Food days–and food months–celebrate our favorite foods so don’t miss out on what’s going on this month in Phoenix.
National Chicken Month (September)
Just in time for National Chicken Month, Bar Louie unveiled five new dinner items including two new chicken dishes. Guests can try the Monterey Chicken made with two grilled chicken breasts, roasted cremini mushrooms, artichoke hearts, roasted tomatoes, lemon herb sauce, roasted baby potatoes and asparagus. Guests can also indulge in New Orleans Chicken and Shrimp Pasta made with blackened chicken, jumbo shrimp, andouille sausage, red and green bell peppers and house-made Cajun cream sauce.
International Bacon Day
Actually International Bacon Day was September 2nd but I’m a firm believer that every day is a great day to celelbrate bacon. So check out Twisted by Wetzel’s where guests can indulge in the Everything Bacon Twisted Signature Dog, featuring Wetzel’s signature hot dog and pretzel bun, topped with twisted sauce, wetz cheese sauce, bacon bits, slaw, and green onion. Not to be missed either is their unique Bacon Ranch Twistz, a tasty Wetzel’s garlic pretzel dough twisted and filled with bacon, mozzarella, parmesan, sun-dried tomato pesto, ranch, and green onions. Their Maple Bacon Topped Pretzel is a sweet-and-savory must-try–an original Wetzel’s pretzel topped with a drizzle of maple glaze and a generous sprinkle of crispy bacon bits, linked HERE.
National Beer Lover’s Day (Sept. 7)
Celebrate National Beer Lover’s Day on September 7th at Bar Louie. That’s when guests can enjoy a wide range of local, rotating, and seasonal beers, along with various tapped options including IPAs and imports. Happy hour is from 4-7 p.m. (Monday-Friday) with 16 oz domestic drafts at $4 and craft drafts at $5. Late night happy hour (Sunday-Thursday, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.) offers $4 beers, $5 shots, and $6 liquor. Location-specific offers and times apply.
National Guacamole Day (Sept. 16)
On National Guacamole Day, guests can indulge in the delicious flavors of Tocaya’s signature guacamole! For one day only, with every order of $15 or more, restaurant goers will receive a complimentary serving of freshly made chips and guac.
National Cheeseburger Day (Sept. 18)
National Cheeseburger Day on Sept. 18 at Bar Louie includes the sweet but smoky Bourbon BBQ Burger! Guests can enjoy a juicy patty layered with applewood smoked bacon, cream cheese, Tillamook white cheddar, crispy onion strings and house-made bourbon BBQ sauce. Keep the celebration going the following day and satisfy your craving for juicy cheesy burgers stacked high with 50% off all burgers on Burger Tuesday. Prices and offers vary by location.
National Cheeseburger Day (Sept. 18)
September 18th is National Cheeseburger Day! Dog Haus, a biergarten that specializes in gourmet hotdogs and sausages is highlighting its cheeseburgers on this day. Guests can enjoy a cheeseburger for only $5.99 by texting “cheeseburger” to 833-440-1110 to claim a coupon. See the official graphic HERE.
National Coffee Day (Sept. 29)
Bar Louie invites guests to try its Mean Bean Martini in celebration of National Coffee Day. A mix of morning fuel and evening thrill – the Mean Bean Martini is made with Smirnoff Vanilla, Kahlua, brown sugar espresso syrup and a shot of espresso. Additionally, all signature martinis are available for just $7 during happy hour from 4 to 7 pm Monday – Friday. Pricing and participation may vary.
It’s time to get ready for National Burger Day coming up on August 25th. So, to get ready here are some burger and other food stats:
America loves its burgers, but there is a debate over how we like them and where we should put our cheese. RTA Outdoor Living (RTAOutdoorLiving.com), the leader in custom prefabricated outdoor kitchens and cooking appliances, has released the results of a study that reveal what Americans really feel about burgers, hot dogs, BBQing, pizza and more.
