Garry P.

Beef-A-Roo

...or. How I Spent Three Summers One Year.

First of all, congratulations to Beef-A-Roo on their 40th Anniversary.

Beef-A-Roo is a Rockford-area fixture. Recently I had a Rockford resident at my seafood restaurant in Las Vegas. I said, "You passed on Beef-A-Roo for this?"

The best thing about Beef-A-Roo is that it doesn't feel like some of the mega-chains, like McD's, Burger King, Wendy's, etc. It's more homey, if that makes sense.

Their flagship is the Beef-A-Roo, available in many varieties and sizes. Generous in portion and flavor, it blows away an Arby's. Arby's just seems "processed" compared to Beef-A-Roo.

Glad to see they've added wraps, salads and healthy options to their core menu of beef sandwiches, burgers and chicken I remember from the 80's.

Beef-A-Roo is also involved in their community, and has been sponsoring the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in Rockford for decades.

I would put Beef-A-Roo in World Class in their type. If you're in the Rockford area, stop for a bite. You won't regret it!

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Pischke's Paradise

OK, I first found out about Pischke's from a bumper sticker on I-17 between Flagstaff and Phoenix that said "Jimmy Buffett for President". As a long-time Parrothead, I had to find out what this was all about, and I was hooked from the first visit!

The room is broken in half by a U-shaped bar with an aquarium in the middle, and tons of maritime decor deck the walls, the table tops, even the ceiling.

The menus boasts sandwiches, pizza, bugers and other entrees. The pizzas are made on lavash, a crunchy flatbread. The blackened sirloin sandwich is messy and to die for.

I've always noticed that each succeeding margarita seems stronger than the last. Hmmm, maybe that's just me.

And I LOVE the fact that the menu prices are to the dollar. No $7.95, or $12.49. Everything is $6, $7, $8, etc.

Servers are fun and attentive.

When I lived in Phoenix, I was a regular at Pischke's. Since moving to SoCal and then Las Vegas, I've only been back once, and that was in February '07. Since my previous visit, Chris Pischke, the founder, had passed away. His brother still greets you at the door, but with new ownership it just didn't seem the same, like the body was still alive but the heart was missing. RIP, Chris. You were a gentleman, through and through.

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Chompies

Yes! And it's awesome!First of all, don't let the pastries on display to the right of the entrance scare you away. Sure, you might acquire 100 calories just looking, but have lunch or dinner first!It seems every time I've gone (I don't live in Phoenix anymore), my server is a native New Yorker. It only adds to the ambiance. So does the New York mural that surrounds you on the walls.First off is the pickled appetizer. One comes to every table, and it's a nice sampler.The entree selections are many and varied, but I just want to talk about my favorite sandwich, the "Jersey Bound". A double-decker of pastrami and corned beef on great Jewish Rye with Russian dressing and cole slaw, this is one of those sandwiches that makes you wonder if you'll have to unhinge your jaw to take a bite. but, take that bite. It's amazing. Served with steak-cut fries, I'm not shy to ask for a to-go box so I can finish it the next day...or maybe just later!Chompie's also does take out and catering, and has a full deli counter...plus that pastry counter. There are also an abundance of flavors of bagels and bialys, as well as several selections of cream cheese to accompany them.And the lox? Fageddaboudit! It's fantastic!OK, time to go plan my next visit to Phoenix, now that the weather is nicer!

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McCormick & Schmicks Seafood Restaurant

I love seafood. From grilled fish, to shellfish, to sushi and sashimi, I love it all! It's nice to have a McCormick and Schmick's here.

It's a little weird to find the driveway. Though the restaurant sits in "Restaurant Row" at the Hughes Center, and can be clearly seen from Flamingo, the driveway is on Hughes Center Drive. Valet is available.

The ambience is great. Lot's of woodwork, great Tiffany lamps and other decorative glasswork, the obligatory mounted salmon and swordfish, as well as vintage seafood prints. The "snugs", small single table rooms, are great.

Pay close attention to your server. They have a wealth of information. Some of the things I heard:

1. There's no frozen fish at M&S. Everything is fresh. They can run out of items, but there is sure to be something else I like just in case.
2. Menus are printed daily (and can be customized for your occasion, as the first reviewer noted).
3. In addition to fish, there are also great raw selections...oysters, sashimi, etc.
4. Appetizers have some classics (calamari, prawn cocktail) and some unique ideas (tater tots stuffed with shrimp and crab).
5. Steak lovers won't be dissapointed, and there is opportunity for "surf and turf", too.
6. The wine list is great because of it's selections and price points. You don't have to spend a lot on wine, but you can!
7. Service is right up there without being "stuffy". They take their job seriously while being good ambassadors for Las Vegas.

On my last visit (I go there often), I had something from a specialty menu featuring "regional" fish. Halibut wrapped in prosciutto, roasted in the oven and topped with nectarine chutney. I love halibut anyway, but this preparation was incredible. I also wanted to take advantage of a late running halibut season. I expect it to be out of season before my next visit.

Save room for dessert (or as my server suggested, get dessert first!). They are all made in-house. Don't poke at the dessert tray. They're real!

You can spend more, but the quality may not be as good as M&S. IMO, you get what you pay for and more.

Lunch is served M-F only until 4:00PM.

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Sushi Avenue and Steakhouse

Sushi chef Bruce Lee has ben a sushi master in Las Vegas for several years, with previous stints at Mandalay Bay and Dragon Sushi beofre launching his own business in 2005.

Sushi Avenue isn't a Strip-based restaurant. In fact, it's well off the beaten path on the west side of Las Vegas. But is, by far, my favorite sushi restaurant.

The sushi bar itself has about 20-22 seats, but that's not the only thing going on. There are also booths, and three Teppanyaki tables for those who like "The Show" popularized by chains like Benihana's.

It's been my experience that Sushi Avenue only serves the freshest, highest quality products they can find. We generally start off our visit with Hamachi, but from there it's a different experience every time. Often, our ordering consists of "What's good?", and the chefs take it from there. We've never been dissappointed.

In addition to sushi, the menu has other Japanese specialties as well. We've shared a Bento Box at lunch and found it a nice light meal.

Don't be afraid to bring the kids. Our little one has been going since she was 2 months old, and just recently had her first raw fish. (Wait until they're at least 2 years old.)

There are several specialty rolls, too. Some have provocative names, but all are good. There are also hand rolls, and I suggest the Spicy Ahi.

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Luv-It Frozen Custard

I was introduced to Luv-It before I moved to Las Vegas and was a fan from that first visit.

Luv-It is a family business. If I recall correctly, it is in it's third generation of family ownership. The current owner/operator is the grandson of the founder.

Once the weather warms up, you can expect a line in the evenings. Keep in mind it's just a little walk-up window kind of place. No fancy seating area, no neon or flourescent lighting. Just the hood of your car, or leaning against the outside wall.

I've tried some of the recent additions to the frozen custard purveyors in the Las Vegas area. None compare to Luv-It.

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