1. Le Patissier, Corvallis, Oregon Score: 4/5 for authentic French staff.
7/4/2011 Mom Moore took Christie and our family here for breakfast during our summer vacation trip. The baker is authentic French and the pastries are not only very attractive, but perfectly made just like on the streets of Paris. From a simple display case we sampled various filled Croissants, danishes, and pastries. The ladies loved the layered raspberry cream and cake with a cookie base and a dark chocolate button on top. The decor is very traditional tables and chairs that easily seat two or four, but not 5!
Le Patissier web page
2. Grazianos, Yorba Linda, California Score: 2.5/5 for OK food but zero ambiance.
7.2011 While attending a funeral for my Dad's brother, Bob Kellis, Quenta and Clark took their kids and Mom and I out for Italian food. Mom said the Griaziano's Special was the best pizza she has ever had in her life and wants to go back for more. I had the calzone...mostly bread and cheese. I prefer lots of Marinara and tasty fillings!
Grazianos Web Page
3. CC's Pizza Buffet by Desert Sky Mall in Phoenix Score: 0/5 for filthy disgusting facility and bad food!
8.1.2011 We decided as a family to try something new for pizza and had seen the add for this all-you-can-eat pizza restaurant. The place was a totally disgusting dive. There was food on the floor that looked like it had been there all day. Most of the vacant tables had not been bussed and the occupied tables had stacks of plates. The employees were all h anging out in the back and to top it off...the pizza was not good. We felt like we were in a foreign country because we were the only white people and got lots of stares.
CC's Web Page
4. Chico's Tecate Grill, Phoenix, AZ 9.2011 Score: 3/5 for good Mexican fast-food at a great price.
I had to pick up Woodbadge regalia for my awesome Fox patrol and decided to see what downtown Phoenix had to offer for lunch. At 7th Street and McDowell I found Tecate Grill in a Safeway strip mall next to a Subway. The Tecate Grill was way busier than Subway, so I figured it had to be good. For $3.99 I got a loaded grilled chicken burrito with chips and salsa. A funny thing happened though. I was eating in the car on the way back to work and couldn't drive and dip the chips in the salsa at the same time, so I...DRANK IT!, then ate a chip. Oh, yea!
Chico's Web Page
5. Palace Restaurant and Saloon, Prescott, AZ 10.2011 Score: 3/5 for simple western decor and tasty apple pie and ice cream. I presented at a conference in the morning and went downtown Prescott for some photos, to find an interesting restaurant and a geocache. This place is prominently located on Whiskey Row and claims the title of the "most historic restaurant in Arizona. It burned down twice, but in its prime was "The Place" for all western travelers. I didn't try a meal, but sat for a quick dessert and enjoyed the atmosphere. Its not Disney detail, but does take you back in the day.
6. Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Orange, CA 10.2011 Score: 3.5/5. for simple picnic table decor indoors and an unassuming exterior, but the best BBQ I have had in a long time, if ever. After a thrilling afternoon at Magic Mountain with our wonderful friends, the Tanner family, we were craving something tastylicious. Lucille's was all that!
7. Casa de Reyes Mexican Restaurant, Old Town San Diego, CA 10.2011 Score: 3.5/5 for a classic Mexican outdoor patio decor with live Folklorico dancers and market-style shops. The food was plentiful, colorful, but not Sonoran. My cheese enchilada was full of cold shredded cheese, I'm not a fan of pureed salsa or seasoned tortilla chips. On our second day of Fall break with the Tanners, we visited the Mormon Battalion visitor's center. I highly recommend it! Then, after looking at some antique houses and shopping in Old Town San Diego, we settled in for a pleasant outdoor dinner.
8. Berry's Pastry Pantry, Prescott, AZ 11.2011 Score: 3.0/5 for its endearing homeliness. It is like eating in your grandmother's kitchen...the homecooked menu, the small 10 table dining room practically in the same room as the small kitchen. The drive-thru is just a back window and the pantry is a detached shed off the front door. I had a very tasty turkey and chile grilled cheese sandwich and chicken tortilla soup and took a whole chocolate cream pie home. Look at my twin sister's Pie Parade blog for details about that. I would love to take my wife back for a romantic breakfast. If you go...expect to wait in line (outside) and get there early because they close at 4:00!
