Republica Empanada

Republica Empanada
204 E. 1st Avenue
Mesa 85210

We arrived at the restaurant at 6:00 and were seated in a few minutes. We were asked if we had a reservation, which we did not. By 6:15 we understood why a reservation is a good thing since the place was packed.

Companions 1 & 2 and myself started off with an order of Maduros (Sweet Plantains), and companion 3 started with Tostones (Unripe Plantains that are deep fried and salted). The Maduros were beautifully cooked and came with some crema. Delightfully sweet and slightly chewy they were a real hit. Companion 3’s Tostones were cooked properly, but companion felt they were a little dry. A loan of some of our crema solved the situation nicely.

Since they had so many varieties of Empanadas on the menu, we ordered a large assortment. The Pernil (pork shoulder) was perfectly cooked with wonderful flavor, and the Mushroom Chicken was so good that extra was ordered to take home. The Boricua was very tasty having been cooked in a Sofrito sauce along with a ham hock. The Ham and Mozzarella cheese was tasty if not a bit unusual. One of our party was a vegetarian and was pleased that the menu had a nice amount of dishes that were compatible with that life style.

Next, on to the dessert empanadas.  Once again, we ordered an assortment to try. The Fig with Mozzarella and Dulce de Leche was outstanding, as was the Plantain and Crème Cheese. The Guava preserve and Mozzarella had a wonderful strawberry flavor that was quite intense, especially since it was ordered with Ice Cream and Whipped Cream. We also ordered the Banana Crème Empanada as well as the Baked Apple and Caramel Empanada.

We couldn’t leave without ordering some extra to take home. We left with several bags with more Maduros, Mushroom Chicken, and Plantain and Crème Cheese. Other companions also took home doggy bags which will not be touched by any dog if it knows what is good for itself.

The place is kept spotless, and fortunately only had one television on the wall which was showing the soccer game.

Service was reasonably quick considering how many people were there, and was always with a smile!

Prices are what can only be described as cheap, with most items in the area of $3.75. My suggestion would be to make a reservation, then run, don’t walk to get there and prepare to stuff yourself. It is rare for me to give 5 stars to a little restaurant that doesn't have a fancy interior, but this is an exception I gladly make.

5 stars for outstanding food, great prices, good sanitation, and the wonderful smiles.

The Stockyards

The Stockyards

5009 E. Washington

Phoenix, Arizona  85034

Companion and I arrived at 5:30 to try the menu for Phoenix Restaurant week. While this is created by and supported by the Phoenix Restaurant Association, each restaurant creates its own special menu which has 3 appetizers, 3 main courses, and 3 desserts on it at a prix fixe. The idea is for people to try the food at a special price. Of course, some places provide less than their usual portion size or quality just to get customers in unfortunately.

We were seated immediately as we had a reservation (recommended). Our waiter was extremely nice and friendly. When we found that there was a problem with our table rocking, our waiter arranged for us to go to another table in a different section of a different waiter. This is true customer service. Our new waiter was just as nice and friendly as the first one was.

A basket of warm biscuits and corn bread muffins was brought to the table and was served with honey butter with a drizzle of honey on top of it. The first basket was emptied in short order. I ordered a Beefeater martini, and it was made to perfection with a double olive as I asked for and just a wave of the vermouth bottle over the glass. It was ice cold and really started the meal off nicely. Companion just asked for a Shirley Temple to start with and received it in short order.

Next were the appetizers. I ordered the house salad with honey mustard dressing. I was pleasantly surprised that the dressing coated all the salad and wasn’t just drizzled on top. The other surprise was the slices of ripe tomato on the plate instead of the requisite cherry tomato that most places put on their salads. Companion ordered the tomato soup, which was nothing like Campbell’s! It almost seemed to be made on a minestrone base and was definitely not something from a local purveyor. While companion felt the soup wasn’t what they wanted, I tasted it and found it to be delicious and well made.

At this point, companion decided to order an alcoholic drink that is old time and that is often used as a test of how good a bartender is. A Brandy Alexander was ordered, and other than being presented in the wrong glass, had the proper taste. A touch of nutmeg on top was all that was missing. It should be noted here that the drinks have a full pour in them – no skimping here.

