Culinary Dropout

American restaurant · Scottsdale

Culinary Dropout

American restaurant · Scottsdale

1

7135 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

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Highlights

Trendy Scottsdale gastropub with inventive cocktails, crave-worthy comfort food, lively vibe, spacious dog-friendly patio, and standout friendly service.  

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7135 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Get directions

culinarydropout.com
@culinarydropout

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

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7135 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Get directions

+1 480 970 1700
culinarydropout.com
@culinarydropout

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 1, 2025

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@afar

"Fashionable Grunge It’s funny that Culinary Dropout bills itself as being the “rebel child” in Fox Restaurant Concepts’ family of restaurants because there’s nothing too rebellious about this place. It’s obvious that everything in it – from the fashionably grunge décor to the uniform-free staff – is planned. But that’s not always a bad thing. Culinary Dropout does nightlife well with a selection of local and seasonal beers as well as standout cocktails like the Jalisco Flower (tequila, elderflower and sparkling wine)."

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View Postcard for Culinary Dropout (Scottsdale Waterfront)

Eugene R. Ehmann

Google
Friday night with a group, great restaurant. Parking is either valet or a very close by free parking, connected to the restaurant and an elevator almost to the front door. My wife had a mango margarita, and an almost perfect steak with truffle butter. I went with the standby fish and chips. That was excellent! Maybe the best ever! Fresh fish meat nicely fried, good fries. The table had broiled brussel sprouts and cheese fondue. All 8 of us really enjoyed the food. We arrived about 5:30p and it was already packed, and remained so. Our server was excellent! Took and nicely delivered the drinks and food. Very, very good. Suggest early reservations

Sarah Simmons

Google
Went for the first time to celebrate my birthday. Very cool vibe and 10/10 food. Can get a little loud when busy which makes conversation more challenging but the servers are nice and it was worth the visit.

Michael Preiss

Google
“Just Okay – Better as a Bar Than a Restaurant” This restaurant was just okay. Unfortunately, it was overcrowded when I visited, and the staff was overwhelmed, often forgetting about us. The food was a mixed experience—the appetizer was good, but the main course was disappointing, with the meat completely overcooked. It seems like a nice place to meet up and have a good evening, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a restaurant. It might work better as a bar.

Roberto Brito

Google
Had a great experience at Culinary Dropout! Our server David was awesome — super friendly, attentive, and made sure we were taken care of the whole time. My girlfriend ordered the fried chicken, but she didn’t love it. David was quick to offer a swap and brought out a pasta dish that ended up being delicious. I had the ribs, and they were a 10/10 tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Big shoutout to David for turning a so-so dish into a great night!

Britany Van Blake

Google
Dropped in with a friend while visiting AZ for the first time, thanks to a recommendation. The wait was 1:45 hours so we sat at the bar (def should have made a reservation, this was 6pm in a Wednesday! haha) The food was excellent! Good flavor/ingredient combinations, sizable portions. It was a busy night but didn't feel like we were rushed. Recommend the berry cider, pork belly nachos, kimchi rice/shrimp appetizer, and the peking duck/shrimp bowl. The wagyu pigs in a blanket were delicious, but it's a waste of wagyu to make hot dogs, idk what I expected them to be but that wasn't it 😅

Jake Chase

Google
This is a great location great atmosphere great attention to detail and great service. The food was delicious. Asian salad was great. I ordered the fried chicken, but it came out cold in the center and just a little bit bloody. I sent it back. And just canceled that dish. We also have the pretzel bites with cheese. They were amazing. Overall, great atmosphere great service and there is a DJ that is there Thursday through Sunday. I believe it was a lot of fun.

Rob McKenna

Google
Outsatnsing experience! Appatizer was the Chips with Onion Dip. Freshly made, and it never disappoints. Meal was Steak Fritte. Cooked perfectly and it melts in your mouth. Service from Martin was fantastic. Great atmosphere!

Macy S

Google
Food was fantastic, especially the appetizers. I could have eaten about a hundred of the crispy rice app. The ribs were done perfectly and the sauce on them was sticky and sweet with a little kick.

Amy A.