9. Mama Edda's Pizza, Prescott, AZ 11.2011 Score: 3.5/5 for the personal experience I had there. I had been to a Woodbadge beading ceremony, it was late, and I needed something to eat while I drove back to El Mirage. I drove around downtown Prescott until I saw a happy group of people leaving this restaurant. I ordered a small supreme to go (which was delicious) and waited. Since I was in my scout uniform, it became a point of conversation with the manager. Turns out she had just lost one of her sons who died in a car accident in Phoenix just a couple weeks earlier. We had a nice conversation, but it wasn't so much about her, just a nice conversation.
10. Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Nationwide 11.2011 Score: 2.5/5 for the less than tasty excessive fries and an average hamburger. Our local restaurant just opened in Surprise. We just got our new (artificial) Christmas tree, and as tradition goes, we had lunch out. This place was wall to wall packed. We waited in line for a while, eating shelled peanuts. The menu is very short..burgers and fries (and sodas). We then waited too long while a crew of no less than 15 assembly line workers pushed out the orders. As you can see from the picture below, the serving size of the fresh cut potato fries was way too much for the four of us. I might go back but it won't be a craving for anything there.
11. Corner Bakery, Nationwide 1.2012 Score: 3/5 for deliciousness, but was crowded, rushed, and basically "another bakery restaurant."Update: Out of Business
12. Gamberetti's Italian Restaurant, Salem, Oregon. 12.2011 Score: 3/5 for good taste in a very spacious, quiet (yet fully occupied) setting. Service was excellent - very friendly staff. The price was OK. The portions were way off, though. A huge chicken parmigiano with a tiny portion of fettuccine on a big plate. We had a great visit with Suzanne's brothers in Salem, then we went to a late show of Sherlock Holmes. The location was interesting...on the ground level of a big parking garage - but it worked!
13. Freddy's (Nationwide) February 2012. Score 2.0/5 for not all that impressive, no wow, no yumm, but not bad. I ordered the hotdog and steakburger combo. The slim-cut fries were unique, but just fries. The hotdog was a Vienna dog on a grilled and folded slice of bread (I think) and the hamburger was clearly fresh grilled meat, but appeared to have been pressed flat and thin on the grill leaving a dry patty. I guess the thing the bothered me the most was I was in the drive through and watched them prepare my meal. I saw them lay the wiener on the prep table while they prepared the bun on the same table, then assembled it all by hand...no thongs, no paper liner, yuck.
14. Tumbleweeds, Wickenburg, Arizona, 2.10.2012 Score 3.0/5 for a delicious 16oz prime rib (the biggest I have ever eaten) along with a side salad, delicious baked vegetables and dessert. Suzanne, Tyler and I went to Gina's wedding open house and decided to try someplace unique to Wickenburg. This place was perfect...a western style decor (gravel parking lot, wood post fence, corrugated steel and brick walls, etc.) and a big steak. The sides were not spectacular and the dessert was a shot glass with a small cake with whipped cream. We rolled out feeling like we ate a cow, but thinking we should bring our friends back. Suspiciously all three of us had diarrhea during the night. (Update: Out of Business)
(No Restaurant web page)
15. Smashburger, Avondale, Arizona, May 2012 Score 3.5/5 for the hamburger category. The restaurant wasn't super exciting and the floor was slippery with grease, but the built-to-order burger was delicious, the fried pickles left me wanting more, and the family was all happy.
16. Rock Canyon Cafe, Black Canyon City, Arizona, June 2012 Score 4/5 for the Breakfast category. I was out taking pictures in the area and stopped here for breakfast. The classic skillet was your basic affair so I ordered a side of country gravy to moisten it up a little. It was more than I could eat. The staff was hometown family friendly and the dining area was an authentic throwback into another era. I also enjoyed the small farmers market located next door where I bought monster tomatoes, a jar of jalopeno pickles and another of cherry salsa. This is located right of I-17, so we have passed it a hundred times. I look forward to going back for their famous pie.
17. SteakenBurger, 19th Ave & Dunlap, Phoenix, AZ June, 2012 Score: 2/5. I was driving past this reconfigured restaurant and was curious about the name. Walking inside I was immediately lost in a thick delicious haze of grill smoke. The owner greeted me and helped me choose the house specialty, The SteakenBurger. It is a hamburger with a blend of chopped steak and hamburger. I also ordered a vanilla shake just to seek if this place was a legit hamburger joint. The burger was OK, the shake was small and not exceptional. Won't go back unless every place else is closed. Update: Out of Business.
