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My Visit to the 2017 Arizona Taco Festival

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The 2017 Arizona Taco Festival took place at Salt Rivers Field in Scottsdale Oct 14 & 15 this year. They used a cashless system via a wristband that you exchange for your ticket that you load money on to for your tacos,  bottled waters and Margaritas.  Tequilas were a separate package or wristband.

Other activities offered were-

Lucha Libre Wresting (oh in 100 degree heat)

Bar

Live Music

Games

Photo Booths

Hot Chile Pepper Eating Contest

Taco Eating Contest

Chihuahua Beauty Pageant (I hope this was cancelled because it is too hot for dogs to be out in this kind of 100 degree F heat) (I don’t know if people were responsible owners and hopefully left their Chihuahuas home)

“I’m 37% Chihuahua according to my DNA. I could have entered in the pageant. I don’t care if I would have won or not. I just wanted to get my teeth into some Forking tacos”

The Taco Festival also offered-

Margarita Mixology Expo

Kid’s Zone

A special guest…The Most Interesting Man in the World Guy Version #1 that’s retired. (Person pictured below Johnathon Goldsmith )

Getting in seemed to move slowly. When we finally got to the person that gives out the money wristband he needed assistance with the transaction.

Tickets were $12.00 to get in and than there was $3.70 processing charge just to get in. Most of the tacos were $2.00 but one booth was selling special tacos that were $4.00. Water was sort of expensive because the bottles were a small size and were $3.00 and in 100 degree F heat you really needed about two bottles of water. I saw a list of the participants and didn’t know that you have to click each one to see if they are participating the day you are attending. I was a little bummed because I wanted to try tacos from T-Cooks, Tarbels, Crujiente Tacos and the Wigwam- all that I mentioned were only participating on Sunday.

Well Any Who-

We shared a bunch of tacos…For me it was a pretty good system. I took a bite and sometimes two bites and my husband would finish up the rest. That way I could eat threw as many as possible. Most (but not all) of the tacos were the very small street sized tacos. Some were filled more than others and some but not all were double shelled like tacos are in Mexico.

Of course with around 50 venders offering tacos I really tried only a small percent of what was offered but one that was among my favorites was the Chicken Taco from Gadzooks. The Tacos had all kinds of things listed in the ingredients such as sweet and spicy corn bread that I don’t see but I can tell you that this taco was among the most flavorful that I tried with a nice balance of flavors and acidity.

Our next stop was Superfarm  Supertruck. For some reason I thought the “Cauliflower Maybe” Taco sounded interesting and different. I don’t know if my taco contained cauliflower…I didn’t see any and the cilantro they used was so super strong it was over powering everything in the taco. It was just like taking a big bite of cilantro. I do note that they are well known for making great tacos so this is just a bad batch.

Tried a Chicken Taco at Chico Malo. They had an assortment to sauces to add to your taco. This taco was spicy and the chicken seemed smokey. Different than the other tacos I tried.

We tried a Chicken Taco from the Ranch Market. They offered a variety of tacos and a list of a variety of taco shells. I thought a Red Hatch Pepper Tortilla sounded interesting. The Salsa in this taco was good….but the chicken under developed with flavor.

Maskadores Taco Shop. A pretty decent Chicken Taco.

Decent Fish Taco from Baja Caters. I don’t recall seeing many fish tacos offered. I think I only saw two….

Beef and Chicken Tacos from Two Brothers Tap House. The Beef Taco tasted just like the not the most flavorful pot roast…I think both taco meats just needed to be developed with taco seasonings or maybe something here was just missing?

My husband had this Pork Taco from Tacos Tequila Whiskey. He said it was OK.

The Tacos from Tacos Huicho look pretty authentic. They were good.

To my surprise my husband suggested trying the potato taco from Ajo Al’s. I didn’t expect this taco to be good because my dining experience at the restaurant wasn’t but honestly this was a delicious taco. My husband said it was the best taco at the festival. Somehow they crammed in a lot of flavors into the potato that was delicious. It was a big surprise for sure.

