Village from p 30 in case you’re in need of any glass accesso- ries or tobacco products, the next-door smoke shop Herb ‘N Legend has got you covered. LUNCH Ta’Carbon Mexican Grill 2929 North 43rd Avenue 602-682-7701 Ta’Carbon makes some of the best tacos in town, and its seemingly never-ending lunch crowd is a testament to that. The charcoal grill restaurant cranks out favorites like carne asada, pastor, seasoned and marinated pork cut from a spit, and barbacoa, slow-roasted beef with a savory flavor and tender texture. Other options include cabeza, roasted beef head, lengua, braised beef tongue, and tripas, braised and pan-fried tripe, should appease even the most adventurous eaters. Try the Hazz Taco for something a bit extra, where melty cheese holds together a mixture of green chile beef and carne asada. Ta’Carbon serves their tacos on either corn or flour tortillas and invites customers to add toppings like spicy salsas, pico de gallo, pickled carrots, and sliced cucumbers at the salsa bar. Burros and a few tostadas round out the menu, along with platos, which include your choice of meat served with a side of beans and tortillas. The Lope House Restaurant 5902 West Indian School Road 623-846-4022 So you are hanging around Maryvale at lunchtime and have some fancy clients to impress. Quick, what’s your next move? The Lope House Restaurant at Grand Canyon University, inside its golf course clubhouse, is open to the public. Lunch boasts offerings such as Cobb salad with blue cheese crumbles, a pastrami Reuben, and nachos with house queso, green chili pork, black beans, and pico de gallo. If you have a few hours to kill, book a tee time afterward. The Lope House also serves breakfast daily. Tortas Paquime 4344 West Indian School Road, #1 623-848-8616 Tortas are hearty Mexican sandwiches served on oblong bread hot or cold, depending on the recipe, and Tortas Paquime has them down to a science. Maryvale is one of five locations cranking out fresh bread and tortas filled to the brim daily, and lunch is especially busy. The namesake Torta Paquime is a classic, stuffed with pork sirloin, avocado, tomatoes, jalapeños, mayo, and mustard. They also serve tostadas, flat crunchy tortillas topped with refried beans and guac, as well as ques- adillas. Salads and veggie tacos are ideal for those looking for a lighter meal, but tortas are the main attraction here. Don’t forget to pick up some freshly baked pan dulce or bolillo rolls for the road. with mesquite wood, giving it a rich flavor and tender texture. Try a chicken or rib sandwich if you’re not too hungry, or go for an entree served with two sides for the full experience. The smoked Natasha Yee The carne asada, pastor, and tripas at Ta’Carbon are seasoned and grilled to perfection. HAPPY HOUR Popo’s Fiesta del Sol 6542 West Indian School Road 623-846-2636 Popo’s is a laid-back Mexican restaurant that has been around since 1964. At the Maryvale location, happy hour goes from 3 to 7 p.m. daily. Drink specials include the original margarita, frozen or on the rocks, for $8. Add flavors like mango, banana, or watermelon for an extra $0.50, or get fancy with the Cadillac, made with 1800 Reposado Tequila and Grand Marnier for $11.85. Bottled and draft beers are also on special, as well as the house-made sangria for $8.75. Pair your libation with a Corona- battered-fish burrito served with rice and beans or a cheese quesadilla and toast to the fact that it’s five o’clock exactly where you are. DINNER New China Buffet 4105 North 51st Avenue, #145 623-245-3535 Coconut shrimp, check. General Tso’s chicken, check. New China Buffet hits the spot for unfussy Chinese staples. Fill your plate with chow mein, beef and broccoli, and orange chicken, and revel in the food coma you are soon to be in. The decidedly casual buffet is anything but fancy, but the food is fresh and you can have a heaping plate of bright red jello for dessert. New China Buffet is also open for lunch if you wish to sate your all-you-can-eat Chinese craving earlier in the day. Texas Rib Shack 3935 North 67th Avenue 623-792-7422 This strip mall joint serves some pretty delicious barbecue. Texas Rib Shack seasons, grills, and then smokes its meat brisket dinner is a sure winner. Choose from a plethora of sides including seasoned green beans, potato salad, boiled or fried cabbage, mac and cheese, cornbread, and baked beans. The three meat combo doesn’t include sides, but allows you to feast on ribs, chicken, hot links, and pulled pork, or brisket for an additional charge. Finish your meal with some Southern dessert like Aunt Betty’s Peach Cobbler or Cousin Cletis’ Smoked Apple Pie. COCKTAILS El Dorado Sports Bar 4134 North 67th Avenue 623-873-0101 One can find bar games, live music and dancing, pool tables, and plenty of tele- vised football games at the 24-hour El Dorado Sports Bar inside a strip mall at 67th Avenue and Indian School Road. Sip on Four Peaks Kilt Lifter on draught and plan out your next karaoke performance at the no-frills watering hole or grab a bucket of Tecates with some amigos. Nugget 4130 North 83rd Avenue, #11 623-873-1118 Nugget is a laid-back neigh- borhood bar hidden inside a shopping center at 83rd Avenue and Indian School Road. A red sign that reads “cocktails” in all caps should let you know that you are in the right place. Inside, there are pool tables, pitchers of beer and cocktails, and televisions for sports watching. Grab a seat at the wooden bar adorned by neon beer signs and lots of liquor. Make some friends in a cinch at this local favorite, which is open until 2 a.m. daily. Purple Turtle Sports Bar & NightClub 4105 North 51st Avenue, #157 623-247-3424 This American tavern has it all, well drinks, ice cold beers, a chill atmosphere, and chicken wings that will keep you coming back for more. Purple Turtle is a regular hangout, with daily happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m., although the bar stays open until 2 a.m. The food menu is vast, with quesadillas served with a side of crinkle-cut fries, tamales, steak, and lobster tail. Sip on a blended drink, ranging in flavor from mango to Oreo milkshake concoctions. There are lots of televisions too, plus a pool table to get your game on. 33 phoenixnewtimes.com | Contents | FeeDBACK | oPInIon | ne Ws | FeAtURe | nIght+D A y | CUL tURe | FILm | CAFe | mUsIC | phoenix new Times SEPT 29TH–OCT 5TH, 2022
