Nourish

Gluten Free Comfort Food (6/10)
website 

I'm a firm believer in America running on restaurants like Nourish, if we could only [all] step away from the Mickey D's or bar food. It's healthy, it's flavorful, and yet it goes unappreciated. It's popular among the gluten-free community, and still hasn't reached it's full potential there either. However, I also believe that we should be able to get healthy gluten-free products without having an annual income of seven figures.

When you are a little kid, the strange idea any food that might look different will not taste any good keeps you from exploring new foods. For this reason, I had never been blessed with quiche's deliciousness–until I was older that is. This is as good as it looks, I promise. And I think that may be all I have to say to get you over here on a cool autumnal sunday morning to sit on the beautiful patio eating this dish. But if you need a little convincing, it comes with the freshest side of fruit you could hope to imagine.

Salmon teriyaki is not usually something I would order, especially because I know there is a 50/50 chance I won't like it, and double that when I know I'm going to be $18 dollars poorer afterwards. But you have the blindfold on, and you just take the jump. You'll end up right back in your seat enjoying the fresh taste of salmon, and the perfect compliment to it, the rice. You'll be glad you came here, even if you had to leave an arm. But don't worry you will still have all the rest of your limbs, and a healthy restaurant to tell everyone you know about. 

Indulge Burger

Modern Burger Concept Joint (8/10)
website

I've had my eye on this place since they first popped up on restaurant.com. I'm aboard the burger fad train, and I am a fan of Indulge. And just 'cause you asked I'll tell you why: the excitement starts with the menu, and then the best part is that you get a pencil! "Why is that?" you inquire further. So you can fill in the bubbles with what you want! That means you customize your burger, salmon burger, or kobe burger--there are over 1,000 combinations. They also have several different salads and appetizers to choose from (and bubble!). I'd fill in the little circle that has 1/2 crispy fried onion strings, 1/2 fresh sweet potato fries (just a tip). 

This number is the pastrami burger. I'm told it's a keeper (even though it's only on the special menu). I know a few people who would ask Indulge owner Lee Klein to keep it on. The part I like most, that part that I really look for in a good burger, is the thickness. Along with that, I like how they really cook a medium rare burger. If you are an avid burger lover, like myself, you know that it's hard to find a place that will cook the burger the way you ordered it. This place got an A on that! The quality of meat used is very desirable as well. 

You might have noticed that I frequent Gluten Free restaurants a lot, and I do! My sister was recently told she has an intolerance to gluten, so we try GF restaurants often. The grilled cheese is what she ordered, and the oeey-gooey-ness is enticing. But the bread is what you worry about when you are GF, and with this one, you don't have to waste your worry lines. We even had a nice chat with the lady sitting next to us who said she hadn't been able to have a burger in 10 years. She was in love with her GF dish! 

My only reservation about this place, and it has been consistent in each of the three times I've been here, is the slow service. Most times, even during the slow hours, it takes a good hour and a half to eat here. We have come to expect fast (but not too fast) service and little wait time from burger joints. You won't find this here, and if you are in a hurry I'd suggest pick up. The staff has been nothing less than nice, but seem to be unaware of the doldrum-esque service. The owner as well, whom I got the chance to meet, is very pleasant and attentive to the restaurant and the guests. I'll be coming back, and if you have some time, you should too!

Tryst Cafe

American Fair with Gluten Free Options (7/10)
website

I came here originally because @jewels_cupcakes was starting to sell their delish goodies there. So I tried the hamburger the first time I went, and it was good. But I'm really harsh when it comes to the awesome goodness of a burger, so it's safe to say it wasn't the best burger I've ever had. To start, we ordered the Desert Ridge Summer Rolls.

I couldn't tell you to order them, because then you would never trust anything I told you was good again. But I did get noticed on twitter about how I didn't favor them too much. And they responded very nicely inquiring why, and thanked me for my input. They do have amazing customer service, from all the waitresses, managers, and owners, they will treat you very well. But they should put some of that substance into these rolls. If you could imagine spicy lettuce with rice paper and dip them (in really good) spicy chili mango sauce, it might not seem like what you have come to expect from great spring rolls. But I appreciate the feed back!

You, however, might want to put this dish on your to-eat-list. It's the grilled cheese, and it's amazing. Those tots you see on the side, amazing too! I'd have to say the winner on this sandwich is the bread. The waitress told me they got it from a place called Mikes Bakery in Tempe, but haven't been able to find a place named that. That bread with the gooey cheese, meets avocado, meets your mouth, and you will wonder why you stopped eating grilled cheese when you were a kid. I wouldn't ask for this dish made any other way.

And I was not the only one who enjoyed this!

This is the Seared Ahi Salad, you will want to remember this. Especially if you love tuna, wasabi, and really excellent salads (which I do!). It's got grilled portobello mushrooms, carrots, and grape tomatoes, all in lime vinaigrette, & that wasabi mayo is to die for. 

The tuna is fresh and seared perfectly! I take the wontons and put the ahi on it, love that crunch! 

They have great GF options too, including beer! They offer great  happy hour (4pm-7pm), and foursquare discounts! Check this place out, I'm sure everyone will find something they fall for. And they call it a secret affair but you don't have to hide it from your scale, this place has some good healthy options. 