The survey of over 1,000 people from coast to coast revealed the best level of “doneness” for a burger is medium, with 40% of respondents agreeing. More men (43.1%) than women (36.8%) were into medium doneness while more women (23.2%) than men (11.6%) wanted well-done burgers. In a cheeseburger, 15% of respondents feel the cheese should go UNDER the burger! Really?! Almost 19% of men want the cheese under the burger
– In a cheeseburger, 15% of respondents feel the cheese should go UNDER the burger! Really?! o Almost 19% of men want the cheese under the burger
– The best level of “doneness” for a burger is medium, with 40% of respondents agreeing o More men (43.1%) than women (36.8%) were into medium doneness while more women (23.2%) than men (11.6%) wanted well-done burgers
– “Drumsticks” are the clear favorite amongst wing eaters, far ahead of “flats” o Drumsticks are the winner with 2 in 3 respondents preferring them
– Boneless wings are more popular than bone-in wings o Despite a clear love for drumsticks, 63.4% of respondents chose boneless over bone-in wings
– 57% of respondents say hot dogs are sandwiches o A higher number of boomers (63.5%) say so than Gen Z (50%) o 60% of men think a hot dog is a sandwich, while 52% of women agree
– 56.7% of respondents say grilling is the best method to prepare a hot dog o Surprisingly, 12.6% think it is microwaving is the best way o Grilling is 10% more popular with females (62.5%) than males (52.2%) o 27% of those ages 18-23 feel that boiling is the best method
– 10% of Americans think that squares are the best way to cut a pizza o While 90% agree that the traditional triangle is the best way to get a slice, 10% do like the squares
– 47.5% of respondents put pineapple on their pizza, meaning just 52.5% of pizzas are safe from certain doom o 60% of those 18-23 will not put pineapple on their pizza
– 18% of Americans eat pizza with a fork and knife
– 3 in 4 prefer the crispiness of edge brownies while 24% want 100% gooiness of the center brownies. Good thing there are 4 edges and 1 center per tray
I love my friends at Mindy Bianca Public Relations’ firm. I really do. But if I hang with them much longer, I’m going to have to consider re-upping my gym membership to the mega level because they sure do like their food whether it’s the Cajun Bayou Food Trail, Meat Plus Three, Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival, 11 great cake places they suggest stopping at in honor Duncan Hines who was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, King’s Cakes and all other yummy Mardi Gras foods, and Four Great Christmas Holiday Destinations and we know what that means–lots of cookies, candies, and cakes. Oh, and I almost forgot–there’s Branson at holiday time when they bake about 30,000 fruitcakes each year and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas where the list of foods includes herb-roasted turkey breast and citrus-glazed carved ham, eggnog cupcakes, gingerbread-dusted funnel cakes,and chicken pot pie in a bread cone along with a libation called Spazzy Sparkleshot
And now, just in time for National Burger Month, they’re on to Spartanburg, South Carolina where a year ago the former mill town introduced their SpartanBURGER Trail (yes, they’re really called “SpartanBURGERS” and it has nothing to do with the Spartans of Michigan State University) a name honoring both the city’s residents and culinary culture. Since the trail’s inception, additional stops have been added to ensure even more juicy options for visitors to choose. All it takes to travel the trail is a cell phone to check in at each stop. The more stops you eat at, the more swag you earn. And we’re talking burger socks–we’re talking serious swag.
AAnd what is also great–no matter your dietary restrictions or preferences (we’re looking at you, gluten-free vegetarians!), classic burger culture has evolved so that now EVERYONE can enjoy the month dedicated to one of America’s most favorite foods.
Why’s the trail such a tasty triumph? Sure hand-crafted, creative, and definitely yummy are part of it all but credit goes to the chefs and owners at these burger-centric restaurants who are a major part of what makes Spartanburg a delicious destination.
Sure, burgers have evolved over the years and now they’re not just the traditional patty, LTO, cheese and bun. But what if that’s your thing? What if you yearn for the good ol’ days when a burger was just a burger? Head to Sugar-n-Spice, a classic drive-in that has only changed its menu once in the 60+ years it’s been open. This place serves as a reminder of not only where the humble hamburger started, but also Spartanburg’s growing food scene. The walls are covered in memorabilia from the community, along with photos from the founders’ homeland, Greece, for an extra-personal touch. Customers come in as strangers and leave feeling like family – perhaps one of the many reasons this retro joint is still thriving more than half a century later. Of course, we recommend any of the classic burgers, which are best enjoyed with a side of fries or onion rings. (Or both. Who are we kidding? They’re THAT good!)
Chef Amonrat “Ae” Zavala brings authentic flavors from her home country of Thailand in every dish she serves at her restaurant … with an American twist, of course! She hasn’t always been a chef dreaming of serving fusion cuisine, however. Formerly a yoga teacher living in Miami, Zavala found her true calling and it led her to Hub City. She’s never looked back. To get a taste of the perfect Thai/American flavor fusion, we recommend ordering the Isan Thai Sausage Burger. This beef patty is topped with American cheese, Thai sausage, pickles, the traditional LTO and the restaurant’s homemade bang bang sauce.
