Tag Archives: #foodies

Dining Out With DOGS in Metro Phoenix AZ June 2019

Dining out with dogs in Metro Phoenix is just a “Fluff” story about taking my dogs out to eat. It all sort of officially started when my dog Louie got diagnosed with aggressive cancer. He was only given three – at most six months to live so I took him out to eat as often as possible because it was one of the few things he could enjoy. Instead of the 3-6 months Louie made it another seventeen months. Today my current dogs enjoy going out to eat.

Many restaurants in Metro Phoenix have patios but not all restaurant patios are dog friendly. It’s always BEST to call a restaurant and ask if it’s ok to dine on the patio with your dog before you do…..Because sometimes restaurants change their policies or they could be booked for a party. It’s also always BEST to dine at off times. It’s BEST to avoid as many other diners and other dogs as possible. Not everyone shares your love of dogs and some people also are allergic to dogs….Those are problems you need to avoid. The other potential problem is often dogs like to bark at other dogs and you might be asked to leave if that happens. So just make things as easy as possible and call the restaurant first and dine at off times.

There are rules to dining out with dogs. Your dog(s) must be by your side at all times. Dogs are not to sit on restaurant furniture or eat off restaurant plates. It’s a good idea to bring your own dog bowl for water for your dog. You must be aware that most food and drink that you consume can be potentially harmful or even TOXIC to your dog. It’s necessary to consult your veterinarian on food safe and unsafe lists. Usually a small amount of lean sauce free meat is a best choice. The other BIG ONE is that your dog is not as heat tolerant as you. Just like people all dogs have a different tolerance for heat. I’d say in general 90 degrees F and up is too hot for dining out with dogs. Maybe not for all dogs but most younger healthy dogs might be able to dine out in up to 90 degrees F BUT ONLY IN SHADED PATIOS….When in any doubt please leave your dog home.

We might be ready to dine out with dogs now!

I’m turning The Forking Truth over to my dogs now to tell their own story.

“We are going to try some Detroit Style Pizza at The Rec in Peoria AZ”

“The Rec is a small Pizzeria that serves Detroit Style Pizza.”

“Detroit Pizza is delicious pizza!” “It’s cut in squares with really crispy cheesy ends and a crisp buttery bottom with a doughy crust that is bubbly and not too heavy.”

“The plain is topped with a delicious blend of cheeses instead of sauce.” Then a rich chunky sweet tomato sauce goes on top of the cheese so the cheese doesn’t burn.”

“Our folks got a small plain and a medium with pepperoni and sausage.”

“Forking YES!!!!!!!!!!!” “Those crunchy cheesy ends are Forking Grrrrrrrrreat!” “We’ve” loved our first taste of Detroit Style Pizza!”

www.TheRecPizzeria.com

“June got so Forking Hot Fast.”

Just Forking Fast Food

“Our Folks don’t eat food from Burger King but they do take us out to eat there so we can can have something out to eat out.”

“It smells mighty tasty at the drive threw”!

“We scored a package just for us!”

“It was nice sharing Burger King today!” “I like the burger juice on your mouth.”

“Oh FORK!” “More Fast Food”

“It’s still FORKING HOT in Phoenix so we are in the Jack In The Box Drive Threw” “Our folks don’t eat Jack In The Box but they are treating us to something.”

“I’m always amazed that people in buildings toss food out the window”

“There’s no Jack in my box.” “but there’s a cheese burger.”

“Well that was Dining Out with DOGS in Metro Phoenix for June 2019.” “I don’t know if we will get to see you in July.” “We are hoping for a monsoon to cold things down.” “We do hope to see you soon!”

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

The Social on 83rd at P83 in Peoria AZ – Great Appetizers that are Worth a Fork!

The Social on 83rd is a relatively new restaurant in the P83 (across from Peoria Sports Complex on 83rd ave = P83) area of metro Phoenix that is considered to be the upper west side. This is a New American Restaurant that offers mostly American Foods some with global touches, Weekend Brunch and more!

