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

Tune in, dish up and drop out (into a food coma) with all the news we have in the wonderful world of food blogs. We have got three reasons why drugs are not the answer and they all have to do with something delicious.  Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs: 

After last week’s sushi scare (we are still wary of the spicy tuna) it’s fitting that the industry gets a little good press with the recent release of Jiro Dreams of Sushi. While this isn’t the first time the food industry has collided with the world of cinema, the unique documentary filmed by David Gelb is much more than you would ever expect from a film about dead fish, at least according to Chow Bella’s Ando Muneno. The story follows Jiro, a sushi chef who has work tirelessly for more than half his life on perfecting his craft and creating the most ideal dining experience for all those who enter into his restaurant (which is located in a subway station in Japan and seats just 10 people). The trailer caught our eye a few weeks back and this review confirms it, we must see this film. Catch Jiro Dreams of Sushi playing at Harkins Camelview in Scottsdale right now.  »READ MORE

Forgive us, but the only hunger games we’ve ever heard of come with tossing small, round foods into someone’s open mouth when bored. Or that one where we work out extra hard at the gym just to feel less guilty about the burrito we shove in after. To each his own, right? Play with us as we recap this week’s food blogs:

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Gotta eat to live. These are words we….uh…live by here at DLT and we’ll take on just about anything. A Big Ass Burger? Bring it on. Curry so spicy you sweat? Sure! Mongolian BBQ Shrimp with lemongrass grits and kimchi? Yeah, if it’s there. You get the point. Thank goodness there are people who devote their lives to telling us about where to eat well. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

Long time Phoenix favorite Chicago Hamburger Company has been the go-to slider and hot dog joint for Arcadia residents since 1975. We all know sliders are just an excuse to eat the equivalent of two burgers and not feel like you’re on the fast track to obesity (like chippers, anyone?), which is why Chow Bella‘s post on the introduction of Bob’s Big Ass Burger to the menu makes a chuckle a little. For just $8.25  you can indulge in two 1/3 pound broiled chuck patties, three kinds of cheeses, sautéed onions, bacon, onion rings and big ‘ol side of thousand island to make it the biggest big ass burger in the area. All the old favorites are there, too, in case you want to stick with the mini versions and feel like you’re eating less. And isn’t it all about how you feel?

Devoured Phoenix Culinary Classic was this past weekend and Gwen Ashley Walters of Pen & Fork was there for both days to check out all of the action. The valley’s best and brightest chefs brought out their culinary big guns and, by the looks of it, it was all to die for. Pictured above is the Mongolian BBQ Shrimp with lemongrass grits and kimichi (mouthful….literally) from House of Tricks, but there are dozens more photographs and reviews to indulge on the blog. You have to check it out for yourself as a mini recap of the full two day extravaganza would not to it justice.

We love when restaurants get right to the point. If you serve curry and you are located on the corner of Terrace and Apache in Tempe, naturally you would call your restaurant Curry Corner, right? Well, PHX Rail Food seemed to think that the restaurant sure had it right with both the name and the food. Most items are priced under $10 and offer not only Indian, but also Afghan and Pakistani influenced cuisine. Ask for help when you’re there or take PHX Rail Food’s cues on what to order as you will be expanding your food horizons down the paths of naan, tandoori and kheer.

Until next week, stay adventurous, my friends.

Images via Pen & Fork and Chow Bella

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

Candy coma? We’ve got a cure! It’s called real food and it doesn’t come in a heart shape nor is it artificially pink and/or red. Let us join in a collective sigh of relief and move past this fake holiday together. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs: 

You may not be constantly reminded of your “in a relationship” or “single” status come February 15th, but it doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate a newlywed couple in all their sweet naivety. Pen and Fork reports on this Cookbook for newlyweds entitled Our First Year by Jaclyn Douma. The book includes 84 simple recipes from Douma’s first year of marriage along with advice and party ideas to add some spice. Check out the full review and pick up the book to see for yourself. Even if you’re just cooking for one, good food is good food no matter who you eat it with.

You know how much we love Chow Bella’s countdowns so here’s another one we can get behind: Ten Favorite Phoenix Food Trucks. With all the festivals and food truckin’ going on in this area, it’s nice to know what’s good before diving in cold turkey. Clever names and culinary creations that will tickle your tastebuds await at places like Duck Duck Pig, Taste Right, Hey Joe! (hey! we know that one) and T Licious Tacos to name four of ten. The full list awaits you here along with recommendations of what to taste. PBD and J? Why not.

