Out of towner in Phoenix? (Glendale, Scottsdale: credit, houses, live)

[dannydrift]

Hello Phoenicians,
I have lived in Dallas for my entire 21 years and have only visited a few other cities like Wichita KS, Oklahoma City OK, Tulsa OK, Evansville IN, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio TX. I will be visiting Phoenix for the later half of December and I have no idea what there is to do. I have been trying to search for some landmarks I need to visit, some local-only restaurants (very excited about finally trying the hyped up In-N-Out Burger), museums, or anything there is to do that I should not miss out on. I don't want to come back from Phoenix to hear about something in Phoenix and feel like I missed out on something.

I'm a big fan of the Diners, Drive-ins and Dives show on the Food Network; so I have to try a few places that Guy has visited in the Phoenix area. I will be trying "Joe's Farm Grill" in Gilbert for sure. If you are unfamiliar with this show, the places he has tried in the Phoenix area are

Aunt Lena's Creamery in Chandler
Joe's Farm Grill in Gilbert
Thee Pitt's Again in Glendale
Matt's Big Breakfast in Phoenix
Roberto's Mexican Food in Phoenix
Chino Bandido in Phoenix

Are these popular spots in Phoenix? Any of the six that I need to make sure I try?

If you can, please tell me anything in Phoenix that is fun, interesting, educational, gluttony-friendly, or anything I need to make sure I see before I fly back to Dallas.

I do want to go to the Grand Canyon and check that out. Any specific place of the Grand Canyon that is more enjoyable than others? Anything I need to know about this?

I'm really going to Phoenix blindly, not knowing anything about the city. I would like to know something about this place before I get there.

Thanks for any help. I appreciate it.

[snowthedirtbub]

Originally Posted by dannydrift

Chino Bandido in Phoenix

OMG! You have heard of Chino Bandido! VERY FEW people have heard about that place in Chandler. Me and my group of friends are the only ones that know about it, I absolutely love that place. Its like Chinese and Mexican mixed in one (Like jade chicken burrito or jade chicken quesadilla) , I think you should totally try it out one of my favorite places to eat.

There is also Pizzeria Bianco which is a pretty famous pizza place. Its pretty popular with Jerry Seinfeld, and got a "Pizza Consultant" movie credit in his "Bee Movie."

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by dannydrift

Hello Phoenicians,
I have lived in Dallas for my entire 21 years and have only visited a few other cities like Wichita KS, Oklahoma City OK, Tulsa OK, Evansville IN, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio TX. I will be visiting Phoenix for the later half of December and I have no idea what there is to do. I have been trying to search for some landmarks I need to visit, some local-only restaurants (very excited about finally trying the hyped up In-N-Out Burger), museums, or anything there is to do that I should not miss out on. I don't want to come back from Phoenix to hear about something in Phoenix and feel like I missed out on something.

I'm a big fan of the Diners, Drive-ins and Dives show on the Food Network; so I have to try a few places that Guy has visited in the Phoenix area. I will be trying "Joe's Farm Grill" in Gilbert for sure. If you are unfamiliar with this show, the places he has tried in the Phoenix area are

Aunt Lena's Creamery in Chandler
Joe's Farm Grill in Gilbert
Thee Pitt's Again in Glendale
Matt's Big Breakfast in Phoenix
Roberto's Mexican Food in Phoenix
Chino Bandido in Phoenix

Are these popular spots in Phoenix? Any of the six that I need to make sure I try?

If you can, please tell me anything in Phoenix that is fun, interesting, educational, gluttony-friendly, or anything I need to make sure I see before I fly back to Dallas.

I do want to go to the Grand Canyon and check that out. Any specific place of the Grand Canyon that is more enjoyable than others? Anything I need to know about this?

I'm really going to Phoenix blindly, not knowing anything about the city. I would like to know something about this place before I get there.

Thanks for any help. I appreciate it.