They offer a lovely modern atmosphere and a variety of all kinds of seating.

Traditional tables, booths, benches with chairs, high top options…..

Seating at the bar.

Seating on the outside patio and the outside bar.

I’ve been here a few times now and so far I’ve found that the appetizers are especially notable….Possibly among the best to be found in the upper west side.

They took the Korean Style 24 hour short rib bun(s) off the menu but they were exceptionally delicious.

They’ve been replaced with Korean Style BBQ Tofu that has the same flavors and is just as delicious.

Here’s the Scotch Egg with Deep Fried Mustard Vinaigrette Greens. This was really good! The greens were made unusually tasty.

Another winning appetizer is the NY Strip Sliders.

These are very developed with flavors and the meat was tender like butter.

The next one isn’t the prettiest but it was the best fried macaroni and cheese ball that I tried so far.

Mac ‘N’ Cheese Balls from The Social on 83rd in Peoria at P83

The ones they served me were so cheesy and so flavorful. The pasta had perfect texture. They also seemed free of grease but I know they weren’t. The exterior breading was so crisp and thin. These were really REALLY GREAT! They also sat on top of a lemon herb aioli.

From a couple different visits the two salads I tried were very solid.

Jerk Chicken Caesar with Mango Caesar Dressing.

Cali Cranberry Salad with added chicken.

I hit them on an off night for dinner.

Someone new was cooking and dinners had under cooking and over cooking issues.

We did let them know about the dishes and our server and the chef were very apologetic. Dishes were re-made and were better …………………

I do note that every appetizer each time that I was here was delicious and very notable! Salads were GOOD!

The Social on 83rd in Peoria at P83 serves great appetizers that are Worth a Fork!

www.TheSocialAZ.com

Every FORKING THING is subject to change and your experience may or may NOT differ.

The Forking Truth

Boondocks Patio and Grill Scottsdale AZ – Worth a Fork! – BIG Patio – Lots of Games – Better Bar Food

Boondocks Patio and Grill is located in Scottsdale by Old Town. This restaurant serves better or maybe just more creative more interesting and detailed bar food like duck fat fries, roasted corn on cob with Mexican tahini sauce, salads, half pound burgers, sandwiches and some entrees. When we arrived the atmosphere was energetic with classic rock and roll. Boondocks also offers an indoor-outdoor bar, inside dining and a massive patio that I wasn’t able to photo because the entrance to the patio was clogged with people today.

I noticed that most of the people arrived via several of The Arizona Party Bikes.

Boondocks offers community high top tables and booths in the dining room. There are several big screen TVs and Digital Darts inside. They also offer pool tables, bag toss, ping pong and more.

I ordered the Grilled Tacos Pescado.

I received three full sized tacos stuffed with grilled blackened (spicy) seasonal whitefish, lime shredded cabbage, tomato, big creamy wedges of avocado and these really tasty pickled onions on well made tortillas (I picked corn). I was pleasantly surprised….these tacos are actually better than most I eat out. The fish is meaty and very flavorful and spicy. Then combined with lime cabbage, pickled onions and creamy avocado they are very good! A large amount of very crisp corn chips and tomatillo salsa finish the plate.

My husband got the Sin Burger.

It’s a half pound of American raised beef, jalapeño marmalade, pickled cabbage, lots of avocado, a thick blanket of good pepper jack cheese, cilantro mayo (left off by my husband’s request), and a big roasted jalapeño on a big soft eggy bun. WOW! a perfect medium rare! (that rarely happens) My husband said that this is another of his favorite burgers. He picked potato tots as his side. They seemed free of oil and had crisp exteriors and were chunky and potato-ee inside.

