FOR THE LOVE OF BACON
Ladies and gentlemen, it's about to get pretty un-Kosher on the Northwest corner of Broadway Boulevard and Kolb Road. That's because the Phoenix-based Oink Cafe just opened their second porkatorium at 7131 E. Broadway Blvd.
The restaurant has made a name for itself already up north by putting all things porcine on their full breakfast and lunch menus. Just what does that mean? Well, think an eight-piece bacon flight with applewood smoked, jalapeño, honey-cured, sugar-cured, apple cider, pepper, hickory and a chef's choice option. There's also non pig-related comfort foods like chicken fired steak and grilled cheese. For breakfast, Oink Cafe offers omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy and more.
If you get thirsty, the usual juice, coffee, and espresso drink options are available. For something a little stronger, Oink offers mimosas, bloody marys and beer.
You can check out Oink Cafe's newest location daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
GREEN CHILE INVASION
If you've spent any extended period of time in Albuquerque, there's a good chance you've stopped into Blake's Lotaburger by now, seeing that fast food spot has been there since 1952. Blake's also already has restaurants in Texas, however Tucson is about to get the first location in the state for the New Mexico restaurant chain.
Fans of Blake's know it as the main spot to grab a Hatch green chile cheeseburger—a.k.a. a Lotaburger—although the fast food joint also serves up chili dogs, seasoned fries, milkshakes, chicken sandwiches and more.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, Blake's plans to open the first of a few planned Old Pueblo joints at 2810 East Speedway Blvd. by mid-summer. The company's business development manager, Craig Wood, told the Albuquerque Journal that there were no plans to expand outside of Tucson in Arizona at this time.
BAVIER SIGNS ON
According to Art Fire, Maker House has a new full-time pastry chef and he's a Tucson favorite already. Garst Bavier signed on to be the in-house baker, rather than working on contract for a few places, which is what he was doing before the new Maker House deal. Sadly, that means places like Stella Java no longer carry Bavier's pastries.
The article says to expect the same French-inspired baked goods that Bavier has become know for over the last 15 years in town including croissants, danishes, chocolate tortes, cookies, baguettes and other fresh baked bread using Arizona grown Sonoran white wheat. Bavier will also be crafting the special vanilla, chocolate, and caramel syrups for espresso drinks at Maker House. Those syrups will also be available at other coffee shops around town.
For more of Tucson's food news, visit The Range's Chow section at tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/chow.
