Anthem (Phoenix), AZ: WARNING: Eating Uncooked Or Undercooked Beef Can Be Hazardous To Your Health!

Tru Burger
39504 North Daisy Mountain Drive, #110
Anthem, AZ 85086
Phone number: (623) 465-5000
Website: https://geeconcepts.com/
Prices: $$$$

This should not take very long because I waited for a table longer than it took to leave after receiving my meal. If a place with "Burger" in their name cannot properly cook a medium-well hamburger, there is something terribly wrong.

I had high hopes when I found a burger place that serves grass-fed beef and it happened to be just down the street from where I was staying. The place was packed on a Friday night a bit after 6pm, another positive sign. Oh boy, was I in for a treat ... NOT!

When I saw that they had a house margarita for $5, I was even more enthused, but wait, things went downhill quickly after drinking about half of my margarita, which was pretty good by the way. I ordered a 1/2 pound Angus beef burger, medium-well, with sharp cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and herb mayo on a brioche bun ($9.95), adding bacon, sauteed onions, and avocado ($1 each). Fries do not come with their sandwiches or burgers, so I thought I would try a side of their Skinny Fries ($2.99) as well.

When my burger arrived, I was quite impressed, it looked delicious. The brioche bun was perfectly toasted, the burger patty thick, and the contents I ordered piled so high that I was wondering how I would shove it into my piehole. The first bite was pretty good, the burger was a little more pink on the edges than I expected for a medium-well burger, but I thought "what the hell" and took another couple bites. As I got closer to the center it was obvious that this burger was much closer to medium-rare or rare than medium-well, it was nearly raw in the middle. My stomach turned because there is a reason they put warnings on menus: "WARNING: Eating uncooked or undercooked beef can be hazardous to your health!". I do not give a shit what Gordon Ramsey says, I do not eat uncooked or undercooked beef, not until tonight at least.

The poor waitress came back and asked me how my meal was and when I showed her my uncooked/undercooked burger, she apologized profusely. She asked me if she could take it back and cook it longer, meaning "nuke-it", or if I wanted something else, but my this time I had lost my appetite and asked for the bill. The manager also came by to apologize and took the burger and fries ($15.94) off my bill, but they lost a customer by letting me walk out the door without so much as comping my margarita or offering me a free or 50% off meal the next time I came in.

I NEVER tell establishments when I visit that I am a food and travel writer with a popular website (80,000+ visitors a year) in addition to being Yelp GOLD Elite for 6 years running and a Zomato "Verified" Connoisseur. I, obviously, also have never accepted a single gratuity in exchange for a meal, hotel, play, or anything else I write reviews about because they have no idea who I am until I leave my card after paying the bill. If a place offers a free dessert, drink, or anything else because I am dissatisfied with my experience, I am more than happy to accept it because that is what good business owners and managers do, make amends to unhappy customers in hope that they will return again.

OK, this has gotten much longer than expected, so I shall stop here. Although, I also shall not return to Tru Burger and you might consider doing the same.

CombatCritic Gives Tru Burger 2 Bombs Out Of 10 ... Only Because The $5 Margarita Was Pretty Good And The Service Decent ... More Bombs Are Better!

Two Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "Tits Up" 

Read More Reviews By CombatCritic:

Yelp "GOLD" ELITE '14/'15/'16/'17/'18/'19 

• Over 1.4 Million Views A Year

Read Chris S.'s review of Tru Burger on Yelp

Tabelog - Official Judge - "Silver"

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Title: Anthem (Phoenix), AZ: WARNING: Eating Uncooked Or Undercooked Beef Can Be Hazardous To Your Health!

Key Words: Anthem, Phoenix,

AZ, Tru Burger, tru, burger, TruBurger, hamburger, raw, undercooked, beef, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, review, Yelp, Zomato

Copyright 2019/2020 - 3rd Wave Media Group And CombatCritic ™ - All Rights Reserved

Surprise (Phoenix), AZ: This Mom & Pop Italian Restaurant Has Unlimited Potential

Little Sicily
18795 N. Reems Road
Surprise, AZ 85374
Phone: (623) 537-5900
Website: None
Prices: $$$$

I love good, mom and pop, family-style Italian restaurants with red checkered tablecloths, Chianti bottle candle holders dripping with wax, and reasonably priced food, not the foo-foo, overpriced places springing up all over with tiny portions that have no resemblance to authentic Italian dishes. Little Sicily belongs in the former category.

