Sushi Plus is located in Glendale Arizona. They are named for what they serve. They serve a variety of sushi, sushi combination plates and lots of rolls. Many but not all of the sushi items are cooked.
As for the “Plus” they also offer appetizers like gyoza, soft shell crabs, and tempura. They offer noodle dishes – several ramen dishes, yakisoba, and seafood noodle soup. They offer a few salads, a kids menu, and entrees like teriyaki, sesame chicken, fish and chips, and bibimbap. They offer soft beverages, sake, and wine.
They happen to have an impressive 4.5 average out of 5 stars on Yelp so I thought this restaurant should be pretty darn good.
We thought we’d start out by sharing a combination sushi plate. We waited a while. But for some reason our server serves us our entrees first.
Japanese Curry Rice
I got the Japanese Curry Rice with Vegetables with chicken. I guess it was sitting a while because the sauce has grown it’s own skin. The vegetables in this dish are microscopic. It is suppose to be with vegetables…… I think this bowl was microwaved because parts of the bowl are steaming hot. Some of the chicken is ok but about half the chicken has a very strange texture. Like biting threw an over cooked chicken gizzard….The sauce is thick and very gingery. It is torture eating this dish. Our server only has one other table but didn’t ask how it was.
My husband tried the spicy chicken.
It is better than the curry rice. The chicken seems fresh prepared and is reasonably tender. The thin flat sauce taste taste laced with gochujang. This came with one piece of broccoli, some cabbage, and a generous portion of rice.
When we pushed the plates to the side our combination sushi plate arrived. We got a variety plate of sushi and a spicy tuna roll.
I started with a salmon nigiri. (look at the bottom end of the fish)
It’s leathery and warm. It’s also unseasoned under the fish. It isn’t spoiled but isn’t the freshest.
Then I try some spicy tuna roll. It is actually spicy. It seems ok. The white fish nigiri is a little warm but seems ok.
I try the tuna nigiri. I take a very small bite.
I can’t eat it. It’s way too fishy tasting for me. My husband tries it and can’t eat it either.
The server here didn’t ask how anything was, didn’t clear plates, didn’t even ask if we wanted to bring leftovers home. Didn’t question the tuna we left behind.
Tacos Chisco is a small casual taco restaurant in North Glendale Arizona in the area known as Metro Phoenix Upper West Side. They are open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
For breakfast they offer breakfast burros and breakfast tacos.
The regular menu offers five kinds of tacos (asada (steak), carnitas (braised pork), cochinita pibil (baked pork), nopal (cactus), pollo (chicken).
They also offer bowls, salads, elote, burritos, quesadillas, kids meals, soft beverages, aguas frescas, margaritas, and paletas (popsicles) and more!
It’s a small place with only five or six tables. One table is outside. Most of the indoor tables are high tops.
inside
You order and pay at the counter and seat yourself by the bright cheerful wall.
inside
When your meal is ready you pick it up at the counter.
Today we tried a variety of tacos and elote in a cup. They don’t sell the tacos by the each and you are suppose to pick three of the same type of taco. We came just before they got busier and was told when they are slow you can mix them up a little.
carnitas, chicken, and cochinita pibil
two chicken tacos and asada steak
elote in a cup
Our mutual favorite taco was the chicken tacos. They were tender delicious and the most flavorful of the tacos. All the tacos came on grilled corn tortillas that were good. The steak was tender but lacked that char, fire, or charcoal taste that taste good with asada. The elote is boiled corn in a cup with mayonnaise, shredded cheese, and some seasoning. It wasn’t drained as best as it could have been and the bottom of the cup is full of water.
Tortas CM is a Mexico City Style casual Torta (Mexican Sandwich) Restaurant in Glendale Arizona. It’s not a fancy place. It’s actually kind of plain but it seems clean and neat.
off to the side is a small patio
You order and pay at the counter.
They offer around a dozen varieties of tortas (sandwiches) that come in regular size or mini sized that are served with waffle fries.
Regular size is above and mini size is below in the above photo.
They also offer street tacos, soft beverages, and Mexican beverages.
The first Torta that I’ve ever tried was from Malibu Jugged Y Cafe in Jalisco Mexico. I was told that the tortas there were the best in town by a local.
tuna torta from Malibu Jugos Y Cafe Jalisco Mexico
What I remember the most about the sandwich was the bread. It was buttered with a light texture but also a little crusty with a slight sweetness. I remember someone telling me that the bread is based on a French style recipe.
