Tag Archives: #PhxFood

My Visit to Famous 48 Restaurant in Scottsdale AZ……… Newly Opened! UPDATE****This location closed and they reopened also in Scottsdale****Nashville Chicken is also different now*****

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Famous 48 Restaurant recently opened in Old Town Scottsdale. This is a small but full service restaurant with a Patio. They offer a casual menu of mostly American Comfort Food.

The main dining room is filled with a large bar and mainly high top tables but they do have a few booths and also do offer some regular seating indoors and out.

The atmosphere is loud, a little dark and quite a variety of music was blaring out. The music varied from a Johnnie Cash to the Beastie Boys.

We started out by sharing the Signature Appetizer The Waffle Mac-N-Cheese. It is described as a three cheese blend with noodles “Smashed” in a waffle maker.

I think this one might be great to some people but for me it’s just not for my taste. While I didn’t expect anything light or healthy here I found the waffle much heavier than I thought it would be and surprisingly not as cheesy tasting as I expected. However it did have some good seasonings and a little fun heat to it. I wasn’t sure if I tasted bacon…I did ask the server if it contained bacon and she said it didn’t contain bacon but had a smokey cheese was in the blend. I think it would have tasted better without the smoke. It’s possible that the smoke over powered the cheese taste for me. I note that I’m sensitive about smoky flavors and don’t always like smoke in my foods.  I’m not sure if this waffle was made correctly.

For my main I tried the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich. I was suppose to get my choice of side between cole slaw, house fries and Asian green beans but my server ran off and said your getting the fries right……so I said ok………because I interpreted that as meaning I should order the fries……Was it was a recommendation?….. Or maybe she taught I looked like a fries person?……Or she just tells everyone to get the fries?….

Well any who…I soon receive my order.

This is a Nashville Inspired crispy Chicken Sandwich as real Nashville Chicken is only made in Nashville Tennessee and doesn’t have a wet sauce on it or on the side. Real Nashville Chicken is coated with a paste of cayenne pepper and oil or fat that soaks into the bread. The Famous 48 variation does have an intense heat from the buffalo sauce and a tasty flavor. The buffalo sauce is nose running HOT  and is also delicious with a good tang. For my taste the eggy rich bun is too thick for this sandwich and I prefer it open faced. I WARN YOU that this sandwich is only for heat loving folk and is not suitable for the wimpy masses. I have to be blunt and have to say I wouldn’t recommend the house fries. The skinny fries did arrive hot but seem to get cold in moments. The fries had very little potato flavor and remind me of fast food fries. BUT the sandwich was DELICIOUS! We both liked the sandwich!

****UPDATE***New recipe for the Nashville Style Chicken…Much milder but more moist and chicken now is developed with flavors…also a different exterior texture. (see picture below.at bottom.

My husband ordered the Slow roasted Pork Dip.

We aren’t sure but we think he was served the Sort Rib Melt. I didn’t taste his meal. I asked him about the Pork Jus and he said it taste like watery beef….? He was a bit displeased with the sandwich because he was expecting slices of pork but received minced meat without the caramelized onions he thought that he would be receiving. He said the meat had little flavor and he couldn’t tell if it was beef or pork. (I guess he got the bottom of the batch of whatever meat it was….all the little ends)….He said after he finished the sandwich he said that he would have been happy if he ordered the Hot Chicken Sandwich because that one had lots of flavor and tasted great!

At the time of this review Famous 48 has been open just a few days………

Newly opened!

www.Famous48.com

The Forking Truth is THAT EVERYTHING is subject to change and YOUR experience may or may NOT differ.

****UPDATE they moved the restaurant to another location in Scottsdale and the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich is different now******

The Forking Truth

 

My Visit to Seoul BBQ & Sushi of Phoenix AZ

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Seoul BBQ & Sushi recently opened in Phoenix. This is a large Korean Restaurant that also offers some Japanese offerings. On the menu are appetizers, Asian Salads, sushi, Korean Soups & Stews, I saw house made tofu somewhere, fried rice dishes, 5 varieties of grilled fish, house made sweet potato cold noodle dishes, wok fried dishes and of course all the Korean BBQ choices and combos.

The atmosphere is upscale with attractive granite tables and walls in modern designed rooms. This is a BIG place that also offers a large private dining for entertaining and more dining rooms. I almost got lost here.

Each table has a burner and shiny hood for doing BBQ.

