Tag: arizona

USA Today Wine and Food Experience
Arizona Travel, Field Guide, Food Festivals, review

USA Today Wine & Food Experience Review: Should This Festival Make Your Annual List?

sharondashariee

Your Field Guide to the USA Today Wine & Food Experience

I went. I experienced it. Here’s what you need to know.

“If Gus’s Fried Chicken is at the festival, get in that line first.” A seasoned festival-goer shared this rule with me while we waited at the gates of the USA Today Wine & Food Experience, and she was right. One bite of the piping-hot chicken leg, perfectly seasoned with a hint of spice, set the tone for everything that followed.

Spring and fall kick off the festival season here in Arizona (we skip summer for obvious reason 😅), but the USA Today Wine & Food Experience deserves a spot on your list every year, no matter the season.

After see the USA Today Wine & Food Experience advertised on every social platform, I finally gave in and bought tickets to see if the hype was real. General Admission tickets were $65.00. Worth it.

TIP: Always take advantage of presale pricing. In some cases, you can save up to $20 per ticket.

Location, Parking, and Arrival Experience

The festival takes place at an outdoor venue space on High Street in Scottsdale, Arizona. We arrived about an hour early to get in line, which turned out to be a great move.

Parking was easy and stress-free. We parked in the surface lot for free, and there was also a parking garage available for overflow parking. That was complimentary for the event day as well—no validation required.

Entry Process and What’s Included with Admission

While waiting in line, the couple behind us asked if we’d attended the USA Today Wine & Food Experience in previous years. We hadn’t—but they had.

We asked if early entry was worth the extra cost as we watched early entrants already enjoying the festival. Their answer? No.

After finishing the festival ourselves, we completely agreed. Everything is still available during standard entry hours (1 PM–4 PM), and the lines move surprisingly fast. You won’t miss out by skipping early access.

Entry Process and What’s Included With Admission

Before the gates opened, vendor staff walked the line to check IDs and place wristbands on everyone. Once security opened the gates, we were handed plastic wine glasses—and just like that, we were on our way.

Once inside, there are no additional costs. All wine and food samples are included with admission, which makes it easy to relax and enjoy without constantly pulling out your wallet.

TIP: Restrooms and hand-washing stations were easy to find, but also bring your hand-santizer.

Food, Wine, and the Gus’s Fried Chicken Rule

Most vendors offered small bites and wine samples—except for Gus’s Fried Chicken.

Gus’s was by far the most popular vendor at the festival, handing out regular-sized chicken thighs and legs. A seasoned festival-goer shared an important rule with us: If Gus’s is at the festival, get in line first.

Even though the line looked long, we were through it in about five minutes. At first, I thought the portions were small… until I realized we hadn’t even made it halfway around the festival and I was already full.

There were plenty of seating areas and tall, stand-up tables scattered throughout the venue, making it easy to take breaks as needed.

The festival also had a well-curated playlist that set the vibe without overpowering conversations. Just enough energy to keep you moving in between booths.

TIP: Complimentary bottled water is provided. Bring a small bag to stash vendor freebies.

Standout Bites and Favorite Festival Moments

One of my standout moments was having one of the best lamb chops I’ve ever eaten. The Country Financial sponsored lounge-style seating had lamb chops straight off the flamed grill from the steakhouse, Ocean Prime.

I took one bite and immediately took a photo to remember the moment.


Some vendors featured at the festival included:

1000 Stories
Benovia Winery
California Fish Grill Casual Kitchen
Casamigos
El Bandido Yankee Tequila
Fetzer
Frasher’s Steakhouse & BBQ
Gus’s Fried Chicken
Humble Bistro
Modelo
Nosh & Por
Ocean Prime Seafood & Steak
Rancho La Glforia
San Simeon Wines
Titos

And Many More!

Wine, Spirits, and Pacing Yourself

Toward the end, I was officially tapping out and found a shaded seat where I stayed for a while, while my husband continued his journey through bourbon, whiskey, and liquor tastings.

Even though it’s the Wine & Food Experience, there were definitely some heavy hitters in the spirits category as well.

TIP: Always designate a driver before participating in tastings.

How Long to Expect to Stay

After making our rounds—and doubling back to our favorites—we headed out.
Total time inside the event: about 2.5 hours.

It was the perfect amount of time to enjoy everything without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Final Verdict: Is the USA Today Wine & Food Experience Worth It?

The USA Today Wine & Food Experience is officially on our permanent annual list. We couldn’t stop saying how much of a good time it was—and honestly, that’s the best kind of review.

If you love great food, good wine, and a well-organized festival experience, this one absolutely delivers.

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Dental Tourism, Health & Wellness, Mexico Travel, Travel Tips

Dental Tourism in Los Algodones, Mexico: Saved Me Thousands on Dental Implants

sharondashariee

Dental Tourism in Los Algodones, Mexico: Saved Me Thousands on Dental Implants

If you’ve ever considered traveling for dental care, Los Algodones, Mexico, nicknamed Molar City, has probably popped up on your radar. I recently had someone ask about my experience getting implants there, which inspired me to finally blog about it. So, here are the deets.

Where I Went: Best Dental Clinic in Los Algodones for Dental Tourism

Walking through Los Algodones might look a little suspect at first, but once you step inside Supreme Dental Clinic, you’re immediately relieved. The office is clean and modern, and the dentists, as well as the front desk staff, speak English.

