Blog Archives
Downtown Phoenix: Home of the Haute-Dog
[Source: Scoopfactory]
What the heck is a ‘mobile hotdog eatery’? Only the tastiest thing on four legs, er, wheels
Image via Norm Reyes
Seriously, are there two better words in the English language than ‘gourmet hotdogs’? We’re talking hand-crafted sausages and frankfurters from those ground meat gurus at Schreiner’s in Phoenix, who’ve been cranking out casings inside a family-run factory since 1955. And forget ketchup and mustard, these posh puppies are topped with exotic delights such as mango chutney, aged English cheddar and fresh cilantro, and then served on a warm Indian-style flatbread called naan.
Sounds a little froufrou and pricey, you say. Besides, aren’t the best hotdogs served out of the back of a roadside stand? Well, meet Short Leash Hot Dogs, the Valley’s first ‘mobile hot dog eatery.’ Operated by a charming local couple out of a retrofitted trailer, Short Leash has quickly become a star attraction at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market’s Food Truck Fridays. Here, if you brave the lines, you’ll be rewarded with doggie delights such as the Aiko (pictured), a specialty sausage known as a beer hot, topped with mango chutney, jalapenos, red onions, cilantro and mayonnaise. Even better, at $5 a pop you’ll have money left over for superb sides such as deep-fried pickles and a bottle of Mexican coke (i.e. the real-deal stuff made with cane sugar vs. corn syrup).
But why put off until Friday what you can scarf down today? Short Leash is at the Phoenix Public Market every Wednesday evening, and you can also catch them Thursdays at Shady’s, a hipster hangout on Indian School featuring one of Valley’s the best jukeboxes. Yes, a jukebox. Google it, youngin’s. Click here to get the 411 on Short Leash’s far-flung travels, including our fav entry: on Feb 26, Short Leash is scheduled to appear at a ‘private wedding.’ Now that’s a wedding we’d like to crash.
Image via Norm Reyes
Dining tips for ASU downtown Phoenix students (and the rest of you too!)
While this article is focused on downtown ASU students, the tips are relevant for anybody who lives, works and/or plays in downtown Phoenix.
[Source: Kelly Green, New Times Chow Bella]
Downtown Phoenix has come a long way in a short period of time. Anyone who’s been around longer than an ASU freshman can tell you that. But the dining scene for students still leaves a bit to be desired. Here are our tips for feeding yourself, these first few weeks of school.
Source: Kelly Green, Phoenix New Times
1. Become a Coupon Clipper Printer
Little known fact: downtownphoenix.com has tons of special deals and coupons on local restaurants and businesses, just select the option from the “What to do” tab and print away.
2. Be Picky About Your On-Campus Eating
There are two restaurants in the bottom of the Cronkite School at 555 N. Central Avenue: Subway and El Portal. Subway is good for a few meals, then all of the sudden one day you walk in and never want to smell that bread again. And El Portal has earned quite a reputation locally for its health inspections, which you might want to check out here.
Our pick for an on campus meal?
ASU’s Taylor Place (120 East Taylor Street) offers lunch and dinner to everyone, not just students or dorm residents. A little more than $8 will get you an hour of bottomless food and drinks at the buffet-style cafeteria, which has offers a pizza station, salad and fruit bars, pastries, and made-to-order sandwiches. Sit outside on the patio for less of a rowdy high school cafeteria experience, unless of course, that is your thing.
The places you should be going and our coffee picks, after the jump. Read the rest of this entry
Touring downtown Phoenix… by bike
Visiting the murals in the alley behind 5th St. near Roosevelt (photo source: Tony Arranaga)
[Source: LightRailBlogger.com] — I took my neighbors on a hour long bike tour of downtown Phoenix. Mike and Jane were not too familiar with the backstory to some of the historic sights in our urban core, so it was fun to give them some background on the landmarks in the heart of the city.
We started in the Evans Churchill neighborhood near 4th Street and Fillmore. We visited the community garden near Conspire Coffee and the murals in the alley behind 5th Street near Roosevelt in the arts district. Mike, Jane and I then went to the Phoenix Public Market, the Westward Ho and Civic Space Park. Our tour then continued south on 1st Avenue to see the Orpheum Lofts, 44 Monroe and the old City Hall.
