The Stockyards: A Reminder of Arizona Before the Controversy

I’m here to talk about food, not politics. But let me tell you, the calls to boycott Arizona businesses have made me upset. If local establishments falter from the fallout — and they’re barely starting to show signs of life after this ass-kicker of a recession — it’ll be bad…

Rito’s Mexican Food: You Can’t Fix What Isn’t Broken

Chris Bianco bags burritos here for Pizzeria Bianco’s kitchen staff, America’s Taco Shop proprietor America Corrales does food swaps with the owner, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives’ Guy Fieri got blown off for an interview two years ago, and Sunset magazine named it as a Reader’s Choice for burritos in Arizona…

Xtreme Eating Awards Announced, or Hey, Jabba, Jabba, Jabba!

Way to go, Cheesecake Factory. Congratulations, California Pizza Chicken. Jabba the Hutt would be pleased. Along with P.F. Chang’s, Chevy’s, Bob Evan’s, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and Outback Steakhouse, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has named scale-tipping fare from these restaurants as “winners” of its…

Cat Cora is Coming! And You Can Win Prizes.

  Here at Chow Bella, we’re weak in the knees at the thought of Cat Cora’s upcoming book signing at Changing Hands Bookstore, June 23. And we’ve got a friendly competiton to get you fired up. (Learn all about the contest after the jump.)…

America’s Taco Shop Heading to Tempe

It’s some kind of culinary Manifest Destiny. America’s Taco Shop, the delightful carna asada joint that’s got CenPho covered with its original location on 7th Street and recently-opened second outfit on 7th Avenue, is heading east, with a new Tempe restaurant scheduled to open this summer. According to the Republic,…

Gambling on Fish and Chips: Pick a Cod, Any Cod

Like bangers and mash or bubble & squeak, fish and chips is the kind of perfect pairing you’ll find at any decent English pub. It’s also the only way most parents can get their kids to eat fish — because everything is better when battered and fried. For this week’s battle, we…

2010 Arizona Wine Awards: Your Chance to Drink and Vote!

​ ​ ​Have you ever wanted to go to the voting booths completely sloshed — if nothing else, just to forget how lousy your choices are? We’re pretty sure there’s some sort of legal issue there, so don’t bother. You can, however, enjoy some vino with your voting at the…

98: Pasties From Cornish Pasty Co.

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order. Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section.   Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series…

Ma’i Island Grill: Lunch $10 and Under

Aloha! If you have never experienced Hawaiian Barbecue, you are missing out, my friend. Ma’i Island Grill has been around the ASU area for quite some time now. Initially starting out in the now demolished West Arches complex on University, owner Jay thankfully moved across the street on Forest where…

Now Open in Scottsdale: PrimeBar

The dining scene at Scottsdale Quarter, the new-ish retail complex across the road from Kierland Commons, has been pretty slow-going, with only two restaurants in the mix: Brio Tuscan Grille and Oakville Grocery. As of yesterday, though, a new spot called PrimeBar bumps it up to three. Seven additional eateries…

99: Clams in Black Bean Sauce From Asian Cafe Express

Hungry yet?We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order.Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section.Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make Phoenix…

Chick-fil-A’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich Giveaway

Like Chick-fil-A? Like free? Then this one’s for you. The Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Chick-fil-A’s first new sandwich since 1989 (hello product development – are you there?) will be offered free to customers via an online reservation before it officially launches on June 7. That’s right. Click for Chick. Want one?…

James Keenan, What Are You Eating?

James Keenan The singer/bassist/synth player for electronic rock band A Life of Science and art director for Sundawg Records performs with A Life of Science at Phoenix Comicon Saturday, May 29 at 5 p.m. and is a part of the A Life of Science “Creating Multimedia Comics” panel at Phoenix…

100: Bruschetta From Postino

Hungry yet? We’re working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella’s 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley — in no particular order.   Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section.   Visit our sister blog,…

Giant Coffee Opens Alongside Bunky Boutique

There was a lot going on this weekend, but one of the biggest buzz-creators was Saturday’s long-awaited opening of Giant Coffee, the third downtown hangout created by Matt and Erenia Pool of Matt’s Big Breakfast and The Roosevelt. Saturday’s grand opening party was held in conjunction with the launch of…