The 2016 Scottsdale Arizona Spring Training Dining Guide for Fans of the San Francisco Giants

It is that time of year when we welcome our baseball loving neighbors from the Foggy City down for Spring Training.  While we don't have your culinary chops, the greater Phoenix area has a very vibrant and growing restaurant scene.  We would hate for you waste your dinner budget on the 2 for $19.99 special at Applebee's. Below are some options that are all within 10 minutes from the stadium.  You might even "say hey" I can get a pretty darn good meal in this town.


The Breakfast Beat
You Giants fans have it lucky.  Your home base is in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale.  This little Western nook has some of the Valley's best breakfast spots with each location catering to your varied tastes.  While it's a shame that we recently lost one of your gems, Dottie's, there still are options a plenty.  Here are just a few.

1. Light and Healthy- The Chop Shop packs the perfect punch of green and tasty.  This is a great way to start your day if you anticipate eating 3 hotdogs at the game and you need to alleviate some guilt. The fresh juice selection is definitely worth the trip. They also have some great lunch options.
2. Heavy and Hearty- Disregard the fact that this is the go-to place for feared rival Bryce Harper and come by to fill up your tank at the Breakfast Club. Go the distance and get their eggs Benedict. You might want to share it with a friend.
3. A Border Delight- We are just a few hours from old Mexico so we can claim some authenticity.  Sinaloa inspired America's Taco's has Scottsdale's best breakfast burrito.  And remember it doesn't count if it doesn't contain chorizo. The carne asada is also a favorite for lunch or dinner.
4. Something Nostalgic- Over Easy is a great throw back to the breakfast you remember having as a kid.  Sit back, enjoy the local hospitality, and do yourself a favor by ordering some waffle dogs. Don't ask, just order.

The Lunch Hour Primer
While most of your games will be played in the afternoon, you don't want to be stuck relying on a $6 dog day-in and day-out.  We recommend satisfying your appetite at a few of these spots.

The venerable Cornish Pasty

1.  Jimmy Buffett Lite- Rehab Burger is a triple threat that will give you a spot to wet your whistle, mellow out, and enjoy Old Town's best sandwich.  Who says you need to be by the beach in order to have a cheeseburger in paradise.
2. Little Italy- Craving some Italian Sausage?  Look no further then the closest thing that Scottsdale has to something that could survive in North Beach, Defalco's Italian Eatery. This long time staple has a deep menu and enough options to make multiple visits.
3. Sonoran Style- You can't leave Arizona without a nice big plate of the old school Mexican food that helped define this region.  Stop by El Molino and pick a few items from the menu. It contains all of the old standards ranging from tacos to tostadas to enchiladas.   
4. Eat Like a 14th Century English Miner- The hipsters at the  Cornish Pasty Company have transformed this simple staple into a family of sweet and savory meat pockets that have a flavor to satisfy most appetites. These things are so tasty that you might feel a bit like Buster Posey as you jealously guard your plate.
5. It's an East Coast- West Coast Thing- The In-N-Out domination that has long ruled the Western states has received a recent challenge in the form of Shake Shack. If all else fails head to the Scottsdale Fashion Square mall, do some shopping, and cap the visit off with a Smoke Shack burger and Concrete. Just don't tell your New Yorker friends you might like this better than a Double-Double. 

Dinner in Style
The evening will present you with the best opportunity to stretch your wallet and splurge with some of our better options.  The list of options in the area is large but here are some of our favorites.

A gem from the Mission 

1.  Latin Fusion- The Mission is Mexican 2.0.  But the menu goes far south of old Mexico and offers a fresh take on many of the core dishes that define Latin cuisine.  Also, the Barrio Queen, the latest offering from local legend Silvana Esparza, has the area's best and widest selection of tacos.
2. Preferred Local Watering Holes- Old Town has many spots that have won favor with locals, here are two of the best.  Citizen Public House offers a contemptory and upscale version of the traditional public house. While there are many items on the menu worth your time, do not leave with having the chopped salad.  Eddie's House features a menu as varied and eccentric as owner and local figure, Eddie Matney.
3. Upscale Italian- There are enough great trattorias in Scottsdale that you could swear that the Appian way led you here.The two that stand out are Marcellino's and Franco's. Both have impressive old world pedigrees. Want some pizza?  Head up the road to Pomo, home of the only pizza on the east side of town worthy of the Vera Pizza Napoletana certificate of authenticity.   
4. Feeling Red Blooded?-  This town has no shortage of joints that cater to the carnivore.  Mastro's City Hall and Don & Charlie's both have a long and tasty history in Scottsdale.  Ben & Jack's is a recent newcomer to the area and it has its  'dry aged' roots firmly planted in famed Brooklyn steakhouse, Peter Luger.
5. Homesick and want something to remind you of that drive down the PCH last month? The newly minted Smoke Haus offers a fairly faithful interpretation of your Santa Maria BBQ.  Get the tri-tip sandwich and take advantage of their sports bar to catch all of the other games.

   

   The tri-tip sandwich from Smokehaus

6. Couldn't Get Into the French Laundry Back Home?- You don't have to worry about a months long waiting list at Binkley's.  French Laundry alum, Kevin Binkley, is putting his training to good use and he has three locations across the Valley so that you can sample his genius with relative ease. We recommend making the drive up north to Cave Creek to spend an evening at Binkley's.

We could go on and on but we figure that this should tide you over during your desert stay.  Any more suggestions and you might have to take up a more permanent residency.  Feel free to visit Bitesizedphoenix.com for a list of more approved suggestions that cover the entire Valley of the Sun. Remember, just because you might be spending your afternoons at the diamond doesn't mean you have to tolerate its food.

Go Giants!