Latin up! Valley Breakfast Choices with Hispanic Roots
By: Brian Garrido
“Breakfast in Latin America is a big deal!” – Erica Dinho
Erica Dinho, food blogger for My Colombian Meals states the truth that for many born of Spanish-speaking heritage, eating breakfast is a big deal. We know that our mamas will not let us out the door without eating warmed tortillas, some eggs, salsa, and perhaps pequito frutas with café au lait. So, it comes as no surprise that in the Valley of the Sun there seems to be an endless number of places to enjoy a morning meal full of Latin inspiration, just like our mamas or papacitos made for us. We’ve put together a small selection showcasing an array of delicious breakfast eats found in our communities; some with a sprinkling of chile, and others drenched in Latin inspiration. Eat up!
Breakfast Arepas, Duza’s Kitchen: Mostly found in Colombia and Venezuela, the traditional arepa is made from ground maize (corn) dough and formed into a slightly larger English muffin shape. Typically, they are cut in half and piled with sandwich fillings, pocket-sliced like a pita, or eaten plain with some hot sauce. At Duza’s Kitchen, German-born chef Mensur Duzic serves them piled high with fried eggs, chorizo, sausage, guacamole, fresh farmers’ market lettuces, pico de Gallo, and crème fraiche. The crunchy textured arepa can be served inside the humble restaurant, or outside al fresco. Regardless, Duzic’s inexpensive and deliciously messy arepa is a pleasure to eat for anyone.
2243 North 12th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85006
(480) 252 – 3787
Breakfast Burrito, PHX Burrito House: The made-to-order breakfast burrito at PHX Burrito House is Hagrid the Giant’s idea of food: a massive tortilla fattened to the diameter of a 200-year-old saguaro, full of eggs, potatoes, and beans at just $5.50. Diners can artistically produce their Diego Riveria mural-sized eat with add-ons such as bacon, cheese, grilled onions, and guacamole for a dollar or less depending on the add-on. Owned by the Del Cruzes (who own Chandler’s El Zocalo Mexican Grille and El Sol Mexican Café & Bakery as well as Mango’s Mexican Café in Mesa), the freshly made tortillas are made from their own bakery. Served up in an unexceptional house turned restaurant, the food is rustic and simple – creating a Latin-infused atmosphere all their own.
PHX Burrito House
4140 N. 7th Ave.
Phoenix, Arizona
(602) 265-1274
Breakfast Pan Dulce, La Purisima Bakery: La Purisima is a Phoenician food temple. It should be listed in all tourists guides as the place to get fresh baked apple, cherry, peach, pineapple, or cream cheese empanadas. Buyers can get pan dulce, pan huevos, and indulgent sweet bread in chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla. If you live here, it’s like visiting the Louvre – once is never enough. If you don’t, grab some coffee, a pan dulce, and sit in your rented car letting people look at you with food envy; especially if they are from Southern Cali. They have Disneyland, but we have La Purisima.
La Purisima Bakery
2318 East Indian School Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
(602) 840 – 4725
Breakfast Tacos, Frank & Alberts: Eating at Frank & Albert’s is a special occasion. It’s housed in one of the West Coast’s most iconic hotels right up there with the luxury infused Beverly Hills Hotel, San Diego’s Del Coronado, or San Francisco’s Palace. Dining, even for the morning meal, comes with white tablecloths and napkins, a fancy architect – Albert Chase McArthur, under the tutelage of his mentor, Frank Lloyd Wright – and perfect service. The chef prepares scrumptious savory breakfast pizza with poblano pesto and scrambled eggs; however, the breakfast tacos are an epicure’s delight with housemade chorizo, scrambled eggs, fresh pico de gallo, salsa verde, and a cheesy potato galette (which is French, but who cares when it’s this good). The setting is historical, and it’s one of the few times you will be able to eat in a museum.
Frank & Albert’s
Arizona Biltmore
2400 East Missouri Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
(602) 955-6600
http://www.arizonabiltmore.com/restaurants-and-dining/frank-and-alberts/
Chilaquiles, Original Breakfast House: John Stidham, the owner of Original Breakfast House, is a master of comfort food – the kind of foodstuffs that stick to your ribs and make you want a nap afterwards. His restaurant version of the classic Mexican chilaquiles is no different. With his own topopos, a homemade zesty red sauce poured over to soften the chips, poached eggs, black beans, and richly buttered hash browns – you had better get your butt to the gym afterwards. His take is very Sonoran, a little spicier; but like all regional cooking, there are variances to every dish. OBH’s version is an oversized portion of eating well. Take it home so you have something to eat after your workout.
Original Breakfast House
13623 North 32nd Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85032
(602) 482 – 2326
Breakfast Enchiladas, Perk Eatery: Situated in a strip mall in North Scottdale, Perk Eatery is almost a “blink and you’ll miss it” type place. Yet, this family owned business whips up the zestiest New Mexican chili sauce, slathered over two pork braised and Mexican crema filled enchiladas, making it – hands down – one of the city’s most memorable dishes. Put two eggs on it, preferably over easy or poached – the runny yolk adds a rich creaminess. It’s soul-searingly delicious and not for the faint of heart (or someone taking heartburn medication). However, the sauce is breathtakingly beautiful – an earthiness combined with heat – it’s like being able to taste the Sonoran desert. Zesty, yes; but warming after a bracing morning run after a night of hard drinking takes its toll, and definitely a conversation starter for the morning after with your special someone.
Perk Eatery
6501 E. Greenway Parkway
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(480) 998 – 6063
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