Tag Archives: #PhoenixFood

Take Out During The CoronaVirus Pandemic in Metro Phoenix AZ – Phila-Deli, Desert Island Eatery, Mochilero Kitchen, Fabio On Fire, Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol

We are trying to support as many local restaurants as we can during the pandemic.

Our first stop this week was a sandwich shop in north Glendale called Phila-Deli.

Today I got a very generously sized small (not small at all) chicken steak wrap.

Got lettuce, tomatoes, onions and hot pickled peppers. It’s tasty.

My husband enjoyed a full size cheese steak.

He got it with peppers, onions and hot peppers.

Next stop was Desert Island Eatery for DELICIOUS Caribbean Food.

I ordered and paid on the phone. They practice safe distancing and have a table set up in front of the restaurant for your order.

I got a combo plate of jerk and curry chicken with rice, peas and cabbage. My husband got a tri-plate of the same as mine plus bbq chicken. We tried a vegan macaroni and cheese and a chicken and a beef hand pie. All was Incredibly FORKING Delicious. The chicken is so flavorful and just falls off the bone. Portions are extra large so this is 2 meals or more. We had some help with all this delicious food.

Who opens up a brand new restaurant during a pandemic?

Mochilero Kitchen just opened a few days ago in Peoria in the area that is considered the upper west side so we wanted to try it.

They are practicing social distancing and have 6 feet marked with tape by the entrance.

We tried chips and salsa, a papa bravo taco, a chicken pibil bowl and a short rib bowl.

Everything was very fresh. The proteins were cooked nice. Some of what we tried was very delicate with flavors. My favorite was the papa bravo taco. It had the most flavors and was slightly spicy. This new restaurant sure have TONS of potential with lots of delicious sounding things to offer when they turn into a dine in restaurant. Their esquires with chiltepin sound great! So does their Chula Swordfish with ancho butter with Brussels sprouts. I can’t wait to try their shishitos with corn smut and esplette pepper when they fully open.

We also did take out from Fabio On Fire in Peoria. This place has the local distancing down better than anyone. You order and pay on line and they communicate with you by text. You order goes on a sanitized table outside.

We got tasty vegetarian butternut squash raviolis, gnocchi in bolognese sauce some fresh baked bread and the FORKING BEST STRAWBERRY Gelato in the whole wide world!

Last Take Out this week was from Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol in Glendale.

I got my usual chicken fajita salad and my husband got the carnitas.

Today they forgot the peppers and onions for my salad but they gave us chips and salsa (last time they forgot the chips and salsa) But the salad is tasty. My husband enjoys the carnitas.

We also took out four margaritas. They are very strong….so strong that they can do push ups.

As usual we had help with the food.

Our take out this week during the pandemic was from…..

Phila-Deli

Desert Island Eatery

Mochilero Kitchen

Fabio On Fire

Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol

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

The Forking Truth

Grocery Shopping During The CoronaVirus Pandemic in Metro Phoenix AZ – Week 4

The numbers of the infected and dead are rapidly rising and going out to grocery shop does seem more deadly. Today 4/9/2020 there are just over 3,000 people in Arizona reported with coronavirus. It’s much worst in New Jersey where there are more than 47,000 reported cases and far worst in New York where I didn’t even look. They say on the news to wear a mask or scarf when you are out so I did. I also heard to shield your eyes and to make sure that you distance yourself at least six feet from other people. It’s also important to wash your hands whenever you touch anything outside of your house and never to touch your face. I felt reasonably safe last week shopping at Costco so I went back this week hoping to load up on some stuff. Just like last week you now stand in line before they let you in and only let in so many people at a time.

This week Costco ran out of sanitizing wipes for you to use while shopping but they did disinfect your cart for you before they gave it to you.

This week they did have a selection of raw chicken at a very good price….(only 99cents a pound for chicken thighs) However they were still were out of most paper products like toilet paper (so lucky I don’t need for a while!!!!) and paper towels. I happen to be out of paper towels so I purchased a giant box of tri folded paper towels. You know the kind that you might find in rest room dispensers. They aren’t so great but they are better than no paper towels.

