Kona Grill Opening in Scottsdale Quarter

On June 12th, Locally based Kona Grill, which operates over 40 locations across the country, is set to open their newest restaurant in Arizona. The newest spot located at 15345 N. Scottsdale Rd. Suite #K-100 Scottsdale, AZ 85254 in the Scottsdale Quarter will be their fifth in the state.

Along with a menu focusing on modern American cuisine, Kona Grill has an extensive sushi menu that features fish flown in everyday.  A few highlights:

• Kona Churrasco - Flank steak, chimichurri sauce, house mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables
• Macadamia Nut Chicken - House mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, shoyu cream, pineapple-papaya marmalade
• Cuban Sandwich - Braised kalua pork, ham, swiss, homemade pickles, mustard, baguette, sweet potato fries
• Lobster & Tuna Flatbread - Avocado, red onion, tomato, citrus aioli

You can check out the rest of the menu here and look for other locations.

Lou Malnati's Opening 2nd Location in Arcadia

So far, each of the three Chicago pizza joints, Lou Malnati's, Giordano's, and Gino's East, have opened in the valley well enough away from each other which has avoided direct competition. Lou Malnati's in Central Phoenix, Giordano's in Peoria, and Gino's East in Arcadia.

Coming this fall to the Arcadia area however, that is about the change.  In direct competition with Gino's East, Lou Malnati's will open their second restaurant at 3433 N. 56th St. Phoenix, AZ 85018. There is a twist, however, as the second Lou Malnati's in the valley will not offer a dine-in experience.  Carryout and delivery will be available and at the time of this writing according to ABC15, Lou Malnati's is looking at a 3 to 5 mile radius for delivery.  Stay tuned for more details such as a specific opening date as they become available.

Five Restaurants Coming Soon to Metro Phoenix

Though information is light, here are some quick hits on 5 restaurants soon to open in the Phoenix Metro area:

1. When in Rome - Brought to you by the folks from Tomaso's, When in Rome will be located at 23655 N Scottsdale Road # 120 Scottsdale, AZ 85255.  A specific opening date is not yet known, however North Scottsdale Lifestyle magazine has more on Tomaso himself and gives some hints as to what ingredients we can expect to find on the menu.

2. Casa Anejo - Planning for a May opening at 5602 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014 next to The Colony, Casa Anejo makes it clear tacos and tequila will be on the menu.  Though at this this time, the venture by the same folks who opened Stock & Stable last year, Evening Entertainment Group, details are still limited.

3. Panera Bread - A new location is coming to the Paradise Valley Mall area.  Located at 4512 E. Cactus Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85032, this will only add to Panera's increasing presence in the valley after having recently converted several Paradise Bakery locations into Panera Bread locations.

4. Artezania Kitchen & Cantina - Not much is yet known about this upcoming restaurant attached to the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Hotel in North Scottsdale at 7677 E Princess Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 next to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort. According to the purveyors, Artezania Kitchen & Cantina, "is a fresh ingredient concept incorporating a modern twist on southwest cuisine with a specialty craft beverage program focusing on Tequila and Mezcal."

5. Döner Dudes - To open near the Tempe ASU campus, right between the Vista Del Sol student housing and the Adelphi Commons at 681 E. Apache Blvd. #107 Tempe, AZ 85281, Döner Dudes, "is a fast-casual restaurant serving authentic Turkish Mediterranean food to our guests. Our atmosphere is casual yet professional at all times." Wondering what a döner is? It is a Turkish kebab, "cooked on a vertical rotisserie are the Arab shawarma, Greek gyros, and Mexican Al pastor."