Full of local businesses from coffee shops to breweries to art galleries, Main Street is a prime example of how Spartanburg has transformed from a former mill town and railroad hub to a thriving area full of growth and opportunity for those who live, work and visit this part of South Carolina. Main Street boasts a few stops on the burger trail, but this one is a stand-out to us. Burgar offers a variety of unique takes on the classic patty, including the Aloha Hawaii Burgar with grilled chicken breast, mozzarella, kale, caramelized onions, grilled pineapple and a creamy chipotle sauce. You can stop in, grab a bite of “burgar” and feel good knowing you’re supporting a Main Street business … all while getting a tasty burger that makes you remember you’re smack-dab in the heart of Spartanburg.
Former South Carolina Chef Ambassador Sarah McClure churns out barbecue and Cajun-inspired dishes at Southside Smokehouse. Her success as a chef has led her to represent the state of South Carolina as a Chef Ambassador, nab the runner-up spot in Guy’s Grocery Games, and be prominently featured in several publications. These accolades are apparent at Southside, as what was once a roadside BBQ joint is now a thriving, eclectic spot for a myriad of unique and modern flavors. While Sarah offers a classic burger and even a Bayou Burger, we opt for the FGT & Pimento Cheese Burger because the fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese toppings embody our favorite foods of the South.
With a variety of restaurants all over Spartanburg County, the Cribb family is an essential chapter of the story of Spartanburg’s booming food scene. One of their most popular joints, Cribb’s Kitchen, hosts an annual burger cook-off. Each year, the winner of the cook-off receives the honor of seeing their burger added to the Cribb’s Kitchen menu – and therefore available to everyone traveling the SpartanBURGER trail. This year, the Berry Good Poppin Jalapeno Smash Burger was the cook-off winner … for good reason! Fresh jalapenos are smashed into the beef patty, which is then topped with American cheese, candied jalapeno bacon, Lake Bowen Lager whipped cream cheese, crispy jalapenos and finished with a Raspberry Weisse Is Right sauce. Put all this between a sesame brioche bun and you have patty perfection.
Does it sound great? Are you ready to hit the road? The people along the SpartanBURGER trail await. @VisitSptbg
A Little Burger History
According to the National Today, a website that lists all the national holidays, the name “hamburger” derives, of course, from the city of Hamburg, Germany. Some residents of Hamburg were headed as far west as the eastern shores of the United States during the 18th century. Many of them brought a snack called the “Hamburgh sausage.” This snack, like its cousin the “Rundstück warm,” combined a meatball similar to the Swedish meatball with a slice of bread for utensil-free handling.
But, and this is according to an article on Food & Wine magazine’s website, the first burger may actually date back to 1st Century AD Rome and a dish called Isicia Omentata that we don’t think you’ll like that much at all as it was made of minced meat (we’re not sure what kind of meat) and also contained pine nuts, pepper, and flavorings of wine and garum. The latter is a fermented fish sauce used in ancient times. As for Omentum, it’s the Latin word for caul fat, an ingredient widely used in historical and traditional Italian cuisine that would have been used in this dish to give the lean meat more flavor and taste.
Mark Wahlberg and Paul Wahlberg Recently Hosted a Wahlburgers Grand Opening Party at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place
Brothers presented with Key to the Las Vegas Strip for their contributions to the vitality of the Las Vegas Strip
Mark Wahlberg, who recently set down roots in Las Vegas with his family, and his brother, Paul Wahlberg, who is the chef behind Wahlburgers’ award-winning menu, were presented with the Key to the Las Vegas Strip. The brothers were honored at the grand opening of their newest Wahlburgers at Mandalay Bay within The Shoppes at Mandalay Place.
Hundreds of fans gathered outside of the new Wahlburgers, the second in Las Vegas, joining their burger restaurant in the Grand Bazaar Shops at Horseshoe, which opened in 2016.
While doing interviews on the red carpet, Mark joked with Paul that he should be next to move to Las Vegas, pointing out the desirability of the city’s schools, churches and homes. The brothers then went inside, where Mark posed in countless selfies before stepping behind the bar to pour shots of his Flecha Azul Tequila. He stopped and took photos with all the Wahlburgers’ employees, even going back to the kitchen where he spent more than 30 minutes getting to know the cooks.
