Listed below are reviews for several of the places where we ate during the 2014 Arizona trip; the reviews are listed alphabetically. To get back to the trip journal, use the browser back button and you should return to the place you were at in the journal.
Filiberto's Sports Grill (Buckeye): Nice atmosphere, great service and good food.
Ate here on March 10 and 14, 2014; reviewed March 29, 2014. See this review on Trip Advisor.
My group of golfers ate here twice for dinner during our week-long golf trip. Both experiences were very good, but not stellar. The service was excellent during both visits, but the food was much better the second time around. Here are the details of each visit:
After traveling from Ohio, getting in a nice round of golf and checking in at our rental property, it was time to find some food in Buckeye. As it was already nearly midnight on our east-cost clocks, we wanted something close by and sort of light. We remembered seeing Filiberto’s on the drive in to our house and figured that we could snag some appetizers and maybe a cold draft here for dinner. Well, that plan was only partially successful.
The sports bar is built adjacent to a Filiberto’s Mexican restaurant, that looked to be s semi-fast food joint, so that was a little bit of a tell on the quality of the food. But our server was excellent; very friendly and expedient about getting our orders and drinks. The manager was also very chipper and checked on us a couple of times during the evening. Typical sports bar atmosphere, with memorabilia hanging on the walls and plenty of TVs to track the action. We did go light on the food this evening, and ordered some appetizers. Two of us had the carne asada quesadilla (I thought it was good, but the other guy found the beef to be tough) and our other table mate had the sliders. The beer list was sort of lackluster so I passed on a drink tonight. When we the general feeling was that the place was OK, but nothing special and that we would not be in a hurry to return. Little did we know….
A couple days into the trip and now we have all eight golfers and the group was looking for a place to eat. Well, there are not a lot of choices in Buckeye, so back to Filiberto’s Sports Grill we went. Turns out that the second time around was better. Service was again fantastic, but the food was much better than I expected. I had a chicken and shrimp dinner that was actually quite tasty. I think everyone enjoyed their meals (or maybe they were just really hungry) as all the plates were cleaned.
Overall, not a bad place. Friendly service, nice atmosphere, better than average food but just an average array of beers. I’ll keep in on the list in case we are ever back in Buckeye.
My group of golfers ate here twice for dinner during our week-long golf trip. Both experiences were very good, but not stellar. The service was excellent during both visits, but the food was much better the second time around. Here are the details of each visit:
After traveling from Ohio, getting in a nice round of golf and checking in at our rental property, it was time to find some food in Buckeye. As it was already nearly midnight on our east-cost clocks, we wanted something close by and sort of light. We remembered seeing Filiberto’s on the drive in to our house and figured that we could snag some appetizers and maybe a cold draft here for dinner. Well, that plan was only partially successful.
The sports bar is built adjacent to a Filiberto’s Mexican restaurant, that looked to be s semi-fast food joint, so that was a little bit of a tell on the quality of the food. But our server was excellent; very friendly and expedient about getting our orders and drinks. The manager was also very chipper and checked on us a couple of times during the evening. Typical sports bar atmosphere, with memorabilia hanging on the walls and plenty of TVs to track the action. We did go light on the food this evening, and ordered some appetizers. Two of us had the carne asada quesadilla (I thought it was good, but the other guy found the beef to be tough) and our other table mate had the sliders. The beer list was sort of lackluster so I passed on a drink tonight. When we the general feeling was that the place was OK, but nothing special and that we would not be in a hurry to return. Little did we know….
A couple days into the trip and now we have all eight golfers and the group was looking for a place to eat. Well, there are not a lot of choices in Buckeye, so back to Filiberto’s Sports Grill we went. Turns out that the second time around was better. Service was again fantastic, but the food was much better than I expected. I had a chicken and shrimp dinner that was actually quite tasty. I think everyone enjoyed their meals (or maybe they were just really hungry) as all the plates were cleaned.
Overall, not a bad place. Friendly service, nice atmosphere, better than average food but just an average array of beers. I’ll keep in on the list in case we are ever back in Buckeye.
Gorda's Baja Taco (Phoenix): OK but nothing special.
Ate here on Tuesday, March 11, 2014; reviewed March 30, 2014 See this review on Trip Advisor.
We found this place via a quick internet search after a round of golf at a nearby course. This was the closest place that the guys could agree on. It is really just a fast food Mexican joint. Certainly better than a Taco Bell, but not even close to the quality of Chipotle. The menu is posted high on the wall and is a little hard to read. The seating in the restaurant is packed in so it is difficult to negotiate around the tables. The food was average or a little better, but the portions are are very filling. I would go back, but I would certainly investigate other options first.
