Archive for November 24th, 2009

As  I was on my way with my husband to go do a review (I even made reservations) my husband mentions that we will be close to Lo Lo’s in Scottsdale so, “why don’t we go there?”  I wasn’t surprised, as he is very skeptical about going to fine dining institutions with me; it’s just not his thing.  He was lucky that fried chicken was sounding good, cause I called and canceled our reservation and we headed out to Thomas and Scottsdale rd!  Lo Lo’s is easy to find, located on the southwest corner of Thomas and Scottsdale Rds in the corner of a strip mall that has an Albertsons in it.

We walked in and starting looking for a table since there was no sign that said “wait to be seated”, we were quickly told by diners that we do wait.  So we patiently awaited our hostess who took us to our table.  Now ladies…just a word to the wise..Lo Lo’s cooks massive amounts of deep fried chicken every day and because of that, their floor is slippery.  Strange thing to have to mention in a dining review, but I was wearing heels and almost ended up on my face.  I guess the grease from the floor in the kitchen just makes its way out into the dining room which doesn’t bother me at all, just wanted to forewarn.

took me back in the day!

I’ve already checked out Lo Lo’s menu many a times online so I already knew I was getting the soul food platter ($13.) and red koolaid ($2.5).  My only decision was what two sides did I want?? They all looked so amazing.  From earlier recommendations I ordered the greens and the mac n cheese.  Really felt the need to try the candied sweets ($3.5) so we threw in a side of those as well! If you know the food tramp, you know I got that chicken smothered with gravy and onions baby!   The man got the Sheedah’s special ($9.) which comes with two pieces of chicken with a waffle.  A side of collard greens was added for ($3.5).  Don’t forget the sweet tea, his favorite for ($2.5). 

the food tramp was in love

no words to describe this

This food was top notch, exactly how I read it was by other bloggers and more!  Now, I know that Lo Lo’s and Noca had a fried chicken throwdown a few weeks ago, but I seriously am wondering how Noca won!?  This chicken was so moist, that even after it being deep fried, it was falling off the bone!  The greens were very tasty and had a quick hit of heat which was just right and left me wanting more.  The mac n cheese was one of my favs of the night.  Reminded me of how my grandmother used to make it, using real cheese and processed cheese slices for a rich creamy cheese flavor.  The candied sweets were also great, very traditional the way I make them at home.  Jeremy thoroughly enjoyed his chicken and waffles as they were gone in mere minutes!

I have to say that I’m super happy that my husband reminded me that I needed to do a review here, it was a great last minute change to the itinerary!  We will be returning back in the near future and bringing the kids, as we both knew they’d love all of this down home southern cooking.

Lo Lo’s Chicken & Waffles

2765 N. Scottsdale Rd

Scottsdale AZ, 85257

480-945-1920

After just finishing up the daunting barbie cake four weeks ago, I went through a dilemma about my son’s cake.  I knew I was doing a farm theme because I had already purchased the decorations.  I wasn’t sure if I should use round pans and make animal cake faces or do a 3d farm and make cupcake animals??? Boy am I glad I did cupcake animals!  However, this may be dangerous as I may never go back to a regular cake again.  The cupcakes were so much fun to make and the kids just adored them.  Also, so easy to serve and much less mess!!  I made the farm out of two eight inch square pans and had the exact perfect amount to even make a pitched roof with cake.  Used rice chex to do the roof and yellow colored coconut to show hay coming out of the window.

The decorating was easy but time consuming.  Just frosting and decorating the cake and animals took four hours.  I made two batches of the frosting recipe I have posted in a previous blog and used gel coloring to make yellow, red, and pink frosting.  I also kept some plain white aside for the chicks and the sheep. 

For the pigs I used strawberry wafer cookies for the ears, strawberry full sized marshmallows for the nose, and chocolate chips  for the eyes.  The chicks I frosted white and then tinted sweetened coconut flakes a bright yellow color.  You can tint coconut easily with a tiny bit of gel coloring mixed with a minuscule amount of warm water, then toss into coconut, and voila!  I also used mini orange marshmallows for the chick’s beak and chocolate chips for the eyes.  The sheep were the cutest in my eyes and the best to make.  They just look so fluffy   These I made with the large strawberry marshmallows, vanilla and chocolate wafers for the ears and lots of mini marshmallow (cut in half) to make a fluffy fleece.  I tinted coconut for the grass and turned two cupcakes upside down and used a grass tip on my piping bag to make it look like haystacks.  Easily doable and the kids will be very happy…just like my little bubba was right here….

the birthday boy