! Reminds me oof a similar take out from Thomas Kellers’ Ad Hoc. His fried chicken was also fabulous but FnBs’ sides are far more detailed and delicious!

Dogs are yappy….I mean happy to try some.

Last Take Out of the week was from Aioli Burgers in Phoenix. I heard about a Nashville Hot Chicken Style Sandwich that was on special for the Fourth of July….But it was Sunday the fifth and they were still offering them so we decided to give them a try.

We each got a Nashville Style Hot Chicken Sandwich with a side of roasted vegetables. Our sandwiches were suppose to come with green chili aioli but the aioli was forgotten….or maybe they ran out?. The sandwiches are tasty and the chicken is moist. They aren’t very spicy but they are tasty as chicken sandwiches. As per usual my dogs helped with the large portion of chicken. (I removed the coating for them since it might contain spices and vinegar that are not good for dogs)

“We are in this thing together!”

That was take out in metro Phoenix week 16 of the coronavirus pandemic.

We went to-

Pita Kitchen – Glendale/#UpperWestSide

Fabio On Fire – Peoria/#UpperWestSide

Scott’s Generations Restaurant and Delicatessen – Phoenix

FnB – Scottsdale

Aioli Burgers – Phoenix

Everything is subject to change and we hope it does for the better.

The Forking Truth

A little Taste of the Collins Restaurants in Metro Phoenix AZ- Grassroots Kitchen and Tap, Wally’s American Gastropub, Twisted Grove Parlor and Bar, The Colllins Small Batch Kitchen, The Macintosh and Sweet Provisions

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The Collins restaurants are of the restaurant group Common Ground Culinary by a 4th generation restauranteur chef Christopher Collins. The restaurants listed are Grassroots Kitchen and Tap, Wally’s American Gastropub, Twisted Grove Parlor and Bar, The Collins Small Batch Kitchen and the Macintosh. The restaurants are similar….with different but somewhat similar menus of mostly a good variety of American Comfort Food Prepared extremely well and all the restaurants offer marvelous slices of pie. During the pandemic all the Collins restaurants are offering the safer curbside pick up option in addition to limited dine in. (subject to change during these uncertain times)

Below are some trips from Grassroots Kitchen and Tap in Scottsdale.

Scottsdale Location

I usually but not always get some sort of salmon from the Collins restaurants. They prepare salmon better than the majority of places. The salmon is always grilled nicely and cooked reasonably well but never dry. You also never have to worry about rubbery skin or the gross bloodline with any Collins Salmon.

American pastrami on a pretzel bun with cheddar. You can’t see but on the other side of sandwich is jalapeño cheese grits.

We did take out from the Grassroots (Scottsdale) in April.

I took out the house smoked salmon and orzo salad, brisket with cheese grits, beans and that FABULOUS key lime pie (made with 40 hand squeezed key limes).

Next to the Grassroots is Collins Sweet Shop called Sweet Provisions (Scottsdale). They serve ice-cream candy and desserts.

As of today I’ve only been to Wally’s American Gastropub (Scottsdale) once and it was for curbside pick up. I noticed that they do have a large patio that looks spacious.

We took out – pretzel asiago fondue, a veal and spicy pork meatloaf with horseradish mashed potatoes, crispy onions and asparagus. My usual salmon…this one comes with spinach…it might be the lightest of the Collins salmon dishes but it insures room in your stomach for one of the delicious slices of pie. We tried the coconut cream cream pie this day. EVERYTHING was delicious.

We made it to Twisted Grove Parlor (Scottsdale) and Bar.

I had a crispy grouper sandwich there with a side of spaghetti squash.

My husband had house made cavatelli carbonara.

We shared monkey bread for dessert.

We were at The Collins Small Batch Kitchen (Phoenix) a number of times.

Tasty Artichoke appetizer.

From The Collins in Phoenix AZ

The Twisted Noodle Salad is incredibly delicious. It just explodes with flavors. Love this salad.

