Showing posts with label granny's closet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label granny's closet. Show all posts

November 25, 2010

Dining family-style in Flagstaff

Dining family-style in Flagstaff
By Angele Sionna

Bigfoot's Kiddie Corral
Dining with the kids can be a challenge. If they’re young – is there anything they’ll eat on the menu? If they’re older, can you all decide on the same thing for dinner? There are several Flagstaff restaurants that help ease that pain and make going out together fun, tasty and not a break-the-bank adventure. Here’s a look at just a few of the best kid-friendly menus in town…

Bigfoot Bar-B-Q
120 N Leroux St, Basement Marketplace of the Old Town Shops
Tucked down in the basement of the Old Town Shops with plenty of room to play in that ab fab “kiddie corral” and splendid for not having to fret about those little noise makers, Bigfoot has to be the number one spot for dining with kids, especially young ones! Add to that awesome days like half price wing basket Mondays and a $3 kids (12 and under) menu that includes hot dogs, corn dogs, chicken strips and grilled cheese – all with fries and a drink. Then toss in buckets of crayons and piles of paper to draw on along with free peanuts that can be thrown willy nilly on the floor. You’ve got a winner. Bigfoot is hands-down the number one place my three tots like to dine.

Café Ole
119 S. San Fransisco
In a time when the economy has left most folks needing any help they can get, Café Ole still has their FREE kids meals on Wednesdays. This is a super (tasty) deal! All day Wednesdays, both lunch (11:30a-3p) and dinner (5-9p), Café Ole serves up a free quesadilla, burrito or taco for sus niños (12 and under). Normally, the kids meals (that include a drink) are $5, still a good price. Plus this little Mexican joint near downtown and NAU has a nice colorful atmosphere that the whole fam will enjoy. Muy Bueno!

Pita Jungle
320 South Regent Street, next to New Frontiers
Ah, choices - they can make a break an out to eat experience with kiddos. Pita Jungle is the place to go for choice. They have a great $5 kids (10 and under) meal – that lets the kiddies pick from nutritious and delicious options. You pick one protein, one green and one carb – plus get a fruit cup and a drink. Proteins range from turkey to tuna to tofu (and many more). Greens include cucumbers, broccoli (make fun all you want but it is my childrens’ fav!), spinach or carrots. Carbs range from pasta to mac and cheese to a pita crisp and more. Quite a feast!

Diablo Burger
120 N Leroux, on the square behind Pesto Brothers
Seating in here is tough for little kids because of the cool high stools, but if they can sit still – Diablo Burger is a great burger joint to take the tots. They have mini versions of their divine grass-fed, locally raised burgers (or a grilled cheese sandwich) with a side of those yummy frittes for around the $5 mark. In nice weather, sitting on DB's outdoor tables and letting the kids play in Heritage square while they as much noise as they want as they burn off that extra energy is an added bonus.

Granny’s Closet
218 S. Milton Rd.
Leave it to ol’ Granny to have a super bargain for kids under six – for just $2.50 they get their shot at that classic soup and salad bar. Pretty sweet. For kids 6 to 12 it jumps up just a bit to $5.50, but still a good reason to go for either lunch or dinner. Add to that those fun booths where kids can watch TV at their table, you’ve got a winner for an entertaining time for all in your party.

Wildflower Bread Company
530 East Piccadilly Drive (Near New Frontiers)
Here’s a little freebie for kids I love – every Wednesday right after school (from 3:30-4pm) you can take the kiddos down to Wildflower for a free milk, cookie and activity. It’s completely free! Wildflower also has a good kids (12 and under) menu for about $4 for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It comes with a small milk (or soda) and at lunch or dinner they toss in a chocolate chip cookie too! Choices range from French toast, pancakes or egg and cheese sandwich at breakfast, sandwiches or meatballs for lunch and pastas for dinner.

