I lived in walking distance of this place for two years and it sat empty. I finally move and a great place opens up...WTH? I am very happy that Ahwatukee is finally getting a few places that are up to my urban girl standards (Hillside Spot and Pomegranate). I was waiting like a kid on Christmas day for this place to open. One Sunday while at the Farmers Market I passed by and it was jammed packed. Not what I was looking for on a quite Sunday morning. I stopped by again during the week and they were closed. Talk about disappointed. I did snag a menu and it looked rather promising.
A few weeks go by and I stop in for lunch. The place is crowded but not crazy crowded. I go up to the counter and order and they give you a little number for your table or they call your name, I can't remember. I grabbed my drink at the self service area. I got a great ice tea. This is coming from a complete tea snob. I waited a few minutes and out came my tuna sandwich. To my surprise the bread was toasted. OK so I am about to go on a bit of a tangent here...TEXTURE, TEXTURE, TEXTURE. I hate tuna sandwiches on soft bread. It feels like a pile of mush in your mouth. Totally yucky in my book. But this sandwich was on toast...YEAH someone got the texture memo. However, the tuna was bland, with a bit more seasoning this could be an awesome sammie.
My next encounter was a few days ago. Just finished hiking South Mtn and decided to stop in with a friend. We were not starving but wanted a little something. I was told for dinner they have table service. OK I am standing at the register like it is lunch time. Maybe they should have a sign up for that. No biggie. The dinner menu was very small. I found myself looking at the lunch menu wishing some of the selections were available for dinner. We decide to split the Derby Salad and french fries. We wait what seems like forever and our fries come out by a runner. She says the salad would be out shortly. Well the salad took forever and a day. We were almost finished with the fries by the time the salad came out.
The kitchen is open so I could hear the cooks having some issues with my salad. It appeared that one of the ingredients was missing (bacon) but they located some and fried it up. It was a nice touch to the salad. But as long as I waited I could have done without it. The fries were fresh cut and just the right amount of seasoning. On my way out I spotted the biggest slice of red velvet cake in the cooler. OMG a little bit of the South started to come out. If you lived in the South you know what I mean. Red velvet cake is one of my favorites. I asked about the price and it was a very inexpensive $4.50. Wow what a steal. But today is not cheat day so I have to wait.
The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is cool. However, a bit dark inside at night. This place has great potential. A definite need for this neighborhood. I think the menu might have to get tweaked and maybe the kitchen staff could be better prepared. As time goes on I am sure they will work out the kinks. All in all I don't think you would be disappointed.