KEY:
B = breakfast
L = lunch
D = dinner
N = late night
SV = special value
Prices ranges shown are for a single entree
Other (Seafood, Jewish, Vegetarian, Desserts)
- C-Fu Gourmet Restaurant - LD, $8-$15+
- This venerable and versatile restaurant could actually be listed under Asian, Seafood, or, if we had a separate category, Dim Sum Teahouses. Here we will emphasize the marine aspects without hesitation. For starters, choose from among Sugar Cane Shrimp, Jellyfish, and Walnut Shrimp Salad, then try Seafood Bean Curd Soup, Crabmeat Winter Melon Soup or a hearty Seaweed Vegetable Soup. If you go with a large group you can mix and match X.O. Scallops with Garden Vegetables, Sauteed Conch, Catfish with Black Bean Sauce, Fresh Squids with Sour Vegetables, Lobster Supreme, Crab with Spicy Pepper Salt, Clams with Satay Sauce, or Sliced Abalone with Sea Cucumber. You can't find anything fresher than one of their many varieties of fish plucked right out of a tank, then prepared in a dozen ways with a dozen sauces. Or, you could go alone and get two weeks worth of food in a doggy bag! I can't say enough wonderful things about C-Fu Gourmet (especially in this small space). Just suffice that it's worth a trip from anywhere for any reason.
2051 W. Warner Road, Chandler, 480-899-3888. Fax 480-899-1388.
- Chompie's Restaurant and Deli - BLD, $4-$10
- If you're homesick for New York, come to Chompie's. This place looks, tastes, sounds, and even feels like the Big Apple. Ya' can't miss the major mural running down the north wall with everything from the city including lighted Broadway marquees. There are the mandatory pickle and sauerkraut plates, overstuffed pastrami sandwiches, matzo brae, Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray, good chopped liver, chicken-in-the-pot, matzo-ball soup, and you name it — this menu is all encompassing! And when is the last time a waitress with a NY accent called you hon?
3202 E. Greenway Road, Phoenix, 602-971-8010.
- Fishin' Hole - LD, $6-$15, closed Sun.-Mon.
- If big portions of delicious fried fish and seafood at oceanside prices is your thing, run out to east Mesa and indulge at this nautical eating place, where extra friendly service is an added plus. Although they serve a great chopped pork loin, a couple of chicken dishes and meaty tender ribs, you certainly won't be disappointed with anything that comes out of the sea (or a lake). They fry with a very light hand, and I recommend the shrimp (fried, coconut or po' boy, cod, and catfish, as well as the clams and daily specials. A nice selection of sides, too, including corn on the cob, fried okra, clam strips, pinto beans and French fries.
7000 E. Main St., Mesa; 480-324-3474.
- Fresh Mint - L & D ($8-$13.95) closed Sundays
- I am by no means any sort of vegetarian and crave meat daily. However, I had been hearing great things about a meatless Asian place called Fresh Mint. When I think of vegetarian, I automatically think of bland boring vegetables and soy cheese. However, to my amazement, this couldn't be any further from my shallow impression, Fresh Mint is deliciously awesome! Yes it's a whole lot of vegetables and meatless meat but the flavors rival those of their traditional counter parts.
Starting out, I ordered the Kung Pao Soy Chicken lunch special ($8), which came with your choice of steamed white or brown rice and a salad. Let me start by saying you don't miss the chicken at all! The soy chicken has a nice smoky flavor and the texture is just right. The sauce and veggies had a nice spicy sweetness to them that made the dish all the tastier. I also ordered the Imperial Roll Noodles ($9.95), which had loads of sliced egg rolls among fresh cabbage, cucumbers, rice noodles and a side of the vegetarian take on the famous Vietnamese sauce, nuoc cham.
While I'm certainly not going to give up meat any time soon, Fresh Mint made me a believer that vegetarian can be both delicious and satisfying. I feel healthier already!
