Texaz Grill – Phoenix, Arizona
My travels throughout the fruited plain have taught me that there are attitudinal differences between residents of different states. Most people have significant pride in their homestate and don’t necessarily think that highly of neighboring states. More than any state, the Lone Star state will broach no claims of superiority by any other state. The saying that “everything is bigger in Texas” actually means “everything is better in Texas.” Barbecue is better, football is better, country music is better and Tex-Mex is the only acceptable derivative of Mexican food. Don’t ask me. Ask anyone from Texas. Some forty years ago (1985) when the Texaz Grill opened under the name “Lone Star Steaks” at 16th Street and Bethany Home Road, they conceived the restaurant as the Valley of the Sun’s first proper Texas steakhouse. That means aged, choice beef hand-cut on premises by a real Texan. While Phoenicians quickly embraced the steakhouse’s chops and filets, they were even more enamored of Texaz chicken fried steak (which was on the menu solely at the request of Texas customers). The spirit of Texas is infused in virtually every square inch of the restaurant. Memorabilia and bric-a-brac are strewn throughout the space’s tight confines. …