The in-laws came out to visit us in Tempe from Kansas City, MO. They have been here a few days and we have kept them busy hiking South Mountain (http://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south/index.html), photo ops at Canyon Lake (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canyon_Lake_(Arizona), walks around Papago Park (http://www.tempe.gov/parks/parks/papago.htm). Today we decided on keeping with the walking theme...to take them to the zoo. We really enjoy the Phoenix Zoo because you seem to be able to get closer to the animals than in other zoos that we have been to. Today the zoo was a ,well, zoo. With kids being out of school, it seemed to be national take your screaming brat to the zoo day...we still enjoyed seeing all the animals especially the prairie dogs...I swear that I could watch them all day.
I did see an ad for the New Year's Party at the zoo, and the hubby and I are thinking about drinking in the new year with all the animals.
His parents are going home tomorrow, so we decided to go to Old Town Scottsdale to have dinner. I love the Sugar Bowl and have noticed Earls BBQ located behind their building, but we had never eaten there. We decided to give it a try, and I am really glad we did. I had the pulled pork sandwich and boy did they give a lot of meat with that sandwich. I loaded it down with their signature hot and spicy sauce and went to town. I'm writing this several hours later, and I am still comfortably stuffed from their very large portions. You know that a BBQ place is good when my BBQ snob of a husband likes it - he's from KCMO and fancies himself a BBQ expert.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Burgers...Lots of Burgers
If you have read more than one of my posts, then you know that I pretty much plan our outings based on the food nearby. So, you can image how excited I was when I noticed that there were several "mom and pop" type restaurants near my new job. (I teach 7th grade at PACS on 16th Street.)
The first thing I noticed was a restaurant called "Fat Ass Burgers" ironically across the street from Weight Watchers. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-ASS-Burgers/171915529522170). This place was so good that I did something that I seldom do...eat there twice. This was the best, juice dripping down my chin, burger I have had since coming to Phoenix. Their fries are really good as well. Basically, this place is going to be my go to lunch joint when I am at work.
Last night, we decided to try out Burgers and Bottles (http://www.grubhub.com/phoenix/burgers--bottles/). I was happy with my n'awlins burger. They were out of the bun that typically comes with it, so it was served on a pretzel bun. OMG - I will be substituting this bun from now on. I had fried pickles, and they were good - but I can think of three places that make better. I didn't drink any beer, but my mother-in-law did and she said that it was really good.
The first thing I noticed was a restaurant called "Fat Ass Burgers" ironically across the street from Weight Watchers. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fat-ASS-Burgers/171915529522170). This place was so good that I did something that I seldom do...eat there twice. This was the best, juice dripping down my chin, burger I have had since coming to Phoenix. Their fries are really good as well. Basically, this place is going to be my go to lunch joint when I am at work.
Last night, we decided to try out Burgers and Bottles (http://www.grubhub.com/phoenix/burgers--bottles/). I was happy with my n'awlins burger. They were out of the bun that typically comes with it, so it was served on a pretzel bun. OMG - I will be substituting this bun from now on. I had fried pickles, and they were good - but I can think of three places that make better. I didn't drink any beer, but my mother-in-law did and she said that it was really good.
Motorcycles and Irish Coffee
We were invited recently to go to a viewing of the MotoGP movie Fastest (http://fastestthemovie.com/) at a local bar. My husband is a huge (and I mean HUGE) MotoGP fan, so of course we went.
The movie was being shown at The Fox and the Hound in Peoria. (http://www.foxandhound.com/locations/phoenix-peoria.aspx) First, I can tell you that the movie is a good movie and a must watch for anyone who likes racing sports in general and motorcycles specifically. Now, for the stuff that we all know that I really care about...the food. It was late for this middle school teacher, so we had already eaten dinner before going. We ordered nachos for the table, and I have to say that they were the nachos I had been waiting for. We have ordered nachos quite a bit when we are out watching UFC fights, but these were the first ones that fit into the image of nachos I had in my head. (There were also a ton of them for about 8 bucks - all three of us were stuffed by the time we had finished the plate.)
The movie was being shown at The Fox and the Hound in Peoria. (http://www.foxandhound.com/locations/phoenix-peoria.aspx) First, I can tell you that the movie is a good movie and a must watch for anyone who likes racing sports in general and motorcycles specifically. Now, for the stuff that we all know that I really care about...the food. It was late for this middle school teacher, so we had already eaten dinner before going. We ordered nachos for the table, and I have to say that they were the nachos I had been waiting for. We have ordered nachos quite a bit when we are out watching UFC fights, but these were the first ones that fit into the image of nachos I had in my head. (There were also a ton of them for about 8 bucks - all three of us were stuffed by the time we had finished the plate.)
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Wheels and Wings in Tempe
I am officially married to a genius! No really, ASU agrees with me. We went out to celebrate the hubby making straight A's this semester. This is his first straight A semester since starting college a million years ago - and he was understandably excited about it.
I offered to take him out for dinner in celebration; he picked Buffalo Wild Wings (a chain that we went to a lot when we lived in NC). (www.buffalowildwings.com) The food and the service we excellent as always.
We noticed Tempe Bicycle next door and since he wants to get a bike to ride to campus we decided to stop in. The show was crammed to the gills with bicycles of all kinds. It was amazing to me since I have never learned how to ride a bike, so I didn't know that there were so many two-wheeled options. (http://tempebicycle.com/) We were helped by the manager of the campus store, Debbie. She was awesome. It didn't take long at all for her to have him sized and taking several bikes for a test ride. If you know how to ride a bike...I don't...I highly suggest you go down to talk to her. My goal for this time in AZ is to learn how to ride a bike...so if anyone knows of bike lessons....