13802 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale. Phone: (480) 443-2556
- Goldman's Best Cooking - BLD, $4-$7, SV
- A Jewish deli in Scottsdale — run by a mom and pop (and son) from Chicago — that serves food so good you'd think they came from New York! Really! Sam Goldman, the dashing waiter, busboy, cashier, and host owns Goldman's together with his parents, Gregory, the chef, and Rozalia, the sous chef. Don't be expecting the vast menu selection of a competing deli chain, however; with only two in the kitchen, they would rather do fewer dishes well than many mediocre ones. Breakfast is served from their 7am opening all the way through to the somewhat early closing. Be adventurous with Salami and Eggs, crunchy Potato Latkes or glistening Fried Kreplach. My favorite is a slew of perfectly sauteed Chicken Livers and Onions, plentiful and rich enough to serve two or three. Those who like their eye-opening meal a little sweeter will be thrilled with the homemade Cherry or Blueberry Blintzes, bursting at the seams with fruit in a heavy, sweet, slightly thick syrup. Heartily stuffed sandwiches fill the bill for lunch or dinner. The somewhat concise selection is well thought out, and the Goldmans take all parts of their sandwiches seriously. Heaped with lean, melt-in-your-mouth Brisket, an amazingly tender and flavorful Skirt Steak, or some schmaltz-laden chopped liver, and you have a rare gem not easily matched in the southwest. The 1/2-pound Cheeseburger comes with a delicious but novel combination of kosher bacon (somewhat like Pastrami), grilled onions and grilled tomatoes. Messy ... and yummy. Soups are a strong point of Mr. G's cooking, tasting like they spent long hours simmering on the stove. Chicken Noodle (or large featherweight Matzo Ball or Kreplach), and a hearty Sweet and Sour Cabbage welcome the ensuing dinner plates or daily specials. If you're lucky, you'll be there on Stuffed Cabbage night to enjoy the duo of beefy rolls in a tangy tomato sauce. Hungarian Goulash and Chicken Paprikash will rekindle the spirits of those who thought that real Hungarian paprika never traveled west of the Mississippi. For sides, be brave and try the Potato Latke, a Kishka, or one of the best Noodle Kugels available (other than at my mother's house). Maybe the best of the bunch is the Kasha Varnishkes, a large portion of shells (bowties are too formal!) smothered with sauteed onions and buckwheat groats. I could eat this dish as a meal. (As a matter of fact, I have!) For those who must have desserts, the Noodle Kugel will double in that capacity, if necessary. A sweeter tooth could be soothed by a slice of Baklava.
6929 N. Hayden Rd., Suite 2-C, Scottsdale, 480-367-9477. Fax 480-367-9474.
- In Season Deli - L, $4-$7, SV
- Even though this little self-serve cafe offers, from time to time, tuna or chicken, it is essentially a vegetarian emporium. Just outside the door, on a delightful tree-shaded patio with the lazy sounds of a gurgling waterfall, there are a few family-sized picnic tables perfect for eating and meeting. Soups and salads, the mainstay of the menu, change daily. Some of the best Blue Corn Veggie Tamales in town (possibly in the world), made of three kinds of ground corn and seven different vegetables and spices, are available every day. These massive masa missiles, topped with a zippy chili sauce and shredded jack cheese, are quite a bargain. On Wednesdays and Saturdays only, you can get a crown of homemade guacamole for a buck more. Actually everything is made in house, including the three versions of Honey Lemonade: plain, raspberry, or strawberry. The eight or so salads offered daily (there's no confusing any of these with one another, as each is very distinct and assertive in its own way), are available in combos from two to five. Portions are large, and two salads with a bowl of soup would tame the hunger pangs of the average person — although football players probably could down a couple of fivers! Some of my favorites are the Milano Pasta Basilica, Artichoke Marinade, Pasta in the Sea, Caroline's Pesto, Arroz Olé, Tortellini, Garden Couscous, Summer Bows, Greek Pasta and Indonesian Rice.
414 S. Mill Ave. (Mill Avenue Shops), Suite 112, Tempe, 480-966-0334.
- Islamorada Fish Company (at Bass Pro Shops) - LD, $12-$20+
- With Cabela's firmly anchoring the west end of town, it was inevitable that the eastside would eventually get something comparable. Well, all good things come to those who wait (or so they say), and Bass Pro Shops, a rival outfitter for those who worship fishing and hunting, has landed with a giant thud (that's the sound that colossal buildings make when they land in shopping centers) in the brand-spanking-new Mesa Riverview shopping conglomeration. I really didn't think it was possible, but Bass is even more spectacular than its predecessor, especially when it comes to the resident restaurant. Actually, Cabela's Cactus Flats Cafe is more or less a glorified snack shop (albeit one that serves elk, wild boar, venison and ostrich), while Bass's Islamorada Fish Company, a bigger and better version of their Florida prototype, serves full meals in a semi-elegant way with mostly elevated prices to match. But the three-story circular dining room is so spectacular, built around a central barbecue with schools of sportsfish hanging from the ceiling and posters made of old photos of fishermen in Islamorada, Florida, lining the walls, that seeing it is a must — and while you're there, spend a few extra buck and have a meal. Mine began with Conch Chowder, proceeding on to Venison Stuffed Mushrooms and a really good Soft Shell Crab Sandwich (with coleslaw, cheese and creamy remoulade dressing) and a very mediocre potato salad (that they claimed bragging rights to!), and ended with a totally different Key Lime Pie served in a giant coffee cup.
