rev:text
| - First visit during their first week of operation. The restaurant is located in the central core of the Tempe Marketplace, sort of in the south-east corner, near the Harkin's Theater complex. Plenty of parking, easy walk to the front door, the restaurant is near the parking area, near Jimmy John's.
The menu is large, so be sure to decide what to order before you go. The 'regular' size bowls are rather large, so are the portions. The small soup bowls are very small, like elementary school size.
Keep in mind, the place is called 'Noodles' any entree you order, the primary ingredient will be pasta, not the meat toppings. We tried the Steak Stroganoff and the Alfredo MontAmore. On both dishes, the sauces and meats were sparse but excellent. We'd both order them again. These are not sugary.
Two others in our group also ordered the Wisconsin Cheesesteak and BBQ Pork sandwiches. Both come from the kitchen much much smaller than the photos online. The meat for the Cheeststeak was the same as the Steak Stroganoff. My friend with the Cheesesteak said he'd never order one again. It was juicy and tender but kind of boring.
The BBQ Pork was topped with coleslaw. The BBQ Pork Sub was described as bland, should probably be re-named Coleslaw Sub with traces of pork.
Both sandwiches came with sides, both got Tomato Basil, both liked that soup but said it was not worth going out to eat.
Process: You order at the counter, sit at a table inside or outside with a numbered sign waiting for food to be delivered to the table. For carry out (you can order online or by phone) stay near the register and listen for your name to get called. With four meals, my time from turning off the Loop 101 to returning to the Loop 101 was about half an hour.
If you are a sugary food fan, like a person who thinks Panda Express is the best, you will probably not like Noodles & Company.
If you get carry-out be mindful of soups in bowls potentially leaking, after you get to the car make sure they're sitting upright in the bag.
Summary: sandwiches were disappointing but noodle based entrees were filling and well made. This is not a fast food restaurant, it's more like a fast-casual restaurant. This is the first Noodles store in Arizona.
|