April 24, 2010

Where to find the best chicken fried steak in Flagstaff

Crown Railroad Cafe's breakfast CFS
Chicken fried steak also known as country fried steak or CFS is sinfully delicious when done right. This southern comfort dish is far from health food. But it sure makes for a scrumptious meal.
If you’re not familiar with chicken fried steak, you may be surprised to learn there’s no chicken in it. It’s typically a piece of tenderized round steak (one of the tougher cuts of beef) breaded and cooked in the style of fried chicken.
CFS originated in Texas, said to be the invention of German immigrants who brought with them a love of weiner schnitzel but found more beef on hand than veal. It has since turned into something you’ll find in every mom and pop café and diner across the mid-South and is spreading in popularity as the taste for this pan-fried piece of heaven grows.
Here’s a look at a few of the best spots across northern Arizona to get classic chicken fried steak…

Granny’s Closet
218 S. Milton Rd., Flagstaff
www.grannys-closet.com
Not a surprise that the cozy Granny’s features this down-home dish done right. At dinner, Granny’s chicken fried steak is served up with veggies plus mashed potatoes and gravy, or as they call it down South “the works.” You could opt for a side of fries, baked potato or rice but I recommend going traditional on this one. Granny’s CFS hits the spot when wanting a tummy full of comfort.
Miz Zip's CFS

Granny's CFS

CFS from Pine Country C
Crown Railroad Café
3300 E Route 66 and 2700 S Woodlands Village, Suite 600, Flagstaff
thecrownrailroadcafes.com
Looking to carb up with a big ol’ breakfast that’ll fill you up for the day? Then order up the chicken fried steak served with two eggs any way, two giant biscuits, potatoes and gravy at the Crown Railroad Café. This breakfast belly buster is not for the skiddish. But sure does taste good.

Miz Zip’s Cafe
2924 E Route 66, Flagstaff
For a taste of the Route 66 glory days, try Miz Zips homemade chicken fried steak and gravy any time of day. For breakfast they serve it with two eggs any style plus hashbrowns and toast. At dinner the CFS comes with soup or salad plus potatoes, beans and a hot roll. These tasty dishes are a true throwback to mom’s home cookin’.

Pine Country Restaurant
107 N Grand Canyon Blvd, Williams
Pine Country is a must stop when craving country classics like chicken fried steak. They have delish CFS served as both a breakfast and lunch dish. Pine Country's white gravy is the best around. It compliments the salty crunchiness of the CFS perfectly by adding a smooth, rich creaminess that is hard to beat. Don't forget to add on a slice of their homemade pies while you're there too.
Ski Lift Lodge CFS


Other spots to find Chicken Fried Steak in Flagstaff:

Ski Lift Lodge Restaurant
Hwy 180 at the base of Snowbowl Rd
arizonasnowbowl.com

Downtown Diner
7 East Aspen Avenue

January 7, 2010

Hot Buffalo-style Chicken Wings of Flagstaff: Granny's Closet

Looking for the best hot wings in Flagstaff? This begins the new Hot Buffalo-style Chicken Wings of Flagstaff guide that samples the wings of the city so you can find your favorite. We start with the ever-popular Granny's...

Granny's Closet
218 S. Milton Rd.
menu at: Grannys-Closet.com

When you ask people in Flagstaff where to go for wings 9 times out of 10 they'll say Granny's. Granny's has 7 types of wings everyday. You can buy them by the full or half dozen. On Wednesdays they're 40 cents each all day.  Here's a look at each type of wing style Granny's serves up:
Plain - just the wing, no sauce, as simple as humanly possible.
Medium - lots of tanginess not too hot nice and moist perfect for a spicy lightweight
Hot - turn up the spice by one notch on the medium what I would call a traditional hot wing
Suicide Jabenero - the smell is powerful and tickles the nose this one is serious business about its spiciness while still flavorful. Be sure to have a beer or coke or water on hand after these. Burning my lips but in a good way still fifteen minutes after eating them. Whoa nelly.
BBQ- these are barbeque sauce coated: sweet, mellow and saucy
Spicy BBQ- sweet and tangy with a touch spicy, mostly as an afterburn
Teriyaki - a pleasant change of taste. more of a soy sauce taste than a traditional sweet terriyaki not spicy or tangy distinctively its own thing