Next. we made our way over to Hanny’s Restaurant, which used to be home to a high end department store back in the day. We then stopped by St. Mary’s Basilica where Pope John Paul II visited several years ago. Our trip ended at Heritage Square and then we stoppped for a bite to eat at Front Row – TGIFriday’s restaurant inside Chase Field where the Arizona Diamondbacks play ball.
How did I do? Where would you take friends or out of town guests to explore the heart of Phoenix? [Note: Read the full blog entry at Touring downtown Phoenix… by bike.]
Downtown Phoenix Journal Weekly Recap
[Source: Si Robins, Downtown Phoenix Journal] — I’ve been thinking about seeing beloved members of the Downtown community leave town recently, and it had me realizing the bonds that we create in our daily lives in Downtown Phoenix, whether they be direct or indirect. This weekend we celebrated Natalie Morris‘ departure at the Urban Grocery and Wine Bar with a food and wine affair that would make any neighborhood envious. While there, I realized how many of us see each other regularly in these parts, and it’s always disheartening when one of the flock leaves the nest.
The same was almost the case in this week’s Suns Spot post. As trivial as it may seem, Suns fans have been entertained at US Airways Center by Amar’e Stoudemire for seven years. When intense trade rumors reached a boiling point last week (despite 11th hour discussions, Stoudemire remained a Sun, to the delight of most Suns fans), Chris Coffel examined the mark Stoudemire’s entrepreneurship has impacted Phoenix and how it would change (with some hilarious would-be results). Luckily, we won’t be seeing Taylor Griffin’s OK BBQ anytime soon.
Viewpoint: Downtown Phoenix now has the real deal
[Source: Arizona Republic editorial board] — A hallmark of a flourishing, mature metropolis is when it begins spawning institutions reflecting local culture. A glitzy mall is great, but a funky, thriving Mill Avenue in Tempe is something unique the locals can cherish. It is fun, busy and ours.
The same is true of a central “farmers market” dedicated to local produce. Virtually all major urban centers have a market featuring locally grown produce, baked goods, meats and dairy products. Until recently, all Phoenix could muster was a part-time farmers market where local producers huddled against the elements in tents. Now, it has the real deal.
The Phoenix Public Market Urban Grocery and Wine Bar opened last week with fragrant, organic Arizona-grown produce in abundance. It offers a charming, multiroom environment at 14 E. Pierce St., the first permanent market to open its doors in the central city in 30 years.
The market is the realization of a long-time dream of Director Cindy Gentry and the board of the Community Food Connections, the non-profit group that raised $530,000 to make it happen. Their persistence and determination is admirable. And, if the enormous crowds from Saturday are any indication, they are prescient, as well. Metro Phoenix desperately needed a market like this, and it is gratifying to see it come to pass.
The co-op-like Phoenix Public Market, which operates in front of the permanent market along North Central Avenue near Fillmore, will continue as before on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Meanwhile, the permanent store will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays. The market has been a long time coming. With luck and quality local products, it will be there for a long time to come.
New downtown Phoenix grocery market off and running
Phoenix Public Market now open for business (Photo: KTAR)
[Source: Sadie Jo Smokey, Arizona Republic] — The wait is over. The first grocery store to open in downtown Phoenix in nearly 30 years is celebrating with sales, raffles, a silent auction and $45-per-person happy hour 5:30-7:30 p.m. today with Arizona wines and beer and light appetizers by Valley chefs. The Phoenix Public Market Urban Grocery and Wine Bar opened at 14 E. Pierce St. this week to busy lunch crowds, curious downtown employees, Arizona State students, and neighborhood residents.
Laurie Wistuver of El Mirage walked over on her lunch break. She picked up a package of pasta for dinner. “It reminds me of a co-op from when I lived in Oregon,” Wistuver said. “Higher-quality products that are fresh, organic. I like the breads and stuff. It’s a nice atmosphere.”
Shoppers craving locally grown or made-in-Arizona goods, from organic vegetables to wines and cheeses, no longer have to wait for the weekly farmers market to get their fill of lumpy squash, pungent bouquets of basil, bags of ugly tomatoes, a dozen free-range eggs or a loaf of rustic, multigrain artisan bread. The urban grocery will provide all that, supports say. Cindy Gentry, Community Food Connections director, said the grocery store is the next step for a movement that supports local farms and Arizona growers and producers that use fresh, seasonal ingredients and sustainable practices. “I want this to be a real place where you can do your grocery shopping,” Gentry said. [Note: Read the full article at New downtown Phoenix grocery market off and running.]
