Downtown Phoenix, AZ

Matt's Big Breakfast 801 North 1st Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004

I'm an avid food network watcher, and heard about this little breakfast joint from both Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and Phoenix Magazine's "Best Of" issue. I'd actually tried it once before last summer and been only mildly impressed. The breakfast menu is only 9 items long, with Oats and Frosted Flakes as two of the items. My first visit, the lack of variety did turn me off. I'd ordered the "Hog and Chick" which is eggs and bacon, and I think my lack of enthusiasm was embedded in ordering such a basic item. I mean, when it comes down to it, how much different can you make scrambled eggs and bacon?


This trip however was different. The history of Matt's is based on organic, fresh ingredients. In fact, there is not a freezer or microwave in the restaurant. The bread is baked fresh and hand cut because, as stated in Triple D, the owner "doesn't like conformity in his bread." 


The secret to eating breakfast at Matt's is the specials. While we were 

enjoying our 45 minute wait in the hot sun (which just made me anticipate it more), I started to breakfast watch through the windows. Yup, that's right, I blatantly stared at their food as they ate and was obviously trying to match it up with the menu to decide what to order. We discovered the daily specials while I was craning my neck and squawking about how 3 of the 4 breakfasts I could see had steak and eggs, but I don't see that on the menu. Once we got inside and I could really look around, I realized that again, 75% of the tables had one of the two specials on them! 


I had eggs scrambled with spinach, canadian bacon and cheese, and it was a phenomenal blend that I'd absolutely recommend! My girl friend and I order with sharing in mind, and between hash browns  or home fries, I'd go with the home fries. The hash browns, while good, are made crispy outside, soft center, while the home fries are cooked with white onions and rosemary, and have great flavor. They were cooked perfectly with a tender center, and crisp outside. The  toast they offer is cut in thick, delicious slices and tastes homemade. They serve it with a homemade preserve in a ramekin that serves as a great dipping side. We tried both the sourdough and wheat, and both were amazing. 

  
Even the beverages were made with love - the orange juice was thick and seemed fresh squeezed, and the wild berry honey lemonade was delightful. The owner's wife and daughter were working in the counter area and were great for recommendations and had a cute little ruffly apron that said "I kiss better than I cook." Well if she was doing some of the cooking for this little 30 seat breakfast joint (that usually has a wait 15 people deep) her husband is a lucky man - cause I'll be back for more!

Phoenix, Arizona

Spinato's 1614 East Bell Rd Phoenix, Arizona 85022, 602.867.1010

When I moved into my condo a year ago, my parents commented that their Chicago based neighbors swore by a pizza restaurant near my new home. I've been to The Windy City probably between 7-10 times, and while I'm no expert on Chicago style pizza, I try a new pizza place each time I go and consider myself a semi-competent judge. I'm not proud that it took me a year and a half to finally stop in to put this pizza joint to the test, but boy am I glad I did!

Spinato's was started in AZ back in 1974 by two Chicago transplants and has grown to five locations valley wide. When my friend and I came in, there was about a 25 minute wait (which I was delighted about, you know my theory that a place without a wait on a weekend night might not be a place worth eating...) And the first thing you notice is the smell of the sweet tomato sauce. The atmosphere is a homey, family style feel with all the classical visual elements of a italian restaurant (the picture was taken at the end of our visit after the place had cleared out a bit, it really was packed when we arrived!).