Matt's Big Breakfast is very popular. Expect a wait for a table -- especially on a weekend. The other places have followings but are generally not mobbed. If you like beer, you might want to try another place owned by the Matt behind Matt's Big Breakfast. It's called the Roosevelt, and it's just a few blocks away. You might also enjoy a pilgrimage to Four Peaks brewery in Tempe, where the house beer for the Roosevelt is brewed.

Other gluttony-friendly (love that phrase) places:

-- Carolina's for Mexican food
-- Pane Bianco for big sandwiches with an Italian influence
-- Tortas El Guero for big Mexico City-style sandwiches
-- Fry Bread House for Native American fare
-- Durant's and/or the Stockyards for a classic Phoenix steakhouse experience.

As for the Grand Canyon, the South Rim is really the only option during winter.

[Finger Laker]

given where you are coming from i'd skip the steakhouses and I'd skip Thee Pits Again (which isn't bad)

joe's farm and chino bandido are musts - interesting enough to get a guy like me to drive cross town

[drb85650]

If you're going to the Grand Canyon via Flagstaff or Williams and get hungry.........
Williams....Pine Cone Restaurant. just across the tracks from the Railroad Depot.
Flagstaff....nothing really stands out. best place for a burger/chilidog or ? is the former Der Weinerschnitzel right on rt.66....can't miss it. just good, greasy, good food. You'll definitely want to eat before you go to the canyon unless you really like expensive snacks and water.

[crystalys]

Originally Posted by snowthedirtbub

OMG! You have heard of Chino Bandido! VERY FEW people have heard about that place in Chandler. Me and my group of friends are the only ones that know about it, I absolutely love that place. Its like Chinese and Mexican mixed in one (Like jade chicken burrito or jade chicken quesadilla) , I think you should totally try it out one of my favorite places to eat.

There is also Pizzeria Bianco which is a pretty famous pizza place. Its pretty popular with Jerry Seinfeld, and got a "Pizza Consultant" movie credit in his "Bee Movie."

There is a Chino Bandido in North Phoenix at 19th Ave. and Greenway. Is it related to the one in Chandler? I ask because I tried it once about a year ago after hearing rave reviews but I thought the food was awful.

I second the opinion of Carolina's as one of the best Mexican food places.

For burgers In and Out is pretty good...I prefer Lenny's Burger Shop.

For subs I love the Mushroom Onion Cheesesteak at Uncle Sam's. Also just as great are the Philly Cheesesteaks at the Philadelphia Sandwich Company in Old Town Scottsdale.

As far as places to visit, by the time you get here there will probably be snow all over Northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon. If you are into that then it will be a great vacation for you. If not then maybe you will want to head south towards Tuscon and that area.

I'm sure you will get many more suggestions from lots of others before you get here. Have fun on your visit.

[snowthedirtbub]

Originally Posted by crystalys

There is a Chino Bandido in North Phoenix at 19th Ave. and Greenway. Is it related to the one in Chandler? I ask because I tried it once about a year ago after hearing rave reviews but I thought the food was awful.

I second the opinion of Carolina's as one of the best Mexican food places.

For burgers In and Out is pretty good...I prefer Lenny's Burger Shop.

For subs I love the Mushroom Onion Cheesesteak at Uncle Sam's. Also just as great are the Philly Cheesesteaks at the Philadelphia Sandwich Company in Old Town Scottsdale.

As far as places to visit, by the time you get here there will probably be snow all over Northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon. If you are into that then it will be a great vacation for you. If not then maybe you will want to head south towards Tuscon and that area.

I'm sure you will get many more suggestions from lots of others before you get here. Have fun on your visit.

Yea I'm pretty sure they are the same place. I also second Carolina's great Mexican food, and its pretty cheap too.

[dannydrift]

Thank you all for your replies. I appreciate each and every one of them. I think I have a big list of places I need to eat at. What about places that I can go to for fun? Anything special about your local malls, museums, etc? Other than food, the only thing I have on my list is the Grand Canyon; and that's a pretty small list for being in-town for 2 weeks.

Thanks for any help