We were very lucky and came early as they opened. Lines moved slow but were bearable to get in. As we left the line was thousands of people long as they were expecting over 30,000 people this weekend. It would have been fun to stay longer and take part in the activities but as the day worn on it was pretty uncomfortable without shade.

This is a very small shot of the line. The line went all the way around. It must have been at least ten times longer. I can’t imagine waiting in this line with the hot sun beating down and the 100 degree heat.

Leaving wasn’t fun. There was a lack of signs and a lack of workers that could guild you out of the parking lot this year. We actually asked one of the lot workers on how to exit. He said he didn’t know. Then the next one we came across just tried to get us to park again. We figured it out ourselves.

That was my visit to the 2017 Arizona Taco Festival. I heard tail from others that entered after I left that have a very different story to tell but I can only tell my story and this was it.

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

The Forking Truth

 

The Forking Truth is that Every Forking Dining Experience is Subject to Change

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WhyyyyyyyWhyyyyyWhy…..

It’s very painful for me to tell the story about a recent dining experience at a Modern European Restaurant in Scottsdale since I had prior experiences here that were excellent at this place. I purposely have not used the name of this restaurant in my review because I don’t want to bring negative attention to them but I do want to tell The Forking Truth………because that’s how I roll………I do really hope that what I experienced was temporary…….. This is a stunningly beautiful restaurant with a glamorous artsy atmosphere of crystal, cozy sofas and beautiful wood work. It has a unique stunning atmosphere indoors or out.

 

I thought this would be an idea place to dine out with my In-Laws for my Mother In-Laws’ Birthday.

I’ve been here a few times before and we have enjoyed.

House salmon over potato cakes.

Pastrami Hash

Dessert Pierogis

Oxtail Stew

Ruskie Pierogis

Filet

Everything pictured above was Amazing and Delicious!

The Pierogis were so incredible last time that I suggested that we start off with a plate of them to share. Last time they were well prepared, spectacular with all kinds of complexity, a delicious sherry wine glaze, caramelized onions, melted leeks and tasty mushrooms with  carefully made pierogi containing a careful combination of farmers cheese and potatoes. These pierogis really knocked my socks off. At the time I thought they were the best I ever had.

This time I received something different.

These Pierogis were made with very GOOEY DOUGH and lacked the sherry wine glaze and many of the flavors they had last time. We all tried them and ate them not because they were good but because I couldn’t believe how strange they were…….I did inform the waiter they were different from last time.  🙁 I thought at the time it was best to just move on…hoping that this wasn’t a precursor of things to come. But I also did get a sudden urge to leave that I ignored.

My Mother – In – Law and I both order the BBQ Glazed Salmon. Maybe you don’t want to read the details below. To sum things up this plate was NOT GOOD.

  1. The Fish was old tasting 🙁
  2. BBQ Sauce (LOOK at the BBQ Sauce…does it look like BBQ Sauce?) tasted like raw salty tomato paste with another slightly sour ingredient that highlighted the lack of freshness of the fish. (the sauce made the fish taste even worst)
  3. Potatoes weren’t awful but were rather plain and might have lacked dill and hemp I thought I read on the menu.
  4. Corn splash on left side of plate did taste like corn but also with a raw flour taste.
  5. Corn splash on right of plate just didn’t taste good. (one corn splash was suppose to be Creamed Corn and the other was suppose to be a Corn Nage) 🙁

…this dinner was  🙁      🙁       🙁     🙁       🙁

NOT WORTH A FORK!

To tell the whole Forking Truth the other two dinners were ok I was told.

Octopus Dinner

Stuffed Cod Dinner.

The waiter noticed I left a good amount of food on my plate and he asked me if I wanted it wrapped up. At that point I did inform the waiter about the “Off Tasting” “Old Tasting” fish and he said he’d tell the kitchen. I didn’t really expect much but I was surprised that nothing came of this either. But then again I didn’t go into detail with the dish……I thought I’d just sum up the most serious offensive. As offensive as the BBQ sauce was I was able to scrap it off but I couldn’t scrap off the fishy fish taste. The only part of my dish I finished was the small clump of spinach.