Yelp
Culinary Dropout is my favorite restaurant that always has great service, last night I had Bri as my waitress and she went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of, and helped me celebrate my graduation, thank you for the amazing food and the even better service! Definitely would recommend time & time again

Jessica T.

Yelp
Ava was our server and she was SO wonderful! She knew every item on the menu, and was so sweet and patient with our questions. The food was all excellent, and the drinks were fantastic!!! We are visiting the area from almost 2 hours away and will definitely be back.

Meredith H.

Yelp
Cj was a fantastic server! He has such a bubbly and fun personality and made sure we felt welcomed. He kept our drinks filled and our food came out relatively quick! He confirmed that our choices on food were a great pick, and we agree! The food was delicious!
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Francesca M.

Yelp
If you are ever in Scottsdale, do yourself a favor and RUN--not walk--to Culinary Dropout. This is not just a restaurant... it is an experience. From the moment we stepped inside, the energy was vibrant the kind of vibe that says "Stay awhile. You belong here." Let me tell you about CJ and Paige--two absolute gems. They were not just servers; they were like ohana--family. The way they welcomed us made us feel like we were guests in their home, not just customers in a restaurant halfway across the ocean from our island home. Pure love. Pure sweetness. Pure light. That kind of warmth is rare, and it lingers long after the last bite. Now, about the food. Oh. My. Goodness. Pork hash was magic. Every bite was a hug for the soul. The vibe here is playful, relaxed, yet elevated. The kind of place where you can show up as you are--whether you are celebrating, relaxing, or just hungry for something real and delicious. The outdoor patio is a dream under the Arizona sky, and yes--it is dog-friendly too. Culinary Dropout is more than a meal. It is a memory. A gathering place where food, music, laughter, and love come together. Cannot wait to come back. This place has my heart.
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K C.

Yelp
We had been to the Culinary Dropout in Tempe before and I loved their cocktails, so as we were walking through Scottsdale Fashion Square, I was excited to see that they had a location right outside the mall where we could take a quick break. Their Paloma Spritz just hit the spot! Our server CJ was so so friendly! Super attentive and so on top of everything. He even surprised us with their Monkey Bread dessert for our anniversary even though we were just stopping in for drinks and some snacks.
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Jenna C.

Yelp
We walked in without a reservation and was sat immediately, with the only stipulation that we wrapped up at a certain time. That was okay with me! The inside was tastefully decorated, which I enjoyed. Our waitress was very friendly with several suggestions. My group ordered several different things and we were all satisfied. The food came out hot and fresh. One person got the fried chicken, which was tender and delicious. They said that'd 100% get that again. I ordered the chicken katsu sandwich, which was also perfectly cooked. I loved the spicy miso aioli on top. We all left full and happy. We'd definitely return to order more.
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Sasha M.

Yelp
Food was great per usual however the hostess was not the best. Very disappointing I understand making people wait until their reservation just makes no sense that after checking in 15 mins early and we still waited 10 mins past our time.
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Taylor W.

Yelp
I love coming here! The vibe is on point, the food and drinks are amazing and the service is fantastic! Ava our server was such a delight and had great recommendations! They had some bomb seasonal options like the summer sangria and the strawberry lemon tort that were incredible! Whether it's date night, happy hour with friends, or a celebratory dinner, this is the place to be!
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Tony J.

Yelp
This was our first time here for our 12 noon lunch which we reserved on Open Table. We parked our vehicle in the free nearby underground parking garage. My family of 8 with three preschoolers arrived at 12 noon. We were seated at a nice table in the middle of the restaurant. The restaurant was not busy at that time. We started with and enjoyed the soft pretzels with sea salt & provolone fondue for $17. The soft pretzel with provolone fondue was one of the best parts of our lunch. I enjoyed my two peaches & rye with redemption rye, combier pêche liqueur, puréed peach and wild mint for $15.50 each. I also had my crispy chicken katsu for $19, which tasted slightly dry to my taste. I prefer a more moist and tender chicken katsu. My total bill was $249 excluding gratuity. Drew served us very well despite our three preschoolers.
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Yurie H.

Yelp
Great vibes and decent bar type food. A group of friends came here for late lunch around 3 PM surprisingly still pretty packed. Culinary dropout is located near Scottsdale Mall, has a cool bar vibe with table and high top seating. We got the pretzels to share ($17) and I got the breakfast bowl ($14). The pretzels were warm and cheese sauce wasn't overly spicy, nothing special. My breakfast bowl was good portion the chipotle yogurt was a bit spicy and filling. Overall service was friendly and vibe is poppin. Would love to try the burgers my next visit.
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Calista C.

Yelp
I came her with my girlfriend and her family for a graduation dinner and I'm so glad we tried it. Upon walking in, I was a little bit skeptical with how crowded it was and the high noise level. However, the food and service made up for it! We tried a couple drinks, I thought the airplane shot and mystery beer was a fun concept. For the main, we shared the Korean ribeye cap. It wasn't as tender as most ribeye caps I've had, but it had amazing flavor!
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Mairyn D.

Yelp
Bad service. Went to celebrate my sister during her bachelorette and made a note of that for them in the reservation. Service was terrible and we weren't even offered a dessert menu. Food was good other than the Peking duck and shrimp fried rice, it was burnt and the rice was too hard to enjoy. We were sat right next to the dj booth and could barely hear each other talk while having men standing at the bar bumping into us almost the entire dinner. Sitting outside would have been a lot better for a party of 7. Disappointed this was the place we went to celebrate someone I love.
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Shiloh M.

Yelp
Service was a 5 star -- great server. Food was a 4.5. Katsu chicken sandwich was very good (but thick and hard to eat and bread just a little too crunchy on edges), house salad amazing. Pretzel fondue excellent. Prices skew high. Parking is not great- 3 stars--I parked in the free Nordstrom's parking lot around the corner-- a little walk, but probably about as fast as waiting on valet. Atmosphere was just. so. loud.- 1 star--Really hard to talk to people in a larger group. But-- if you like loud (I know many do), you will enjoy it!
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Nicole R.

Yelp
I came here with a friend to celebrate my birthday and listen to live music! I'm glad I made a reservation ahead of time for the patio as it was quite busy and we could actually hear the music better from the patio. We split the Mongolian short rib and the pasta bolognese and both were delicious! The short rib was a more unique and flavorful dish. Our waitress offered me dessert or a shot for my birthday and I picked the Mississippi mud pie. It was very rich and came with hot fudge! There's free parking in a garage next door.
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Andrew W.

Yelp
Date night done right! My wife and I came in for a relaxing evening, and we're so glad we did. Ava was our server, and she was incredibly friendly, attentive, and made us feel genuinely welcomed from the moment we sat down. Her recommendations were spot on and truly elevated our experience. My wife ordered the chopped salad and absolutely loved it--the deviled egg on top was such a thoughtful and delicious touch. I had the French dip, which was rich, flavorful, and perfectly paired with the truffle fries Ava suggested. Total win. We finished the night with the strawberry lemon tort, and wow--what a highlight. Light lemon sponge cake, creamy custard, fresh strawberries, and mint... honestly, it might be the perfect summer dessert. Bright, refreshing, and just sweet enough. Thanks to Ava and the team for making our night memorable--we'll definitely be back!
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Greeshma R.

Yelp
Wow! This place is located right in the heart of Scottsdale. This place is easily accessible to the mall, parking lots and more. Located close to the Scottsdale waterfront, it's hard to miss. We had a girls holiday party at this location and it was beyond perfect. The service was impeccable, the waiter who was there for us, went above and beyond in terms of suggesting food, getting the order placed and the overall personality. For appetizers I would highly recommend the shrimp rice, it was so good, we couldn't stop at one bite. For the main course I wasn't a fan of fried chicken but loved the salad, it was fresh authentic and delicious. Their mud cake is to die for! Overall good food and service, I would definitely suggest this place to all the family & friends!
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Cara T.

Yelp
This location is huge and has incredible lighting at night. The atmosphere is so inviting. The waitstaff were great, attentive & friendly as well as knowledgeable about the menu. Our party (4) viewed the varied menu. Because they were busy, meals took a bit to arrive. However, fresh and delicious. We had amongst us: Chicken Cacio e Pepe & the Pasta Bolognese. Both exceptional. However, for the price felt the portions could have been a little better (bigger). With our experience, this is definitely a restaurant to return! It's a "must spot" next time we're in the area for their Happy Hour. $5 Hour wines & many other great deals on drinks including brews. Food- $5 House Salad, Fries. Specials on their Spicy Korean Pork Ribs & Crispy Brussels Sprouts. Plus, fair price point on the Antipasti Plate, BBQ Pork Belly Nachos, Wagyu Pigs in a Blanket too! Also, check out their other locations in Gilbert, Tempe and Phoenix.
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Tomaszek C.

Yelp
Yes, pretty hip place. Full of attractive people and staff. Had spicy vegan curry. Most excellent. Well presented, tasty. Great selection of beers. Bar staff great with any drinks. Do come here.
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Madeline C.

Yelp
I went to Culinary Dropout for New Year's Eve and had a great experience! The atmosphere was super fun and festive for New Year's and the food and cocktails were super tasty.
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Mitchi R.

Yelp
Culinary Dropout serves New American dishes.  I ordered the chicken katsu sandwich, and it was delicious.  It was served on milk bread which is fluffy and light.  I think the chicken katsu may have been too heavy for this type of bread because my sandwich fell apart and I had to finish eating with a fork, this would be my only negative comment.  Their pretzel bites were huge, it was very light and fluffy as well, I loved it.  I think o9ne order was plenty for a party of 7, I think it came with about 10 bites. We had 7 in our party and there still leftovers.  It is also nice that this place closes late.  The restaurant is big, they have a nice outdoor seating patio area, their bar is situated that people can access the same bar whether seating indoors or outdoors.  The restaurant can definitely accommodate large parties.  This place is also a great setting for brunches!   Our server was very pleasant, despite being a large party, she was able to give us great customer service.  Their iced tea was so good, it was infused with some tropical fruit, I could have drank a whole pitcher.
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Jihye B.

Yelp
My food experience in Arizona had been disappointing and mediocre, so thank goodness Culinary Dropout was my last and best food experience here. I visited after walking around all day looking like a mad woman with a large backpack because I had a late flight out of Phoenix that kept getting delayed. It turned out they were participating in the Restaurant Week. I asked in advance if I'd be able to partake in this menu as a solo diner, and the staff graciously welcomed me in. I found myself resting comfortably in their very chic and comfortable hall. For the starter, I had the Antipasti Plate, which knocked me off my feet. All the pieces of the board were perfection, the grilled asparagus cooked so nicely, the sopressata flavorful and delightly thin... this was basically a meal by itself. After much deliberation, I chose the fish and chips for my entree. The fish was crisp and flaky. While it wasn't the best fish and chips I had, it was darn good and well-cooked with a crunch. The slaw helped lighten the whole dish. While I was pretty stuffed, I had to finish with the caramelized banana bar, which was decadent and richer than I had expected. It was a nice sweet finish to the meal. The house white wine is skippable, and I'd expect their beers on tap to be the better choice, except beer just doesn't sit with me well sometimes and I didn't want to take the risk before a plane ride. I am aware that this place is like a local chain, but I had an excellent time at Culinary Dropout with a well paced service and good meal. It seems like a place that would practice good hospitality, even if you're a hot sweaty tourist mess. The charcuterie was especially impressive and well-balanced. I would visit again.
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Abigail W.

Yelp
Friend and I swung by here for some appetizers in the middle of the day. I had it on my list of a place to try and the fondue was calling my name. Most tables were already taken so we had no problem grabbing a seat at the bar. They had some Sicilian lemonades (puréed strawberry, fever-tree sparkling lemonade) that we tried and were tasty. So many things on this menu that I wanted to try but we had a packed day full of eating so we had to limit ourselves. So of course, we got the Fondue with soft pretzel bites, and a board of Manchego with Prosciutto. Loved, loved, loved all of this. Definitely put this on your list if you haven't been or like us visiting town.
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Jenae W.

Yelp
Loved the atmosphere here and all of the employees we encountered were pleasant! The main reason we like to come here are the deviled eggs! We love being able to build our own charcuterie board of sorts but especially love that deviled eggs are a part of that. If you're like us and love deviled eggs but don't love making them this is a good quick place to get some. Onto other things, the crispy Brussels sprouts make for a great starter as well. For entrees, we usually get the short ribs and the fried chicken. The fried chicken does take a little longer but, as the menu says, it's worth it! As for dessert, you can't go wrong with the banana bar or the classic monkey bread (almost better than my mom's)!
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Grace H.

Yelp
Amazing! My fiance and I came here right after we landed to have their happy hour as it starts earlier compared to other restaurants nearby. We had their happy hour nachos, manhattan, and Caesar salad with steak. The food was delicious and their portion size was pretty good. I loved their nachos and I learned they use actual cheese fondue which was why I was obsessed! Every bite had a great amount of cheese. Service was amazing! Unfortunately, I forgot her name but she was great and gave us an entire list of recommendations for nearby bars/nightlife as we came from out of town. I'll definitely be back for the food and service, 10/10!
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Crystal D.

Yelp
I came upon this restaurant while visiting from out of town. It seemed to be a popular spot, very busy, lots of families and friends getting together. Surprisingly we didn't have to wait long for a table which was great. The restaurant is pretty spacious with both indoor and outdoor seating directly across from a shopping mall. Our server was very friendly and helpful with the menu and checked on us often but not overbearing My friend ordered the ham and cheese grilled sandwich which she said was very tasty. She especially loved the home fried potatoes. I ordered the turkey pastrami. Though the sandwich itself was fine I didn't realize turkey pastrami is so dry I'm not sure if it was a one off or that's the way it is. So I wouldn't order it again or recommend it. The homemade chips were really good (a little greasy though) and make sure to ask for ranch or other fun sauce to dip chips in. Overall it was a pretty good spot. As a visitor it didn't wow me enough to seek it out if I were to return. But it seems like a popular local spot so I imagine the rest of the menu must be good and consistent.
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Keerthi D.

Yelp
Culinary Dropout is an American restaurant in Scottsdale near the mall. There's indoor and outdoor seating, and it's great for a medium sized group. We went on a Wednesday night in a group of 6 around 7pm, and there was about a 15 minute wait. The ambiance is pretty nice. It can be described as kinda fancy, but also casual enough for it to be comfortable. Our table outside was perfect, and our waiter was super nice and accommodating. We ended up sharing a bunch of appetizers and got them split up so it was easier. The drinks and food came out quick too. Overall, the food was delicious. The portions were nice, all the meat was cooked properly and seasoned well, and the dishes came with flavorful sauces. It was kind of expensive, but the quality and service definitely made it worth it. I'd definitely recommend coming here if you're stopping by in Scottsdale!
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Vern G.

Yelp
Bacon Bloody Mary My wife had this cuz I don't like bloody Marys Not too tomato heavy, definitely a bloody but not in your face, good salt level She asked for it spicy and they came through You get the smoke from the bacon She repeated her comment about the spiciness Room Service American gin, lemon, strawberry, bubbly wine I'm not a gin drinker, but this sounded super refreshing, so I ordered it First sip I was sold; both the lemon and strawberry flavors are very subtle, and there is no hint of the harsh juniper bite of gin, but the drink as a whole is very light and refreshing The slices of strawberry were delicious Prosciutto deviled eggs Weirdly this comes as three half eggs, so we did a double order The prosciutto is sprinkled on the plate, not on the eggs, which is weird Over all, the flavor was underwhelming, sprinkling pepper on top helped There's no such thing as a bad deviled egg but I wouldn't order these again Wellness Retreat Vodka, pineapple, jalapeno, mint, and sparkling wine Tastes like an alcoholic smoothie, like a green goodness bolt house, with vodka, with a definite but subtle mint undertone, like a back flavor Smokehouse Hash Slow roasted BBQ pork, crispy potato, charred onion, poblano pepper, Sunny side up egg (we ordered over hard), flour tortilla (We ordered an extra egg and they split our order into two bowls so we each got good proportions, and our own tortilla) Potatoes are perfectly crispy, well seasoned, eggs were perfectly cooked, came with pico de gallo, and cheese Tortilla, while not necessarily hot, was warm, and very fresh Even though it was a split order, the meat to potato ratio is a bit light Campfire Vibes 100 proof bonded bourbon, chai jacked apple cider, Spanish vanilla roasted five spice Smells like fall This is the ultimate spiked apple cider, can't even tell there is bourbon in it, and I'm not a bourbon drinker Lilly was such an amazing server, so helpful, and just a great personality For at least 2 years my wife 's number one can't be beat drink in the valley has been the No. 109 at the Windsor; the Campfire Vibes just took the title 20/10, would recommend, WILL return
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Annie R.

Yelp
Came here over the weekend as a group of six while visiting Arizona. We chose this place because of the reasonable prices and diverse menu, and it did not disappoint! The waiter was extremely nice, and the food was pretty solid overall. The Brussels sprouts could have been cooked a little longer--they were a bit crunchy but had great flavor. My short ribs were definitely overcooked and crispy/chewy on the outside when they shouldn't have been, but again, the flavor was still great! I'd definitely come back, but I wish they didn't turn the lights down so much--it was so dark that I could barely see anything! Because of that, I accidentally left a card I had received that night at the table since I didn't even notice it when we left. Overall, between the food, service, and pricing, it was a great experience! We also ordered the pretzels with whipped feta spread, and they were delicious!
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Alyse F.

Yelp
The more I come here, the more I like it. I've tried most everything on the menu by now and can say this might be one of the best spots in all of Phoenix. The drinks are great, the service is great and the decor and such is great too. This time I had the cacao y Pepe which had the most tender chicken I've ever tasted. I also love the chicken katsu, the vegan curry, the Brussels sprouts and of course the pretzel bites just to name a few. I'll be back soon!!
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Derek T.

Yelp
This is a really cool spot. Great place to meet up, have a bite and some drinks, and hang while enjoying live music or watching a game. Service was great! Super helpful and open to provide recommendations on both appetizers and entrees. The brussel sprouts were my favorite appetizer. I got to try the BBQ burger, the French dip sandwich, and the katsu fried chicken sandwich. All were solid options. I'd definitely go back but next time I'd make a reservation to avoid the long wait.
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Christine C.

Yelp
The services was fast and friendly. The tahini feta dip was amazing. I really enjoyed my spicy vegan curry! They also had creative cocktails.
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Jennifer H.

Yelp
Was in the area with some friends. Decided to have dinner here. Glad we made reservations. It's busy! Great vibe and they have live music Thursday through Sunday. Waitress was attentive and friendly. Food was delicious! I had a house salad with salmon which sounds simple but was fresh and delicious. We shared the pretzel balls and cheese. Friends had fish & chips, fried chicken and the burger. Everyone left full and happy with their meal.
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Danielle M.

Yelp
Trenton was our server and he was so friendly and sweet. They put sauce on the wings instead of on the side and let us keep the error wings to eat while we waited. Great service and yummy food. :) glad we found this place

James M.

Yelp
Paige and CJ went above and beyond they made our anniversary special loved the seating amazing customer service we came from Hawaii and couldn't believe how well they took care of us.
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Chad L.

Yelp
Parking: n/a...did Uber but was near a mall so assuming there is parking Decor: stylish but not tacky, see photos Staff: friendly and attentive Food: delicious, well prepared and presented Price: average for Scottsdale
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Ashley S.

Yelp
I wish I had taken pictures of the menu, the food, the ambience, and of the amazing sunset that was in the background, but I didn't. The dog friendly patio kind of had us scrambling to get our pups in order because the place was poppin! We wanted to make sure that we got them settled so they weren't overwhelmed. Highly recommend making a patio reservation! This place gets so busy even, that it's important to get a reservation. We made a reservation on Open Table, but mistakenly made it for the indoor dining area and not the patio. Since we had our pups with us, we had to let the hostess know we made a mistake and see if they could accommodate us. We waited about 15 minutes longer than our normal reservation and that was on us because we did not check the area that we had reserved. They were kind enough to accommodate us. We had two small pups and they sat us at a two top, which is really hard considering you have to have space around your legs for your dogs to sit. Our dogs are extremely well behaved and unfortunately, a two top it makes it really hard for them to have some space to just sit down. We did ask for a four top that was right next to us and they said they couldn't accommodate it because it was already spoken for. We were OK with that and we still made it work. About five minutes later the hostess comes back and said that she moved some things around and we were able to take the four top that was right next to us. We were so grateful! That really made the dining experience so much better considering we didn't have to scrunch in. We started off with the shrimp and zucchini and I highly recommend that as an appetizer. Everything at the restaurant is scratch made and the cornmeal coating that they use on the shrimp and zucchini is so light and flavorful that it didn't even need the sauce. For the entrées we opted for the Steak Frites and Fried Chicken. I enjoyed the steak the most and for being a lean cut (skirt), it had so much flavor! Don't get me wrong. we really enjoyed the fried chicken! However, there was just something about the steak that really stood out over the chicken. Lastly, we have to give a major shout out to our waitress Ava! We enjoy eating out a lot, especially with our pups, and she blew us away with how down-to-earth, personable, and patient she was. She took the time to explain the menu to us in-depth and we were so appreciative of this since we were first-timers. She also came back to check on us, see how our food was tasting, refill our water, and even give us recommendations on things to do around town. She cared about our experience not just because we were dining but because we weren't locals. She shared her favorite ice cream place, best coffee spot, and restaurants that we might like where we can take our pups. Ava was truly a highlight in our dining experience and we wish more establishments had an Ava!
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Allen W.

Yelp
I was really excited to check out this spot as it's a place that you hear locals rave about regularly. When I got here I could say that the visit didn't disappoint but it didn't knock my socks off either! We made reservations for a party of 5 for my best friend's birthday. When we needed to push the reservation back the staff was super flexible and welcomed us with open arms. The first thing that stood out to me was the ambiance. This place was an entire vibe. The dinning room was filled with music and sections of folks engaged vigorously in conversation. We quickly found a place to sit and our server came over quickly to help us out. They went above and beyond to provide recommendations. Sharing some of the highlights of what they're most known for (i.e. pretzels). One of th p was e first things I noticed was how incredibly limited the vegan options were ! It was one vegan option available, the vegan curry. There was also an opportunity to make additional items salad/nachos vegan by removing ingredients. Which is rather pricey considering the text that they would be removing mostly all or the ingredients. In short, i would love to see more vegan options. If you can't do that more inclusivity would be appreciated generally. For example, couldn't try bbq sauce because it was supposedly mad with pork fat. Our server David was incredible! He went above and beyond and left us with a remarkable experience that I could simple never forget. Each of us felt embraced and supported by this care he exhibited while we were there. Davis deserves a pay raise for his service alone. Other notes: lay off of the salt.
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Kiva H.

Yelp
Visited Scottsdale a few weeks ago for the first time to celebrate my birthday, Culinary Dropout was our first stop straight from the spot. It was highly recommended by a few friends so our crew had to check it out. Love the relaxed vibe of the place , feels like I am at home. Bob Marley mural, extra bonus! As someone from the Caribbean who loves reggae, he is one of my favorite artist. Extensive menu with lots of options for everyone. Smokehouse hash was tasty but wish there was more protein, my friend enjoyed her south bowl - nice light , my wife enjoyed the fried chicken entree but wished the chicken had a little more flavor. We will definitely back to try some additional dishes. Plenty of parking - you may self park or choose to valet!
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Rustyna H.

Yelp
YELPies!!!!The atmosphere is ALWAYS trendy chic!! I LOVE IT HERE! Stopped in with my coworker for happy hour and ordered a Sweater Weather drink. The service was absolutely on point and everything was amazing. Run on ovah to Culinary Drop out and try ALL the things. I promise you won't regret it.

Kevin M E.

Yelp
Great Service, food was perfect came as described and cooked to perfection. Our Server Martin was exceptional, always making sure we were taken care of. Martin has excellent knowledge of Beers. I would recommend Martin as the server to ask for!

Robin O.

Yelp
We had the most amazing service with Alyssa at the old town, Scottsdale location. She was attentive, funny and made sure we were always taken care of. We will definitely be back, especially on her shift.
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Elyse A.

Yelp
We came on a Sunday afternoon and we were surprised how busy it was at 1pm. We did make a reservation online on our way, so we were seated right away. We were sat in the corner of the patio, since it was a little chilly they did have two heaters near us. They both ran out of butane by the time our meal was done, one was replaced. The service was lackluster at best. Totally understand it was busy, but when the server even jokes about ordering a wine now because by the time you finish your almost full glass, it might be there. Otherwise, it would take seriously like 15 minutes. Keeping drinks refilled was a challenge, and a bartender from another area was the one who brought the alcohol over. The food was just soso. The best part were the Spicy Shrimp Crispy Rice app & the Wauygu Pig in a Blanket. They were good. I will say they were brought out at two different times. One of them came out before our drinks. The other a good 15 min later. I got the BBQ Pork Belly Nachos for my main and they were disappointing. Nothing special, not a lot on them, pork just meh. Honestly, I ate maybe 5 chips and just wasn't worth the calories. Husband said the burger was a typical burger nothing to write home about. My Mom got the fried chicken and liked it but the bite I had was oily and not much flavor. After reading reviews and looking at this place before our trip, I was disappointed in the service and the quality of the food. Definitely gave chain vibes, unfortunately.
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Brian C.

Yelp
This spot is the perfect spot for a date night. If you are looking for a spot with great service and tasty food, this spot is solid. We had came here without reservations for two. The wait would've been about 1 hr but luckily there was bar seating. I had the fried chicken, biscuits and gravy which was a solid choice. It had a home style taste. I would come back here.

Miranda S.

Yelp
We are in town on vacation and this spot was close to where we are staying. So glad we decided to go here the food and service were amazing. CJ our server was excellent probably some of the best service I've ever experienced. The whole table liked their food and drinks. Would highly recommend going here if you are in the area.
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Natasha T.

Yelp
I joined a dear friend to celebrate her birthday, and we had a fantastic time! Lucy, our server, was a rockstar--patient and attentive, making sure everyone was happy. The food was exceptional, especially the coleslaw, and the vibe was perfect for our hyped group while enjoying great food and drinks.
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Nicole G.

Yelp
This was a cool spot. I enjoyed the Brussel sprouts and salad. The salmon was over cooked and not prepped as requested for our kid, but we did not say anything. They have a good happy hour with several selections for food and drink.
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Austin L.

Yelp
Culinary Dropout is the perfect mix of laid-back fun and seriously good food. The Whipped Feta & Tahini drip is a must. The Fish and Chips were crispy, juicy, and balanced with the sauce, while the 36-Hour Pork Ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender with a tangy coleslaw to match. Cocktail game? Strong. The "Smashed Irishman" was refreshing and smooth, ideal for Arizona's heat. The vibe is unbeatable, great for date nights, group outings, or just hanging at the bar. Food, drinks, and atmosphere are all on point. Will be back!
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Jonathan D.

Yelp
Great food, and even better during happy hour! Servings sizes and portions are huge. Great flavor, perfect place for a casual lunch with friends. Pretzel bites were great with the side of beer cheese. Comes with a warmer to keep the gooey texture. Also got the shaved prime rib dip. Dripping sauce was perfect balance of salt and sweet and complemented the sandwich well. Ordered a side of fries with the sandwich, and they gave us a side salad. They ended up bringing us the fries free of charge.

Tanner H.

Yelp
I don't usually leave reviews, but after being waited on by Garret at Culinary Dropout, I couldn't not sing his praises! From the moment we were seated, Garret made us feel genuinely welcomed--not in that over-the-top, robotic kind of way, but with an effortless charm that made it feel like we were longtime regulars (even though it was our first visit). Garret was the perfect mix of professional and personable. He knew the menu inside and out, gave fantastic recommendations (his pick for the fried chicken was chef's kiss), and somehow anticipated everything we needed before we could even ask. Our drinks were always full, our table was spotless, and his timing was impeccable--never rushed, never delayed. But what really set him apart was his energy. You can tell Garret loves what he does, and that vibe is infectious. He brought such a fun, upbeat, and relaxed atmosphere to our table that we honestly didn't want to leave. It's rare to find someone who elevates an entire dining experience just by being themselves--but Garret does exactly that. Culinary Dropout is lucky to have him, and so were we. If you go, do yourself a favor and ask for Garret. You won't be disappointed! (He's also super cute!)