Chicago Cubs fans were experiencing some Windy City woes this week, so what better place to heal those wounds than at the destination for this week’s show, Rocco’s Little Chicago Pizzeria!

Herb Stratford, Matt Russell & Rocco DiGrazia

Our celebrity co-host was Herb Stratford, a classic pepperoni guy and director of Film Fest Tucson who revealed some of the fun films in the line-up for his third annual event. We also sat down with veteran Rocco’s manager Evan Stevens, who talked about some of the beverages that were trending behind the bar including old school brews, modern craft brews, and signature cocktails! And then the righteousness of Rocco’s took center stage when Rocco DiGrazia himself, the pride of Chicago’s south side, joined us as we launched National Pizza Month in style!

The “Kitchen Sink” deep dish pizza. There are no words.

We talked about the wisdom of the Windy City that was symbolized by deep dish pizza, Midwestern thin pizza, wings like none other, and a spaghetti and meatballs plate that was inspired by Rocco’s late grandma Marinara Marian.

We’ll see yous guys at Rocco’s!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:45 — 12.5MB)

Polished. Casual. Unconventional. Memorable. Traditional. Modern. These are some of the words that define a downtown hot spot that tells a fascinating story of Japanese culture and cuisine. And we were at the center of that story when we came to you live this weekend from OBON!

Jim Marten, Michael Luria, Matt Russell, Chef Creamer & Marlee Palmer

Our celebrity co-host was fellow whiskey enthusiast and member of the Tucson Medical Center communications team, Jim Marten. Jim showcased some of the Scotches he’s been enjoying in this early fall season with their distinct expressions of barley. We also caught up with Michael Luria of Children’s Museum Tucson who shared the news on his upcoming Evening of Play (an event that Jim Marten is chairing!). We then made our way over to the OBON bar with mixologist Marlee Palmer who revealed some Asian inspirations for her libations, while Chef Creamer whipped up some wonderful and reportedly weird stories from the back of the house.

Fried Spam steam buns with kimchi, house-made pickles, green onion, and spicy mayo. Right?

We experienced the perfect pairing of Marlee’s Gangnam Style cocktail with toasted sesame infused vodka and Creamer’s fried Spam bun with kimchi and ponzu cream!

Outrageously OBON!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:44 — 12.5MB)

You may have seen the news that change was coming to Tucson’s own taco garage. Well, change has come, and we came to you live from the newly imagined space that still promises that they fix hungry, Sir Veza’s Kitchen & Kantina!

Chef Gary Hickey, Ray Flores, Matt Russell, Mike Rapp & Chef Michael Elefante

Our celebrity co-host was fellow foodie and drive-time radio wonder Mike Rapp, host of Tucson Morning News on KQTH, who briefed us on his latest action, including his participation in Real Men Wear Pink to support the American Cancer Society. We were then joined by John Aldecoa of Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ who threw his own hat in the ring to support Mike’s efforts by donating restaurant proceeds to Real Men Wear Pink. Listen for the delicious details! We were then joined by Sir Veza’s own Ray Flores and Gary Hickey who revealed the fresh new concept in a space we’ve loved for years.

And the food?

Man vs. Taco. And it’s a salad!

Our tasting included a hemp tamale, kantina nachos, all-natural Sonoran dogs, and a taco salad served in a 14-inch taco shell that you have to see to believe!

We closed out with Michael Elefante of Mama Louisa’s with information on this year’s Tucson Knife Fight finals!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:50 — 12.6MB)

The Mercado San Agustin & MSA Annex is a vibrant market district on the west end of the Modern Streetcar line and is home to several local destinations for deliciousness, and we came to you live from one of its best…Agustin Kitchen!

Dennis Arnold, Sally Kane, Matt Russell, Chef Alex O’Neill & Chef Javier Castro

Our celebrity co-host was Arizona craft beer pioneer Dennis Arnold of Barrio Brewing Co., who talked about some of the things making news at his tap room. We also checked in with Chef Javier Castro of Casino Del Sol, who shared the latest news from the upcoming House Party to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. We then sat down with two local taste-makers whose concepts at the MSA Annex are buzz worthy, Rebecca Safford of Westbound and Michael McCormick of Kukai! Our featured guests were Agustin Kitchen owner Sally Kane and executive chef Alex O’Neill who walked us through their thoughts on west side cuisine.

A fan favorite: fried cactus pads with a duet of dipping sauces!

They also showcased a fan favorite from the menu, the nopales fries, while teasing us on a new dish about to drop on the new seasonal menu. Coffee-rubbed Arizona filet mignon with Israeli pearls, a coffee-reduction tuile, and young peach gastrique anyone?

See you at MSA!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:04 — 12.8MB)

Food and beverage play central roles in any football experience, and this week’s show was dedicated to the eats, the drinks, and the settings that quickly find their way to any football fan’s heart…the Frozen Cactus Ice Bar & Flame Grill!

Rob Gallo, Richard McClelland, Matt Russell & Hector Sandoval

Our celebrity co-host was fellow foodie, football fanatic, and director of sales for Tucson Indoor Football, Rob Gallo. Rob revealed the latest news on Tucson’s new football team, while sharing some of his favorite game day eats and drinks. We also caught up with national BBQ authority and TV star Danielle “Diva-Q” Bennett, who shared her tips for maximizing your next tailgate party. We were then joined by the Frozen Cactus’ Richard McClelland and Hector Sandoval who took us on a tour of their ice bar and flame grill concept, while showcasing some of the food and brews that make a football game experience complete!

Buttermilk-marinated chicken wings with a sweet and spicy sauce, cotija cheese, and cilantro!

