Q: positive

A: The salsa bar IS the best in phoenix. Just tried the Napoleon taco made with filet mignon: loved the sauce with mushrooms and crunchy onions, as good as what you would find in a fine dining restaurant. This will be my new favorite along with the cabo shrimp taco: big fresh and juicy shrimp fried to perfection! I also love their quesadillas...not like anything you would get anywhere else.

Q: negative

A: I finally got around to visiting the MIM today with my daughter. All of the glowing reviews of the building, the exhibits, the vastness are true. I take no issue with the content of the museum I was really enjoying our visit until we got to the end of it and started inquiring about membership, as it seemed like it would be practical to put our rather hefty ticket prices toward joining as a family. I have memberships at the Phoenix Art Museum ($90 for a family, with unlimited visits and other perks), the Science Center ($115/family), the Heard ($75/Family) and SMOCA (don't have the number handy, but it's on par with the others) and was expecting the MIM to have something in those ranges. Instead they offered me a $250 "donation" package that could buy either unlimited visits for 2 people (I have a family of four) or 10 tickets to be used during the year, with virtually no other benefits such as discounted concert tickets. My enthusiasm for the museum continued to decline as I looked more into the money side of things, for example: --They do not offer discounted or free admission at any point, unlike many city museums --There is no participation in the library Culture Pass program, which would at least make the museum accessible for a few families who can't otherwise afford to go --No reciprocity with other museums if you buy a membership --There are no afternoon concerts, virtually eliminating the involvement of young children and their parents in the live music opportunities there (nevermind the added cost of a babysitter if parents want to go out) --Its location requires travel by car or (I imagine) a pretty long bus ride, with no contribution to the walking/public transportation culture that Phoenix is trying to cultivate In short, the MIM might as well hang a sign outside that says "NO POOR PEOPLE ALLOWED" because they are actively discouraging the attendance of a large percentage of its home city. I wonder if the indigenous people and the music educators and pioneers featured in the exhibits, without whom the museum would not exist, could afford to buy tickets or memberships to the museum that claims to champion their contributions to history? I am disappointed and ashamed that this lovely new addition to the Phoenix museum culture has made the decision to be so exclusive. I would love to be proven wrong, and invite anyone who knows about such things behind the scenes to explain to me how my impressions are inaccurate. I will take my $250 membership "donation" and give it to KBAQ, where anyone with access to a radio can listen to music regardless of income level.

Q: positive

A: This place is SOO yummy! Everything tastes so fresh! I don't know how they make a club sandwich taste so darn good, but they do!! They're soups are always super flavorful and delicious! This is our favorite place to go on our lunch breaks! Great food and great service!

Q: positive

A:
Stopped by at random, chefs are friendly and the food is fresh! All you can eat! Try the Tuna Karai if you like sashimi, delicious!