Sidewinder

We went to Sidewinder on a Sunday, right at 5 pm. It looked like the staff had just arrived - the counters/menus were not even cleaned from the previous night. I understand the dive bar vibe, but still there is no excuse for lack of hygiene. The ventilation system/outlets were also visibly filthy. On the positive side, the food was great. We had the brisket and chicken sandwiches, loaded onion rings, and fries. All the favors were right on point and the prices were reasonable. We sat inside since it was a cool afternoon, but I would recommend the outdoor sitting areas which looked very cute.

Just felt like we weren’t regulars so we weren’t cool and none of our ten smiles and polite gratitudes were ever returned by the GM. I’m sorry her staff called out but for $60 I will only come back here for the Route 66 trailer but whoever says this place is friendly must be a favorite, I don’t expect my butt kissed but she was just so indifferent it made me as a hospitality expert uncomfortable . Also they got rid of the brisket bbq platter and smoked bologna so even the food has been changed to where if you don’t like this history or location or know the staff you d9nt matter here

Good food and conversation. Tiny inside bar is friendly with fun regulars and cool staff. Bartenders have tattoos and the cooks have mustaches. Misters in the back patio. Dogs and burgers are worth it. No substitutions unless you're a big tipper. I love this place. 10/10

Great local spot. I live in the neighborhood, so it's an easy walk for a casual dinner. The food is what you'd expect from a diner- flavorful and mostly unhealthy. I enjoyed the loaded onion rings, elote, and potato salad. They have $3 beer specials, and I was impressed that their seasonal special was a sour. The servers and cooks are always friendly and happy to help.

Bartender took my legal ID, claimed it was fake and immediately folded it in half. No scan, No UV, just saw I am from out of state and broke my personal property. I am from the other side of the country and this ID is the only way I can make it home to see my family in a few weeks. For context, I was served liquor at this establishment 3 hours prior, am legally of age to drink, and have been served personally from this exact same bartender using the exact same ID recently. When I atleast asked for my (now folded) ID back she looked cluelessly to her coworker to say “I don’t know what to do with this” while continuing to fold and unfold it as if the entirety of where I’m allowed to travel and drink at was not on the line. She refused to give it back until the police were mentioned. Incredibly unprofessional and illegal.

Want a cocktail, can or bottle of beer and a dressed hot dog? You will if you come here. Sidewinder has a special place in my heart and makes a great hangout on cooler nights, especially with co-workers after a long night at work.

What we ordered : Modelo Sonoran paradise Entrees: Slaw dawg with side of Mac and cheese French fries Fries super crispy and the curry ketchup they give with it supper tasteful I wanted more of it and the dawg was packed with Cole slaw and had good seasoning and taste nothing bad to say but the Mac and cheese was alright tasted like the cheap fake cheese you get at stores was poured over it as the cheese base which wasn’t that good tasted like some soggy nachos from the gas station kind of cheese lots of sitting outside but inside only a few , cute little spot for cheap drinks and food

Went for drinks here with my friends, they terrorized my friend about his ID that is from New Jersey, the bartender with the nastiest attitude accusing my friend of having a fake ID , bending the ID in half literally damaging personal property we almost called the cops because SHE kept trying to keep the ID mind you that’s not legal, I requested a UV test to look at the holograms on the ID she refused on the account they didn’t have one, the worst service I ever had so far here my friend has been here so many times his ID has been accepted by other bartenders on the same establishment but she wanted to have a power trip and prove the point that ID was fake. Do not come here if you have an ID out of state. If sidewinder management is reading this the bartender working on October 14 at 12:41 AM.