After the main courses my In-Laws and Husband all had Gelato.  They complained to me that all the gelato served all was full of ice crystals.  🙁

When I made my reservation I specifically requested a Happy Birthday to my Mother-In-Law and my request was overlooked.  🙁

The Forking Truth is that no matter how beautiful the atmosphere is or how nice the waiter seems……The Food is what matters in the end and in the end I can only remember Gooey Flat tasting Pierogis and Fishy Fish topped with Salty Slightly SourTomato Paste masquerading as BBQ sauce.

I don’t know what happened…….I can only speculate the chef has been replaced with someone far less skilled. (I am just saying the very least)

I can only hope that maybe this restaurant is between Chefs and soon will be Amazing Again.

The Forking Truth is that everything is subject to change and YOUR or MY Dining Experience may or may not differ.

The Forking Truth

Barrio Cafe Gran Reserva in Phoenix AZ is Worth a Fork! UPDATE Now Closed for business******

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UPDATE****NOW CLOSED FOR BUSINESS>>>>The Barrio Cafe Grand Reserva is a very small restaurant that serves fine well crafted Mexican Food by James Beard Nominated Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza. About half the menu is vegan. They offer a reasonably priced tasting menu and also a similar menu in a vegan version. Ala Carte is also offered. The restaurant is quite small with only about eight tables. You do feel as if your sitting in a vestibule in an art museum Beautiful hand painting adorns the walls that tells some Mexican Folklore.

The outside is also lively and whimsical.

We decide to go with the tasting menu with a few of the vegan options.

On our table is a small bowl of a Mexican Style trail mix of tortilla chips, seeds and garlic cloves that are dusted in spicy hot chili dust. WOW they really wake you up!

Then we receive a melon and goat cheese amuse bouche.

Our first course is like nothing I’ve ever had before.

It’s spicy, it’s sweet and tangy made with fresh vegetables and fruit. It’s really different but light and delicious!  Aguachile Cayo y Mango.

Then we try vegan and the regular version of Grilled Pineapple with Hoja Santa Leaf, 14 chile stool oil, nuts. (Non vegan had added Menonita Cheese) The Grilled Pineapple is amazing with the chile and leaf flavors.

Next Course was Mole Duck and Mole Vegan (squash) Tacos with Smoked Sweet Potatoes.

It didn’t matter what taco you tried both were stellar and full of flavors. The house made nixtamalized tortillas are very special and flavorful. The Smoked sweet potatoes are spectacular. I’m not a big fan of smoked foods but the smoke here was done very carefully and is delicious! Just goes so well with the taco.

Next comes a little refreshment between courses.

A refreshing little grape shooter.

For dinner we both have the Pan Seared Halibut with Cactus fruit Salsa and Peruano White Beans.

The Halibut was moist and flaky with a delicious tasty char. Salsa and beans were delicious. I could have stopped here and been happy.

But then there was dessert and I would be very unhappy if I didn’t partake….so I had to!

We had Yams and Guavas with a Citrus Reyes Sauce and Chocolate Mousse. Both desserts were WONDERFUL and Delicious! so I left really stuffed…

Our server was Phenomenal. The Food was all amazing!

Barrio Cafe Gran Reserva is Worth a Fork!

Worth a Fork! You WILL drive across town to dine here!

www.BarrioCafeGranReserva.com

The Forking Truth is that everything is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.

The Forking Truth

Dining Out With Dogs in Metro Phoenix AZ September 2017

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“We’re Dining Out Today!”

Dining with Dogs is just a “Fluff” story on how it was taking my dogs out to eat. We usually go to casual places with patios. I do note that not every patio is dog friendly and you must find out in advance if it’s ok to bring your furry friend(s). There are some rules to dining with dogs. It’s very important that you don’t let your dog sit on the furniture like in the picture below.