My husband had a burger that he said was really great…but he wanted the slaw on the side…because he isn’t a fan of most slaws.

We went back again and I had a fish sandwich. Grilled nicely and prepared to perfection. It was served with colorful fresh vegetables.

My husband had the burger again.

. We recently did curbside takeout from The Collins.

I got my usual salmon. I am partial to this one because I really enjoyed the cauliflower and sweet tomatoes that came with it. My husband got the braised beef short ribs with risotto and Brussels sprouts. We shared a Ghirardelli mousse pie for dessert.

We even made it to The Macintosh (Phoenix).

I had a salmon and half chopped salad.

My husband had shrimp and grits.

Salmon with a different half salad.

Shrimp sandwich with grits.

Key Lime Pie made with 40 hand squeezed key limes

That was a little taste of Christopher Collins Common Ground Culinary.

Grassroots Kitchen and Tap – Scottsdale

Wally’s American Gastropub – Scottsdale

Twisted Grove Parlor and Bar – Scottsdale

Sweet Provisions – Scottsdale

The Collins Small Batch Kitchen – Phoenix

The Macintosh – Phoenix

www.CommonGroundCulinary.com

Everything is subject to change and we hope it does for the better.

The Forking Truth

Take Out During The CoronaVirus Pandemic in Metro Phoenix AZ Week 15 – Twist Bistro and Gallery, Confluence, Wally’s American Gastropub, Sala Thai

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Going out to eat can be deadly these days during the pandemic. Take out is a less risky option. All restaurants are suffering these days so we are doing take out as much as possible….besides we have little else to do these days……. Our first take out of the week was from Twist Bistro and Gallery in North Scottsdale. They serve modern Mediterranean style food that may contain a “Twist” or two.

We got the take out combo for two special. They gave us these complimentary cheese studded biscuits that were buttery and light as air and delicious. Our appetizer was a everything flatbread topped with a layer of creaminess, house made lox and salad. My dinner was phenomenally cooked chicken that was very moist and flavorful. It came with braised greens, berries, goat cheese and unusual (Twisted gnocchi) that were very goat cheese to me. My husband got the wild boar meatballs with the twist version of gnocchi and were nothing like a traditional gnocchi. We also had a strawberry rhubarb cobbler minus the ice cream because I didn’t want it to melt on our way home. Some things were unusual but everything was delicious.

Our dogs helped me with the large portion of delicious chicken.

Next take out was from Confluence in Carefree. It’s a FORKING AMAZING restaurant that serves incredible Modern Cuisine.

We got spectacular fried chicken that came with unbelievably delicious chili Tepin honey sauce, blue corn bread and shredded snow peas. We also got carnitas with tossed salad, broccoli with hominy and popcorn butter and strawberry cobbler with dessert. Everything was so good it was a treat! The chicken is also an extra large portion and I can get three lunches out of it. Still had plenty to share with the dogs.

Our nest take out was curb side pick up from Wally’s American Gastropub in Scottsdale.

My husband was craving the veal and spicy pork meatloaf with horseradish mashed potatoes, onion strings and jumbo asparagus (he said it was VERY GOOD). We also shared the fresh baked pretzels with asiago fondue, For dinner I had the Norwegian Salmon that comes with caper sauce and spinach. You must get pie when you dine at a Collins Restaurant because his pies are outstanding. This time I tried the coconut cream pie and it was outstanding like all the other Collins pies. Even my husband who HATES coconut said the pie was very good. As usual I had plenty too share with my dogs.

Last Take Out of the week was from Sala Thai in Peoria (#upperWestSide).

We shared egg rolls and I had the spicy lemon chicken salad. My husband had the spicy pork basil. Dogs couldn’t wait to try!

“Don’t worry we are in this thing together”

Week 15 of take out during the coronavirus pandemic.

Twist Bistro and Gallery – North Scottsdale

Confluence – Carefree

Wally’s American Gastropub – Scottsdale

Sala Thai – Peoria (#UpperWestSide)

Everything is subject to change and we hope it does change for the better.

