Capriotti's Opens Third Arizona Sandwich Shop on Monday

In 1976, in Wilmington, Delaware, Lois and Alan Margolet opened up the first Capriotti's Sandwich Shop. Named after their grandfather, Phillip, Lois and Alan wanted to set themselves apart by catering to "real turkey lovers." Now, 35 years later, Capriotti's serves a whole host of sandwiches.  Everything from tuna, roast beef, salami or cheesesteak to their top-selling Bobbie, which was voted "The Greatest Sandwich in America" in an AOL-Lemondrop poll in November of 2009.

With two locations in Arizona already, Capriotti's is set to open their third restaurant at 100 W. University Dr. Tempe, AZ 85281 on Monday, May 23rd. According to AZCentral, Capriotti's is hoping to open 2 more locations by the end of the year, one in Scottsdale and another in Mesa. The current locations in Arizona are:

• 3510 E. Baseline Rd. Mesa, AZ 85204
• 4929 E. Chandler Blvd. Ahwatukee, AZ 85048

Check out the Capriotti's menu here.

Phoenix Street Food Trucks in Downtown Phoenix Today 5/20

After holding an event yesterday at the Whole Foods in north Scottsdale, Phoenix Street Food will be holding 2 events today (5/20) in downtown Phoenix.

The first event will be at the Phoenix Public Market, located at 14 E. Pierce St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 & up to Central & McKinley from 11am - 1:30pm. The vendors participating in this event are:

• Jamburritos - Cajun
• Paradise Melts - Sandwich melts
• Riteway Catering - Po'boy sandwiches
• Sweet Republic - Ice Cream, Sorbet, Yogurt
• Short Leash Hot Dogs - Specialty Hot Dogs
• Sunshine & Spice - Breakfast & Asian - (say "Congratulations" and get $1 off)
• Torched Goodness - Creme Brulee

Update (5-26-11): While the particular trucks may not always be the same, this tends to be a regular event at the Phoenix Public Market on Fridays afternoons.

The second event will be on Roosevelt Row for Third Friday at 408 E. Roosevelt St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 from 6pm - 10pm. The participating vendors include:

• Carte Blanc Gourmet Tacos - Mexican
• Hey Joe! - Filipino
• Tom's BBQ - BBQ

If you don't already, you can follow Phoenix Street Food on Facebook and Twitter.

Ronald McDonald on the Chopping Block?

Plenty of McDonald's news lately. We've had new items, free samples and changing recipes, but now comes the news that McDonald's is under pressure to drop Ronald McDonald due to supposed flat advertising and from pressure groups who claim McDonald's uses Ronald to market unhealthy food to kids, which they say, is contributing to childhood obesity.

According to the Arizona Republic's article, McDonald's says the idea of getting rid of the spokesclown is out of the question. Even so, that hasn't stopped groups like Corporate Accountability International (CAI) from taking out full-page ads in newspapers and saying just because Ronald is the face of Ronald McDonald House Charities, that does not excuse them "for marketing junk food to kids." In fact, CAI says that is McDonald's "having their burger and eating it too."

The whole story made Grimace, grimace.  What do you think?

Queen Creek Peach Festival's Last Weekend

This Saturday (5/21) and Sunday (5/22) from 7:30am - 4pm, is the last weekend of the Peach Festival out at Schnepf Farms, located at 24810 E. Rittenhouse Rd. Queen Creek, AZ 85142. Along with picking peaches, apricots and other fruits, there is food sampling, celebrity chef demonstrations, carnival rides, tractor rides, a petting zoo, pie eating and even peach pit-spitting contests. Prices do vary for activities and food, such as pancakes, burgers, hot dogs and chicken, but admission to the festival itself is free. The article by the East Valley Tribune states that the fruit is $1.90/lb.

While this is the last weekend for the festival, you can pick peaches, apricots and other fruits every Thursday through Sunday in May from 7:30am - 4pm, which leaves next Thursday - Sunday (5/26 - 5/29).

If you're interested in pricing and the time of different activities please check the event calendar at the Schnepf Farms website.

McDonald's Changing Some Recipes & Bringing Back Asian Salad

Let's start with chicken, those of you that enjoy McDonald's grilled chicken are sure to be interested in the news that McDonald's says they want to get away from its "Italian" taste:

"...the grilled chicken was reformulated to give it 'a more neutral flavor profile — mirepoix, salt and pepper, maybe a little garlic and herb.'”

In addition to adding a new Buffalo and sweet chile sauce, McDonald's is changing the Ranch sauce commonly used for their Chicken McNuggets so that it has more of a "buttermilk flavor."

Also, the Asian salad, with its previous stint from 2006 - 2008, is back until September 5th:

"The (new) chicken also is being used, grilled or fried, to top the Asian salad, which is a blend of salad greens, edamame, snow peas, red bell peppers, mandarin oranges, sliced toasted almonds and a low-fat sesame-ginger dressing."

The company is also interested in modifying salt content in its food by finding other ways to enhance flavors, perhaps by using, "citrus or other acid."

What do you think? Are all of these cases of trying to fix something that's not broken? Or did McDonald's need to change these things? Full article here.