Dogs also should be close by your side at all times and dogs shouldn’t eat off restaurant plates.

You also need to be aware that most of the food you eat can be harmful or toxic to your dog’s health. You need to get a list of dog safe foods from your veterinarian. Basically you can do alright if you just feed your dog small amounts of plain meat with the sauce removed. It would also be a good idea to bring a collapsible water bowl for your friend. I try to dine out with dogs at off times. That works out best to avoid as many people as possible because many people don’t like to dine around dogs. Another thing to try to avoid is dining out with other people’s dogs because the dogs might start barking and you might be asked to leave.

Now that we got that out of the way…. It’s been another very hot summer around Metro Phoenix and it just got bearable to dine out with dogs in Mid-September.

We headed out to Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery in Phoenix AZ. BMBVE is a Pho-Free Vietnamese Eatery. They specialize in the Banh Mi Sandwich but also do offer many appetizers, salads, noodle dishes, rice dishes and MORE! Today I got one of my favorites – the Chicken Rice Plate. I enjoy the very flavorful marinated boneless chicken thigh that is always prepared with a tasty char and is brushed with an appetizing glaze. I also get a nice refreshing salad accented with some pickled vegetable, Steamed rice and a pork egg roll.

Chicken and Rice Plate

“We are big fans of Banh Mi Bistro Vietnamese Eatery” “We love everything we get to try here!”

Shaken Beef Banh Mi

www.BanhMiBistro AZ.com

The next weekend was unseasonably cool so we got to dine out again.

“WE are off to Pita Kitchen in Glendale AZ”

Pita Kitchen is a casual Greek/Mediterranean Restaurant in the Arrowhead section of Glendale AZ. Our favorite meal to order here are the Greek Salads. I like the Chicken Kabob topping best and I think the dogs like that one best too!

“! never had Greek Food before…..but something sure smells good!”

“Maybe you won’t like Greek Food Runt, you better leave it all for me”….”I hear Runts like olives. Maybe you better eat the olive and leave the rest for me.”

“Oh that Greek Food was Delicious!” “I can’t wait to go to Pita Kitchen again.”

www.PitaKitchen.net

That was Dining with Dogs for September 2017

Hopefully we’ll see you next month.

The Forking Truth

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

Nagoya Sushi Peoria AZ – UPDATE 6-4-2018 ***New Ownership

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UPDATE*********6-4-2018 Since my review Nagoya Sushi was sold and is under new ownership with a different Chef. Everything I wrote is subject to change.

Nagoya Sushi is a casual sushi restaurant located in Peoria AZ ……a stone’s throw from Arrowhead Mall. This restaurant offers full service and does serve some beer, wine and Asian Liquor. The sushi chef/owner is well known in the area. He is an experienced sushi chef and his last restaurant was well received in the area.

The sushi I tried here was different. Everything I tried was delicious and I didn’t even realize how flat tasting sushi I tried elsewhere was until I tried this sushi again. It was like the taste was black and white and when I tried the sushi here everything turned to technicolor.

We started by sharing a Screaming “O” Roll that isn’t actually a roll but more of a salad called Tuna Tataki.

Lightly seared and pounded tuna that was dancing full of flavors and resting on fresh cut radish strings, sprouts and fresh greens. The tuna was carefully sauced and seasoned just so. It was very flavorful and delicious.

Then we went on and shared a variety of sushi that included Spicy Tuna Rolls and Nigiri Style Sushi (salmon, tuna, yellowtail).

The Spicy Tuna Rolls are really great! They have the correct rice to fish ratio. I like that they aren’t all mayo-ed up like many other places serve. Instead the fish is just full of pleasing flavors and it IS actually spicy. It is the most delicious spicy tuna roll I ever had.

The Nigiri Sushi was seasoned under the fish like better sushi places do and was topped with wasabi sauce. All three fish we tried were clean tasting and the rice underneath was delicious!