It is unusual to find such a restaurant outside of Mesa (the Asian capital of metro Phoenix). So we ordered and they start us off with many small side dishes called Banchan.

Some of the side dishes are pickled egg, garlic spinach, seaweed salad, kimchi, I think he said bell flower, pickled radish, Korean potato salad, crispy shrimp, carrot radish salad, Japanese Sweet Potato, Sweet Lotus Root, Korean Cucumbers and fish cakes.

I think this one was called bellflower? It was very tasty and among my favorites.

Fishcakes came out after the other side plates

It seemed like this Korean Restaurant put more effort into the side dishes than other Korean Restaurants I’ve dined at. I don’t eat Korean Food often but these were the most enjoyable Banchan I ever had. We were offered refills several times on the banchan.

Then we were asked if we’d like to try some miso soup. (I said I only wanted a small amount)

Then my husband’s Bibimbap with Bulgogi comes out on a very heavy hot skillet.

They cut up the egg and mix it up. The rice got a nice crisp bottom like Paella Rice. I got a small taste and the beef was so tender and delicious. It had all kinds of good flavors going on. Gochujang (a sort of Korean pepper ketchup) was available on the table as a condiment.

Next my  Jogi-Gui (A fish called broiled yellow croaker that is similar to corvina) comes out.

I got two small but perfectly prepared juicy tender fish with mild sweet flesh and crispy skin.

Service was very friendly and efficient. The owners or management also were very welcoming to us.

Our first visit was very enjoyable.

My second visit did differ.

Only received 8 side dishes instead of 17. Salad served was brown and the rib meat wasn’t the best.

Well any who…..?

www.SeoulBBQSushi.com

The FORKING TRUTH is that EVERY FORKING thing is subject to change and YOUR experience may or MAY NOT differ.

The Forking Truth

 

My Trip to Zinburger in Phoenix AZ

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I would be wrong to say Zinburger is a small local chain….Zinburger is a Fox Concept Restaurant who is Arizona based but I see that Zinburger is a growing chain that is in many locations across the country. I recently went to the Biltmore Fashion Plaza Location in Phoenix. This is a very casual restaurant with a full bar. This restaurant specializes in Burgers. The standard burger on the menu is a 6.5 ounce certified angus beef patty that is ground in house daily. You can upgrade to grass-fed or choose vegetarian, chicken, tuna or turkey burgers. They also offer salads, sides and milkshakes.

I am picky about the beef I ate…since the beef is ground in house I feel I can eat it. (I gave up supermarket ground beef for the unwanted additive it contains)

BUT…….that pretty picture with cows makes me feel sort of Forking guilty about ordering beef. I almost change my mind.

They have some sort of Burger Battle every year and last years winner was Zinburger’s Bruce Lee Burger so that is the one I want to try.

Zinburger – Bruce Lee Burger

I start with the pickle chips. The pickles are crunchy, garlic dill and obviously fresh made.

Then I attempt the burger.

For me it’s impossible to take a complete bite. The bun is too big for this burger.

The burger is very messy and drippy. My plate is filling up with juice and sauces.

I must remove the top bun and lose some Sriracha Mayonnaise and eat with a knife and fork.

I have a very juicy caramelized burger that’s topped with Asian BBQ sauce, napa cabbage slaw, cucumbers, rice wine vinegar, avocado and jalapeños. It really IS FORKING DELICIOUS! It taste like maybe the most delicious potsticker I ever tried. I got all kinds of textures and creamy to spicy and blasts of flavors in-between. It’s really good…but not something you want to eat around other people because it’s very messy. You can only eat this burger around someone that you can fart with.

My husband Tried the El Diablo Burger.

Zinburger’s El Diablo Burger

This Burger is topped with pepper jack cheese, jalapeños, caramelized onions and lettuce. It is suppose to have Chipotle Mayonnaise but if you read my reviews you know my husband avoids mayonnaise as much as possible. Somehow he is able to cram the burger in his mouth. He is actually happy. It’s the best burger he had out in a while…………

The burgers seemed very above the average……..

Service was only average. We were going to share a salad that didn’t come out of the kitchen. So we just ate our burgers. It turned out to be more than enough food anyway. We informed our waiter about the salad we didn’t receive and the manager did generously offer to let us take out the salad for free but we declined.

www.ZinburgerAZ.com

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

The Forking Truth

azcentral Food & Wine Experience Day 2 November 5th 2017

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The azcentral Food & Wine experience is a two day event. This year it took place November 4th & 5th at Salt River Fields. It was a showcase of mostly local restaurants, libations and demos. The featured special guest was Martha Steward who was there on Saturday.