Our meals last time were Worth a Fork! (same burger and another that was discontinued)

Our meals this time were also Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

www.BoondocksAZ.com

Boondocks Patio Bar and Grill Scottsdale AZ – Worth a Fork! BIG Patio -Lots of Games – Better Bar Food

Every THING is subject to change and your experience may or may NOT differ.

The Forking Truth

Hotel Valley Ho Scottsdale AZ- Chefs and Farmers Market Series Saturdays 9am-1pm June 22 – July 13 2019 FREE Admission

At the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale Arizona there is a Chefs and Farmers Market Series on Saturdays June 22 – July 13 2019 from 9am-1pm. This is a FREE event but you do need to R.S.V.P. on the Hotel Valley Ho Website. Each week is a different theme. The first week was South of the Border.

There were several delicious things to try today.

Chef Rene Andrade and his team from Ghost Ranch prepared Pork Chiaquiles.

Chef Samantha Sanz of Talavera prepared Ajo Blanco, Basil Honey Sorbeto with Marcona Almond Gremolata.

Chef Greg Otero prepared Citrus Marinated Carne Asada Tacos with Roast Poblano Crema, Pickled Red Onions, Cabbage and Cotija Cheese.

There also was a milkshake competition. You could try all three and vote for your favorite.

It was very crowded. There was a complimentary champagne taste that I passed by.

Edibles for sale. (all this and more)

A little bit of produce too!

Next week June 29th the theme is Bada Boom, July 6th will be Grilling and Chilling and July 13th will be Sweet Treats.

Parking may be challenging. The lot is very small and street parking was mostly filled.

Good Luck!

www.HotelValleyHo.com for all the details.

The Forking Truth

Forking AMAZING EZ Eye Roast Recipe

I make an eye roast once or twice a year when they are on sale for $1.99 a pound. The secret here is that your pieces of eye roast must be trimmed and be in pieces that weigh 3-4 pounds. You make a paste and rub it all over. Throw them in a 500 degree F oven for JUST 15 minutes. Shut the oven off and leave the roast in there for two hours. Pull them out and leave the roast rest for one half hour and that’s all there is! This rub today just might be the very best one ever! ………Ultra delicious and flavorful!……..Out of the eye roast that was slightly over 8 lbs……after trimming and cooking ……I got 18 – 3oz servings plus 9 – 2oz servings. Leftovers freeze well.

Ingredients for about 25 servings

1 8 lb eye roast

1/3 cup canola oil

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup kosher salt

2 Tablespoons ground black pepper

2 Tablespoons granulated garlic

2 Tablespoons smoked paprika

pinch ground cloves

Directions

Set oven to 500 degrees F

Trim up the eye roast

Get off all the fat and silver skin.

Cut eye roast in half (you want two 3-4 lb pieces. Place roasts in pan.

In a small mixing bowl combine all the ingredients and mix well.

Rub all the meat surfaces well with the spice paste.

this goes in the preheated 500 degree oven for only 15 minutes.*******BUT DON”T OPEN THE DOOR!******** After the 15 minutes DON’T OPEN THE FORKING OVEN and just shut it off. Leave the eye roast in the off oven for 2 hours….. Then you pull out and let rest for 30 minutes to let it rest before you serve.

Forking AMAZING EZ Eye Roast

Enjoy! (P.S. from the drippings from the pan you can bring it to a boil with around 4 or more medium sized sweet onions (sliced very thin) with a little water or a big splash of wine then reduce to simmer and cook about two hours…..It turns into a freaking incredible beefy onion gravy)

The Forking Truth

A Taste at Tacos Chiwas in Phoenix AZ – Worth a Fork!

Tacos Chiwas is a small casual state of Chihuahua Style Taqueria located in Phoenix Arizona. They offer about eight kinds of tacos (some are a little tongue and cheek), gorditas, quesadillas, burritos, breakfast burritos and a bean soup.

You order at the counter.

Pick a table on the patio.

Or pick a table indoors.

Soon someone runs your order to you.

Today we tried an asada taco, a carnitas taco and a pollo taco.

