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| "We're all about recreational shopping" sez the Mesa Market Swap Meet |
Time to kill on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus a hankering to shop until you need a foot
rub and a place to rest your bottom? You
will probably find what you’re looking for (and then some) at the Mesa Market Swap Meet, but it may take a while. The term “miles of aisles” truly applies, as
does “as seen on TV”; although there are only two aisles, they do appear to go
on for miles, booth after booth of everything from car seat covers to laser-cut
sun catchers and local stone jewelry. More of a mall similar to state fair
sales barns than a place where individuals sell their antiques and unwanted
items, the Swap Meet does have something for everyone. But your wallet will be
the better for it if you know what you’re looking for, or you might come home
scratching your head over the woven lap rug you just bought with a picture of
a Comanche chief superimposed over an eagle and American flag.
There is a snack bar (hot dogs, tacos etc.) on the premises
if the need strikes. The website offers coupons, and there's often live music on the weekends.
If there were a Chinese word for "beloved
dive with good food" (and there probably is), it's the perfect description
of Wongs Chinese Dining.. The people who run it are friendly and helpful (free fried wontons
while you wait!), And the place is buzzing at lunchtime. I chose it because it
was “where the locals eat” - a big Hispanic favorite - and close to the airport
car rental place; from the outside, “unassuming” doesn’t cover it - “condemned”
seems more accurate at first glance (I think the older part of the building IS condemned, judging from the chain link fence around it), but don't be fooled. My traveler instincts
kicked in and said “take a chance”. I'm glad I did. 
Pic is of pork egg foo young, as big as your
head! The pork, in this case, is char sui, bits of Chinese-style red barbecued
pork; it's covered with a heavier-than-usual pork-based gravy, but very tasty,
nonetheless. Visitors have to wander back through the kitchen to get to the bathroom; consider it an opportunity to wave to the family busily cooking everything to order.
Places I didn't get to, but wish I did:
Scottsdale
Thursday Evening Art Walk, 6:30-9PM in the "art district", along Main
Street from Scottsdale Road to Goldwater Blvd. has been going strong
since 1975. Live music, restaurants, fountains, statues and a generally
festive atmosphere sound like lots of fun http://scottsdalegalleries.com/about/map/
10550 E. Baseline Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85209
http://mesamarket.com/
Wong's Chinese Dining
1139 E. Buckeye Rd., Phoenix
Yelp Reviews (There's more than one Wong's - this is the "right" one): https://www.yelp.com/biz/wongs-chinese-dining-phoenix
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