A few days latter my husband stopped into Fry’s Super Market. He said it looked mostly stocked except for the paper products.

I wanted to shop at more stores for more things I need but am slightly frightened to come in contact with someone with the virus. They said on the news as long as you are at a safe distance and don’t touch your face and wash up correctly that you should be fine. They also said on the news that you won’t catch coronavirus from food that you eat. They said on channel 3 news on April 3rd that even if a person has coronavirus and makes your food that you won’t catch the virus that way. …(***that is great news but I can’t say for sure that it is factual) They said on the news that you catch the virus from someone breathing, taking, coughing or sneezing….???????

I’m expecting to be doing some sort of grocery pick up or delivery next week.

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

That was grocery shopping during the coronavirus pandemic in Metro Phoenix – Week Four

The Forking Truth

Take Out During The CoronaVirus Pandemic in Metro Phoenix AZ – Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery, Skewers Mediterranean Grill, Alzohour Market, Doda’s Pizza, Cafe Chenar

We are trying to support as many local restaurants as we can during the pandemic. I don’t know if the news is factual? They said that you won’t catch coronavirus from food. They said even if someone with coronavirus makes your food you won’t catch it that way. The virus passes from someone breathing, talking, coughing or sneezing 6 feet or less from you. During the pandemic you should shield your eyes, nose and mouth. You need to wash your hands every time you touch anything outside of your house. As far as we know Take Out Food should be safe.

First stop this week was our Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery. This restaurant is located in North Phoenix and serves all your Vietnamese favorites except for pho.

Today I had the noodle salad with grilled chicken and a tasty vegetarian egg roll.

My husband had the grilled pork rice plate.

The food is always fresh and tasty. Portions are always LARGE and prices are always LOW!

We always enjoy Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery.

A few days latter we packed up the dogs and did pick up from Skewers Mediterranean Grill.

We tried a very delicious eggplant salad and their creamy hummus.

For my main I had the chicken kabob salad bowl again.

My husband tried the chicken shawarma salad bowl.

Everything was fresh and tasty. Portions on take out were much larger than dine in.

Next stop was Alzohour Market in Glendale for Moroccan/Middle Eastern Cuisine.

I’ve tried much of the menu but never had the chicken kabob until today.

WOW! It’s delicious and very moist!

My husband got the lamb couscous.

I think the couscous dishes are one of her masterpiece dishes. There’s a lot going on here.

Both entrees came with side salads that had this insanely delicious lemony dressing.

Portions were extra large but we had some help with that.

Next we packed up the dogs and did take out from Doda’s Pizza in Glendale.

They do what I call east coast flavored neighborhood pizza…..not artisan….not Neapolitan but superior to chain take out pizza. They make a flavorful dough, a good tasting rich sauce and better cheese than from other similar restaurants in the area.

We took out two slices of their regular cheese pizza.

We also tried a Margherita.

Last stop this week was take out from Cafe Chenar in North Phoenix for Bukharian Cuisine.

You might be wondering WTFork is Bukharian Cuisine? It’s a kosher offshoot of Pan Asian with influences from Russian, Muslim, Uzbek and Korean. We had tasty chicken and beef lulyas (ground seasoned meat cooked on a skewer), chuchuara (stuffed pasta), achichuk (salad) and a salmon skewer. Everything was delicious and there was precautionary distancing there and a bottle of hand sanitizer.

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

We were able to support 5 local small businesses this week.

Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery

Skewers Mediterranean Grill

Alzohour Market

Doda’s Pizza

Cafe Chenar

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

The Forking Truth

Grocery Shopping during the CoronaVirus Pandemic in Metro Phoenix AZ – Week Three – Still no paper products but I’ve found eggs

