Special for The Republic
Jun. 10, 2006 12:00 AM
Summer months are a great time to take the family out for dinner. Triple-digit temperatures mean fewer folks in town, and that translates into more elbow room at these popular Phoenix eateries. Here are four places where Mom and Dad can take the kids without breaking the bank.
Kids will like the menus hidden inside record albums, watching old black-and-white movies on TV, soda glasses big enough to swim in and pizza cookies ($5) for dessert. Standouts include the garlic bread, pizzas with thin Chicago-style crust, and baked calzones and meatball sandwiches. Portions are as "Big" as the big band-style music that blares throughout. Pizzas average $15 for medium. The eatery features a kiddie menu, with pizza and pasta for $2.
3757 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, (602) 275-2107.
3101 W. Indian School Road, Phoenix, (602) 277-6291.
For 50 years, the Big Apple has been dishing up steaks, barbecue, breakfast and burgers in a kitschy saloon-style atmosphere. The noise level can get a bit high as the wait staff, clad in Western attire with guns and holsters, hustle out the orders, but that's all part of the fun. Chicken fried steak with country gravy ($13), housemade chili ($4) and ribeye steak served with barbecue beans, salad and a dinner roll are all good bets. Burgers and sandwiches average $8. Finish with the house special deep-dish apple pie. Younger kids will like the funny-face pancake from the children's menu.
The big draw at Chevy's is the tortilla machine, where fresh, hot tortillas roll off the assembly line ready to be devoured. Salsa is made fresh on the hour and guacamole is made to order tableside. Kids' menu ($4) features scaled-down versions of burritos and tacos served with a kiddie cone. House specials average $13 and feature chimichangas, hand-rolled tamales, grilled fish tacos, and a variety of combo plates. For dessert, try a Mexican-inspired ice cream treat ($4). Hint: The lunch specials average $9 and can be ordered at dinnertime, too. Reservations are accepted.
20216 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, (623) 869-9311.
12802 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, (602) 996-0033.
This nifty '50s-style diner, complete with juke boxes on the table, vinyl booths and a menu that Elvis would have swooned over, is a good place to head after a movie or lazy afternoon by the pool. Burgers, fries, made-to-order cherry Cokes and all-day breakfast specials are the stars here. Other favorites include patty melts, liver and onions or meat loaf and mashed potatoes ($9), biscuits and gravy, and chili. Kids' menu averages $4 and features corn dogs, pizza and other treats. Don't miss the thick shakes, malts, floats and brownie sundaes for dessert.
Oregano's
1008 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, (602) 241-0707.| advertisement |  |
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Kids will like the menus hidden inside record albums, watching old black-and-white movies on TV, soda glasses big enough to swim in and pizza cookies ($5) for dessert. Standouts include the garlic bread, pizzas with thin Chicago-style crust, and baked calzones and meatball sandwiches. Portions are as "Big" as the big band-style music that blares throughout. Pizzas average $15 for medium. The eatery features a kiddie menu, with pizza and pasta for $2.
Bill Johnson's Big Apple
16810 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix, (602) 863-7921.3757 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, (602) 275-2107.
3101 W. Indian School Road, Phoenix, (602) 277-6291.
For 50 years, the Big Apple has been dishing up steaks, barbecue, breakfast and burgers in a kitschy saloon-style atmosphere. The noise level can get a bit high as the wait staff, clad in Western attire with guns and holsters, hustle out the orders, but that's all part of the fun. Chicken fried steak with country gravy ($13), housemade chili ($4) and ribeye steak served with barbecue beans, salad and a dinner roll are all good bets. Burgers and sandwiches average $8. Finish with the house special deep-dish apple pie. Younger kids will like the funny-face pancake from the children's menu.
Chevy's Fresh Mex
2650 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, (602) 955-6677.The big draw at Chevy's is the tortilla machine, where fresh, hot tortillas roll off the assembly line ready to be devoured. Salsa is made fresh on the hour and guacamole is made to order tableside. Kids' menu ($4) features scaled-down versions of burritos and tacos served with a kiddie cone. House specials average $13 and feature chimichangas, hand-rolled tamales, grilled fish tacos, and a variety of combo plates. For dessert, try a Mexican-inspired ice cream treat ($4). Hint: The lunch specials average $9 and can be ordered at dinnertime, too. Reservations are accepted.
Five & Diner
5220 N. 16th St., Phoenix, (602) 264-5220.20216 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, (623) 869-9311.
12802 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, (602) 996-0033.
This nifty '50s-style diner, complete with juke boxes on the table, vinyl booths and a menu that Elvis would have swooned over, is a good place to head after a movie or lazy afternoon by the pool. Burgers, fries, made-to-order cherry Cokes and all-day breakfast specials are the stars here. Other favorites include patty melts, liver and onions or meat loaf and mashed potatoes ($9), biscuits and gravy, and chili. Kids' menu averages $4 and features corn dogs, pizza and other treats. Don't miss the thick shakes, malts, floats and brownie sundaes for dessert.
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