A tiny place packed with snowbirds, I walked in to find all of the tables full and a line of people winding through the dining room waiting to order at the cash register. Once I figured out the process, I too got in line after setting my things on an empty table, ensuring that I would have a place to sit after ordering. 

The young lady at the counter was very friendly and helpful and the gaggle of people in the kitchen right behind her appeared to be the owners, who happen to be Sicilian, like my wife, and their extended family. Curious about a veal dinner that costs a little over $10, I ordered the Veal Parmigiana ($11.05), which came with soup or salad and bread sticks, and a fountain drink. I had hoped for a glass of wine because I saw several people drinking from wine glasses and an array of bottles across the room. I was told, however, that this is a BYOB establishment and that there is no corkage fee. Good to know for next time!

The nice young lady with reindeer antlers on her head found me thanks to the number on my table that was given at the counter after ordering, bringing me first my salad and bread sticks, then the veal parm dinner. The salad was small, but fresh, coming with sliced red onion and tomato, and a small cup of blue cheese dressing that was more than I could use. The two bread sticks were rather tiny, but obviously homemade and delicious. I wanted more.

The veal was of the pre-formed, processed type purchased from large wholesale food distributors, but that was clearly stated on the menu, so I was OK with it. After all, I was not expecting much from an $11 veal parm dinner. The veal patty was perched atop a bed of spaghetti marinara and covered with more of the sauce and mozzarella cheese, then baked in the oven until melted and gooey. The veal patty was nothing to write home about, but the flavors were good and it filled the empty spot in my tummy. I would not order it again, but it did the job.

Little Sicily's forte seems to be their pizzas, which most of the patrons had ordered. The pizzas looked quite tasty and apparently come in a regular, thin, Chicago-style crust, pan, or stuffed the Chicago way. I liked the experience and the service more than the food, but will return to try their pizza or one of their sandwiches, of which the Chicago Italian roast beef would be my first choice. If you have not had an Italian roast beef sandwich on a crusty roll with melted mozzarella, sweet and hot peppers, and au jus, you have not lived.

They need a bigger place, table service for those who want to eat-in, better quality (real) veal, for which I would be happy to pay extra, a website, and a better place to put the soda machine other than crammed in right next to the cash register where people are standing in line. Otherwise, I was quite happy with my experience.

CombatCriticitic Gives Little Sicily 7 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Seven Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "Shits & Grins"

Read More Reviews By CombatCritic:

Yelp "GOLD" ELITE '14/'15/'16/'17/'18/'19 

• Over 1.4 Million Views A Year

Read Chris S.'s review of Little Sicily on Yelp

Tabelog - Official Judge - "Silver"

Zomato - #1 Ranked "VERIFIED" CONNOISSEUR (13) - Over  4 Million Review And Photo Views ... And Counting - #1 Reviewer in Portland, Oregon!

Booking.com - Frequent Traveler "Genius"

Google Maps - "Top Photographer" With Over 3 Million Views!

... And Don't Forget To Subscribe To TravelValue TV on YouTube and our sister channel, CombatCounselor Chronicles, with Over 1,250 Subscribers and 1,000,000 Video Views ... HOOAH!

Title: Surprise (Phoenix), AZ: This Mom & Pop Italian Restaurant Has Unlimited Potential

Key Words: Surprise, Phoenix, AZ, Mom & Pop, Italian, Little Sicily, little, Sicily, Italy, pasta, pizza, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, review, Yelp, Zomato

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Surprise (Phoenix), AZ: Don't Be The Lone Ranger, Gallop Over To Oscar's For The Best Tacos In The Southwest!

Oscar's Taco Shop
16811 N. Litchfield Road
Surprise, AZ 85374
Website: oscarstacoshop.com
Phone number: (623) 214-2112
Prices: $$$$

I do not say this very often, but THIS PLACE IS THE BOMB, 10 Bombs in-fact. If you love tacos, and all discerning and patriotic Americans loves tacos, you have to try Oscar's, now, get over there!