Today at Tortas CM I got the mini sized chicken torta that’s called the Nortena.
The mini for me is the PERFECT size sandwich. It’s not as sweet and the bread from the one I tried in Mexico but Just like the torta from Mexico the bread is a light fluffy texture. It had a nice crust, seemed slightly buttered and doesn’t seem too heavy. The inside is so tasty, it spicy and powerfully flavorful. The chicken is tender and infused with flavors, this sandwich also includes onions, jalapeños, mozzarella (left off at my request), tomato, chipotle sauce, and avocado. It might be the best sandwich on the menu. It just sounded the tastiest to me. The fries are also very good. They were made fresh to order and are also well seasoned.
Be sure not to miss the delicious house made condiments located by the soda machine.
They have house made salsa roja, spicy ketchup, and spicy salsa verde.
My husband had the regular sized Torta CM (breaded beef, breaded chicken, mozzarella, tomato, onions, jalapeño, and avocado) and a carne asada taco.
I tried a chunk of the carne asada and it surprised me. It was very tender and tasty.
I’m afraid to tell you the prices. They are so low I don’t know how they make any money. I also would expect to go up because prices are rising on everything these days. (on the day of my visit most regular size torta platters were $11.00 and street tacos were $2 my mini torta platter was only $7…I do expect that the prices will change at any time)
The Saguaro Grill is an American Restaurant and Bar located in Old Town Glendale. It’s in a historic very old building with lots of old fashioned details and old fashioned lighting. You can look at the front window and see Saguaro Ranch Park across the street.
Inside there is a small bar, some traditional tables and a some booths. There is a small patio but I’m not sure if it is used.
My husband started with a cup of chili. He said it was ok………..
I had the grilled salmon. I thought the side choices were interesting at the time and it seemed like a healthy choice.
It was a big portion but was also very average. Slightly over cooked. Slightly dry and slightly fishy. The salmon had nice grill marks and was dressed with salt and pepper. It was suppose to have beurre blanc sauce on it but it was forgotten by the cook……….Oh well…no beurre blanc for me……They were out of green beans today so broccoli was substituted. The broccoli was very average and did have some butter and salt and pepper on it but had a strong broccoli taste that I can’t stand……Same with the spaghetti squash….It was dressed the same as the broccoli but had a strong spaghetti squash taste that needs to be covered up……I thought that the slightly dry and slightly fishy tasting salmon was better tasting than the very average vegetables……… 🙁
My husband had the filet salad.
It’s mostly spinach and croutons with some beef cubes that were cooked properly but were served cooled off. It’s very scant with other greens (suppose to be mixed greens). It’s also too scant with the blue cheese, red onions, dressing and tomatoes. There’s not much to this salad. There’s not enough of anything to make it enjoyable. For me the beef is not tender enough but I am very picky about beef.
3.99% customer server charge for credit cards
My visit today was very average. Maybe they are better on other days?….Or maybe you might do better ordering something else?…………..but I do need to mention again that the food is served in a very cute historic building.
Service turned out to be average. Server didn’t do anything when I told her how the fish and vegetables were.
Pad Thai Cafe recently (4-1-2022) opened in North Glendale Arizona. This is a casual full service Thai Restaurant and Bar.
insideinside and bar area
They offer protein choices of vegetable, tofu, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, squid, and seafood combo for certain dishes. The food is offered in a variety of heat levels and when you dine in you can customize the heat to your liking with a four compartment chile caddy. On the menu they also offer many of the usual appetizers like chicken potstickers, egg rolls, and chicken satay.
chicken potstickers with sweet and sour sauce
They also offer several noodle dishes. A few that you don’t see on many menus are the rad na (flat rice noodles, Chinese broccoli, egg), and the pad woon sen (glass noodles, egg, vegetables).
pad woon sen with chickento go – Drunken noodle (Pa Kee Mao) (ordered Thai Hot seemed more like hot)
Pad Thai Cafe offers a good amount of salads. A few of the salads are –
to go – Thai Beef Salad (hot)
Thai beef salad, larb, and two different papaya salads (Thai Style and Lao Style).
They offer several curry dishes-
to go – Thai green curry with chicken (hot)
green, yellow, red, pa nang, and massaman.
They have around five soups on the menu including vegetable, Tom Yum and Tom kha.
