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Delux Burger is Doin' It Big in Phoenix! @DeluxBurger

If you're big fan of hamburgers, or I should say, if you're a big fan of BIG hamburgers, you need to hit this "little" spot in Phoenix called, Delux Burger!

I've known about Delux Burger, 3146 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, for years, driven by hundreds of times, but on Sunday, July 29, I finally decided to go inside. That was probably one of the best decisions I've made in a long, long time!

Delux Burger has a contemporary but flashy feel to it. You can sit at your own table inside or on the patio, you can post up at the community table in the middle of the restaurant or you can kick it at the bar. I can honestly say this was the prettiest hamburger joint I've ever seen! I saw a mix of families, couples, old and young people eatin' burgers like they were in heaven! And if you're a single man or woman, you're definitely gonna see some eye-candy at Delux.

I ordered the Standard Classic with the delux basket of mixed fries (a combination of sweet potato and ordinary french fries) and I have to say it was one of best burgers I've ever tasted. The burgers are made with Harris Ranch premium beef - I don't know what that means but I wouldn't feel right about eating at McDonalds or Jack In the Box ever again! These burgers almost melt in your mouth, but they'll leave you very full!

Fellas, I wouldn't necessarily call Delux Burger a "first-date" destination, but after a few outings with your favorite girl, you definitely need to take her here for lunch or dinner. If you bring your significant other, you should share the basket of fries, there's more than enough for two in that basket! Delux Burger seems like a good hangout for a group of close friends or for businesspeople.

I didn't try any of the beers there, but the selection at the bar had me salivating! I went to Delux after church so I knew it wouldn't be right to be guzzlin' some Stella Artois after givin' thanks to the Lord, ya feel me? But you will see me there for happy hour real soon!

OK, so you're probably wonderin' if there's somethin' wrong with this joint. Well, you know that sayin, "you get what you pay for?" Well, bring some loot to this place because it aint cheap. I dropped about $35 for two people and we shared the basket of fries! But for you true ballas out there, 35 bones aint nuthin', right?

If you got the late-night munchies, make the trip to Delux. It's open everyday until 2 AM!

Are Black Men in Phoenix Intimidated by Black Women?

Brothas in the Phoenix area ... I've got a question for you. I'm just gonna come out with it because it's been on my mind for the last year. OK, here goes ...

Are you intimidated by black women here in Phoenix?

It hurts to ask this question because I know what life is like as a black man here in Phoenix. We are a true minority and we stick out like a sore thumb everywhere we go in public. Sometimes that works to our advantage and other times, it's a disadvantage.

Because we are such a minority here, I feel that it's important for brothas to support each other. We can only grow stronger if we have each others' backs!

Nonetheless, there's one thing that many of us are doing that is bordering on unacceptable!

We are acting like we are scared to show love to black women in Phoenix!

A lot of black women here are upset at the brothas who engage in interracial dating. They feel that women of other races have snatched up a healthy portion of black men here (which is true).

However, I am NOT addressing the snowbunny catchers!

Instead, I am reaching out to the growing population of black men who declare their strong, undying love for black women here, but seem to be afraid to approach them! This trend is growing at an alarming rate! Phoenix is becoming a fertile ground for wallflowers!!

I can't tell you how many parties and professional networking events I've attended in the last two years where the brothas stand in their own groups and don't say a word to the black women in the room!

I went to a birthday party last month on a Saturday night and I swear there were at least 15-20 single, beautiful, professional black women in the house! I was in awe of some of these women! And you know it's easy to meet women at house parties! You wanna know how many single black men showed up? Only two. It was a damn shame because I saw the guest list - many more brothas were invited and RSVP'd Yes!

You know, I'm not even asking brothas to spit game to every single black woman they see. I'm just asking for black men to politely introduce themselves and strike up a conversation! You don't have to get the drawz that night, you don't even have to get her digits, but wouldn't it be nice if you laid the foundation for a friendship or a relationship by making the bold move of saying, "Hello!"

I encourage you to please tell me, what's goin' on?

This is an open forum for a frank discussion. I'd really like to know if black men in Phoenix are intimidated by black women. Are you a brotha who has wanted to approach a black woman, but somehow talked yourself out of the opportunity? Trust me, I'm not gonna clown you ... I'm just trying to understand. Just click on the Comments section to tell your story.

If I'm asking a ridiculous question, you're welcome to blast me on my Comments section!

By the way, I'm married to a beautiful, black queen so you can't hate on me!

Poppa Maize Gourmet Popcorn Store Pops Up in the Phoenix Area

I love me some regular buttered popcorn, but you can take this tasty snack to another level when you mix it up with different flavors like chocolate, banana, cheese, pineapple and strawberries!

If you have East Coast roots, I'm sure wonderful memories "pop" into your head when you think about gourmet popcorn! Well, you don't have to leave Phoenix to get gourmet popcorn anymore!

My friends Qiana Shaw and Roy Wilson opened their Poppa Maize Gourmet Popcorn store on May 1, 2007 in order to bring spice and variety to their beloved popcorn and share it with Valley residents.

Their store was originally located at 19th Avenue and Greenway Road in Phoenix but has since moved to Tempe.

You can visit their Website - poppamaize.com - to buy bags and gift baskets of their popcorn. They'll ship anywhere in the United States.

Roy and Qiana first discussed the idea of establishing the Poppa Maize Gourmet Popcorn store over dinner Valentine's day 2006. Roy wanted to do something like this since he was a child. After a year of planning and hard work, their dream came true!

Anyone who has an adventurous and curious spirit will enjoy their popcorn! I love the White Chocolate and S'mores flavors.

Poppa Maize's flavors include:

• Cheesy Chipotle
• Backyard Barbeque
• Candy Bar Caramel
• French Onion
• S'mores
• Firecracker Crunch
• White Chocolate
• Chili 'y' Lime
• Cheese
• German Chocolate
• Red Hot Cinnamnon
• Banana
• Pina Colada
• Toasted Coconut
• Toasted Almond
• Toasted Sesame
• Chocolate Almond
• Chocolate Chocolate Chip
• Christmas Crunch
• Pineapple
• Pinaapple Jalapeno
• Sweet Cheese
• Strawberries -n- Cream
• Apple Cinnamon
• Movie Theater Style Buttered

When you get a chance, make sure you drop by the Poppa Maize store!

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