The Arrogant Butcher in the heart of downtown Phoenix is yet another feather in the Fox Restaurant Concepts group’s cap.
This one serves a wide variety of fare and features a large bar area.
In our quest to try all Fox Restaurants, we popped in here for late lunch and a Bloody Mary.
Mix: Homemade
Chaser: None
Fixin’s: 2 olives, 1 lime
Price: $5
Nothing special with this Bloody, but the food was very good.
Durant’s is an establishment that was noted frequently in my research of Phoenix-area Bloody Marys.
It is one of Phoenix’s oldest upscale restaurants and an icon.
You enter through the quaint back parking lot…through the kitchen.
Most of the dark décor inside is original, with the exception of the carpet, which I am told was only recently replaced.
Yes, opened in 1950, Durant’s remains largely unchanged. 1950s sports figures Sam Snead and Joe DiMaggio dined at Durant’s, along with movie stars of the era, including Clark Gable, John Wayne and Jane Russell and there’s quite a unique history here.
The stories may or may not be true, but it’s been said that “countless political and financial deals are still brokered back-room-style even today.” The bar’s namesake, James E. “Jack” Durant, and his silent backer Jack “Swede” McElroy met in Vegas where Durant worked for gangster Bugsy Siegel as a pit boss at the Flamingo Hotel. Bugsy was murdered and then Durant also got mixed up in the murder of a rival casino owner, so he was asked by authorities to leave Nevada.
So you see, Durant’s is deeply rooted in history and mystique. It’s a fun, clandestine place to hide away in during a weekday afternoon where you’ll have the bartender all to yourself; he’s likely been working there for many years like most of the staff and he’s more than happy to share a few stories with you over one of their excellent Bloody Marys… or three.
Mix: Homemade
Chaser: None
Fixin’s: Shrimp and lemon.
Price: $8.50
North is the Fox Restaurant Group’s Italian option.
Classy and upscale, this restaurant also keep its Bloody Marys pretty plain.
Mix: Homemade
Chaser: None
Fixin’s: Two olives, one lime.
Price: $7.50
Little Cleo’s is another member of the Fox Restaurant Group. This one is a seafood restaurant and it’s in a location called “The Yard,” a combined property with one of the Culinary Dropout locations in Phoenix.
Here, I highly recommend their daily selection of oysters and, their fresh Bloody Mary:
Mix: Homemade
Chaser: None
Fixin’s: Two olives, a lime and celery
Price: $7.50
This drink was simple, yet flavorful. Wouldn’t go out of my way to come here for a Bloody Mary, but you can’t beat the fresh seafood and the service!
If you’re ever in the Arizona area and you’re looking for a place to dine, you cannot go wrong by choosing one of the restaurants in the Fox Restaurant Concepts group.
They’ve got a variety of different restaurant types—from natural/organic and Italian to Southwestern and Mediterranean—something to suit every mood/taste bud and they’re spread out all around the area (and even into some surrounding states).
On my recent visit, I dined at Culinary Dropout for the first time. The Dropout features unique gastropub fare.
I was told I had to order the pretzels:
The Dropout also features a fabulous Bacon Bloody Mary.
Here are the stats:
Mix: Homemade
Chaser: None
Fixin’s: No messing around—just bacon.
Price: $8
This drink was simple, but one of my favorite Bloody Marys I enjoyed in Arizona. Again, highly recommend the Fox Restaurant Group family!
I had dinner one night at the Irish Wolfhound in Surprise.
This one was not on my pre-researched list of Bloodies, but hey, I was thirsty. So, in the good name of blogging, I ordered a Bloody Mary.
It was what you’d expect—pretty plain.
Mix: Average
Chaser: None
Fixin’s: Pickle, two Olives, Lemon, Lime
In my Arizona Bloody Mary research, Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill kept popping up. With locations in Arizona, California, Texas and Utah, one thing Z’Tejas is apparently known for, in addition to its frozen margaritas, is its Bloody Mary Bar on the weekends, part of the “Weekend Fun Bar”:
The review from AZ Central really built this one up in my head: “The Tempe location in particular boasts an incredible Sunday brunch (order off the menu) deal: $3.50 Bloody Marys, with your choice of vodka, even top shelf. A chilled glass and your shot of spirits are delivered to your table, and then it’s off to the Bloody Mary bar, where you’ll find four different tomato juice mixes, hot sauces, horseradish, pickled veggies, celery and meat, as in, you know, beef jerky or a Slim Jim.
Z’Tejas is expanding their Bloody Mary Bar. For only $3.50 per drink, Z’Tejas is now also offering a Mimosa Bar, Bloody Maria Bar and a Screwdriver bar. The adult beverage bar will be available at all Z’Tejas location Saturdays and Sundays only. Chandler and Phoenix locations from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Scottsdale and Tempe locations from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.”
Plus, their photo was amazing.
