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.

2nd Annual Big Red Rib & Music Festival Kicks Off Today (4/26)

From Thursday, 4/26 to Sunday, 4/29 the Big Red Rib & Music Festival will take place on the Great Lawn at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.  While the big draw on Thursday might be the Cardinals Draft Party, let's start with the AZFoodDude's main concern, the food.  The eight rib cooking teams from around the country, who may or may not also be cooking pulled pork and beef brisket, that are scheduled to participate include:

• The Barbecue Company - (Arizona)
• Chicago BBQ Company - (Illinois)
• Cowboys Barbecue & Rib Company - (Texas)
• Coyote Roadhouse BBQ - (Illinois)
• Johnson's BBQ - (Virginia)
• Porky Chicks BBQ - (Arkansas)
• Texas Thunder BBQ - (Texas)
• Uncle Bub's BBQ - (Illinois)

Gates open at 4pm on Thursday & Friday, 11am on Saturday and 12pm on Sunday.  General admission tickets for Friday and Saturday are $5.  If you are a senior (60 & over) or active or retired military, tickets are $1 and children 12 and under are free.

The musical acts performing are as follows:

• Second Shift - 7:30pm (Thursday)
• Carvin Jones Band - 6pm (Friday)
• K.C. & The Sunshine Band - 8:30pm (Friday) - Reserved Seats Available
• Daisy Train - 1pm (Saturday)
• Elvis Before Noon - 3:15pm (Saturday)
• The Chris Parker Project - 6pm (Saturday)
• Kenny Loggins - 8:30pm (Saturday) - Reserved Seats Available
• Whiskey's Quicker - 1pm (Sunday)
• Beatlemania Live! - 3pm (Sunday) - Reserved Seats Available

For more information, detailed parking, maps and directions, check out the event website.

Update: Sample Menu of Grassroots in Scottsdale

The AZFoodDude first reported on Grassroots here and has now seen a preliminary menu and can give you an idea as to what's on it, including appetizers, soups and salads, sandwiches, a selection of dishes from sea, air and land, as well as desserts.  The following will be a sample list of items for each category as the actual menu has many more to choose from...

Appetizers (portioned for sharing):

• Home-Made Smoked Salmon ($10) - Chilled Scottish Salmon, soft toast, capers, red onions, remoulade.
• Baked Oyster Rockefeller ($11) - Creamed spinach, Parmesan bread crumbs, hollandaise, Louisiana Hot Sauce.
• Dad's Grocery Bag ($11) - Loaf of French bread, 3 cheeses & 3 cured meats, olives, nuts.

Soups & Salads:

• Wally Boy's Chili - $4/cup, $6/bowl, $8/bread bowl
• Creamy Clam Chowder - $4/cup, $6/bowl, $8/bread bowl
• Roasted Chicken Waldorf ($12) -Fuji apples, celery, radishes, cranberries, golden raising, grapefruit, red onions, toasted pecans, watercress, shaved asiago, mustard-yogurt dressing.
• Broiled Shrimp Louis ($14) -Hard boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes,red grapes, roasted corn, avocado, radishes, romaine, Louis dressing.
• Roquefort Wedge ($9) - Iceberg, sheep's bleu cheese, cherry tomatoes, diced red onions, crisp pork belly, bleu cheese dressing.
• Cobb ($11/$14) - Roasted chicken or Marinated filet, mixed greens, chopped egg, avocado, Nueske bacon, cherry tomatoes, English cucumber, Roquefort bleu cheese, balsamic vinaigrette.

Sandwiches:

• BBQ Brisket ($11) - Slow roasted brisket, slaw, asiago, red onions, sliced pickles, thin BBQ sauce, toasted brioche.
• Shrimp Po' Boy ($12) - "Dragged through the garden," remoulade, French baguette.

Sea, Air & Land:

• Cedar Plank Salmon ($17) - Raspberry chipotle butter, grilled asparagus, mushroom risotto
  
• Blackened Snapper ($19) - Drawn butter, dirty orzo, maple butternut squash.
  
• Spit Fire Rotisserie Chicken ($13) - Half chicken, dirty orzo, maple butternut squash.
• Duck Duo ($17) - Breast, leg, sage brown butter sauce, mushroom risotto, sauteed chard.
• Bone-In Veal Loin ($22) - Rich demi-glaze, bleu cheese smashed red potatoes, black beans & brown rice.
• Aged Prime Rib ($22) - Au jus, loaded baked potato, creamed spinach, available after 4pm.

Dessert:

• Sweet and Salty Bar ($6) - Almond crust, roasted & salted nuts, home-made chocolate, gooey marshmallow.
• Bubba's Oreo Cookie ($6) - creme de cocoa, vanilla bean ice cream.
• Pimms Cup ($6) - English gin, melon, cantaloupe, watermelong, red grapes, lemon cucumber.

UPDATE (12-16-11): Grassroots is now open.

A Restaurant Opens in Phoenix, One Changes & One Closes in Scottsdale

Iron Chef Opens in Phoenix - On the northwest corner of Tatum and Shea at 10810 N. Tatum Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85028 is the new Iron Chef Restaurant. A big selling point is the $24.95 all you can eat Sushi, all day, everyday.

Hole-In-The-Wall at Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort Makes Some Changes - Located at 7677 N. 16th St. Phoenix, AZ 85020, the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort's Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurant has changed from its typical American fare to a barbecue centered menu. Smoked brisket, pulled pork and ribs are some of the items you'll find. They are open from 7am to 10pm, Sunday - Thursday and 7am to 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

Italian Restaurant in Scottsdale Closes - According to AZCentral, Un Bacio Italian Bistro & Piano Bar in the Gainey Ranch area of Scottsdale has closed.