Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (plb)

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 18:04:50 GMT

Here are some Roadfood favorites from a recent trip: Pizzeria Bianco, Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles, and Pittsburgh Willy's. For higher-end food do as JRPfeff above says and try Citizens Public House.

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (amberdorsch123)

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 01:48:05 GMT

I always love to go barista coffee shop with my friends and that is my favorite one in my life

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (Foodbme)

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:20:04 GMT

JRPfeff

After a dozen you become a native.

That's Me!!! Moved here in May of 2000 after visiting here since 1973!
Only took me 27 years to figure out how to get here!!

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (1bbqboy)

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:58:34 GMT

my 4 years there seemed like a lifetime.
I actually do remember some pretty good Cue there,
including one run by Skip, the son of my grade school principal, Clarence Wantland. There also used to be one up around 7th St.
and Bethany Home or so run by folks from KC who had worked at either Gate's or Boyd's but my memory is now hazy and I'm pretty sure they are long out of business.

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (JRPfeff)

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:00:38 GMT

After a dozen you become a native.

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (1bbqboy)

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:55:21 GMT

Foodbme

JRPfeff

I think Foodbme is trying to keep the good stuff to himself. Most people outside of AZ don't realize that after cacti die and the green stuff rots away, a woody skeleton remains. These wooden poles make about the best smoke wood anywhere. Because cacti are extremely slow growing and are also Federally protected, the supply of this cactus wood is extremely scarce. So Old-Time Arizonans like Foodbme try to keep this information quiet, especially with newbies and snowbirds.

Nice Goin' JRP!
Now the Whole World knows!

only in AZ would someone who's been in residence 10 years be referred to as an old timer. :)

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (amberdorsch123)

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 01:54:23 GMT

The best place for me is with coffee in barista coffee.

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (amberdorsch123)

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 01:52:11 GMT

The best place for me with coffee in barista .

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (Foodbme)

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 23:23:32 GMT

JRPfeff

I think Foodbme is trying to keep the good stuff to himself. Most people outside of AZ don't realize that after cacti die and the green stuff rots away, a woody skeleton remains. These wooden poles make about the best smoke wood anywhere. Because cacti are extremely slow growing and are also Federally protected, the supply of this cactus wood is extremely scarce. So Old-Time Arizonans like Foodbme try to keep this information quiet, especially with newbies and snowbirds.

Nice Goin' JRP!
Now the Whole World knows!

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (JRPfeff)

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 23:05:28 GMT

I think Foodbme is trying to keep the good stuff to himself. Most people outside of AZ don't realize that after cacti die and the green stuff rots away, a woody skeleton remains. These wooden poles make about the best smoke wood anywhere. Because cacti are extremely slow growing and are also Federally protected, the supply of this cactus wood is extremely scarce. So Old-Time Arizonans like Foodbme try to keep this information quiet, especially with newbies and snowbirds.

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (Bonk)

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:52:03 GMT

That's a good point...I never really thought about that.

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (1bbqboy)

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:12:53 GMT

No wood. Burning cactus doesn't really make for a gourmet experience.

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (Bonk)

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:27:41 GMT

Foodbme

Bonk

With all of the midwest and southern transplants there has be at least a couple of good BBQ joints in the region.
Where would you guys recommend for good Q?

Surprisingly, being a western town by birth, and Texas being so close, it's pretty hard to find really good BBQ out here.
There's good BBQ, average BBQ, but I haven't found OUTSTANDING BBQ yet. I've only been here 12 years!
This place gets good recommendations but I haven't been there yet.
http://www.bryansbarbecue.com/
I've eaten at these places and I'd give these places a "Pretty Good" rating:
http://joesrealbbq.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/waldos-bbq-mesa-2
http://www.tomsbbq.com/
http://www.hapsbbq.com/
Out of these, I like Hap's the best.

That is surprising that it's hard to find an outstanding joint. Thanks a lot for the recommendations though!

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (fortbethel)

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:48:30 GMT

I'll agree that for a period of time maybe a couple of years Pizzeria Bianco was not living up to its reputation. It was because Chris the owner and Pie maker himself was sick. He has now beautifully trained a team of men to make his pies and the place has gotten its demon back.

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (ChrisOC)

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:13:02 GMT

Michael Hoffman

Bill, if you want an apizza as close as possible to what you grew up eating hit Pizzeria Bianco.

The first pizza I ate was at my friends house back in the mid 40's. No one in my area had even heard of pizza. My friends Italian mom made evrything from scratch. She told me the tomato pie she gave me was called apizza (she pronounced it ah PEETS)

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (Foodbme)

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 20:27:04 GMT

Bonk

With all of the midwest and southern transplants there has be at least a couple of good BBQ joints in the region.
Where would you guys recommend for good Q?

