Catching up: A Day Trip to Queen Creek Olive Mill

Okay, so it has been a while since we have posted.... And then, Lindy pulled a REALLY bonehead thing! Let's make a long story short:  Lindy updated our GPS, taking 3 hours and many, many MB's of data--bringing us VERY close to our limit for the "month".....So we were bumped off of the Internet Grid.....Now we are baaaaaaack! Here's the first of several postings from December re: the Roving Riders......

We are enjoying being in the Arizona sun, doing as little as possible!  You don't believe us? We have been enjoying the sun--when it shines! It appears that the North West is fond of sending weather systems down our way....and we have been experiencing some very cool weather. On the other hand, we have enjoyed warm weather as well!

In mid November (11/12/13 to be exact!) we realized the excellent cash value of our 08 Wrangler, so now face the challenges of getting a new vehicle,a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited,  ready for the full time experience. Wednesday, December 4, we drove down to Mesa, AZ (up at 3 am, departed at 5 am) to drop it off for a proper base plate, and installation of the SMI brake system removed from our 2008 Wrangler. We rented a vehicle for the day, and after visiting our old "haunts" in Apache Junction, drove on down to Queen Creek Olive Mill. Here is an interesting bit of history behind Queen Creek Olive Mill, from Arizona Highways. Our first experience wintering in Apache Junction in our first motor home(FRED) was the winter of 2009-2010.  We had the scooters (Lindy a 125 Yamaha Zuma and Mike a 400 Yamaha Majesty), as Mike had brought them down from Gallup in her pickup. We drove them all over the eastern side of the valley, and took many trips down to the Queen Creek Olive Mill. They have delicious breakfasts and lunches, and what better way to access all this deliciousness but to travel on fuel efficient scooters to eat!


December 4, however, was a rainy, COLD day. Fortunately, there was not rain there when we arrived. We walked the dogs, then went in for breakfast, then to SHOP! But, let me first tell you about breakfast....! We shall have to return several times to try each item on the menu.....! Vanilla Bean Olive Oil Waffles we had tried earlier, so we went for one of the Mill Classics, the Olive Farmers Breakfast:  two eggs served "your" way, seasonal fresh fruit or herb roasted smashed potatoes (yes--a smashed roasted potato--very good!), choice of country ham, balsamic cured peppered bacon or maple sausage (we had the bacon), and toasted farm bread. Other Mill Classic choices were:

• Beast and Eggs:  Country fried top sirloin steak, two eggs served your way, Caramelized Red Onion &  Fig Tapenade country gravy
• Olive Mill Benedict:  Two poached eggs on toasted focaccia, capicola ham, Artichoke & Roasted Garlic Tapenade, house hollandaise
• Arcangelo Benny:  Two poachedd eggs on toasted focaccia, balsamic cured pepper baon, avocado, resh chopped tomatoes, house hollandaise.
• Corned Beef Hash:  two eggs served your way, house hash, toasted focaccia
• Italian Toast:  golden griddled, secret battered Challah bread, banana brule, Nutella, Honey Mascarpone drizzle, house maple syrup

Frittata Sandwich:  Panini grilled fluffy omelette sandwich on rosmary facacia, fontina chese with a variety of add ons...

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes:  three homemade ricotta pancakes, toasted and crushed Arizona pecans, Honey Mascarpone, sugar dust, house maple syrup

Piggy Pop:  Port Shop sausage dipped in our vanilla bean waffle batter then deep fried served with house syrup on a stick

Three Egg Omelettes:  choice of fresh fruit, or herb roasted smashed potatoes served with toasted farm bread.

• Basilica Tomatoes, spinach, mozzarella cheese, Queen Creek Olive Mill Tuscan Estate EVOO
• Maiale Arrabiata (Angry Pig):  Balsamic cured pepper bacon, sweet Port Shop sausage, onions, provolone cheese, tomatoes
• Piemonte Mushrooms, onion, roasted peppers, garlic, Grana Padano cheese, Queen Creek Olive Mill Peach Caponatina
• Marche Geonoa salami, fennel, Pecorino, finished with Queen Creek Olive Mill Meyer Lemon EVOO

Then items from the Bakery, and Sides.....plus coffee and Brunch Cocktails! Are you planning YOUR trip?!  

On our earlier trips we tasted everything, and found this tapenade delicious, especially on their bread! Of course we bought a couple of bottles of olive oil. They have several varieties for those of you desiring same. Check out their store!

We could not wait to taste the lemon and orange cupcakes. Immediately we noticed that they were much smaller than we remembered, and we discovered that they were not as good....Perhaps traveling down with the wind rustling around you, trying your very best to avoid the crazies, and be a good motor scooter driver, one developed a different appetite....Frankly, we were disappointed in the cupcakes.....Perhaps we will have to go again, to test them once again! Good idea!

If you are in the area, consider a visit! We certainly enjoy it and will be returning!

Roving Riders, enjoying Arizona!