The brothers were welcomed by Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft, whose district includes the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, who presented the brothers with the key, which also honored their brother and other Wahlburgers partner, Donnie Wahlberg. The key honors the expansion of the franchise and the brothers’ contributions to the vitality of the Las Vegas Strip. Other notables whose contributions have been honored with a Key to the Las Vegas Strip include Katy Perry, Tiësto and Jimmy Kimmel.
Fellow Bostonian and globally renowned chef, Todd English, and DJ and podcast superstar, Whoo Kid, were among the more than 150 VIP guests who came out to celebrate the grand opening.
At 5,000 square feet, the new Wahlburgers has a capacity of 150 guests, including an oversized bar ideal for grabbing a beer, adult shake or “Wahlcoction,” and watching the game. HDTVs are located throughout the restaurant, so you’ll never miss a minute of the game whether you’re seated in the dining room or at the bar.
Founded in Hingham, Massachusetts in 2011, Wahlburgers now has more than 90 locations across the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Wahlburgers is a casual dining restaurant & bar founded by brothers Mark, Donnie and Chef Paul Wahlberg, which wrapped 10 successful seasons of A&E Network’s Emmy-nominated reality show in 2019 (which is now airing on AXS TV). While its interior decor is filled with photos and memories celebrating the brothers’ life journeys from Dorchester neighborhood kids to rising chef and international superstars, Wahlburgers makes food, beverages and its guests the real stars. With menu items like delicious fresh ground beef burgers, entrée salads and sandwiches, loaded tots and frothy shakes, Chef Paul and team are obsessed with making guests happy and feeling like family. Wahlburgers currently has 90+ locations and is dedicated to giving back to every community it serves. Wahlburgers At Home, the brands’ line of proprietary blended Certified Angus Beef, signature Wahl Sauce, bacon, hot dogs, pickles and BBQ sauce, is available in thousands of retail stores throughout the US. Learn more at www.wahlburgers.com and follow along @Wahlburgers on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
About Mandalay Bay Resort
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is set on 120 lush acres featuring Mandalay Bay Beach, a tropical pool paradise with real sand. The Michelob ULTRA Arena, award-winning restaurants, exhilarating entertainment, unique shopping, Shark Reef Aquarium and the 2-million-square-foot convention center combine to make Mandalay Bay a captivating Las Vegas resort destination. The resort offers three distinct hotel experiences: Mandalay Bay with 3,211 luxurious rooms and suites reflecting a modern tropical ambiance; Four Seasons Hotel, a AAA Five Diamond hotel offering 424 rooms and suites; and the luxury all-suite Delano Las Vegas. Mandalay Bay is operated by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit mandalaybay.com, call toll-free at (877) 632-7800, or find us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Made with award-winning angus beef, Bradshaw’s burgersare now available in more than 5,000 retail stores nationwide
Thackerville, Oklahoma: Just in time for National Burger Month in May, NFL legend and iconic entertainer, Terry Bradshaw, has announced that his Bradshaw Ranch Thick N Juicy™ burgers are now available in more than 5,000 retail store locations throughout the nation. The burgers debuted last year.
“These patties are the perfect addition to your cookout or barbeque,” Bradshaw said. “The angus beef patties are a mile thick and so juicy you’ll need extra napkins and a big appetite.”
Bradshaw Ranch Thick N Juicy burgers are made with award-winning angus beef, available in one-third and quarter-pound patties. They come in two flavors made for burger lovers: cheddar cheese and bacon; and cheddar cheese, garlic and butter.
The burger blends have been crafted by Bradshaw and his son-in-law, acclaimed chef, Noah Hester, who can be seen on the family’s hit E! show, “The Bradshaw Bunch.” The Bradshaw family gathers regularly for backyard barbecues and Bradshaw Ranch Thick N Juicy™ were inspired by the families love of great burgers.
Bradshaw Ranch Thick N Juicy Burgers are available to purchase across the United States and in select Walmarts and Sam’s Clubs. The burgers will soon be available in retail stores including Kroger, Publix and more. More information on Bradshaw Ranch Thick N Juicy Burg To ers can be found at www.terrybradshawbrands.com/bradshaw-ranch. To located a store near you selling Bradshaw burgers, click here.
About Terry Bradshaw
The only NFL player with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Terry Bradshaw continues to entertain fans far and beyond his legendary professional football career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The four-time Super Bowl champion quarterback, two-time Super Bowl MVP and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee joined “FOX NFL Sunday” as co-host and analyst with the show’s inception in 1994. In addition to his long-term role as a multi-Emmy and award-winning broadcaster, Bradshaw has starred in movie and television hits including the box office smash comedy romance, “Failure to Launch,” “Father Figures,” “Better Late than Never,” and “The Masked Singer.”