I did my homework before my visit, and most reviews mentioned Mama's Signature Spinach pizza or the Spaghetti Calzone, and the waiter also recommended the Spicy Italian Pizza (along with everything else on the menu). Any pizza can be fully customized with either thick or thin crust, and all pizzas can be made as a calzone, which leads to an abundance of choices. We wound up doing half Signature Spinach and half Spicy Italian with a thin crust, and biting into it definitely took me back to the streets of Chicago! In fact Spinato's vs. Oregano's for AZ deep dish pizza eateries, I'd go Spinato's! Some of the things that make pizza unique in that region are a heavier feel with a sweeter sauce and a different crust than the more traditional New York style which is known for a thin, foldable crust with minimal toppings. The Chicago deep dish crust generally has a cornmeal base with a thick layer of dough that almost achieves a fried effect due to the heavy oil used in the pizza pan. The thin crust almost has a thicker feel than NYP because of it's noticeable crunch, layers of toppings and non-chunky sauce, and gets cut into squares (which is called "party style" as opposed to slices. Although it varies by pizza joint, I've also noticed that in Chicago I found the cheese is more often on top of or intermixed with the toppings, while NYP has the cheese as a base, with the toppings obviously sprinkled on top of it. The pizza debate will always have fans for both styles. I find that it depends on my mood, for a light, but tasty pie I'd go to Pizzeria Bianco, but if I'm in the mood for a heavier, hearty, meal of a pie, this is the closest thing to Chicago I've found in Arizona!

Scottsdale, Arizona

Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles 2765 North Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257, 480.945.1920

I heard of Lo-Lo's late one night when I woke up on my couch (sometimes I fall asleep watching the food network, laptop still on my lap, and often transition to my bed around 1 or 2 am). Channel 3 had a show playing on local restaurants where they were talking about their chicken and waffle experience. I first thought it an unappetizing combination; however, Lo-Lo's has been in business since 2002 and has two Arizona locations which means people like it enough to keep them in business! That night, I decided to put my prejudice aside, and be curious enough to give it a go! Almost by fate, my laser hair removal place was in the same corner of the intersection and I decided it might be time to try some soul food.

The origin of combining chicken and waffles is unknown, however, it is viewed as a southern based soul food. Walking into the restaurant, you are struck by the condiment colors of mustard yellow and ketchup red mixed with sheet metal siding and wash bucket light fixtures.  Individually, the items at Lo-Lo's are tasty, I had the "Betty Boop" which is a fried breast chicken and a waffle. In fact I did laugh a little when I was reading the menu because the 10 items on the menu are different combinations and amounts of chicken parts with a waffle! The chicken breast was lightly fried and breaded, and the meat was moist and perfectly cooked. The waffle wasn't something you couldn't make at home, but the combination of the two items in the same bite balance each other in a way I wouldn't have imagined. The meatiness of the chicken makes a sometimes overly sweet waffle into a savory meal. Was this an amazing dish that I'll crave and drive half an hour just to have? Not in the way I do for other dishes, but I might just make it a monthly stop before my appointment, and it was fun to experience a unique combination that was surprisingly delicious together. I would absolutely recommend trying this out some lunch time!

Phoenix, Arizona

Pizzeria Bianco 623 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, 602.258.8300

Bianco has been a favorite of mine for the past three years or so, both for the food as well as the experience. Nationally acclaimed by food critics, it has been an Arizona staple since 1987. Bianco has changed location a few times throughout history, but has spent almost the last 15 years is located downtown in the Baird Machine Shop's historic site. The small space has a modern feel and only seats about 40 people, which sometimes means over two hour wait times. In my opinion, that's part of the experience and brings to mind the question "Is a restaurant really any good if you go there at dinner time on a Friday or Saturday and it doesn't have people willing to wait for the food?" To do Pizzeria Bianco properly, make it a late afternoon event where you expect a wait and plan to have a glass of wine (or two) next door at Bar Bianco. Recently, they extended their hours to include lunchtime, which has significantly decreased the wait time for a table. In fact the last time I went (on a Thursday at 4pm) we were able to get a seat at the restaurant bar immediately...which we declined to go spend some time at Bar Bianco because it felt wrong not to wait at least an hour for a table! Several of the wait staff have been at Bianco for years, and it gives a familiar, homey vibe to the experience even though Chris (the owner) no longer mans the wood fired pizza oven.

When it comes to pizza, I'm not die hard for one style over another. There are times where you want the solid heartiness of deep dish, and others (like an Arizona summer) where you want something a bit lighter and not so heavy. What strikes me about Bianco is the freshness and authenticity of the pizza. Chris Bianco, the owner, spent a year in Italy to perfect his pizza, and came back with a pie that features a delightful balance of handmade dough, mozzarella they make onsite every morning, locally grown vegetables, and herbs from the garden in between the restaurant and Bar Bianco. For any Arizona resident who hasn't experienced Pizzeria Bianco - make a point to discover it this summer; it's worth the wait!