This week we’ve been to Fry’s. Safeway, Walmart Grocery and Bashas supermarkets. Fry’s was reasonably well stocked except for paper products. Walmart Grocery was also reasonably stocked and out of paper products but I was lucky to find eggs this week. They were almost out of eggs but had around 6 flats in the refrigerator and I was lucky to get one with a limit on one. Last week Walmart Grocery was the only supermarket near me that had fresh raw chicken. Safeway was the least stocked of all the supermarkets with very little produce and no paper products. They didn’t have their usual brands of chicken and offered frozen raw whole chickens of a brand I never heard of. I bought one and it made Walmart Chicken seem like the best chicken in the whole wide world. This Sun something brand of Safeway Chicken had an abnormally large breast and tiny legs that were like white meat wings. It was one of the worst chickens I’ve ever tried with a weird texture and not the best taste. I don’t normally shop at Bashas because there isn’t one near me. I stopped into a Bashas because I was in the area of one and needed fresh herbs I couldn’t find near me this week. They had the herbs but this was the only supermarket that didn’t offer hand sanitizer and also didn’t offer sanitizing wipes. They still used the moving belt by the cashier without sanitizing it. I felt unsafe shopping there during this pandemic.

I don’t know if my experience is typical from other similar super markets.

That was Week 3 of Grocery Shopping during the CoronaVirus Pandemic in Metro Phoenix AZ.

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

The Forking Truth

Take Out During The CoronaVirus Pandemic in Metro Phoenix AZ – Taco Fusion , Pita Kitchen , Confluence, Sala Thai & Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol

We are supporting local restaurants as much as we can during the pandemic.

We did take out from a newly opened casual Taco Fusion. I’ve been there a couple weeks ago and was blown away with how great the food was….(particularly the mild habanero chicken taco with pineapple salsa…)…. I also was so happy that it wasn’t too far from where I lived so I thought it was extra important to stop here and give them some business. When we made our take out order we were told that they were offering 4 of their 8 salsas today and didn’t have pineapple salsa today.

All the tacos and quesadilla was delicious. The tortillas are hand made. The flour tortilla is thinner and bigger with less flavor than the hand made corn tortilla. The asada is more flavorful and more tender than from another popular taco place in the area. The fish taco is different and is topped with sweet carrots. They are all very good tacos but I still like the mild habanero chicken taco best. It’s full of really good flavors. It’s the one taco that is even better than a chicken taco from Mexico. (I’ve actually tasted many tacos on the streets of Mexico a few times) The sauces are good..we got one I’ve never tried before anywhere. It’s a dark ultra spicy sauce that is borderline too hot for me but if I only use a drop or two is wildly delicious. Very GOOD Tacos from Taco Fusion in Glendale.

Our next take out was from Pita Kitchen in Glendale. This is small Greek Casual Mediterranean restaurant.

We packed up our dogs and did a pick up.

I got my usual chicken kabob salad. I have to say that this chicken is abundant, moist, developed with flavors, delicious with a really tasty char on it. I really think their chicken kabob is the best in town.

My husband got the gyro Greek salad with added pickles.

We also got delicious fresh pita bread that they make there.

Our friends also helped us enjoy the food on our patio.

We did get take out from the AMAZING Confluence Restaurant in Carefree.

We picked up a fresh baked fontina roll that is to die for.

Tried some delicious vegetable soup that was so light and different. It was made with the fancy cauliflower and lots of parsnips.

For dinner had that incredible FORKING DELICIOUS Fried Chicken with broccolini and buttery cooked potato.

The sweet ending was a dark chocolate brownie for dessert.

We enjoyed delicious Thai Food from Sala Thai in Peoria.

I had the spicy pumpkin basil with chicken and brown rice.

They gave us a CRAZY amount of brown rice. After we took what we wanted there was THREE EXTRA whole cups of rice that I portioned out and froze.

My husband had the spicy egg bomb with chicken and brown rice.

Then we went to Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol in Glendale.

I got my usual chicken fajita salad.

My husband got some sort of Mexican Beef Plate with rice, beans and tortillas.

We got margaritas to go. They were packed nicely and were very strong.

This week we were able to support five restaurants.

Taco Fusion in Glendale

Pita Kitchen in Glendale

Confluence in Carefree

Sala Thai in Peoria

Popo’s Fiesta Del Soll in Glendale

We are doing our best to help support small business restaurants. If you care about a small business you should give your support.