'Food Truck Day' at Whole Foods in North Scottsdale Tomorrow

If you've spent anytime in southern California, there's a good chance you've come across something of this nature. On Thursday, May 19th, from 11am - 1:30pm in the Whole Foods parking lot located at 8688 E. Raintree Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85260, the Phoenix Street Food Coalition is teaming up with the supermarket to have their first "Food Truck Day." The event is billed as a chance to "change your typical lunch plans" and choose from a variety of foods.  Here is a list of participating vendors:

• Beet StrEat - Local foods from local producers
• Bella Strada - Italian
• Carte Blanc Gourmet Tacos - Mexican
• Jamburritos - Cajun
• Phoenix Cheesesteak Company - Cheesesteak
• Sweet Republic - Ice Cream, Sorbet, Yogurt
• Short Leash Hot Dogs - Specialty Hot Dogs
• Torched Goodness - Creme Brulee

Bruegger’s Lightens Up With New 'Skinny Bagel'

Bruegger’s, known for their New York-style bagels, is introducing a lighter "skinny" version that cuts 100 calories from the bagels and sandwich combinations they offer. From the Bruegger's press release:

"Guests can order any of Bruegger’s 15-plus varieties “skinny,” due to Bruegger’s unique process.  Instead of changing the recipe...Bruegger’s cuts the bagels using a patented knife, removing approximately one-third of the bagel’s center but preserving its unique eggshell crust and delicious toppings. The result? Guests have a lower calorie option without sacrificing variety or taste."

Currently, Bruegger's has 12 Arizona restaurants, 10 of which are in Tucson.  The two locations in the valley are in Phoenix and Gilbert. Check the link above for exact locations and hours of operation.

Tabasco Introduces Buffalo Style Sauce

For those of you that love buffalo sauce, Tabasco is introducing their new Buffalo Style Wing Sauce in the same famous bottles you've come to expect.  From the Tabasco website:

"It’s a thick sauce – perfect for chicken wings. But that’s not all. TABASCO^® Buffalo Style Sauce is so versatile, you can use it on burgers, sandwiches, BBQ and more. For dipping and spreading, it adds an authentic buffalo flavor when stirred into ketchup, mayo, dressings and other condiments...TABASCO^® Buffalo Style Sauce has just the right amount of heat, a Scoville Unit Rating of 300 – 900."

If you're wondering how the 300 - 900 rating compares to their other sauces, here is a comparison chart. Seems pretty tame on that list.

According to the Tabasco site, it's not in Arizona stores yet, but I can't imagine they would keep this from the market out here for very long. However, if you don't want to wait, you can purchase it on Amazon.

Two More Restaurants Coming to Scottsdale/Talking Stick Pavilions

Dates are not yet known, but the restaurants Buffalo Wild Wings and Taste of Greek are moving into the Scottsdale/Talking Stick Pavilions. It looks like Buffalo Wild Wings will be located in front of Petco, just off Indian Bend.  Meanwhile, Taste of Greek will be situated near YC's Mongolian Grill.

At the time of this post, not much is known about Taste of Greek except that it looks to be quick service Greek fare, stay tuned for further updates. On the other hand, here is the Buffalo Wild Wings menu, if you're interested.

On a related note, if you're looking for a gym, and after eating at all the new Pavilions restaurants you very well might be, Mountainside Fitness will be moving into the old area where Circuit City was for so many years.

Smashburger Opening Sixth Arizona Restaurant

On May 25th, the same day that The Habit opens its first Arizona restaurant, Colorado-based Smashburger will open its sixth Arizona location in the Tempe Marketplace at 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway Tempe, AZ 85281. According to AZCentral, Smashburger will be open daily from 10am - 10pm.  Check here for a look at other Smashburger locations and some menu items like the Arizona Smashburger and the Avocado Club Smashchicken.

In Harrisburg, PA, Trouble at School? Eat a Sandwich

Students at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's Camp Curtin School have evidently misbehaved so much and neglected to clean up after eating their hot cafeteria meals, that they are being punished by having to eat cold sandwiches:

"We created the opportunity where we could show them what the bare minimum would be,” the administrator said, adding that the bare minimum remained a balanced meal including fruit and vegetables.

The administrator, who did not want his name used, said that some parents and students did not understand the measures taken to correct behavior issues...

I can't help but wonder how good this hot cafeteria food at the pre-K through 8th grade Camp Curtin School must be because the article reports that the behavior of the students has improved. It's so good, that once it's withheld from the students as a punishment, the students correct their behavior! On the other hand, is anyone else curious what kind of sandwiches were being served?

Second Mr. K's Opening in Tucson

The owner of Mr. K's on the south-side of Tucson is bringing the popular barbeque restaurant to the north-side of town beginning July 4th. According to the Arizona Daily Star:

"The original south-side Mr. K's BBQ, which Kendrick opened in 1998 in a building that also houses his Afro-American Museum, is owned by Kendrick's son Ray. It will remain open, but it likely will be under a new name, Ray Kendrick said.

The new Mr. K's will use the recipes that have been in Kendrick's family more than 100 years and build on the original menu. Foster said it will offer a bigger selection of meats and sides, with entrees running $8 to $15."

The new Mr. K's will take over the former Chili's location near the Tucson Mall. For more information on Mr. K, Charles Kendrick, check out the full article here.

The Habit Opening First Restaurant on May 25th

The AZFoodDude first reported here that two California-based Habit locations were coming to Arizona. We now know the restaurant at 1817 E. Guadalupe Rd. #102 Tempe, AZ 85226 will be the first in the state to open on May 25th, bringing Arizona its first taste of The Habit's chargrilled burgers, chicken and tuna.  In addition to the still to come Chandler location, AZCentral reports the Habit is now planning to open a central Phoenix spot at 745 E. Glendale Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85014 by the end of the year.

According to the article, there will be special charity events to preview menu items at the Habit.  These events are on:

• May 22nd - Noon - 2pm & 5pm - 7pm - Fundraising event for Ryan House and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
• May 23rd - Noon - 2pm - Fundraising event for the Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley.