Photos by Nicole Barrett
Grade: B+
Copper Blues, located next to Stand Up Live comedy theater in CityScape, is the scene for some unique eats as well as traditional favorites.
The rock pub offers spacious rooms for indoor seating with large windows overlooking downtown, but its lunch crowd was curiously sparse.
The restaurant’s late-night scene features live music and karaoke, but the eatery takes on a different role during the day.
After scrutinizing the menu, I ordered the filet bites as an appetizer.
Cooked in a salt-and-pepper rub that really locked in the moisture, the appetizer consisted of chunks of beef chopped into small, edible squares with just the right amount of fat. The beef was topped with a creamy horseradish sauce that mixed with the juices quite nicely.
The strawberry salad featured a nice combination of mixed greens, cubed chicken, strawberries, feta cheese and Fresno chili peppers.
The ingredients in the salad went well together, but the chicken was too cold and the lettuce was a bit wiry. The chili peppers added a nice kick, but the spice left a powerful aftertaste and was slightly overwhelming. I enjoyed the strawberry vinaigrette dressing, which was the perfect balance to the creamy feta.
The pulled-pork sliders offered a sensational entree and were my personal favorite of the three dishes.
The barbeque sauce was tangy and slightly acidic. The combination of crunchy pickle, fried onion strings and tender meat made for a great sandwich. The sliders had just enough sauce that the bun was moist but not soggy, with a bit of crunch around the edges.
Altogether, Copper Blues offers a nice mix of dishes for the average crowd. Traditional favorites such as potato-skin nachos and mac ‘n’ cheese are paired with more daring menu items like Pork Belly Sliders. Copper Blues also offers pizza, burgers and more than 60 beers on tap. The dishes are substantial portions for the price, where quality is a contributing factor to the overall presentation and flavor.
The restaurant has a clean and sophisticated atmosphere, with friendly service and flavorful entrees that are inviting to the downtown resident out to lunch as well as a group of friends out on a Saturday night.
Contact the reporter at nbarret1@asu.edu
