It’s Fish Fry Friday, and there’s a newcomer today. Trophy’s Steakhouse in Queen Creek is holding its first all-you-can-eat fish fry. The price is $12 per person, which includes French fries, homemade coleslaw, and salad.
Trophy’s, which is using basa fish (also known as Vietnamese river cobbler) instead of the typical cod or haddock, says the fish fry may become a regular Friday offering.
Other East Valley places doing a fish fry today include First Round Draft ($9.99), Fat Willy’s ($9.99), and Iguana Macks ($11.99 from 4-10 p.m.). Also, Coach & Willie’s has its regular fish and chips entree on sale for $10.
Some of the non-fish fry deals:
The Phoenix City Council has approved a second set of Valley restaurants to open locations in Terminal 4 at Sky Harbor International Airport, including Joe’s Real BBQ (pictured) from Gilbert and Four Peaks Brewing Company from Tempe.
The full list of restaurants approved Wednesday night in SSP America’s winning bid:
- America’s Taco Shop
- Cheuvront Wine Bar
- Culver’s
- Delux Burger
- Four Peaks Brewing
- Humble Pie
- Joe’s Real BBQ
- Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles
- Lola Coffee
- Los Taquitos
- Matt’s Big Breakfast
- MidCity Kitchen
- Nocawich
- Panda Express
- Pei Wei
- Peet’s Coffee
- Sweet Republic
- Tammy Coe Cakes
- Wendy’s
- Wildflower Bread
- Yogurtology
- Zinc Bistro
The 10-year Sky Harbor contract was awarded in two parts. Last year, current concessionaire HMS Host won the other half of the bid with these restaurants:
- Barrio Cafe
- Blanco’s Tacos & Tequila
- Cartel Coffee Lab
- Chelsea’s Kitchen
- Cowboy Ciao
- D’licious Dishes
- Dilly’s Deli
- El Bravo
- Grateful Spoon
- LGO Burger
- LGO Pizzeria
- La Madeleine
- McDonald’s
- Modern Burger
- New York Pizza Dept.
- Olive & Ivy Marketplace
- Paradise Bakery & Cafe
- Press Coffee
- Sauce
- Sir Veza’s Taco Garage
- Starbucks
It looks like Arizona Wilderness Brewing won’t become Queen Creek’s first brewery after all. Instead, it may become the first in Gilbert.
Those who have been following the nascent business’ tribulations know it had intended to open this summer at Power and Pecos roads, in a space (pictured above) next to Trophy’s Steakhouse.
Those plans were scuttled when the strip mall’s biggest client, L.A. Fitness, complained about potential parking problems, forcing AZ Wilderness to look at other sites in Queen Creek.
But in his latest blog post, brewer Jonathan Buford says:
Well, we are moving cities. Gilbert, AZ has already won our hearts and now beginning to win our minds (and wallets). That is a exciting prospect. I’d say at this point Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. will be the first brewpub/beer producer in Gilbert is well over an 95% chance.
Of course, until the doors open, nothing seems to be for certain for AZ Wilderness.
The Farm at Agritopia – those fields and orchards next to Joe’s Farm Grill in Gilbert – is kicking off peach season with a you-pick-’em event on Saturday.
From 7 a.m. to noon, pick all the ripe and juicy peaches you want for $2 per pound. There also will be medjool dates, beets, and zucchini available for purchase at the farm stand.
And in Queen Creek, Schnepf Farms concludes its annual Peach Festival Saturday and Sunday. Besides peach picking, there will be peach foods and drinks, contests, and family activities.
It’s Thursday, which means it’s Ladies Night at several East Valley restaurants and bars, including the Cove Grill (pictured above) in Chandler where drinks are half-price for the ladies.
Also in Chandler, El Palacio offers $3 margaritas and a two-for-the-price-of-one deal on appetizers and salads after 3 p.m.
Iguana Macks has $1 Buds and Bud Lights, $2 shots, and $3 well drinks for ladies after 7 p.m.
And Sandbar has half-price appetizers and drinks all day.
Don’t worry, guys. There are plenty of other deals today for both sexes, including:
Saturday is the kickoff of Arizona’s Spring Restaurant Week, one of two weeks each year when restaurants offer special three-course menus for $20, $30 or $40.
The promotion, which started in 2008 with great promise and excitement, seems to have withered after the inaugural year. And it’s never really caught on in the East Valley.
