For the fifth consecutive year, chefs from some of the Valley’s most popular restaurants will use their culinary skills to reimagine one of the flavors of Girl Scout cookies – Do-Si-Dos, Samoas, Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Trefoils, S’mores and Savannah Smiles – into a custom dessert menu item.
Each restaurant has agreed to feature its dessert on its menu from February 1 to February 28, with a portion of the proceeds from each dessert sold directly supporting Girl Scouting.
“While I was clearly never an actual Girl Scout, we jumped into the Dessert Challenge in year one headfirst to support the girls and women in this community,” says Michael Rusconi, whose team at Rusconi’s American Kitchen in Paradise Valley area created a Samoa dessert for the first four years, and this year took on Tagalongs.
“All these years later, especially now with their ‘G.I.R.L.s mission, which is focused on fostering go-getters, innovators, risk-takers and leaders, we are doubling down with our support.”
Rusconi’s American Kitchen, along with Olive + Ivy, The Thumb, Lumberyard Brewery in Flagstaff will be inducted into the Girl Scouts’ “Five Timers Club” this year, commemorating their participation in the challenge each year since its inception in 2014.
All the chefs also hope to not only raise critical funds to support local girl scouting in the area, but to inspire home cooks across Arizona to buy an extra box or two this Girl Scout cookie season to create their own desserts, too. The participating restaurants, and their creative desserts, are:
Aioli Burger
Dessert: Tagalong ~ You’re It ~ Premier Milk Shake
Cost: $6
Info: 10652 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, 602.971.5555
Brat Haus
Dessert: Trefoil Meyer Lemon Tart
Cost: $8
Info: 3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.947.4006
Fair Trade Café
Dessert: Pura Vida Cheesecake
Cost: $4.25
Info: 1020 N. First Avenue, Phoenix, 602.354.8150
Fuego Grill
Dessert: Jessie’s Delight
Cost: $4.69
Info: 9118 W. Van Buren Street, Tolleson, 623.478.7300
Grape Wine Bistro
Dessert: Thin Mint Crazy Milkshake Food Coma Ride
Cost: $9
Info: 23335 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.305.0907
Market Street Kitchen
Dessert: Claire’s Badge
Cost: $7
Info: 20825 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.278.7044
Ocean Prime
Dessert: Savannah Smiles Vanilla and Lemon Raspberry Tart
Cost: $12
Info: 5455 E. High Street, Phoenix, 480.347.1313
Olive + Ivy
Dessert: Tagalong Gelato
Cost: $3.25 for one scoop; $4.25 for two scoops; $6 for three scoops
Info: 7135 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, 480.751.2200
Presidio
Dessert: Carlota
Cost: $6.95
Info: 519 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, 602.279.8420
Proof Canteen at the Four Seasons Scottsdale Resort Troon North
Dessert: Thin Mint Chocolate Brownie Pie with Thin Mint Cookie Ice Cream
Cost: $10
Info: 10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive, Scottsdale, 480.513.5085
Revolu Modern Taqueria + Bar
Dessert: Tagalong Chocolate Ice Cream Cake
Cost: $9
Info: 15703 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria, 623.878.0215
Rita’s Kitchen at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn
Dessert: Samoa Trifle
Cost: $10
Info: 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, 480.948.1700
Rusconi’s American Kitchen
Dessert: Banana Cream Pie in a Jar with Tagalong Crust
Cost: $8
Info: 10637 N. Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix, 480.483.0009
Super Chunk Sweets & Treats
Dessert: Pineapple Samoas Cheesecake
Cost: $4.99
Info: 7120 E. Sixth Avenue, Scottsdale, 602.736.2383
The Covenant
Dessert: Crème de Menthe
Cost: $7
Info: 4740 E. Shea Boulevard, Phoenix, 602.595.7440
The Haymaker
Dessert: Mommy’s Spiked Samoa Milkshake
Cost: $6
Info: 24762 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria, 623.566.1515
The Henry
Dessert: Chocolate Fudge Brownie with Mint Crème
Cost: $3
Info: 4455 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.429.8020
The Herb Box (both locations)
Dessert: Vegan Thin Mint Ding Dong
Cost: $8 on restaurant menu; $6 in bakery
Info: 7134 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 480.289.6160; 20707 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.289.6180
The Market Restaurant + Bar by Jennifer’s
Dessert: The Zesty Lemon
Cost: $7
Info: 3603 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602.626.5050
The Thumb
Dessert: S’mores Fudge Pop
Cost: $4.25
Info: 9393 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, 480.513.8186
Tres Leches Café
Dessert: Samoa Mas Latte
Cost: $4.50 for 12 ounce; $5.50 for 16 ounce; $6.50 for 34 ounce
Info: 1330 W. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, 602.253.4925