The Arrogant Butcher CityScape Downtown, 2 E Jefferson #150 Phoenix, AZ 85004, 602.324.8502

I have a confession, I tend to love the Fox Concepts restaurants, and the Arrogant Butcher is no exception! Located in Downtown across from US Airways Center, I would make a point to stop here before or after and event. The setting is perfect for a girls night out, a dinner date before a game, or a people watching lunch. What I love about the Arrogant Butcher is the elegant spin on comfort food.


If you like pretzels, you must try the Soft Pretzel & Provolone Fondue. I don't even want to know the calorie count, but I would skip lunch before I go here again just so I can eat them all and still have room for dinner!


I crave salty and savory food more than sweets, and the Crab Stuffed Chicken, with it's lemon caper sauce on top of a bed of spinach was so amazing I kept picking at it long after I was full (finally I told the waitress to take it away from me so I'd stop trying to eat more - and I'm not a girl that's afraid to actually eat and enjoy food in front of a guy!). My date had the Beef Short Rib Stew, and what a punch of flavor! There was an intensity to the stew without being overwhelming, and the fried egg on top made it more exotic than just a bowl of soup.

The biggest question in my mind is not whether I'll be coming back to the Arrogant Butcher (you better believe this is the before AND after plan if I can get someone to go to the NKOTB/Backstreet Boys concert with me), but rather what I'll try next even though I still want another bite of the crab stuffed chicken! In fact, I may have to make sure I visit on different days over the next few months so I can sample some of the daily specials, like the Monday Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes or the Thursday Fried Chicken and Honey Biscuits. Next time, I'm also saving room for dessert, because this butcher has a reason for his arrogance, and I'm coming back for more!

San Diego, California - Lunch, Dinner, and Drinks

Osteria Panevino  722 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101, 619.595.7959

I never expected to find this gem of Tuscan Italian Cuisine in the heart of the Gaslamp District. The staff was very welcoming and allowed us to bring in our own special dessert and cake topper, and made us right at home. The appetizers seem a little pricey for the size of the food that comes out, but are packed with flavor and worth the money. We started out with the cheese and meat board combo, which was not only a conversation piece as we ate, but created a family style feel. While most of us started with wine, my friend Jen had an amazing alcoholic Black Cherry spritzer that we all highly recommend.

A few of the entree favorites at our table was the Lasagna Bolognese (which sound typical for an Italian place, but this was no Olive Garden grade Lasagna!), the Malfatti al Funghetto, and I wish I could remember the name of the dish that my old college roommate Kara had. Her family is Italian. I've been to Thanksgiving with them in Jersey and will vouch that she has an Uncle Gianni, but the dish she had she said was a good as grandma used to make it. High praise, because like I said, I've had her family's cooking! I had the Linguine Allo Scoglio (Pictured), which was very good if you're a seafood fan - the shrimp had an amazing freshness and were firm, and it was chock full of clams, mussels, and calamari. Would I come back specifically for this dish in the future? Not until I'd sampled the whole menu - there are way too many other handmade goodies to try. Would I highly encourage others to come experience this restaurant with or without me? Absolutely!

San Diego, California - Breakfast Cafes

Beach Break Cafe 1902 S. Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054, 760.439.6355




The first thing you notice walking into the Beach Break Cafe is the clean, friendly environment. Decorated with a variety of surfboards, old school skateboards, and framed photos of surfers on huge waves, wipeouts, and beaches, the waitstaff perfectly reflects the environment. My friend Sarah, was mildly obsessed with the cute little surfer girl waitress with her perfect blond side braid and cut arms. As you wait for your table, there's an honor system coffee station that allows you to pour yourself a cup of regular, decaf, or vanilla joe - complete with a variety of unique coffee mugs. A former Oceanside resident turned our group on to this cafe, and in the week we spent in and around the San Diego area this was the best place for omelets, homestyle potatoes, and coffee cake!

