Anzio’s Italian restaurant - Phoenix Arizona

March 6, 2016

This happened to be the same day that it was announced Peyton Manning was going to retire, so we decided to stop at an Italian restaurant and get chicken Parm. Once we arrived we were seated and had our drink orders taken mom and I both had water and dad ordered a Coke. We checked out the menu for a while, but I already knew what I was getting.  When the waitress came back mom and dad both ordered the lasagna and I the chicken Parmesan.  All of these came with a salad and garlic bread. I also substituted rigatoni for the spaghetti that came with the chicken Parmesan. Soon after our salads were delivered. 

 

This was a good enough salad maybe could have used some tomatoes and cucumbers but it was decent, I had wine with ranch dressing which was pretty good. Soon after we had time to eat our salads our entrées arrived with a basket of garlic bread.

 

I didn’t really like this chicken Parmesan very much and the chicken was not the best it was a bit tough.  Everything else about it was okay just not very exciting.

 

Also the garlic bread I didn’t like too much either.

 

 

Mom and dad both thought the lasagna was just okay and it definitely had better garlic bread. I thought it was a good idea to go somewhere for chicken Parm especially since Peyton Manning was retiring, but unfortunately the chicken parm that tastes so good was not here.
 

 




Address: 12418 N 28th Dr #1, Phoenix, AZ 85029

Rosa’s Mexican Grill – Mesa Arizona

March 5, 2016

We met a couple of cousins Carol and Rogers at this place for dinner at around 5:30.

 

Once we were seated they brought out some chips and salsa with two different kinds of salsa a green one and a red one. The chips were good and the red salsa was a bit spicy but tasted very good, the green I thought was very sweet too sweet for me, but Our cousin Carol really liked the green salsa because it was not too hot for her. I preferred the red one quite a bit more. After we chatted for a while and tried out the chips and salsa our waitress was back to take our orders Carol ordered a cheese enchilada with rice and beans and chose the green sauce because the waitress said it was milder. She wasn’t exactly sure what cheese was in it but liked it very much and she liked the sauce as well she said she would rate it 4.9 stars. I had a chicken chimichanga and ordered it enchilada style. Dad had a beef chimichanga also enchilada style and

 

 

mom had a chile relleno and cheese enchilada combo and Rogers ordered some sort of burrito these all came with rice and beans.

 

My chimichanga was quite good.  The enchilada sauce was good and the tortilla was very good especially since it was fried. The beans were quite good and had to have had some kind of animal fat in there. I also liked the rice too especially with the enchilada sauce the only problem I had was I think there was a bit too much chicken in there and it was just okay chicken.  Everyone else seemed happy with their meals as well.  Rosa’s Mexican Grill had very good Mexican food and very large portions and once again I was very happy with a Mexican restaurant in Arizona.

 

 

 

 

 

Address: 328 E University Dr, Mesa, AZ 85201

 

 

Goodyear ballpark – Goodyear Arizona

March 6, 2016

While at a Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds spring-training game figured I ought to try a Cincinnati Coney dog.  

 

When I went to order I think the lady was new and didn’t know what I meant when I said Cincinnati Coney dog, but she asked someone else. This was a rather small hot dog but the price was also small for ballpark anyways for about three dollars. I really liked the chili you could definitely taste there was cinnamon in there and I thought it was quite good especially with the bun and cheese on top. I was not so sure about the hot dog though I didn’t think was very good.

 

 

Address: 1933 S Ballpark Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338

 

 

Orchard eats – Mesa Arizona

March 4, 2016

We were a bit early this night for dinner so the place was pretty empty we followed where the line goes up toward the counter and checked out the menu along the way, but I also read the menu online before. When we got to the counter mom and dad both ordered the beef stroganoff ($10.25) and I ordered the blackened salmon ($13.75). Along with three drinks and we took our number filled our drinks and found a table.

 

We waited for a bit then the two beef stroganoffs arrived

 

 

and a few minutes later my salmon arrived. My salmon was very good and the blackening seasoning tasted good on top.  I also enjoyed the garlic mashed potatoes. I didn’t really care for the green beans too much, they did have bacon in them but they were kind of tough and chewy. Mom and dad both liked their beef stroganoff, both thought it was good but not great. This place was kind of different than any other place I’ve been to. It was an order at the counter place with sit-down type food so I guess kind of like Pei Wei I suppose, but with American food.

 

 

Address: 2036 N Gilbert Rd, Mesa, AZ 85203

 

 

Matt's big breakfast – Phoenix Arizona

March 4, 2016

This place was featured on diner’s drive-ins and dives years ago in a very small building, but since they were on the food network have moved to a larger location. When we arrived on a weekday for a late breakfast we had to wait probably 15 to 20 minutes I think we had to wait for an accessible table to open up. But once we were seated we quickly had our drink orders taken I ordered a large orange juice and mom and dad both had a coffee.

 

We took a quick look at the menu but it didn't take long because the menu was very small. When our waitress returned with the drinks we all ordered the waffle that also came with bacon.

 

 

 

Shortly after our breakfasts came out the waffle was pretty good but the bacon was the absolute star of the meal. It was thicker than most and was peppered and had an excellent flavor. This was quite possibly the best bacon ever until later on our trip that is.

 

The Orange juice was fresh squeezed and was very good as well. One thing I noticed while eating here was this place really knows how to move people in and out which is good with so many people that I guess would show up at the regular breakfast times.
 

 Address: 825 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Chanpen Thai Cusine – Phoenix Arizona

March 3, 2016

This place was pretty close to our hotel and had very good ratings on yelp so we decided to stop in on a Thursday night. This is the kind of place you would call a hole in the wall, definitely not the prettiest place. Inside there were only six tables. When we came in there were two guys that got up to make room for us because they said they were just ordering takeout. But we actually sat at the other table that was available because it worked better for us. Pretty soon menus were brought to our table along with ice water with lemon. When the waiter came back to take our orders he never did ask for our drink orders but water was fine for all of us. My dad and I both got the stir-fried silver noodles with chicken I got heat level 2 and that night dad decided to get zero or no spice added to his. And mom ordered the cashew chicken with spice level 2. In a bit after we ordered they brought out a plate for my mom and then after that a bowl of rice for my mom’s dish. And then real soon after mine and dad’s noodle dishes and mom’s cashew chicken in a bowl came out.

 

The Silver noodle dish with chicken also had broccoli, carrots, onions, cabbage, egg and a very good sauce with chili sprinkled on top and dads without that and also raw bean sprouts on the side which neither of us really cared for. The egg in the dish was not over fried like you sometimes get with similar dishes. This was downright delicious and definitely the best Thai food I’ve ever had although I’ve only been to a handful of places.

 

Mom’s cashew chicken was great as well.  The sauce was exceptional. The level 2 spice on both of our entrées was kind of a bit spicy. Mom said if we go back she would get the level 1. I thought it was a bit spicy too, but I think I still might get the level 2. This whole meal was so good, but unfortunately I ran out of room and couldn’t eat any more of it although it was so good I wish I could have.

 

After they took our plates away they delivered the check and three little dishes with a scoop of green tea ice cream. If I read green tea ice cream on the menu I definitely would not order it. But since it was included and they brought it out I tried it out and it was actually very good and a lot better than I would’ve expected it to be. This was a perfect way to end a great meal. The outside and inside of the building weren’t exactly too appealing but that’s where some of the best food is found and this was especially the case with Chanpen Thai Cusine.

 

 

 

 

Address: 2727 E Broadway Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85040