Cork 'n Cleaver
There is something that needs clearing up. I get a lot of questions like, "What is an authentic Phoenix place to eat?" How does one answer that. Most locals would reply with something southwestern or Mexican, which is a great response and you know I love that food. But there is a whole category of rustic, deeply devoted Phoenix restaurants that needs to be included. Cork 'n Cleaver is one of them.
A casual, southwest-inspired, rustic ambience awaits you through the cantina-style doors, as do the wafts of steak and potatoes. It feels like an old home because of all the different rooms (which, for some reason, I absolutely love in restaurants across the board), but the people also feel like Phoenix. Any given night, a few "famous" faces who just need a good steak (who doesn't), the golfers dining in the bar, the neighbors who stroll in wearing Tommy Bahama shirts, the gals in cotton skirts and sandals - everyone seemingly recuperating from a great day outside. It's that kind of neighborhood place.
But let's not miss the dining highlights - first of all, the menu is actually on a cleaver.
And it's heavy. To work off the famous mud pie that I knew I was having for dessert, I did bicep curls under the table when the waiter wasn't looking. Just kidding. Sort of. (Cleaver curls?)
They also have a salad bar, and you know how that goes - you've gotta scope it out. But this, fellas, is a classy salad bar, where the vegetables have color and are crispy-fresh. The salad bar is always about piling-on-the-goodies, which must be why they end the run with gummi bears and m&ms.
If you're going, I recommend the fish of the day - it's perfectly cooked. But start with the blackened shrimp appetizer, let your date get a steak and share, and then end with the aforementioned mud pie.
Before you leave, take note of the photos taken by Barry Goldwater in the lobby - hard to come by anywhere in Phoenix. If it's good enough for Barry, it's good enough for me.
Located on 44th Street and Camelback
5101 N 44th St
Phoenix, AZ 85018
(602) 952-0585
