ADRESSS: 9440 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria.

PHONE NUMBER: 623-979-0979.

HOURS: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

OWNER: Andrea Ramsey, proprietress.

CUISINE: Mexican and American with a twist of Greek and a sprinkle of Italian.

SEATS: 220 seats.

OPEN SINCE: Although Earl's originated in the 1960s, Crazy Earl's became official Feb. 19.

WEB SITE: www.eatatcrazyearls.com is under construction.

SPECIALTY OF THE HOUSE: No. 1 Combo: The Chimichanga Special stuffed with shredded beef, ground beef or shredded chicken, served enchilada-style and topped with melted cheese, sour cream and homemade guacamole, as well as a side of rice and beans; Indian fry bread topped with beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese and a choice of meat, green or red chili, steak or chicken, ground beef or shredded beef, if desired; Philly cheesesteak - lean steak, thinly sliced and seasoned, sauteed with onions and green peppers and topped with melted mozzarella cheese piled into a housemade, fresh-baked sub roll.

POPULAR APPETIZER: Mexican pizza topped with beef or chicken, sour cream, guacamole, green onions, black olives, tomato and cheese; calamari - lightly battered, golden calamari garnished with feta imported from France, tomatoes, Greek olives, pepperoncini and freshly baked pita bread.

POPULAR BREAKFAST: Homemade buttermilk biscuits with country gravy; housemade huevos con chorizo.

POPULAR LUNCH ENTRÉE: Taco salad supreme - a large flour tortilla shell bowl filled with fresh greens, sour cream, guacamole, onions, olives, tomatoes, two kinds of cheese and choice of beef or chicken; Greek burger - grilled, one-third pound Angus burger topped with imported feta cheese, fresh tomatoes, red onion and fresh spinach tossed in homemade Greek dressing, topped with a toasted bun, paired with Parmesan pasta salad; specialty pizzas - hand-tossed pizzas made with freshly prepared dough, layered with rich marinara, 100 percent mozzarella cheese and the freshest toppings. "My favorite is the white pizza," Ramsey said. "Many offer it, but no one tastes like Earl's, topped with fresh basil, garlic, tomato and extra virgin olive oil, simply the best."

POPULAR DINNER ENTRÉE: Ultimate Fajitas, which include steak, chicken and shrimp, served on a sizzling skillet with onions and green peppers, as well as a side of rice and beans, sour cream, guacamole and fresh flour tortillas; Create Your Own Combo - two or three items, such as shredded beef tacos, cheese enchiladas and a tamale, served with rice and beans; chile rellenos; gyro feta pitas - homemade, fluffy pita topped with seasoned gyro meat, fresh tomatoes and red onions and served with homemade tzatziki (cucumber) dipping sauce.

POPULAR DESSERT: Deep-fried ice cream; sopapillas topped with powdered sugar or a la mode.

AVAILABLE FOR: Dine in, take out, catering, large parties.

PRICE RANGE: $2 to $12.99 for Ultimate Fajitas.

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW: The restaurant began as Earl's in the 1960s at 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road and was family owned and operated. It began as an American diner, and the dishwasher was the inspiration for the authentic Mexican recipes that are still used today. The most familiar location was at 99th and Peoria avenues, but when wait lines were 45 minutes to get a seat, expansion plans were put into play, and the restaurant has been at 9440 W. Peoria Ave. since the early 1990s. After a brief change of ownership, Earl's went away, only to be reborn as Crazy Earl's. Ramsey has nine years of restaurant experience and was the former owner of Crazy Jim's at 15th Avenue and Indian School Road, which is the inspiration for the Greek and pizza offerings. The restaurant offers two private rooms, one which can accommodate parties of 50 and one which can accommodate parties of 125 and can be reserved in advance. Reservations may be made for one-time or recurring events.

UNIQUE TIDBITS: Daily specials are offered: Monday - 8-ounce ribeye dinner for $10.99; Tuesday - Combo fajitas for $9.99; Wednesday - Greek burger for $8.49; Thursday - any specialty pizza for $8.79; Friday - All-you-can-eat fish fry for $8.69 (reservations recommended); Saturday - Prime rib dinner for $11.99; Sunday - Chicken breast dinner for $8.69. Summer promotions include: Senior Sundays (10 percent off after 3 p.m.), Monday Margarita Madness (99 cents all day, otherwise $1.99), Family Tuesday (children eat free with purchase of an adult meal) and Service Appreciation Wednesdays (10 percent off with military, police or fire department ID). Live music provided by piano and vocal duet Emil and Shirley Flaim is offered from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. A full bar features a flat-screen television and happy hour from 1 to 5 p.m. daily. The restaurant will premier its "dinner and a show" night from 6 to 9 p.m. June 27. Customers may purchase tickets in advance for "The Legends," with celebrity impersonators of Vince Gill, Johnny Cash, and Elvis. Tickets will be $25 in advance for dinner, drinks and the show. Diners will receive a choice of Ultimate Fajitas dinner or Surf 'N' Turf (shrimp and steak) dinner, two bar drinks (well or draft) and the three-hour show.

FUTURE PLANS: "I would love to have Crazy Earl's become known as the premier Peoria location for large groups wanting a private room for their event," Ramsey said. Ramsey said she hopes to partner with assisted-living facilities to offer lunch, games and other activities.

Do you know of a great restaurant in the West Valley you'd like to see in our Dining Out feature? Call Brittany Woodruff, 623-876-2527, or e-mail bwoodruff@yourwestvalley.com.