18. Pasto Cucina Italiana, Flagstaff, Arizona. June, 2012 Score 4/5. Suzanne and I spent a weekend in Flagstaff while Caity was attending EFY as NAU. We were in a candle shop and looked out the windows in the back to see a patio dining area. We walked next door, made a reservation, and did some more exploring through the classic old downtown shops. We requested patio seating and were gifted with a perfect summer evening up north. For an appetizer we order a Bruschetta variety platter. Every night they invent three different variations. I loved all three! The main entrée were equally delicious. I had a Mediterranean salad that was full of meets, olives and other regional ingredients. I recommend this to my friends all the time. Update: Out of Business.
19. Ritos Mexican, Surprise, AZ March, 2013 Score 3/5 This restaurant is the smaller version of the original and much more popular family owned restaurant. The recipes are the same, the family is the same, but the restaurant is a very basic strip mall kitchen and dining area with little to no decor. The food deserves a higher rating of 4/5. I am sure most customers do take-out from this one.
21. Texas de Brazil Churrascaria, Worldwide (Salt Lake City), May 2013 Score 4.5/5 While this is not a hugely popular trend, there are several of these style restaurants opening up around the country. The salad bar serves a great variety of cold salads, pickled items, cheeses, etc. It, and the fresh baked bread served at the table, makes for a nice appetizer. Once seated, the real fun begins. 10 to 15 servers make their way throughout the dining hall with a different cut of barbecue meet for each server. Ribs, Tips, Sirloin, Pork, Lamb, Sausage, etc. The food is great. The decor is great. The price starts at almost $50 per person before drinks.
22. Planet Hollywood, Worldwide (Orlando, FL), May, 2013 Score 4.5/5 After a long day at the parks, we went to downtown Disney for the evening. I think we actually left the Disney side and ended up at a mall where we saw the restaurant. It was pouring rain, but the place was packed full. I loved the memorabilia...pretty much a museum of movie artifacts. Once seated, I ordered the BBQ ribs. They were beefy delicious and stacked tall. I had not eaten ribs that good in a very long time. Very loud!
24. Spinato's Pizzaria, (Central Phoenix/various valley locations) April 1, 2014. Score 4/5. I had just been approved for a new job in a new school district and decided to take my wife and daughter out to eat somewhere new and local. We came upon the new Spinato's, a stand alone restaurant with lots of cars on a Tuesday nigh...pretty safe bet. We were not disappointed. We sat on the patio. While there, a New Times magazine photographer was taking pictures of the place. The service was good, the food was great (especially the family recipe marinara sauce), the menu was big enough, prices were reasonable, and we had a really nice dinner experience. I only give it a 4 because the edges of my personal size pizza were burned black...which is to be expected in a brick oven, but can be prevented. Highly recommended!
25. Seasons 52, (East Camelback, Phoenix) May, 2014. Score 4/5. Had lunch with some wonderful people here the other day. Located on the east end of the Biltmore Fashion Plaza, this restaurant boasts of "nothing over 450 calories" and "a different menu every week - thus the '52' in the name". Service was impeccable, decor was just right - not too tight, some natural light, the food was delicious - had the mahi mahi tacos. The only criticism...how about 500 calories?!
26. Christo's, (7th Street & Maryland, Phoenix) May, 2014. (Italian Food). Score 3/5. For a popular business lunch restaurant - not too noisy, not too packed-in, very professional staff and friendly hostess who you feel like giving a hug when you leave. The meal was delicious. The building is classic 60's/70's charm.
27. Los Taquitos (16th Str. & Glendale Ave., Phoenix) June, 2014. Score 3.5/5. As seen on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives", this corner taco shop serves amazing tacos...small like street tacos...but amazing!
28. Sierra Bonita (7th Str. & Glendale Ave., Phoenix) August, 2014. Score 3.5/5. This Mexican restaurant has much more than good Mexican food. A nice place for a business lunch. Update: Out of Business.
29. 13 North (13th St. & Northern, Phoenix) September, 2014. Score 2.5/5 Kudos to the owners of this place who are working hard to make this restaurant make it. Excellent service. Tasty hamburger, just not an amazing hamburger. Update: Out of Business.
