First Impressions
While Ted’s is very clean, although heavily decorated with Best of Phoenix awards and pennants for Buffalo-area sports team, you can’t shake the feeling it was another fast-food place in the past. The bolted down benches and wood-panel walls do it.
Notable touches include many awards from local school fundraisers and a box of “borrow and read” copies of the Buffalo News. They’re really pushing their heritage– supposedly 75 years in Upstate New York, and one location, strangely, in Tempe.
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Today for lunch we ventured out to Tempe to Ted’s Hotdogs. Upon entering we had to go to the back of a very long line. Although the line was long it moved pretty fast. While waiting on line I was able check out some things they had hanging on the walls. Being a born and raised New Yorker, I quickly noticed the origins of Ted’s; Buffalo, NY.
Finally it was my turn to order. I got a regular hot dog with cheese, french fries and a large root beer. The dog was pretty good. Nothing that I would write home about but good. The fries came served in a large folder paper container, sliced thin and crunchy. Although the place was packed and the line never died down, I still didn’t see what the big deal was. The hot dog was adequate but a little burnt.
The atmosphere of the place is similar to a McDonald’s, except they specialize in hot dogs. The walls are covered in Buffalo, NY posters and also offers a newspaper to read from Buffalo. If I was to go back I would certainly try one of their burgers and maybe get a hot dog on the side.
First Impressions
We’ve eaten before at the Mesa location, and found it consistently goes the extra mile. In the last year or so, the franchise has seemingly taken a much higher profile, taking over another restaurant in Mesa, and opening a location in Tempe.
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Last Friday we all found our way down to Tempe for lunch at the Cornish Pasty Company on University and Hardy. I have been here a few times before but truth be told I’ve had mixed results every time. It seems like every time I’ve went the people with me either love it or hate it. Some people see pasties as over sized hot pockets while others see them the best thing since sliced bread. I’ve always been right down the middle, not overly thrilled about them yet never unsatisfied with one either. (more…)
First Impressions
The Cornish Pasty Company is in that part of Tempe that is just outside the direct radius of ASU at Hardy and University. The entire restaurant is about 3 metres wide and 15 deep, with a row of tiny two-person tables on one side, a dining counter on the other, and only one or two tables for a larger party. The entire facility is done in black and red, and augmented with photographs of miners. The claustrophobic surroundings, dim light, and depressing images hardly make for an upbeat environment.
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Yesterday we headed down to Tempe to meet with a client at what he claimed to be the best Chinese food in town. The place? Wong’s Place. Sitting on the South side of Baseline, just down the road from the 101 Wong’s Place is a small yet cozy little joint. I’ve learned to overcome my fear of hole in the wall places, as most of them have turned out to serve some of the best food. The question is, would Wong’s Place be one of these restaurants? (more…)
First Impressions
While Jong’s Place looks fairly clean, the interior seems a little out of place for its location. It sits next to a sports bar in a strip mall which can’t help but look about thirty years old.
Inside, there’s a bank of raised seats to create an impression of (more…)
Cheeburger Cheeburger is nestled in the northeast corner of Tempe Marketplace almost directly connected to Harkins. Don’t be fooled by all the colorful posters on the surrounding buildings. The interior of this restaurant resembles a 50’s style diner.
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First Impressions
Cheeburger Cheeburger is one of the seeming hundreds of restaurants clogged into random corners of the remarkably misplanned Tempe Marketplace. It does not cut a distinctive profile from outside.
The interior decor was obviously swiped from every “retro-style diner” in the universe– some walls around the kitchen, trimmed in stainless steel, superfluous pink neon, and cutesy posters advertising the freshness and variety of the food.
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Maria Maria is a restaurant owned by the famous Singer/songwriter/muscian/guitar player Carlos Santana. Chic and simple this place appeals to people of all generations and all tongues. Not quite for the budget shopper, Maria Maria is still a great place to get a bite to eat and hang out in the cool atmosphere.
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