October food holidays and where to celebrate them in Flagstaff

Halloween dominates the thought of October, but this month is filled with other holidays in the food arena. For starters, we’re in Eat Country Ham Month, Fair Trade Month, National Apple-Cookie-Dessert-Pasta-Pickled Peppers Month (and that’s just half the “National __ Month” list) and we haven’t even discussed the weeks of honor from American Beer Week (the 2^nd week of the month, which is also National Food Bank Week so be sure to donate while you’re indulging too) to Chicken Soup for the Soul Week (4^th week of October). And now, for the national food holiday days to celebrate this month, take a look at the below Flagstaff suggestions…

October 4: National Taco Day

Treat yourself for 99-cent tacos at the local treasure that is La Fonda (1900 N 2nd St.). They not only have top notch Mexican food, but the service is hard to match. They’re friendly and always on top of everything here. That’s a winning combination.

October 11: National Sausage Pizza Day

Sausage is singled out on the pizza front this month. Two completely opposite but solid sausage topped pies to try: Scott’s Chicago Pizza’s (103 Birch Ave) Southside Classic with Italian sausage, mushroom, onion and bell pepper and Pizza Furiosa’s (2500 S Woodlands Village Blvd) #9 with chorizo and pepperoni The whole month is National Pizza Festival Month – so you might as well go around town and hit up both (and the rest of your pizza favorites), just to be in the spirit of all things cheesy and delicious while you’re at it.

October 17: National Pasta Day

On this day dedicated to a staple of most of our menus –pasta – go for the best pasta in town, the house-made goodness that is Pasto (19 E. Aspen). They’re currently featuring a nice variety like crab maccheroni, corkscrew pastas in a creamy cheese sauce with blue crab; pennette Mediteranea, small penne pastas in a combination of red onion, roasted tomatoes, artichoke, arugula, olives, capers and feta; and the classic and delish spaghettini e popette, which is a thin spaghetti topped with tomato sauce and meatballs.

October 21: National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day

The combination of two wonderful flavors – pumpkin and cheesecake should take you to Beautiful Leaf Bakery (2028 N. 4th St). They make basically every flavor of cheesecake in three to nine inch sizes. A rich, creamy treat you totally deserve, so go for it!

October 25: National Greasy Foods Day

For tasty grease-filled goodness, go to Mountainaire Tavern (110 Mountainaire Rd.). They serve up some mean homemade beer battered onion rings, fried mushrooms, zucchini, cauliflower and broccoli. All served with ranch. Who said you wouldn’t eat veggies today!

October 26: Pretzel Day

Wildflower Bread Company (530 East Piccadilly Dr.) makes yummy oversized pretzels that are perfection for a filling snack or a nice plus with one of their fine soups, like the roasted garlic tomato.

October 31: Trick or Treat for UNICEF Day

While you’re out there getting free candy, trick or treat for UNICEF too. They’ve been doing this fundraiser to help kids since 1950. Find out more at youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat. Also while you’re out on Halloween, don’t miss out on the city’s annual Halloween Harvest festival of fun downtown.

For more October food holidays – and there are a ton this month – go to TheNibble.com.

(This article was originally written for Flagstaff Live! by Angele)
 

Where to celebrate June food holidays in Flagstaff, AZ

June is the time for fun in the sun… and apparently a sweet tooth. This month is filled with celebrations of sugary tweets from National Candy Month to 25 days of the month that celebrate everything from hazelnut cake and rocky road ice cream to gingerbread and peanut butter cookies. And yet, there’s still room for other food celebrations. Here’s a look at a few of the 45 food holidays celebrated in June and where to sing their praises in Flagstaff…

June 3: National Egg Day

National Egg Day calls for a trip to La Bellavia (18 S. Beaver). This breakfast joint serves up egg-cellent trout and eggs, steak and eggs, egg burritos, eggs benedict, omelets, chorizo scramble, quiche, fiesta eggs, Italian eggs, vegetable garden eggs and Eggs Bellavia.

June 4: National Cheese Day

New Jersey Pizza (2224 E Cedar Ave) is the place to head for National Cheese Day. They make their very own fresh pulled mozzarella, which you can buy at their eatery or at the Flagstaff Farmer’s Market on Sundays (which starts soon). It also tastes heavenly melted on their ever so delish pizzas.

June 5: National Gingerbread Day

Celebrate this day of sweet delight with dessert at Beaver Street Brewery (11 S Beaver). Their Apple Ginger Stout Cake is made with apples, spices and their R&R Oatmeal Stout and comes topped with caramel sauce and whipped cream. It is a creative twist on traditional gingerbread and one of THE very best desserts made in Flagstaff.

June 10: National Black Cow (aka root beer float) Day

For all things diner-ific, including Black Cows, the Galaxy Diner (931 W Route 66) is a must stop. This retro diner takes you back in time with their ice cream sodas, malts and milkshakes.

June 17: Eat All Your Veggies Day

You won’t have any trouble celebrating this day of good for you goodness at the 1899 Grill (307 W. Dupont Ave, across from the High Country Conference Center and Drury Inn and Suites). Start your dinner off with a bowl of the pepper and gouda soup followed by the spaghetti squash that’s sautéed in olive oil and garlic and tossed with fresh pomodoro sauce and basil.

June 18: International Picnic Day

Grab hot dogs - go for the Chicago-style Easy Dog classic- from Primo’s (113 S San Francisco), burgers from Mama Burger (12 E. Route 66) or sandwiches –try The New Yorker or The Paisan- from Stage Left Sub Shop (on Beaver St between Aspen and Route 66) and head up to the Snowbowl for the perfect summer picnic spot.

June 22: National Onion Rings Day

Drive a few miles south of town for some of the best onion rings you’ve ever had the pleasure of devouring at Mountainaire Tavern (110 Mountainaire Rd). This dive does it right with homemade beer battered rings. You can also get beer battered fried mushrooms, zucchini, cauliflower or broccoli. All served with ranch. Now you can tell mom you're eating your veggies every day! (So maybe come here on June 17^th too!)

For a full list of the 45 June food holidays, go to TheNibble.com. 

This article was originally written for Flagstaff Live! by me!