Freddy's Scottsdale Location Revealed

Freddy's Mint 'n Cookie Concrete

After almost 10 months of reporting on a promised Scottsdale location by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, the AZFoodDude can now report that the restaurant will be located at 9890 N. 90th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85258.  In the same shopping center as IHOP, Schlotzsky's, Taco Bell, etc, Freddy's is hoping to take its own share in an area busy with food options.

An opening date is not known at this time, however, providing the Scottsdale location opens before the proposed Mesa location mentioned here, this will be the eighth Freddy's in the state.  Stay tuned for updates.

You can check out other stories on previous Freddy's openings here and here.

Update (7-15-12): Freddy's has removed the upcoming(?) Scottsdale location from their website with no further details available.

Culver's Opening in Chandler

On the Culver's website, they have a new "Coming Soon" location listed. At 3155 W. Ray Rd. Chandler, AZ 85226, Culver's ButterBurgers and Frozen Custard will be opening their 13th restaurant in the state. It is not yet known when exactly the restaurant will open, but they are already hiring so the grand opening cannot be all that far off. If Chandler is just a little too far, you can read up on the previously announced locations reported by the AZFoodDude that have opened or are in the process of opening.

The Wisconsin-based chain has an extensive menu, featuring everything from their famous ButterBurgers to chicken, pot roast, cod, tuna, salads, and their other staple, frozen custard.

Chandler Among Top Spending Cities On Fast Food

According to a report by the Business Insider, Chandler, AZ is #7 on the list of "The Top 10 Cities That Spend The Most On Fast Food." For the analysis, Business Insider states:

We looked at spending data for the largest 100 cities in the U.S. by population and determined which cities spent the most and ate the most often at the following national fast food chains: McDonald's, Wendy's, KFC, Taco Bell, Subway, Pizza Hut, Arby's, and Burger King.

From the analysis, we find that Chandler spends money on fast food at 1.51X the national average and has 1.51X the number of transactions on fast food. In case you are wondering, the top city was Plano, TX.

Related: Coincidence? The Habit opens restaurant in Chandler today.

The Habit Opening Second Arizona Restaurant Tomorrow 7/20

First reported on here and here by the AZFoodDude, The Habit is set to open their second restaurant in the state tomorrow (7/20). The opening at 960 N. 54th St. Chandler, AZ 85226 comes almost two months after the successful opening of the Tempe location back in late May, which brought Arizona its first taste of The Habit's chargrilled burgers, chicken and tuna. 

Next up, by the end of the year, The Habit hopes to open up their third store in the state at 745 E. Glendale Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85014. 

New Wendy's Location Opens Tomorrow & More New Menu Items

While The Foothills Focus reported Anthem was to get their first Wendy's late last week, according to an AZFoodDude source, the new Wendy's will be opening tomorrow (5/27) at 3422 W. Anthem Way Anthem, AZ 85086. Found at this new Wendy's will be the special Coca-Cola Free-Style touchscreen drink dispenser, where customers can come up with roughly 153 different beverage combinations and mixtures.

Yesterday, the AZFoodDude reported on the new Berry Almond Chicken Salad at Wendy's, but in keeping up with the berry craze, they've also come out with a Wild Berry Tea made up of raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. In addition, a Crispy Chicken Caesar Wrap composed of romaine and iceberg lettuce, Asiago cheese, Caesar dressing and half a crispy chicken filet is new to the 99 cent menu.

Wendy's New Berry Almond Chicken Salad

With a wide variety of 11 different greens, the new Berry Almond Chicken Salad is described this way in the Wendy's press release:

"The Berry Almond Chicken Salad features fresh, tangy, plump blueberries; fresh California strawberries; California almonds roasted with sea salt; shaved Asiago cheese; and a warm grilled chicken breast. Topping it off is delicious yet fat-free raspberry vinaigrette dressing, including the nutrient-rich juice of the acai berry." 

Coming in at 450 calories, including the 100 calories from the dressing, the Berry Almond Chicken Salad, with all of its fruit and grilled chicken, looks to be one of the more healthy items you can find on fast food menus.

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?

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.

Free McCafe Frozen Strawberry Lemonade 5/12-5/15

Previously talked about here by the AZFoodDude, starting Thursday, May 12th to Sunday, May 15th, local Arizona McDonald's will be giving out free samples of their new McCafe Frozen Strawberry Lemonade.  Supposedly the free samples are 5-ounces. Local television advertising does not stipulate any hours for this promotion so I am led to believe it is an all day event through and until Sunday.