Giving a dive bar five stars feels like it should be illegal, but here we are--Sidewinder is just that good. T.J. Culp and Esther Noh have turned the old Welcome Diner into a gloriously unpretentious spot where sloppy joes and spicy mezcal coexist in perfect harmony. The inside is tiny--like, fewer-than-10-bar-stools tiny--but the sprawling patios with misters more than make up for it. Whether you're sweating through a Phoenix summer or just in the mood to people-watch while sipping a Naked But Not Famous (mezcal, Aperol, piña, lime), this place has you covered. The food is so good it feels unfair to call this a dive bar. The Cheap Sloppy Joe hits all the comfort-food notes, while the Not So Sonoran Dog is like a Tucson-Chicago hybrid that should be its own food genre. And the smoked bologna sandwich? Let's just say it's the glow-up bologna deserves. Pro tip: Don't skip the elote ribs unless you're okay with craving them for the rest of your life. Drinks keep the playful vibe going. Cold shots of Fernet-Branca or spicy mezcal are on offer, but the cheeky cocktails like the Mesquite Old Fashioned take things to the next level. It's the kind of menu that says, "You're here to have fun, so stop overthinking it." Sidewinder somehow manages to be both divey and polished, a rare combo that feels like it shouldn't work--but totally does. It's tough to give a dive bar five stars, but honestly, they've earned it. This is where you go when you want great food, great drinks, and a great time without any of the pretense. Just go. You'll get it.

Fries super crispy and the curry ketchup they give with it supper tasteful I wanted more of it and the dawg was packed with Cole slaw and had good seasoning and taste nothing bad to say but the Mac and cheese was alright tasted like the cheap fake cheese you get at stores was poured over it as the cheese base which wasn't that good tasted like some soggy nachos from the gas station kind of cheese lots of sitting outside but inside only a few , cute little spot for cheap drinks and food

This is a cool bar and doesn't get busy due to it being away from all the bars on Roosevelt Row. However the bartender was extremely rude and my friend and I came by after work to chat and get a quick bite to eat.I probably would not come back due to how the bartender acted. Very dismissive and acted like we were interrupting her conversation with the male patrons. The chef was super friendly and she should take notes on how to be more welcoming especially if you are working in the service industry. We got the jalapeño poppers- 8/10 tasted similar to the TGI fridays you get in the frozen section at frys. Sloppy joe- 5/10 the mayo doesn't pair well Sonoran dog- 7/10 good amount of toppings No parking on-site and a lot of sketch people walking around.

Good food at this hip little bar/restaurant. Food is served hot and delicious. I had the Sloppy Joe with Jalapeño poppers, my daughter had the Sonoran Hot Dog with Chili cheese French fries. Really good food. I'd definitely recommend this place. Open until 2 am.

Amazing food service and ambiance!!!!! The best ambiance ever. I love going here and it's only my first time. Order the sloppy Joe.

One of the best places to eat in phoenix!! I will always recommend to friends and family. Frito pie is SO good!!! And sloppy joes were my favorite please bring them back ! The drinks are unforgettable, try the Sonoran Paradise. The service is pretty good, I've never had a bad experience. And the staff are so kind and friendly. But the food/ drinks keep me coming back

Great local spot. I live in the neighborhood, so it's an easy walk for a casual dinner. The food is what you'd expect from a diner- flavorful and mostly unhealthy. I enjoyed the loaded onion rings, elote, and potato salad. They have $3 beer specials, and I was impressed that their seasonal special was a sour. The servers and cooks are always friendly and happy to help.

Great late night spot if you're looking for straightforward food. They took over Welcome Diners original spot and it kinda made me feel nostalgic dining here again. I ordered the brisket sandwiches and although it was good, it was a bit dry and tough. The sidewinder fries were loaded with chilli and toppings. I would definitely order the elote corn ribs again

How can you give this place anything other than a 5?! In fact, I'd give it a 10 if Yelp wasn't a self serving autocracy but I digress. Hands down, the staff is #1. Quick to help you understand the wildly delicious menu, but also provide those needed libations whether it's a shot with dinner, or a beer to end the night. Phoebe. Jake. All stars. Always accommodating and good for a belly laugh or three. Ambiance is great, can go from mellow hip hop to outlaw country, it's a decent amalgamation of what Phoenix is truly about. Let me start with the food, holy moly. I've never had Elote like this in my life. Every time I go, I always start with the Elote. Wash that down with a Nashville hot chicken (best in the valley) to finish. Hands down best new bar in the valley.