30. Alexi's (3550 N. Central Ave, Phoenix) May 2014. Score 4/5 The facility itself is at the bottom of an office tower. The dining area is small, formal, not Wow. It is a common business lunch location with service to match the expected guests. The food is really good!
31. Phoenix City Grill (16th St. & Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix) July, 2014. Score 4/5. Similar to Alexi's, this is a popular business lunch location. Great service, good food and very friendly owners.
32. The Parlor (22nd St. & Camelback Rd., Phoenix) August, 2014. Score 3.5/5. Once a beauty parlor, this pizzeria still has some old barber shop chairs and fixtures around the restaurant. I haven't tried the pizza, but this place has a good fan base.
33. Costa Vida, (Nationwide Chain), July, 2014. Score 3.5/5 Think Cafe Rio with a Polynesian flair. LOVE the raspberry sauce on anything they serve.
34. Q'Doba, (7th St. & Glendale Ave, Phoenix) August, 2014. Score 3/5. Think Chipotle's little brother. Less food that is nothing special for more than you should pay.
35. Pizza π, (Washington D.C.) May, 2014. Score 4.5/5. A gem in our nation's capital. Expect a packed house with the best pizza you will ever eat. The deep dish is like an upside down pizza...there is so much delicious marinara sauce (not pizza sauce) on top of the pizza, it takes a pan to hold it all in.
36. Fuego Bistro (713 E. Palo Verde Dr., Phoenix), August, 2104. Score 3.5/5. You will drive by the place four times before you see it tucked in the back of small complex of beauty shops. The dining area is TINY (five or six tables) and compacted, but there is patio dining in the cooler months. The food is incredible and the one person service is great...different, but great!
37. Bottega Louie (Los Angeles, CA) February, 2012. Score 5/5. Plan to wait to be seated, maybe a seat will open in the bakery. This is probably the first 5/5 I have given. It has the perfect package of atmosphere, service food and experience. If you go for the food, you will be pleased. If you go for the pastries, you will be blown away. Go for both!
39. The Pantry Cafe (Los Angeles, CA) February, 2012. Score 4/5. Plan to wait for breakfast. Dinner might be easier. I loved the old fashion diner dining experience. The full menu is on the wall (in case you think they forgot to give you one). The food was very good, not amazing, but where else will you get a full loaf of sliced bread to go with your dinner? It is hard not to want to eat fast and leave so someone else can come in.
40. Georgie's Grill (Newport, Oregon) July, 2014. Score 4/5. Anytime you can eat dinner while watching the Oregon Coast out your table window you are going to have a nice experience. Add delicious fish tacos, hot bread, and good family company and you have a winner. Yes, I also had a bowl of chowder!
41. Gadzooks (Phoenix, AZ) December 2014. Score 3.5/5. Yum! Imagine taking over a brick oven pizza kitchen to serve made-to-order enchiladas fired in a searing hot oven, then topped with fresh-mex toppings. The place is completely packed during lunch hour with business professionals. And, they use a very cool to-go box tying machine.
42. Hilstone (Phoenix, AZ) December 2014. Score 4.5/5 For a little higher end dining, this is a very nice restaurant. The service is impeccable, the lunch menu is small, but high quality. The lunch crowd was very crowded and noisy, but you feel like you are in a five star establishment.
43. The Vig (Phoenix, AZ) May 2014. Score 3/5 The food was very good. The service was very good. The place is a converted bank building and we sat in the indoor patio (formerly the bank drive-up), which was very pleasant during the lunch hour. But, the server ladies were wearing short denim shorts with low-cut tops. My lunch host had to apologize for their dress, saying they he had never seen them dress that way before. I cannot risk meeting someone for a business lunch if the staff is not appropriately dressed.
44. Joy Ride (Phoenix, AZ) October, 2014. Score 3.5/5 It was good enough I took my family back there. Take today's contemporary Mexican fare and place it in a 70's themed ("groovy") place, and you get Joy Ride. We loved the food. The salsa was not the best. The service was friendly, but slow (some in our party could not wait any longer and had to leave before the order arrived).
45. St. Francis (Phoenix, AZ) December 2014. Score 4/5 I met my wife downtown where she was sworn in as a new school board member. Afterwards we asked someone for a good recommendation for lunch, which led us here. It is a small dining room, but very busy. There is a big wood fired brick oven in the center (add one point!) where all the bread and several dishes are cooked. I had a roasted pulled pork sandwich, my wife had a hamburger, and our friend Jen had a sandwich. Everything was amazing. I went back there for a business meeting and had a not-so-great salad. Best to stick with what you crave.
46. Postino (Phoenix, AZ) January, 2015. Score 3/5. First for a business lunch, then on a Saturday date after going to a local farmer's market with my wife. (The farmer's market at Central and Bethany was loads of fun) Both times I ordered 1/2 sandwich and salad. Both times they were delicious...hard to go wrong with bacon on anything. The fun part of the salads were the creative ingredients of crunchy root vegetables, assorted greens...and bacon. Can't say I would go there again until I have tried out a lot of other new places first.
47. Anaya's Fresh Mexican (Glendale, AZ) January, 2015. Score 3.5/5. I was driving through the neighborhood after a business meeting and thought fresh mex would be nice for lunch, you know, build your own bowl kind of fresh mex. Once inside it was clearly a sit-down restaurant. I dismissed the thought to just leave and sat for lunch. High points for the decor...full blown Mexican carved/handpainted everything...chairs, booths...lots of colors. I ordered the chimi enchilada style. It was very good...not the best...but very good.
48. Duck and Decanter (Phoenix, AZ) January, 2015. Score 3.5/5. Owned by a very friendly family this deli/wine cellar makes really good homestyle lunches. I had a wonderful visit with he owners last fall and on his recommendation, had the spinach salad. Since then I have had a couple of take-out lunch bags with tasty sandwiches.
49. Mucho Taco (Phoenix, AZ) October, 2014. Score 2/5. A new restaurant in an old corner shop, this place had about 7 small tables and a very friendly crew. It is clearly the owners favorite hobby made into a restaurant. The small tacos were tasty, but over-priced for the class.
50. Oregano's (Phoenix, AZ) March, 2015. Score 3.5/5. There are various sites. We had salads delivered to work. Mine was delicious...LOTS of steak, the grilled onions were popping with flavor, and the size was generous. Very busy place to eat in.
51. Tucanos (Provo, AZ) March, 2015. Score 4/5. For Daniel's last choir concert of the year we made the trip up and spent a few days. For lunch (much cheaper) we took Daniel to this Brazilian BBQ restaurant that is all-you-can-eat gourmet meats. The food bar includes boiled quail eggs, sushi, and a bunch of other unique sides. Roaming servers bring sizzling meats on skewers and cut off pieces onto your plate. Every meat option was delicious. The service was very attentive. The environment is comfortable. Its a special occasion place.
52. Little Italy (Provo, AZ) March, 2015. Score 2/5. Downtown Provo is becoming quite the foodie place. This restaurant is right on the corner of University and Center...prime real estate! We ordered pastas. I got a potato pasta with a tomato bisque sauce. I was not impressed with the food...maybe it was too authentic, or maybe it was just substandard. Service was good, environment was OK, cost was more than it should have been. Probably won't go back. Update: Out of Business.
53. The Arrogant Butcher (Phoenix, AZ) April 2016. Score 3.5/5. Located on a downtown Phoenix street corner there is lots of foot traffic around this place. Both times I went we sat on the outdoor patio. The first time was a little warm, the second was nice but again, many pedetrians and cars going past our table. The Pretzel Rolls and Cheese Fondue is a treat...if you buy nothing else, get that. We had the assorted nuts, cheeses, meats, etc. tray for three of us. It is pretty much like noshing. You have to have a broad pallet to enjoy the variety of tastes.
54. Shane's Rib Shack (Glendale, AZ) May 2016. Score 3.5/5. There are probably several locations. We have been twice in the past month to the one near the Cardinal's Stadium. As a BBQ restaurant, the setting is pretty casual...paper towel rolls for napkins, etc. Full stars for the food, but I was disappointed that the BBQ sauce bottles were really sticky to touch and they did not provide hand wipes for us rib eaters.
55. Barrio Cafe (16th Street, Phoenix) May 2016. Score 4/5. Closed on Mondays, so I missed my first attempt to eat here. Parking in the back you wonder if you are going into a dangerous alley. Lots of amazing street art on the walls, fences. Walk through a very unassuming back door and you are in a restaurant with cloth linens and amazing service. The slow cooked pork sandwich was delicious. The price was too high for the establishment/location, but the service and tastes were above par.
