Menu Changes at Some Phoenix Area Restaurants

Gordon Biersch - The Gordon Biersch Brewery and Restaurant has introduced a Caribbean centered menu available until July 31. There are currently four locations in the valley, one each in Tempe, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Glendale and Gilbert.

Macayo's - Another menu shake up that will last until July 31 is happening over at Macayo's. The new menu includes items under 500 calories and salsa specials which include winning salsas from local competitions. Check out the new menu items here.

The Vig - With two locations in Phoenix, The Vig is rolling out a new menu which has items such as a Southwestern grilled chicken salad, a jerk chicken sandwich, Korean BBQ Seoul Sliders and even stuffed potato skins that include cheetos, just to name a few.

Verona Chophouse - The restaurant at 1077 S. Kyrene Rd. Chandler, AZ 85226 inside the Lone Butte Casino in Chandler is trying to add more authentic Italian entrees to its menu. AZCentral reports some of the new items include, "wild mushroom fettucine, chicken scallopini and shrimp penne carbonara." Note that Verona Chophouse is closed on Mondays.

Subway's July $5 Featured Footlong - Italian BMT

This past month saw the Chipotle Chicken & Cheese as Subway's featured footlong, but a classic favorite, The Italian BMT is about to take the reins. July's $5 footlong, the Italian BMT is described this way:

A meaty combo of Genoa salami, pepperoni and Black Forest Ham, served hot with fresh veggies and your choice of condiments on freshly baked bread—an old world favorite.

The 6 inch Italian BMT has 20 grams of fat, 22 grams of protein and comes in at 450 calories.

Tucson Restaurant Openings & Closings (6/30)

Caffé Lucé - Opening their second location at 4205 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719, Caffé Lucé is trying to reach out to the non-college crowd, according to the Arizona Daily Star. The first location is near the University of Arizona at 943 E. University Blvd. #191 Tucson, AZ 85719.

Luke's Italian Beef - Tucson Weekly states that Luke's will be open "any day now" at 2645 E. Speedway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85716 where Viva Burrito was located. Luke's specializes in Chicago Style Italian Sandwiches and is connected to the Luke's of Chicago restaurants in the Phoenix area. This is the third Luke's in the Tucson area, according to the company website.

Krispy Kreme - Sadly for the Tucson area, they find themselves without Krispy Kreme once again, remiscent of the sudden closure in the entire state back in 2006. The Arizona Daily Star reports that apparently the two locations in Tucson were not profitable because of transportation and gas costs from the Mesa distribution center.

Villa Thai - The owner of Villa Thai has closed the restaurant at 972 E. University Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85719 in order to concentrate on V Fine Thai in the downtown area at 9 N. Congress St. Tucson, AZ 85701.

For previous information on Tucson restaurants, check out the AZFoodDude's report on 6/16 and 6/17.

Burger King Offering Original Chicken Sandwich For $1.04

On July 2, 3 & 4, Burger King will be offering their Original Chicken Sandwich for $1.04 to celebrate the Fourth of July. Nothing in this promotion mentions a limit, so purchase as many as you'd like. 

Scottsdale McDonald's Closes For Renovation, PHX McDonald's to Follow

The AZFoodDude has seen a lot of questions about the McDonald's in Scottsdale at 8001 E. Indian School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 on the Southeast corner of Hayden and Indian School. Thanks to AZCentral, we now know that the restaurant is not closed permanently, it is actually one of the restaurants McDonald's chose for a $2 million makeover. According to the article:

An outdoor patio will be added to the Scottsdale restaurant, with seating for up to 20 people. In addition, the restaurant's drive-through is being enlarged to accommodate a side-by-side, two-lane ordering system. The exterior of the new restaurant design will depart from the traditional double-mansard roof that has been the McDonald's trademark look since 1968. 

While this particular McDonald's will reopen at the end of September, the McDonald's at 10230 N. 32nd St. Phoenix, AZ 85028 will be closing on August 1 to undergo the same type of renovation plans and hopes to reopen before Thanksgiving.

Update (11-2-11): The Scottsdale McDonald's has just reopened.

New Rural Arizona Restaurants & Stores (6/29)

Little Caesars Pizza - Located at 1547 E. US Highway 70 Safford, AZ 85546, the Eastern Arizona Courier reports the takeout pizza chain opened up yesterday (6/28). They are known for their Hot-N-Ready $5 Pizzas and if you are interested, there is a coupon for $1.99 crazy bread and sauce. (The coupon is good at any location)

El Milagrito - Open from 8am to 8pm Monday through Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday, El Milagrito serves Mexican and Southwestern style food. The recently opened restaurant, known as "The Little Miracle" in English, is located at 1201 E. Hall St. Show Low, AZ 85901

MoJoe's Grill - Now located at 307 S. Beeline Hwy. Payson, AZ 85541 where Famous Sam's used to be, the Payson Roundup reports that MoJoe's Cafe has moved from its spot on Main Street and is now known as a MoJoe's Grill. Open from 11am to 8pm everyday, MoJoe's has everything from BBQ to hamburgers to shakes.

