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ciaogal
Mar 8, 2007 03:51 PM
I know it's a chain, and I know I have already had a large glass of wine this afternoon....
preparing to slum it tonight @ some dive bar in Tempe w/ the girls....I may regret suggesting this tomorrow....
Have you been to Firebirds on 83rd and Bell? They have great salads and wood fired chicken entrees...
I have a friend that works in that area...sometimes we meet for lunch....I was pleasantly suprised......
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re: ciaogal
themis
Mar 8, 2007 06:18 PM
Aw, no shame in it, ciaogal -- of the chain menagerie there on Bell, I think Firebirds is far and away the best choice. I've been known to go for wine & apps on a lazy afternoon. Good wine selections, place smells fantastic from the smoker, nice patio -- everything I've tried was worthwhile. I'm partial to their salmon salad.
I probably wouldn't have been brave enough to bring it up without a hefty glass of wine first, either, but I notice we weren't even the first -- Kari mentioned it up there, as well.
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In the strip mall on the NE corner of TBird and 51st Ave. there's a nice little Korean restaurant, and also a Vietnamese restaurant that recently changed ownership so I don't know if it's reopened yet. On Bell between 43rd and 51st Aves. is a barbecue cafe called Thee Pitts, I think, that is pretty good, and a good value. We like Freddy's Frozen Custard on 51st and Bell for the "steakburgers," chicken sandwiches and nice frites-like fries, not to mention the custard. The pizza place (Ralph's?) on the SE corner of TBird and 59th Ave. makes pretty good pizza, and they also serve Long Wong's wings, which we haven't tried. And for a slightly more upscale lunch don't forget Tagliani for pasta, as well as good salads -- two locations in the area, at 59th and Bell (in the strip mall on the NE corner) and on Bell just east of the 101.
Mixteca, on Bell near 67th, has long been a favorite of ours for fast food Mexican; it's more authentic than you would expect for that location. However, I've recently had sub-par experiences with the cocido and menudo, so I would stay away from the soups.
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re: abbefaith
themis
Mar 8, 2007 06:14 AM
Cucina Tagliani is farther down right next to the freeway; in the plaza with the Kinko's. I think I'm the only westside girl not impressed with them, but admittedly I've only been once. I received pasta that had gone to mush and the flabbiest grey boiled sausage. I really don't believe people should base an opinion of a place based on one poster's experience so I chose not to put up a negative review. I'm fussy about Italian, though, and my experience was enough to make me leery of giving it a second chance. Oddly, I never would have guessed it wasn't a national chain, there's enough flair in the building.
If someone goes and has a revelationary gustatory experience, post it and help me change my mind!
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re: themis
We go often to Tagliani's. It isn't steller Italian, but it is good solid Italian. The lasagna is the best I've had and thats pretty much what we go for. I also like their pick a pasta and get tortellini with the tomatofrado sauce. You can get lunch portion/prices at dinner time if you have a smaller appetite. I don't care for the bread service, however you can also ask for their flat bread which is really good. Their salads are good and the dressings are fantastic. I like the garlic and the balsamic. They are made fresh every day. We also like the Chocolate marscipone cake.
Also, I didn't care for the fettuccine alfredo. I do like the appetizer with the portabello mushroom.
Give them another try and get the lasagna (dinner portion comes with a salad) and a slice of the chocolate cake.
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re: themis
silverbear
Mar 8, 2007 07:30 AM
I wouldn't make a special trip for Cucina Tagliani, but sometimes when I eat dinner with certain relatives or friends in the area, it's all I can do to persuade them to go to a non-chain restaurant. The good Thai and Indian places discussed in this thread are off-limits, so Tagliani becomes a reasonably good compromise choice.
For Italian on West Bell Road, however, my favorite is La Vigna at 35th Ave and Bell.
