Dylan-Dylan-Dylan's AZ Restaurant Thread

[locachica73]

I will give it a try for the salad at least. I have never quite gotten the gyro thing, although the only one I ever tried was in a mall food court. Now that I am a grown up I might have to try it again. I just creep out a little at the thought of lamb meat. But as a grown up I want to at least try it before i poopoo it.

[miscorrections]

Gyros don't have to be lamb.

[locachica73]

I thought that was the meat they use. I must be confused with something else. Maybe greek food uses a lot of lamb?

[I.F.A.]

They also have a ton of other options if you're not into the lamb thing - they have a lot of chicken and beef options as well. As I recall the chicken shwarma was pretty good, though I always went for the gyro. It's definitely worth giving it a try again just to make sure.

Edit: Traditionally they're ground and spiced lamb, but a lot of places will use a lamb/beef combo, or even all beef. And yes, Greek food uses a lot of lamb in general - mostly because the Mediterranean isn't exactly made up of wide-open pastures, so that's a more accessible protein source than beef. Well, that and fish.

[Mr. Dylanja]

I'm glad this thread is going so well. Who else wants to go on a weeklong gluttony binge?

[mountmccabe]

My favorite Indian restaurant was Pasand - mmm, Southern Indian food - out in Mesa but I got rather ill after eating Indian food in Tempe (there was a good deal of wine involved too) and I have more or less avoided it since. Which is a shame. I should, at some point, try to work back into it by focusing on the less saucy options.

I am pretty sure someone repped for Thairama at 12th av on Camelback; I will also push for Sala Thai on 32nd St just North of Shea. Malee's in Old Town Scottsdale has treated me quite well, though Malee's Bistro at Desert Ridge is only worth considering as an OK lunch spot. Passable but unremarkable is Pink Pepper on Bell at 3rd St.

For Vietnamese my favorite right now is Viet Kitchen at Cave Creek just south of the 101 (near the Costco) because it is around the corner from me at work but more because they have amazingly delicious pho. Pho Bang at 17th Av and Camelback used to be right up there but it is now closed. Da Veng on 19th Av just south of Camelback is high on my list but I haven't made it down there.

[mountmccabe]

I'm glad this thread is going so well. Who else wants to go on a weeklong gluttony binge?

We should pick a type of food and do a crawl. Get tacos or curries at several different places over a long afternoon.

[westcoastpirate]

Finally, another Illinois joint (though not Chicago). I admit i'm biased.

SW Corner of 48th. St and Elliot

http://nirosgyros.com/

Niro's is walking distance from my house.

[locachica73]

I have never had Vietnamese food but would like to try it. I also want to give Indian and Greek food a second try. I have tried both but wasn't all that impressed. I have learned though that it is probably because I went to the wrong spot or tried the wrong things. I just remember the Greek food using a lot of cinnamon and cloves in their meat which I didn't really care for. But I love a Greek salad and Feta cheese is probably my favorite cheese.

Dylan, good work on the thread. I am actually looking forward to food again. I am not much of a cook anymore and have gotten tired of eating at the same restaurants all the time. It will be nice to try several of these places out.

[faxman75]

I thought that was the meat they use. I must be confused with something else. Maybe greek food uses a lot of lamb?

Gyros commonly use lamb but some places have beef, chicken and other alternatives for your gyros. I <3 lamb.

D$, i've been on a 6+ year gluttony binge. I used to look like this.

[westcoastpirate]

Oh, I just thought of another one for you Loca - Athenian Express, just south of Roosevelt, on Central (I think, it's right after the split between Central and 1st ave, so you have to be going northbound to hit it). Their gyros are amazing (how I miss them), and they've got this really great house dressing they use on their salads. You can call ahead there as well.

Not that Athenian Express is bad, but I was disappointed by the portion size of their traditional lamb/beef gyro. If I'm in the mood for a gyro, and this is going to sound lame, I hit My Big Fat Greek Restaurant. For $7 you get a gyro with a huge heaping of meat, and your choice of salad or fries as the side. Athenian Express is around the same price (or more) and they skimp on the meat.

[I.F.A.]

I haven't been there in a while, but their portions used to be huge. (Like, I had a hard time finishing it huge.) That could have changed though - I probably haven't been there in like a year. I hope that you just hit them on an off day and that's not the case!

I liked Athenian's gyros better than MBFGR, but I don't think MBFGR is all that bad in general. Kitschy, yeah, and slightly shameful to admit to liking, but the food is decent.Their lamb souvlaki is amazing, and I love the roasted lemon potatoes (though after I found out how much oil they use while roasting them, I was turned off a bit). They also have this zucchini cake appetizer thing that I really like. I used to have a friend who was a bartender at the location on Scottsdale, so I was there a lot because she'd hook me up when she was working (Then we'd stay after she got off and keep drinking. Good times). Their sangria is the best - and mostly hard liquor.

[locachica73]

I think I am ok with the less meat version, I hate when a sandwich is overloaded with meat. There needs to be a good meat/bread ratio.

[westcoastpirate]

I haven't been there in a while, but their portions used to be huge. (Like, I had a hard time finishing it huge.) That could have changed though - I probably haven't been there in like a year. I hope that you just hit them on an off day and that's not the case!

I liked Athenian's gyros better than MBFGR, but I don't think MBFGR is all that bad in general. Kitschy, yeah, and slightly shameful to admit to liking, but the food is decent.Their lamb souvlaki is amazing, and I love the roasted lemon potatoes (though after I found out how much oil they use while roasting them, I was turned off a bit). They also have this zucchini cake appetizer thing that I really like. I used to have a friend who was a bartender at the location on Scottsdale, so I was there a lot because she'd hook me up when she was working (Then we'd stay after she got off and keep drinking. Good times). Their sangria is the best - and mostly hard liquor.

