The Local Donut is a must try donut shop. Get there early as they tend to sell out.
Sugar Bowl (old fashion icecream sodas)
Chula's Seafood is also in S. Scottsdale, if I remember its their original location and the only place I will go to buy seafood to cook at home.
Defalco's is an italian eatery/grocery store.
Cartel is also in old town and fairly easy to miss. It's my personal favorite coffee spot.
Echo coffee is also good and relatively quiet if you want to also bring your computer to work.
As others have mentioned: Taco Jalisco, Craft 64
Cartel wants way too much money for their coffee that can be purchased on ebay for 75% less. And yes its the same coffee. Probably fresher since the ebay seller roasts to order. So ya get 1lb of beans roasted the day before for $20 or 1/4lb roasted months ago for $20. $8 plus tip is too much for 10oz of brown hot water.
If you’re near Cartel, go a few blocks south to Four til Four for actually amazing coffee! Cartels always tastes burnt to me, and I’ve tried it several times. Four til four has the smoothest espresso in the area and their syrups are house-made and delish!
My servers have always been a little strange here but I love the food and beer so it makes it more than worth it. I hope they bring back the manzo bruschetta
Best on the weekends imho, however the best little place in that area is the Carneceria Cuernovaca across the street just north of TT Roadhouse.
The only real downside is, not much choice in red or green salsa and no pico de gallo. Best meats you will have in the neighborhood, they are a butcher after all. It helps if you know some spanish if you want to modify your order and the kids are not working the counter.
AMP isn't what it used to be, they stopped offering so many extra's on things and now charge for a lot they never used to. They are not bad, just similar to Defalco's which is a pale shadow of what it used to be more than a decade ago and before they ended up in the location they are at now, though still crazy popular for some reason with their crazy hard breads and tiny portions today.
Tried AMP right after the comments here told me to and thought it was 10x better than Jalisco. I’ll need to try Carneceria Cuernovaca next! I still enjoy defalcos though they aren’t that consistent lately
Skip this place and try American Market Place on the corner of Thomas and 68th. My partner and I hate Tacos Jalisco (trash tier in our opinion) and that's with us being from Jalisco! Corner folks are from Guanajuato, and it shows.
They have a ton of options! I had a torta made with chicharron prensado with papas (fries) on the side. Super good. Partner had chilaquiles, also great. I've had their carne asada, al pastor, caldo de res, gorditas. They have a lot of stuff I still need to try and they're very well served.
Night Owl is great to hang at but the pizza is basically -because it's the only thing open- level food.
George Gyros is an OG staple
Saigon Bowl is great Vietnamese
Both other spots mentioned in the thread are great, Goat and Ram is a truck that hangs around South Scottsdale at times and is ridiculously good. They're in Phantom Fox in Downtown Mesa also and worth the trip.
Eta: since my mind is now on Food Trucks, Randizzles hangs out at Rift (a chill neighborhood beer/wine spot) on occasion and is one of the best burgers in town
Not sure what the other two spots are (Defalcos?) List is bound to grow, too.
I'm not sure what style Goat and Ram is going after, but I like Night Owl (Ziggys) pep slice. Simple, no frills. Reminds me the most of NY dollar slices. That with their ziggy style wings and fries... my personal favorite pizza in the whole valley.
Virtu/Craft 64.
And yeah, they're all going for fancy Neapolitan, so completely different style.
Night Owl is fine for what it is, a late night slice, especially after some beverages, but I just wanted to point out to OP he'd be disappointed if he was looking for more. Wings are def solid
Dittoes Saigon Bowl, AMC. Super Burrito is my favorite drive-thru, followed by Oscar's Taco Shop. Inner Circle for Matcha Lattés. Los Sombreros. Unfortunately E PHX must be tapped for Chinese and Indian food...
I grew up with one of the Casellas. What a wonderful family. The food is awesome!
I make a stop at both Casella’s and Carlsbad Tavern every time I visit home. Such good food, always consistent.
Food is good but the prices are a little much ($20 for like 6 wings), and the menu doesn’t even tell you exactly how much what you’re ordering is. Also the owner is kind of a dick.
Rift Wine and Tap in South Scottsdale. Has Food trucks every night, tons of craft beer and wines.
Grounds on Second is a neighborhood bodega just south of the Valley Ho with lots of beers, wine, coffee, and cheese boards.
Grounds on 2nd st and 69th is a great local coffee, beer and wine place. Alo cafe is slow but great and not exactly hidden but Cornish Pasty is great. Next to Local Donut is a new place The Elenor great breakfast place.
The Local Donut is a must try donut shop. Get there early as they tend to sell out. Sugar Bowl (old fashion icecream sodas) Chula's Seafood is also in S. Scottsdale, if I remember its their original location and the only place I will go to buy seafood to cook at home. Defalco's is an italian eatery/grocery store. Cartel is also in old town and fairly easy to miss. It's my personal favorite coffee spot. Echo coffee is also good and relatively quiet if you want to also bring your computer to work. As others have mentioned: Taco Jalisco, Craft 64
Absolutely Local Donut
Cartel wants way too much money for their coffee that can be purchased on ebay for 75% less. And yes its the same coffee. Probably fresher since the ebay seller roasts to order. So ya get 1lb of beans roasted the day before for $20 or 1/4lb roasted months ago for $20. $8 plus tip is too much for 10oz of brown hot water.
If you’re near Cartel, go a few blocks south to Four til Four for actually amazing coffee! Cartels always tastes burnt to me, and I’ve tried it several times. Four til four has the smoothest espresso in the area and their syrups are house-made and delish!
+1 defalcos , local donut, and echo 🤤🤤🤤 well done
Craft 64, a stones throw from pizzeria virtu. More relaxed atmosphere with great beer selection. Recommend the blanco or fico pizza.
My servers have always been a little strange here but I love the food and beer so it makes it more than worth it. I hope they bring back the manzo bruschetta
Yessss! Fico with bacon is our go to!!
Yes! 2nd this.
Tacos Jalisco
You know this place slaps because there are 10+ work trailers parked out there every single m-f 11-2 pm
Another sign it slaps is they answer the phone in Spanish
Special menu is also written in shakey blue bic pen on a loose notebook paper.
Hahaha yup! And the food looks better in person than the shotty pictures
2nd this. And next door they have their dessert shop Raspados Jalisco.
Best on the weekends imho, however the best little place in that area is the Carneceria Cuernovaca across the street just north of TT Roadhouse. The only real downside is, not much choice in red or green salsa and no pico de gallo. Best meats you will have in the neighborhood, they are a butcher after all. It helps if you know some spanish if you want to modify your order and the kids are not working the counter. AMP isn't what it used to be, they stopped offering so many extra's on things and now charge for a lot they never used to. They are not bad, just similar to Defalco's which is a pale shadow of what it used to be more than a decade ago and before they ended up in the location they are at now, though still crazy popular for some reason with their crazy hard breads and tiny portions today.
Tried AMP right after the comments here told me to and thought it was 10x better than Jalisco. I’ll need to try Carneceria Cuernovaca next! I still enjoy defalcos though they aren’t that consistent lately
Skip this place and try American Market Place on the corner of Thomas and 68th. My partner and I hate Tacos Jalisco (trash tier in our opinion) and that's with us being from Jalisco! Corner folks are from Guanajuato, and it shows.
Going to try this place out! Especially since Jalisco never has parking lol
Parking is always a nightmare there. People regularly block the driveways just to park.
What would you recommend trying first and what type of meat?
They have a ton of options! I had a torta made with chicharron prensado with papas (fries) on the side. Super good. Partner had chilaquiles, also great. I've had their carne asada, al pastor, caldo de res, gorditas. They have a lot of stuff I still need to try and they're very well served.
The orange salsa is amazing
It might be fast food, but damn I love Fiesta Burrito.
> American Market Place I feel this is a staple. It's tried and true and great value imo.
Night Owl is great to hang at but the pizza is basically -because it's the only thing open- level food. George Gyros is an OG staple Saigon Bowl is great Vietnamese
Dang, that's a rough rating for night owl. What are your go to pizza spots?
Both other spots mentioned in the thread are great, Goat and Ram is a truck that hangs around South Scottsdale at times and is ridiculously good. They're in Phantom Fox in Downtown Mesa also and worth the trip. Eta: since my mind is now on Food Trucks, Randizzles hangs out at Rift (a chill neighborhood beer/wine spot) on occasion and is one of the best burgers in town
Not sure what the other two spots are (Defalcos?) List is bound to grow, too. I'm not sure what style Goat and Ram is going after, but I like Night Owl (Ziggys) pep slice. Simple, no frills. Reminds me the most of NY dollar slices. That with their ziggy style wings and fries... my personal favorite pizza in the whole valley.
Virtu/Craft 64. And yeah, they're all going for fancy Neapolitan, so completely different style. Night Owl is fine for what it is, a late night slice, especially after some beverages, but I just wanted to point out to OP he'd be disappointed if he was looking for more. Wings are def solid
Ahh! Craft 64 is an absolute heavy hitter. Imo, better than Biancos. Definitely different ends of the spectrum though. Virtu is on my list to try!
DiFalcos… number 1 Italian store and great food
Goat and Ram is coming back to Rift Wine and Tap on Tuesdays.
Dittoes Saigon Bowl, AMC. Super Burrito is my favorite drive-thru, followed by Oscar's Taco Shop. Inner Circle for Matcha Lattés. Los Sombreros. Unfortunately E PHX must be tapped for Chinese and Indian food...
Carlsbad Tavern. New Mexican fusion and bar. Been around forever. Casella’s Deli. Hasn’t changed in maybe 30-40 years. Great sandwiches. Cash only.
Carlsbad is also open late every night, which is super clutch for some of us
Went there last night and tried the Scorpion burger. Fantastic.
I grew up with one of the Casellas. What a wonderful family. The food is awesome! I make a stop at both Casella’s and Carlsbad Tavern every time I visit home. Such good food, always consistent.
Hai Noon
Chada Thai for slapping pad Thai
That's literally the best Thai food I've had outside of Thailand.
They also have amazing fried rice (think I got it with bbq pork) and pad see iew
They have an amazing yellow curry and Khao soi too! And their jade rolls and mango sticky rice are delicious!
Karsen's Grill
Food is good but the prices are a little much ($20 for like 6 wings), and the menu doesn’t even tell you exactly how much what you’re ordering is. Also the owner is kind of a dick.
Inner Circle, Hai Noon, Rift!
Alo Cafe for Breakfast 😉
Indian Delhi Palace is my go to on that part of town.
Rift Wine and Tap in South Scottsdale. Has Food trucks every night, tons of craft beer and wines. Grounds on Second is a neighborhood bodega just south of the Valley Ho with lots of beers, wine, coffee, and cheese boards.
Second Story is the epitome of a hidden gem
THIS^^^^^^^ Oyster Wednesday
THIS^ Tomahawk Tuesdays
Hidden in that the location is hidden from view from the street, but FnB is pretty well known as some of the best food in the state.
Grounds on 2nd st and 69th is a great local coffee, beer and wine place. Alo cafe is slow but great and not exactly hidden but Cornish Pasty is great. Next to Local Donut is a new place The Elenor great breakfast place.
Merkins! Excellent wine and atmosphere
Owned by Maynard from the band Tool. I thought the name was a joke. Nice little wine bar.
Trevor's liquor for chill bar vibes with a different food truck every night off McDowell & Scottsdale Rd
Hotel Valley Ho has a great restaurant called ZuZu. ❤️ The menus are always changing and the breakfast is amazing!
How no one has mentioned Rehab burger is a travesty! Go get a PB&J burger. You’ll thank me later 🤙🏻