The Chedda Truck

Food trucks are among one of the most unique forms of dinning there is.  And the truck owners are some of the hardest working people in the food industry. They have to drive, cook, clean, and entertain all at the same time. One prime example is Nick Watts, owner and chef of the Chedda Truck. Nick Watts is a very humble and creative food trucker who opened up his Chedda Truck in October of 2013. Since then, he has started to generate a lot of interest around the east valley and people have come miles around just to eat a burger and some tots. But these are not just any burger or tots….

The "Kill Me Softly" Burger

So what makes the Chedda Truck so unique? It’s the fact that all of Nick’s burgers are inspired by something or someone from his life. With this inspiration, he has been able to create a genuine artist’s burger. Such burgers as his, Kill Me Softly, or The Green Mile. The Kill Me Softly burger is one of the most interesting burgers I have ever eaten and is one I would definitely never get tired of. It has bacon, blue cheese, arugula, cranberry gastrique, a perfect patty, and it is all between a warm Krispy Kreme donut! For many, this could seem offsetting but in reality this burger is definitely a true food lover’s paradise. Nick didn’t just mix random toppings together and call it good, but he actually took the time to create this burger and make sure the flavors would go together and still represent who he is. Now for me to describe this taste is very hard, as so many descriptions come through my mind, but none seem to do it justice. But in an attempt I will try to describe that the strong blue cheese mixed with the sweet Krispy Kreme donut match so perfectly together. And the cranberry gastrique and arugula just top it off.

Then there is The Green Mile filled with Mac-N-Cheese, roasted peppers, bacon, and whole grain mustard. This burger has also topped the charts for creativity and taste. Even the Mac-N-Cheese is enough to make you want more. The next in line is the Silly Round Eye topped with local pastrami, kimchi, Swiss, and Russian tarragon dressing.  Which this burger has really been interesting being my first burger filled with kimchi. But, if still not sold on trying something new and just want a regular burger and fries then he has that too.

Aside from burgers, Nick has a special side dish which he home makes straight from the truck. The Chedda Tots, are truck made tater tots with cheese served with chipotle crème cheese dipping sauce. Then to wash everything down  glass bottled sodas which are the perfect truck refreshment.

The Chedda Truck is definitely hashtag worthy and I can’t wait to go back again and try his other creations. For creativity, taste, and being a cool guy, Nick and his Chedda Truck get a #YES.

The Green Mile

Silly Round Eye 

Taking Pizza To The Bank: Federal Pizza

  Just on the outskirts of Downtown Phoenix right off Central Avenue stands the old First Federal Bank building originally built in the 1950s. Since then however, the bank has changed to a different kind of doe management and is now a modern yet comforting pizza restaurant which fits perfectly for the Phoenix night life. Specializing in wood fired pizzas and their wide drink selection, Federal Pizza is defiantly #hashtag worthy.

Federal Pizza in Downtown Phoenix

  Federal Pizza is not like any other wood fired pizza joint, this joint makes some classic pizzas with that perfect modern flavor. Federal’s Master Baker MJ Coe can pan out a simple yet unmatchable pepperoni pizza or if you’re a real foodie then you will notice the large variety of toppings and the strange combinations that make Federal Pizza what it is today. There is the Brussels Sprout Pizza which of course has Brussels sprouts, in addition to pancetta, manchego, wonderfully roasted garlic, and some lemon zest. Then for a more subtle yet savory pizza, there is Federal Pizza’s Manifesto, which includes mushrooms, Schreiner’s sausage, red sauce, goat cheese, and fennel. Another modern pizza includes Federal’s white sauced Margherita pizza which is very simples yet its flavors go a long way. The Margherita includes house mozz, roasted tomato, basil, and some extra virgin olive oil. Then the last one worth noting (at least so far, I will go back to try the rest soon) is the Casanova. The Casanova includes prosciutto, dates, ricotta, arugula, and pecorino. This pizza really sets the bar that wood fired taste.

  Yet, what’s a restaurant without warming appetizers and a great drink to go along with it all. The Mister Mister is a blend of house mozz, baby artichokes, baby suchini, sweet potatoes, green goddess and romesco. Then to satisfy your thirst, you can order some fresh soothing iced tea or some very modern wine coolers. There is the Strawberry Rhubarb, Mango Basil, and one that is very different but seeming hard to put down is the Grapefruit Ginger.

 

This #hashtag worthy restaurant is defiantly something worth returning two any time of the year. The staffs are amazing, the pizza is baked to perfection, and the drinks are all perfect to help wash it down. Which all of this combined earns Federal Pizza a #YES for both #food and #drinks.