Steak. A salad I saw at the grocery store. Halloween Oreos.

Um. It’s October. And it was 98-degrees according to the Honda on my way home from the grocery store today. Did I mention that it’s OCTOBER? I played a couple hours worth of tennis this morning and got roasted a little bit. Once I’m done with this post it’s off to slam a bottle of h2o before bed….

98-degrees. October. It does this every year! It was 74 last weekend. This state’s weather is such a tease. Oh well, at least I can play tennis outdoors even when it’s hot. Can’t do that n snow and rain.

Note: One day, images of meals in progress and other stuff from the blog will accompany these posts. That day will have to wait until we have a working camera. Dammit.

Here we go….

Steak:

These beauties got the midwest treatment – a solid rub down with some Blues Hog seasoning rub. This stuff comes via recommendation of Erin’s uncle Rob. My stash was a gift from Rob – THANK YOU, ROB! This man knows meat and is a BBQ champ and judge.

2 hours in the fridge and then straight to the grill. 5 minutes a side did the trick. Why was it tough? Could have been the $5 price tag ($9 originally, though… so there).

Salad:

This one was my favorite part of the meal. I was cutting up tomatoes and then remembered that we had 1/4 of a cucumber left. I chopped that. Then I remembered the CostCo-sized cube of cheddar that I had been snacking off of – I sliced off a couple pieces and cubed them. Then I grabbed an onion and chopped up a little of that. The whole batch got dumped into a bowl and tossed with black pepper and a soy-ginger dressing. REsult? Outstanding. It pays to loiter at the Safeway deli… you get ideas for things.

Halloween Oreos:

Orange filling inside my favorite cookie. Nothing else to say but Halloween rules (and I love me some Oreos).

Booze:

We finished a bottle of Cab that I got at Bevmo on Thursday but I can’t remember what it was called. Nothing great but it had a nice spice to it.

I give tonights meal a thumbs up. The steaks were adequate but the salad was excellent. The wife, as always, concurred that dinner was excellent. I think she’s just happy we aren’t eating Hungry Man meals for supper…

Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila – perhaps a better choice for happy hour.

The Wife and I visited Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila in early December for lunch and knew instantly that we stumbled into something that could have tremendous potential. I mean, who doesn’t love tacos? Who doesn’t enjoy a frosty margarita? Seriously – stop reading if you don’t like either one.We went back for dinner recently and left with full bellys but a less than fully-satisfied feeling. Let me say this. The place should do very well. It’s a great location, the place looks good, the name of the joint manages expectations, and the happy hour has a good deal. Also, the food is tasty, the margaritas are right up there with the best, and the corn on the cobb (hmmm….) is killer. I like Cien Agaves but I have some reservations as well that make this place a happy hour destination. Not a spot for dinner.Our first visit had us sitting at the great big bar smack dab in front of a rather large selection of tequilas. (Side note: the more expensive the liquor the better looking the bottle. Cheap liquors should invest in some sweet bottles…). We sat in the bar the second time as well. The bartender told us during our first visit that their house margarita is the best around. I have to agree. For $6 (or much less for happy hour) you can get a margarita that is freshly prepared with Jose Cuervo Tradicional 100% blue agave tequila – not the cheap nasty yello Cuervo that we’ve all wolfed down (and puked up) at some time or another – freshly squeezed lime juice, triple sec, and house-made simple syrup. Delicious! Want to live on the wild side? Try Erin’s favorite margarita: the habenero-lime margarita. Cazadores Reposada tequila, simple syrup, lime juice, and a muddled slice of habenero. It’s not uncomfortably hot but you know it’s in there. It’s an experience!The salsa that precedes the meal is ok. Not the best. Not the worst. It’s runny so lean in. The house made chips are not overly greasy and taste great. If you’re thinking guacamole I’d consider other options. While the guac at CA is tasty it can’t hold a candle to Barrio Cafe’s (or even Chipotle’s) guac. Save room for the cheese dip or an ear of corn (the corn is reason alone to stop in).Taco choices are broad. 13 different options make life for someone like me tough. I can never make up my mind. This is where things go downhill a little. In my opinion the tacos are a little too expensive and the prices can really start adding up. Prices range from $3 – $6 per taco. That is a la carte pricing. Want rice & beans or other sides? You gotta pay for it meaning 3 tacos plus the fixins could get you into the $20-25 range. For that money I’d head over to Chelsea’s kitchen for their tacos which come with the works. however, you can buy 10 tacos for $35 if you’re with a hungry group! We’ve tried several of the 13. My favorite by far is the taco al pastor. Pork grilled with pineapple and cilantro on corn or flour tortilla. So good! The Carne Asada is excellent as well and comes on flour tortilla with guac – it’s Erin’s favorite. Other ones to try is the camarones a la diabla – spicy shrimp in a tasty sauce and rice.I plan on trying the tinga taco on my next visit. This is a shredded chicken taco in a spicy chipotle sauce that is deep fried. One to avoid? We both found lots of fatty chunks of pork in the carnitas taco.Cien Agave has other food choices – entrees – but why not have tacos when it’s in the name of the place. On our last visit we had 1 house margarita, 1 habenero-lime margarita, guac, and 5 tacos. The bill? Over $50. I guess that’s to be expected for a meal out on the town but when you’re talking tacos I expect to spend less cash.Happy Hour-worthy? Fo’ sure! All tacos are $3 and house margaritas are $4. That’s what I’m talking about.