1133 N. Dobson Road, Mesa; 602-606-5600; www.fishcompany.com.
- Las Glorias Restaurant - LD, $7-$15+
- The Valley is burgeoning with Mexican Seafood restaurants — and we're certainly grateful of that. The kitchen of this southside eatery, one of the first to land on these shores, does a fine job with the common dishes found around town, but boasts a few that are unique to this spacious, clean and comfortable cafe de mariscos. Also to be noted is the selection "small" ultra-fresh, lemon and cilantro accented Seafood Cocktails (a very adequate size, and what a bargain!) of Shrimp, Octopus, Squid, Abalone and Oysters, as well as a combo Seven Seas Cocktail. Entrees that are Specialties of the House include Fisherman's Rice, Mexican Style Shrimp Turnover, Baked Shrimp/Fillet Mix Culichi Style, bacon-wrapped Shrimp Stuffed with Fish Machaca, Stuffed Fish with White Cheese, and Shrimp Machaca Stuffed Green Chiles. Now that's what I call getting stuffed in style!
5220 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-268-3053.
- Loving Hut - LD Tuesday through Sunday, $5-$8
- Vegan cuisine does not have to taste like cardboard, and Loving Hut is here to prove that. Even dedicated carnivores can enjoy Loving Hut's offerings if they can approach their meal with an open mind and just enjoy the flavors.
The Hut's Summer Rolls have wonderfully complex essences and the Pan Fried Dumplings are surprisingly meaty, though there's not of shred of anything animal in them. Savor the Philly Dream and wake up to the reality that steak could be superfluous. Or dream of the islands with the pineapple and teriyaki flavored mushroom enhanced Hawaiian Burger.
I tried the Ginger Seaweed Ocean and practically could have sworn I was eating a delicious and tender fresh small fish —without the bones, of course! The accompanying ginger sauce was incredible.
Other delicious main course selections include Guru Curry, Stuffed Tomatoes (with tofu and shitake mushrooms), Sweet & Sour Divine and Sizzling Rice Veg.
Who could resist a drink called Pink Lady (cranberry juice and organic soy milk topped with a rose petal) to go with a generous slice of Macadamia Carrot Cake. It's a perfect sweet ending.
3239 E. Indian Schol Road, Phoenix; 602-264-3480; www.lovinghut.us
- Mariscos Acapulco - BLD, $4-$12+
- To paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of the demise of this dowdy little hole-in-the-wall place were premature. Not only has it risen from the dead, but don't be surprised if every table is full when you arrive. They again are doing a heck of a business. They also turn tables rather quickly, so your wait shouldn't be too long. Get a glass of Piña Colada or an icy cold bottle of Dos Equis Amber, and in no time you could be devouring one of their giant briny Shrimp, Oyster, Ceviche, Snail, Octopus, Abalone, Mix(t)ed or Campechana Cocktails. You won't find better quality at a seaside restaurant right after the fleet has come in. I love the whole-meal Soups here, especially the Marine Acapulqueña, which contains practically every shellfish known to man. Those who don't like to mix their metaphors can zero in on Shrimp, Fish, Crab or Shrimp balls. The waitresses don't speak much English, but if someone at the next table gets something that looks interesting, point to it and say "I want that." I doubt you'll go wrong.