Since the review I had read was now almost 3 years old, however, I had braced myself for change.
I was able to make it to the Scottsdale location before 3 p.m. on a Sunday. (ProTip: If you time your visit to arrive in that magic 2-3p.m. hour, you can take advantage of BOTH the Weekend Fun Bar AND Happy Hour!). Since the review I had read was now almost 3 years old, I had braced myself for change.
Indeed, the price had risen, but only $.50, to $4 for a build-your-own Bloody Mary, still a steal.
And, while the bar wasn’t quite as impressive as the one I saw in my research phase, it was still a place with the best options for fixin’s.
Mix: Z’Tejas offered three different mixes—Original, Horseradish and Chile & Pepper. I chose horseradish.
Note that you can either choose the Bloody Mary (with Tito’s Vodka) or the Bloody Maria (with 1800 Silver Tequila). Don’t like Bloody Marys? Not sure why you’re reading this, but Z’Tejas also offers Mimosas and Screwdrivers.
Chaser: None offered.
Fixin’s: While lacking the many options of Wisconsin Bloodies, (especially the beef/cheese options more native to our neck of the woods), the selection of olives alone was impressive.
Price: $4
As I noted in my previous post, I’ve been traveling to Arizona recently and sampling Bloodies in the Southwest.
Of course, I did my homework in advance of my trips and one Bloody Mary that I specifically sought out was the Verde Mary at The Windsor in Phoenix.
Tucked into its namesake historic Phoenix neighborhood, Windsor is a neighborhood bar and restaurant with a backyard-style patio,high-quality wine and beer on tap, a robust selection of prohibition cocktails and a menu that features casual bar food with an upscale twist.
I was tipped off to the Verde Mary at the Windsor from an article in Arizona Foothills Magazine. The Windsor offers a traditional Bloody Mary, which features red tomatoes, roasted vegetables, Fresno chilies and fresh horseradish, in addition to the Verde.
Of course, I wanted to try the Verde. I’ve never had a GREEN Bloody Mary before.
Mix: The Verde uses green tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted poblanos, cilantro and watercress–all incredibly fresh.
Chaser: None
Fixin’s: Two green olives, a lime and celery (all green!)
Price: $9.50
I visited The Windsor on a Saturday evening. Initially, I was told that they only serve this drink on Sundays, but since it was Saturday evening, I guess they were already prepping for the morning rush (or the bartender saw the look of disappointment in my eyes) and I was served this delectable delight.
This Bloody Mary was very different, but tasted amazing. I highly recommend you check it out, your taste buds will thank you. The food at The Windsor was also very good.
My research indicates that the restaurant hosts a fully loaded Bloody Mary bar available Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Garnishes include cocktail onions, caper berries, pickled green tomatoes, jalapeno-stuffed olives, olives, citrus, celery salt, old bay seasoning, pimento peppers and more.
On my way out, I noticed a line stemming out the door of a nearby establishment. Since it was almost 10 p.m., my curiosity got the better of me and I went to check it out. Imagine my delight when I stumbled upon Churn, a quaint but AMAZING ice cream shop, so named for its freshly CHURNed ice cream. With a line out the door, I knew it had to be good, so I did the only thing I could–I got in line.
After much deliberation, I settled on the peanut butter ice cream on a pretzel cone. Yep, pretzel cone. Totally worth the $1 upgrade.
I know you’re reading this for the Bloody Mary review, but let me tell you…. if I never eat ice cream again, I will die satisfied after my visit to Churn. Hands down best cone I’ve ever consumed (and full disclosure, I returned a week later to get another!).
Highly recommend you check out the Verde at the Windsor, but be sure you leave room for dessert next door.
Cheers!
Lately I have been spending a lot of time in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area of Arizona and, as such, sampling Bloody Marys along the way.
My first stop on a recent trip was Cowboy Ciao, a restaurant that features “Modern American food with global influences.” According to its website, “Bold flavors are balanced to pair with our 1800 (and counting) wine selections offered by the glass, bottle and tasting flight. restaurant in downtown Scottsdale.”
That being said, I should have known better than to order the Bloody Mary. Read on.
I happened upon Cowboy Ciao after multiple recommendations from friends familiar with the area. I was told repeatedly that I had to try the Chopped Salad.
I arrived on a Friday evening with a group of friends. We immediately decided to order a wide variety of menu items and share among the group–but that we each had to try our own Chopped Salad.
The salad, and every single menu item we sampled, was amazing as promised.
The Bloody Mary? Eh. Not so much. I definitely recommend you visit Cowboy Ciao if you’re in the area (and that you get the salad so you can try it for yourself!), but I’d stick to wine next time around (their phone number is 480-WINE-111 for pete’s sake!)
Here are the stats:
Mix: Pretty plain.
Chaser: None offered.
Fixin’s: Lime.
Price:$?
Out For Bloodies 