by bryan | Nov 8, 2011 | Restaurant
New restaurant provides new location for lunch Wynder’s Dogs is a new restaurant and fresh face to the Central Ave and Camelback neighborhood in uptown Phoenix. Right across from the Landmark Condos. Never heard of them, you say? Well, why not change that this week! Opened just this September, the restaurant features a hot dog style I had never seen before- a hot dog that is cut like a slinky. Besides looking very different and long, it gives a better flavor and provides more surface area to pile all the toppings and condiments on. Yummy! Located at 4727 N Central Avenue just a few blocks south of Camelback, it is as you would expect. Simple but clean, friendly owners and fast service. You can find them at www.wynderdogs.com as well as Facebook. The owners are locals…Mark and Phelisha, a partnership that is pushing to succeed. Mark has worked in the catering business for many years and brings the kitchen experience, while Phelisha attended ASU and graduated with a B.S. in Business to help with of course, the business end! Phelisha explained that her family operated a hot dog business for many years in Phoenix, and she grew up working and learning the business. The menu includes the standard delicious Wynder Dog, as well as ChedderWynder, Chili Wynder, and Chili/Cheese dogs. All dogs are made from vienna beef. Also on the menu are 100% Angus beef burgers, and for the lean non-beef food lovers, Turkey burgers. Maybe you just want something lite- then you can choose from a Chef Salad, Turkey Club, BLT. Hot temperature day? Stop in for a...
by bryan | Oct 28, 2011 | Light Rail Business, News & Information, Restaurant
by Emily Gersema – Oct. 28, 2011 03:25 PM Courtesy of The Arizona Republic [Editor’s Note: Thanks to the Bidwell family for keeping a tradition going. Light Rail Advisors developed LightRailConnect.com and the LightRailConnect Magazine to also support fine dining and entertainment in the Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa light rail corridor] After a few months of renovations, Tom’s Tavern is back in business. Tom’s Tavern & 1929 Grill in downtown Phoenix reopened this month, unveiling a new look and a new menu under its new ownership — the Bidwill family, which also owns the Arizona Cardinals. The Bidwills bought the restaurant at Central Avenue and Washington Street this year from the Ratner family. The tavern has been around in various incarnations for more than 80 years and became a landmark restaurant for Phoenix politicos and regulars. “The expectation was that regulars who had been loyal to Tom’s for years would be back after the renovations and that we’d also pick up quite a few new customers,” said Michael Bidwill. “Since reopening a couple weeks ago, that has certainly proven to be the case.” The Bidwills’ remodel has upgraded Tom’s Tavern decor from diner to chic. The checkerboard floor is gone, replaced by a more elegantly bordered European tile with beige, red and dark-green details. The walls are painted in hues of beige or brown, and they’re covered with black and white photos of politicos, the bar’s former owners, photos of the tavern’s earliest years in the late 1920s, and pictures of some of Phoenix’s historic heavy hitters from now and years ago. Aged wood and leather booths border the eatery. Leather...
by bryan | Apr 24, 2011 | Restaurant
Article by: John Kelly, ASU intern Not too many restaurants have a set “end” date. No restaurant owner wants to think about when his establishment will be torn down but for the folks behind Cycle at the about-to-be-renovated Lexington Hotel in Phoenix, this is an exciting time full of experimentation and joy. Much like a terminally ill patient, the people of Cycle and the patrons who frequent it use every day to its fullest culinary potential. Cycle boasts an ever-changing menu; that is, it does not have its own staff of chefs and cooks. It is merely a hosting ground for local food truck chefs, up-and-coming chefs, food bloggers and anyone one else brave enough to try and make a name for themselves. The interior is very unassuming yet filled with temporary culture in the form of chalkboard walls and paper tablecloths. There are, of course, crayons and chalk at each table to keep the guests entertained while they wait all of about 3.26 minutes for their food. There is also a DJ in the corner playing everything from Cat Stevens to Jay-Z. This eclectic mix of novel yet delicious food and everything but pop-culture in this pop-up restaurant make for an interesting dining experience. On Friday, April 16, there were two locally acclaimed food truck chefs: Pat Simeri and Patrick Kellick. Kellick owns KB Smokehouse located on 127th Ave and Indian School. He was mainly there to help his friend, the other Pat, out for the night but was also creating hype for when he gets his big shot on the main stage of Cycle. He will be...
