Here it is, late July and the heat has nearly turned us off to food altogether. It’s certainly too hot to cook, too hot to grocery shop and yet too hot to go out. Although getting all your vitamins and nutrients from cocktails is a tempting suggestion, we’re here to with a hodgepodge (no, not the soup) of the most important news — some of which is guaranteed to make braving the heat oh so worth it. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

Most importantly, EaterAZ has the dish on Pollo Campero’s free empanada Friday (THIS Friday).  In celebration of the tasty morsel’s menu debut this week, the location at 7745 W. Thomas Rd. will be serving free empanadas all day. Call the Thomas Road location for more info at (623) 247-1646.

In oddly important news, The ArizonaRepublic has confirmed, there is a chance that ice cream trucks could return to streets of Scottsdale. The ban, implemented in the 1970s, is under review and officials accepted public comments on the proposal at two open houses Tuesday evening. For more information on the Neighborhood Street Vendor Ordinance, click here.

Could there be a better summer meal than sushi? RA Sushi has added a variety of new menu items (including cocktails). Additionally, the old town Scottsdale location recently added reverse happy hour specials and that late night food and drink deals will be available at all five Valley locations. Phoenix Bites has the details on the menu additions as well as mouth-watering photos.

For all those occasions where a cold meal on the go is in order, Desert Roots Kitchen has opened in the former In Season Deli space on Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe. According to Mouth By Southwest, this vegan- and vegetarian-focused deli offers different specials and menu items each day and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stay tuned as their website gets up and running or visit their Facebook page in the meantime.

Finally, Chow Bella is reporting that The Skinny Italian Kitchen is set to open on Monday at CityCenter of CityNorth, adjacent to Blue Martini on the south side of High Street and 54th Street. The restaurant will feature traditional Italian fare with a healthy twist, not to mention the vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Additional information and menus can be found here.

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