Golf and Tea. Tee time and tea time? EaterAZ already came up with it (drat) when reporting on the new magazine, AZ Golf Insider which combines food and golf in a way we never though possible. Golf club houses have started serving some real fine cuisine and EaterAZ is teaming up with the mag to write a column on said food for every issue. What a tasty and helpful collaboration for those lost golfers just looking for some good eats after 18 holes. Heck, we may even start visiting the restaurants even if we don’t golf because, let’s face it, eating is the only sport we care about.

Until next week, keep your eye on the prize, my friends.

Image via Chow Bella

If you never want to see a tortilla chip smothered in guacamole again, then you are riding the Super Bowl food hangover wave. Step two to a full recovery includes drinking a lot of water, eating nice, simple salads and reading DLT’s weekly rundown of Valley food blogs to shake the omnipresent vision of buffalo wings dancing through your head. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:  »READ MORE

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

So, last week we got a little preoccupied with Whale Milk and skimmed (get it?) over some of our favorite blogs. We missed giving you the heads up about EaterAZ’s Food Truck Festival and dropped the ball on introducing another amazing cookbook recommended by Pen & Fork. We won’t let you down this week. Grab a napkin and a cold brew because here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

We covered the coverage of Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue when it was on Pen & Fork last month, but now you can win a signed copy of one of these amazing cookin’ books from a local legend! Fo free! You have until January 20th at midnight to enter and win so visit this page right now and get on it.

We were beyond excited to read Chow Bella’s recent profile of Chef Danielle Leoni of The Breadfruit in downtown Phoenix as this is one of our favorite restaurants. Authentic and utterly delicious, Leoni cranks out Caribbean favorites thanks to owner and Jamaican native, Dwayne Allen. The interview is fun to read and great press for this place so read it, soak it all in like a delicious, hot dog shaped bread stick in tofu curry sauce, and then visit The Breadfruit to experience it all for yourself. Don’t forget to order a mojito. They’re life changing.

Soooooo the Street Eats Food Truck Festival was this past weekend and, from what we’ve heard, it was a vast improvement from the last one so air five for the EaterAZ crew and the hard working food truck chefs churning out meals on wheels for the masses. Oh and props to Tyler Florence for hosting because, as we all know, a Food Network star always makes everything so much more legit. Anywho, now EaterAZ is reporting about an alcohol infused ice cream bar that is popping up over poolside parties and huge drunken golf tournaments alike (we are of course referring to the WM Open). You can refresh and, you know, refresh all at once with the SnoBar and enjoy a margarita and dessert all in one.

Until next week, stay just a little bit buzzed, my friends.

images via Chow Bella and EaterAZ

We said it last week and we’ll say it again, there is nothing like a big ‘ol plate of comfort food to warm your bones from the chilly temps. Here’s giving you the thumbs up to go in for seconds in our redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs.

We’ve got five reasons why finger foods are one of the greatest holiday traditions and Chow Bella has seven spectacular ones to try out before you make your party rounds. Some of these are easy as putting three ingredients in a bowl and some are too delicious looking to only come out once a year. Red velvet cookie cups may take a little more time to create, but the presentation is worth it while sugar coated cranberries are just that, washed cranberries coated in sugar for a pop of color and a sweet treat for guests. You can check out the post to read all about creating dishes like caprese skewers and southwestern bruschetta bites.

Sometimes we get so deep in the holiday eating mode, it is hard to see the barbecue flavored prize at the end of the “long” “cold” winter. Get a jump start on your barbecuing skills when Bryan’s Black Mountain BBQ Cookbook hits the shelves at the end of the month. Pen & Fork blogger and chef, Gwen Ashley Walters, shared the details on the upcoming book from the Cave Creek chef himself. It even dishes some of the secrets behind his amazing and award-winning recipes and the story of how it all came to be.  »READ MORE

Get stuffed last week? We feel your pain. To top it all off, those darned Victoria’s Secret Angels Freaks of Nature strutting their 90 lb frames down the runway last night were enough to make anyone want to head straight to the gym and eat nothing but celery until bathing suit season, but for whatever reason, we just had an overwhelming craving for cheese fries. This is a column for food lovers so here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

With the holiday season in full swing, making the perfect roast would be a great thing to have in your arsenal when entertaining. For this, we turn to Pen & Fork and the review of the cookbook, All About Roasting. This book contains everything you didn’t think you needed to know about roasting everything from lamb to vegetables and has 4.1 lbs worth of recipes and tips to making the perfect holiday dish. Check out the site to get the step-by-step guide to making Roasted Rack of Lamb with Spiced Honey Glaze or pick up the book by Molly Stevens asap to make the most of it. »READ MORE

Halloween candy got you in a comatose state? Nothing like waffles, chimichangas, pumpkin pie and a greasy old hot dog to snap you out of it. Bonus points if you attempt eating all these things in that order. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs: 

With November comes the official start of holiday binge eating. On the top of the tradition list is pumpkin pie and maybe way down on the list (or no where near the list because you’ve never heard of it) is cranberry orange compote. Both of these seasonal treats are a fixed part of the Thanksgiving menu for Pen & Fork author, Gwen Ashley Walters and she was lovely enough to share the links of said recipes with her readers. There is a fresh vs. canned pumpkin debate going on, too, so be sure to get in on that action if you are planning on making your own pie this turkey day.

As long as we are on the subject of traditions, chicken and waffles may be one of the more unconventional ones in these United States, but also one of the more delicious. Chow Bella counted down Five Ways to Eat a Waffle – and the Phoenix Spots to Find Them in the most amazing count down to date. Clearly, with chicken at Lo-lo’s Chicken and Waffles is one of them, but there are other amazing things this vehicle of taste can carry. The Goat Cheese and Jam Waffle at Centurion is another great option (you actually can’t get syrup at this place), as is the Waffle Dog at Over Easy and the traditional waffle at the one and only, Matt’s Big Breakfast. »READ MORE

We have done the research and the “too much of a good thing” rule does not apply to food (blogs). Follow us down the rabbit hole and discover the joys of homemade peanut butter cups, anniversary celebrations and t.v. shows dedicated entirely to stuffing your face. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

In case you are reading this before your lunch break, we have a suggestion on where to go indulge thanks to Chow Bella. Turns out, Olive & Ivy is turning five years old today and rather than throwing a themed party and investing in a nightmare inducing clown, they are celebrating by practically giving away food (and literally giving away cake…guess that part is the same). Five dollar food and drink deals will be available all day. And, for the first 100 guests, free cake for dessert. High five! »READ MORE

Yes. Restaurant Week is over and it kind of sucks. The fun times with friends, the special date nights, the great food for cheap, it was all great. But it’s over. No use wallowing in the past. We are here to remind you to pick up your sagging stomach (from all the good food, of course) and look around at the endless edible options here in the valley of the succulent. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

There is only one way to eat a fry and that is nice and French. We like to think of it as eating our vegetables (potatoes are vegetables, right?) and it’s a good thing Chow Bella knows exactly where to get the best. This week, the master blog of all countdowns counted down the Top Six French Fry Fixes in Metro Phoenix. Joe’s Farm Grill’s Baked Potato Fries, Green’s Thyme Fries, the poutine fries at Beaver Choice (thanks, Canadians), the beer battered fries at Four Peaks Brewery, the classic fries at Delux and McDonald’s crispy little nuggets all made the list. Read the descriptions (if you dare) here.  »READ MORE

Post-Labor day blues got you down? We have the only thing that will get you going (coffee) and fill the void in your heart stomach (food). Read all about it in this week’s redux of the happenings in our favorite food blogs:

With the temperature still hot as the dickens outside, we too, feel like heating you up before cooling you down with Chow Bella‘s 10 Favorite Spicy Dishes in Metro Phoenix. Get the countdown after the jump. »READ MORE

Food Blogs again? It wouldn’t be Wednesday without it, so suck it up and read the damn thing like you know you want to. We love to give you this weekly summary that highlights the best of breakfast, lunch and dinner, the crème de la crème of everything from appetizer to dessert coverage and all the restaurant hype in between. It’s like Sparknotes, but not at all frowned upon by educational establishments. Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

Let’s start out with ice cream. Or, since we hyped it up, the crème de la crème of ice cream from local shops that churn it out to satisfied masses. Those crazy competitive foodies at Chow Bella decided to do a Battle of the Dishes on the ice cream sandwiches from Churn and Sweet Republic which resulted in a sweet, chocolatey, gooey, creamy, cold war to the death that we would love nothing more than to be in the middle of. The verdict gave Churn the upper hand on their actual ice cream due to the ice crystals present in the Sweet Republic’s sammy (disappointing), but both places had hard cookies that were difficult to bite and lead to major ice cream squishage. We recommend bringing a napkin when heading to either establishment. »READ MORE

We’re going to keep this week’s food blog summation short and sweet. Sweet because we will be discussing everyone’s favorite indulgence: dessert. And short because not many people a) blogged or b) blogged specifically about desserts this week. Either way, your sweet tooth will be sated and satisfied. So release your inner Augustus Gloop and let the sugar coma commence:

Here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs. »READ MORE