MAD Greens Coming to Peoria

Ready for restaurant #8 in Arizona, Colorado-based MAD Greens is close to opening in Peoria at 16955 N. 75th Ave. #105 Peoria, AZ 85382.  Hopeful for an opening within the next couple of weeks, this will be MAD Greens' first spot in the west valley.  Known for salads with names like Crazy Ivan or Ty Cobb, they also offer paninis, wraps, soups, and juices.  Here are some quick hits:

Photo by: MAD Greens

• Crazy Ivan - Baby Greens, Roasted Beets, Pumpkin Seeds, House-made Croutons, Goat Cheese, Grilled Citrus Chicken
• Dionysos - Romaine, Avocado, Tomatoes, Bacon, Red Onions, Eggs, Grilled Southwestern Chicken
• Don Quixote - Baby Greens, Mango, Avocado, Roasted Corn, Jack Cheese, Grilled Piri Piri Shrimp
• Mad Cuban Panini - Sourdough Bread, Dijon Mustard, Swiss Cheese, Slow Roasted Chicken, Ham, Dill Pickles
• Bollywood Wrap - Romaine, Slow Roasted Chicken, Grilled Sweet Onions, Celery, Whole Wheat Tortilla
• Green Detox Juice - Kale, Celery, Ginger Root , Cucumbers, Cayenne Pepper

Check out the rest of the menu along with nutrition information. 

The Vig to Open Fifth Restaurant in the Valley

The Vig, already with three Phoenix locations in Arcadia, Fillmore, and Uptown, as well as one in Scottsdale at McCormick Ranch, is preparing for an April opening of their fifth restaurant in the McDowell Mountain Ranch area of Scottsdale, near the corner of Bell Rd. & Thompson Peak Pkwy.

The mountain views are going to be a draw for this location and The Vig has already planned for those that love the trails nearby.  According to Jessie Palm, director of PR & Marketing for Genuine Concepts via ABC15:

"Because it is relatively close to the mountains, the restaurant will have lockers and a locker room for guests to change, get cleaned up and have lunch or dinner, she said."

The photos shown here by The Vig highlight the Pozole and the Cheeseburger with Fries.  Check out menus for each location, which include sandwiches, salads, pasta, tacos, and seafood, at the main Vig website.

Chico Malo to Open in CityScape

Photo by: Chico Malo

Looking at an April opening, Chico Malo is set to open in Downtown Phoenix in the former spot of The Corner at 50 W. Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 just behind the Grabbagreen.  According to Chico Malo,

"Chico Malo, a lively take on Mexican cooking, opens at CityScape this spring. Culture Shock Hospitality will bring the heat in DTPHX with breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with an array of flavor combinations from all over South America. Expect highlights including ceviche, street corn, chilaquiles and tiraditos, a Peruvian crudo. Diners can also build their own guacamole or choose from a lengthy lineup of taco options." 

This is Culture Shock Hospitality's first restaurant and it will be interesting to see how the location does after The Corner's struggles.  One of the big draws is certain to be the fact that this will be the only restaurant in the area offering South American fare.

An additional note, if you are looking for work, Chico Malo is starting interviews tomorrow, March 9, where they will be hiring 125 employees.

Four More Restaurants Coming to Same Arcadia Shopping Center

Along with the new Uberrito set to open this month in the Arcadia Gateway Shopping Center, in what has to be the most booming foodie corner in the state, Doughbird and a new Smashburger are nearing completion with a new Hash Kitchen location as well as a Zoe's Kitchen not far behind at the southwest corner of  Indian School Rd. & 44th St.

First, while no date is yet set for Smashburger, it looks to be heading for a late March or April opening.  This will put the Colorado-based burger shop's presence in Arizona to over 20 locations.

If you've never been to one, check out a menu and find a location close to you.  While also offering chicken sandwiches, sides, and salads, Smashburger states, "Our smashed burgers are always made-to-order, never frozen, smashed and seared to perfection on our grill. Our menu is also kid-friendly, vegetarian-approved and topped off with frosty milkshakes."

Secondly, Doughbird, another highly anticipated concept by Sam Fox focusing on pizza and chicken, will be opening on March 28th in the same center at 4385 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018. From Doughbird's website:

"Doughbird is the latest Sam Fox restaurant. The menu, created by Sam Fox and Chef Clint Woods, combines our two favorite styles of cuisine – pizza and rotisserie. It’s a friendly place to indulge in savory creations like crispy pastrami pizza with Gruyere cheese, or slow-roasted rotisserie chicken lightly brushed with house-made marinades like lemon rosemary herb or spicy Sriracha and soy. Signature comfort food sides like buttered sweet corn and cauliflower mash will leave you stuffed and satisfied. Visit Doughbird for a warm, inviting experience and break bread with the best people in your life."

