Guess who's back... Back again, with another review... Andre's back reviewing again... So tell a friend. (while reading intro please play Eminem song "Guess who's back.")

I know it has been a while and I do apologize many times over, but as I explained in my previous blog, things were hectic for a while. So bear with me now -- I might not be as sharp as before and need a little practice in writing my palate-pleasing reviews once again.

If you're not aware yet (headlines flash) "DODGERS LEAVING VERO BEACH, MOVING TO PHOENIX FOR SPRING TRAINING." Queue the 'dum dum dum' music.

I know this has been known for a while and is the cause for some excitement for Dodger fans in LA simply for the fact that the Dodgers will now be much more accessible during the training in spring. But I know the anxiety that has overcome many of the fans with this move to Phoenix -- "but where do we grab a good bite to eat?" Well, rest assured Dodger fans, this food blogger happens to be born and raised in Phoenix and can't wait to share some of his fave spots with you.

Now that I can feel the ease come upon you, you are now ready to take my upcoming reviews to use and start planning your trips for Spring Training.

Yee-haw...here we go...

Most of the places I choose to review are gonna be in proximity to ballparks around Phoenix, so you will be able to make complete day trips out of it. First up is a great hole-in-the-wall place that sits in the middle of the triangle that is Surprise Stadium, Peoria Sports Complex and your Dodgers' ballpark, Camelback Ranch.

Niño's Mexican food sits in a non descript grocery store strip mall in the aging, graceful town of Sun City (if you're not aware of what Sun City is, look it up). One might ask, "Andre, how does a youthful man of your age find yourself in Sun City?" Well, it just so happens, of course, that my grandma-ma lives there. Ahhhhhh.

She has been begging me for quite some time to come join her for Saturday lunch at her favorite restaurant. Me being the great grandson, only put it off for a year or so (for the pure fact that older people usually don't still have the palate required to truly pick out great food). Notice the abundance of buffets in Sun City.

We walked into the place which sits in the corner of the strip mall and we were instantly welcomed by Johnny, the owner of Niño's. Of course, he was tipped off to my coming by my grandmother calling ahead and reserving our table. * Side note - Johnny is a huge baseball fan and visits one or two Major League stadiums every summer, so he had been begging my grandmother for me to come in for some time.

He had the table set up with the usual -- chips with two different kinds of salsas (one being mild and the other hot!!) And I do mean hot. This is not to be taken lightly.

As soon as we began to enjoy the chips and salsa, two cheese crisps were brought out. Let me tell you, nothing brings me back to good childhood memories like a nice hot cheese crisp - every kid's main course at a Mexican food restaurant.

I forgot to mention that this little old man, Johnny, happened to take the seat right next to me and grilled me on my experiences of Major League Baseball and how much times have changed since he was young. Great man and above all, one full of so much life.

Now the true test of the place: My plate came out and it smelled, looked, and sizzled with goodness. I had ordered the red chile burrito enchilada style with rice and beans. Wow...let me reminisce. The beans were perfect, the rice full of flavor, and the burrito - well, let's say it's hard to mess up but this one does stand out from others I've had.

You can tell I liked this place, which is not hard to do on the food front, but it was just great down home style Mexican food. I guess it helps when Johnny's daughter is the waitress and his grandson does all the cooking. It's just like being at someone's home.

So, when you stop by here for some great food, don't forget to ask for Johnny cause he'll make it feel just like home.

Well, it has been a while since I last updated my blog with a new review, but you've got to understand that it was a hectic last two months of the season. From us chasing the playoffs and holding on to be the NL West champs, to us starting playoffs and being on the road to start both series.

The season was a lot of fun we did have many "downs," during but definately had more "ups" when it counted and just came up a little short. This was my second playoff experience and the first that I got a full taste of what its like to play on that stage.

The Cubs series was a blast. Many people doubted that we could go in there and take care of arguably the best team in baseball, but we were not lacking confidence when we marched into wrigley and won that first game. You could say it was our momentum from ending the season that helped us, but I've got to give some of the credit to T.J. Simers for reminding us everyday a month prior to the playoffs that "this organization had only won one playoff game in the last 20 years" (no pressure). It was nice to come back home with a two-game lead and win the series in front of our home crowd and allow them to enjoy the accomplishment.

Next up was Philly. I know it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, but what can you say? They were the hottest team at the right time and played unbelievable ball in the month of October. They made all the plays they had to and the ones they didn't. They deserved to win that series  with the way they came together at the end. There are many things one could say we could of done differently, but we ran into a buzz saw. But for those of us returning, we are a year wiser and playoff tested to try a make another run in '09.

Now that I am out of breath, I would like all my faithful readers and ones who might occasionally glance to know I will be starting soon a Spring Training review here in my hometown of Phoenix --  some of my fave spots in the desert to grab a good bite. I'll try to make most of them around other Valley Spring Training sites, but btw I don't do Tucson.

Hopefully this will give you guys a chance to plan ahead and get excited for the '09 season. I'm not gonna lie -- I love the off time and being at home but the itch to put on those Dodger blues is growing in my belly already. So let me be the first to welcome everyone to my hometown, where I grew up and the best place for Spring Training. Can't wait to see you guys in February.

Andre