Bradshaw is also a gospel and country singer, motivational speaker, New York Times best-selling author and breeder of championship quarter horses. In addition to starring in his own stage production, “The Terry Bradshaw Show,” the iconic football star and entertainer also stars along with his family in E!’s new hit show, “The Bradshaw Bunch,” which follows the adventures of his family.
Bradshaw Bourbon
Don’t take it from us, read Bourbon Great Fred Minnick’s Review of Bradshaw Bourbon. Minnick, the Wall Street Journal best-selling author, Editor-In-Chief of Bourbon+, and former lead American whiskey reviewer for whiskey publication Whiskey Advocate, is not only accomplished author, he is the current Bourbon Authority for the Kentucky Derby Museum. Minnick’s resume also includes judging the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and World Whiskies Awards. With all of these accolades, Minnick is considered the foremost authority on all things bourbon in today’s booming bourbon world.
And guess what. He like Bradshaw Bourbon. A whole lot. Bradshaw Bourbon is proud to announce the honor of being hand-selected by Fred Minnick for a blind taste test review. Bradshaw Bourbon finished 2nd in the review alongside the fierce competition of strong brands such as Eagle Rare, Old Forester, Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Daviess County, and others.
The Terry Bradshaw
1-2 inch ice cube
Preparation:
Place ice cube into a rocks glass
Pour 1/3 cup Bradshaw Bourbon over ice
Enjoy!
The following recipes are by Terry Bradshaw and Chef Noah Hester
Bradshaw Beans
2lb ground beef
½ lb. bacon
2 bell peppers
1 white onion
2 cans each black beans, red beans, navy beans
2 cups Bradshaw bourbon bbq sauce or your favorite bbq sauce
1 large foil pan
Pre heat oven or smoker to 350 degrees. Brown ground meat and drain off fat. Open rinse and drain half the beans and keep half with the juice. Mix all ingredients together in a large foil pan, cover with foil and bake or smoke for 40 minutes, uncover and cook for another 30 minutes.
Bradshaw Bourbon BBQ Sauce
1 gallon ketchup
2 cups rice vinegar
1 # brown sugar
2 cups Bradshaw bourbon
1/2 Worcestershire
1 large onion chopped
1.5 tbsp. chopped garlic
1 tbsp. Cayenne
1/2 tbsp. Ground clove
1 tbsp. Smoked paprika
3 bay leaves
Sweat onions until translucent, add bourbon and burn off alcohol. Add brown sugar with reaming spices and vinegar. Cook down by a 3rd about 7 minutes on medium-high heat. Add ketchup and salt and pepper. Cook on medium heat for about 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool and blend.
Bradshaw Hot wings
1-2 pounds chicken wings
1 cup Chef Noah’s Hawaiian chili pepper water
½ cup Bradshaw Bourbon BBQ Sauce (see recipe below)
2 tablespoons melted butter
Season wings with salt and pepper and bake (400 degrees) or fry (375 degrees) your hot wings until 165 degree internal temperature.
Mix the BBQ sauce, chili water and melted butter together in a large bowl and toss wings in the sauce, serve with ranch and celery spears.
Bradshaw Bourbon Patty
1 thick and juicy patty per person. I recommend the bacon cheddar
Sliced smoked cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
Sourdough bread
Bacon
Mayonnaise
Salt and pepper
Heat grill or pan to 350 degrees. Season frozen Bradshaw ranch thick and juicy patty with salt and pepper.
Place patty directly from freezer on to pan or gill. In a separate sauté pan cook bacon to desired crispiness, remove bacon when done, do not discard bacon fat, cook sliced white onion with salt and pepper in the same pan as the bacon using the fat as oil. Cook onions until translucent.
Flip burgers at 5 minutes, place onions directly on top of the patty and then add your sliced cheese to cover onions. Slather two pieces of sourdough bread with mayo (one side only). Place mayo side down on your sauté pan, this will create a nice golden crispy toast, now add another slice of cheese to one side of the bread as if you were making a grilled cheese sandwich.
Once cheese is melted and burger is cooked to 165 degrees, about 4 minutes after flipping. Place bacon on the side of bread with cheese on it, Place patty on top of the bacon, top with your other piece of bread. Cut in half and serve with dill pickles and a side of BBQ sauce for dipping.