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re: silverbear
twodogs
Mar 8, 2007 07:56 PM
Silverbear,have you ever tried Portofino Ristorante at 59th. and Bell?It's on the northwest corner right next to Steinmart.This place has great food,I haven't been there for a couple of years but I'm sure it's the same family that still owns it,they also have one in Surprise called Portofino West which I do go to fairly often because it's closer to where I live.The down side to the "west" location is that it's like eating in a nursing home due to the Sun City patrons that swarm the place complete with walkers, wheelchairs and oxygen bottles.(not that there's anything wrong with that)The food is great though.
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re: twodogs
silverbear
Mar 9, 2007 04:33 AM
No, I haven't, but I'll put the 59th Ave and Bell location on my list. Thanks for the tip.
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I live on T-bird and 91st ave. There is mostly chains, but I like Heidie's Deli behind the Chase bank on 83rd ave for sandwiches (they have smoothies). There is a new sushi place in that same area. Not been there at all. I also give a vote for Dillon's. Good food, excellent onion rings and mushrooms. The bbq place next to the Harley shop is called AZ BBQ and is good. Firebirds (west coast chain) is very nice for lunch if your looking for something a little nicer.
There is El Charro Bravo (these guys did Ajo Al's) for OK mexican food. Heck if your in a rush, there is a Costco a mile North for a quick hot dog or pizza slice. There is a chinese place on 91st & T-bird called Chang Lee (they deliver) the bbq pork fried rice is awsome. I like their egg rolls too.
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themis
Feb 6, 2007 04:58 AM
Chanpen Thai is really good, but I think Line Thai may take the edge, as far as atmosphere and having better lunch specials. But twodogs is definitely right in they're both worth going out of your way for. At the same intersection ( 99th & Bell) is a burger place that I can't remember the name of, but is worth a stop. Also at 83rd & Union Hills is Cocomo Joe's, for upscale Mexican, and there's a good noodle shop in that plaza as well. And Majarajah Palace for Indian, on Bell, is a great stop.
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re: themis
silverbear
Feb 6, 2007 06:34 AM
Speaking of Indian restaurants on Bell Road, I've noticed a new place at the SE corner of 43rd Ave and Bell called "Tandoori Village." Has anyone tried it?
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re: silverbear
We've been once, not too long after it opened. I can't remember exactly what we ordered, but the food had a nice spicy heat, not overwhelming but noticeable. I do recall that we ordered one of the stuffed naans, and decided next time we will just get the regular naan because we didn't think the stuffing added a lot of flavor. Our server seemed to be a Pacific Islander who didn't know much about the Indian food. We will definitely go back because it's pretty close to our house.
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re: kittyfood
silverbear
Mar 7, 2007 05:34 PM
Thanks for the report. I get over that way once in a while and maybe I'll give it a try.
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re: geg5150
silverbear
Feb 5, 2007 06:58 PM
Yes, both Central Phoenix and Peoria are closed. Only Mesa remains at this time:
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twodogs
Feb 5, 2007 05:22 PM
There are some great places to eat in your new area.
Between T-bird and Bell on 83rd. there are a bunch of chain restaurants which I try to avoid,but almost every chain known to Phoenix is crammed into that area.
The downside is that area is so new there aren't a lot of established indies.But there are some.
There is Dillon's at T-bird and the 101,great place to eat !! Best onion rings in town and I've never had a bad meal there,the service is always very good.
For Thai there are a couple of really good places My favorite is Chanpen Thai on the n.w. corner of 51 st. and T-bird,second choice is Line Thai at 99 th.(s.e. corner) and Bell,both are probably two of the best in Phoenix.
The new Monestary is right by the Peoria sports complex,I don't know what the address is but it's right behind the Target on Bell between 75th. and 83rd.Not the greatest food but a fun place to go.
There is also a little Mom and Pop BBQ place in a little strip mall right close to the Harley Davidson dealer just north of the Harkins movie complex on 83rd,I've eaten there once and it was good and not overly expensive.
At 43rd. and T-bird on the s.e. corner is Casey Jones Grill,I love this place but I don't eat there often because it's very smoky.Hopefully after May it will be smoker free and I'll try it again.Good luck.›3 Replies
