The London 2012 Olympics are in full swing and we’ve heard enough fish and chips puns to last us until the 2016 Summer games in Rio de Janeiro.

That said, the Olympic fervor that has overcome news outlets, advertising and social media is a welcomed (albeit competitive and patriotic) change of pace. And food is no exception, if anything it is yet another catalyst for heritage and pride. On that note, here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

While we’re on the subject of the Olympics (and who isn’t, btw) we would like to take a moment and congratulate SanTan Brewing on their gold and bronze medals at the U.S. Beer Championships in Atlanta. According to Mouth By Southwest, more than 1,650 beers competed in 65 categories. Read about their victory here.

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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.

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In a week where instant mashed potato dispensers in Singapore 7-11s dominated food headlines (watch the now viral video here), let’s just say we sifted through the odd, marinated on the gross and poured over the monotonous to bring you the most worthy consumable news (not a zombie joke). Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

Let’s start with an appetizer aka an unusual headline or two:

For the main course, a serving of more traditional foodie news local deals:

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“Season of change” might be a bit cliché (or cheesy since we’re talking food), but it rings true as the local summer restaurant scene is best summarized under two headings: 1) entrepreneurs making moves and taking chances and 2) seasonal deals and menu offerings for those brave enough to endure the desert temperatures this season. Sounds exciting, right? Well, here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

1) entrepreneurs making moves and taking chances this season:

You know Johnny Chu from his past and present restaurant endeavors throughout the Valley. The latest of which involves relocating and reinventing his downtown restaurant, Sens Asian Tapas, to the corner of Central Avenue and Thomas Road under the new name SoChu House Neo Asian + Martini Bar. This new location and new concept is set for grand opening July 19. Chow Bella has the story.

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It might be the 4th of July today, but all anyone seems to be talking about is Mexican food. Not that we blame them – few things bring smiles to our faces like a fresh taco and a margarita on a hot summer day. So, once you’ve had your fill of hot dogs and decided to turn off your scorching hot grill, here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

According to EaterAZ, Big Earl’s BBQ in Scottsdale is in the midst of a Mexican revolution, from a taquitos transition to a dabble in “tacotory” to full blown Mexico City cuisine. While you’re waiting for the online menu to become officially updated, have a read, or better yet, pay Big Earl’s a visit. Whatever you do, don’t order the barbecue.

Meanwhile in Old Town, America’s Taco Shop is opening a new location, as reported by Chow Bella. Known for being “the home of the greatest carne asada in the Valley, ” this location will bring the restaurant’s count up to five (including the location in Arizona Mills Mall). Are they being franchised? Find out here.

If downtown Phoenix is more your thing, you’ll find new Mexican food there too. Chow Bella has covered opening of Tediberto’s Mexican-inspired vegan restaurant on Roosevelt Row. Get the details here … or skip the vegan joint and dig right in to some Mexican barbecue. Phoenix Bites highlights the prix fixe barbacoa tasting dinner at Distrito in Scottsdale’s Saguaro Hotel. The three-course dinner (plus dessert) is available Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. Click here for details.

If we still haven’t convinced you, feast your eyes on Mouth By Southwest’s Taco Tuesday roster. Not to mention how Barrio Cafe, Bianco’s Tacos & Tequila and Sir Veza’s Taco Garage will soon change the dining game for locals and tourists alike at Sky Harbor’s Terminal 4. Stay tuned for updates.

Photo courtesy of madgstavern.com.

Now that we’ve all dusted off the ol’ grill and eaten our fair share of barbecue (not to mention all of the seasonal sides, deserts and drinks) in a feeble attempt to enjoy the summertime like the rest of the country, here comes July. Not to worry, it’s all about grand openings and summer menus this go-round. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

First, the newly opened and soon to open:

Chow Bella has introduced us to Mad G’s Grill & Tavern in Tempe. Brought to you by Allen and Traci Thompson, owners of The Grind and Chick Rotisserie & Wine Bar, this new spot off of Broadway and Mill opened June 15.

This past week marked the opening of The Habit Burger Grill‘s fourth Phoenix location, which nearly rounds out the new assortment of eateries at the corner of 7th Avenue and McDowell Road in Phoenix.

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Photo courtesy of Haute Living.