The Forking Truth

Forking Dining Out and DINING IN with DOGS in Metro Phoenix March 2020

Dining out with dogs is just a “Fluff” story about taking my dogs out to eat. It all sort of started when my dog Louie was diagnosed with aggressive cancer. He was given 3-6 months. He already was old and couldn’t do a lot but he enjoyed going out to eat so I took him out as often as I could. Instead of the 3-6 months Louie made it another 17 months. Today my current dogs enjoy going out to eat.

Before you dine out with dogs there are some things to know. Most restaurants in Phoenix have patios but not all patios are dog friendly. It is always BEST to call any restaurant on the day of your visit and ask if it’s ok to dine there with your dog. That way you find out if it’s ok to bring your dog and you also find out if the patio is available that day. It’s also AWAYS BEST to dine at off times to avoid as many people and other dogs as possible. Not all people share your love for dogs and some people are allergic to dogs. It’s best to avoid other dogs because dogs like to bark at each other and you might get asked to leave.

You need to beware that when dining out with dogs that your dog must be by your side at all times. Dogs are NOT permitted to sit on restaurant furniture or to eat off of restaurant plates. You should bring a bowl from home for water for your dog. You need to be aware that most food and drink that you consume can be harmful or even TOXIC to your dog. You must get a list of safe and a list of foods to avoid from your veterinarian. Usually a small piece of lean meat that is without sauce is usually a safe bet. Here in Phoenix you also need to know that your dog is not as heat tolerant as you are. All people and all dogs do have different tolerances for heat. In general but not for all dogs I’d say over 90 degrees F is too hot to dine out with dogs. Maybe 90 degrees is tolerable but only in FULL SHADE. All dogs do differ. Hopefully you know your dog well enough to decide. When there is any doubt PLEASE LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME.

Now I will let The Forking Truth go to my dogs. They will tell you about their dining experiences.

“We were on our way to Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante but my folks didn’t make it early enough and the patio was full of people so we left.” “BAH!” “But we did great at Phila-Deli.”

“The nice owner runs us out some turkey before my folks got their meals.”

“Our female human companion got a turkey wrap again.”

“It’s a different brand of turkey today.” “I think I like this one better because it’s more moist without that smoke taste and I really like the pepper jack cheese that gets pulled out for us.”

“We also really Forking love cheese steaks (without the onions for us dogs!’

“We always get a “Phila-Belly from Phila Deli…….(we enjoy that!)”

www.PhilaDeliAZ.com

“We are on our way to Culver’s in the Deer Valley part of Phoenix.” “Culver’s is a national group oof quick casual restaurants.” “Culver’s is famous for their signature never from frozen butter burgers, hand battered Icelandic cod and their daily made fresh frozen custard.”

“That butter burger is nicely caramelized and smells delicious.”

“We get the eat some yummy butter burger!”

“Our folks like the limited walleye special.” “It’s a very large platter.” “We helped eat that one too!”

“We always do great at Culver’s.”

www.Culvers.com

“We are on our way to Banh Mi Vietnamese Bistro in Phoenix.”

“Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery serves up most of your usual favorite Vietnamese foods except for pho.” “They are a pho-free eatery and post signs that say,”Eat a banh mi instead.”

“Today our folks got a lotus root salad ($5.00), chicken potstickers ($4.00) and a pork rice plate ($10.00).”

“We are doing so good today!”

“We loved everything we tried from Banh Mi Vietnamese Bistro!”

“Yep that was delicious!”

www.BanhMiBistroAZ.com

“Holy FORK!” “Now we are having a coronavirus crisis!” “Our folks did take out from Fabio On Fire today!” “We got to enjoy a small amount of sausage pizza.”

We didn’t get any of the bufalina pizza because it isn’t dog friendly with the balsamic vinegar.”

“So we were fed some eye roast she made.”

“We also did Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery this week because it’s very important to keep our local restaurants in business.”

1/2 of chicken banh mi

“Helped with two lunches out of one chicken banh mi.”

“We also helped with a delicious shaken beef banh mi ($8.00).

“We also got to eat food from Cucina Tagliani.”

www.CucinaTagliani.com

“Well that was Dining Out and DINING IN with Dogs in Metro Phoenix for March 2020.” “We hope for the best during this pandemic.” “We also hope that you’ve enjoyed and we hope to see you next month!”