The Forking Truth

A little Taste of the Amazing FnB Restaurant of Scottsdale AZ

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During the coronavirus pandemic I did take out from FnB restaurant in the arts district of Old Town Scottsdale. I thought my past experiences at the restaurant are more of a taste of what they are really like.

The Chef and co-owner Charleen Badman is a James Beard Best Chef Southwest Award Winning Chef. She serves an ever changing menu of global farm focused contemporary plates that are meant to be shared. The menu usually features a few obscure vegetables and is mostly vegetables but also contains enough meat to please meat eaters. This restaurant also features Arizonian wines.

The restaurant has three small dining areas. (I don’t have a photo of the bar area that was once a store)

FnB also offers a small plant lined patio for dining.

They always start you off with locally made Noble Bread and high quality olive oil.

Bellow are a collection of some of the dishes we’ve enjoyed from FnB.

Tuscan kale falafel
Gilfeather rutabaga topped with onion ginger cream
Snap peas, macadamia nuts, mint, tarragon
crispy chickpeas, beet falafel plate and famous award winning leek dish
My Half

This was half of the Langos. A sort of salad made with a fried Hungarian bread made with potatoes.

Melon Salad
House Cured Salmon
Butterkin Squash

Broccoli with tangerine and pistachios

Trout rillette

Soft shell crab

Radishes, dates, pumpkin seeds, with caper anchovy dressing.

Salmon gefilte fish, pickled beets, beet horseradish eggs and buttered matzo.

Corona beans with grilled radicchio, salsa verde, provolone.

This is 1/2 of the Pink Grouper
Pork Shank

Halibut

Lamb loin with Arizona grains, tepary beans, green beans, chermoula and mint.

Halibut
Duck
Poppyseed tangerine cake with mascarpone and cherries
Apple Sharlotka
Berry Shortcake
Deep chocolate whiskey cake

That was a little taste of the amazing FnB of Scottsdale AZ

During the pandemic FnB is take out only.

For now you order and pay on line and a server places your bag on the table.

This was my take out.

Peruvian chicken egg rolls with quark sauce, lettuce stems and tofu in broth, blue nose bass with citrus and couscous, house made pasta with pancetta.

www.FnBRestaurant.com

Everything is subject to change and we hope it does for the better.

The Forking Truth

Take Out In Metro Phoenix During The CoronaVirus Pandemic – Week 14 – FnB, CHZBURGR, La Piazza Al Forno, Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol

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Leaving your house can be deadly during the coronavirus pandemic. The numbers of the infected and dead are rising. Take out is a safer option than dining in.

Our first take out of the week was from FnB in Scottsdale. FnB is a contemporary restaurant located in the arts district of old town Scottsdale. They offer a farm focused menu of innovated globally inspired cuisine. They serve dishes that are meant to be shared. It was a contactless transaction. I ordered, payed and tipped on line. Then we arrived and our order was placed on a table outside of the restaurant by a server wearing a mask.

We got Peruvian Chicken spring rolls, celtuse (obscure stem lettuce) in ginger broth with tofu, house made pasta and blue nose bass dinner. All was delicious and the food traveled well.

Our pups couldn’t wait to try. (They don’t know how lucky they are to get FnB cuisine…..incase you’ve been living under a rock…..This is a James Beard Awarded Chef Owned Restaurant)

Next stop for take out was CHZBURGR in Glendale. CHZBURGR serves incredibly GREAT flat style cheeseburgers, Forking awesome fried chicken thigh sandwiches, hot dogs, kids meals, milk shakes and a few other things.

We did curbside takeout. I ordered over the phone, called when we got there and paid from our car by someone wearing a mask.

My husband got a juicy triple CHZBURGR, we got kids chicken strips for the dogs and I got an incredibly delicious fried chicken thigh sandwich with added Calabrian chilies.

Everyone enjoyed!

Next take out was from La Piazza Al Forno in Old Town Glendale. This is a small Italian restaurant that specializes in serving certified pizzas.