A true touchdown for your taste buds!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:47 — 12.8MB)

Matt was out of town this weekend judging yet another epic food competition, so this show came to you live from the KQTH studio with guest host Fred Ronstadt, executive director of the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association!

Micah Blatt, George Miguel, Maria Mazon, Fred Ronstadt & Ben Sattler

Fred updated us all on the fun and frolic on Fourth Avenue these days, while celebrating the anniversaries of some of the Avenue’s most delicious destinations.

Fred’s guests included Americana Recording Artist George Miguel, Micah Blatt and Ben Sattler of the Drunken Chicken, and Maria Mazon of BOCA Tacos y Tequila.

See you soon on the Avenue!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:38 — 44.6MB)

In the science of food and beverage pairings, not many companions make for a better chemistry connection than a premium hand-made sausage and a local craft beer, and we rejoiced in the bounty of both on this live broadcast from the new Ten Fifty-Five Brewing & Sausage House!

Chris DeSimone, Ema Peterson, Matt Russell, JP Vyborny & Chef Ivor Cryderman

Our celebrity co-host was fellow foodie and AM drive time radio man Chris DeSimone, who shared some of his latest adventures including a recent visit to sausage and suds town Milwaukee! We then caught up with Tom Firth of the Hacienda del Sol who had some delicious things to report about his upcoming Tucson Heritage Food & Wine Festival. Ten Fifty-Five’s co-owner and head brewer JP Vyborny sat down with us as well to share some reflections on the first two weeks in his new downtown digs. Ten Fifty-Five’s chef Ivor Cryderman joined the party as well and told some stories about his culinary journey, his great, great, great grandmother’s role on his menu, and his passion for sausages.

The Leap Polish sausage, inspired by Chef Ivor Cryderman’s great, great, great grandmother!

We even got to try a tasty trio…Leap Polish sausage, Belgian fries, and some pimiento cheese! Ema Peterson of the Beer Geek Bakery wrapped things up with some beer-forward desserts. The cherry oat stout chocolate brownie with a sage crust was bomb!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:28 — 12.7MB)

Every year for nearly 10 years, we’ve dedicated one entire broadcast to the beauty that is the BBQ rib, in preparation for our annual pork pilgrimage to the Nugget Rib Cook-Off in Sparks, NV. This week’s show was the 2018 edition, which came to you live from Tucson’s Hardwood Headquarters..Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue!

Alan Zeman, Matt Russell & Ken Alexander

Our celebrity co-host was returning lead judge at the Nugget Rib Cook-Off, the Fuego Daddy himself, Alan Zeman, who shared some inside news on this annual pork-a-palooza and walked us through the judging categories and process. We were then honored to hang out with Ken Alexander, of Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue, who took our taste buds on a tour of his concept, a journey that started as a kid growing up in Louisville that evolved into a passion for local brews, a fun and fascinating tribute to Big Red soda (what he calls a must for pairing with southern BBQ), and some pretty righteous racks of ribs.

Ken is a master storyteller, especially when it comes to his perspective on ribs!

We had ours rubbed, smoked, and delicately dipped into his house-made Memphis Mild sauce. A smokin’ hot time awaits you at Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:55 — 12.8MB)

This week’s broadcast was the second in a two-part series of shows designed to prepare your palates for our Culinary and Cocktail Cruise of a Lifetime, and we revealed what awaits us in Greece, live from a Tucson taverna that transports your palates to the Hellenic Republic…Pelio Grill!

Lisa Summer, George Markou, Matt Russell & Chris Cohen

Our celebrity co-host was luxury travel specialist with Bon Voyage Travel Lisa Summer, who shared some of what she and her team have planned for us in the Greek Isles. Our resident olive oil authority Tom Alfonso, of Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil & Balsamics, also joined the conversation with his thoughts on Greek olives and Greek olive oils. We then shifted from oil to ouzo, Greece’s national spirit, when Chris Cohen of Young’s Market Company presided over Ouzo 101. Pelio Grill’s own George Markou sat down with us as well to discuss the regional expressions of Greek cuisine and how his menu is representative of different styles and traditions.

This is what Greece looks and tastes like! A powerful statement of protein on a platter.

The dolmades were a huge hit, as was the protein platter with Greek sausage, chicken, gyro meat, and a selection of spectacular sauces. νόστιμο!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:50 — 12.8MB)

As our listeners know, we’ll be hosting a culinary and cocktail cruise of a lifetime in October of 2019, and this week’s show was the first of a two-part series to prepare your palates for the trip! On this broadcast we covered the regional Italy and Malta experiences that we’ve planned, and we came to you live from one our favorite destinations for Italian cocktails, wine, and cuisine…Caffe Torino!

Derek Malone, Matt Russell & Ryan Hansen

Our celebrity co-host was the president of Bon Voyage Travel, Ryan Hansen, who talked about a few of the ports and excursions that we’ll enjoy, with an emphasis on food and beverage. We then welcomed Scotty Horn of Celebrity Cruises who revealed the latest on his brand new ship that we’ll all be on together, The Edge! He had us at martini glass-shaped hot tubs! Malta Joe from Malta Joe’s Baked Goods also joined the conversation with an update on his Pastizzi portfolio and some of his favorite things about Malta. We then turned to Italy’s regional expressions of wine and food with Caffe Torino sommelier Derek Malone!

A tasting of Caffe Torino’s Pasta Carbonara – and the secret to the sauce is egg white and parmesan…no heavy cream!

He showcased some of dishes and wines that he thought best represented the adventures that await us next fall. And his Pasta Amatriciana and Carbonara were crowd favorites!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:50 — 12.6MB)