56. Nunthaporns Thai Cuisine (Downtown Mesa, AZ) May 2016. Score 4.5/5. I attended a youth orchestra concert at the Mesa Center for Arts and decided to go an hour early to try out the local fare. The sign on the wall inside said this was an award winning fave for Mesa. The sticky rice and peanut sauce was good. The Pad Cha was sooo good. Great service (not very chatty). Great food. Nice setting. Parking is a little tricky.
57. Tru Burger Co. (Park West, Glendale, AZ) May 2016. Score 3.5/5. This used to be Blue Burger. The same staff, same menu, new name. Fortunately they still accepted our old gift card. Suzanne and I ordered fried pickles (served as spears) and burgers. The food was very good and served quickly. The staff was very friendly. Even though we were seated inside, I was a little put off by the pet dogs (3) with guests on the patio.
58. Shake Shack (Uptown, Phoenix, AZ) March 2016. Score 2.5/5. To be fair, I only ordered a shake, and it was their grand opening day. Still, the very small and way too expensive salted caramel shake could have been a big win for a place called Shake Shack. For the first four or five sips, I couldn't decide if it was the most delicious shake I had ever had, or if I wanted to throw up. At about sip 15, I knew it was the later and had to throw it away. My guess is it was too much salt and caramel and not enough shake (ice cream). I need to go back and try something else to give them a fair chance.
59. Zeke's Eat'n Place (Prescott Valley, AZ) May 2016. Score 3.5/5. Be very aware when you order a burger because it is HUGE. I had the seasoned fries (very generous serving) and a western cheese burger. I love the burger and want to try some of their other options. The dining area was very casual with rodeo clips playing on the TV's. The service was friendly and the crowd was distinctly rural. It was nice to get a portion size that matched the reasonable price.
60. Urban Taco (16th St., Phoenix, AZ) May 2016. Score 2.5/5. Where else would you go for lunch on El Cinco de Mayo? I had high hopes, but the three taco plate just didn't win me over. For being one of three occupied tables, I would have expected faster service. The tacos were "original" recipes that missed the good ol' Sonoran flavors. I would go back if invited, but probably won't go on a whim. Update: Out of Business.
61. The Herb Box (7th St., Phoenix, AZ) July 2016. Score 3/5. The service here was extraordinary to the point of almost excessive. I ordered a "bow" with rosemary coriander roasted sweet potatoes, poblanos, charred red
onion
black beans, caramelized plantains, kaniwa , tabasco fried shallots, avocado, queso fresco, creamy jalapeño-avocado dressing. It was delicious but only filled about half the small bowl and I finished way before my lunch appointment did. Update: Out of Business.
62. Master Taco (Surprise, AZ) December 2019. Score 2.5/5. Very basic fast mex food.
63. Machu Picchu Peruvian CU (San Diego, CA) February 2020. Score 4/5. Located in the Lamplight District. I had high expectations for this restaurant since I lived for two years in Peru, and Suzanne had never eaten Peruvian food before. They nailed it with Papa a la Huancaina and Tallarin Saltado.
64. Taco Shack (Tempe, AZ) February 2019. Score 2.5/5. This is a Chipotle knock off that failed to impress. Its in a small strip mall suite near ASU without enough parking.
65. Dickey's Barbecue Pit (National Chain) February 2019. Score 3.5/5. If you are a BBQ connoisseur, Dickey's is like fast food..."Good." Order at the counter, sit a picnic tables in a log style dining room.
66. Mountain Springs Buffet (Camp Verde, AZ) June 2020. Score 3/5. Having fallen victim to COVID, this 'buffet' is now order from your table and servers go to the buffet for you. It's just not the same. The food quality is hit and miss. ;
67. Parma Cucina Italiana (San Diego, CA) February 2020. Score 4/5. Located in the front room of a little old house form the early 1900's, eating at Parma's is like going home for dinner with mom and dad. The food is the best Italian I have ever eaten, which makes sense since the owner/server/chef is native Italian.
