I am as fascinated by architecture as I am by food. OK, that’s not true, but architecture is a close second. When I noticed a unique round structure going up on the northwest corner of Campbell and 40th Streets, I knew it was the work of internationally renowned architect and Valley resident, Will Bruder. Who else can make square concrete blocks curve into a circle? This artistry I have seen before, and there is a Jewish connection here. Will Bruder is the architect of Temple Kol Ami, a
Reform congregation in Scottsdale, as well as the Phoenix Public Library and many other wonderful public spaces of learning and culture.
But who would commission Will Bruder to build a hamburger stand? It had to be someone who perceives food as art, who needs to conserve resources (in this case, space, as it is a small lot) and who wants to make a statement that ordinary materials can make beautiful things. Will Bruder can use concrete block, natural light and wood to create a simple sanctuary. This time the sanctuary is for the LGO group (owners of La Grande Orange, Chelsea’s Kitchen, et al.) for their newest venture, Ingo’s Tasty Food. Like the structure, the restaurant’s chefs have taken ordinary materials like burgers, salads and chicken and created their own artistry.
Ingo’s Tasty Food is another wildly popular, hard-to-park-at (I counted 13 parking spaces), casual neighborhood spot created by LGO. It features sandwiches, salads, craft beers, homemade lemonade and sangria – all at reasonable prices. There is seating inside or out, a walk-up window for takeout and a beautiful, umbrella-bedecked outdoor space with table service. Inside the round restaurant is a curved dining counter where you are mere feet from the kitchen. It’s fun to watch the creativity as you eat. The staff members are very friendly and eager to share samples and talk about the food. On my first visit, here is what I had:
Fresh Shattered Potato Chips, $3.75
Sea salt, cracked pepper, lebni
Freshly made and served warm, the chips are a crispy golden brown with a divine crunch. Perched on the side of the paper bowl is a generous dollop of lebni, a soft, sour cream-textured, tangy Mediterranean cheese that tastes a lot like hummus and is garnished with parsley. These are a must try.
JC’s Egg Salad (11 am-noon only), $5.75
Add toppings for $1 each
I love egg salad and made sure I was standing at the door at 11 am. I thought I was ordering a sandwich, but what was delivered was a slice of heaven. Laid out in a paper tray were beautifully cooked, still warm, soft-boiled eggs that had been lovingly chopped and lightly tossed in mayo, resting on a panini pressed English muffin, garnished with parsley. At the last minute, I added a topping of white anchovies. I know anchovies aren’t for everyone, but these warm, salty fish really made the dish pop. My eyes grew wide as this was far from the sandwich I was expecting, and I never rested between bites. Another must try.
Post It Salad, $6.50
Roasted sunchoke, Bosc pear, radish, ricotta salata, salsa verde
It’s called a Post It Salad because the specials of the day are written down on Post-it Notes and stuck to your table when the server comes. It was a very fresh serving of salad with a unique olive oil-based dressing. The ricotta salata is a dry, salted cheese, so everything in this bowl has crunch. There’s plenty of it and this salad can be easily shared.
Ice Cream Sandwich, $3.25 (not on the menu)
Peanut butter gelato between two chocolate wafer cookies
A lovely ending to a delicious meal. Cold, fresh, not too rich and just the right size. This little dessert did the trick. On my first visit I did wince at the use of plasticware and paper plates, but I understand that there simply isn’t room for a large dishwashing operation. When I returned for another visit to sample the meat dishes, I was conerned about the lack of a knife. But they cut sandwiches for you so you don’t need a knife and they do a good job of minimizing waste.
Paris, Texas Burger, $7.95
Strauss family grass-fed beef, apple BBQ sauce, lettuce, dill pickle
The best place to start describing this awesome burger is with the bun. Homemade bread that comes from the LGO Bake Shop across the street, fresh and lightly toasted, serves as the foundation (and looks a lot like the round building). Under the bun is a delicious, juicy patty, cooked to my order, bathed in a sweet smoky sauce, lettuce and a dill pickle that is just tops. It’s a burger lover’s dream
Crispy Chicken Sandwich, $7.60
Organic chicken schnitzel, dill pickle, Granny Smith apple, spicy aioli
I am a 100% burger lover, but this sandwich was my favorite. It starts again with the bun and works its way to a juicy, delicious, fried white meat chunk of chicken whose texture begs you to take another bite. The unexpected apple adds a nice fresh balance, and the spicy aioli is a big part of why you won’t put this sandwich down. The sandwich is spicy, so for the less adventurous, get the aioli on the side and add to your heart’s content. You will love this.
Fresh Brewed Teas and Lemonade, $2.75
l made on site and very fresh. The lemonade is tart and is unapologetic about containing pulp and seeds. The teas are served in chilled glass bottles and are simply delightful. There is a parking lot attendant to point you in the right direction when it gets busy, and quite honestly, the food is worth the hassle. Ingo’s Tasty Treats has taken simple foods and made them beautiful, and that theme is carried throughout the building and its people. Food for thought? Definitely!