These are street sized tacos (smaller sized) but they are very well packed with lots of fillings. You can eat them the way they come or spike them up a little more with the salsa bar.

All the tacos were very good but the one that stood out today was the asada (beef) taco. The beef (today…maybe not tomorrow) was the most developed with flavors. It was tender and had this delicious smoky char on it. All the tacos were well worth the $2.50 that each of them cost.

I’d say my trip to Tacos Chiwas was Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

www.TacosChiwas.com

Every FORKING Thing is subject to change and your experience may or may NOT differ.

The Forking Truth

Cheesy Reduced Fat Spaghetti Squash Casserole Recipe

Casseroles can be very heavy and are usually made with large amounts of fatty cheese or cheeses to hold them together. I tried to lighten this casserole by using a secret ingredient of fat free cottage cheese to hold the squash together with only three whole eggs. I think that fat free cottage cheese taste more milky and closer to natural than fat free ricotta. I did use a conservative amount of blended pizza cheese made with part skim for the top to make the casserole tastier with some tomato sauce. You might notice that I didn’t add salt because I thought my fat free cottage cheese was salty enough but yours may differ. You can do a taste test of the squash mixture before you put it in the pan by removing a spoonful and baking it in the oven on some foil for about 6 minutes. It’s important to drain the squash well. It also should be mentioned that the casserole isn’t heavy enough to hold all the moisture from the squash so it will collect water that you will have to drain. This does taste good!

Ingredients for around 16 portions

2 large spaghetti squash – roasted, seeds removed and squash scraped out of shell, drained ( mine came to around 8 cups)

2 lbs fat free cottage cheese

3 eggs

2 teaspoons dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper

few grates fresh nutmeg

8 oz Italian cheese blend – preferably fresh grated (I used about 2/3 part skim mozzarella, provolone and sharp provolone)

2 cups tomato sauce – preferably any recipe that you enjoy (or you can use basic winter tomato sauce recipe from www.TheForkingTruth.com or whatever you want)

neutral non stick spray

Directions

Set oven to 350 degrees F and spray a very large pan (I used a half pan) with non stick spray and set to the side. Also spray some aluminum foil for the top so the cheese doesn’t stick to the foil.

Once the spaghetti squash is drained put it in a very large mixing bowl and set it to the side.

Blend the cottage cheese till smooth. Blend in the eggs. Mix in the basil, oregano, peppers and nutmeg.

Add the cottage cheese mixture to the spaghetti squash and mix well. Now is the time to do the taste test for salt if you want to. When you are happy with the squash mixture pour it into the sprayed large pan and make the mixture smooth and even.

Spread out the grated cheese evenly over the top. Now spread out the tomato sauce over the top. Apply the foil with sprayed side towards the food.

This stays in the oven till cooked threw. In my oven this took 75 minutes. Yours may differ.

Serve with some grated Italian Cheese so nobody misses all the fat that isn’t there.

The Forking Truth

Opa! Newly Opened Greek Palace Restaurant Peoria AZ – Full Service Greek Restaurant

The Upper West Side of Metro Phoenix has a New Restaurant Opening with Greek Palace…..OPA!……This is a full service Mediterranean Restaurant. The atmosphere is airy modern with some Greek accents.

We ordered and the first thing that comes out are freshly made Greek Salads that are part of our lunch platters.

Next comes out our Combo Appetizer.

We received creamy Hummus, smoky Baba Ghanouj, lemon-ee Domas, Falafels, Tzatziki Sauce, (ultra garlic) Tahini Sauce and Lots of Warm Pita Bread.

The falafels are on the dense side and not so herby……but they taste fresh made and have a nice chick pea flavor.

Then our lunch platters arrive. I got the Chicken Kabob Platter.