68. Rudy's Country Store and BBQ (National Chain) November 2020. Score 4/5. Ever had lunch in a barn-turned-restaurant? They got a win on that part. As soon as you get out of your car you can smell meat smoking. For newbies its a little challenging to figure out the ordering...you order your meat by the weight from the counter, eat at picnic tables. Brisket, Pulled Pork, Ribs, Sausage, Turkey...better than homemade. Great sides (sold separately.)
69. Northern Pines (Flagstaff, AZ) August 2018. Score 3/5. This is a throw-back family diner from the 70's attached to a hotel. Classic comfort food your grandparents would love.
70. R&R Barbecue (Provo, UT) October 2019. Score 3.5/5. Dickey's = Good. R&R = Better. Order at the counter and eat in a not-so-rustic dining area. The food is tasty, but you feel like you should be eating salad and soup.
71. Joe's Crab Shack (San Diego, CA) February 2020. Score 3/5. Even Disneyland probably could not replicate the sea side shack decor - extra points for that experience as we walked through the dining area to sit in the outside patio on the water. The food, however was a disappointment - probably could get the same thing a thousand miles from the coast. I was hoping for some good seafood and got bar food.
72. El Chingon/Havana/Prohibition (San Diego, CA) February 2020. Score 3/5. Located in the Lamplight District, this hole-in-the-wall Cuban themed restaurant was our gamble for an authentic Cuban sandwich. The chips and salsa are definitely not American. The Cuban sandwich was prepared grilled cheese style - not what I was hoping for.
73. Rio Mirage Cafe (El Mirage, AZ) February 2020. Score 4/5. This is our home town Mexican restaurant (two sites). The decor and Spanish speaking servers transport you to Mexico. The food is what you would expect from any Mexican Restaurant in USA, but extra props to our local fave.
74. Dillan's Zoo (Glendale, AZ) November 2020. Score 4/5. Who wouldn't want to eat yummy BBQ with a live shark looking over your shoulder. Dillan's Zoo (one of several Dillan's) is located at the Wildlife World Zoo. The huge aquarium encompasses one entire wall of the restaurant (the rest is kind low budget.) Order the burnt ends!
75. Surprise PHO Restaurant (Surprise, AZ) February 2019. Score 3/5. What is PHO? basically about a quart-size serving of broth with a few veggies and noodles. Delicious on a cold day (not many of those in Phoenix!)
76. Santorini's Grill (Glendale, AZ) September 2020. Score 3/5. When we used to live in the Glendale neighborhood, Tom's BBQ was our Friday night go to. 25 years and several owners later, it is now Santarini's. Mostly the same menu - bigger plates, better sides, but still kind of a dumpy dining area.
77. Tokyo Joes (National Chain) November 2020. Score 3.5/5. Order from the counter healthy Asian bowls. Fresh ingredients, yummy sauces, won't leave bloated.
78. Native Grill and Wings (National Chain) October 2020. Score 3/5. Bar Food menu!
79. Haldi Indian Cuisine (Surprise, AZ) July 2019. Score 3.5/5. It is really hard to find really good Indian food...I found some! Hot fresh Naan bread service is a treat. The tiny strip mall dining area/buffet (on folding tables) encourages you to take your food and go.
80. Babbo Italian Eatery (Several Phoenix Locations) October 2019. Score 4.5/5. How many ways can you prepare pasta? Babbo knows...A LOT...and every plate is delicious. Hot Italian Break service that you can't stop eating, plus not a bad item on the menu.
81. Chubby's Neighborhood Cafe (don't confuse with Cubby's) February 2020. Score 3.5/5. Like Red Robin, lots of gourmet burger options, but you order from the counter and get your own drinks. Its busy, loud, and tasty.
82. Mucho Burrito (Surprise, AZ) November 2019. Score 2.5/5. Copy cat of Chipotle, Cafe Rio, Costa Vida...but don't tell me it costs more to add another scoop of pico!
83. Cactus Carlos (Sedona, AZ) October 2018. Score 2.5/5. Imagine a food court at the mall, but this is the only restaurant. Its surrounded by tourist shops, then all the sudden you are in line to order food. The food was poor, but I found an amazing seat out on the back patio looking up at the beautiful views of Schnebly Hill.
84. Rancho Bar 7 (Wickenburg, AZ) May 2020. Score 3/5. The cafe business in Wickenburg is very competitive. I tried this place for the easy curbside parking right on main street. Next time I'll try the place across the street.