A lot of people worry about language barriers when it comes to healthcare. At Supreme, every patient is assigned a coordinator to answer questions and help with scheduling. The dentists are accredited, well-trained, and affiliated with the American Dental Association. You don’t just have to take their word for it; their identification numbers are published publicly so you can verify them yourself.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost in Los Algodones, Mexico?

One of the biggest draws? The cost.

I’m paying about a quarter of what the same procedures would have cost me in the U.S. For example, I needed 8 implants plus some minor work. My U.S. dentist gave me an estimate of around $50,000. At Supreme Dental, I was quoted about $2,000 per implant (that includes the implant, abutment, and crown). That doesn’t include additional dental concerns, like bone grafting or sinus lifts, which some people may need before implants.

Supreme Dental also offers other services such as cleanings, whitening, extractions, veneers, full mouth restoration, and packages.

💡TIP: If your job offers an FSA account/card, Supreme accepts it as long as it carries a Visa or MasterCard symbol.

Crossing the Border to Los Algodones: Parking & Travel Tips for Dental Tourists

There’s a large, gated, paved parking lot called the Andrade Parking Lot. This is the location I enter in my navigation system, and it costs $10 per day to park. You insert your money into a machine and a ticket is printed.  If there are ever any problems, we’ve noticed an attendant that is there, but not always. While they do accept cards for parking payment, I highly suggest cash.  On one occasion, the card system was down.

We are about 2.5 hours from the border, because we live west of the Phoenix city center.  If you enter Phoenix to Los Algodones, you’ll get an estimated drive-time of about 3 hours.

Once there, crossing the border is easy if you plan ahead. Just remember to bring your passport. It makes re-entry to the U.S. much smoother.

Here’s how it goes: park, hop out of your car, walk about 5 minutes, and you’ll reach the Mexico Customs & Immigration building. They’ll ask for your passport to make sure you have one. Then you’ll walk through a metal detector, and you’re in Los Algodones in about 10 minutes.

💡TIP: Use the clean bathrooms near the parking area before heading into town.

💡TIP: Don’t rush! Give yourself plenty of time for navigating and crossing back. The line to enter back into the U.S. can get lengthy.

You can also drive right into Los Algodones, however we’ve noticed the lines are always long and parking isn’t that great along the streets.

A question I’m always asked is: Do you really need a passport to go to Los Algodones? Yes. Don’t be fooled by how easy it is to enter Mexico. It’s still another country, and you need to follow their rules and laws.

You can use a U.S. Department of State issued passport card or even a birth certificate paired with a photo ID. But I always recommend traveling with a full passport when crossing any international border.

The Implant Process: Step-by-Step Dental Implant Process in Los Algodones

My first implant was placed, and implants need about 3–4 months to heal and integrate with the gums before attaching the crown. When I returned after the first healing process, I had my first crown placed and also had two additional implants placed.

The healing process is fairly quick, about three to four weeks without soreness. Since the implant sits under the gum line while healing, there’s nothing visible until the crown is placed.

I chose Straumann implants, the most reputable option, because they’re made of titanium and last the longest. I researched materials beforehand since I’m sensitive to metals, and titanium was the safest option to avoid rejection.

💡TIP: Use your patient coordinator! They’re there to answer questions, adjust schedules, and make sure you feel supported.

Return Visit & Dental Crown Fitting in Los Algodones

When you come back for your crown, the dentists will measure the space/fit, then cast your crown in their in-house lab, so you don’t have to go elsewhere. You’ll return the next day (or a very short time after) for them to fit the crown.

Overnight Stay Option & Return Visit Logistics Overnight Stay & Return Visit Tips for Dental Tourism in Los Algodones

Just outside the Andrade Parking lot is Quechan Casino Resort (a casino + hotel) in Winterhaven, CA, about 3 miles from the Andrade border crossing, just off Highway 8. It’s a convenient choice if your treatment spans multiple consecutive days and you don’t want to commute back and forth.

💡 TIP – Alternative: Yuma, AZ Stay (what we chose)
Yuma is only 20–30 minutes from the border (depending on your starting point), and there’s an abundance of hotel options, making it another solid choice.

You can also find lodging within Los Algodones, MX, if you prefer not to leave. Supreme Dental Clinic partners with a hotel provider, so ask your coordinator if you’d like this option.

Challenges of Dental Tourism in Los Algodones (What to Expect)

The only real downside I’ve experienced is occasional waiting, it’s simply because they’re busy. Once, the power surged twice and we had to wait about 10–12 minutes for it to return. We were told that’s just Los Algodones life, and honestly international travel in general. Still, nothing that would deter me.

Final Thoughts: Is Dental Tourism in Los Algodones Worth It?

Dental tourism isn’t for everyone, but it’s a solid option for Americans seeking quality care at a fraction of the price. Dental work is a process, and it can feel like a lot, but doing your homework, knowing what to expect, and giving yourself grace along the way makes all the difference.

With preparation, Los Algodones can be a smooth, cost-effective, and feasible option for dental work you may have thought impossible in the U.S.

💡TIP: Check out Supreme Dental Clinic’s YouTube channel. It’s a goldmine of information to help you make an informed decision. (https://www.youtube.com/@supremedentalpodcast)

Location Visited:

Supreme Dental Clinic
Avenida A #224, Suite 26
Los Algodones, B.C. 21970

Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Sat (select hours)
Website: supremedentalmx.com
Phone Number: 1.844.300.2982