East Indian School Rd News

[johnseberg]

Anyone who has driven along E Indian School has probably noticed a few changes.

I noticed a sign for Loving Hut at the location of the former Supreme Master Ching Hai Vegetarian House. I'm not sure exactly what is going on there. Loving Hut looks like a chain of vegan restaurants, but, each location seems to have their own menu.

Maui Dog is coming soon to the space formerly occupied by Ricky's Big Philly.

As I mentioned in another thread, Mr. Greek changed its name to Z's Greek.

Rumbi Island Grill has closed, but other locations of this chain are open in various suburbs.

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Ricky's Big Philly
3538 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

Funny thing about Loving Hut... the Supreme Master Ching Hai poster is still in the window.

[coastalgypsy]

I believe that group runs Loving Hut restaurants as well.

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

Just read through the FAQ on the Loving Hut site and the chain is indeed a product of Ching Hai. After I've read more through the site, who would have thought that there's over 50 locations worldwide?

[coastalgypsy]

I admit I was a little nervous to eat at one because I didn't really know what the group was about... but after dining at their place in NYC, it was a nice surprise; the restaurants are clean & bright, food is quick, cheap & tasty, and the folks running them are always very accomodating & polite. They do usually have a tv showing video of folks talking about the benefits of eating healthy vegetarian food, but that's about it.... no Ching Hai propaganda or anything like that... so I understand why their restaurants are doing so well!

[kmarg]

Black Forest Mill is remodeling, maybe new concept. And the old mechanics at 56th st may be a Mexican place, but that is an unsubstantiated rumour to me

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Black Forest Mill
Phoenix, AZ, USA, Phoenix, AZ

[tastyjon]

Driving by, it's unclear if BFM is remodeling or being gutted/dead. It seems they lost all signage, versus the "pardon our dust" message.

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

From what I've heard, it's not dead. Judging by the pieces I've put together, the guy who runs the German sausage shop next door very likely owns the land, as whoever owns the building requires that a German restaurant go in where Black Forest Mill was. You might remember that before Black Forest Mill, it was a different German restaurant. It's almost a sure thing that when the space opens back up, it will be another German place.

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Black Forest Mill
Phoenix, AZ, USA, Phoenix, AZ

[tastyjon]

I loved the last incarnation when it first opened... really good happy hour in the sports bar-like front. Great German bites and big beers, in a bright/sunny/modern space with soccer on the flat screen TVs. Then you went into the main restaurant, straight out of Heidelberg in 1904. Still, the retro Euro style was kinda cool, and the polka bands and ex-pats added to a curious mix of old and new.

Unfortunately the bar menu became more western and the back room nightlife shifted to hip hop. It all became a bit too strange and lost the consistent German feel. Let's hope the next venture sticks to the German/Euro theme instead of shifting to what sells depending on the day of the week.

[azhotdish]

And of course, That's Italiano will be replaced by Justin Beckett's new home, Beckett's Table.

[coastalgypsy]

Loving Hut is a chain, there's another one in Glendale. I've been to the one in Glendale as well as one in NYC, and the restaurants are always clean & spotless and the food is really delicious vegan food -- apparently most carnivores agree that they can't tell that the meat substitutes they use aren't the real thing. Not sure how different all menus are, but you can check them out on their website. Don't think the new location in Phoenix is listed yet... http://www.lovinghut.us/phoenix/