You can find more details about Doughbird over at AZCentral.

Next, we have Hash Kitchen.  This will be Hash Kitchen's second restaurant as the breakfast spot first opened in Scottsdale in 2015. The popular restaurant has an extensive menu which offers items like the Hash Monkey, Cannoli Donuts, Carnitas Hash, Oreo Cookie Pancakes, and Coconut & Almond Encrusted French Toast just to name a few.  You can check out the rest of the menu here.  For now all we know is the location is coming soon with no firm opening date.

Finally, Zoe's Kitchen, already with 5 locations in the valley, will also be coming to the burgeoning shopping center.  The Mediterranean-style restaurant describes itself this way:

"...Nothing is fried and there are no microwaves! What you’ll find at Zoës Kitchen is Mediterranean-inspired food, where grilling is the predominate method of cooking along with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs, olive oil and lean proteins; all while keeping our guests’ dietary concerns in mind-- with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options."

The menu has a variety of options ranging from hummus and pitas to salads and kabobs.  At this time an opening date is not known.

With Creamistry having just opened here back in December, the southwest corner of  Indian School Rd. & 44th St. is about to go from no food to more food than you can shake a stick at in just a few short months.

Related: Uberrito to Open in Phoenix Arcadia Neighborhood

Uberrito to Open in Phoenix Arcadia Neighborhood

Headquartered in Texas, Uberrito is set to expand with their second spot outside of the Lone Star State, which just so happens to be their second spot in Arizona.  To be located in the Arcadia Gateway Shopping Center on the southwest corner of Indian School Rd. & 44th St. near the soon to be opening Smashburger and Doughbird, Uberrito hopes to make their mark on the fresh-Mex market and beyond:

"Über is a German word that means “above” or “beyond.” Burrito is a Spanish word that means, well, “burrito.” Überrito stands for who we are and where we go—above and beyond burritos. In this land of fresh ingredients, we defy the predictable preconceptions of beans and tortillas to create bold new flavor inspirations. Cuban to Cajun, Mexican to American—we offer taste combinations you won’t find anywhere else."

At Uberrito you can create your own burritos, bowls, salads, and nachos and for those who want something pre-designed, they have their "Ten Tasty Tacos" available as well.

Wondering where that first Arizona Uberrito is? You will find it at 4912 E. Shea Blvd. #108 Phoenix, AZ 85028.

Related: Four More Restaurants Coming to Same Arcadia Shopping Center

Update 3-9-17: Along with the specials happening on opening day, Uberrito is having a free "Sneak Eat" event two days prior to the March 23rd grand opening of their new Arcadia location at 4325 E Indian School Road, #150 Phoenix, AZ 85018.  If you register here, on Tuesday, March 21st you and one other person, if you so choose, will be able to enjoy "one free burrito, bowl, salad, or nachos combo per person" between the hours of 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm.  Again, you must be registered at the link in order to participate.  See additional details at the registration page.

Update 3-19-17: According to Uberrito the location of the "Sneak Eat" event mentioned in the previous update has been moved,"due to outside complications."  The event will now take place for anybody who signed up at the same time you signed up for, but at the existing Phoenix location at the northeast corner of Tatum Blvd. & Shea Blvd. - 4912 E. Shea Blvd. #108 Phoenix, AZ 85028. 