We got a house salad, a Mediterranean Pizza made with house made pesto, house made mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese and a spaghetti alla puttanesca (anchovies, olives, capers, garlic, oregano, parsley). All was delicious and the dogs wanted to try too!

Last take out of the week was Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol (a Sonoran Style Mexican Restaurant).

I got my usual chicken fajita salad and my husband got the carnitas. We also took out the margaritas that are extremely strong.

We had plenty to share with the dogs.

“Don’t worry we will get threw this thing together”

Week 14 we did take out from-

FnB – Old Town Scottsdale

CHZBURGR – Glendale

La Piazza Al Forno – Old Town Glendale

Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol – Glendale (#UpperWestSide)

Everything is subject to change and we hope it does for the better.

The Forking Truth

Quaker Oats says Good Bye to Aunt Jemima…..Is it Hello to Cap’n Crunch?

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June 17th 2020 Quaker Oats announced that they will be changing the name Aunt Jemima and her image from their products because its origins are based on a racial stereotype.

The Aunt Jemima web site was still up June 17th 2020 and it looked like this. The home page was a picture of their products. All of them were Aunt Jemima except for one Cap’n Crunch.

Then an ad for Cap’n Crunch rolls by with promise of “Boatloads of Breakfast Fun!”

The rest of the site was still Aunt Jemima.

Quaker Oats says good bye to Aunt Jemima……….But is it hello to Cap’n Crunch?

Everything is subject to change and we hope it does for the better.

The Forking Truth

Salads of The #UpperWestSide of Metro Phoenix AZ – Phoenix Glendale Peoria

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Maybe half the meals that I ate out or take out are salads. Lately I’m mostly but not entirely supporting restaurants that are near to home. I thought others might like a taste of the salads of the #UpperWestSide of Metro Phoenix AZ. The Upper West Side are parts of the Way North Phoenix, North Glendale and North Peoria and are zip codes 85383, 85382, 85310, 85308 and 85083.

Up above is. really great salad from Sala Thai in Peoria. It’s the spicy lemon salad with chicken and is among my favorites.

Here is the select your own salad from Phila-Deli in Glendale. It starts at only around $7.50. It’s fast food priced but it’s a whole bunch better than fast food.

Basically across the street (or highway) is Skewers Mediterranean Grill in Glendale and they also offer really nice $7.50 salads.

On the left is a gyro salad and on the right is chicken kabob salad.

I got a few salads from Fabio On Fire in Peoria.

Up above is the pear salad.

Here’s the strawberry spinach salad from Fabio On Fire.

My favorite meal from Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol in Glendale is the Chicken Fajita Salad.

It is usually inconsistent. The amount of chicken is either a lot or small and either moist or dry. Seasonings differ. It might include the peppers, onions and avocado or not. The ingredients differ some on each visit. Instead of dressing I use their tasty salsa that is currently the best salsa in town.

Pita Kitchen in Glendale makes one of the most delicious Chicken kabobs in metro Phoenix so I get it on a Greek Salad.

They marinate it with delicious seasonings. It has a delicious char taste and 19 out of 20 times it is insanely juicy and is always delicious.

The meal I get most often at Cucina Tagliani is their Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad with Chicken.

Sometimes I get one of their Caesar salads.

Caesar with chicken….(and one of my dogs)

Caesar with salmon, artichokes and pine nuts……..(and one of my dogs)

The Black and White Cafe in Glendale offers a few salads.

This is the California Chicken Salad from The Black and White Cafe.

I got several nice salads from Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante.

Farro Salad with avocado, pesto, mozzarella and chicken. (this one was way more than one meal….I think they gave me extra by accident)

Salad with added Sicilian Tuna

Strawberry Chicken Salad

I did get a few nice salads from The Social on 83rd in Peoria but the ones I got are no longer on the menu but both salads were very good.

Those are most of the salads that you can find on The Upper West Side of Metro Phoenix AZ.

Everything is subject to change….We hope things change for the better.

The Forking Truth