Fun meals for foodies

Our grandson, Chris, is a pretty picky eater, but we did get him to try a couple of new things on his visit. He sure surprised his parents!

In Tucson, Cafe Desta serves Ethiopian food. It's not a fancy place, but we like to eat there once a month or so when we are in Tucson. At lunch you can get the special where you pick any three dishes - meat or vegetarian - that are served with your choice of injera bread or rice. Injera is a pancake-like sourdough bread made from a mixture of teff, sorghum and wheat flour (vegan). You tear off a small piece of injera and use it to scoop up the stew-like dishes. Some of the dishes are pretty spicy. Chris tried one beef, one chicken and one fish dish. None of us cared for the fish. He ate some of the chicken dish he ordered. I have to give him credit for that. They also have soup and salad, deserts and a variety of drinks. You can bring your own beer or wine and no corking fee is charged.

While in Tombstone, we ate at the Longhorn Restaurant. The Longhorn is the oldest continually operated restaurant in Tombstone. According to the website, the Longhorn Restaurant is located in what used to be the Bucket of Blood Saloon, the Holiday Water Company, and the Owl Cafe and Hotel. Virgil Earp was shot from the second floor. No blood on the floor now, but interesting scenes painted on glass and a rustic look. Chris went for the one-pound "Too-tough-to-die" burger. It wasn't surprising he chose a burger, but he could barely get that in his mouth. He ate the whole thing!

Finally, back in Phoenix before he flew home, we went to one of my favorites- The Cornish Pasty Co. I had been to the University Street location but not to the Mesa location. The Mesa location is larger- more tables - and brighter. Pasties were originally used by miners as their meal when working in the mines. It is a sealed pocket bread, crimped on one side to make a handle. Meat, potatoes, onions and rutabagas are the traditional filling but the Cornish Pasty Co has expanded the fillings to appeal to most any taste. George got the traditional one- the Oggie. Chris went for Italian and I got my favorite - portobello chicken (pictured). Surprisingly, Chris liked his and, again, ate the whole thing.

In Tucson and Phoenix, I would not want to take my RV to the restaurant unless it was a small one. Parking is limited in both places. Cafe Desta has street parking. You could probably find a place to park an RV, but it would be easier to drive your tow or toad vehicle. With the Cornish Pasty Co., the lot has very small spaces. You might find something in the area, but would probably have to walk. In Tombstone, if you stay at an RV park, you might be able to walk. Otherwise, you'd park a block or two away and walk.

Maybe grandparents can get away with getting kids to try new things. Then again, sometimes not. However, we were very pleased to see Chris expanding his food horizons. Maybe someday we can even say he is adventurous! And it's a good excuse for us to go back to favorite places and try new ones. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Comments

[Ralph Guay]

Thanks for an excellent issue, Jaimie! Having been raised in Butte, Montana, the piece about pasties was very well done. Well be back in Arizona this winter, from Helena, Montana and will check out the Cornish Pasty Company. Peace...

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

Thanks, Ralph. George's father was a miner and ate pasties. I had my first a few years ago in Michigan. The original ones are a little dry for my taste. I like the Cornish Pasty Co's pasties better. Give them a try!

CJ