Overall I DID ENJOY MYSELF but I feel this festival has taken a few steps back from the last two years as I do have a few legitimate gripes.

Several restaurants promised were not there. These are the restaurants I don’t recall coming across either day….

Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlor, Tapatio Cliffs, Little Miss BBQ, Nico Heirloom Kitchen, Orange Sky at Talking Stick, The Larder + The Delta, The Second Story Liquor Bar, Virtu Honest Craft, Zuzu at Valley Ho. I was expecting to come across these restaurants and since I didn’t I am disappointed. (Sadly El Panzon y Frida suddenly closed for business so I understand why they weren’t there)

I am also upset because I paid for VIP so I could drink better wine and use the VIP restrooms.

The wines offered this year seemed like much lower quality to the VIPS. I tried three wines Saturday that made me gag that I had to dump. I know last year they offered good well made wines like Hartford and Freemark Abby.

Freemark Abby Wine provided by AJ’s…Possibly the best wine you could drink at the festival 2016

Yesterday the VIP restrooms were crowded to they sent me off to the regular restrooms even though I was a VIP. TODAY ON SUNDAY the VIP restrooms were locked at least till 1:30.

So I felt cheated between the inferior wine selection and the VIP restrooms I didn’t get to use.

My last gripe is that the discussion panels didn’t seem as star studded as they have been the last two years….I really enjoyed last year discussion panel and the first years discussion panel.

2015 Star studded panel

Photo of discussion panel 2016 star studded panel

2016

Maybe 2017 was just an off year….I don’t know…..

All my complaints are out now so off we go to the food.

Mostly everything I tried was either good or great! The food on Sunday in comparison to Saturday seemed to offer more upscale choices. Here are not all but some of the offerings I came across.

Among my favorite plates at the festival were the Halibut Ceviche and the Cornish Hen Mousse from Quiessence at The Farm at South Mountain. I didn’t think I’d like Cornish Hen Mousse because it seems weird to me….but the flavors were outstanding. I have to give it a big thumbs up.

J&G Steakhouse also was among my favorites. They lightened up a steak in a different and delicious way. They used butternut squash and flavors and textures of orange. It was amazing. I wonder if this is ever on the menu?

From Gallo Blanco and Otro Cafe Pozole

Gnocchi in Lamb Sauce from Rancho Pinot

We both thought the the vegetarian Potatoes Bravas and Shrooms and Grits from Artisan at the Camby Hotel were very tasty.

My husband said this Pork Belly Taco from Crujiente Tacos was good!

From one of the most UNUSUAL CASUAL restaurants in Phoenix……Chino Bandito offered Red Jade Chicken, Jerk Fried Rice and Vegan Cuban Black Beans and Snickerdoodle Cookies. It was pretty tasty….

We tried several different treats from Sweet Republic. The macaron filled with orange basil sorbet was my FAVORITE!

Mariposa Latin Restaurant served a tasty quinoa salad and a very tasty chicken laced soup.

Braised Lamb and Lentils from Talavera

Another among the favorites was this short rib stuffed ravioli with horse radish cream. It was from Hearth 61 at Mountain Shadows

Mamma Toledo’s The Pie Hole served Blueberry Hand Pies

Pigs Ears from Citizen Public House and a very unique unusual Ceviche from the Gladly.

Gnocchi in Veal Sauce from an Italian Restaurant I think from Bella Gusto……

Gadzooks award wining Chicken Taco! Spicier today than last time. Still delicious!

Different Point of View did these very detailed Pork and Cheese Ravioli.

Our Own Iron Chef Tarbel’s served Octopus Tostadas.

Buffalo Brisket, a tiny Detailed Cheesecake and a Fruit Beverage came from Kai at Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass

Beef Carpaccio from Cartwright’s

Kobe Burger from Aj’s Fine Foods

Well that was day 2 of the azcentral Food & Wine experience of 2017.

The Forking Truth

azcentral Food & Wine experience (day 1) Saturday Nov. 4th 2017

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The azcentral Food & Wine experience is a two day event food & libation festival. Around 50 different Arizona Restaurants and many wines, beers and spirits are there for sampling. The headlining attraction was Martha Steward and cooking demos.