Top 5 Mexican Restaurants

The Wife and I were responsible last night and took a cab home after a night out on the town. During our trip from Old Town Scottsdale to our house we asked the cabbie to make a pit stop at a Taco Bell (unfortunately, T-Bell did not crack my top 5 valley Mexican restaurants). We asked the driver if he wanted to partake in a little 4th Meal but he wasn’t interested. Every time we make a cab stop at T-Bell they never want a free snack. Why this is will haunt me for hours to come…

Here we go. My top 5 valley mexican restaurants (no particular order):

1. Richardson’s: Looking for Richardson’s? Look for the place on the NW corner of Bethany Home Rd and 16th St. This was the first mexican/New Mexican restaurant I ate at in Phoenix and I can’t say enough good things about it. Rather than focus on the “main” dining area which is dark and bustling – a great atmosphere that is always packed – I want to focus on the small hideaway located a few doors down in the same strip mall which is a part of Richardson’s. It’s called Dick’s (From Richard-son’s… get it?) Hideaway and not as many people are familiar with it. Dick’s is a small offshoot that has a bar, a couple small tables, their grill, and a passage way to Richardson’s wine cellar which also doubles as a secondary dining room/special events area. It is here that I like to go when I have only a few companions in tow. Start off with the roasted garlic appetizer. Huge roasted heads of elephant garlic adorn this plate along with grilled onions, toast, and a melty mexican cheeses. More than enough to share this is a meal – the garlic spreads like butter onto the small pieces of toast. Pile on some onions and cheese for an app like no other. All the food here is based on new Mexican cuisine so count on most things being smothered in red or green chili. AND most dishes have some bite. I love the enchiladas and the specials (you’ll detect a pattern – I love specials. I probably shouldn’t, though, because it takes me forever to make up my mind with the choices found on the menu. Specials muddy the water!). My favorite reason to visit Richardson’s is for brunch on Sunday. Kickass bloody mary’s and a southwest eggs benedict – a beef filet on a homemade green chili english muffin smothered in a mildly spicy & smoky sauce – is a breakfast hard to mess with.
   1. Go for brunch! It’s not just for dinner.
   2. Avoid the madness of the main restaurant if you have 4 or less. Hit Dick’s Hideaway a few doors down.
   3. Do not go to Richardson’s and miss the garlic plate. It’s worth the trip on it’s own.
2. Los Sombreros: You gotta love a place that offers up some of their own family recipes on their website. This red brick restaurant on Scottsdale Road just south of Thomas isn’t a huge place but it does offer a decent sized patio, a walk through kitchen and a comfortable dining room. I drove by this place for years before giving it a shot and it’s managed to make it’s way into our rotation. For starters give some serious thought to the house-made guacamole and/or the queso fundido (plain cheese and peppers in a cast iron skillet or get creative with shrimp, crab, or chorizo – yum.). Once you get in to the creative menu you’ll find a menu packed with flavorful options such as blue crab enchiladas, an out-of-this-world carne asada, and cochinita pibil. Wash it down with one of Los Sombreros’ many margarita options.
   1. Like cheese? Don’t skip the queso fundido. Forget about the waistline for a little bit.
   2. Share. So many things here are good that it pays to get a few things and split them.
   3. Try something new. While tacos and “regular” enchiladas are terrific give something unique a try. This is one place where I regularly branch out.
3. Carlsbad Tavern: This New Mexican restaurant on Hayden Rd. south of Indian school is an homage to bats. The interior of the restaurant looks like a cave and you can find pictures of bats everywhere but don’t let that scare you! There is no better spot to enjoy a consistently excellent meal on a killer patio. All of the meats at Carlsbad are cooked over mesquite giving the place a nice campfire smell. If you are shy about a little heat be aware that almost everything here packs some serious heat (but not to a ludicrous Los Dos Molinos degree). However, you can find steaks and other options that are not spicy. While the menu is terrific I love hearing about the specials which usually will include some sort of surf and turf or meat/enchilada combo. If you order off the menu I recommend the Enchantment Platter to get a large sample of 3 different house specialties (carne adovada burro, chicken enchilado, relleno). A couple other suggestions are the Carlsbad Brochettes (on the appetizer menu but plenty big enough for a meal) and the Habanero Cheeseburger – a house specialty for the brave ones that is served with a glass of milk to extinguish the fire. Oh, from 3-6pm there is a great happy hour that features an outstanding sirloin steak quesadilla.