We found this place via a quick internet search after a round of golf at a nearby course. This was the closest place that the guys could agree on. It is really just a fast food Mexican joint. Certainly better than a Taco Bell, but not even close to the quality of Chipotle. The menu is posted high on the wall and is a little hard to read. The seating in the restaurant is packed in so it is difficult to negotiate around the tables. The food was average or a little better, but the portions are are very filling. I would go back, but I would certainly investigate other options first.
In-N-Out Burger (Goodyear): Could not even find a place to park.
Tried to eat here on Sunday, March 16, 2014; reviewed March 29, 2014 See this review on Trip Advisor.
One of the guys in our golf group was craving an In-N-Out Burger, so off we went to find one. This was a Sunday right at noon and the place was swamped. We could not even find a parking spot and eventually gave up and went across the road to Mimi's for what I am certain was a much better meal.
One of the guys in our golf group was craving an In-N-Out Burger, so off we went to find one. This was a Sunday right at noon and the place was swamped. We could not even find a parking spot and eventually gave up and went across the road to Mimi's for what I am certain was a much better meal.
Javelina Cantina (Sedona):
Friendly staff, good food and a nice view; not a bad combination.
Ate here on Saturday, March 15, 2014; reviewed March 29, 2014. See this review on Trip Advisor.
We were a group of 8 golfers looking for a place with a southwest flare after finishing a round of golf at the Sedona Golf Resort. We asked for recommendations from several of the staff at the golf course. Elote was mentioned, but I know we would never get in there. Barking Frog has great food, but no view. Our server in the clubhouse bar suggested Javelina Cantina. Hmmm? I do not remember that place. Let’s give it a try.
It was just a short drive from the golf course in the Village of Oak Creek back toward Sedona and the Hillside Shopping Center where the Javelina Cantina is located. Now I remember this place. My wife and I ate here a few years back during an earlier visit to Sedona. As I recall, we really liked the place then.
We arrived right about 6:00 PM, so the dinner rush, and without reservations. The host was very nice, but said it would be an hour-long wait for a group of 8. How about we split into two ground of four? He said he could have us seated in less than 20 minutes. Groovy; we’ll be in the bar.
The bar is small but our foursome found room to sit can have a beer and some chips (interestingly, our other four guys have gotten themselves lost somehow). I bet we were only there about 15 minutes if that long before our set was ready.
I asked about seating on the patio, but the host indicated that it was a bit chilly outside, even for us hearty souls from northern Ohio. He said that if we opted for the patio then wanted to come in out of the cold that we would have to go to back on the wait list. Fair enough; we stayed inside but still had a nice view of the red rocks from the large windows.
Our server was a friendly young man who answer questions about the menu, quickly took our orders and keep the water glasses full. Overall excellent service. About the time our order was being taken, our other group showed up, but since we had them on the list, they had a very short wait for their table. Plus they get a table right by the window so and excellent view for them.
The food was outstanding. I had a burrito dish, the Super Burrito with red and green sauce. It was huge and extremely tasty. Somehow I ate the entire thing. The rest of the gang also enjoyed their meals and cleaned their plates, except for one guy who boxed up the leftovers for a midnight snack (and he reported the next day that he did have that snack and it really hit the spot).
Overall, it was a very enjoyable meal. Between the golf trips with the guys and vacations with my wife I seem to return to Sedona every couple of years. I think Javelina Cantina will have to become a standard stop during these visits.
We were a group of 8 golfers looking for a place with a southwest flare after finishing a round of golf at the Sedona Golf Resort. We asked for recommendations from several of the staff at the golf course. Elote was mentioned, but I know we would never get in there. Barking Frog has great food, but no view. Our server in the clubhouse bar suggested Javelina Cantina. Hmmm? I do not remember that place. Let’s give it a try.
It was just a short drive from the golf course in the Village of Oak Creek back toward Sedona and the Hillside Shopping Center where the Javelina Cantina is located. Now I remember this place. My wife and I ate here a few years back during an earlier visit to Sedona. As I recall, we really liked the place then.
We arrived right about 6:00 PM, so the dinner rush, and without reservations. The host was very nice, but said it would be an hour-long wait for a group of 8. How about we split into two ground of four? He said he could have us seated in less than 20 minutes. Groovy; we’ll be in the bar.
The bar is small but our foursome found room to sit can have a beer and some chips (interestingly, our other four guys have gotten themselves lost somehow). I bet we were only there about 15 minutes if that long before our set was ready.