Most of the rest of the menu is broken down into entrees, chef’s specials, and fried rice dishes. Not all but a few of these offerings are…..spicy basil (made with holy basil),
spicy basil with chickento go – Mixed Vegetables with chicken (hot)
mixed vegetables, pad king, pad prik king, spicy eggplant with pork, pa nang short ribs, grilled salmon in green curry noodles, and fish three flavors.
take out – grilled salmon in green curry noodlesto go – Fish Three Flavors (hot)
They also offer desserts like mango or custard with sticky rice and fried bananas with coconut ice cream.
Pad Thai Cafe Glendale AZ
Worth a Fork!
Worth A Fork!
Pad Thai Cafe Glendale AZ – 18425 N 51ST AVE Glendale AZ – 623-213-7297
******UPDATE NOW CLOSED FOR BUSINESS******Tandoori Times 2 is a full service Indian Restaurant that is located in North Glendale Arizona. In addition to Indian cuisine some Pakistani Dishes are offered. They also offer some gluten free dishes, vegan dishes, a children’s menu, weekend entertainment, and a bar.
Tonight all the window tables around the restaurant are reserved with nice leatherette menus listing the bar drinks offered. Everyone else sits at an inside table and receives a sheet of paper of just the food.
We try several of the appetizers.
Chili Prawns
The chili prawns are nicely cooked but are in a sweet plain sauce.
Bhutta
The corn lacks Indian spices and heat…….Taste like a combination of bitter citrus and a burnt taste with chewy dry kernels.
chicken 65
The chicken chunks are wonderfully tender but are also extra mild tasting. The onion & pepper garnish is where flavors and heat are.
This chicken 65 is not at all similar to the chicken 65 we enjoyed from the now closed for business Desi Fusion that used to be in Peoria. See below the chicken 65 from Desi Fusion.
Desi Fusion – chicken 65
The Desi Fusion Chicken 65 was also tender but was layers of many delicious flavors and LOTS of heat….(maybe too much heat for most people…but it was delicious)……I could also taste nuts in the seasoning…. These dishes are so different. I wish that I could give you a taste of each.
Here is the Tandoori Times 2 again.
Tandoori Times chicken 65
The Forking Truth is that everyone is different and some people enjoy spicy and flavorful and other people enjoy milder and less notes. Its impossible to please everyone….(that might be why Desi Fusion went out of business…They started out serving full flavored spicy Indian food and later went mild to please all the people that complained about too much heat….bah) :
We also shared two entrees.
The better one was the one called chili spicy curry with fish.
chili spicy curry with fish
We asked for extra spicy but received no heat at all. This dish contained bell peppers, onions in a mild Indian laced sauce.
We also shared the Vindaloo Goan spicy curry with chicken. (We asked for extra spicy)
vindaloo Goan spicy curry with chicken
This dish also came out without any heat and very little seasoning…..To me it taste mostly like tomato paste spiked with turmeric.I do note that the chicken is very tender but the potatoes in this dish are undercooked and hard.
We also shared chili onion naan.
chili onion naan
It’s very tough….and taste burnt to me.
Our server only asked once on his things were and that was before we tried anything. My husband told the server that we didn’t try anything yet and she never asked again.
I note that I don’t know if what I got is typical? Maybe my server ordered extra mild? Or maybe they were out of all kinds of pepper today?
******UPDATE NOW CLOSED FOR BUSINESS********
Tandoori Times 2 – 5626 W Bell Rd Glendale AZ 602-993-1422
La Piazza Al Forno is an Italian full service Restaurant and pizzeria located in historic Old Town Glendale Arizona. This restaurant specializes in serving certified Neapolitan pizzas. They also offer Roman Style pizza and on weekends have New York special pizzas. Their crust is uniquely tender and thin and blistered. Also the mozzarella here is hand made in house and is more flavorful with a silkier texture than from most other pizzerias. Although the pizzas are the main attraction La Piazza Al Forno is also famous for being on a few Food Network TV Shows with Host celebrity chef Guy Fieri.
This restaurant has won numerous awards.
Many awards and the Certificate are hung by the entrance
Here’s the inside. (at an off time….)
Sometimes we will sit on the patio.
Depending on your seat you might have a view of Old Town Glendale or what looks like a painting by a master featuring pizza that is fit for a queen.
Below are some of the foods that we have tried here. Often we start out with a house salad because we usually order pizza here. ( a few photos are doubles to show how pizza may differ)
Italian Stallion – San Marzano Tomatoes D.O.P., house made mozzarella, sausage, pepperoni, prosciutto di parma, sopreeesata
Margherita D.O.C. – San Marzanno Tomatoes D.O.P., house made mozzarella, basil, garlic, Sicilian oregano, e.v.o.o.