3220 E. Thomas Road; 602-954-1400.
- Mariscos Playa Hermosa - LD, $10-$13 (Comida Mexicana $4-$10)
- When a venerated cuisine magazine such as Gourmet includes a local eatery in an article culled from their faves around the world ("Restaurants We Love," October, 2003), local critics are sure to take notice. The fact that the restaurant so touted is a small "mom and pop" type place in a converted house in a central Phoenix barrio, makes the acknowledgment all the more significant. The decor is that of the genre: ocean blue walls strewn with nauticalia, perfunctory chairs and tables, a couple of TVs (with their sound off, thank goodness), and a radio with its sound on — pretty loud, as a matter of fact, for such a small place. The menu, I believe, has been pared down from when the article was written, but still has a good range of Mexican seafood basics. The service is kinda hit-and-miss, perhaps partly due to the language barrier. And the Hermosillo-style food, for the most part, is above average to excellent. The obligatory chips — these tasting of roasted corn — come with a pair of homemade salsas; the red one is nice and smoky with a bit of after-bite, the green a soft and creamy tomatillo with avocado. Good start. The Appetizers run from cheap (a hefty Tostada de Jaiba, with a pile of fresh crabmeat, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and cilantro, topped by a slice of avocado on a thick and chewy corn tortilla, $3.99) to the more extravagant (Huerfanitos Cameron, Felete de Pescado, Champinones, Pulpo, a mixture of shrimp, fish and octopus in a mushroom cream sauce, $13, and more than enough for two or more to share). Seafood Cocktails are briny fresh and generous enough, in a broth that's not namby-pamby. The Large Campechana of oysters, shrimp, octopus and squid is enough for a light meal ($11.99), as are any of the Soups ($10). We were quite impressed with the Shrimp Meatball. Specialty Entree plates ($8.50-$13) are sided with veggie-flecked white rice and creamy beans topped with melted fresca shreds, only a slight improvement over the usual. Much more can be said of the seafood that comes with them. Our favorites are the Camarones Fantasia (plump shrimp wrapped with bacon and cheese) and the Pescado a la Taya (a mild, white fish fillet lightly battered and golden fried, topped with chunks of shrimp and very tender octopus in a blanket of mushroom sauce). The Mar y Tierra is somewhat ill-conceived, pairing naturally tender seafood with naturally not-so-tender meat, but I think you'll really like the Enchilada de Jaiba (crab enchilada in red mole) and the Camarones a la Crema de Broccoli (just what it sounds like — rich cream and broccoli shrimp), among many others.
1605 E. Garfield St., Phoenix, 602-462-1563. Fax 602-462-5576.
- Mojo Yogurt - $.39 an ounce
- Mojo Yogurt is a great concept, for $.39 an ounce, you fill your own cup of frozen yogurt with as little or as much as you'd like. With flavors ranging from classic tart to cookie monster, there is certainly something for everyone. For the health conscious, it is nice to know that all flavors are fat free and some are called "skinny," where there is no sugar added. After you fill your cup with yogurt, you're in complete control of your toppings. They have fruit, cereal, cookies and candy so you have to be careful because this will add up really fast, not only in calories, but also in dollars. What you might consider a small is distorted due to the fact that they only have the one large cup, so even a larger portion of yogurt still looks small in the huge cup.
I tried a cup of the "skinny" vanilla yogurt. Again, the cups are huge, so you can over-indulge quite easily. Mine topped out at 11 ounces with toppings. I had no idea until I was weighed in at the register. My toppings were fresh cut strawberries and whole blueberries. While there is no "skinny" tart version, the vanilla was decent enough with only a slight weird chemical aftertaste from whatever artificial sweetener they use. The fruit was fresh and slightly sweet, just right if you're counting carbohydrates.
So if you're at Tempe Marketplace getting in some shopping or just hanging out and people- watching, Mojo makes for a nice, warm afternoon pick-me-up.Open seven days a week, $.39 an ounce.
Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. Phone: 480-968-6493. Information: www.mojoyogurt.com.
- New York Bagels 'n Bialys - BLD, $4-$11 (Dinners are only served Wed., Thurs., and Fri.)
- It's amazing what a change of ownership can do for the attitude at a restaurant. The old frown-on-the-face counterperson with the customer is always wrong mind-set has been replaced with one who will go out of their way to be helpful, and, as they say on Air America, that's a very good thing. Now if you're hungry for a good and hefty Brisket or Pastrami and Tongue Sandwich, a fluffy Rueben or Spanish Potato Omelette, a NY Baked Salmon or Fish Fantasy Platter, a bowl of hearty Cabbage (depending on the daily special) or Matzo Ball Soup, or a yummy Garlic, Spinach and Bacon Bialy Dough Pizza, this could be your stomping grounds. You'll also find many of your favorites here, including Chopped Liver, Potato Knishes, and Potato Pancakes. Nineteen kinds of bagels (have you tried a White or Black Russian?) and 16 of Bialys (Tutti Fruity, Chocolate and Jalapeño being among the most unusual) could keep the average person busy for months! New York Egg Creams are de rigueur, of course. For dessert, a Halvah Bar or Rugulah will give it all a sweet ending.
