Phoenix eats

[yakima]

Down here for some spring training games, and eating.

First, Pizzeria Bianco, Town and Country location, north Phoenix. Lunch, Sunday, 45 minute wait. Checked out Trader Joe's next door while waiting. Pizza outstanding. Will go back. Excellent service, drinks, and pizza. Burning pecan, about 750 degrees. Received sample of soppressato (not my cup of tea).

Second. De Babel. Lebanese [?], in Scottsdale. Meat Kafta, lamb and beef, and baba ghanoush [eggplant]. Wife, falafel and hummus. Both very good, will go back. Pizza better.

Friday, perhaps, Little Miss BBQ at Sunnyslope location. 3 Mariner games on immediate docket.

Wearing sandals and shorts for first 2024 exposure. Avert your eyes.

[synodog]

Would love to hear your thoughts on Little Miss BBQ. The beef ribs were so good last time I had them but that’s been over 4-5 years.

[Rod]

You gotta go to The Persian Room. I work with a dude whose parents immigrated here from Iran and they said it was spot on Persian food. The koobideh is crazy good! Also, the hummus is unlike any I've ever had. To me hummus is meh, but theirs is out of this world!

[lumbrjk]

For Little Miss, Sunnyslope location is not as good as the original IMHO. Still good, but not as good.

[jhuds]

im with you on that

[Rod]

I've only tried the Sunnyslope location and was not impressed. I suppose what I have learned here probably has me a bit snobbish.

[lumbrjk]

I understand. My wife never likes to try new BBQ spots because she likes my methods better.

Anyone in AZ try Eric’s Family BBQ on the West side? I heard great things but never tried them.

[yakima]

Today, Mariners lost to Rangers, 9 to 10. Good competitive game, but too many batters hit by pitches, both sides.
Tomorrow, Little Miss BBQ, Sunnyslope, and Heritage Hats, biggest hat store in AZ. Been there before. At least they are cheaper than cookers.
Weather is obnoxiously monotonous.
Scottsdale strikes me as having just slightly less money than Manhattan.

[SheilaAnn]

“Slightly less money than manhattan” 😝😝😝 you ain’t wrong @yakima

Sadly, my favorite restaurant in Scottsdale has closed. Cowboy Ciao. It was the best. Ate there every time we came over for spring training. That’s my inspiration for that mushroom dish I post.

[yakima]

On the other hand, Scottsdale looks like a sprawling slum compared to Medina, Washington.

[SheilaAnn]

yakima I just looked up Medina. Holy mortgage payments, Batman!!!!

[Rod]

Caldwell's family BBQ is probably the best I've had locally IMO. Other than my own of course. They have a mexique location in downtown Gilbert, but I'm talking about the original next to American Furniture Warehouse.

[synodog]

I really enjoy Caldwell County too. The owner is pretty nice fella.
Haven’t been to their mexique place yet.

[yakima]

Based upon these comments, I considered switching to Caldwell, but we are practically next door to Little Miss in Sunnyslope.

[Santamarina]

Heading out there for my son’s baseball tournament in a couple weeks. Planning to hit some spring training games too.

The boys team is planning a meal together at Caldwell County BBQ…looking forward to it, and checking out a few others mentioned here.

[yakima]

OK, I am no food critic. More of a grateful eater. Little Susie today. Ranking Bianco vs De Babel vs Little Susie Sunnyslope. All good, would go back to all, would take you as my guest. Bianco is most polished. Service, full bar, seating {outside in our case}.
De Babel, more of a fast food vibe. Great service, may have to shave your head to work there.
Little Miss, obviously a remodeled/built facility to accommodate their big smokers. very nice indoor and outdoor facilities.
Very efficient serving line.
We were at first location 4 years ago, 2 hour wait {weekend ?). Wife says this was as good. I really liked the grits and beans, Mac and cheese too cheesy. But wife preferred Mac and cheese.
She really liked pulled pork sandwich. I had 2 meat plate, brisket, pork ribs. Excellent. Ribs had a bit of chew, not fall off bone. Perfect. Brisket slices had both point and flat. Great bark.
I like their house sauce best, vs mustard or spicy.
We were there at opening, 5 ahead of us.
Make a point to go.

[yakima]

And, a lady in line with us indicated that she had heard they are planning to open a downtown phoenix location.

[DennyWoo]

Wife and I enjoyed this place the last time we were in Phoenix. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the food and atmosphere was great.

https://g.co/kgs/6un9Drd

[yakima]

The Sunnyslope Little Miss BBQ strikes me as a good place for a local/regional meat-up. Plenty of covered outdoor seating and vehicle parking.