5 tons. That’s how much meat the boys over at Affordable Food Festivals have arranged to be smoked this weekend at their 3rd Annual Arizona BBQ Fest. From that original party in the dirt three years ago, they’ve taken their event to greener pastures – literally.

Now at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the event is taking place on 8 acres of grass and 2 acres of pavement. Sprawled out across the grounds is a whiskey expo on Saturday, a SoCo Cherry party area on Sunday, Carrabba’s VIP tent all weekend, a SubZero/Wolf chef demo stage, huge kids zone, tchotchke expo, and main bar by Tilted Kilt. They’ve got over eight bands scheduled and tons of other fun stuff going on.

Free parking this year, too, and you don’t even have to bribe the Nordstrom parking guard or fight for a downtown Scottsdale space.  But most important to the expansion are those BBQ teams.

This year there’s over 80 of them, with over 50 prepared to serve more $2 BBQ samples than ever before, for both days, from 11a-7p. Sunday, the AZ Pork Council is apparently filling smokers with ribs from Farmer John. So if you love eating pig off the bone, Sunday’s your day! The festival producers (Affordable Food Festivals) are so confident that they have enough food this year, that they’ve even advertised “If we run out of food, your money back!”

Bold statement. But we’d expect nothing less from the two former magazine whores who’ve turned themselves into our town’s hottest festival planners.

Tickets are $12, $100 VIP.

More: www.azbbqfestival.com

This week the EAZ crew brings to the table their latest review, a report on Praying Monk. To the highlights:

Praying Monk is as casual as can be. Lay back in shorts and flip flops on the couches by the bar, or dress up in the dining room. Or better yet, don the flip flops and tees in the dining room, or wear a suit while martini-ing in the bar.

The pig ears are a must, as we guarantee you’ve never had them this snacky and, well, this okay-to-eat anywhere else in town. The corndogs were a little short on the dog and heavy on the breading, but the breading was sweet and airy and amazingly delicious. You could add chunks of it to the club, the burger, anything really, and it would only enhance. We knew fries were coming with the sandwiches, but our server talked us into an order of the crispy potatoes (halves and quarters and random pieces) covered in shaved Parmesan and chives with an cloud-like truffle aioli ($9). Thank you, server, those potatoes are a must for future visits. And the aioli is good enough to bottle.

Another must: the first beer on the list of about 50 (15-ish on tap)–Blanche de Bruxelles, $6. It’s like a cloudy Hef mixed with a little sandy beach vacation and easy summer sippin’. Honestly, what a discovery. We highly recommend you give it a try. Betcha order two.

Praying Monk
7217 E. 1st St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-398-3020

[via EaterAZ]

Who is gonna take home the prize this weekend? Monday we will report on that news but here’s a little snapshot from festival creator Rick Phillips from the field.  [TTF]

And the winner is….great job to the Taco Festival

»READ MORE

Lots of weird local media news lately, if you care. Starting with good news. Good news, everybody. Not only is the Valley’s economic crash over, but print is back, baby! So says Arizona Foothills Magazine, in a rare piece of self promotion.

Meanwhile, the AZ Republic just bought themselves an s-ton of smoked meat, as in they signed on as the title sponsor of the Arizona BBQ Fest. Which was announced by the event’s founders in one of the most hilariously-obnoxious press releases ever!

»READ MORE

Guess what’s on the minds of the Scoop Factory drones? PS What’s funnier than this (faux) Taco Fest election sign perfectly positioned in front of a Taco Bell?

In case you’ve been stuck under a rock, this Saturday is the first annual Arizona Taco Festival. (In fact, it’s actually the first taco fest in the nation, but more on that later). Hosted at the Scottsdale Waterfront from 10 am to 5 pm, this savory showdown will feature 30-plus teams competing for taco top honors (as well as a cool $7,500 in cash prizes). Plus, there will be teams competing for best salsa and best guac, not to mention plenty of ice-cold cervezas, margaritas and (don’t say we didn’t warn you) tequilas on hand for your sipping pleasure. Not too shabby for a mere $10 entrance fee.

»READ MORE

via EATER AZ

And it’s on! Last summer, after the iconic Richardson’s restaurant burned to a crisp, EATERAZ’s, David Tyda did some on the spot reporting as the place was still smoking, and later posted a few follow-ups on his blog. Well, it appears that the mystery man behind the long-standing restaurant at the corner of 16th and Bethany Home was none to pleased with what he was reading, and fired back a sharp response to the EAZ crew:  »READ MORE

Pulled from the dusty archives of DL video vault this here clip was a Tyda classic, just listen to his poetry like script as he tours this amazing house. By the way, “The Tyda” can be seen these days making videos for his food blog, EaterAZ. Check it out.

Vegetarians prepare to leave town….only 8 days left to the BBQ festival of all BBQ festivals.  Masters Tyda and Phillips are ready for battle.

Tickets?