We know summer means warmer blazing temperatures, but in the desert it’s easy to forget that with summer comes exciting seasonal offerings, lighter fare and brighter colors. So besides all the tropical drinks and excuses to grill (which we are huge fans of, by the way) here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

Here in the Valley of the Sun, we can take year-round farmer’s markets for granted, so take some time this summer to support local farmers and enjoy their goods. Our friends at Chow Bella profile a summer staple, the Farmer’s Market Salad at St. Francis. While you’re at it, take a peek at their piece on Binkley’s Heirloom Tomato Dinner, also courtesy of a local farmer. Just in case you’re now feeling inspired, here’s a list of local farmer’s markets, courtesy of Haute Living. »READ MORE

What do you do when you’re depressed your team got beat down 4-0 at home in the playoffs? You eat through the pain. We’re not giving up on our Coyotes, but we will cope with the stress of such a devastating loss with some good eats around town. Here’s our redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs: »READ MORE

In the wise words of Aladdin,” you gotta eat to live.” This is a mantra we take pretty seriously here at DLT, but only when paired with the idea that you have to eat food that tastes good. Not exactly what the handsome cartoon had in mind when running for his life over a loaf of bread, but hey, it’s an example of how Disney helped shape our lives. Another important factor to life shaping? Mothers. This is why this week’s redux of the happenings in our favorite food blogs is dedicated entirely mostly to good ‘ol mom.  »READ MORE

With Cinco de Mayo rearing its drunken head in a matter of days and Mother’s Day Brunch specials filling up every calendar, it seems like a foodie just can’t catch a break in this town. Don’t fight it, go with it and read our redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs: 

What’s another Americanized holiday dedicated entirely to debauchery (we’re looking at you St. Patty’s Day) without a fairly inclusive list of all the places to go to get good use of all those carefully painted fake mustaches? It’s useless essentially, so we’re looking to Chow Bella for their Cinco de Mayo Dining Roundup. And if stuffing your face with tacos while sucking back tequila doesn’t make you say aye, aye, aye, then you should probably just stay home this Saturday as you are clearly a big, wet Mexican blanket. You’re pretty much guaranteed a good time at any Mexican joint in the Valley, but be sure to keep your eye out for some of the joint parties hosted around town. Mill Ave’s Cinco de Mayo Block Party combines the back patios of Canteen Modern Tequila and Fat Tuesday while the Westside Sports Complex is hosting an all day Blues, Bruise and BBQs Festival. See you there in your sombrero. »READ MORE

They say never to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach because you’ll end up with way more in your cart than you intended to buy. They should also tell you not to read food blogs on an empty stomach because you’ll end up scouring your pantry for anything that can pass for Fry Bread. It’s okay if this doesn’t make sense now. It will after you read our redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

Hot wings have long since been the go-to food for tailgates and other sport-related gatherings. Well, we have news for you. Turns out, wings exist when there isn’t a big game on. The proof is in the existence of Wingstock 2012 as restaurants all over the Valley will gather this Saturday at Mesa Amphitheater for a day of music and hot wings. Mouth by Southwest has all the details on the event including ticket prices and how to go about getting your belly full of chicken wings and your ears filled with sweet tunes.  Don’t miss what the others had to say: »READ MORE

All this sunshine means one thing for us lucky Arizonans: swimsuit season is fast approaching. For normal people, this means nothing but an almost unidentifiable feeling of guilt after having that second helping of animal fries, but for the rare few who care, this blog is not for you. Delicious Puerto Rican food, Brad Pitt shoveling it in over and over again and some quick bite highlights are all apart of this week’s food blog run down. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

If you like to try new things and love food from around the world, Pen & Fork recently dished on a place that might just be perfect. El New Yorican is a Puerto Rican restaurant located on Thomas owned by a real life New Yorican (New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent) who is serving up the traditional grub you never knew you loved. Totones (pictured) are twice-fried, mashed plantains served with garlic-heavy dipping sauces and enough grease to satisfy any fried food fanatic. There are healthier options too, but they don’t include the the pastelilio, which Walters describes as “a glorious fat delivery vehicle.” For just $2, you can enjoy ground beef, onions and peppers surrounded by a fried pie crust. The price is right, the food is different and Gwen Ashley Walters recommends it. So go.

Everyone on planet Earth knows that Brad Pitt is an exceptional male specimen. He may even be a good actor, but who would know? Because we spend most of the time drooling unapologetically at his perfectly symmetrical face, it seemed to escape our eyes that he spends most of his time on screen eating. From the junk food addicted Rusty Ryan in Ocean’s 11, 12 and 13 to the junk food addicted Billy Beane in 2011′s Moneyball, it seems Brad is constantly chowing down in his films. Chow Bella came to the this conclusion with the help of Movie Mash up and posted a video montage of all his finest food moments. See Brad eat here. 

