GetOut Magazine

Plaid's healthy food a delicious Tempe bargain
Dec. 12, 2002

Buried in a neighborhood just off the ASU campus, Plaid is as colorful and eclectic as its name implies. Specializing in vegetarian cuisine but also offering pork and chicken dishes for the meat lover in your group Plaid is a hit with students and nearby residents. But did all that tofu turn off our reviewers? Read on . . .

Reviewer #1
By ADRIENNE FRANK
Get Out

Wait: We arrived at 2 p.m. on a Wednesday. Unsure whether to place our order at the counter or wait to be seated, it was painfully obvious we were newcomers. Thankfully, though, our server, sensing our uncertainty, kindly instructed us to take any seat we liked.

Service: Cheery and efficient, our server kept a close eye on our water glasses and went out of her way to make us feel welcome.

Recommendations: While the Smokin Turkey ($5.25) smoked turkey breast, roasted tomato, red onions, smoked mozzarella, romaine lettuce and sun-dried tomato olive spread is light and hearty, opt instead for one of the eaterys signature Plaidders. Featuring eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, tofu and onions in a zesty teriyaki sauce over a bed of brown rice, the delightful chicken stir fry ($6.75) is a better bet. Fresh and flavorful, the dish is also extra large, which means youre sure to leave with leftovers.

Scene: A hodgepodge of furniture from a comfy couch to old office chairs to red vinyl booths Plaid is eclectic, casual and cool. Also, colorful works from local artists line the walls, giving the eatery a hip yet unpretentious feel. Attracting a crowd as diverse as its decor, Plaid is the destination of choice for laptop-toting students, checkers- playing pals and neighborhood vegetarians alike.

Bathroom break: Clean but bland, the restroom lacks the personality of the rest of the space. Also, a small poster of advertisements the only decoration on the otherwise naked walls stands in stark contrast to Plaids otherwise anti-corporate air.

Tab for two: $18 with tip for two lunch entrees and one drink.

If work werent buying: Great, healthy fare for low prices? Im so there. Plus, the veggie dumplings stuffed with tofu and veggies and served with a sweet chili sauce have me super- intrigued.

Reviewer #2
By CRYSTAL PETROCELLI
Get Out

Wait: We arrived at 6 p.m. on a Sunday and were kindly told to "Sit anywhere you like."

Service: Aggravatingly slow. Granted, there was only one hostess/waitress working and the atmosphere is of the very mellow variety, but even after taking that into account, the service still stank.

Recommendations: If you're looking for an affordable, tasty and artsy-hip place to eat in Tempe other than Pita Jungle, Plaid is your place. The pesto chicken sandwich is a steal at $5.50. An assortment of delectable fixings sat between two of the softest slices of pillowy bread I've ever had the blessing of biting into. Pieces of tender, marinated chicken basted with pesto were topped with roasted tomato, caramelized onion, sun-dried tomato olive spread and melted mozzarella. No one ingredient, not even the mighty pesto, overpowered the flavor of the others, and the result was sheer sandwich satisfaction. One suggestion: Swap those straight-from-the-bag tortilla chips that come on the side with something more edible.

Scene: After a long "Table for Two" decor dry spell, it was an absolute pleasure to dine in a place with some style. The smallish restaurant and bar is awash in a multitude of dark colors, creating a warm and cozy feel. The yard- sale sofas, coffee tables strewn with magazines ranging from Nylon to Traveler to Spin and cushioned lounging chairs added to the make-yourself-at- home vibe. Abstract lighting (e.g. a glass white-grape bundle piece glowing softly in the middle of the room and tiny lamps with different shades for each table) mingled with vibrant, local artwork to give Plaid a funky, fresh flavor. Among the many options for hippest item, my fave was the oversize antique espresso machine with wooden handles and knobs.

Bathroom break: It's bare-bones, especially in comparison to the dining area. But, it was tidy, large and a single unit, so I'm not complaining.

Tab for two: $23 with tip for two entrees, a dessert and one soda.

If work werent buying: Being the bread lover that I am, I've been craving that impossibly soft sandwich for days and can't wait for my next Plaid pit stop.

Plaid Eatery
1044 S. Terrace Road, Tempe

Major cross streets: Terrace Road and Lemon Street
Hours: 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Reservations accepted: No
Prices: $4.95-$6.95
Most interesting item: Tiger Tofu or Chicken Sandwich (sautéed tofu or chicken stuffed with red onions, ginger slaw, radish, cabbage and sprouts, drizzled with a Vietnamese red chili vinaigrette and soybean paste), $5.75