I received juicy slightly charred marinated chunks of chicken breast, yellow basmati rice, grilled tomato, pepper and onion, tzatziki and more pita bread. All is A-OK here! I should note that the menu description differed slightly for the platters and reads Greek Pickles and Turnips instead of the Grilled Vegetables…..Our waiter explained that is due to the soft opening and they weren’t able to get them in………

My husband tried what is named the Fire Fighter Platter.

He received a plate of thin seasoned beef and lamb that was charbroiled on a vertical skewer, grilled onions, tomato, pepper, hot peppers (that might be giardiniera), yellow basmati rice, tzatziki and warm pita bread. The meat is moist and flavorful all is good here too!

Portions were large and we had leftovers to pack up…..

OPA! Muchas Gracias! LOL

If in the area you might consider giving Greek Place in Peoria a try!

OPA! Greek Palace recently opened in Peoria!

Opa!

www.GreekPalace.net

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

The Forking Truth

The HOT Chick Restaurant of Scottsdale AZ – Poultry in Motion – Worth a Fork!***Was CLOSED and now OPEN AGAIN!

********UPDATE was CLOSED FOR BUSINESS during pandemic and is NOW OPEN AGAIN*****The HOT Chick Restaurant recently opened in Scottsdale by Old Town. This is a FUN casual chicken restaurant that offers a bar, games, videos to watch and of course food with a retro 70s vibe.

The bar

They also offer all kinds of seating. You can be by the video games.

One of the patios

You get full service only if you sit at the bar.

For all other seating you order yourself at the trailer that is located behind the bar.

The trailer is the counter where you order and pay if you are not sitting at the bar.

Here’s the menu. All the chicken is organic, free range, antibiotic and hormone free.

They offer Fried Chicken in half or whole in original or Hot Chick, 2 kinds of wings, chicken nubs, snacks and sides, salads, seven varieties of chicken sandwiches but ONLY ONE is HOT Chick. They also offer a brunch menu limited to the weekend and two desserts.

We walked up to the trailer and ordered and paid. Took a pager with us and sat at a booth. We checked out the cocktail menu while waiting. In reasonable time our pager was blinking and buzzing.

I got the HOT Chick sandwich.

It’s a crispy hot chicken breast with house slaw and house pickle on a rich eggy bun. (they also had a condiment area and we picked up deviled egg sauce and some sort of Thai sauce)

First I taste a small amount of chicken by it’s self……WOW is THAT FORKING CRISPY and MIGHTY Flavorful……it’s also moist! It is HOT but VERY Flavorful. I think around a number 4 Thai Hot out of 5. I can taste a lot of flavors like cayenne, but there is something in there that makes the cayenne taste very delicious, there’s something very sweet but it’s balanced, not too sweet…..not sure but I think a taste some secret crushed potato chips…? Well whatever all this is …….This is Forking AWESOME with well made slaw and well crafted pickles. It’s getting very messy with sauce or and juices squirting out everywhere…….It’s a DELICIOUS HOT MESS! It’s also a Forking hum YUM Dinger! (only $9.00…..WHAT THE CLUCK!…..is that a misprint?………..only $9.00…… ((price is subject to change..))

Mu husband ordered the 1/2 hot chicken…..but it was cut into 6 pieces. It came with house made biscuit and house made pickles. I think it was suppose to come with maple butter?

He got a wing (cut in two), thigh, breast (cut in two) and a leg. I took a small bite out of the thigh. NO FOWL PLAY HERE! The Thigh is Forking awesome……Crunchy succulent flavorful…….really Really Great…..Not sure but seemed hotter than the HOT Chick sandwich…maybe because it didn’t have the slaw, bun and pickles to cool things down…? . (only $12.00) subject to change

We shared two of the sides The pimento macaroni and cheese and the green goddess green beans. ($5.00 each and subject to change)

pimento macaroni and cheese and the green goddess green beans

The pimento macaroni and cheese was topped with crunchy chicken skin. I taste the macaroni……..This is smoky……to me it doesn’t taste like pimento because the smoke taste over powers everything else. My husband taste it and agrees that it is smoky. The green goddess green beans are more of a cold salad with a lot of arugula and smoked almonds.