Margherita D.O.C. – San Marzano Tomatoes D.O.P., house made mozzarella, basil, garlic, Sicilian oregano, e.v.o.o.
Bianco – house made mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, basil, garlic, Sicilian oregano, e.v.o.o. and added Calabrian chiles
Bianco – house made mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, basil, garlic, Sicilian oregano, e.v.o.o. and added Calabrian peppers. (This looks and taste very different from the one above it)
Dolce davola – San Marzano tomatoes D.O.C. , house made mozzarella, soppressata, Calabrian chili, honey, e.v.o.o.Salvatore Pizza- San Marzano tomatoes D.o.p., house made mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, prosciutto di parma, arugula
take out – funghi – house made mozzarella, fontina, parmesan, mushrooms, rosemary, e.v.o.o.
take out – Salvatore – San Marzano Tomatomatoes D.O.P., house made mozzarella, e.v.o.o., prosciutto di parma, arugula
take out – Roman Style Margherita – tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil
take out – spaghetti alla puttanesca & Mediterranean – house made pesto, house made mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes and feta
Calzoneanother calzone
baked spaghetti pie special
Tomato E Mozzerella – vine ripened tomatoes, house made mozzarella, arugula, e.v.o.o., house baked bread
House Made Cheese Cake (topping was limited special)
Chocolate Cannoli
That was a TASTE of La Piazza Al Forno in Glendale AZ.
Dining out with dogs in metro Phoenix is just a “FLUFF” story about where I take my dogs out to eat. It all sort of started with my dog Louie. He was elderly and diagnosed with aggressive cancer. We were told to only expect three months and maybe up to six months for him to live. He couldn’t do a lot. but he always enjoyed eating and going out to eat. so I took him out to eat as often as I could. Instead of only three to six months Louie made it another seventeen months. Today I take my current dogs out to eat when I can.
There are a lot of things that you need to know about dining out with dogs. First thing that you need to realize is that many restaurants do have patios but not all patios are dog friendly. You need to see a sign posted that reads dog friendly patio. If you don’t see that then you must call the restaurant and ask if it is ok to dine there with your dog. It might seem strange but it is ALWAYS BEST to dine at off times and avoid as many people and other dogs as possible. Some people do’t share your love for dogs….Other people may be allergic to dogs. It’s best to avoid other dogs because dogs tend to bark at each other and this is a disturbance and you can be asked to leave.
You need to know that most food and drink that you consume can be harmful or even toxic to your furry friend. You need to get a list of foods to avoid and safe foods for your dog from your veterinarian. Usually a small un-sauced lean piece of meat is usually a safe bet. Also here in Phoenix it often gets too hot to dine out with dogs. Your dog is not as heat tolerant as you. They have fur coats, they can’t sweat, and they absorb heat up their paws. Everyone and every dog is different but for the most part 90 degrees F and up is too hot to dine out with dogs. When ever there is any doubt keep your dog safe and leave them at home.
If you do take your dog out to eat you need to know that your dog must be by your side at all times. Dogs are not to sit on restaurant furniture or to eat off of restaurant plates. You should bring a water bowl with you for dining out with dogs.
We thought about a new treat for the dogs today and went to NakedQ BBQ in North Phoenix. It’s a casual BBQ restaurant. I like the BBQ turkey here because it is consistently delicious and moist. My other favorite is when they offer the BBQ corned beef…GOSH it’s usually FORKING amazing.
They have two high top tables for dining outside and we thought it would be difficult so we took our food togo and stopped at a cute little park on Union Hills & 59TH. The dogs were delighted by the smell of BBQ.
Me and the dogs enjoyed NakedQ BBQ’s AMAZING BBQ turkey on a garden salad.
The BBQ turkey is always amazing at this NakedQ BBQ. It was so good my bigger dog kept whacking me in my gut with her paw to get more turkey.
The dogs also enjoyed some BBQ Brisket, BBQ Pork, and Hot Links from my husband’s plate.
We enjoyed our take out from NakedQ BBQ in North Phoenix.
www.NakedQ.com
2340 W Bell RD PHX AZ
602-439-4227
We made a trip to The Craftsman Cocktails & Kitchen in North Scottsdale. This restaurant is a craft kitchen and distillery. Today my husband got the Brunch Burger.
Look at the BIG SMILE on my dog’s face. This burger was ground in house of short rib and brisket. The. burger is also made of a fried egg, American cheese, and house made maple ketchup on a brioche bun and house chips. My dogs were WAY MORE excited about my husband’s lunch than mine today…….(They also got to eat mostly his burger today)
I had the shipwright ahi tuna salad today.