The trip was centered around two 30th birthdays, and when we asked the waitress to take our picture for it, she also dropped off two complementary birthday coffee cakes that were an amazing way to whet our appetites! The eight of us are not girls that are afraid to eat (or eat off each other's plates) and a few things we'd highly recommend and would bring me back here to eat again was the Vegetarian Omelet (pictured), Greek Omelet, Banana Crunch French Toast (pictured), and the biscuits and gravy had a delicious gravy. Even the bathrooms continued the theme and took us under the sea with humorous leering Lobsters, Octopus, and Star Fish. This is a must stop breakfast shop for any Oceanside stay!

Cafe 222 222 Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101, 619.236.9902

Cafe 222 was our hangover breakfast after an amazing night of Champagne Raspberry Mojitos. Featured as one of Bobby Flay's best things I ever ate for their peanut butter and banana french toast, I was really looking forward to experiencing this cafe. The ambiance was funky and fun with the bright colored lime green walls, coffee cup chandeliers, and was popular with about a 45 minute wait. I would come here for the waffles and pancakes, but not the eggs and potatoes. I ordered eggs benedict, and wouldn't order it again, the Hollandaise sauce was bland and the poached eggs were almost hard boiled, and most of our plates that arrived with home fries (sauteed with green bell peppers and onions) left the table with most of the home fries on them. The peanut butter and banana stuffed french toast and pumpkin waffles (after sampling them off my friend's plates), would bring me back to give Cafe 222 another chance to change my initial impression. In fact, my friend Katie S even bought the pumpkin waffle mix so she could take it home and share it with her boyfriend. The biscuits also had great texture, but I'd take the Beach Break Cafe's gravy first. If you're in the mood for waffles and pancakes, this place is a fun, funky option in downtown San Diego!



Richard Walker's Pancake House 520 Front Street, San Diego, CA 92101, 619.231.7777

There was about an hours wait, but boy was it worth it! The posh yet funky interior with the stained glass windows and their multi colored rubber pulley's are the perfect setting for the decadent menu. Katie S literally walked out of the restaurant yelling to the line that they should try the Baked Apple Pancakes (Pictured). Yup, sometimes we got food induced turrets! It really would bring me back a second time...and a third....and a fourth. All the cakes were good, my Northern Bacon Stuffed Flap Jacks had the perfect mix of salty and sweet (there were so many of them I wound up cutting out and eating the areas with the highest bacon concentration), and the blueberry and chocolate chip cakes were delicious as well.


The Eggs Benedict was much better here, and Bree had chicken soup for breakfast (her tummy was a little tender) and it actually had real shreds of chicken breast like mamma made it in the kitchen! Also highly recommended by our hotel's concierge, if you had one morning to eat breakfast in the Gaslamp, this is the place to pick!

Austin, Texas

Hey Cupcake! 1600 Block of S. Congress, Austin, TX 78704, 512-476-CAKE

Trailer park eateries? My friend Karen is a huge "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" fan and on a 30th Birthday trip exploring Austin, TX, I fell in love with these magnificent restaurants on wheels! Hey Cupcake has delicious cupcakes that include vegan options and beat Sprinkles in my very serious, cross Texas, Red Velvet cupcake comparison. They have a few different locations throughout Austin, but if you want them straight from the shiny Airstream trailer, South Congress (So-Co) is the place to go! Also in this area is a few other local hotspots that I wasn't able to try, but are on my list for my next visit. If you happen to go to Holy CoCao for cake shakes and cake balls on a stick, or to Torchy's Taco's let me know what you think!

Magnolia Cafe 1920 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78704, 512-445-0000

After a very late night discovering the wonderful combination of St. Germain and Champagne, the Magnolia Cafe had the best hangover breakfast! Another favorite local place, it's open 24 hours and has great food any time of the day. When we dragged ourselves out of bed for breakfast, there was about a half hour wait and a line out the door, but it is absolutely worth it! The brightly painted walls and hanging wooden dinosaurs fit perfectly in the quirky and artistic town, and the menu boasts everything from breakfast, to burgers, to stir fry, to enchiladas. I've been back since for lunch, and will make this a stop whenever I find myself in Austin!