Tag: restaurants

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 reasons 😅), but the USA Today Wine & Food Experience deserves a spot on your list every year, no matter the season.

After seeing 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 Phoenix, 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-sanitizer.

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 Gloria
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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Restaurant Review, Things-to-Do, Wine, Wine Tasting

Copper & Sage – The Restaurant Meal That Defined 2024 and Will Keep Me Coming Back in 2025

sharondashariee

Copper & Sage Goodyear – Dinner

I am about to share the best dining tip you will ever get. Order as many dishes as your budget allows. Share them with your party.  Trust me, you will want to savor as much as possible from Copper & Sage’s incredible menu. Here is what my friends and I ordered during our visit:

Shareables:

  • Bourbon Deviled Eggs – $9
  • Fried Green Tomatoes – $12

Main Dishes:

  • Walleye Fish & Chips – $27
  • 2 Wagyu Short Ribs with Parmesan Risotto – $39 each

Dessert:

  • Beignets – Complimentary

Side:

  • Mac & Cheese – $10

Cocktails:

  • Holy Water – $13
  • Riesling – $9
  • Strawberry Hill – $14

There were three of us in our party, and this was more than enough food for everyone to enjoy.

The Dish That Defined 2024

Hands down, the showstopper was the Wagyu Short Rib with Parmesan Risotto. This dish typically comes with grits. We noticed risotto paired with another dish on the menu. We asked if we could make the switch.  Our request was graciously granted, and it was the best decision we could have made. The tender, flavorful short rib combined with the creamy, cheesy risotto melted in our mouths. It was so good we ordered two plates of it!

Wagyu Short Rib with Parmesan Risotto

But before I get carried away with the main courses, let us talk about the appetizers.

Star-Worthy Appetizers

Fried Green Tomatoes

To date, I have only had one other fried green tomato dish that wowed me as much as this one. That was in Atlanta.  Copper & Sage has officially joined that list. Their perfectly fried green tomatoes are topped with a sprinkle of chevre cheese. A balsamic reduction ties everything together beautifully. Every bite had us saying, “Ohhh, okay! Yum.  This is amazing.”

Fried Green Tomatoes

Bourbon Deviled Eggs

I love it when restaurants elevate classic dishes, and Copper & Sage’s Bourbon Deviled Eggs did not disappoint. Instead of the usual candied bacon topping, they added bacon jam—and wow.  If the phrase “bacon jam” gives you pause, do not hesitate. It is a game-changer.

Bourbon Deviled Eggs

A Second Main Dish Worth Mentioning

The Walleye Fish & Chips was another standout.  Some might find the fish a bit crispier than expected. However, this is exactly how fried fish should be. It should be crispy, crunchy, and seasoned to perfection.  This dish could easily hold its own as a satisfying lunch option.

Walleye Fish & Chips

I almost failed to mention the side of Mac & Cheese. I would not order the mac & cheese again. It was not giving what mac & cheese was supposed to give. Copper & Sage, if you read this: more cheese and cream, and this might make my recommendations list.

Macaroni and Cheese

A Sweet Finale (Almost)

Normally, we do not have room for dessert. However, we were celebrating my friend’s birthday. Copper & Sage generously provided complimentary beignets for the table.  They had great potential, but a few weren’t fully cooked in the center. My tip? Ask for the beignets to be cooked well-done.  I will be giving them another shot on my next visit.

Beignets

Drinks to Celebrate

As part of the birthday festivities, we indulged in some delicious cocktails.  Copper & Sage has an extensive house menu and a full bar to accommodate any request.  The Holy Water and Strawberry Hill cocktails were refreshing. They were perfectly balanced. The Riesling was a light and crisp addition to the meal.

Holy Water
Strawberry Hill
Riesling

Why I Will Be Back in 2025

As soon as I got home, I told my husband that Copper & Sage was the Restaurant Meal That Defined 2024.  I am already planning a return trip.  This might even be our Valentine’s Day outing next month.

If you are in the area, do not miss out on this gem.

Location Visited:
Copper & Sage Goodyear
1975 N Globe Dr, Goodyear, AZ 85338
https://copperandsageaz.com/
#copperandsageaz

Things-to-Do

Drunk Munk Tiki Bar & Restaurant

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Drunk Munk Tiki Bar & Restaurant

Drunk Munk Tiki Bar & Restaurant

You know when you see a mass of people waiting to be seated at a restaurant, long lines at a retail shop or anywhere, you think, whatever they are selling must be good.

This was Drunk Munk.  Twice, I had eaten at a restaurant across the street and each time I noticed the loads of people at Drunk Munk, having such a good time. I made a mental note to add Drunk Munk to my must-try list.

My husband and I finally stopped by for happy hour. This is what we had:

  • Bottle Rockets $12
  • Pork Pot Stickers $12.50
  • Spicy Teriyaki Ribs $14.50
  • Bikini Girl Cocktail $14.50
  • Flower Goddess Cocktail $12.50

I listed the regular menu pricing.  During happy hour there are select menu items half off.  Everything we ordered was on the happy hour menu. 

Although everything we had was scrumptious, I would not pay full price for anything we had.

The Bottle Rockets were the best!  Shrimp, cream cheese, scallion, wrapped in a spring roll wrapper, and fried.  The Bottle Rockets were served with sriracha and sweet chili orange sauce.  The Bottle Rockets are even worth trying to duplicate at home. 

The Pork Pot Stickers were good but nothing special.  A bag of Trader Joe’s pot stickers is comparative for much less and a larger quantity.  My family hates it when I compare dining out food costs to grocery food costs. haha

Spicy Teriyaki Ribs were tasty, tender and dipped in the standard teriyaki sauce you would find at your local Asian restaurant.  While eating the ribs, I said to my husband, it felt like it should have included a side of rice.

The cocktails!  The drinks!  The libations!  Whatever you want to call them, they are why everyone at Drunk Munk always seemed so happy and having a wonderful time. The cocktails were superb. 

My husband had the Bikini Girl cocktail, much like a Pina Colada.  I had the Flower Goddess Cocktail, mimicking a Sex on the Beach cocktail.  There was no skimping on the liquor.  I had to ask the bartender to add a little more juice to balance out the drink for me. 

So, if you are looking for great drinks, hit up Drunk Munk for cocktails, sit under the cute tiki hut outside, and order a few appetizers.

Total bill without tax and tip:
$66 regular menu price
$33 happy hour menu price

Location Visted: 
The Drunk Munk Tiki Bar & Restaurant
7133 E. Stetson Drive, Suite 1
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251