MBFGR is totally cheesy but they do have a good happy hour. There's a new place at the AZ Center called Brick. They took over the spot where Uno's used to be. I walked over there and the hostess was way too eager to get me seated when all I wanted to do was look over the menu they had posted in the window. It seemed kind of pricey from what I recall. They were blasting some good electronic music though. And I read that they are hosting Cheap Thrills the last Saturday of September.

[captncrzy]

With all this talk of med food, I'd like to restate the superiority of Med Fresh Turkish Grill on Mill. Their kabobs are superb, they have the best rice and hummus I've ever had, and their chicken plate with rice, greek salad, and garlic sauce is the cat's pajamas.



Also, for deep dish pizza with homemade sausage and fresh mushrooms, I don't think Nello's can be beat. They also have a killer house salad dressing that you can buy in a bottle. We can't walk out of there without one.

Cibo and Grazie in Scottsdale both have these Nutella crepe thingies with fresh bananas and vanilla ice cream. Pretty much a must-have.

[westcoastpirate]

There's a Nello's near our house at 48th St and Warner. I do like their pizza.

EDIT-I just realized this will probably be the thread that gets me to 2,000 posts.

[downingthief]

I still love Haji Baba in Tempe. Another one of my best "bang for your buck" places. Best thing to get there is the chicken schwerma plate. You get a nice portion of the chicken, plus hummos, tabouli, rice, and a pita for around $7. It is VERY tasty.

[westcoastpirate]

My wife and I love Lemon Grass Thai Cafe near the intersection of Hardy and Broadway in Tempe. A very nice, small, family run Thai food restaurant that is never more than 1/2 full. Everything we have tried is excellent. Totally dig the Lemongrass Basil.

http://www.lemongrassthaicafe.net/

[PagodasPinkPants]

Anyone know if there's a place that serves poutine (or at least gravy fries)? That shit is so good and from what I can tell absent from the food landscape. And while I'm requesting things, anyone know where to get good perogies too?

[I.F.A.]

My wife and I love Lemon Grass Thai Cafe near the intersection of Hardy and Broadway in Tempe. A very nice, small, family run Thai food restaurant that is never more than 1/2 full. Everything we have tried is excellent. Totally dig the Lemongrass Basil.

http://www.lemongrassthaicafe.net/

Lemongrass is awesome!


You can get "wet" (i.e. smothered in white gravy) fries w/ cheese at 5 & Diner. It's not exactly poutine, but it's in the spirit

For the pierogi - there's a Polish deli way out on the Westside, but other than that I don't know.

[sin213]

a real gyro only has lamb

mmmmmm.....lamb. baaaa

[chairmenmeow47]

Anyone know if there's a place that serves poutine (or at least gravy fries)? That shit is so good and from what I can tell absent from the food landscape. And while I'm requesting things, anyone know where to get good perogies too?

i think d'arcy something or other's at tempe markeplace sells it, i was there saturday for a fark party.

sassi is amazing, i second that. i went on a date there years ago and LOVED it.

i think i got sick from either dunkin donuts or yc's mongolian grill today. i feel gross.

[chairmenmeow47]

I'm glad this thread is going so well. Who else wants to go on a weeklong gluttony binge?

i think your week has enough to flake on already

[westcoastpirate]

i think i got sick from either dunkin donuts or yc's mongolian grill today. i feel gross.

I bet is was YC's.

If you're right there for lunch Gandolfo's makes good sandwiches.

[M Sparks]

Oo, have to disagree with The Place, at least for the Flagstaff location. It's delicious and priced well too, portions are always generous.

I don't see that anyone mentioned it, so I don't know who you are disagreeing with. Maybe I missed it.

But I lived there 20 years and I never understood the appeal. It's actually called Mike & Rhonda's- when they opened the second location, they put up that weird "The Place" sign, but no one in Flagstaff actually calls it that.

They are notable because when Flagstaff established a smoking ban in the early 90's, they declared themselves a "private club" and you had to "join" to eat there, so the ban didn't apply. (It didn't last long)

[sin213]

I bet is was YC's.

If you're right there for lunch Gandolfo's makes good sandwiches.

is gandolfo's still around?? i used to eat at one in the little strip mall on Univ/Hardy? something like that...amazing subs. but then it just disappeared one day.

[downingthief]

Really? I thought that place was awful. I've been spoiled by DeFalco's.

[chairmenmeow47]

i mentioned the place. it fucking blows. one of the few places i've just walked out of do to horrendeous service. don't bring my shit out piecemeal over large increments of time only to tell me you don't have what the fuck i ordered.

gandolfos is eh.

[westcoastpirate]

is gandolfo's still around?? i used to eat at one in the little strip mall on Univ/Hardy? something like that...amazing subs. but then it just disappeared one day.

They closed the Gandolfo's near Hardy and University but they have another location near Kyrene and Elliot that is still open.

For straight up lunch in the Took/Chandler, we hit up Jason's Deli near I-10 and Ray. I ususally order the California Club and my wife gets the salad bar (all organic stuff which is cool). Free soft serve ice cream for dessert too.

[LooseAtTheZoo]

I've said it before, but best Mexican food in Phoenix is Reyes de las Torta. Cheap, expensive, lowbrow, highbrow - it demolishes them all.