Dust Storm Haunts Surprise

The Dust Darn Days of Summer Are Almost Here

If you have ever spent some time in Surprise, Arizona then you’re probably aware that the city has some dust issues. On a normal summer day you can count numerous dust devils cutting up the landscape. The dust is a bi-product of construction, farming and open land which generates the micro-dirt everywhere. On an especially dusty day Surprise can look like this:

Restaurant Guide for Surprise, Arizona 2008

A review of restaurants located in Surprise, AZ

This is the most definitive, most complete, most honest restaurant guide that Surprise Arizona will ever get.

Where to Eat and Where Not to Eat in Surprise

Surprise, Arizona is located in the far northwestern part of the Valley of the Sun. The city's slogan is: "A Great Place to Live Work and Play". Notice how they don't place "Eat" in the city slogan. Including a "great place to eat" may be a bit premature, because Surprise has some growing up to do on the restaurant front.

Over the course of the last year both myself (Leon is my name) and my business partner (Erik) have ate close to an average of 21 meals out a week. We take our lunches every single day hoping to find someplace new which will excite our palettes. New establishments are opened practically every week to appeal to the retired and young families that settle here.

This Guide or Report, if you will, represents un-bias results - no single establishment paid or comped any of our meals. None of the results have been doctored and I hope the blunt nature of this guide will guide you in the right direction when in Surprise, Arizona. This is probably the most definitive, most complete, most honest restaurant guide that Surprise will ever get.
Reviews of Surprise Restaurants:

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill (13756 W Bell Road) - Ahh Applebees synonymous with TGIF Fridays, Chili's and Ruby Tuesdays. These menus are so similar they are hard to tell apart. Applebee's is the whole "me too" mentality at an extreme. Interested in a funny colored drink with a cute glass? Interested in salads the size of Equador?

Charley's Subs (14071 W. Bell Rd. #104) - If you haven't been to Charley's before make sure to drink a few glasses of water, because what you are in for is a salt fest. Yes, they don't shy away from salt at Charley's. The salt has infiltrated everything, including: the Philly sandwiches, the fries - even the soda tastes like it has salt in it.

Eatza Pizza - (17221 N Litchfield Rd) - The name says it all. It's a place where little ankle biters and retired folk unite. Their specialty is an all you can eat pizza salad buffet. They have even slapped some fried chicken and pastas for people not filling the pizza vibe. The value is good. However, I will warn you - the vanilla ice cream tastes like what probably vanilla flavored ice cream tasted like when those icy machines first made their debut in 1967. I must admit though the strong pungent vanilla has grown on me in recent times and I find myself desiring it occasionally.

Fazolis (13746 W Bell Rd) - "Italian Fast Food", what a concept (sarcastic overtone). It amazes me how this establishment has expanded so rapidly. It's just fast food with fancy black packaging and that's it. There is nothing more to it. The Manager comes around and asks if you would like some garlic bread which I admit was a nice touch, but in the end the food is just what it is - fast food that doesn't really taste that good.

La Fondita (12010 W Thunderbird Rd) – I really enjoy home cooked Mexican style food – so it is no wonder that I find myself going back to La Fondita regularly. The use of fresh ingredients permeates on through to the final bite. The Beef Tamales and Burros are good enough to come back for. The food is made to order. Located right across the Surprise / El Mirage border.

Maui Grille (15529 W Bell Rd) - Yes, another restaurant on Bell Ave. I give this outfit some credit for trying to come up with something new and it works well in concept. However, the menu is still boring. The Pulled Pork Sandwich came out on some toasted white bread? What does a loaf of white bread run at the store these days? A buck? Put the damn thing on some specialty bread! The decor is beautiful inside. You can't really blame the place for their clientele - it's right across the street from Sun City - but can't you atleast try to appeal to a younger base that lives right around the corner.

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant (13379 West Grand Ave) - Nothing special at the Surprise location - same bland pastas, breads and salads you get from the other locations. Their wine tastes like a liquid version of grape jelly.

Red Lobster (13709 West Grand Ave) - On one special occasion Erik was brutally food poisoned from some lobster he ate while entertaining some family guests. It took about 4 days for the poisoning spell to pass. I had dined at this same establishment about a week before Erik's episode and only suffered mild acid reflux from the fry fest of seafood that crowded my plate.

The Rice Garden (15367 W Waddell Rd, Inside Basha's) - I never thought I would be saying this but the best Chinese inspired food in Surprise is found inside of a grocery store. The food is fresh and the Chow Mein and Lemon Chicken is a delight.

Vogue Bistro (Marley Park Plaza 15411 West Waddell Road, Suite 108) Upon review of the name alone, I admit Vogue kind of sounded pretentious to me. That’s a big statement to make. To be Vogue you have to know what the hell you are doing. It’s the kind of name where you have to walk your talk. However, when I entered Vogue I was really knocked off my feet. From the second I walked in I felt like I was in a restaurant! The staff was dressed for the occasion, the food and wine was spot on! The location was right. Vogue is Vogue!

White Eagle Deli & Restaurant (16846 W Bell Rd, Next to Alberton's) - If Surprise has one good eatery that is authentic, clean, fresh and delicious then it's the White Eagle. This Polish deli has a wonderful menu that appeals to people that require sophisticated tastes - food that challenges the American diet. European beer, tall sandwiches and authentic delites from the other nation that has an eagle as their national icon. Also take home with you some groceries via the miniature European grocery section.

Reviews are still being compiled. Check back soon for the entire guide.