We were finally at about an average temperature for November and were at around 80 degrees with ZERO chance of rain. Guess what…..it rained for a short time and then it poured but only for a short time.

My Forking Gripes……

For the most part most of the food I tried was good. I was very disappointed with the wines I tried. Even the VIP ticket didn’t bring on as fine wine as we had in years past. After trying three wines that sucked I didn’t want anymore wine. The VIP bathrooms were really great last year and it seemed they used a different company and the bathrooms were air-conditioned but not much different than porta potties. Another gripe were the stemless wine glasses they used this year. Stemless glasses are for swirling at a table and are not good to be carried around for long periods of time. My wine sling doesn’t work with a stemless glass and it was difficult to carry a glass and get food.

Now I’m over most of the gripes and now I am on the food.

Well lets see some of what I saw and some of what I tasted.

There was a nice little layered dessert and octopus by Match Cuisine and Cocktails. (I thought this was from Match Cuisine….but in the newspaper it reads that this was from The Boulders????) I didn’t take notes so my bad if I am wrong.

Mowry and Cotton at the Phoenician offered  Lamb Tacos and fancy Charred Tuna.

One tequila, two tequila, three tequila…..FLOOR!

The Crepe Bar didn’t serve crepes….?…..They served a Liver Mousse with Buttery Fancy Radishes……

This Pasta and Cheese was from AJ’s. Is a very impressive display. They used what is maybe a hallowed out $1,000 dollar wheel of cheese to serve pasta in. But plain pasta with just cheese is very boring even if it is expensive delicious cheese.

More libations.

This I didn’t try but it was maybe the most unusual offering at the festival. A push pop with duck liver mousse, apple, dates, pistachio, some sort of gel and apple sorbet. It came from PY Steakhouse.

A very tasty Steak with tabasco onions from Bourbon & Bones Chophouse & Bar

AJ’s Pork Tacos

Handlebar Diner offered Duck Tamales

Chef Christopher Collins really brought it on with Wally’s Fried Chicken Sandwich, Grassroots Short Rib over super SPICY HOT Jalapeño Cheese Grits, Twisted Grove Shrimp Salad and Sweet Provisions Lemon Tart and his Super Magic Bar…..WOW what a spread he brought. I think half the food I ate came from here and it all was great!

The Market by Jennifer made a really nice little spread too! Really good Potato Chips with Pimento Dip, Korean Style Beef, Yummy Little Chicken Drums and Milk & Cookies.

Some of Aj’s Fine food offerings……This might have been in the VIP tent. Maybe I’ll ask if they will sell me some finger limes…..None of the AJ’s near me carry them….. 🙁

It was really hot and crowded in the AJ’s VIP tent…..hope my deodorant didn’t fail.

AJ’s offered a fancy couscous salad that was made with this bottle oil, vinegar, lemon and herb dressing. It actually was amazing. The salad and the dressing were really surprisingly good.

AJ’s offered Butternut Squash Risotto that came from a box. It was horrible.  AJ’s also offered    another appetizer……It looked pretty but I got a raw crisp slice of sweet potato with some toppings. These were the only things I tried that were Forking Awful…..both not edible…YUCK!

But then AJ’s had a killer cheese table….so MANY HIGH END cheeses…….so I guess they redeemed themselves after the previously mentioned dishes.

That was Day One of the azcentral Food & Wine experience 2017.

Let’s see what happens tomorrow.

The Forking Truth

Halloween SPECIAL EDITION – Frightful Horrifying Food Served to me in Metro Phoenix AZ

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The Forking Truth is not every dining experience will be a great one. I am pleased to say most experiences are ok and many exceeded expectations. But some are downright Frightful! Here is THE FORKING TRUTH…… a collection of the most terrible food that was served to me in Metro Phoenix in the past few years.

I do note that it’s not my intention to bring  negative attention about restaurants that are still open for business. I can only reveal the names of the businesses that are closed. The restaurant business is a very difficult business to be in. For that reason there will be no name mention of restaurants that are still open for business because everything is subject to change. At least I hope so….

Polenta

This polenta tower came from a well known restaurant in the Biltmore Area of Phoenix. It looks absurd and was the worst polenta I ever had in my life. I do know the Chef has been replaced since.

