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.  

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.

Detours Tavern Opening in Scottsdale (Exclusive Sample Menu)

Looking to open in early April, Detours Tavern will be located at 2922 N. Hayden Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251.  Detours will offer organic, all-natural meat selections and hopes to promote healthy food choices.  The newest restaurant and bar in South Scottsdale will have televisions, a patio, and a family friendly atmosphere.

Having seen a preliminary menu, the AZFoodDude can once again provide you with an exclusive look at a sample list which includes appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches & burgers, entrees, pizza, and dessert:

Appetizers

• Crisp Tender Calamari ($8)
• Artichoke Dip w/Flatbread ($8)
• Homemade Hummus w/Pita Chips ($7)
• Beer Battered Onion Rings ($7)

Salads

• Field Greens w/Feta Cheese & Pecans ($9) - Add Grilled Chicken ($2)
• Grilled Salmon Over Field Greens ($11)

Sandwiches/Burgers

• 1/3lb Detour Burger ($8) - Detour to a Bison Burger ($2.50) - Ground Turkey ($2) - Add Bacon ($1)
• Green Chili Burger ($8) - Detour to a Bison Burger ($3) - Ground Turkey ($2)
• California Burger on Grilled Parmesan Bread ($9) - Detour to a Bison Burger ($3) - Ground Turkey ($2)
• Chicken Salad Pita w/Sprouts ($8)
• Grilled Chicken on Sourdough ($9)
• Portobello Burger w/Roasted Red Pepper ($10)

Entrees

• Pork Loin Medallions w/Shallots & Apples ($12)
• Grilled Chicken Breast Marinated in Tequila Lime ($12)
• Sirloin Steak ($13)
• Fish of the Day ($14)

Wood Fired Pizza/Flatbread

• Roma Tomatoes, Basil, Roasted Red & Green Peppers ($7) - Add Shrimp ($2) - Chicken ($1)
• Sausage, Pepperoni, & Country Bacon ($9)
• Chicken & Artichoke Hearts ($10)
• Build Your Own ($8) - Additional toppings are ($1)

Desserts

• Assorted Pies, Cakes, & Muffins ($6-$8) 

More information can be found on the Detours Tavern Facebook page.

First Watch Adds 15 New Menu Items

With four locations in Arizona, First Watch has changed the menu by introducing 15 new items for their "breakfast, brunch, and lunch" crowd.  According to the press release:

New Omelets:
C’EST LA VIE: Three fresh eggs with house-roasted zucchini, onions and tomatoes with herbed goat cheese.
VIA VENETO: Three fresh eggs with Italian sausage, roasted tomatoes and red peppers with fresh herbs, mozzarella and Parmesan.
THE FORAGER: Three fresh eggs with house-roasted Crimini mushrooms and tomatoes with fresh herbs, mozzarella and Swiss.
SWISSHROOM: Three fresh eggs with ham, house-roasted Crimini mushrooms and onions with fresh herbs and Swiss.

New The Healthier Side offering:
ENERGY BOWL: Your choice of our housemade granola or Muesli cereal of oats, sliced almonds, pecans, Craisins, wheat germ and raisins. Topped with fresh fruit and a touch of cinnamon. Served with low-fat organic yogurt.

New Eggs-clusives:
TURKEY CHIVE CREPEGG®: A thin crepe layered with eggs, turkey, spinach, house-roasted onions and Monterey Jack. Topped with diced tomatoes, chives and hollandaise. Served with an English muffin.
CASA FRITTATA: An open-faced frittata with roasted tomatoes, spinach, herbed goat cheese and sliced breakfast sausage. Served with an English muffin.

New Skillet Hashes:
MARKET HASH: Two eggs any style atop a hash of fresh, seasoned potatoes, house-roasted Crimini mushrooms, zucchini, onions and red peppers with spinach, melted mozzarella and herbed goat cheese.
PARMA HASH: Two eggs any style atop a hash of fresh, seasoned potatoes, Italian sausage, house-roasted Crimini mushrooms, onions and tomatoes with Parmesan, mozzarella and fresh herbs.
FARMHOUSE CHICKEN HASH: Two eggs any style atop a hash of fresh, seasoned potatoes, all-natural white-meat chicken, house-roasted zucchini, onions and red peppers with melted Cheddar. Topped with pesto hollandaise

New Fresh Salad:
THE POACHER: Baby spinach, bacon, avocado, tomato and housemade ciabatta croutons tossed in our balsamic vinaigrette. Topped with a poached egg.

New Sandwiches:
BAJA TURKEY BURGER: A lean white-meat turkey patty with avocado, lettuce, housemade salsa and Pepper Jack on a grilled wheat bun
PESTO ROAST BEEF: Roast beef, roasted tomatoes, spinach and Swiss with pickled red onion and a basil pesto spread on grilled sourdough.
VEGGIE GRILL: House-roasted Crimini mushrooms, zucchini and spinach with basil pesto mayo and melted Swiss on grilled multigrain.
CHICKEN PALERMO: Grilled all-natural white-meat chicken, sliced tomato, onion, pepperoncini and mozzarella with basil pesto mayo on artisan ciabatta.

According to First Watch, "The new menu items...were tested over an extended period of time as part of First Watch’s “Daily Specials” chalkboards. Each item was evaluated based upon quantitative and qualitative criteria including sales, customer feedback and ease of execution."

New Menu Items: Popeyes, Domino's, Whataburger, Cinnabon, Dunkin'

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen - Garlic Pepper Wicked Chicken - "Garlic Pepper Wicked Chicken includes thin strips of marinated, all white-meat chicken, hand-battered and breaded. Popeyes is also introducing its new Garlic Pepper Parmesan Dipping Sauce." A $3.99 combo with the chicken and dipping sauce, Cajun fries, a buttermilk biscuit, and a mini bottle of Tabasco pepper sauce is available until February 19.