Despite being home to more than a million people and thousand of restaurants, the East Valley only has a handful of restaurants participating. Here’s what they’re offering Saturday through May 27:
Cork (pictured above, $40)
- First Course: Seared Lion Paw Scallop/Jalapeno White Bean Puree, Citrus Guacamole; or Nevada Wedge Salad/Bacon, Shallot, Humboldt Fog, Kumato Tomato, Ranch Croutons; or Chilled White Asparagus Soup/Smoked Salmon, English Pea Salad, Truffle Oil
- Second Course: Pan Roasted Halibut/Steamed Mussels, Fennel, Fava Beans, Tomato, White Beans, Anisette; or Berkshire Pork Tenderloin/Bay Shrimp Fried Rice, Spicy Mustard, Honey Lavender Sauce; or Char Grilled Hanger Steak/Couscous Salad, Razz Cherries, Grilled Ramps, Pinot Reduction
- Third Course: Sweet Potato Cake/Brown Sugar Buttercream, Golden Raisins, Sweet Potato Dust; Key Lime & Blackberry Napoleon/Crispy Phyllo Pastry, Key Lime Custard, Simmered Blackberries; Flight of Sorbets/A Selection of Three Housemade Fruit Sorbets Infused with Wine
- First Course: White Bean Soup with Parmesan Bread; or Strawberry Salad with Arugula, Goat Cheese, Roasted Cashews and Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
- Second Course: Butter Poached California Halibut with Strawberry, Shaved Fennel, Arugula and Lemon Oil; or Grilled Chicken Paillard with Pan Roasted Baby Carrots, Ramps, Fingerling Potatoes, Swiss Chard and Extra Virgin Olive Oil; or Portobello Stack with Roasted Tomatoes, White Beans, Spicy Red Sauce, Walnuts and Parmesan Cheese; or Gluten Free Fusilli Pasta with White Beans, Roasted Tomatoes and Bacon Ragout
- Third Course: Peanut Butter Bombe
- First Course: Steak Crostini, Aged Provolone, Caramelized Onions, Salsa Verde; or Shrimp Skewers, Chimi Churri Marinade, Spicy Salsa Remoulade; or Fresh Greens, Pomegranate Seeds, Toasted Marcona Almonds, Manchego Cheese, Pomegranate vinaigrette.
- Second Course: Tomahawk Pork Chop, Sweet Corn Relish, Basmati Rice, Grilled Asparagus; or Applewood Smoked Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon, Fig Cabernet Demi, Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Brocolini; or Pan Seared Sea Bass, Lemon Pomegranate Reduction, Basmati Rice, Grilled Brocolini.
- Third Course: Turtle Cheesecake, Sweet Bailey’s Caramel Sauce; or Chocolate Frosted Brownie, White Chocolate Decadence Sauce.
- First Course: Caesar Salad - Romaine hearts served with our homemade Caesar dressing; or Garden Salad - Iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, radish, and cherry tomatoes with choice of dressing.
- Second Course: 8 oz. Sterling Silver Prime Rib - Our most popular item! Slow cooked to ensure tenderness; or Tequila Chicken - Sauteed chicken breast with bell peppers, onions, mushrooms and jalapenos in a cheddar cheese sauce; or Atlantic Salmon - Broiled, Poached or Sauteed and served with a citrus butter sauce.
- Third Course: Raspberry Cheesecake; or Caramel Bread Pudding w/Bourbon Sauce.
- Additional Offering: Glass of Coastal Vineyards Wine
- First Course: Keg Caesar – Crisp romaine and aged Parmesan cheese in our creamy dressing; or Baked Garlic Shrimp Baked – shrimp with garlic, herbs, Jack and Cheddar cheeses; Lettuce Wedge – Crisp wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with diced tomatoes, bacon bits and your choice of ranch or Bleu cheese dressing.
- Second Course: 8 oz Pecan Sirloin* -Grilled top sirloin, basted and coated in chopped pecans. Topped with crumbled goat cheese; or 10 oz Prime Rib* – Specially aged for extra flavor and tenderness, rubbed with our unique blend of spices and slow roasted. Hand-carved and served with horseradish and red wine herb au jus; or 12 oz Baseball Top Sirloin* – So thick that medium rare is the most we can cook it; or Chicken Oscar* – Topped with shrimp, scallops, asparagus and Béarnaise sauce.
- Third Course: Cheesecake – Thick and creamy, topped with a fruit sauce; or Billy Miner Pie – Mocha ice cream on a chocolate crust with hot fudge, caramel and almonds.