In need of some flash fried info on food happenings in the Valley. Mouth by Southwest does a “Quick Bites” segment that keeps you in the loop kind of like we do, but with less words (what can we say, we like words). They were kind enough to remind us of the free pizza offered at Thirsty Lion Pub this Thursday and that Pittsburgh Willy’s won Best Hotdog this weekend.This is great news because this Friday at 7:30, Chef Brandon Crouser of the famed dog will be hosting Pittsburgh After Dark, a five course meal you can get in on for just $45.

Until next week, think thin, my friends.

Image via Pen & Fork and IMDB

Drinking and eating, eating a drinking. Isn’t that what life is all about? For us, happiness is measured in pints and ounces. See joy in food form in our redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

You know the feeling you have when you taste an amazing sauce for the first time? The sudden instinct to lick the plate or down the entire bottle in the presence of other human beings can be overwhelming when it’s just.that.good. The same thing goes for a good Pinot (or so Sideways had us all believe) so imagine our surprise when Pen & Fork dished on a bottled Pinot-based pepper sauces from CZAR that combine the two together like a match made in culinary heaven. Gluten free and low in sodium (compared to other bottled sauces) and range from tangy sweet to habanero hot. Walters used the Pinot and Pepper sauce to create a “Bloody Jack” cocktail that even looks like a kick in the pants. Get the recipe and the full scoop on these savory sauces right here.

No one likes the taste of humble pie, unless it is actually a big ‘ol slice from one of the valley’s favorite pizza joints, Humble Pie. Now the place on many a’ “best of Phoenix” list is set to open a fourth location in Kierland Commons to appease its growing fan base. Chow Bella reported it will be the largest of the locations and will open its doors mid-February to the cheers of North Scottsdale residents who are thinking not of pool season and focusing on delicious pie piled high.

In more local news, or local brews if you’re down with puns, Mouth x Southwest‘s Jess Harter just served up a nice glass of frothy awesomeness in relation to Sonoran Brewing Company’s seasonal beers. Beginning March 3rd, SBC will release a series of collaborative brews co-created by Phoenix-based chefs. Jeremy Pacheco from Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn had his hand in the first one (cleverly called 7 Wives Saison) using wheat from his own family farm, among other things. You can also look forward to beers from “Eddie Matney from Eddie’s House, Lee Hillson from T. Cooks at the Royal Palms and James Porter from Petite Mason and Big Earls BBQ,” according to Harter.  Count us in, these all sound like collectibles. We mean drinkables.

Until next week, stay happy, my friends.

Images via Chow Bella and Pen & Fork

Boo! Ahh, Wednesday again. Candy is ’round every corner and pumpkin flavor has infiltrated pretty much everything edible. What does this mean for you you? Read all about it. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs: 

There are many things to love about fall. Since that tell-tale crisp air is non-existent, we have to rely on the food to bring about the true spirit of season. One of fastest ways to rot your teeth (but also one of the most delicious) is caramel corn and Cupcakes and Cashmere has all the deets on how to make it yourself. Butter, brown sugar melted and coated over perfectly snackable popcorn? We’ll take it. Here’s the recipe in all its oozing glory. »READ MORE

Former Critic Carves Up East Valley Tribune’s New Dining ‘Coverage’ [Mouth by Southwest]

Tat Was Fast! Kat Von D Says She’s ‘in Love’ With New Boyfriend Jesse James [NY Daily News]

Miracle Encounter: Nurse Discovers Her Patient Is Long-Lost Dad [ABC]

Hello, Chow Down followers! Hope you’re hungry because we’ve got full-fledged feast ahead. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings on our favorite food blogs.

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The time has come. Unfortunately for us hungry blog consumers, crickets are on the menu this week. Three choice words to Valley foodbloggers (who are not affliated with EATERAZ and Eric Eats Out – Eric, you’re only off the hook because you’re currently cooling off in SD): stop eating in. Or we’re going to start religiously worshipping cheesy wedding blogs … Don’t make us. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings on our favorite food blogs.

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Number Four and counting. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings on our favorite food blogs.

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As mentioned last week, food blogging is a big deal in the Valley of the Sun. I mean, really, who wants to grill in 108-degree heat? Not us. So, we go out. And, we photograph our food. Okay, not us… But, we live for the pictorial joy the folks below bring us as they devour and imbibe the AZ fine dining scene. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings on our favorite food blogs.

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Longtime local food writer, Jess Harter has a new name. The former East Valley Tribune journalist, who launched his own food blog after the publication cratered last year, recently sent out a Tweet looking for a new name for his Phxate blog. So what’s the big winner? »READ MORE