Jerome Olive Oil Traders - Last year, Verde Valley Olive Oil Traders opened in Cottonwood. This year after the success of that first store, the owners have opened another location in Jerome. Located at 403 Clark St. #B12 Jerome, AZ 86331, the Jerome location is open from 11am to 4pm Sunday through Thursday and 11am to 5pm Friday and Saturday. If you bring in an old bottle they will clean, refill it and give you $1 off of a new oil.

Stingray Sushi Opens Tomorrow at The Scottsdale Quarter

Tomorrow night, Stingray Sushi will open at the Scottsdale Quarter. The June 29 opening at 15279 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85254 will be the opening of the third location in the valley. The first restaurant is located in Old Town Scottsdale at 4302 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251, while the second is at the Biltmore Fashion Park at 2502 E. Camelback Rd. #116 Phoenix, AZ 85016

On the Stingray Sushi Facebook page, you can check out the menu by clicking on the numbered boxes.

Brio Opens Third Arizona Restaurant in Tucson

Brio Tuscan Grille opened today at 150 W. Wetmore Rd. Tucson, AZ 85705 at the Tucson Mall. From the CEO of the Bravo/Brio Restaurant Group:

"We believe the Tucson market is the perfect community to continue to grow the BRIO brand in Arizona...We look forward to offering Tucson locals and visitors a unique dining experience, providing Tuscan inspired cuisine, hospitable and professional service and a warm and inviting ambiance."

This is Brio's third location in the state of Arizona. The other two Brio's are at 2150 E. Williams Field Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85295 and 15301 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85254.

Prices are listed on the menus to the left on this site. For your convenience, here is the dinner menu.

McDonald's Introduces Mango Pineapple Smoothie

Today was the nationwide debut of the Mango Pineapple Smoothie at McDonald's. This comes just weeks after the Frozen Strawberry Lemonade was added to the beverage lineup. According to CNBC:

The move is part of McDonald's efforts to remake itself as a hip, healthy place to eat, aiming to draw in customers who might otherwise go to Starbucks. The world's largest burger chain first introduced smoothies last summer, offering strawberry banana and wild berry.

If you want to try one, maybe a buy one get free coupon would interest you? The coupon is good for any size Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, Frappe or Real Fruit Smoothie.

UPDATE (6-28-11): Much like the Frozen Strawberry Lemonade samples, McDonald's will be giving away free 5 oz. samples of the Mango Pineapple Smoothie from Thursday, June 30 to Sunday, July 3.

Risqué Wendy Greets Customers of Russia's First Wendy's

Just a few days ago, folks in Russia got their first Wendy's in the Arbat district of Moscow. With Russia now being such a large emerging market where the people are known to love meat, Wendy's has been jumping at the chance to open up in the nation they formerly poked fun at during its Soviet days.

With McDonald's having opened in Russia back in 1990 and Burger King back in January of 2010, it only makes sense that Wendy's would want to make a splash as they start competing with their American counterparts in Russia. So, in kicking off their plans for 192 Russian restaurants over the next decade, the local franchisee decided to market Wendy to a "younger demographic" in the first opening:

Igor Tabakov - Moscow Times

Instead of the wholesome freckle-faced redhead in old-fashioned pantaloons, these long-legged women wore short dresses, bright red-striped stockings and stilettos....

Photographers clustered around the women to take photos, but a visiting U.S. executive, Andrew Skehan, was decidedly less impressed.

Skehan, the chain's chief operating officer, said by phone that he had not been aware of franchisee Wenrus Restaurant Group's decision to sex up the chain's icon. He said he would probably have to deal with a flood of phone calls from Wendy's/Arby's headquarters in Atlanta once his associates saw the photos.

Wendy was, after all, the daughter of the chain's late founder and chief executive, Dave Thomas.

The full Moscow Times article has a lot more information about the opening and includes a slideshow of other pictures.

Also, there is a second Wendy's commercial poking fun at Soviet Russia.

Arizona's Culinary Tour of Italy Goes Until 7/31

Beginning two weeks ago, in celebration of Italy's 150th anniversary as a unified nation, multiple Italian restaurants in Arizona began offering special three or four course prix-fixe meals for between $20 to $50 dollars. From the press release:

With a population of almost 60 million and an area slightly larger than Arizona, Italy is a diverse nation boasting an equally diverse cuisine. The Italian food most Americans recognize — spaghetti with meatballs and eggplant parmesan — hails from the central region, but Italy's wide-ranging terrain and climate, long coastline, and neighboring countries have resulted in a delectable assortment of fare.

Here, you'll find a list of participating restaurants. Note, all of the listed restaurants are in the Phoenix metropolitan area and wine or beverages may or may not be included in the price. Your best bet is to call ahead for any questions you may have. Again, this birthday celebration is ongoing until Sunday, July 31.