85. Rehab Burger Therapy (Phoenix, AZ) October 2018. Score 4/5. First glance at the menu and you know you are at a very unique hamburger place. PB&J Burger! Mac N' Cheese Burger! I couldn't wait to go back. Sadly, they're out of business.
86. Tacos Califia (Surprise, AZ) November 2019. Score 3/5. Don't expect more than tacos, that's about it. I love the salsa bar, but sadly the guacamole is fake. The owners are amazing and need lots of love to walk through their doors.
87. Uptown Alley (Surprise, AZ) February 2019. Score 3/5. Bar Food (at a bowling alley)!
88. Cheesecake Factory (National Chain) February 2020. Score 4/5. OK, I know there is a love it or hate it opinion about Cheesecake Factory. I'm Team Love It! Where else can you choose from the world's largest menu. Its like the Disneyland of restaurants - all about the experience, and delicious food is an extra.
89. Bonfire Craft Kitchen & Tap House (Surprise, AZ) November 2020. Score 4/5. Yes, it has bar food on the menu, but so much more...pizza, gourmet burgers, super tender brisket plates...a quite large menu.
90. Firehouse Subs (National Chain) February 2020. Score 4/5. That may be an overly generous score, but when Firehouse is the first think you think about when you want a sub, they earned it. The hot brisket with cheddar and original Firehouse salsa is the one that's addicting.
91. Bistro Atelier (Dulles Airport, VA) July 2018. Score 3.5/5. Its never fun to share a meal table with your luggage and tons of hungry people with flight delays. A hot French Dip sandwich was nice comfort food to relax the soul.
92. Texas Roadhouse (National Chain) January 2020. Score 4/5. The food is 'better' on the good, better, best scale. Where else do all the staff fill the isles and do a fun cowboy dance.
93. IHOP (National Chain) November 2019. Score 3/5. How is it that I can cook the same food faster in my home kitchen than it takes IHOP...when we are the only table in the place? Yet, there is always a line out the door on Saturday mornings.
94. Sicilian Butcher (Glendale, AZ) November 2020. Score 4.5/5. You might have to save up for dinner here, but the food is amazing. The menu is mostly plates you have never heard of before, all very Italianesque. The real winner is the attached pastry shop. No, you shouldn't...but you will!
95. Federico Mexican Restaurant (National Chain) October 2020. Score 3/5. Its fast food Mexican, but we sure do eat there often.
96. Cafe 22 (Salem, OR) October 2020. Score 3.5/5. It's a farm. It's a produce stand. It's a great place for farm-to-table breakfast. The dining area can only hold about 5 tables, so expect a wait.
97. Sassy Onion (Salem, OR) October 2020. Score 4/5. With COVID, the long line of people waiting to get in sit in their cars parked curbside until you get the text to come on in. I love it when a restaurant just gives you a picture of water at the table. The thing you will brag to your colleagues about on Monday morning is the large French toast cinnamon role rolled in corn flakes, grilled, then smothered in syrup (or berry syrup)...THREE of them.
98. La Hacienda Real Mexican Restaurant (Salem, OR) October 2020. Score 5/5. The decor is a perfect score...you totally feel like you're south of the border. It was nice to see items on the menu not typically found, like Wet Prime Rib (prime rib in a hearty gravy.) I bet you can't leave without taking a picture!
Photo Gallery: https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x54bfff9fed4b4a55%3A0xef24f579b792dcb2!3m1!7e115!4shttps%3A%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPBvFOr4aAvDNi19vmzgZJAL0BhaSMFfSklMtZl%3Dw260-h175-n-k-no!5sla%20hacienda%20restaurant%20salem%20-%20Google%20Search!15sCgIgAQ&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipPBvFOr4aAvDNi19vmzgZJAL0BhaSMFfSklMtZl&hl=en
99. Pieology Pizzeria (National Chain) September 2020. Score 3.5/5. Made-to-order from the counter fast food pizza that tastes as good as you make it. Having my own wood fired pizza oven, I have a high standard for pizza. Pieology's crust is not top notch, but you can create a very original pizza every time you go.
100. TRUreligion (Orem, UT) October 2020. Score 5/5. I saved the best for last. I don't give many perfect scores. TRUreligion redefines what can be for breakfast - every traditional or reinvented plate is soooo good. The decor is elegant and the service is great. Why does it have to be 600 miles away?