Smokin Fins Grand Opening in Chandler March 6th

Ready to open on March 6th at 11am, Smokin Fins is bringing the Colorado-based restaurant which is part of an Idaho-based "Fins" restaurant group to Chandler at 900 N. 54th St. #1 Chandler, AZ, 85226.  Influenced by Asian, Mexican, and Pacific Northwest cuisine, Smokin Fins describes themselves this way:

"Smokin Fins is a regional restaurant concept featuring a unique menu that blends ocean fresh seafood, sushi and house smoked specialties such as baby back ribs, turkey and slow smoked pork"

Photo by: Smokin Fins

The extensive menu according to Smokin Fins makes them a "food and beverage destination with something for everyone!" Check it out here.  Some notables:

• Key Lime Calamari - Hand-cut calamari, lightly breaded, with Fins Signature key lime aioli
• Smoked Bison Meatballs - House made Bison meatballs blended with smoked gouda cheese and baked in a tomato ragout w/ fresh arugula and shaved parmesan
• Vegas - Lobster-crab salad, habanero cream cheese, and rice rolled in seaweed and tempura fried; topped with spicy tuna, wasabi soy sauce, eel sauce and spicy aioli
• Pulled Pork - Korabuta pork slow smoked for ten hours, topped with appleslaw, red onion, and Dr. Pepper bourbon BBQ sauce. Served with fries
• Argentinian Flank Steak - Sliced American Kobe flank steak marinated and grilled, served with house charred vegetables and mashed potatoes. Covered in red and yellow Peruvian street sauce
• Lemon Caper Halibut - Alaskan Halibut over Chef’s signature risotto with a lemon caper beurre blanc, fresh Roma tomato, basil, and parmesan cheese
• Smoked Salmon Chopped Salad - Arugula, Israeli couscous, tomato, roasted corn, pepitas, house smoked salmon, and parmesan cheese. Tossed together in bacon herb dressing.

Other menu items include burgers, soups, dessert, wine and beer, of which they have five local brews. Hours for Smokin Fins will be 11am to 10pm Monday - Saturday and 11am to 9pm Sunday.  

Glendale's First Microbrewery Also Includes a Bowling Alley

Tavern+Bowl is readying for their mid/late-March opening out in the Westgate district at 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd. #G-100 Glendale, AZ 85305.  This will be the first location for the California-based microbrewery and bowling alley outside of SoCal since their founding in 2007 and the first microbrewery in Glendale.

According to ABC15, the newest spot out at Westgate will have, "12 bowling lanes, billiards tables, shuffleboard, a restaurant, and an indoor and outdoor bar, which will serve brews from Good Bad Ugly Brewing Co."  The menu includes what you would expect, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, wings, and salads, along with things like Loaded Tater Tots, Mac and Cheese Balls, Bacon Jam Sliders, and even Donuts in a Bag.

Scheduled hours are Sun-Thu - 11am to Midnight & Fri-Sat - 11am to 2am.

The Funky Monk Set to Open in Mid-March in Tempe & Tucson

I know you want to say funky monkey, but there is no monkey. While details are sparse, we do know a couple of things so far. First, The Funky Monk in Tucson will open on March 16th at 350 E. Congress St. Suite A, Tucson, AZ 85701, while The Funky Monk in Tempe will be opening the next day on March 17th at 526 S. Mill Ave. Tempe, AZ 85281.

Next, we know these two establishments are from the same folks who developed Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers, Wasted Grain, Crab & Mermaid, Bourbon & Bones, and Pacific Beach Shore Club out in San Diego.

Lastly, the locations, especially the Tempe spot near ASU leads one to believe this will be a bar-centric establishment.  As more details become available the AZFoodDude will pass them along.

El Pollo Loco Opening 3 New Arizona Restaurants

Baja Shrimp Tacos - Photo by: El Pollo Loco

Already with 23 locations in Arizona, El Pollo Loco is set to open 3 more within the next couple of months.  The locations are:

• 4302 W. Cactus Rd. Glendale, AZ 85304
• 15255 N. 64th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85254
• 7204 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85260 

For those who do not know, El Pollo Loco got its start on a pretty well known street in Los Angeles, 

"In 1980, the very first American El Pollo Loco opened on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles where El Pollo Loco quickly became a local favorite. With authentically prepared flame-grilled, citrus-marinated chicken, freshly prepared ingredients and a welcoming atmosphere customers knew they had a unique dining experience unlike any other in their neighborhood.  As word spread, so did our popularity and locations -- establishing El Pollo Loco as a true local brand throughout California."