by bryan | Apr 14, 2011 | Light Rail Business, Restaurant
By: John Kelly, ASU Intern Upon first glance, one would not expect Cityscape’s newest resident The Arrogant Butcher to tantalize the taste buds with some of the most delicious fare known to man*. But, true to its name, this place certainly has a right to call its food delicious. The Arrogant Butcher is the newest brainchild of Sam Fox of Fox Restaurant Concepts. The very same company responsible for such gastrointestinal phenomena as Olive & Ivy, Modern Steak, Culinary Dropout, North, and Sauce to name a few. This younger brother certainly has a bit of a Napoleon Complex, what with the oversized lampshades and unabashed name, but it is well-deserved. Upon entering the restaurant, the thought crosses one’s mind that the Butcher received most of its older sibling’s hand-me-downs with rather bare walls, a casual atmosphere and some mismatched furniture but those thoughts are soon swayed by the smell of raw animal flesh searing on the grill and enormous crap legs sitting on ice right in front of the kitchen. The food itself was out-of-this-world delicious. For appetizers, they offer a range of fresh meats and cheeses as well as a warm pretzel with provolone fondue that warmed the cockles like no pretzel ever has. The drink list was extensive, especially the wines and were served at an ostensible price for the quality of food. Being such a strict red meat critic, the most expensive bone-in ribeye was ordered ($35). Weighing in at 18 ounces, this was certainly worth every penny and the medium-rare taste did not disappoint. Cityscape is located on the corner of 1st St. and Jefferson...
by bryan | Mar 29, 2011 | Restaurant
by Lynlee Smith, ASU Student Intern If your looking for a great bite to eat around lunch time head to House of Tricks located on third street a brisk walk from the Mill Avenue Lightrail stop. Named after the owners, Robert and Robin Trick, this restaurant is a favorite of mine with multiple delights on the menu and a wide range of wines and beverages available. A favorite beverage and a must try, is the raspberry iced tea. This is a great thirst quencher, a refreshing iced tea filled with raspberries to give a unique taste. This is a non-alcoholic beverage however House of Tricks offers a great selection of American as well as international wines from around the globe. House of Tricks serves exquisite salads and sandwiches on their lunch menu. An all time favorite from the menu is the Corned Beef Reuben on Marble Rye with Russian dressing, Gruyere and Sauerkraut. I highly recommend this. House of Tricks is also known for its homemade quiches. This is also another tasty dish served with seasonal fruit, a mixed side salad or homemade soup. If you’re a sweet tooth, House of Tricks also offers a desert menu that changes regularly. I highly recommend these treat’s as they are a unique tasty bite to top off a great...
by bryan | Feb 26, 2011 | Light Rail Business, Restaurant
John Kelly LightRailConnect Intern The Best Mex in Tempe Moreno’s Mexican Grill in Tempe is located on the Southeast corner of Rural Rd. and University Dr. right across from the light rail station located on the west side of Rural Rd. It has a fantastic selection of relatively inexpensive but purely authentic Mexican cuisine. While admittedly, there is not much room for expansion or innovation with Mexican food, Moreno’s Grill does a great job of using only the freshest ingredients to create dishes, tacos and burritos that will make you believe you are in the heart of Central America. Moreno’s has 3 locations, the original location being on Home Rd. and Broadway Rd. in Mesa, with another arriving in Chandler a few years later and their newest location in Tempe. As soon as you walk in the door, you are exposed to a sensory overload of nostalgic sights, sounds and smells. You are greeted enthusiastically by one of the employees with the familiar “hola amigos” as your ears pick up the uniquely Latin American music coming from the jukebox in the corner; the constant grilling of carne asada, chicken, and seafood overload your olfactory system and whisk you away to that last vacation you took to the Mexican Riviera. The bar and drink selection is equally as impressive and will leave you singing Latin love songs and shaking maracas just like a Mariachi band (disclaimer: the previously described actions may or may not have been induced by a margarita and tequila-filled stupor; but either way, patrons are sure to enjoy themselves). As a personal favorite, the chicken fajita burrito,...