I’ll say find that HOT Chick and buy a sandwich and all the day you will have good Cluck!

Hot Chick is Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

www.TheHotChick.com

Every FORKING THING is subject to change and YOUR experience may or may NOT differ.

The Forking Truth

Forking EZ One Pot Chicken Mushrooms and Rice Recipe


My favorite thing to cook lately are these EZ one pot chicken recipes. They are easy and delicious. You start by seasoning the chicken, then you brown up the chicken, use the drippings to infuse flavor to the vegetables. Add the chicken back to the pot (or pan) and finish in the oven all together this comes out FORKING SCRUMPTIOUS!…..Chicken quarters are also very cheap depending on where you shop….You should never pay more than .99cents a pound for chicken quarters. But I really like this way of cooking because the chicken always comes out moist and flavorful and delicious. With these dishes we don’t have to mess with sides of vegetables or other sides because everything is in the pot (or pan). The only bad issue is that the skin will never come out crisp enough to eat. The other thing that I should note is that oven timing will differ…….You will have to check the dish with a thermometer. You must get the rice cooked and the chicken must get to at least 165 degrees F. (but I prefer my dark meat chicken cooked more and I get it up to at least 180 – 200 degrees F. Unfortunately these are the most difficult dishes to photo. I waited till the dish was cold and the rice set up……really the rice comes out more soupy. This will be Forking Delicious and you and yours will love it.

Ingredients for about 6 servings

4 lbs chicken quarters (about 3 large quarters (seasoned with salt, pepper and granulated garlic)

kosher salt to taste – to season chicken on both sides

fresh ground black pepper to taste – to season on both sides

granulated garlic to taste – about twice the amount of the salt you used on both sides

1 large sweet onion chopped

2 stalks celery – chopped

2 carrots – peeled and chopped

4 oz mushrooms – sliced

1 red bell or a few red Fresnos -chopped

1 green bell or a green pepper with a little zip – chopped

13 garlic cloves – chopped well

1 Tablespoon soup base (instead of salt for less sodium and more flavor) use reduced sodium chicken or vegetable

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 oz fresh poultry herbs sage, thyme, rosemary (Smart and Final was selling them mixed together for $1.00 for 1 1/2 ounces) (leave them whole so you can pull them out when dish is ready to serve)

optional fennel fronds (I happened to have some leftover in my refrigerator so I threw them in)

2 cups water

1 cup arborio rice or regular long grain rice is fine here too!

Directions

Start by browning the seasoned chicken on both sides either in a fry pan or broil in the oven about 10 minutes on both sides. ( either way skin isn’t crisp enough and more chicken fits under broiler than in fry pan)

Next use the drippings for the sauce pot (put chicken to the side).

Set oven to 350 degrees F.

Get the sauce pot (if you have a very large oven proof pot use it here) on medium high heat and add the onion, garlic, celery, carrots, soup base, black pepper, bell peppers and mushrooms. Stir occasionally and cook till onions are soft. Then add water and bring to boil add rice mix and shut off heat.

If this is a large oven proof pot leave it…if not carefully transfer to a large pan (I used a half pan) Top with the fresh herbs. Top herbs with the browned chicken quarters and cover tightly with foil.

Leave in oven till rice is soft and chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F. (I like my dark chicken more done and I leave till at least 180 – 200 F) Ovens do differ….pans make the timing differ and the size of your leg quarter will differ……….and they differ even more if you have another pan in the oven… (be careful not to get yourself burnt from steam when you check your pan). Mine took around 105 minutes today.

It came out delicious!

Forking EZ One Pot Chicken Mushrooms and Rice

This was cold when I photoed and the rice really comes out more soupy…..BUT this does come out Forking Delicious!

The Forking Truth