Hopdoddy Burger Bar (5 plates)

Burger has always been my comfort food. Every bite I take is pure cholesterol and calorie satisfaction. As long as the burger is done correctly, I would take a bite any day (that is any day I can burn the additional calories).

Hopdoddy burgers are definitely the type of burgers that you would fall in-love with. Good juicy patty, cheesy cheese, soft bread, tasty sauce and complimenting toppings for me makes a good burger. Done the right way, it turns into the perfect burger.

seats inside the burger bar

The place felt very modern and classy. TV is available at every corner to keep diners updated on the latest sporting event. Outside seating is also an option. I guess the outside tables are perfect for a good burger and a cold beer with good friends on a cool Scottsdale night out. For the hot Arizona summer days, they also have misting around their patio to keep the place cool.

Service was excellent. We were met at the front door by the staff. We were asked if it was our first time to make sure we understand their ordering and seating system. At the door, they give diners their table numbers. Diners can then line-up for their orders and once orders are placed, diners can head to their table for a full service from then on. The tables were kept clean and the servers regularly check if diners need anything else on their table. When we visited, it was a busy lunch time. Servers still had a smile on their face that made us feel comfortable and added to the satisfaction of the meal.

The burger? It was love at first bite. We ordered the Primetime burger, Magic Shroom burger, Truffle fries and the Caramel & Sea salt shake. 

Primetime Burger

The Primetime burger had the Texas Akaushi beef, Brie cheese, Truffle Aioli, Arugula, Caramelized Onions and bbq sauce. The Akaushi beef had a natural sweetness that complimented very well with the salty and tangy Brie cheese. The arugula topping added a peppery finish to every juicy bite of the medium rare patty. The bbq steak sauce and caramelized onion completed the combination of the salty, sweet and tangy bbq finish. It's the MVP of the classic bbq steak burger.

Magic Shroom Burger

The Magic shroom burger is truly magical. Like pulling a rabbit out of a hat, the mayo & basil pesto is a surprise in every bite. The mushroom complimented by the texas goat cheese which added an earthy flavor to the burger. The angus beef patty is angulicious! For mushroom and basil lovers, this is the perfect love affair.

Truffle Fries

The truffle fries is the best we've had so far. There is an ample amount of fries to share. It was topped with parmesan and truffle salt and served with mayo, herb and onion sauce.

Caramel & Sea Salt Shake

The caramel and sea salt shake is a good way to finish the meal. The sweetness and the very mild saltiness mixed with the cool and creamy vanilla ice cream removes the oil in your mouth from all that burger and fries. Serving is just enough to fill the gaps in your lunch appetite.

Hopdoddy is my kind of a burger joint. Burgers are tasty, full of variety and just the right size. Service is good. The place is modern. Oh and by the way, they have craft beer on tap to wash down those perfect burgers.

Visit their site at http://www.hopdoddy.com

Foosia Asia Fresh (4 Plates)

If Chipotle had an asian sibling, it would be Foosia. I believe there is so much potential to their concept. The flavor choices they offer are both original and familiar. Original because they put their own twist on the usual and familiar because you can easily identify the sweet, spicy, tangy asian flavors.

The place is clean and the staff were very helpful. They did not have a lot of customers when we visited but I guess it was because we got there very late. I would think the place becomes busy during lunch and dinner.

The ordering order. First selection, the bowl. Its just there way of saying choose your carbs. They offer jasmine rice, brown rice, noodles and flat bread. You can also go all greens if you don't feel like carbo loading. Next choice, your protein. They have pork, beef, chicken, shrimp and tofu. Third in line are the veggies. The customers can make a choice on how they want the veggies cooked. It can be a quick stir fry or steamed. Fourth station is the sauce choices. I had the Kim Jong-Who??? BBQ and my wife tried the Two nuts walk into a bar. Yes, they have weird names but it does give a good idea of what to expect (lets touch on the sauce a little bit more later). The last stop is for the toppings section. The choices are crispy wantons, thai herbs, peanuts, shallots and many more.

Like I said, the sauce. It makes a difference. Kim Jong-Who??? BBQ is as you guess it, a korean bbq sauce. Sweet and spicy. It has a great kick that cuts through the sweetness of the bbq sauce. Sweet and spicy is always... ALWAYS...a good combination. My wife had the Two nuts walk into a bar. Yes, you got it right, peanut sauce. If you like the  southeast asian flavor of Malaysia and Thailand, this is your sauce. It has a balanced hint of soy sauce and coconut that would satisfy your craving for some salty and creamy finish.

The combination of carbs, properly cooked protein, veggies, tasty sauce, some fresh herbs and a topping of crunchy wantons or peanuts would definitely make every bite an experience. There are layers and layers of flavors and textures that would really make the meal interesting. The fusion at Foosia is a spoonful that is worth a try.

Visit their site at http://foosiafresh.com

Some photos of the place