The Forking Truth
In Memory of Louie 5-5-2001 – 3-3-2017

Take Out During The Coronavirus in Metro Phoenix AZ – Fabio On Fire, Banh Mi Bistro & Cucina Tagliani

We are supporting local restaurants during the coronavirus crisis. We did Fabio On Fire in Peoria and took out two pizzas.

They converted the restaurant to “CURB SIDE ONLY” and ordering and payment is online. They communicate with you by text messaging. Then you order is placed on an outside table. After you pick up your order the table is sanitized.

My husband enjoyed a sacciccia e funghi pizza $14.95. (sausage and mushrooms)

“Good Stuff!”

I enjoyed a bufalina pizza $15.95. (arugula, imported buffalo mozzarella, balsamic and extra virgin olive oil.

Another take out was Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery in North Phoenix.

Everyone was doing take out from here because they ran out of rice, noodles and pork.

They are a PHO-FREE Vietnamese Eatery…Most of your usual Vietnamese favorites but no pho.

Eat a banh mi instead!

Today I took out a chicken banh mi ($7.00. I ate half today and will eat the other half tomorrow.

half the sandwich is pictured

I had some help from my furry friends.

My husband had a shaken beef banh mi ($8.00).

This is half

We always enjoy everything from Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery.

We also did take out from Cucina Tagliani in Glendale.

The dinners came with lots of garlic toast.

I had grilled salmon with asparagus and spaghetti squash in a lemon caper sauce ($23.99). My husband had shrimp diabolo ($21.99).

My husband surprised me with an added on mascarpone chocolate cake.

It’s a very big slice and feeds at least four people but it really is delicious!

That was my take out in Metro Phoenix during the coronavirus.

Fabio On Fire

Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery

Cucina Tagliani

It’s important during these times to support your local eateries!

The Forking Truth

Tributes Music Venue Restaurant & Bar – Newly Opened Glendale AZ – #UpperWestSide – Something FUN and Different****UPDATE NOW CLOSED For Business

*******UPDATE NOW CLOSED FOR BUSINESS Tributes Music Venue Restaurant and Bar Newly opened in North Glendale Arizona. This area is also known as The Upper West Side of Metro Phoenix. Tributes offers appetizers, burgers (beef and Impossible) New York Style pastas, a small Sunday brunch omelet buffet, taco Tuesdays and dinner specials. I don’t know next weeks band schedule but they’ve had a no cover Beatles Tribute band playing on Sundays for brunch. They’ve had Friday Night disco/funk rhythm and blues nights and for the past few Saturday nights an Elton John Tribute Band ( a ticket event). For upcoming events you have to look up their Facebook page.

When I walked in it looked like this.

Then I saw the Beatles Tribute band playing.

It’s loud but not too loud. They sound very good!

I notice behind me is a small bar area and a small brunch buffet with an omelet station.

Eventually someone waits on us and we order.

In reasonable time our burgers arrive.

I got an Impossible (meatless) Burger called the Naterater with fries. The burger came with provolone cheese, pickled and fried jalapeños, red onion tomato jam and field greens. I’m not sure what kind of bread it’s on but it’s very soft and fluffy flat bread. I have to say that this Impossible Burger is the first one I’ve tried that came out Medium Rare (on one side past the middle). The Impossible patty got nicely caramelized, it was juicy and very meat’ like.

I thought the tomato jam with the pickled jalapeños tasted similar to salsa.

The fries were hot and fresh. They were fluffy inside and seemed free of oil and were nicely seasoned. They also gave me a very large portion. $9.95 + $2.95(Impossible un-charge) + $2.00 fries.

My husband tried the Freebird burger with Chef Adam’s Italian tots $9.95 + $8.95.

This was a beef burger with provolone cheese, pickled and fried jalapeños, red onions, Dr Pepper BBQ sauce and bacon on a brioche bun. They serve the burgers either pink or done. My husband asked for medium rare but he got done….

Here are the tots. They are very large and are made with house pulled mozzarella. They were made with lots of oregano.