Fuego Tacos

Modern Mexican (6/10)
website

I'll start off by saying, I had really high expectations. All because I was already introduced to one of my favorite mexican(ish) food places, Fuego Bistro, (both places owned by Jeff Ward), who bought Fuego Bistro as Cafe del Sol back in '06. I had a few meals over at Cafe del Sol, and let's just say it was no foodies dream, or really even anything to mention. Flash forward to present day, my mother is pulling at my knees to meet up with her and her friend at this place, "Fuego Bistro". So I go and they have a few drinks, and I enjoy one of the best meals of my life. But this isn't about the bistro, it's about the tacos.

When you walk in, whether you are greeted graciously or not, you are in a swanky loft style cozy atmosphere. With a lit-up bottle-ridden bar, and two seater tables all sit in a small area behind the community table. The layout is done well and my ocd for feng shui had no problem working its way around this place. We were sat upstairs, because we had a party of four, but hey I thought it was exciting. 

One thing you are not going to hear me complain about is the service; it was good, so I will leave that there and start talking about the food. Cause that is really, the only thing I eat for, I don't know about you. I'm a picky salsa eater, I like two restaurant salsas and one is from my other favorite (authentic) mexican food place Los Reyes de la Torta; (now I'm hungry). Fuego's salsa is perfect, it's hot and I like hot, but I can taste so many flavors (habanero, tomatillo) all at once with perfect chips (I think are made fresh). Good start, so keep it coming.

I ordered two different tacos, baja fish and chicken street tacos. I've never been one to be too impressed with chicken tacos, and after having this one I think I'm still in the "unimpressed-by-chicken-tacos" boat. That sits with me because I really like fish tacos, and I loved this one. I look for crunch factor, this has it. The cured cabbage with the chipotle sour cream, makes the taco. Though a must try taco, the short rib barbacoa, which has got this sweet flavor to it, is so tender and cooked so perfectly. I've been told that the sweet flavoring marinating in my buds is Dr. Pepper, along side pineapple and habanero.  The sweet potato fries, well-done, everything I look for especially with the chipotle ranch. Going back to expectations of Fuego Bistro and their to-die-for cream corn, I was unimpressed with this one. The difference is that 'Tacos adds chipotle, and that is not what the problem was. It tasted less like cream corn and more like lots of chipotle, which is fine if that is what you are looking for, however I was not. 

I'll be going back, because there are so many things I want to try. I recommend this place to get out there and explore some new tacos. If you don't want your wallet biting you in the rear, you should know that during happy hour (daily 2-6), tacos are only $3 and some of the must try appetizers (empanadas) are discounted too.  

Jewel's Cupcake Shop

Before I wrote this review, I thought about how it just might sound biased, being as my mother is the "Jewel" in Jewel's Cupcake Shop. But then I decided that I am an honest person, and once you try them you will see how accurate I am anyway. 

Try the Ruby Red Velvet. No wait, try the Karat Kake, maybe the Pistachio. So really it doesn't matter what one you try first, cause you are going to end up eating all of them. But here is the difference between Sprinkles and Jewel's Cupcake Shop; aside from the fact that Jewel's is better, they are gluten-free. Actually, they can accommodate any dietary restrictions you have--unless you are allergic to the yummiest cupcakes you will ever have. In that case, I don't think they can help you out. You can order them gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan, dairy-free, oat-free, no gmo, all organic. You name it, you got it. You won't regret it, unless you are someone who gets addicted to things; then you might wish you were a little thinner after a while. Also, keep in mind that they have not yet opened up a treatment center for cupcake addiction, yet. 

Oh yeah, and the cookies? No treatment center for those yet either. But still, you should try them.

You can place orders through the website at jewelscupcakeshop.com, and follow them on Twitter: @jewels_cupcakes and on Facebook: Here

The Dhaba

- Contemporary Indian Cuisine (10/10)
website

I love India, the food the culture the passion. You don't know Indian food until you come to Dhaba. We have been eating here (frequently) for quite some time, in fact, I can only guess we found it on restaurant.com. We start with the punjabi veggie platter, an assortment of fried indian street treats, also known as chit chaat. Fresh samosas, pakoras, and something I can only describe as the best hash brown you will ever have in your life. Dip these in the tamarind chutney, and you are in for an indian blessing on your taste buds.

Next, order anything from over ten veggie plates, to chicken, veal, and even seafood; and you will taste something you have not yet been blessed to try. A common among us is chicken tikka masala, (pictured above) with basmati rice, and garlic naan (pictured below). Chicken tikka masala, a warm creamy tomato based deep flavored sauce, drenching tandoori cooked juicy chicken. This also comes in a vegetarian option as  paneer tikka masala, a tofu alternative made out of an indian cheese.

Everyone who works there is more than willing to make your visit a special one, they are all very kind and wonderful people. I asked what kind of dessert there was tonight, and when she was listing them I had heard of one I have never had before, I had to try it. I turned out to be one of the most surprisingly good experiences I've had. They call it carrot fudge, but do not be mistaken by the name it is not chocolate and it is most definitely not what you are expecting. It arrives looking like the easter bunny was shaving some carrots in the back. At first taste, with your eyes closed, you would not know it was carrot when it hit your tongue. A sweet, but not too sweet, pudding sensation melts perfectly in your month. A taste I could never describe, but I insist you must try this one. 

Welcome to the ultimate foodies guide

I am Justine Hankerson, self proclaimed food fanatic. This is a blog documenting the best and worst restaurants in the greater Phoenix area. Most of the restaurants I visit are found on restaurant.com, others are found just by driving around. You can expect an honest opinion on everything from atmosphere to dessert, with pictures too! I know good food, and if you read, soon you will too.