I have had this before and today’s does taste different. It was still good so I didn’t complain but it taste like it was missing some of the ingredients…or maybe it just had too much wasabi taste today that burnt out all the other flavors?????? Still good though…..The dogs got a small amount of ahi tuna.
My dogs hung out with my husband today……
We enjoyed ourselves at The Craftsman.
www.cheers@TheCraftsmanAZ.com
20469 N Hayden RD Scottsdale
480-401-1102
We also took the dogs to Twisted Italian in North Peoria. They serve mostly typical Italian foods and some twisted things like home made pierogi and Italian chili rellenos. The Twisted Italian is always a good choice for dining out with dogs because they only have two outside tables so we avoid potential problems.
I had the salmon lunch platter.
It comes with a lot of vegetables (green beans, asparagus, zucchini, and broccoli) and a good amount of pasta in a lemon white wine caper sauce. My dogs liked helping me eat almost everything on this platter. I was surprised that they liked the zucchini about the same as the fish. I liked the green beans but I think the green beans were the dogs least favorite.
My husband got the Italian beef and sausage sandwich with fries.
They gave him an enormous amount of meat there. They gave him beef jus, giardinier. The dogs got to enjoy some of the beef and a tiny bit of sausage.
We did alright at Twisted Italian in Peoria.
www.EatTwisted.com
9940 W Happy Valley Rd Peoria AZ
623-537-4000
We regularly go to Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery in North Phoenix. They specialize in serving around a dozen different banh mi baguette sandwiches. Other popular dishes that they offer are noodle bowls and rice plates but they don’t serve pho.
We both got the noodle bowls today. I got the chicken and my husband got the grilled pork. Here’s a better look at the chicken noodle bowl.
It’s a very large bowl of food. There is salad with pickled vegetables and fresh mint and rice noodles, a crispy egg roll and lots of marinated chicken. For some people this can be two meals. I have my dogs to share with and they sure don’t mind helping to eat the chicken.
They get to eat grilled pork too.
We always do great when we go to Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery.
www.BanhMiBistroAZ.com
2340 W Bell Rd PHX AZ
602-843-3637
That was dining out with dogs in metro Phoenix. We hope that you have enjoyed and we hope to see you next month.
The Forking TruthIn Memory of Louie 5-5-2001 – 3-3-2017
The FANTABULOUS Dish means – Top of the line, marvelously great, peachy keen, and DYNAMITE! The A.G. Burger from the Arrowhead Grill in Glendale Arizona is all that and more!
First of all it is on this nicely grilled fresh and slightly herbed high quality eggy bun that doesn’t fall apart. inside is a lot to describe. There is an eight ounce U.S.D.A. PRIME ground in house tenderloin hand formed beef patty that was perfectly caramelized and prepared perfect to my request. On top of that is six ounces of the greatest sliced prime rib ever and on top of that are tasty fried onions, a little bit of mayonnaise and usually Swiss cheese. Off to the side is a very good horseradish cream sauce. On the current bar menu this amazing burger is $22.95 (subject to change) but if you should happen to stop in at happy hour 3-6 the Happy hour price was only $12.99 (subject to change).
The A.G. Burger from The Arrowhead Grill s an official FANTABULOUS Dish!
Santorini’s BBQ Grill is a casual budget type restaurant that offers a mixed menu of Greek Food, some Barbecue, and Fried Fish. They are located in Glendale Arizona only a few. miles from Old Town Glendale. Did you know that Santorini is the name of a large Greek Island where one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history happened……….Anyways- I was in the area and this place sounded interesting so we gave it a try. It’s not a fancy place but seems clean inside. It looks like hit might have been some sort of fast food place at one time.
We walk in and I see the lunch specials.
Then I see the full menu on the wall.
We order, pay, and seat ourselves.
We start by sharing the hummus.
The hummus is extra creamy and glistens from olive oil. The pita bread was warmed up for us.
I had the chicken kabob Greek Salad that came with more warmed up flat bread and tzatziki sauce.
The salad. is a generous size and was fresh made with crisp romaine, tomato. wedges, olives, pickled spicy peppers, feta cheese, and marinated chicken breast. It’s reasonably. good.
My husband got the gyro. Greek salad with a sides of hot links and macaroni and cheese.
It’s kinda average and A-OK!
It cost slightly more than fast food and is better than. fast food.
That was my trip to. Santorini’s BBQ Grill in Glendale.
