Page 40 April 2014 “ “ “ “ “ “ “ h h h h h h h h h h hy y y y y y y y y yp p p p p p p p p pe e e e e e e e er r r r r r h h h h h h h h h h hiiiiiiiip p p p, , s su u up pe er r c cr re ea at t tiive e, p p p e e ex x xt tr ra ao or rdiin na a ar r r ry y y y s s su us sh hii. ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” – Z Z A A AGAT T W Scottsdale • 480.970.2121 sushiroku.com 1/2 OFF! Bottles of Wine & Sake SUNDAY & MONDAY HAPPY HOUR 4-6:30p DAILY lunch • happy hour • dinner open 7-days a week quick lunch for fast-paced arcadians SE corner indian school + 36th st tucked inside gaslight square (602) 651-1390 nookkitchen.com Continued on page 41 A fresh look at enchiladas By Amanda Goossen For owner and operator Aaron Pool, it all made sense. Gadzooks Enchiladas and Soup. The name may sound odd. The two restaurant specialties a bit of a strange pairing, but for this Arizona native, his dream was something that just had to become a reality. “Enchiladas and soup! As stupid as it sounds, I just knew it. I knew it was going to happen,” said Pool. The passion for enchiladas came from childhood. “I’ve always loved enchiladas,” said Pool. “But once I got a bit older I realized that the plates of bright red enchilada sauce and neon yellow and orange cheese was odd. I started saying, ‘why am I eating this’?” An epiphany came during Christmas break in his last year at ASU. “We were at a cabin during Christmas break and my mom made an enchilada casserole. The same enchilada casserole everyone’s mom makes,” said Pool. “I had a thought that would become the restaurant.” With more of a business mindset than a chef, Pool set out to grow a mere thought into a full blown reality. “I’ve always loved the efficiency of an assembly line,” said Pool. “If I wasn’t in this business, I probably would have gone into the automotive industry.” Pool knew he wanted a fast casual restaurant with an assembly line set up. And enchiladas would be his staple. Think Chipotle but with made to order enchiladas. The recipes, however, would have to be developed. Pool would spend the next two years, camped out in his parent’s kitchen, messing with ingredients and trying to discover his secret recipe. “I knew I had a good concept and a palate that understands good flavors,” said Pool. “My mom is a great cook and baker and I had baked quite a bit. It just came down to working on it.” Pool would spend hours at Ranch Market, seeking out the perfect ingredients before staking his ground and messing with ingredients for hours in his parents’ kitchen. “Some days I would cook all day and get Gadzooks 3313 N. 7th St., Phoenix www.gadzooksaz.com 602-279-5080

Page 41 April 2014 “I owe it all to the support of my parents and to being completely naïve,” said Pool. “Without those two things, none of this could have happened.” And Phoenicians all over the valley are thankful as well. The line of guests proves the popularity and the quality of the menu. Enchiladas made to order in cool, ceramic ramekins are not only the coolest looking plate I’ve seen in quite some time, but the best tasting. Being able to create your own, as you move down the assembly line will give you the piece of mind that things are made just right and watching the kind gal slide your dish into the wood-fire oven to melt the cheesy goodness, is an activity this food lover could watch all day long. Not looking for an enchilada lunch? Not to worry this place has the best tortilla soup I’ve ever tasted. And it too can be customized on the slow crawl down the assembly line with choices of meat, cheese and salsa accompaniments. I could eat this stuff by the truck load, but I promise to save you a bite! And don’t get me started on the street tacos. Did I mention that Gadzooks makes each and every tortilla to order? Fresh pressed masa, which owner Aaron Pool admits hasn’t been an easy task. “There is so much more that goes into a fresh, handmade tortilla than I could of ever imagined,” said Pool. “But it’s so worth it.” Take one bite of any of Gadzooks sizzling plates and see what I mean. Each handmade, well thought out ingredient, recipe and flavor is absolutely worth it. Gadzooks offers made-to-order enchiladas cooked in a wood-fired oven. Thursday, April 17th Throwback thursday Live 50’s & 60’s music Friday, April 25th l ast friday pj Party Games & hulla hoop contest! APRIL EVENTS Diner • Soda Fountain Ice Cream • Candy 602.955.0079 4041 E. Thomas Rd. (Behind Pet Club) bertiesvintage.com Enchiladas Continued from page 40 totally discouraged. I would take weeks off and then try again,” said Pool. “There was so much trial and error.” Along with the recipes, Pool was in need of a name. Many things were tossed around and then his ASU roommate would have an idea. “I knew I didn’t want something general or obvious,” said Pool, laughing, “ salsa was definitely out of the running.” But Pool’s roommate would walk in one afternoon and say, “I always wanted to open a place called “Gadzooks Coffee and Juice.” Pool didn’t know quite what to say. “I looked at him and said, ‘what does that even mean.’” Gadzooks he would discover, is a German expression meaning “Aha!” “I had to laugh. A German expression, representing a Mexican restaurant? And Enchilada and Soup are the entrees,” said Pool. “None of it made any sense, but it was memorable.” Memorable it most definitely is! Within two months of opening, Gadzooks Enchiladas and Soup had a loyal following. Months after that, lunch and dinner brought such a crowd that the line exceeds the door. This month, one year after opening, Pool can’t believe the success. Lunch | Dinner | Social Hour (3-6pm) | Cocktails 2119 E Camelback Rd Ste A21 • Phoenix AZ 85016 602.368.8766 • grassrootscamelback@gmail.com www.grassrootsAZ.com in Town & Country at 20th & Camelback 5029 N 44th Street 5029 N 44th Street 5029 N 44th Street Phoenix AZ 85018 Phoenix AZ 85018 Phoenix AZ 85018 602.954.2040 602.954.2040 602.954.2040 wallysarcadia@gmail.com wallysarcadia@gmail.com wallysarcadia@gmail.com www.wallyspub.com www.wallyspub.com www.wallyspub.com Lunch | Dinner | Happy Hour (3-6pm) “An Arcadia “An Arcadia “An Arcadia Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” Tradition” brought to you by a 4th generation brought to you by a 4th generation brought to you by a 4th generation arcadia restaurant family arcadia restaurant family arcadia restaurant family “Thanks for supporting “Thanks for supporting “Thanks for supporting local businesses” local businesses” local businesses” - wally, matt & christopher - wally, matt & christopher - wally, matt & christopher