The current promotional menu is centered around Baja style shrimp.  This includes a Shrimp Wrap, a Garlic Butter Shrimp Bowl, a Shrimp Tostada, and Shrimp Avocado Tacos.

Freddy's Opens in Anthem, Another Location Coming to Gilbert

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is expanding in the Phoenix Metro area.  Though it was originally planned to open late last year, the Anthem location just opened today at 39520 W Daisy Mountain Dr. Anthem, AZ 85086, Adding to their already firm presence in Gilbert, Freddy's is adding another spot at 1363 N Arizona Ave. Gilbert, AZ 85233 within the next few months.  According to an earlier press release from Freddy's: 

"Both free-standing locations will seat 100 guests with additional seating on the patio. Drive-thru service will also be available. Freddy’s is known for its lean ground beef steakburgers, Vienna Beef hot dogs and crispy shoestring fries, as well as a dessert treats prepared with a choice of chocolate or vanilla frozen custard that is churned fresh several times throughout the day."

Along with their fry seasoning, something Freddy's remarkably leaves out is their incredible fry sauce.  As much as they are known for everything listed above, they are very much known for the sauce, especially in the Phoenix area since fry sauce is still not as much of "a thing" here as it is across other parts of the country.

The hours for both Freddy's locations are the same: Sunday - Thursday 10:30am to 10:00am and Friday & Saturday 10:30am to 11:00am.  Check here for the menu and additional locations. 

Grabbagreen Opening in Gilbert - 2 More to Follow

Coming in March, Scottsdale-based Grabbagreen will be opening in Gilbert at 75 E Rivulon Blvd.**** near the recently opened L.A. Fitness and Jersey Mike's in the Rivulon development in a continuation of their rapid expansion.  And they are not stopping there.  Two more locations will be opening up with one in the Pinnacle Peak area of Scottsdale and the other located in Phoenix.  What is Grabbgreen?  They describe themselves this way:

"Grabbagreen’s Eat Clean® menu is preservative-free, naturally gluten-free and GMO free. The whole food menu is based on super food ingredients and offers a full selection of grain and green-based bowls with fresh hormone-free and antibiotic-free proteins provided by local farms, fresh-pressed juice, handcrafted smoothies and acai bowls, breakfast, and healthy kid-friendly items."

Check out the menu which includes grain or green-based boxes, breakfast, smoothies, and juices.  Nutritional information is also provided on the website.  Some menu highlights:

• Patagonia - Black Bean, Cilantro, Corn, Quinoa, Red Onion, Red Pepper, Steak, Chimichurri
  
  Sauce (Pictured, Credit: Grabbagreen)
• So Cal - Avocado, Chicken, Cucumber, Flax, Mint, Red Pepper, Spinach, Feta, Quinoa Noodle, Balsamic Flax Sauce 
• Moroccan Mac & Cheese - Chicken, Cheddar Jack, Feta, Quinoa Noodle, Harissa Sauce 
• Gangnam City - Bean Sprout, Brown Rice, Chia Seeds, Cucumber, Edamame, Kale, Spinach, Steak, Sesame Sauce
• Amalfi Coast - Chia Seeds, Cucumber, Kalamata Olive, Red Onion, Red Pepper, Spinach, Tomato, Feta, Mediterranean Pomegranate Sauce
• Energy Elevator Smoothie - Agave, Banana, Cacao, Flax, Almond Milk, Espresso, Vanilla, Whey Protein
• Immunization Station Smoothie - Agave, Banana, Kale, Strawberry, Carrot Juice, Immune Powder

****Google Maps does not like 75 and defaults to 275 E Rivulon Blvd. - However you look at it, this is located at the NE corner of the Santan 202 & Giblert Rd.

Update (3/13/17): Grabbagreen in Gilbert is now open.

