Skip to main content

State 48 Brewery ~ Gilbert, Arizona


First visit: Nov 2022 (Gilbert)

After a full day of crate digging, I'd built up an appetite. There's nothing walking distance to the hotel, but what would be a close drive that looked appealing? State 48 Brewery went straight to the front and kept the pole position throughout. Had to limit the beer intake, which I usually peg to 2 unless they are really light. Must keep under the legal limit. It's easier to do that locally because I can always come back and try other beers the next time. But I have to avoid the temptation to try more and stay disciplined. The Bier Reise have those two beers cataloged - and they were both delicious.

State 48 is a sharp looking place inside a suburban "town center". Somewhat like Southlake's Town Square for my old NE Tarrant readers. A very spacious place with television screens throughout. I waited until the Cardinals game was over, and even Google Maps warned it was "busier than usual" during the game. And I'm sure that's one of the brewpub's primary functions - that of a sports bar. The timing was perfect really, and the restaurant was busy but comfortable. Plopped myself at the bar - you notice I always "plop myself" at a bar? Not sure why I say that, but I guess that's how it feels. I had peeked at their menu online and was very much intrigued that they had Chicken Parm, though the restaurant doesn't have other Italian specialty items. Giving in to temptation, I had to try it.


And I am so glad I did! Wow - 90% of the Italian restaurants out there do not make it this good. Makes you wonder why not? What a fantastic plate of wonderfulness this turned out to be. See the photo of my dinner. That's what I want chicken parm to look like! Slightly burned gooey cheese, crispy breaded chicken cutlet, all sitting on a bed of penne pasta, with a delicious deep red pomodoro sauce. Comes with a steak knife as you can see - that's what I expect! And it tasted as good as it looks. And steaming hot! Did you hear that - you establishments in Colorado Springs that call yourselves "restaurants"? Make sure that the dish goes from the oven to the table as fast as possible!

Wow - what do I do when I come to Phoenix next time? It will be hard to pass up on Tacos Tijuana and State 48 Brewery - especially considering they have multiple locations in the city. And speaking of that, State 48 has 6 of them throughout the valley. On the question - at least once a year for the annual review. I would be so lucky to have the option.

11/6/22 (new entry)

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Five Guys Burgers and Fries ~ national chain : Colorado Springs, Colorado

Latest visit: Oct 2023 (Colorado Springs - Interquest) First visit: Jan 2007 (Reston, VA) Locations: 49 states + DC. Only Alaska is missing. There are 30 in Colorado (4 in the Springs). That's +3 from last year. Texas has 68 (our former locale of Southlake is closed, so Hurst would have been the closest). There are 123 in California which is their largest state presence. The original Reston location that I first went to is still going.  In what appears to be a recurring theme, I state each year this will be my last visit to Five Guys. Only to return anyway. This year's excuse is I wanted to try their new location, which very recently opened up close to our house. This is definitely the closest we've ever lived to a Five Guys - even the Reston location was further from my office at the time. And I thought maybe it would make a good choice for a weekday lunch while working from home, thus putting Five Guys back into the rotation. I put that idea to the test here this Saturda...
2 comments
Read more

Denver's Old School Italian Restaurants

I know, I know... I haven't posted anything in 6 months. You were checking back every week, then every month and now I've fallen completely off your radar. Sorry about that. My only lame excuse is that I've been "saving up" for a good one. I've been wanting to write about Denver's Italian restaurants since we returned part-time last year. And you all know how the RJG feels about this style of restaurant . As someone who grew up in Dallas, perhaps I've been more drawn to cities that embrace their history rather than completely demolish it. Only recently has Dallas become more acutely aware of their past. Previously, any buildings not in use have been razed as fast as possible, to make way for the next brand new shopping center - all in the latest architecture naturally. Contrarily you have cities like St. Louis that are 19th and 20th century industrial ghost towns - places frozen in time because for most everyone who could, they just up and left to ...
8 comments
Read more

Pietro's Italian ~ Dallas, Texas ***CLOSED***

Last visit: Feb 2016 First visit: Sometime in 1984 When Mr. Music told me this earlier in the year, my heart sunk. It was reason enough to stop talking and writing about restaurants. All I can say is this: We did give you advance notice. The below was published on  March 28, 2010 , so Pietro gave you a good 7 years to check it out. If you missed it, then I'm sorry to say there is no replacement. No other place like it. A part of me went with it too... January 2014 update: Pietro's is as magnificent as ever. Mrs RJG and I just had another exquisite meal here. It remains my all-time favorite restaurant even after 30 years of going here. I beg and urge you all to try it at least once if you have a hankering for Old School Italian food. I'm sure it will not be here forever. Pietro must be close to 80 now, and it's hard to imagine the restaurant without him. We try to go 3 to 4 times a year, almost always on a Saturday or Sunday because of the traffic to get to inner Dalla...
12 comments
Read more