Taco Haus Scottsdale AZ (wow that was really bad) Closed for business

The worst taco I ever had in my life came from Taco Haus (long closed for business) The tortilla fell apart and the chicken was the most driest most flavorless chicken I ever tasted anywhere. I’m still choking when I think about it.

Seared Tuna Nicoise ($16.) from The Local, PHX AZ

This didn’t’ taste awful….This plate came from The Local (closed for business) The food was very good but overly sparse…………

$16.00 for a lunch platter that doesn’t even meet HALF of Weight Watcher Standards. I was FORKING STAVING after this lunch. WTFork was I suppose to buy two lunches? WTFork was that chef thinking ……..It’s not even enough food to feed a gerbil…. and where the Fork was the other half of egg?……I could have used it.

Glendale AZ

Sushi that isn’t fresh is always horrifying…….Still open today in Glendale.

I went to an interesting restaurant that is now closed for business called Indy Fusion. It really wasn’t a bad restaurant at all but whoever the chef was didn’t write the menu I’m sure. He had zero understanding of what a Fondant is. Indy Fusion had a Fondant on the menu for dessert. Instead of a molten chocolate cake that’s known as a Fondant I received a lump of Fondant frosting on a plate. Instead of Indy Fusion I received Indy confusion.

Fondant from Indy Fusion

I went to a certain Asian Restaurant with a Bakery in either Glendale or Phoenix. My meal was good but the dessert was inedible. It was hard like a rock. We couldn’t cut threw it. It could not be penetrated by a Fork. My husband felt the need to bust it apart with his hands.

This restaurant is located in the far west valley. I came across a few problems with the food and I tried a dessert here hoping for redemption. Instead of redemption it turned out to be a nail in the coffin as I pulled out a silicone-like object from my mouth. The waiter acted like nothing was wrong with that and he told me that it was part of the gelatin in the dessert.

Everything I tried at this restaurant in Surprise Az had problems. I actually informed the waiter and management about the multiple short comings I experienced at this restaurant. They didn’t say they were sorry or anything like that….They said they were newly opened and that is just how it was….SURPRISE!

These falafels did have a nice crunchy texture but were dry and lacked typical falafel flavors. But  a few food critics have raved about this place. Maybe this place in Glendale improved since my visit?

Old re-heated over cooked fish is never good. This came from a beautiful resort in Scottsdale. The fish came to me slightly warmed up and sat on top of a salad that was missing most of the ingredients the menu listed.

Over Cooked and over salted fish was served to me from one of the finest restaurants in Phoenix.

Over Cooked and Over Salted Phoenix AZ

Tried a personal size Chicago Style Pizza from some place on the west side and it was re-heated and not fresh made and came with a burnt crust and so much cheese I felt sick.

The fish wasn’t so great and the Couscous tasted like salt….Just another bad dinner out! Somewhere in Peoria.

Had a chicken sandwich somewhere in Scottsdale. The bun was hard like a rock. The chicken slightly burnt with a weird snappy texture. The sandwich also had a canned green chile pepper that tasted like the tin can it came from….not to mention the horrible potato salad it came with….All the potatoes were over cooked and I basically got a dish with mashed potatoes, some chopped egg and mayonnaise.

A grilled chicken sandwich from somewhere in Scottsdale AZ and the potato salad is pictured below.

Went to a Mexican Restaurant in North Phoenix. Got served the most tasteless, uninspired taco salad I ever had anywhere on warm iceberg lettuce. The chips and salsas were also the worst I ever tasted anywhere.

$13.99 Salad from a Mexican Restaurant in Phoenix AZ

Went to a place in Scottsdale and was served Old Tasting Fish topped with Salty Sour Tomato paste, Lousy sides of corn that looks like vomit and gooey pierogis.

We were driving back from Vegas a while back and stopped in Sun City for a bite. Should have kept going…..Mediocre fish, less than mediocre warmed up frozen vegetables and the most disgusting mashed potatoes I’ve ever seen in my Forking life. “I asked the waiter why are the potatoes were greenish?” He said, “The Chef said that black pepper makes the potatoes green.”

– Sun City

I seriously think food this bad is a violation and they should have their food license pulled.

Well that was a little stroll by not all but some of the most Frightful Food served to me in Metro Phoenix. I hope I didn’t frighten you too much!

And this is my rating to these places.

NOT WORTH A FORK!

Most food experiences in Metro Phoenix are better.

This was a Halloween Special Edition of The Most Frightening Horrifying Foods that were Served to Me in Metro Phoenix in the past few years.