I had a very good Impossible Burger and enjoyed the company and the music! Something fun and different on the UpperWestSide!

That was my trip to Tributes.

******UPDATE NOW CLOSED FOR BUSINESS

www.TributesLLive.net (I saw more information on their Facebook page)

Everything is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.

The Forking Truth

Taco Fusion – Glendale AZ – Newly Opened and Forking Awesome Tacos – Worth a Fork!***NOW CLOSED For BUSINESS*****

******UPDATE NOW CLOSED FOR BUSINESS*******Taco Fusion is a small taco shop located in-between north and middle Glendale Arizona. They serve a limited menu of mesquite style tacos on handmade tortillas and quesadillas.

It’s very casual. you order at the counter, pay, grab a number and seat yourself.

DO NOT MISS THE SALSA BAR!

There are 8 salsas cucumbers and something else…..I didn’t try everything but I tried 4 of the salsas and they were at least excellent. The PINEAPPLE WAS FORKING BOMB!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s marked mild but is on the spicy but insanely delicious side.

Food comes rolling out.

Here’s the veggies quesadilla (mushrooms, corn, bell peppers and zucchini $6.15. Delicious tasty even better with salsas and pico. Bigger than expected too!

He is Jaas taco. It’s asada (beef) green chili and cheese ($2.95). I taste one small piece. I usually don’t like asada but this is tender…not chewy and developed with good flavors.

Here are two more tacos my husband had. (al pastor $2.45 and a barbacoa $2.50) He also tried the refried beans $3.49.

Here’s my plate.

On the left is habanero chicken that is moist and delicious but oddly mild. In the middle is barbacoa (shredded beef) it’s very flavorful and tender. On the right is a fish taco…It’s good but different with a sweet carrot topping on it.

Now you have to guess what salsa to add to each taco.

But then I add some pineapple salsa to the chicken taco…..FORKING WOW! that taco is delicious as It is but then it POPS and EXPLODES! It’s one of the best things I’ve tasted this year! That could be a winning taco at a taco festival.THIS CHICKEN HABANERO TACO WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA IS OF LEGEND STATUS! OMG YUM! FORKING DELICIOUS!

When we left the owner did tell us his favorite sauce was the pineapple too. He said that the pineapple salsa is just as delicious on the pork taco as it is on the chicken taco.

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

Taco Fusion is Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

www.TacoFusion.com

Everything is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.

The Forking Truth

Skewers Mediterranean Grill – Newly Opened – Glendale AZ – #UpperWestSide – Worth a Fork if you are in the area

Skewers Mediterranean Grill recently opened in North Glendale in the area that is considered the upper west side of metro Phoenix Arizona. This is a fast casual Mediterranean restaurant. You order at the counter, pay and seat yourself.

They offer gyros and shawarmas cooked on vertical rotisseries. They also offer beef, chicken and kefta (seasoned ground beef) kabobs and falafels. You can have these items served to you in a pita, fry bowl, tortilla wrap or a salad. They also offer extra toppings, sauces and various salads.

Natural light comes in threw the glass front windows and door.

Hand painted figures of folklore and mythology accent the wall.

Today I went with the chicken kabob salad bowl with pomegranate vinaigrette ($7.50).

The chicken is moist developed with flavors and is nicely seasoned. It rest over a bed of fresh salad with feta cheese. it also came with pickled turnips, pickles and garlic sauce. No complaints here! It’s good!

My husband ordered the gyro salad with added garbanzo beans and lemon vinaigrette ($7.50).

The gyro meat (beef & lamb) was moist and nicely seasoned. This platter comes with tzatziki sauce.

We ordered a few extras that were good!

Four falafels that come with tahini sauce ($3.00).

The falafels were herby and seemed like they were free of oil.

Beet salad ($3.00).

It’s mixed with cucumber, garbanzo beans and fresh herbs. It’s light and refreshing.

Worth a Fork if you are in the area.

I haven’t found a website for Skewers Mediterranean Grill but you can find them on Facebook.

Phone# 602-607-5286

18589 N 59th Ave Glendale AZ 85308 and hours are Monday-Saturday 11am-8pm

The Forking Truth