Opening Soon: Modern Market in Old Town Scottsdale

Roman Salad - Photo by: Modern Market

Modern Market will be opening their first Arizona location on Monday, February 27th with more to come later this year. Located at 4821 N. Scottsdale Rd. #109 Scottsdale, AZ 85251, according to Modern Market, they have created a menu with something for everyone:

"We cook using simple, whole ingredients that come from farms, not factories. We make most things from scratch, even down to our salad dressings and pizza dough. This has led to a menu that satisfies virtually any dietary requirement – vegan, celiac, paleo, raw, south beach, high carb, low carb, and also low GCI."

 A finalized menu is not listed for the Old Town location, however, Modern Market is known for soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizza as well as a breakfast selection, beer, and wine. The menus across the country, including Texas, D.C., Maryland, and Colorado are all very similar so it would be fair to say what we see on those menus should closely reflect what we see here.  Check out a menu from one of the Denver locations.

Additionally, Modern Market plans to open 2 more Phoenix area spots this year.  They will be located at 4901 E Ray Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85044 and 16203 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.  Stay tuned for more updates as the AZFoodDude gets them.

Grand Opening: Outta Bronx New York Kitchen

Over at 4105 E. McDowell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85005, Outta Bronx has had their soft opening and is set for their grand opening on Tuesday, February 14th.  Focusing on sandwiches, hot dogs, fries, wings, and even fish & chips, this New York style kitchen is open from 10am to 9pm Monday through Saturday.

At the time of this writing, the website for Outta Bronx listed on the menu is down, however, here is a photo they have posted of that menu.  According to OB, if you like their Facebook page, you will get a free chopped cheese sandwich (pictured, credit: Outta Bronx) the day of their grand opening.

Dairy Queen February Blizzard OTM: Royal Ultimate Choco Brownie

Dairy Queen is out with their February Blizzard of the Month and it is filled with all kinds of chocolate.  DQ describes it this way:

Indulge your sweet tooth with this dreamy combination of world-famous vanilla soft serve blended with decadent brownie pieces, choco chunks, and heavenly cocoa fudge. Careful, you might fall in love.

The Royal Ultimate Choco Brownie Blizzard is available all month and remember, if they don't hand you the blizzard upside down, the next time you go, you get one free.  Get locations here and nutrition information here.

Subway $6 Sub of the Month for February: All of Them

Starting tomorrow, Monday January 30th, and through the full month of February, Subway will be offering every sub they have as a $6 footlong.  Those of us feeling a bit reflective may still remember the days when Subway offered the $5 footlong.  Oh how those were the days.

That said, maybe it's time to go have one of those meatball subs again, perhaps the good ol' Italian BMT, or maybe, just maybe, a classic turkey sub will do.  Looking for a Subway location? Check here.

Naked BBQ Coming to Scottsdale in February

Naked BBQ, which opened it's first restaurant at 2340 W. Bell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85023 back in 2015, is looking at a February opening in the spot formerly occupied by Cousins' Subs at 10240 N. 90th St #105 Scottsdale, AZ 85258.

While the BBQ scene is expanding in Scottsdale, Naked BBQ doesn't take sides according to the AZCentral article, “We’re region agnostic,” he said, “and we really just focus on offering high-quality meat. We make several sauces — sweet, mustard or vinegar — which we offer on the side and leave that choice up to the customer. Some want sauce, some don’t.”

Monday - Thursday, Naked BBQ is open from 11am until the meat is sold out and on Friday and Saturday they are open from 11am until 8pm.  The menu consists of pulled pork and chicken, brisket, sliced turkey, slaw, corn bread, mac & cheese along with additional options. Check out the rest here.

