27 Oct 17th-Oct 23rd, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | squash pie. The smoothie was created by former general manager Joe Bazzi, now the beverage manager at True Food Kitchen, who incorporated pieces of pie that didn’t sell that day into smoothies for the staff. The torpedo roll is Padilla’s spin on the iconic Maine lobster roll, but with the restaurant’s signature True Crisp’d Chicken as the centerpiece. It’s adorned with fixings like barbecue ranch, Nashville sauce, Korean barbecue sauce and fresh vegetables. The breakfast Migas taco is Padilla’s twist on the Kitchen’s brunch taco and the flatbread is his reinvention of the pizza in quick form. The broccoli and cheese flatbread has a special nostalgic place in Padilla’s heart, and belly. “One of my favorite soups is broccoli and cheddar; it’s a classic,” he says. “And with fall coming up, I thought it would be perfect.” Real food for busy lives The space has ample windows, allowing natural light to enhance the cheery and slightly retro vibe. During cooler months, employees can roll up a garage door to connect the interior dining area and the covered patio. Midcentury-inspired tables, chairs and banquettes add to the relaxed, throwback ambiance, while high ceilings and exposed steel beams create a contem- porary open-and-airy feel. Diners can see the chefs hard at work through a large kitchen window, a feature uncommon to a fast-casual eatery that True Food CEO John Williams hopes demonstrates “an implied transparency.” “It shows how much we care about our food,” Williams says. Launching the 16-year-old restaurant’s new concept in Scottsdale was an obvious decision. It’s the birthplace of the brand, which currently boasts 45 locations in 17 states. True Food’s longtime following in the area made it the best locale for the launch, Williams says. He hinted that there may be more markets to follow in states where True Food Kitchens are established — and maybe even in states where they aren’t yet. “It’s a great place for us to start,” Williams says. “I’m very, very excited and can’t wait for it, and I hope everyone feels the same way.” This spot was created to fit into customers’ busy lifestyles, whether they need a hot dinner to bring home, want to pick up a drink and snack to tide them over or desire only to sit with their lunch and iced coffee while checking emails. Williams calls it real food for real life. “We want to make it easy to eat real food all the time, and understand where people are at and meet them there,” Williams says. “We realize it’s important for us to help people eat better, and this is another way for people to do that.” True Food Market 8980 N. 90th St., #124, Scottsdale Ample windows allow for natural light to enhance the slightly retro and cheery vibe throughout True Food Market.(Courtesy of True Food Market) Housemade biscuits filled with eggs, cheese and gluten-free air fried True Crisp’d Chicken are on the breakfast menu at True Food Market. (Courtesy of True Food Market) Stock Up from p 26 Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on 2024 HONDA RIDGELINE TRAILSPORT: READY FOR ANYTHING, EVEN SPEEDING TICKETS 2024 HONDA RIDGELINE TRAILSPORT The 2024 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport The 2024 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport is that perfect blend of utility and is that perfect blend of utility and comfort, but let me tell you, it also comfort, but let me tell you, it also knows how to get you into a little knows how to get you into a little trouble. On my way to New Mexico, I trouble. On my way to New Mexico, I got a speeding ticket—yeah, this truck got a speeding ticket—yeah, this truck is deceptively quick for something is deceptively quick for something that looks so rugged. It cruises so that looks so rugged. It cruises so smoothly on the highway that you’ll smoothly on the highway that you’ll barely notice you’re breaking the law. barely notice you’re breaking the law. Thanks, Honda, for making me late to Thanks, Honda, for making me late to the off-roading party with my brothers. the off-roading party with my brothers. Speaking of off-roading, this thing Speaking of off-roading, this thing is a beast when you take it off the is a beast when you take it off the pavement. My brothers and I hit some pavement. My brothers and I hit some serious trails, and the Trailsport didn’t serious trails, and the Trailsport didn’t even flinch. With all-terrain tires, extra even flinch. With all-terrain tires, extra ground clearance, and a torque- ground clearance, and a torque- vectoring all-wheel drive system, we vectoring all-wheel drive system, we powered through mud, rocks, and powered through mud, rocks, and all kinds of rugged manly things like all kinds of rugged manly things like it was nothing. Plus, the skid plates it was nothing. Plus, the skid plates underneath kept us from worrying underneath kept us from worrying about scraping the undercarriage— about scraping the undercarriage— because let’s face it, we weren’t because let’s face it, we weren’t exactly being gentle. exactly being gentle. Inside, the Ridgeline is shockingly Inside, the Ridgeline is shockingly refined for a truck that just plowed refined for a truck that just plowed through the wilderness. The Trailsport through the wilderness. The Trailsport trim has these sweet leather seats trim has these sweet leather seats with orange stitching that make you with orange stitching that make you feel like a badass even when you’re feel like a badass even when you’re just cruising around town. The 8-inch just cruising around town. The 8-inch touchscreen is easy to use, and touchscreen is easy to use, and there’s plenty of space in the back for there’s plenty of space in the back for all the gear you’ll pretend you need all the gear you’ll pretend you need on your next adventure. It’s got that on your next adventure. It’s got that classic Honda reliability and a cabin classic Honda reliability and a cabin that keeps things quiet and comfy that keeps things quiet and comfy even when you’re leaving dust trails even when you’re leaving dust trails behind. behind. Starting at $43,000, the 2024 Starting at $43,000, the 2024 Ridgeline Trailsport is the truck for Ridgeline Trailsport is the truck for people who want to go off-roading people who want to go off-roading on the weekends but still need on the weekends but still need something practical for everyday life. something practical for everyday life. It’s tough when you need it to be and It’s tough when you need it to be and smooth when you don’t, with enough smooth when you don’t, with enough tech and comfort to make long trips tech and comfort to make long trips (or runs from the cops) feel like a (or runs from the cops) feel like a breeze. Whether you’re hitting the breeze. Whether you’re hitting the trails with your brothers or just looking trails with your brothers or just looking for excuses to get dirty, this truck is for excuses to get dirty, this truck is ready for whatever you throw at it— ready for whatever you throw at it— just keep an eye on the speedometer just keep an eye on the speedometer next time. next time. RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles: