The latest fast casual export from Utah.  As with the other options (Cafe Rio, Cafe Zuppa, Rumbi) it is focused on providing families with large quantities of safe options for a cheap price. Nothing really stands out as exceptional but several sandwiches can serve in a pinch as suitable lunch options.

The 'Must Try'- Disregard your better judgement and get the all you can eat weekend French Toast

Fatty Daddy’s

The Fatty Daddy’s Cookie Cup certainly deserves points for creativity with its macaroons and torched marshmallows.  The execution is still inconsistent but, given the enthusiasm of the owners, we see that gap quickly eliminated.

The 'Must Try'- Can't leave here without trying your own version of the cookie cup

RNR Gastropub

A tried and true, albeit loud, spot to gather with friends or coworkers and located in a prime spot in Oldtown Scottsdale.  The standard pub fare is hit and miss but there enough items that will even add to your evening.

The 'Must Try'-  Get social with the Dirty Chips

Sassy’s Cafe & Bakery

Shabby Chic meets the family dinner.  Think of  a poor man's Sweet Cakes Cafe... complete with the sandwiches, cookies, and the scores of women gathering for the lunch and the latest gossip.  Sandwiches above average but man those cookies are something special.  

The 'Must Try'-  The cheesesteak is good but the real reason you are here is those cookies

Keegan's Grill

A solid spot for pub fare, camaraderie, and a game.  Not destination eating by any means but a comfortable setting with a comfortable menu.

The 'Must Try'- Rosemary Chicken

Cafe Rio

Utah's culinary contribution to the world which means something overly sweet, cheap, and served in large portions.  A more tasty and less heralded lunch alternative to Chipotle.


The 'Must Try'- Sweet Pork Salad

Mod Pizza

A slightly tastier and moderately more hip pizza place then its fast casual corporate cousin, Fired Pie.  A solid Thursday night option when you want something quick and easy for the family.

The 'Must Try'- The Tristan

Los Cerritos

Slightly smaller menu then the local "betos" type spot that you find in every town but with items that are about a half star above those offerings.  The kind of place you frequent after a night out with the guys.

The 'Must Try'- The Carne Asada fries are pretty novel

Tanzy

A perfectly safe corporate restaurant concept incorporating recent trends in Italian and making them palatable to the trend following yet unadventurous Scottsdale majority.  Not destination by any means but a solid pairing with a movie next door.

The 'Must Try'- Chilean Sea Bass Livornese

Dilly's Deli

A long-standing Phoenix spot serving up solid soup and sandwiches for the hurried business lunch crowd.  Still stands out in an increasingly competitive and creative sandwich landscape.

The 'Must Try'- Dilly Club with Bread Bowl of Chowder

Isabella’s Kitchen

Put this place in a strip mall and it becomes a slightly better looking cousin then Macaroni Grill.  The food isn't exceptionally memorable. Don't worry though, what sets this place apart is its atmosphere and location.    You will be hard to pressed to find anywhere else in the Valley that offers such a setting.

The 'Must Try'- Decent food but better view and atmosphere

Tottie's Asian Fusion

A perfectly fine prototypical strip mall Asian eatery.  It does have a varied menu that allows the casual dinner to comfortably explore the safer dishes of the Pacific Rim.


The 'Must Try'- Panang Curry

Streets of New York Pizza

For those moments when you don't need VPN certified, can't tolerate Dominoes, and just need something good and cheap for the family on a weekday night.

The 'Must Try'- Have the kids in tow?  Stick with standard pepporoni

Lucky’s Burgers & Hotdog Grill

It feels like a family generated labor of love which is cool. Solid burgers but the pricing, marketing, menu need some refinement.

The 'Must Try'-  The Red Wine Burger with Waffle Fries

Breadcrafters Bakery & Cafe

It has a lot of the elements that you look for in a great neighborhood bakery.  What keeps it from joining the Varsity lunch list? The space is awkwardly cramped.  The lackluster soups detract from otherwise solid sandwiches.

The 'Must Try'- The Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich

Nee House

Your prototypical strip mall Chinese joint with the big exception that it also showcases some great Hong-Kong centric dishes available to the savvy diner. Generous portions, good lunch value, and spotty service.

The 'Must Try'- The Szchehuan Stirfried Scallops

La Bocca Wine Bar & Urban Kitchen

It certainly looks the part of a sleek urban wine bar. Unfortunately the menu struggles to hold up its end of the bargain.  The bread shines with the bruschetta but weighs down their pizza.  


The 'Must Try'- Get a selection of bruschetta 

Lenny's Burgers

This place hearkens back to a simpler time when we just wanted a tasty burger and we didn't need the overpriced and overwrought sandwiches that currently dominate the burger landscape.


The 'Must Try'- The Cowboy Burger