They serve wasabi sauce if you ask for it. (we like it more than the wasabi paste)

Service was warm, friendly and efficient.

Parking was easy as they are in a small newer strip mall with a lot.

I’m so happy they opened here as I can finally enjoy sushi in the area again!

Superb Sushi hits the West Side of Metro Phoenix AZ – Nagoya Sushi is Worth a Fork!

***UPDATE****6-4-2018 UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP and different Chef since my review.

Worth a Fork!

No website but you can find Nagoya Sushi Peoria AZ on Facebook

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

The Forking Truth

Where the Fork I Went…… Fall Arizona Restaurant Week 2017 #EATARW

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The Forking Truth

Fall Restaurant Week ran from September 15th-24th in 2017. There were over 160 restaurants participating. Most were offering three course meals at either $33.00 or $44.00. Some were offering couple packages for either the $33.00 or $44.00 and a few other special deals going on. This really is a time to discover a new restaurant that you haven’t been to. I’ve been to Match Cuisine and Cocktails at the Boutique Found:re Hotel before but yet again they have a new chef and new menu. So I felt the restaurant was new again. The Executive Chef is the FAMOUS Alex Stratta…….AKA Top Chef Masters, Iron Chef, James Beard Award Winning Chef, Personal Chef to Jesus Chef ( I made that one up). He’s very well known and has impressive Chef History and training. For restaurant week The menu sounds amazing so here I am again at Match Cuisine and Cocktails at the Found:re.

You step into the lobby and this some of what you will see.

It is so cool looking here.

Our First Courses were Tabbouleh with Citrus Marinated Ahi and Lobster with Spinach Agnolotti.

The Tabbouleh was Non-Traditional and was served over a passionfruit vinaigrette. It not their fault but the strongest onions I ever tasted in my life were used here. My husband said the lobster was cooked nicely and the Agnolotti were good.

Dinner was Halibut with Vegetables in a Parsley Sauce and Short Rib with Shallot and Potato Gnocchi.

Halibut was Textbook Perfect with a perfect sear and the flesh was moist and flaky. The Parsley sauce was a little flat…maybe the container needed a stir? The Short Rib was tender and flavorful. Gnocchi were tender but not gummy.

There weren’t any strong flavors in any of the above dishes (expect for the onions) For the most part everything was pretty mellow.

Dessert was a little bit of Tapioca Pudding with a little chopped fruit, topped with toasted coconut. Restaurant Week Priced at $33.00 (2017)

That was Match Cuisine and Cocktails at Found:re  www.MatchPHX.com

Another Night I re-Visited Christopher’s and Crush Lounge in Phoenix. I know I’m suppose to go to a new place but Christopher’s knocked it out of the park last year and I enjoyed a few dinners there since so we couldn’t resist. This restaurant is a little different than most. The Chef Christopher is an actual James Beard Award Wining Chef that owns and actually works in his restaurant. He personally greats everyone and ask how things were while he is working on the line.

Christopher’s and Crush Lounge Phoenix AZ

They started us off with the amazing in-house made French Baguette and French Butter…Ummmmmm

First Courses were Herb Ravioli and Scallops and Tart of House Smoked Salmon. Words aren’t needed for any of the dishes…Here you just eat because everything (so far…every time I’ve been here) has been absolutely perfect and delicious.

Dinners were Buttery Sole Meuniere and Duck Confit Cassoulet.

Then we shared a delightful an Artisan Cheese Course. (Husband’s dessert pick)

Lastly we shared Chef Christopher’s REALLY Incredible dessert!

Parnassienne of Chocolate. It’s the most beautiful Mousse Tower I’ve ever seen and an amazing treat!

Then they sent us home with a whole baguette.

We always have a splendid dinner at Christopher’s and Crush Lounge. Restaurant Week Priced was $44.00 with optional wine pairing.

www.ChristophersAZ.com

That was Fall Arizona Restaurant Week for me 2017.