I asked about seating on the patio, but the host indicated that it was a bit chilly outside, even for us hearty souls from northern Ohio. He said that if we opted for the patio then wanted to come in out of the cold that we would have to go to back on the wait list. Fair enough; we stayed inside but still had a nice view of the red rocks from the large windows.
Our server was a friendly young man who answer questions about the menu, quickly took our orders and keep the water glasses full. Overall excellent service. About the time our order was being taken, our other group showed up, but since we had them on the list, they had a very short wait for their table. Plus they get a table right by the window so and excellent view for them.
The food was outstanding. I had a burrito dish, the Super Burrito with red and green sauce. It was huge and extremely tasty. Somehow I ate the entire thing. The rest of the gang also enjoyed their meals and cleaned their plates, except for one guy who boxed up the leftovers for a midnight snack (and he reported the next day that he did have that snack and it really hit the spot).
Overall, it was a very enjoyable meal. Between the golf trips with the guys and vacations with my wife I seem to return to Sedona every couple of years. I think Javelina Cantina will have to become a standard stop during these visits.
Majerle's Sports Grill (Goodyear):
Just what we needed after a long day on the links.
Ate here on Wednesday, March 12, 2014; reviewed March 29, 2014. See this review on Trip Advisor.
This was probably our fourth or fifth visit to Majerle’s Sports Grill in Goodyear as part of our annual golf trip. Majerle’s has now become a standard place to eat particularly after playing at the nearby Palm Valley golf course. Being near the course, it provides a convenient place to relax after the round, have a cold beer and good food and catch-up on the days sporting events (both from our day on the course as well as all the other stuff happening in the world).
In the past, we have always sat inside, which can be a bit noisy. This year we say out on the covered patio and enjoyed the lovely weather and a little calmer atmosphere. The service was outstanding this year, as it usually. There is a very good selection of beers (on tap and bottled); I recommend the Alaska pale ale for you folks who like a hoppy beer. The taco salad I ordered was excellent and quite filling.
Good eatin’ and great service. It made for a great ending to a nice day.
This was probably our fourth or fifth visit to Majerle’s Sports Grill in Goodyear as part of our annual golf trip. Majerle’s has now become a standard place to eat particularly after playing at the nearby Palm Valley golf course. Being near the course, it provides a convenient place to relax after the round, have a cold beer and good food and catch-up on the days sporting events (both from our day on the course as well as all the other stuff happening in the world).
In the past, we have always sat inside, which can be a bit noisy. This year we say out on the covered patio and enjoyed the lovely weather and a little calmer atmosphere. The service was outstanding this year, as it usually. There is a very good selection of beers (on tap and bottled); I recommend the Alaska pale ale for you folks who like a hoppy beer. The taco salad I ordered was excellent and quite filling.
Good eatin’ and great service. It made for a great ending to a nice day.
Mimi's Cafe (Goodyear): Nice place for lunch.
Ate here on Sunday, March 16, 2014; reviewed on March 29, 2014. See this review on Trip Advisor.
We had a group of eight guys looking for a place to eat on a Sunday after a morning round of golf. One of the guys wanted to hit an In-and-out Burger which was swamped. While he waited for fast food, the rest of the group went across the street to Mimi’s and found a much better class of food.
Mimi’s was a little crowded, probably the after church crowd, but we found space at the bar. The service was quick and the server and bartender were both very friendly. The kitchen was a little slow with our orders, but the server kept us busy with fresh, warm bread (some sort of Italian rolls and a fruit loaf; both were excellent. We ordered an array of salads and sandwiches, all of which looked very appetizing. I had a club sandwich with a side of fruit and it was delicious.
The only knock on the place was the kitchen was a little slow. Our server was very apologetic and the manager took care of us with a little discount off the tab (10% as I recall), so that worked out well.
Overall, this was a very positive experience. I would certainly return.
We had a group of eight guys looking for a place to eat on a Sunday after a morning round of golf. One of the guys wanted to hit an In-and-out Burger which was swamped. While he waited for fast food, the rest of the group went across the street to Mimi’s and found a much better class of food.
Mimi’s was a little crowded, probably the after church crowd, but we found space at the bar. The service was quick and the server and bartender were both very friendly. The kitchen was a little slow with our orders, but the server kept us busy with fresh, warm bread (some sort of Italian rolls and a fruit loaf; both were excellent. We ordered an array of salads and sandwiches, all of which looked very appetizing. I had a club sandwich with a side of fruit and it was delicious.
The only knock on the place was the kitchen was a little slow. Our server was very apologetic and the manager took care of us with a little discount off the tab (10% as I recall), so that worked out well.
Overall, this was a very positive experience. I would certainly return.
Use the browser back button to return to the Trip Journal.