I offered to take him out for dinner in celebration; he picked Buffalo Wild Wings (a chain that we went to a lot when we lived in NC). (www.buffalowildwings.com) The food and the service we excellent as always.
We noticed Tempe Bicycle next door and since he wants to get a bike to ride to campus we decided to stop in. The show was crammed to the gills with bicycles of all kinds. It was amazing to me since I have never learned how to ride a bike, so I didn't know that there were so many two-wheeled options. (http://tempebicycle.com/) We were helped by the manager of the campus store, Debbie. She was awesome. It didn't take long at all for her to have him sized and taking several bikes for a test ride. If you know how to ride a bike...I don't...I highly suggest you go down to talk to her. My goal for this time in AZ is to learn how to ride a bike...so if anyone knows of bike lessons....
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Art, Boats, and a Man Test
I don't know how we manage to cram so many unrelated things into a weekend, but I think this one takes the proverbial cake.
Last night I was reading the local paper (we get weekend delivery) and saw a write up that Evermore Nevermore was going out of business and last night's 2nd Friday was going to be their last day. I am a lover of all things weird, and the hubby likes comic books so we decided to go check it out. I had high hopes for stocking stuffers. Mesa has a 2nd Friday art walk (http://www.2ndfridaynightout.com/), and I have to say that it was very enjoyable. There were unique arts and crafts type items along main street. My favorites were a booth that sold "Harry Potter" type wands and one that sold unicorn horns. There are several pop culture type shops - and one seemed to feature awesome t-shirts. We stopped in at Lo-Fi coffee shop (http://www.loficoffee.com/) for a warming cup of coffee as we walked. I wasn't impressed with their pumpkin spiced latte, but the hubby said that the chai tea was really good.
This morning the hubby and some of his friends from the motorcycle discussion boards decided to test their stuff against the "Man Test" 5k (http://www.man-test.com/). I went for moral support and to work the camera. It is a 5k that features several obstacles. The race didn't live up to it's hype, but they looked like they were having fun when they took the giant slip and slide down to the finish line.
Sabine (our friend that ran the Man Test with John) suggested that we go see the Tempe boat parade, so after a nap and some warming up we headed down to Tempe Town Lake to see the boats.(http://www.millavenue.com/events/fantasyoflights) There were so many people that we couldn't see the boats on the water, but I really enjoyed walking down Mill Avenue and looking at the lights. I even got my picture made with the Mellow Mushroom mascot outside the restaurant, even though we decided to eat at home when we got back and not go for a slice.
I think John is going to run Camelback Mountain tomorrow with some friends while I stay home and try to finally beat the cold I have been fighting since last Monday.
Last night I was reading the local paper (we get weekend delivery) and saw a write up that Evermore Nevermore was going out of business and last night's 2nd Friday was going to be their last day. I am a lover of all things weird, and the hubby likes comic books so we decided to go check it out. I had high hopes for stocking stuffers. Mesa has a 2nd Friday art walk (http://www.2ndfridaynightout.com/), and I have to say that it was very enjoyable. There were unique arts and crafts type items along main street. My favorites were a booth that sold "Harry Potter" type wands and one that sold unicorn horns. There are several pop culture type shops - and one seemed to feature awesome t-shirts. We stopped in at Lo-Fi coffee shop (http://www.loficoffee.com/) for a warming cup of coffee as we walked. I wasn't impressed with their pumpkin spiced latte, but the hubby said that the chai tea was really good. This morning the hubby and some of his friends from the motorcycle discussion boards decided to test their stuff against the "Man Test" 5k (http://www.man-test.com/). I went for moral support and to work the camera. It is a 5k that features several obstacles. The race didn't live up to it's hype, but they looked like they were having fun when they took the giant slip and slide down to the finish line.
Sabine (our friend that ran the Man Test with John) suggested that we go see the Tempe boat parade, so after a nap and some warming up we headed down to Tempe Town Lake to see the boats.(http://www.millavenue.com/events/fantasyoflights) There were so many people that we couldn't see the boats on the water, but I really enjoyed walking down Mill Avenue and looking at the lights. I even got my picture made with the Mellow Mushroom mascot outside the restaurant, even though we decided to eat at home when we got back and not go for a slice.
I think John is going to run Camelback Mountain tomorrow with some friends while I stay home and try to finally beat the cold I have been fighting since last Monday.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Wild Animals and Irish Food
Our one year wedding anniversary was yesterday. It has been quite a year in our mildly unorthodox marriage (more on being married by proxy later). We decided to make the most of the last good weather for a while and spend the afternoon at the Phoenix Zoo. (http://www.phoenixzoo.org/)
One of the things that I really enjoyed about this zoo as opposed to the Nashville Zoo are Grassmere or the North Carolina zoo is how close to the animals you can actually get. I was having a close conversation with these two giraffes until some loud children came up and scared them away.
After walking around the zoo, we decided to go to an anniversary (late) lunch on Mill Avenue in Tempe. We decided to try Rula Bula Irish Pub since I love Irish food. (http://www.rulabula.com/) The atmosphere in the restaurant was very nice. It was so well decorated; I thought I could very well leave the restaurant and step out onto the streets of Dublin. I had the Fish and Chips, and while the food was adequate; I really wasn't impressed. The fish and chips were good, but the atmosphere made me expect and really want better than just typical pub fare. I will say that the service was perfect.
After walking around the zoo, we decided to go to an anniversary (late) lunch on Mill Avenue in Tempe. We decided to try Rula Bula Irish Pub since I love Irish food. (http://www.rulabula.com/) The atmosphere in the restaurant was very nice. It was so well decorated; I thought I could very well leave the restaurant and step out onto the streets of Dublin. I had the Fish and Chips, and while the food was adequate; I really wasn't impressed. The fish and chips were good, but the atmosphere made me expect and really want better than just typical pub fare. I will say that the service was perfect.
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