Remember that everything is subject to change and your experience may or may NOT Differ.

Good Luck and Happy Halloween!

The Forking Truth

 

Dining out with Dogs in Metro Phoenix AZ October 2017

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“Hi there!” #We are on our way to Bpttega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale AZ”

Dining out with dogs in Metro Phoenix is just a “Fluff” story of my dining adventure out with dogs. Dining out with dogs stories are not restaurant reviews just stories about taking my dogs out to eat. Not all but many restaurants in Metro Phoenix do have patios but not all patios are dog friendly. It’s always a great idea to call a restaurant just before your about show up with your dog because you never know if the patio is booked up for a party or if the restaurant suddenly stopped allowing dogs on the patio. It is also a good idea to dine at off times to try to avoid other people and other people’s dogs because you could be asked to leave if something goes wrong. (like dog barking or if a customer is allergic to dogs) There are some rules for dining with dogs. Dogs are never to eat off restaurant dishes. Dogs must stay close to your side and dogs are not allowed to sit on restaurant furniture. Other things that you must be aware of are that most foods and drink you consume might be harmful or toxic to your dog. To be on the safe side feed your dog plain lean meat.

October here in Phoenix was mostly hot…mostly too hot to dine out with dogs…. 🙁 But we just had a cool day so we went off to Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale.

They were offering a special seasonal menu today along with the regular menu so I decided to try the Butternut Squash Pizza with some pancetta on the side for my dogs. (I know pancetta is fatty but I am very careful with the amounts I give to the dogs)

The Butternut Squash Pizza is really different. Instead of a tomato base we have cooked pureed Butternut Squash with crispy sage and melted cheese. Very different. Don’t know if I want some sweet or spice or heat for my taste…It does have an excellent chewy blistered crust. It’s not a wet center like from some of the other pizzas I had here.

“Ummmm Butternut Squash Pizza….I Forking want some!”

“Hey Runt move the Fork over I’m getting some Butternut Squash Pizza!” Both dogs get to try small tastes of Butternut Squash Pizza. Then they get to try some of my husband’s pizza.

My husband got a Spicy Salami Pizza….Not sure if it was made with the same salami as last time?

 

“Let’s Forking move in on the Butternut Squash Pizza.”

 

Both dogs decide they want more of the Butternut Squash Pizza.

www.BottegaRistorante.com

That was Dining out with Dogs in Metro Phoenix for October 2017. We hope to see you next month!

The Forking Truth

In Memory of Louie 5-5-2001 – 3-3-2017

My Visit to The Horney Toad Restaurant in Cave Creek Arizona

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The Horney Toad Restaurant in Cave Creek has been in business for over FOURTY years. Because of the rustic charm this restaurant has it’s been used in many movies and photo shoots. When you walk in you see autographs from celebrities and you hear cowboy music. It seems like the Old Wild West really does live here.

View of patio from the booth I sat at.

The offerings aren’t fancy but they are very well known for very good fried chicken and Strawberry Shortcake. They serve SIMPLE BASIC American Food. NOTHING here is fancy.

The menu is sort of humorous in spots. Here’s the home made salad dressings.

Eye-tallion, 999 Island! LOL 🙂

I had to go with the 1/2 Chicken.

Sounds great! Fresh not frozen.

It came to me like this. (I did ask for no gravy on the potatoes because I don’t care for the gravy most places serve) Here get a better look. I think the dish that sat on top of the chicken damaged the coating slightly.

The 1/2 chicken is a really big portion……BUT FORKING DELICIOUS! The breast is so flavorful and juicy with crispy tasty coating! YES! Winner winner chicken dinner! I’m a good eater but I only need to eat the breast as it’s plenty of food and I’m taking the rest of the chicken home. Cole slaw is fresh made and creamy. Potatoes seem like they were riced because they are so fluffy…then I hit one potato lump. The potatoes are seasoned pretty well too.

My husband had the Tijuana Torpedo. (A BIG BURGER stuffed with a green chile and cheese.

They prepared the burger to my husband’s request. My husband said the meat had a good flavor to it and picked up flavor from the mesquite it was cooked with. We could tell the green chile pepper came from a can but still it was a tasty BIG burger on a good bun. The fries are a blast from the past and seemed like batter dipped fries. I think they are the same exact fries Chi-Chi’s used to serve but at Chi-ChiChi’s they added cajun seasoning to the fries.

