Big Flavors

On this episode of “Check, Please! Arizona,” guests enjoy a variety of unique and flavorful dishes from restaurants across Arizona.

To kick off the episode, guest Caryn Lewis recommended Beginner’s Luck. Bernie Kantak, chef and owner, said him and his business partner think of Beginner’s Luck as their homage to diners. Kantak said eating at Beginner’s Luck reminds him of the meals he shared at his grandmother’s house. He said the space has a cozy atmosphere, leaving guests with the same feelings he had sharing meals at his grandmother’s kitchen.

Next up is guest Katie Smith with Happy Baos. Matthew Ma, the owner of Happ Baos, said the restaurant is a mixture of Northern and Chinese cuisine where all of the noodles, dumplings and baos are handmade. He said bao, which translates to bun, is needed dough that is filled with different types of filings such as chicken, pork, beef and vegetables. For guests trying Happy Baos for the first time, he would recommend ordering from the house favorites page on the menu.

Finally, we hear from guest Sarah Yaron and her pick Casa de Falafel. Khalid Shakir, the general manager, said the restaurant is family-owned and serves top quality cuisine. He said their signature item, their falafels, are in a shape of a ring to ensure all parts of the falafel are crispy and cooked to perfection. The lentil soup, which has been on the menu for years, is a family recipe. He said, unlike typical lentil soups, they offer a creamy take on the delicious dish.