Having grown up in LA and lived three years in San Antonio, Texas, I know good Mexican food, especially tacos, when I see or taste one. Oscar's makes their own corn tortillas and they are HUGE! Then they fill them with a ton o' meat - pastor, carne asada, and carnitas among many others - then pack on the pico de gallo and guacamole ... HOOAH

On my first visit, I ordered way too much ... "Give me two Cheese and Onion Enchiladas ($5.49), one Carne Asada Taco and one Pastor Taco (just $3.25 each), and a 4 ounce order of Chips and Guacamole ($2.99)" I naively said. I managed to chow down on the two tacos, one enchilada and about half of the chips and guacamole, but I was about to burst, so I asked for a to-go carton.

The tacos are awesome, massive, and delicious, packed with a shitload of lean meat and the enchiladas are some of the best I have had, and I love enchiladas. They make their own red chili sauce and you can tell, this stuff is not out of a can. I asked them not to top them with lettuce, tomato, and sour cream and I am glad I did. I would not want to ruin the flavor of these delectable treats with sour cream.

On my second visit, I decided to reign myself in despite my better judgment - or was it total lack of judgment? - and ordered one Pastor Taco, one Carne Asada Taco, and one Crispy Shredded Beef Taco ($2.50). They came out in a standard take-out dinner plate, filling the plate entirely, that is how big they are. The crispy taco was served in the same massive corn tortilla as all the others, perfectly fried to just the right crispiness so it did not fall apart when I ate it, then filled with tasty shredded beef, lettuce, tomato, and cheese ... HOLY MOLY!

The place is small and very clean with seven or eight tables, but most people seem to order in advance and park right in front in one of their 15-minute, carry-out parking spots. You will be greeted by the nicest, sweetest, customer-oriented staff and your food will arrive pronto Tonto. So get over to Oscar's Lone Ranger and order some of the best, value-priced Mexican food I have had in a long, long time.

Needless to say, I will be returning often over the next month, before returning to my hometown of Portland, Oregon and its dearth of good Mexican food ... BOO-HOO.

CombatCritic Gives Oscar's Taco Shop 10 Bombs Out Of 10 And A Spot On My "WALL OF FAME" ... More Bombs Are Better!

Ten Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: 

HOOAH!: "Phonetic spelling of the acronym HUA, which stands for 'Heard Understood Acknowledged.' Originally used by the British in the late 1800's in Afghanistan. More recently adopted by the United States Army to indicate an affirmative or a pleased response." - Urban Dictionary

"The Department of Military Science and Leadership, University of Tennessee claim HOOAH 'refers to or means anything except no' ... Regardless of its meaning ... the term is an expression of high morale, confidence, motivation and spirit." - WarChronicle.com

"The U.S. Air Force stole 'HOOAH' from the Army because we were part of the Army until 1947 and rather than waste a bunch of time coming up with something new and unique like "ROO-YAH" or "HAL-A-LOO-YAH", we said 'screw it, let's go with HOOAH' ... thanks Army ... HOOAH!" - CombatCritic

Read More Reviews By CombatCritic:

Yelp "GOLD" ELITE '14/'15/'16/'17/'18/'19 

• Over 1.4 Million Views A Year

Read Chris S.'s review of Oscar’s Taco Shop on Yelp

Tabelog - Official Judge - "Silver"

Zomato - #1 Ranked "VERIFIED" CONNOISSEUR (13) - Over  4 Million Review And Photo Views ... And Counting - #1 Reviewer in Portland, Oregon!

Booking.com - Frequent Traveler "Genius"

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... And Don't Forget To Subscribe To TravelValue TV on YouTube and our sister channel, CombatCounselor Chronicles, with Over 1,250 Subscribers and 1,000,000 Video Views ... HOOAH!

Title: Surprise (Phoenix), AZ: Don't Be The Lone Ranger, Gallop Over To Oscar's For The Best Tacos In The Southwest!

