My Restaurant Reviews: North Phoenix and North Scottsdale (Peoria, Litchfield Park: budget, work)

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

Here Here 43/87! I love this area. I love Kierland too. Im technically within walking distance (provided it isnt 115' lol!). I am at Princess/Scottsdale. My favorites (so far) if I had to rate would be Sapporos, North and Zinc (both at Kierland).

Next you need to try Oregano's on Scottsdale and Shea (there's one in Old Towne Scottsdale also) Plan to wait though, the place can get crowded, although you wouldn't know it once you are seated.

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by ELOrocks17

I cannot believe no one has mentioned a few of my fave restaurants.

1. Uncle Sams---best mushroom cheesteak EVER!
2. Times square Pizzaria (27th ave & Deer Valley) Fresh seafood pasta!
3. Satisfied frog (Sadly, this closed down after 25 yrs of service)


I have always wanted to try "Ted's Hot dogs" since they advertise on the radio all the time. But i cannot justify driving all the way to
Mesa from N Phx for just some hot dogs...

I'm from Buffalo where the owner is originally from and trust me - THEY ARE GREAT!

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by sheena

My husband was bragging about that Uncle Sams. I'm gonna have to check that out.

Also for Chinese Food Flo's in Scottsdale takes the prize.

I like Flo's better too. I heard that Flo was once married to the man who started PF Changs. Anyone know for sure?

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

Mastro's City Hall Steakhouse (Camelback Rd by Fashion Square): went here for a business "meet & greet" last night. (Yesterday was a busy day lol!). Way on the pricey side-if looking for budget dining, look elsewhere. Cocktails ran around $17-20 a piece. Tho they left the shaker at the table, so you essentially got 2 drinks for that price which is fairly reasonable. Try the dry ice! They put it in the drinks and they "smoke" like a witches brew which was a really nice presentation. They also served the shrimp cocktail with dry ice.

We had shrimp cocktail that while very large shrimp was equally as expensive. The shrimp were ok but I have had better. Stuffed mushrooms were good with a bit of a zing (suspect red pepper flakes). Tomato, basil and mozzarella salad was superb-nice thick tomatoes and absolutely excellent fresh mozzarella. Also try the pretzel bread in their bread basket-very good.

Unfortunately two of our party had another business obligation so we didnt have time to order dinner.

One of our party said this is the same Mastro's that does a seafood house restaurant as well in the valley. They said the menu is essentially the same, with the only difference being that in the steakhouse the "meat" portions are larger and more prominent, and in the seafood restaurant, obviously the "seafood" portions are larger and more prominent.

Recommend if you have a huge chunk of change to drop or an unlimited corporate expense account and want a nice meal for a special occasion. But if looking for budget dining for a family, look elsewhere.

We must live near each other, you go to all the same places we go to!

[Ria Rhodes]

Thanks for the write-ups ivanabacowboy. Now I'm hungry again. I hope you're exercising and watching your cholesterol and blood pressure numbers. The least artery clogging of the places you mentioned with "the just four little slices of personal Picazzo pizza have 3000+mgs of sodium and 25-35mgs of fat (with over half of it saturated), and we're not even talking about drinks and sweets on top of that. Like they say, the medical field is always a booming business with half the population overweight.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by londonbarcelona

I like Flo's better too. I heard that Flo was once married to the man who started PF Changs. Anyone know for sure?

I don't know what all the hype is about with Uncle Sam's, I just don't think they are that great. But,they are always busy! Actually, I don't care for many restaurants out here. Maybe I need to eat at pricier places?

I haven't heard of Flo's.

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

I don't know what all the hype is about with Uncle Sam's, I just don't think they are that great. But,they are always busy! Actually, I don't care for many restaurants out here. Maybe I need to eat at pricier places?

I haven't heard of Flo's.

there are two Flo's that I frequent. One is at the Promenade on FLW and the other is at Thompson Peak and FLW near the AJ's.

[ivanabacowboy]

londonbarcelona: I know where Oregano's is and have that on my list to checkout.

Ria Rhodes: I am going to take your comment in the spirit I hope you intended. My cholesterol is just fine as is my weight.

[Ria Rhodes]

Originally Posted by ivanabacowboy

Ria Rhodes: I am going to take your comment in the spirit I hope you intended. My cholesterol is just fine as is my weight.

Eat like that and have good numbers? I'm envious, but happy for you. Keep those food reviews coming.

[ivanabacowboy]

Fresh Mint. (Just opened at Thunderbird Square, Thunderbird and Scottsdale). If you are vegetarian, this is the place for you. Not a drop of meat to be found, only tofu in various marinades masquerading as meat. ;-) Sort of an Asian/Thai/Vietnamese flair I think by the dishes and ingredients. All fresh ingredients=veggies and fruits. And fresh herbs.

I had a salad with shredded green papaya, nuts, tofu-beef stuff, basil and a few other things. It was really good! I went at lunchtime and there was a decent crowd here. Salad ran about $8 or $9 but was a good size. You could feed 2 if you had a light appetite.

I personally am not vegetarian. But for an occasional meal, I saw a few other things on their menu I would like to try. The one thing that sort of surprised me is that with their "healthy fresh food" thing going on, they didnt have a larger assortment of "healthy" beverages. I believe it was just basic iced tea type stuff. I think a place like this would do well with some fresh juicing or "healthy" smoothies (with green things in them lol!). Recommend.