I’m full I’ll have to try the Strawberry Shortcake next time!

Service was friendly and efficient.

We enjoyed our visit to the Horney Toad. 🙂

If you happen to find yourself in Cave Creek you might want to stop into The Horney Toad for Delicious Fried Chicken or a decent Burger.

www.TheHorneyToad.com

The Forking Truth is that EVERYTHING is subject to change and your experience may or may NOT differ.

The Forking Truth

Alice’s Cooperstown Phoenix AZ Restaurant Now Closed for Business

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from Cooperstown website before it was taken down today

I was saddened to hear today that Cooperstown has just closed for business. Cooperstown was kind of a novelty restaurant that was co-owned by the legionary Rocker and local Alice Cooper. Inside Cooperstown was a small gift shop and the decor was a mix of rock and sports memorabilia and TVs. Your server wore Alice Cooper like make up and outside was a stage where local bands preformed. The food wasn’t fancy. It was mostly typical bar food. I took a few photos off the website before it was taken down.

Photo from Cooperstown Website

When I was there I remember it looked like half the people dining at Cooperstown ordered the 22 inch long hot dog. It might have been the popular item at Cooperstown. Here is some more of the menu.

According to the menu the No More Mr Nice Guy Chipotle Chicken Pasta was Award Wining.

From Cooperstown website

I clicked a link for shopping or something like that and it took me to eBay and this is what I found today.

 

Hopefully the Cooperstown Gift Certificates Auction was cancelled.

No More Mr Nice Guy……….Cooperstown is now closed for business.

The Forking Truth

My wristband and the guitar pick I caught at a Alice Cooper Concert.

Lunch at Mowry & Cotton at the Phoenician in Scottsdale AZ

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Mowry & Cotton is a Modern American Restaurant that recently opened in the Phoenician in Scottsdale. The name of the restaurant is suppose to be a western folklore story (that’s very unknown) about two Phoenix Settlers that opened a Fancy Saloon that was comfortable in the 1870s. I didn’t feel or see much western here but whatever this restaurant is I can tell you it’s a very nice place with an interesting menu with a lot of variety.

It was hard to decide on what to try because I was torn on many things but went with the Jidori Chicken Sandwich. My sandwich was filled with a VERY GENEROUS amount of Juicy delicious chicken breast, arugula, flavorful apple bourbon butter and trace amounts of fennel. I did request my brie cheese on the side because I hate the edible coating on brie.

The sandwich is quite large. Even half is a large portion so I did take half home. This is a delicious flavorful sandwich many because of the juicy flavorful chicken and the yummy tasty apple bourbon butter. As great as the sandwich really is I hate to be picky but I think it could use a little more fennel to be more rounded out with flavors and texture. ( I want at least a teaspoon) I only got two shreds of fennel so I can’t say I didn’t get any but I didn’t not enough fennel to make any impact. But still this was a delicious sandwich.  I loved the Mowry Pickles….They were GREAT! and a really nice touch. They were gently spiced and pickled. The pickles included blueberries, cauliflower, onion and cucumbers. It was a little dish that was really great. The salad was very simple and very plain but I ordered salad instead of the two potato options so I could have room for dessert.

My husband had the Smoked Brisket Sandwich.

The Smoked Brisket Sandwich contained house made pickles, carefully  smoked brisket, grilled Swiss Chard and Carolina Mustard. This sandwich had a lot going on and was a really delicious sandwich. My husband paid the $4.00 extra for the crispy fries. The fries were delicious and had a creamy interior but weren’t crispy. our waiter did offer to bring us a new batch of fries but we declined since the fries were delicious anyway.

Just like the lunch menu the dessert menu offered several delicious sounding desserts. We went with the Apple Crumble because the waiter made that one sound special…AND IT WAS!

LOOK AT THE APPLE!

It’s painted Ice Cream!

It’s Blackstrap Molasses Ice Cream with Apples and an Oat Crumble. It’s so different! It’s almost not sweet at all and very lightly spiced. It’s almost like breakfast but a lot more fun!

Not 100% perfect but very good! I do note at the time of this review this is a newly opened restaurant.

I have to say Mowry & Cotton seems to be Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork!

www.ThePhoenician.com

www.MowryandCotton.com

The Forking Truth is that EVERYTHING is subject to change and your experience may or may NOT differ.

The Forking Truth