For our main course, we both ordered the prime rib. Mine rare, and companions medium well. I ordered the veggies with mine instead of a starch, and companion ordered a starch. The slabs of beautiful beef came out cooked exactly as we asked for, and the veggies (Pattie pan squash, slivered carrots and baby zucchini) were perfectly cooked. No limp, soggy veggies here. They were delicious, as was of course, the meat. Everything came with the proper accoutrements and was nice and hot.

For dessert, we both ordered the cheesecake with berries. Companion asked for some whisky whipped cream as well and was happily accommodated. The cheesecake was tall, dense, and a large flavorful portion. Doggie bags were brought home, and if the dog touches it he’s in trouble!

The restaurant was clean and efficient though just a bit loud. My only ding is the use of serrated knives. With a beautiful cut of beef, one does not need a serrated knife which tears the meat apart. Just a nice sharp knife will do nicely.

5 stars for excellent food, great service, overall cleanliness, and an honest barkeep.

Baby Kay’s Cajun Kitchen

Baby Kay’s Cajun Kitchen
2051 S Dobson Rd
Mesa, AZ 85202

I had not eaten at Baby Kay’s since it was located at Town and Country Shopping Center a long time ago. It was time for a new review.

Companion and I arrived at lunch time and were seated immediately. Our waitress took our orders for drinks and provided the requisite menu’s for us to peruse. Most of the food on the menu appeared to be authentic Nola, at least if the taste held up to the descriptions.

Companion wasn’t up on Cajun food, and asked if she could sample one or two things she was considering. Because heat from spice was not something companion enjoyed, she wanted to make sure she would be able to eat what she ordered. Our waitress promptly brought out 3 small cups with etouffee, jambalaya, and swamp water (gumbo for you northerners). Companion tasted all 3 and decided on the etouffee. I couldn’t resist tasting them also. The jambalaya had some nice heat but no tomato in it, and the gumbo was true to tradition.

We each started with a cup of etouffee. We were brought plates with some excellent garlic bread on it along with a small bowl of the etouffee. Adding a bit of hot sauce to it and I was in New Orleans! A wonderful broth loaded with crawfish tails with a nice ball of white rice in the center. Companion ate her bowl without hot sauce and fell in love with it. This was the start of a wonderful lunch.

I got the combination basket which had fried shrimp and fried oysters in it along with the most unusual cole slaw I have ever eaten. There is no doubt in my mind that the chef who prepared this basket really knew what he was doing, as the shrimp and oysters were cooked to perfection. Companion had never eaten fried oysters before, and after one taste pronounced them delicious and decided to help me eat mine! The word thief comes to mind. The breading was perfect, and the oysters were a nice size and perfectly creamy. The shrimp, which most places overcook until they resemble something made from butyl rubber, were beautifully prepared, and were delicately tender. As for the cole slaw, what made it so unique is that it is prepared using green olives as one of the seasonings. It was highly unusual, and I still haven’t made up my mind whether I like it or not. I’ll probably have to go back a few more times to sample it some more.

We finished off lunch with their bread pudding in a puddle of whisky sauce. The bread pudding was dense, covered in pecans, and had coconut in it. I was so full that I could only eat a small amount of it, and companion asked for a box to take it in.

There was only one downer for the lunch, and that was a Sazerac that was ordered from the bar. Unfortunately, it just didn’t make the grade and had to be sent back. My understanding is that they used to have a bartender that made a terrific one, and when she left they stopped making the drink. I’m hoping in the future they get a bartender that can make a proper Sazerac cocktail.

The place was clean, airy, with excellent service. Those who wish to can eat outside. Each table had a selection of hot sauces, mostly from Tabasco. I would suggest that they have some Louisiana Hot Sauce available also, as it has a totally different flavor than Tabasco.

For those who might be inclined to say that this is an expensive place to eat, may I remind them that this is the desert and sea food has to be brought in and is also costly. It all adds up in the end.

4 Stars