Taste FOOD FILES
THIS SPUD’S FOR YOU The Valley’s most perfect potatoes
Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food for any time of the year, especially during winter. They are so popular, in fact, that the average American eats more than 138 pounds of them each year! Read on to discover 12 of the most apeeling takes on taters by Valley chefs.
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
Camp Social
Poutine, $10 A “campy” take on the Canadian classic, this indulgent starter is comprised of fried pickles and French fries smothered with cheddar curds and elk gravy (yes, it’s actually made using elk!) and garnished with cilantro. 6107 N. 7th St., Phoenix; 480.750.0506; www.campsocial.com.
Chompie’s
Grandma Sarah’s Famous Potato Pancakes, $11.49 Named for the owner’s grandmother, this traditional Hanukkah dish starts with hand-grated potatoes mixed with onions, salt, pepper, matzo meal and eggs. They are then hand-molded, fried to crispy perfection, and served three to an order with sour cream and applesauce on the side. Multiple locations; www.chompies.com.
Eddie Merlot’s Top: Mastro’s Bottom: Eddie Merlot’s
Eddie’s Gourmet Black Truffle Tater Tots, $18.95 Start your meal with five housemade tater tots topped with flavorful black truffles and shaved Parmesan cheese, then served atop a dollop of chive sour cream with a garnish of fresh chives. 23207 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.699.0480; www.eddiemerlots.com.
El Chorro
Scalloped Potatoes, $8 Offered as a side dish, El Chorro’s scalloped potatoes are a must-have to complement the restaurant’s surf-and-turf fare. Ooey and gooey, the potatoes are loaded with a combination of heavy cream, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and herbs, then baked to get a slight crisp on top. 5550 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley; 480.948.5170; www.elchorro.com.
Federal Pizza
Sweet Potato Pizza, $13 Dig into a carb-loaded, wood-fired pizza at this award-winning midcentury modern restaurant. It’s crowned with sweet potatoes, sage and ricotta, and it’s also available with a gluten-free crust option. 5210 N. Central Ave., Phoenix; 602.795.2520; www.federalpizza.com.
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Uptown December '17