If you want to spot good eats in Mesa, I know a good one.
As a child, Grandpa McKinney told me, “If they don’t have Heinz Ketchup, just leave.”
Today, the hunt for good places to eat is much more complex.
Here are some of the basics today’s savvy consumer demands:
A full parking lot—The public rarely is fooled, and a consistently full lot means something is right in this place.
- Quality—Never frozen beef, chicken and pork will yield a more fresh, tender, and moist main dish.
- Variety—Steaks, salmon, osso buco and a cod fry, but also 21 burgers, pizza, wings, bangers and strawberry salad test the best of kitchens.
- Unique—It takes risk and extra work to do 80-pound pig roasts, 21 different burgers, not fried chicken but genuine broaster chicken, and a full page of appetizers.
- Value—That formula of quality, quantity and price is difficult to plan and harder yet to deliver. How about 10 different entrées, which all qualify as Two for $20 meals, including soup or salad?
- Honesty—Beware of places with a fish fry, which means swai or basa fish. As Crocodile Dundee said, “It won’t kill you, but it tastes like…” You know the rest. Look only for a cod fry.
Try JJ Madisons All American Grill. They passed the test.
For more information on menu items and daily specials, call (480) 924-8778. JJ Madisons All American Grill is located at 430 N. Power Road, on the northwest corner of Power Road and University Drive.
Mississippi Pot Roast—No. 1 trendy dish in America today
3- to 4-pound choice boneless beef chuck roast
Place roast in a crockpot on low for 6 to 8 hours. Do not include any water or liquid—absolutely none.
Top roast with:
- 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch dip or dressing dry mix
- 1 packet beef au jus dry mix
- 1 stick (1/4 pound) unsalted butter—yes, the whole thing
- 1 sliced jalapeño (seeds removed)
- Optional—1 thinly sliced onion under the meat
Serve with mashed potatoes, rice or wide noodles.
This recipe is courtesy of JJ Madisons All American Grill. Enjoy!