   1. Be sure to sit outside when the weather cools – a great patio, a small pond, and roaring fires awaits you..
   2. Carlsbad Tavern = spicy. Be aware!
   3. Make sure to order chips and homemade red and green salsa as a pre-meal treat. If you like cornbread see if you can finagle a green chile cornbread muffin (or you’ll get one with your salad).
4. Carolinas: Never underestimate the deliciousness of a restaurant that is off the beaten path. While there are now 2 valley Carolina’s locations I can’t stop going to the original at 12th St. and Mohave. While the building is a little worse for wear and a lack of A/C makes it uber-hot during the summer the food – or even just a few tortillas – more than makes up for it. Be prepared to wait for a little while if you swing by for lunch – once you get familiar with the menu I recommend calling ahead so you can avoid a lengthy wait. Not hungry? Order up some tortillas. Carolinas churns out fresh, stretchy tortillas that are enormous and delicious. Pick up a 1/2 dozen or a dozen (or more) and be prepared to be handed a bag filled with piping hot tortillas. They are perfect. Cost? Under $3 for a dozen. Now for the food. I’m a creature of habit so I always end up getting the same thing. I can’t stay away from the tortillas filled with red or green chili (with huge chunks of tender pork) and cheese. Drown them in Carolinas homemade red salsa and you may find yourself in another world. The machacca burro is also hard to beat. Packed with slow cooked shredded beef (ask for it with some green chili sauce) and you have yourself a meal. Beans, tacos, tamales (Carolinas is a family operation and they maintain a tradition of making a large variety of tamales during the holidays. Order early!), real chorizo, etc. is also recommended.
   1. Food is very inexpensive.
   2. Do NOT leave without a bag of tortillas.
   3. Order ahead to avoid a lengthy wait.
5. Barrio Cafe: I’ve never had a disappointing meal here. That’s about the best thing I can say about a place. Everything is right about this small, noisy restaurant hidden on the SW corner of Thomas and 16th St. When you walk in you are greeted by a small bar area with a hand carved bar packed with a huge assortment of Tequilas. I highly recommend getting something before your meal – you should have plenty of time since there is almost always a wait. The house margarita is my favorite and is a combination of tequila (silver), fresh squeezed lime juice, and a little triple sec. The food is the real star – start with the table-side guacamole which, depending on the season, will include uncommon additions such as pomegranate seeds. Soups and salads are available but be sure to make room for their delicious tacos (servings are a good size. not too big. not too small), enchiladas, and specials. Nothing there is bad. My favorite? A chili relleno filled with chicken, mushrooms, cheeses, and fruits such as pear. The combination of mildly spicy and sweet is outstanding.
   1. Be prepared to wait. But the atmosphere, music, and pre-meal drinks make the time fly.
   2. Don’t miss the guac and don’t make up your mind on a meal until you hear the specials.
   3. Closed Mondays.

Yeah, I missed some places and I like a lot of other Mexican places in town but these come to mind first. Unless it’s 2:30am and we’re in the back of a cab.’

I eat to work out. I work out to eat.

If someone writes about food, talks about food and/or tries to plan their day around food one might think they’d be a chunk. Not so.

I lack a 6 pack. I don’t have muscles that pop. But considering my love affair with all things edible it’s amazing that I don’t weight 500 pounds (and get my Dr. Phil guest shot).

The fact that I love to eat is my motivating factor for getting my arse to the gym. Eat more food? Work out more. Eat less food? Work out less. It’s a balancing act that’s been long in the making and it’s managed to keep me away from having my very own muffin top.

As you read on please remember one thing. When I go out and overindulge (in the name of research, of course) so that you have a handy dining resource just remember that it means that me and L.A. Fitness will be putting in some overtime together.

Cheers!