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

The Forking Truth

 

 

Every Forking Thing is Subject to Change

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Every Forking thing is subject to change. I went to a certain restaurant in Peoria AZ. This is a casual small brewery that offers a limited menu of food. I was here before and enjoyed a mouth watering plate of salmon. It was seasoned just so and seared crispy with a silky interior. It came with a mix of carefully prepared vegetables and garlic lemon confit. (pictured below)

sometime pre-2017

So I thought I’d get the salmon again since I was craving a good salmon.

I didn’t get a salmon like the last one I had. It appears and taste like the chef has been 86th and they have someone filling in.

The salmon is edible but not the same as you can see.  It sure isn’t seared or seasoned with the same finesse either. It’s kind of very average….just average at best.  Did you ever go to the shore and get a mouth of seawater in your mouth? Well that’s what the couscous tasted like studded with squishy squash that was sprinkled with dry oregano.  The waitress asked me how it was and I said the couscous only tasted like salt. She did offer to get me something else….I declined for two reasons. One was because the menu is very limited and I don’t recall anything else I wanted to eat……and I seriously doubted the person cooking was capable of preparing anything that taste good. I asked for some lemon so I could taste something other than salt on the couscous. She gave me two thin lemon slices that were impossible to squeeze. When I got home I re-read the menu and saw that my plate was suppose to come with lemon confit that I didn’t get.

 

The food was really great last time.

sometime pre-2017

Seems like the Chef is gone and they just have someone slapping out whatever now.

The Forking Truth is that EVERY FORKING THING is subject to change and your experience or my experience may or may not differ.

The Forking Truth

My Visit to Grassroots Kitchen & Tap & Sweet Provisions Sweet Shop Scottsdale AZ YUM!

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Scottsdale Location

The Grassroots Restaurant isn’t fancy but it is comfortable and they offer very American Comfort Food. We both like to dine at the Grassroots every now and then because they offer a great variety, the food is always tasty and technically great all the time. Another reason we like to visit is because the pies are exceptional. The Chef is famous for his Key Lime Pie and is proud to make each pie with a crazy number of maybe 30 hand squeezed fresh key limes….At this time (Sept. 2017) there are two locations of the Grassroots…..one in the Phoenix Biltmore area and the other in Scottsdale. The Biltmore area is closer for me but I wanted to try the Chef’s new Sweet Provisions Sweet Shop located next door to the Grassroots Scottsdale location so we picked that one to visit.

Today I went for the Scottish Salmon with a Side Chop Salad.

The Salmon is moist and buttery with nice grill marks. The tasty salad is filled with many textures and flavors and it’s filled with all kinds of goodies like edamame, grapes, corn, cucumbers, radish, fresh herbs and more in a champagne vinaigrette.

My husband went for the special of the day.

House prepared Pastrami Sandwich on Pretzel Bun with Cheese and Jalapeño Grits.

It’s delicious as we expected it would be. No it’s not like a Deli Pastrami Sandwich it very American on a Pretzel Roll and made with Sharp Cheddar Cheese.

It killed me not ending my meal with that amazing Key Lime Pie.

Key Lime Pie from a past visit

www.GrassrootsAZ.com

We finish and go next door to Sweet Provisions.

It smells like a sweet doughnut or sweet cupcake when you walk in.

There is candy, baked goods and house made ice creams.

Cakes, Pies, Cookies, Lemon Bars and More OH MY!

“drooling”

I made the most of the situation…..Ice cream for now and a lemon bar to take home for latter.

I try the Banana Walnut Ice Cream and my Husband picks his usual….the Chocolate.

Ummmmm They are BOTH Very Good!

The Banana Walnut is very creamy and natural tasting…Not too sweet and more like a natural sweet banana with toasted walnuts.

The Chocolate is rich with Chocolate Flavor. It taste just like a high quality Belgium Chocolate.

Can’t wait to try the Lemon Bar….

www.SweetProvisionsAZ.com

That was my visit to Grassroots Scottsdale and Sweet Provisions…….YUM!