Surprisingly, being a western town by birth, and Texas being so close, it's pretty hard to find really good BBQ out here.
There's good BBQ, average BBQ, but I haven't found OUTSTANDING BBQ yet. I've only been here 12 years!
This place gets good recommendations but I haven't been there yet.
http://www.bryansbarbecue.com/
I've eaten at these places and I'd give these places a "Pretty Good" rating:
http://joesrealbbq.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/waldos-bbq-mesa-2
http://www.tomsbbq.com/
http://www.hapsbbq.com/
Out of these, I like Hap's the best.

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (Bonk)

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 15:08:40 GMT

With all of the midwest and southern transplants there has be at least a couple of good BBQ joints in the region.

Where would you guys recommend for good Q?

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (samy5)

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:52:47 GMT

I tried Pizzeria Bianco a few years back but wasn't impressed. Maybe I just had a soso experience

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (Davwud)

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:36:52 GMT

Sorry, There is no back door and there is no kitchen. The dining area and the kitchen are all one room!!!
This is a SMALL building-----That's why the lines-----There is VERY limited seating and most times, a LONG wait.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ya.
You weren't really supposed to take that so literally. But it's good to know what I would be getting myself into.

DT

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (Davwud)

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:35:41 GMT

pnwchef

TTM, the pizza you show has every thing one would need and ask for in a pizza. The crust looks light, crispy with a bit of a char flavor. The cheese and sauce look like the right amounts. This pizza will be on my agenda for a late afternoon lunch..............Thanks for the pictures and review...........Bill

Not quite everything. I love pepperoni (or a reasonable substitute) on pizza. I find it to be a basic part of the pizza taste.

DT

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (kaszeta)

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:57:34 GMT

Foodbme

Sorry, There is no back door and there is no kitchen. The dining area and the kitchen are all one room!!!
This is a SMALL building-----That's why the lines-----There is VERY limited seating and most times, a LONG wait.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Indeed, here is a view of approximately 60% of the interior seating of Bianco:

And a gratuitous photo of one of the pizzas I've ever had (prosciutto and fig from Bianco):

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (pnwchef)

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 08:40:26 GMT

TTM, the pizza you show has every thing one would need and ask for in a pizza. The crust looks light, crispy with a bit of a char flavor. The cheese and sauce look like the right amounts. This pizza will be on my agenda for a late afternoon lunch..............Thanks for the pictures and review...........Bill

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (Foodbme)

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 01:11:21 GMT

Davwud

buffetbuster

Davwud-
I have driven past the place and saw ridiculously long lines out the door and multiple cars circling the area looking for parking. That will scare me away everytime! But, it sounds like it is more manageable now. If you make it there, please report back!

Knowing my cousin we'll probably walk in through the kitchen....LOL
You know I'll report back
DT

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (Davwud)

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:51:54 GMT

buffetbuster

Davwud-
I have driven past the place and saw ridiculously long lines out the door and multiple cars circling the area looking for parking. That will scare me away everytime! But, it sounds like it is more manageable now.

If you make it there, please report back!

Knowing my cousin we'll probably walk in through the kitchen....LOL

You know I'll report back

DT

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (buffetbuster)

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:27:33 GMT

Davwud-
I have driven past the place and saw ridiculously long lines out the door and multiple cars circling the area looking for parking. That will scare me away everytime! But, it sounds like it is more manageable now.

If you make it there, please report back!

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (Davwud)

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:22:22 GMT

buffetbuster

Okay, after seeing those pictures and learning some parking tips, I am going to pay a visit the next time in Phoenix. And that particular pizza is exactly what I would order.

It's a great looking pie and I'm trying to get to Phoenix in the spring so I may just have to check it out.

DT

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (buffetbuster)

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 08:20:43 GMT

Okay, after seeing those pictures and learning some parking tips, I am going to pay a visit the next time in Phoenix. And that particular pizza is exactly what I would order.

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (kaszeta)

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:22:18 GMT

The photos are fine.

I've been trying to tell people since my re-review in 2011 that Bianco shifting from dinner-only to lunch-through-dinner was a sea change, since it alleviated a lot of demand, and particularly made showing up during slack time a workable proposition (I used to always have to either show up waaaay early and spent a lot of time waiting, or show up late-ist and talk my way into a single spot at the bar)

As an aside, I've never had trouble parking there, I just use the nearby garage on 5th, which is quite reasonable as long as it's not event parking.

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (The Travelin Man)

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:10:01 GMT

Thanks. This may become my go-to method for posting pictures, as it was relatively painless.

Re:Phoenix, What Is Your # 1 Restaurant Choice (Davwud)

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:05:15 GMT

The Travelin Man

As an aside, can someone with whom I am not friends on Facebook tell me if they can see the photos loaded above. I used photos from my FB account - I think for the first time - and am wondering how my own permissions may affect my ability to post them here. Thanks.

They're there.

DT