Rehab Burger Therapy Opens 2nd Location

Rehab Burger Therapy, winner of three "Best Burger in Arizona" awards last year, has branched out from it's Old Town Scottsdale roots.  Just a few short days ago, the trio of friends who opened the first restaurant in 2012, opened a second location at 21 E. 6th St. #146 Tempe, AZ 85281.  With everything from chips & salsa, wings, salads, and pasta to burgers, sandwiches, and alcoholic beverages, this menu really has something for everyone.  Here is just a taste:

• Nelson's Verde Con Pollo - A flavorful blend of green chili's, cheeses, and tender grilled chicken served with fresh corn chips for dipping
• Alfredo San Carlo - Fettuccini alfredo with a southwestern twist topped with tomatoes, cotija cheese, and cilantro.
• The Porkster Burger - A relapse burger grilled to order, then covered in rehab's own bbq pulled pork and cheddar cheese.
• Hangover Burger - Fried egg, bacon, colby jack cheese, and hatch green chili
• Venice Beach Club - Sliced turkey breast, bacon, havarti, iceberg lettuce, tomato, and sprouts served on toasted beach bread with your choice sauce

Happy Hour is everyday from 11am to 6pm except Thursdays, when Happy Hour lasts all day.  Checkout the hours, other menu items, and more at their website.  

Even Stevens Opens 3rd Arizona Location

Just over a week ago, Even Stevens opened up their third Arizona sandwich shop.  This newest location is in Tempe near the ASU campus at 1015 S. Rural Rd. right by the soon to be opening restaurant, The Halal Guys, which was reported on here. 

Even Stevens is a restaurant which makes it a priority to give back to the community and every sandwich you buy helps with that mission.  For the Tempe location, the local non-profit partners are Tempe Community Action Partnership, Tumbleweed Center for Youth, UMOM, and Operation Care Food Bank.  As of this writing, they have donated over 1 million sandwiches to various groups since they first opened in Utah in 2014.  Here is how it works directly from their website:

1. You buy a sandwich.
2. At the end of every month, we tally sandwich sales. Funds for sandwich making ingredients - bread, meat, cheese and produce -are then placed into a Sysco food account.
3. Our non-profit partners access the account and order sandwich-making ingredients as they need. A few days later, a truck delivers the order to their doorstep. Free of charge.
4. Non-profit staff and volunteers build sandwiches.
5. Individuals in need are fed and our non-profit partners can put their money where their passion is.

In order for this to work, you need to know what's on the menu, which includes everything from sandwiches, salads, sides, and breakfast items.  Some notables: 

• Mihami Vice - Roast pork, ham, whole mustard, swiss, pickle spears, baguette.
• Sprang Chicken - Chicken, provolone, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, greens, honey mustard, multi-grain bread.
• JP Grilled Cheese - Melty white cheddar, poppin' cream cheese, garlic, roasted jalapeños, French bread.
• Jackfruit Torta - Jackfruit carnitas, pepitas, guacamole, salsa morita, radish, cilantro, lettuce, pickled onions, sweet bun.
• The Goathugger Salad - Roasted beets, spinach, arugula, candied pecans, goat cheese vinegar, rye toast.
• The Breakfast Sandwich - Two eggs scrambled or medium, choice of bacon, ham, sausage, avocado, or pork belly (add $1).  Tangy maple mustard, cheddar cheese, Hawaiian bun.
• The Undergrad Breakfast Burrito - Flour tortilla, two eggs, bacon or sausage, white cheddar, tater tots, house sauce, sriracha. 
• Party Tots - A hot heap of tots piled with cheese, bacon, and avocado slices.

Along with the above and craft beer, Even Stevens uses local companies and products in their restaurants.  At all three Arizona restaurants, these include Peixoto Coffee, Noble Bread, Cotton Country Jellies, and Santan Brewing.  

Is the Tempe location a little out of your way?  Want to know which non-profits the other two Arizona spots are working with?  Check out the Phoenix location (21 W. Van Buren St. Phoenix, AZ 85003) or the Gilbert location (384 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, AZ 85234).

Should you go here? Is it worth it?  Let this fellow who knows a little something about "Even Stevens" (though he is in no way affiliated with the restaurant) answer your question:

Bought Milk? Refunds Available As Part of Class Action Suit

Time Magazine is reporting on a class action settlement against dairy producers from 2003 to the present and Arizona is one of the states where individuals are eligible to receive $10 to $20 dollars (Time Magazine is reporting $70 - the amounts may depend on how many people submit a claim) and entities can receive up to $560 by filing a claim at http://www.boughtmilk.com/.