10320 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-991-3034. Fax 480-483-9746.
- Park Central Deli - (early)BL(early)D, $4-$8, Closed Sun.
- Formerly Miracle Mile Deli. The office workers in the Central Corridor know this place well, as the lunchtime crowds will attest to. Fortunately, the folks who run this place have their act together, and the lines move at amazingly fast speeds. Sandwiches are stuffed (try the Straw: pastrami with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese on grilled rye), soups are homemade (the vegetable, always available, must have all seven daily servings in one bowlful), and the prices are most reasonable (a hearty portion of Lox, Onion, & Eggs is under $4, including a bagel and home-style spuds). Eat in one of two large indoor rooms or on one of the two patios (the one on the south side has a lovely koi pond and waterfall.)
9 Park Central Mall (Central Ave. at Catalina), Phoenix, 602-277-4783, www.parkcentraldeli.com.
- San Diego Bay Restaurant - BLD, $5-$11, SV
- Many seafood lovers still are going to the big emporiums like Steamers and the Fish Market, unaware of the recent local invasion by the Mexican-style seafood eateries where you can get absolutely briny-fresh fish and crustaceans prepared simply but expertly, at Rocky Point (rock bottom) prices. At San Diego Bay, for instance, you can have a plate of wonderful large shrimp breaded, or done Ranch or Veracruz style, or with a wickedly hot or garlic sauce, or in Flautas or Enchiladas, for under a ten spot. Start with a plate of tangy Nopalitos (pickled cactus pads) or a sprightly Ceviche Tostada and add a large bowl of 7 Seas or Turtle Soup and you have a very satisfying meal indeed. You can trust the octopus here to be as tender as a baby's you-know-what, and whole red snappers are treated with reverence. (Yes, at market prices — but they're southside market prices.) If you must have a daily piece of meat, the menu even has a pair of grilled beef selections to go with a modest selection of Mexican beers. And, you can't go wrong ending your meal with a sweet and creamy flan.
9201 Ave. del Yaqui (Guadalupe and Priest, in El Tianguis), Guadalupe, 480-839-2991.
- Scott's Generations - BL(early)D, $4-$13
- The photos on the walls indicate one enormous happy family — all of papa Scott's generations. This is about as close to a New York deli as you will find in the Valley. The accents are New York, the free morning paper is New York (actually, it's the Arizona Republic, but it's the intention, not the gift itself, that counts), the thick lean pastrami sandwiches are New York, so is the Matzo Brie, the Kasha Varnishkas, the Sliced Sable, the Kishka and Gravy, the Pickled Herring, the Noodle Kugel, the Knish, the Stuffed Cabbage, and the Dr. Brown Cel-Ray Soda. Although you can't tell from the name, the Harvey's Triple-Decker of turkey, chopped liver and bacon will take you right back to Delancey Street! And, then there's The New Yorker — what could be more Big Apple than corned beef & pastrami, coleslaw and Russian dressing piled high on a couple of slices of "rye with seeds." What was very un-New York — the missing Chicken in the Pot (although now, even when you can get it, most of the chicken is missing), Roast Brisket, and other platter-type meals — has finally been corrected. That is, if you can order your Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday dinner before 8pm! Other days, the restaurant closes at 5pm (4pm Sundays) — a little early to get the dinner crowd. Along with the traditional dinner additions are a few oddities you'll notice in a New York minute. Try asking for Herb Crusted Pan Seared Salmon or Macadamia Crusted Chicken Breast in the shadow of the Williamsburg Bridge! If you're lucky, you'll only get a Yoo-Hoo!
5539 N. 7th St., Phoenix, 602-277-5662. Fax 602-277-3161.
- Sweet Republic - $2.95-5.75
- You know that old saying, "Honesty is the best policy?" Over the years, its meaning has somewhat diminished when you think of certain things. In this day of fillers and preservatives, it's nice to know that there are a few purveyors still doing things the old-fashioned, honest way. The owners of Sweet Republic are doing it just like that, making artisan ice cream and sorbet, by hand, using all natural ingredients and flavorings. Located in a North Scottsdale strip mall a few blocks east off the 101, it's worth a short drive to experience the treats they create daily.