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

The Forking Truth

 

6 Degrees Urban Kitchen in Scottsdale AZ is Worth a Fork

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6 Degrees Urban Kitchen recently opened in Scottsdale in the Gainey Ranch Center. They serve up a sort of New American type of menu in a comfortable casual atmosphere.

We started with a Smoked Salmon Rillette.

The Rillette was adorned with pickled mustard seeds and onion, pesto, creme fraiche and toasted bread. The salmon was lightly smoked and wasn’t too fatty. The pickled mustard seeds and onion elevate the salmon to another level. I like the pesto….It’s a nice little break from the other flavors.

For Dinner I had the Halibut.

The fish was moist and flaky. I liked the flavors in the pea puree with the addition of fresh peas. The flavor was great and then I gots these sweet pops of texture from the peas. The assorted fingerling potatoes with creamy centers were yummy goodness. A bit of creme fraiche added some richness and completed the dish. A very nice dinner….

My husband had the Porchetta.

The Porchetta was served over soft creamy grits and was topped with peach/tomato basil relish, maple mustard and candied bacon. The bacon was very unique and was candied with sesame seeds and some cinnamon for a unique sensation. Sort of busy but a unique spin on the classic.

We left full and happy.

Can’t wait to try the lunch menu!

www.6DegreesAZ.com

Too soon to rate but everything was great so I just have to say it was …

Worth a Fork!

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

The Forking Truth

 

 

The Chicken Fajita Salad Battle Glendale AZ Popo’s VS Phoenix AZ Carlos O’Brien’s Mexican Food

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This is a well matched battle. The competitors are two established local Sonoran Style Mexican Restaurants that have two or more locations. For the most part they offer a similar menu. I do note the Carlos O’Brien’s is a new location for the Local small chain but this company has been in business for over 20 years so I feel they are free game to battle. Both competitors are located in North Phoenix or what locals call the Way North.

Ladies and Gentlemen……. In the Phoenix corner is Carlo’s O’Brien’s Mexican Restaurant.

The Set up is-The Fajita Style Chicken Salad- Fajita Style Chicken, salad, cheese, tomatoes, guacamole and sour cream $13.95

The chicken is moist, a little greasy and nicely caramelized. The tomatoes are unripe and the iceberg lettuce is very plain. This is a very plain salad…..very very plain. My guacamole was forgotten but latter arrived. It was a small side of mashed avocados with non-detectible seasoning.

Pros-

nothing is burnt.

nothing is spoiled.

I didn’t get sick after eating here.

Cons – This salad is very uninspired.

Suggestions –

Alert the public that this salad lacks any seasoning or flavor.

Consider changing the recipe or your order if you are a customer.

and now Ladies and Gentlemen!

In the Glendale corner is Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol.

The set up is – The Chicken Fajita Salad – Fajita Chicken, Garden Salad with the grilled onions, bell peppers, avocado, scallions, tomatoes, cheese, olives served in a flour tortilla bowl. $10.99

Chicken Fajita Salad with Cheese on Side ( and a s/o of guacamole given to me off my husband’s plate.)

The chicken is moist and nicely seasoned. I received lots of fresh avocado, tomatoes, olives, grilled peppers and onions over mixed greens. The salad is flavorful and very hardy.

Pros- The salad taste good.

It’s a salad that I most likely won’t make at home so it’s a treat.

I don’t feel the least bit deprived ordering a salad.

The salad cost about $3.00 less than from the Phoenix competitor.

Con’s- This salad is a gut buster.

It’s impossible to eat the whole thing and leftovers turn to a soggy mess.

The Verdict

Chicken Fajita Salad with Cheese on Side ( and a s/o of guacamole given to me off my husband’s plate.)

Glendale’s Popo’s Fiesta Del Sol Mexican Restaurant – It’s a much better tasting flavorful salad bursting with thoughtful ingredients and priced at about $3.00 less.

I do note that EVERY FORKING THING is subject to change and your experience may or may NOT differ.

The Forking Truth