Domino's Pizza - Parmesan Bread Bites - "The bite (or two) size, brand new, permanent menu item is there for the sharing - which, based on the goodness of freshly baked bread topped with garlic and Parmesan, may not be easy."  Also, if you order the two medium, two topping pizzas deal for $5.99 each, Domino's is offering the Parmesan Bread Bites for $1.

Whataburger - Chicken Fajita Taco - Coming in at 420 calories, the Chicken Fajita Taco "features sliced, grilled chicken breast; roasted poblano and red bell peppers; and grilled onions wrapped in a tortilla." 

Cinnabon - Cinnabon Flavored Iced Coffee & Cinnabon Flavored Coffee Chillatta - Available through May 20, "The Cinnabon Flavored Iced Coffee has hints of brown sugar, vanilla and Makara® cinnamon, making it the most bon-like coffee yet. The Cinnabon Flavored Coffee Chillatta is a frozen, blended beverage that contains Makara cinnamon and vanilla flavors blended with a ribbon of caramel and topped with whipped cream."

Dunkin' Donuts - New Bakery Sandwiches - The four new sandwiches are described in the press release, "Dunkin' Donuts' new Ham & Cheese Bakery Sandwich features Black Forest ham, white cheddar cheese and Creamy Dijon sauce on a French roll, while the new Turkey, Cheddar & Bacon Bakery Sandwich features turkey, white cheddar cheese, bacon and Ancho Chipotle sauce on a French roll. Customers can also order Chicken Salad and Tuna Salad Bakery Sandwiches, featuring chicken salad or tuna salad on a bagel...All bakery sandwiches are served oven-toasted and made-to-order on a French roll, bagel, or croissant."

Subway's September $5 Featured Footlong - Turkey & Black Forest Ham

The past month has seen the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich as the $5 featured footlong. However, for September, Subway is going a bit more traditional with the Turkey Breast and Black Forest Ham Sandwich.

As you might expect, the sandwich comes with sliced turkey breast and sliced Black Forest Ham with your choice of veggies. Without cheese or any sauces like mayo, this sandwich is one of the healthiest on the menu, coming in at 580 calories, 8 grams of fat and 36 grams of protein for the footlong.

Stacy's Smokehouse BBQ in Scottsdale

Photo of Phoenix location

As of today, Stacy's Smokehouse BBQ has been open at 7055 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85254 for exactly one month. Since July 4th, Stacy Phipps's has been serving up his critically acclaimed BBQ out of the location that used to house KFC.

On top of being featured on the "Best Food Ever" on TLC, Bon Appetit Magazine called Stacy's BBQ one of the top 10 New Barbecue Restaurants back in 2009:

Stacy Phipps's no-frills smokehouse is a breath of fresh (or is it smoky?) air. The decor, in true barbecue-joint tradition, is nonexistent, but the beef ribs and chicken are outstanding.

The Scottsdale location is the second location for Stacy's, as the original is located at 1650 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85016.

The menu is pretty straightforward with pork, beef, chicken, ribs and catfish to name a few and even smoked whole turkeys, which must be ordered at least 2 days in advance.

Carl's Jr. Opens Two New Valley Locations as Profits Rise

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's sales are up recently due in large part to a particular new item on the menu. The turkey burgers, introduced back in March by the parent company, CKE Restaurants Inc., have helped put Carl's Jr. in the black for the first time in nine quarters. According to the Los Angeles Times, CKE President Andy Pudzer stated:

...the turkey burger, developed in consultation with Men's Health magazine, was meant to be indulgent as well as more healthful. He credited it with nudging sales at Carl's Jr. into positive territory. He said the Hardee's locations are doing better, overall, than the Carl's Jr. outlets because they are in parts of the country that are having a stronger economic recovery than California, where Carl's Jr. is heavily concentrated.

In related local news, Carl's Jr. has opened up two new locations in the Phoenix area. One in Gilbert at 5378 S. Power Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85295 and one at 1015 N. Dobson Rd. Mesa, AZ 85201 in the Mesa Riverview Shopping Center.

Also, checkout the AZFoodDude's report on the new Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich at Carl's Jr.

Schlotzsky's Offers a New Sandwich and Two Old Favorites

If you enjoyed the Albuquerque Turkey and the Windy City Pastrami, you're in luck. Schotzsky's is bringing them back along with a new sandwich, Buffalo Chicken. The sandwiches are described in the press release this way:

Buffalo Chicken - Thinly sliced roasted chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomato and red onion, topped with Schlotzsky’s famous Louisiana hot sauce on toasted Sourdough bread and served with bleu cheese dressing on the side.

Albuquerque Turkey - Smoked turkey breast and crispy bacon with cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses layered with fire-roasted vegetables, chipotle mayonnaise, shredded lettuce, tomato on toasted Jalapeño Cheese bread.

Windy City Pastrami - Premium New York-style pastrami and melted Swiss cheese with Dijon mustard on our unique, toasted Dark Rye bread.

As part of their "hot hitz!" promotion, the sandwiches will be around until August 28th. You can check here to find a Schlotzsky's near you.

Subway Features New $5 Footlong, Introduces Avocado Spread

Two quick stories about Subway today. First of all, the new $5 featured footlong for June will be the Chipotle Chicken & Cheese. Second, Subway is coming out with an avocado spread that can be added to any of the chain's sandwiches for an extra charge. To go along with the new avocado spread, Subway is putting avocado dedicated subs on the menu. The Steak, Egg and Cheese with Avocado Sub for breakfast, the Turkey & Bacon Avocado Sub and the Subway Club with Avocado. In case you were wondering, the avocado spread, added to a 6 inch sub would add 70 calories and 7 grams of fat to the sub.