The Sweet Republic menu consists of mainly scoops, sundaes, drinks and fresh baked goods, some even stuffed with ice cream. Scoop flavors range from extraordinary to I can't believe you made that, but it really works! Do yourself a favor and get a double scoop of Salted Butter Caramel ($4.25). Salty, chewy and creamy, this is a great example of textures and flavors making up a real experience. If a double is too much, then try a single scoop of the Rocky Road ($2.95). House-made marshmallows, crunchy almonds and rich Belgian chocolate ice cream make for an addictive, if not toe-curling, love-fest.
If you're trying to watch your figure, or dairy isn't your thing, then perhaps a scoop of sorbet will keep you in your jeans. Basil Lime Sorbet ($2.95) may sound like a brokered match, but after one taste you will know that this duo is a perfect fit. Frozen yogurt is also a slim option, though after one bite you may not be convinced. Just ask for a cup of Soft Serve Tart Yogurt ($3.50 regular/$4.50 large) and you'll understand what the "fro-yo" craze is all about. Smooth and creamy with a slight hint of sour, this fat-free delight is all the rage. If you want to take this to the next level, the Berry Revolution ($5.75) adds house-made cranberry granola and berry sauce for a boost of textural delight.
From the ice cream cookie sandwiches to the variety of sundaes and scoops, one bite and you'll know what Sweet Republic is all about, honesty and goodness.
9160 E Shea Blvd, Suite 105 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 480-248-6979; www.sweetrepublic.com
- Taylor's Chowder House - LD, $5-$15+
- Good seafood is scarce in the desert—unless you want to pay through the teeth. Personally, I'd prefer to use my teeth for chewing on some nice fat-bellied Ipswich clams, along with plump Maryland oysters, fabulous Mexican blue shrimp, sweet and tender Nantucket sea scallops and golden Alaskan coldwater cod fillets. Actually, you can have all of that, in addition to a couple of bowls of spunky Manhattan clam chowder, a basket of fresh warm mini loaves of bread, a pile of crunchy waffle fries, a mound of creamy coleslaw, and even a shared dessert, leave a generous tip, and still get change back from a 40-dollar bill!
3538 W. Calavar Road, (northwest of 35th Ave. and Thunderbird Rd.), Phoenix, 602-978-1815.
- Yogurtland - Open Sunday through Thursday; 30 cents an ounce.
- Who knew that the wildly popular Pinkberry would lead to literally hundreds of knock-offs of the tart frozen yogurt craze.
Yes, even Pinkberry is a knock-off of the Korean chain Red Mango. But it was Pinkberry's simple healthy approach, stylish interiors and lines out the door that drew so much attention to its concept. It was only a matter of time before someone would copy the success, some almost as good and others, well, not so much.
Yogurtland is one of those success stories, expanding to nearly 50 locations nationwide in a few years, including one in Scottsdale. While it's not Pinkberry, Yougurtland's claim to fame is to offer more for less. Choose your size cup, then fill it with one of the varieties of the low calorie, low sugar, non-fat fro-yo. Then pile high the toppings, ranging from fresh fruit, breakfast cereal, cookies, syrups and candy.
Be as stingy or as creative as you like. Once you're satisfied with your creation, set it on the scale for your total. Yogurtland charges a mere 30 cents an ounce, so you can become quite the fro-yo artist with little investment to your imagination.
When it was my turn to approach the self-service machines, I was immediately overwhelmed by the choices. Finally I made a fro-yo base of Vanilla Wafer Cookies and Cream, New York Cheesecake and Plain Tart. The best was yet to come at the topping station with bananas, vanilla wafers, Fruity Pebbles and chewy rainbow mochi, I was set, and at $3.60, I felt like I somehow robbed them.
For tart yogurt, its bite was subtle, each taste as delightful as the first. The Vanilla Wafer Cookies and Cream had an artificial vanilla taste which wasn't very good. But the New York Cheesecake flavor was creamy and well rounded. The addition of vanilla wafers was a hit and meshed well with the smooth cheesecake taste.
Yogurtland is hopping most nights, so take a dose of patience and imagine the endless choices that will be bestowed upon you once you reach the front of the line.
4501 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480-459-5656, www.yogurt-land.com