New: McCafe Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

Sometimes the AZFoodDude forgets he's the AZFoodDude.  Here is an example. You might have seen McDonald's has a new item, the McCafe Frozen Strawberry Lemonade.  I tried this a little over a week ago and enjoyed it quite a bit. I must have enjoyed it so much I subconsciously wanted to keep it all to myself.  Being that as the case, here is my quick review, just for you. It was good...really good. I'd recommend it to a friend. I'd even tell a friend about the $1 off coupon you can print out at the McDonald's website for it.

Dunkin' Donuts Brings Back the Waffle Sandwich

The Waffle Sandwich was popular when Dunkin' Donuts debuted it in 2009 and this time, they've added something extra to it.  The new Blueberry Waffle Breakfast Sandwich is described in the press release as having:

"egg, maple sausage and American cheese served between two golden and toasty waffles with a sweet hint of blueberry...The Blueberry Waffle Breakfast Sandwich is available...at participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2.99."

You can see what it looks like at the Dunkin' Donuts website.

Also, if you're interested: Search Amazon.com for Dunkin' Donuts

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Opens 1 With More to Come

Freddy's already has 3 locations in the state, but recently a fourth spot opened up at 1340 Litchfield Rd. Goodyear, AZ 85395.  That's not all though, a look at Freddy's website shows plans for two more locations that are described as "coming soon."  One of the new restaurants is slated for Scottsdale, but no address is yet listed.  The other restaurant will be at 129 E. Williams Field Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85295.

Jack in the Box Offers New Sandwich

Jack in the Box added to its Grilled Sandwiches lineup on Monday by offering the new Bourbon BBQ Steak Grilled Sandwich. Jack in the Box describes the sandwich this way:

"The new sandwich, which is available for a limited time only, features hot tender steak strips, grilled onions and melting cheese covered with Jack’s new Bourbon BBQ sauce and served on grilled artisan bread."

You can read the full press release here. Also if you head to the Jack in the Box website and click "Play the Hot or Cheesy Game" on the main page then rate it hot or cheesy, you'll receive a $1.00 off printable coupon for the sandwich.

McDonald's: Prices Are Going Up

Even after raising prices by 1 percent in March, it looks as though McDonald's will be raising prices again because of a rise in U.S. food prices:

"The company said it expects an increase of 4 percent to 4.5 percent in food prices in U.S. and Europe for the year. In January, McDonald's predicted an increase of 2 percent to 2.5 percent for U.S. food prices."

Perhaps you say "I'll just go somewhere else." or "I never go there anyway."  Unfortunately, other restaurants will have to follow suit:

"As the world's biggest hamburger chain, McDonald's can influence the rest of the fast-food industry with its decisions about how to deal with the rising prices."

Full article at AP.

Culver's Opening Four New Arizona Restaurants This Summer

Culver’s ButterBurgers and Frozen Custard will be opening four new restaurants in the state.  The valley will be getting two new locations while Tucson will be getting its first taste of the Wisconsin-based chain with two restaurants of their own.  The locations are as follows:

• Phoenix – 4506 E. Cactus Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85032 (Paradise Valley Mall area, taking over the same spot formerly occupied by Carl's Jr.)
• Phoenix – 20835 N. Cave Creek Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85050
• Tucson – 40 S. Broadway Pl. Tucson, AZ 85710
• Tucson – 6905 N. Thornydale Rd. Tucson, AZ 85741

Update (5-28-11): Cave Creek Rd. location in Phoenix is now open
Update (5-29-11): Both Tucson locations will reportedly open in late July, early August
Update (8-15-11): Both Tucson locations are now open.
Update (9-20-11): The location near Paradise Valley Mall is now open.

The Habit Expanding Into Arizona

Known in the Golden State for their chargrilled burgers, chicken and tuna, California-based chain, The Habit, is expanding into Arizona with not one but two locations!  According to the wonderful Fast Food Maven out in Orange County, California:

"The first Arizona location will open in late May in South Tempe."

But, that's not the only spot!  A look at The Habit's website shows plans for another location "coming soon" in Chandler.  The Tempe location will be at 1817 E. Guadalupe Rd. #102 Tempe, AZ 85226. While the Chandler restaurant will be at 960 N. 54th St. Chandler, AZ 85226.

Update (5-16-2011): Tempe location opening on May 25th
Update (7-19-2011): Chandler location opening on July 20th

Filiberto's & Chipotle to Open at The Scottsdale Pavilions at Talking Stick

Filiberto's will soon occupy the former KFC location next to Denny's, while Chipotle takes over the area formerly occupied by Barbecue's Galore.  Not sure of the exact opening dates, but if you drive by you will see the "Coming Soon" signs.

Update (5-4-2011): Filiberto's to open in mid-May
Update (5-14-2011): Filiberto's to open Memorial Day weekend, Chipotle in July
Update (5-27-2011): Filiberto's is now open
Update (6-20-2011): Chipotle to open on 6-27