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1010 Wayne Ave Ste 120
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 495-3323

Friends Deli  

Categories: Delis, Sandwiches

5.0 star rating
5/19/2011 First to Review
Just discovered this place and I can never go back to Subway on Wayne Ave.

Fresh meats (including turkey and roast beef) are hand-carved as you order them. Real dijon mustard. Crunchy single leaf of romaine lettuce. Recently sliced avocado. Sandwich bread. $6.

When it's real and fresh, you realize how fake Subway is. Just remember to they close at 4 p.m. and only do breakfast and lunch.

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3231 S Mill Ave
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 966-9829

Olive Branch Restaurant  

Categories: Greek, Mediterranean

1.0 star rating
8/22/2009 1 photo
I was so shocked at the amount and quantity of the food here that I couldn't even say anything and just left as quickly as possible.

I ordered the "Olive Branch vegetarian feast" for $14.95 and were served: one dollop of hummus, one dollop of babaganoush, three of the smallest grape leave rolls I've ever seen and three pices of over-cooked falafel. And a single pita chopped into quarters. The babaganoush was inedible; the falafel was the worst I have ever had. Take my word, this is one of the worst restaurants I've ever been in.

The only way they make money is by hosting salsa dances. Which brings me to the kitschy decor (vast, open dance floor with that blue plastic-encased lighting. I posted a picture, in case you want to see the whole uninviting effect.

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1616 S Stapley Dr
Mesa, AZ 85204
(480) 813-4443

India's Grill  

Category: Indian

4.0 star rating
7/26/2009 First to Review
This is a brand-new Indian restaurant specializing in grilled food. It's funny because there's a lot of Mexican painted ceramic tile around the windows and bathroom, remnants of investments from the previous (failed) owners.

The grill's portions are very generous for a reasonable cost, $8.95-$12.95 for entrées. If you want it hot and spicy, they are happy to oblige. Great breads and sauces and not too long prep times. Yes, they are new and working out some kinks in the service, but I definitely see a lot of potential here.

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1037 S Rural Rd
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 968-6996

Dutch Bros Coffee  

Category: Coffee & Tea

4.0 star rating
7/17/2009
Drive-thru coffee, smoothies and more! I'm obsessed with the Dutch Freeze (frequent buyer card, woot!) This drive-thru drink experience is always a pleasant one because the barista boys are always smiling. And you can't this: Free drinks today, Friday 7-17, a new location is opening (http://blogs.phoenixne...) at Mill and Southern.

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4404 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 696-9976

Lux  

Category: Coffee & Tea

4.0 star rating
7/15/2009
Upside: nice-looking contemporary space, great drinks and pastries, reasonable prices, not Starbucks, healthy buzz of conversation, free Wi-Fi

Downside: very hard to tell what it is from the outside and get there accurately for first-timers. (If coming from north on Central, you'll flip a U at Campbell after light rail station, then) turn right on Turney for parking lot.

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846 E White Mountain Blvd.
Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ 85935
(928) 367-5979

Lilly Bear Antiques  

Category: Shopping

4.0 star rating
7/15/2009 First to Review
Nice selection of antiques from a few vendors. It seems they regularly have a discount. When I stopped by it was 20% off anything with legs, drawers or a lid. Found a book, pendant, two boxes.

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3749 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
(602) 955-4137

Chicago Hamburger Co  

Categories: Burgers, Hot Dogs

4.0 star rating
6/17/2009
Happened upon this little dive and had a dinner of sliders, brats, fries and a chocolate milkshake I won't soon forget. Authentic and filling, it doesn't get much better than that. Such good, old-fashioned American food. You won't be disappointed if you eat here. The decor is fabulously retro, paying homage to Chicago sports teams of years past. The service is straightforward but attentive.

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401 S Mill Ave
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 929-9500

Rula Bula  

Categories: Pubs, Irish

4.0 star rating
5/22/2009
-Irish pub atmosphere (that's what you were expecting, right?).
-Patio for when you need some fresh air.
-Occasional live folk music.
-Decadent bread pudding: totally worth it no matter what you're drinking.

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1290 S Normal Ave
Tempe, AZ 85287
(480) 727-3463

Engrained Cafe  

Categories: Sushi Bars, American (New)

4.0 star rating
5/22/2009
Note: they cut back on hours and now are ONLY open lunch 11 a.m.-1 p.m. M-F. Closed during semester breaks, they're opening up next on June 1.

Not at all what you'd expect from on-campus dining, this space features sustainability in its construction, practices and menu offerings. The way it works is you get a assigned a table number, then you browse the food prepared that day at the various stations--pizza, entrées, sandwiches, etc.--and finally you order at the register.

Since you order first and tips aren't really part of the set-up, you won't get super personal service. But the food is really fresh and healthy/yummy and you'll feel good knowing they're making a conscious effort to not be wasteful. This past semester's menu featured sustainably harvested desert sweet shrimp and locally harvest citrus and dates. Good value for your price, ranging from $6-$20 depending on ingredients. Your meal purchase includes any drink; I recommend the prickly pear iced tea.

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849 W University Dr
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 829-1939

Lalibela Ethiopian Cafe  

Category: Ethiopian

4.0 star rating
5/22/2009
Granted, this restaurant has been my sole exposure to Ethiopian food, but it is _so_ good. For around $15-19 you can get an _enormous_ tray full of 10 or so different veggie and lamb/beef dishes,  all on a bed of sour injeera bread. Great for sharing between 4-5 people, with extra bread on the side. As long as your dining company doesn't mind eating "with their hands," you'll have a delicious, fun meal. Good thirst-quenching drinks too. Last time I was there, I wanted to try their "voted best in the valley" tiramisu for dessert, but they were out. :( Attentive service, still.

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29 Compliments

  • Thank You

    Thanks Julie! :)

  • Good Writer

    Sorry to hear about your bad experience at Olive Branch... been anywhere… More »

  • Hot Stuff

    weird - La Mirage in nopho is also a middle eastern restaurant that hosts… More »

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Review votes:
141 Useful, 75 Funny, and 99 Cool

Location

Tempe, AZ

Yelping Since

April 2009

Things I Love

pho in MD, croissants in Palo Alto, falafel in Paris

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Ellicott City, MD

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http://flavors.me/juli...

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I'm working in social media and content strategy

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Ima Robot

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El Cardenal in Mexico City and/or Yerbabuena in Madrid

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I am a closet sci-fi junkie.