- First Course: Spicy Tuna Roll-spicy motoyaki sauce, cucumber; or California Roll- crab mix, motoyaki sauce, cucumber, avocado; or small Oriental Salad- napa & red cabbage, green onion, red pepper, cilantro, carrot, almonds, ramen crunch, sweet-soy dressing
- Second Course: Macadamia Nut Chicken- house mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, shoyu cream, pinapple-papaya marmalade; or Miso-Sake Seabass- shrimp & pork fried rice, pan-asian ratatouille; or Sushi and Sashimi Combo- 1 piece each of: tuna, slamon, yellowtail, albacore, mackerel and shrimp sushi with 3 pieces each of: salmon, tuna, yellowtail sashimi accompanied with a tuna roll
- Third Course: Key Lime Pie- individual portion of our key lime custard with macadamia nut and graham cracker crust with whipped cream; or Red Velvet Cupcake- moist red velvet cake with a traditional cream cheese frosting
- Additional Offering: Glass of House Chardonnay; or Glass of House Cabernet-Sauvignon; or Glass of Draft beer
- First Course: Sweet Home Waimanalo Salad – Creamy Herb Dressing; or Tempura Crusted Spicy Ahi Roll – Miso Butter Sauce; or Wood Grilled Szechuan Spiced Pork Ribs – Mongolian Sauce; or Crunchy Golden Lobster Potstickers – Spicy Togarashi Miso Butter Sauce
- Second Course: Teriyaki Grilled Salmon – Jasmine Rice, Bok Choy, Japanese Citrus Ponzu; or Roy’s Roasted Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi – Roasted Potatoes, Asparagus, Maine Lobster Essence; or Roy’s Original Hawaiian Blackened Island Ahi – Jasmine Rice, Bok Choy, Spicy Soy Mustard Butter Sauce; or Asian Pesto Grilled Chicken Breast – Fresh Lo-Mein Noodles, Snow Peas, Mushrooms, Ginger Chicken Jus; or Braised Beef Short Ribs – Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Broccolini, Natural Braising Sauce
- Third Course: Roy’s Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé – Flourless Chocolate Cake with a Molten Hot Center, Raspberry Coulis; or Vanilla Bean Cheesecake – Hawaiian Vanilla Beans Blended with Cream Cheese, Graham Cracker Crust
- First Course: Vegetable Samosa Plate; or Murgh Salad; or Tamatar Shorba; or Punjabi Murgh Pakore
- Second Course: Chicken Tikka Masala; or Palak Paneer; or Punjabi Chole; or Lamb Vindaloo
- Third Course: Rasmalal; or Gulab Jamun; or Kulfi; or Jalebi te Rabri
- First Course: Mixed greens with Roasted Red Peppers, Queso Fresco, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds and Fresh Cilantro Vinagrette.
- Second Course: Beef Tenderloin Oscar style with Bernaise Sauce and Asparagas; or Bourbon Glazed Salmon with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Brocolli; or Slow Roasted Prime Rib with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Brocolli.
- Third Course: AGR Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie; or Chocolate Mousse with Chantilly Cream
- First Course: House Salad
- Second Course: Arrachera with Grilled Prawns, Side of Rice and Beans, Side of Enfrijoladas
- Third Course: Choice of Dessert
- Additional Offering: House Margarita
It’s Wine Wednesday, which means Uncle Bear’s has $3 glasses of Barefoot Wines and $5 glasses of Robert Mondavi Cab. Add a slice of Ultimate Chocolate Cake for $4.
Other Wine Wednesday deals:
And some of today’s non-wine deals:
It’s Taco Tuesday, which means $1 tacos at El Palacio in Chandler after 3 p.m. Wash them down with $2 Mexican draft beers.
Devil’s Advocate in Tempe also does $1 tacos from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. today, and $1 domestic pints are only $1.
Over in Gilbert, get $1.50 street tacos at House of Brews, which also has California craft beers for $5 today.
Sandbar in Chandler and Secreto in Ahwatukee are selling $2 tacos with $2 Dos Equis.
Some of the non-taco deals today:
- BoomBozz Taphouse: $3 craft beer pints
- Coach & Willie’s: $2 sliders; $2 domestic pints; $3 craft pints
- Cove Grill: Free kids meal with adult entree purchase
- Fat Willy’s: Free kids meal with adult entree purchase
- Hungry Monk: 59-cent wings; $2 Coronas, Tecates & Pacificos
- Il Vinaio: 2-for-1 beers and glasses of wine until 6 p.m.
- Postino: Bruschetta & any bottle of house wine for $20 after 8 p.m.
- Uncle Bear’s: Half-price pizzas; $2.50 drafts; $4 Guinness/Black & Tans
If you hurry, you can still get a seat at this week’s “Taste of Romeo’s Euro Cafe” dinner, hosted by chef/owner Romeo Taus and wife Janice, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The weekly dinner, which often has been sold out in advance lately, features smaller portions of five regular menu items. This week: Asparagus Puffs, Balsamic Steak Salad, Sainte Victoire, Veal Pirata, and The Night Before.
The cost is $25++ per person. You can add five wine “tastes” for another $8. RSVP: 480-962-4224.
Reminder: Romeo’s also will be holding a special 21st anniversary winemaker dinner June 4 with Charles Krug.
Liberty Market will host its monthly community dinner Monday, May 28, at the downtown Gilbert restaurant.
The dinner’s theme will be “Memorial Day Gourmet Picnic,” celebrating both the beginning of summer and our military veterans.
The five-course menu hasn’t been released, but the 40 available seats typically are snapped up quickly.
Cost is $45 per person for dinner only, $55 with beer pairing, and $65 with wine pairing. Sign up at Liberty’s espresso bar.