Key Words: Surprise, Phoenix, AZ, Oscar's Taco Shop, Oscar's, taco, shop, tacos, Mexican, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, review, Yelp, Zomato, Google, Facebook

Copyright 2019/2020 - 3rd Wave Media Group And CombatCritic ™ - All Rights Reserved

Phoenix, AZ: Pho Good Food, Smaller Portions, And Great Service, This Place Is A Pearl

Pho Saigon Pearl

3134 W. Carefree Hwy, Suite 6

Phoenix, AZ 85086

Website: azphosaigon.wordpress.com

Phone number: (623) 466-0005

Prices: $$$$

I love Vietnamese food and Pho Saigon Pearl does an excellent job. The first thing I look for when hunting for true Vietnamese are the crispy pork egg rolls (Chả Giò) that come with large leaves of green lettuce, fresh cilantro, mint leaves, and shaved, pickled carrots and cucumber in fish sauce. You wrap the egg rolls in a lettuce leaf, toss in some cilantro, mint, and shaved carrots/cucumber, wrap it all up like a burrito, and dip it in the sauce before devouring these delectable treats ... HOOAH!

The Pearl's chả giò ($6.50) are delicious, but on the small side when compared to some of the best I have had. Normally, you get four rolls about the size of a small hot dog, but these were less than half the size. Someone I know, who shall remain nameless, could pop an entire roll in her mouth, along with all the fixings, but two small bites is about all your going to get here. There were hardly any carrots or cucumber and zero mint leaves, but they were tasty nonetheless.

The Vietnamese Curry ($9) was also very good, a soupy yellow curry with big chunks (key word "big") of potato and carrot, and a smattering of chicken breast chunks. It was also scrummy, the curry itself very good, but the potato, carrot, and chicken chunks were too big to fit in my mouth, making it difficult to eat without a knife to cut them into manageable pieces. Cutting them up into smaller pieces before serving would make this dish nearly perfect, adding a little more chicken breast would complete the job.

On my second visit, I ordered the Mongolian Beef Hot Plate Special ($12) because the photo of the plate on their specials menu looked spectacular, but what arrived was less than half the size of that in the photo with much less beef. If you put a photo of something on the menu, it had better come out of the kitchen looking very much like the photo. Despite my surprise, the small skillet of beef strips and white and green onion cooked in a spicy Mongolian sauce was very tasty. I am not sure I would order it again at $12 a pop, but maybe at $9 or $10 max I would.

You get the standard mound of white rice with pretty much all of the entrees and specials. They also have a small selection of bottled beers, but they are all lagers and nothing with the hoppiness that equals happiness in my book. The service is very good and they make you feel welcome in their simple, but comfortable dining room.

I was leaning toward a higher score before I started writing and noting the faults, but the cons turned out to be too many, hence, my rating ...

CombatCritic Gives Pho Saigon Pearl 7 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Seven Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "Shits & Grins"

* Everybody wants a 5-star rating (9 or 10 Bombs), but I rate based on value, bang-for-the-buck, comparing restaurants using quality, price, ambiance, and service to other restaurants of similar cuisine, taking into account the cost of living in that location. Only the top 5% are going to get 5-stars, and, unfortunately, Pho Saigon Pearl did not reach that standard. The reviewers that throw around 5's like they are candy make to more objective and discerning reviewers like myself look like ogres ... c'est la vie! 

Read More Reviews By CombatCritic:

Yelp "GOLD" ELITE '14/'15/'16/'17/'18/'19 

• Over 1.4 Million Views A Year

Read Chris S.'s review of Pho Saigon Pearl on Yelp

Tabelog - Official Judge - "Silver"

Zomato - #1 Ranked "VERIFIED" CONNOISSEUR (13) - Over  4 Million Review And Photo Views ... And Counting - #1 Reviewer in Portland, Oregon!

Booking.com - Frequent Traveler "Genius"

Google Maps - "Top Photographer" With Over 3 Million Views!

... And Don't Forget To Subscribe To TravelValue TV on YouTube and our sister channel, CombatCounselor Chronicles, with Over 1,250 Subscribers and 1,000,000 Video Views ... HOOAH!

Title: Phoenix, AZ: Pho Good Food, Smaller Portions, And Great Service, This Place Is A Pearl

Key Words: hoenix, AZ, Pho Saigon Pearl, pho, Pearl, Saigon, curry, Vietnamese, Vietnam, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, review, Yelp, Zomato, Google

Copyright 2019 - 3rd Wave Media Group And CombatCritic ™ - All Rights Reserved