Adding another wrinkle to the mix is the press release by The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), which states while Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) admits to no wrongdoing, "CWT will pay $52 million to the plaintiff class in a combination of cash and in-store loyalty cards to be used for the purchase of fresh milk products."  So maybe cash? Maybe gift cards?  The Bought Milk site gives cash denominations so we will go with that for now.

All you need to have done over the last 14 years to receive your portion of the $52 million dollar settlement is to have made a purchase of, "milk or fresh milk products, including cream, half & half, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream cheese, or sour cream."  

Additionally, if you are part of an entity such as a school or after-school program, and you purchased the above mentioned dairy products and did not charge students or participants for them, you are eligible to receive between $280 to $560. 

Sadly, the reason why this suit was brought is disturbing: 

"This lawsuit alleges that Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) and its members attempted to limit the production of raw farm milk by prematurely slaughtering more than 500,000 cows, in order to illegally increase the price of milk and other fresh milk products."

Not to fear though, NMPF wants you all to know:

“The CWT Program is poised for a quick rebound and a strong future. We will continue to focus on CWT’s present mission of providing member cooperatives with export assistance, creating new export market opportunities and continuing to look for innovative ways to increase sales of milk and dairy products for participating cooperatives.”

It sounds to me like looking for "innovative ways to increase sales of milk and dairy products" is what got them in trouble in the first place.  For my money, just focus on providing a good product with some kind of ethical standards.

Pei Wei Introduces Thai Inspired Bowls & More

Just a few days ago, Scottsdale-based Pei Wei rolled out two new menu items to all of their 200 restaurants nationwide.  The Supergreen Thai Coconut Curry and Thai Basil bowls are described by Pei Wei as follows:

"Supergreen Thai Coconut Curry has a spicy and sweet flavor profile, featuring chicken, carrots, green beans, Swiss chard, onions, Thai basil, fresh cilantro, scallions and lime. The aromatic Thai Basil bowl combines a sweet-savory sauce with chicken, garlic, ginger, red bell peppers, onions and green beans. Both wok-seared dishes can be ordered with a choice of rice, noodles or quinoa."

Additionally, a look at the menu shows 2 new noodle bowls: Blazing Bangkok Peanut Noodle and Chicken Chow Mein.  The Blazing Bangkok Peanut Noodle includes chicken and noodles which are wok-seared in Thai chile peanut sauce, "with ginger, red bell peppers, onion, swiss chard, and Thai basil garnished with roasted peanuts and fresh lime."  Meanwhile, the Chicken Chow Mein also includes wok-seared chicken and noodles, "tossed in savory soy sauce with green beans, swiss chard, red bell peppers, carrots, onion, garlic, and scallions."

Click here to find your nearest Pei Wei location.

The Halal Guys Set to Open First Arizona Restaurant

With over a dozen restaurants to come in Arizona over the next few years, The Halal Guys are set to open their first later this month.  The menu may look small but if you have ever been to New York City, then you know the lines are the exact opposite.  Known for their chicken and gyro meat platters and sandwiches topped with red and white sauce, The Halal Guys are looking to capitalize on the ASU area with the restaurant to be located at 1015 S. Rural Rd. Tempe, AZ 85281.

While they are currently in the hiring process, if the Yelp page is accurate, the hours for the Tempe location will be 11am to 11pm Sunday - Thursday and 11am to 2am Friday & Saturday.

According to their website:

"The Halal Guys legend began in 1990, when the three founding partners opened up a hot dog cart on West 53rd & 6th Avenue in New York City. As business grew, they recognized a huge demand from Muslim cab drivers looking for a halal food meal. That is when the famous platter of chicken and gyro over rice was born. And let’s not forget about the famous white and red sauces!"

When a hard open date is set, this post will be updated.

UPDATE 1-14-17: The Halal Guys will open on Friday, January 27th at 11am.