If you want to feel some nostalgia you have found your place! From the awesome esthetics with an old school country side feel, to the old school dinner that's been in Roosevelt since i can remember this place rocks! Sidewinder steps in where many have failed outside of welcome dinner and absolutely knocked this out idea of the park. The simple menu is just what this space needed. I say this with all due respect, the simple menu is sized perfectly to match the space. I love that they had the kitchen in mind when building this menu but by no means pulled back on the hometown flavors. We ordered a few items but had to brag about the sloppy Joe! Man a perfectly buttered soft bun married to a sloppy Joe filling that is only matched by the feeling of being a little kid and running home and being greeted by a plate full of beef,sauce and onions not to mention a fresh piece of cheddar melting before your very eyes! We also had the corn ribs, seasoned in a Mexican street corn style they were so good i forgot i was eating them and by the time i looked down they were gone ... i still think my wife stole them for herself but ether way I'll be ordering two orders next time. Service was crazy fast and super excited to help us out. Not so secret menu -Mi Ruca Michelada! 10/10

Nice spot with a lot of heart. Simple and small with great drinks, the martini was better than I could imagine it would be served in a plastic cup! The nascar spritz was also a hit at our table. The Frito pie was delicious. The bar has few seats so we look forward to a weeknight when it's quieter and we can enjoy the interior - we visited on a Saturday with a big party and sat outside. They were very accommodating and the music was an experience in itself. A little bit of hipster Texas in our backyard. The proximity to RoRo is very convenient as well! Can't wait to bring some friends by.

Wow. Phoenix needed Sidewinder. Great vibe, cheap drinks, late night food. This is it.

Great food, great drinks, and great service. Wonderful place to relax with a drink and some comfort food. Lots of outdoor seating.

Sloppy Joe was so good I immediately tried to replicate it at home afterwards. Cheap delicious food and affordable drinks. When the weather cools off this spot will be a must.

It's great to have a good restaurant back in this spot! Loved hangin on their chill patio - it's expanded to the back yard since the previous owner's tenure. Popping some outdoor cushions on those chairs would do a wonder for comfort though. Came with a big group and they were so accommodating, even let us park our bikes in the back (they said a bike rack was in the works). Everyone loved their food - especially high praise was given to the sausage sando, the hot dogs, & sloppy Joe. I ended up getting fries with a side of nacho cheese because the only vegetarian options are sides/apps, but those were tasty too. Prices were also super reasonable. These 4 stars would be 5 easy if they get a bike rack and a vegetarian main of some kind.

I love this place. This is the definition of a dive bar with amazing food. Elote ribs are phenomenal.

I like this place and what the concept is, but the food is hit or miss. Also, some of the bartenders don't look happy and never smile, not sure if they want to be there.. some of them seem mad or something. It comes off as if they're irritated of your presence. We've sat down inside at the counter and we were ignored, one of the cooks was more welcoming than the bartender..I've been a couple times with friends and it's always the same, you don't feel welcomed if that makes sense. But the patio is amazing, great for people watching, and the drink prices are amazing. Regardless, We will continue to come back, hoping this spot makes it!

First time visiting any establishment where the chef was 10 times more kind and welcoming then the service staff. Bartender was extremely dismissive, had a horrible attitude and look on her face. I did my best to shake off her terrible attitude and energy, aesthetic and ambiance was amazing!

Man bun bartender was kind of rude and made a suggestive joke at my girlfriend's expense. Really left a bad impression on us. Not sure about return business, despite the fact that I overall like the drinks and the rest of the staff.

This bar has HORRIBLE customer service. Trust and believe people are NOT going here for the service they are going here because it's the new "cool" place to hang out. Really, I could care less how "cool" the vibe is. The way they talk to their paying customers is very condescending and rude. They are so new they are clearly still trying to figure out the best way to run things, but piece of advice coming from someone who's worked in customer service for years. Watch how you talk to your customers. I only come to this place literally to meet friends who like coming to this bar, but trust and believe I have no problem writing a review about my service every time. If you are having a bad day I understand that, but it's EVERY time I come to this bar there is an issue especially the way they talk to their customers. Y'all need better training cause being "cool" or a "vibe" can only take you so far. (:

Cool little neighborhood/industry dive in the old Welcome Diner digs. Great bar food, cheap drinks, stare cool staff and they're always having a laugh. If they get to know you well enough they'll bust balls and bully you in jest but thats the appeal of the place. It gives you the authentic neighborhood dive experience and makes you feel at home. It's like Dicks Last Resort but smaller, hornier, divier, with more profanity, and Budweiser is $3. The people hating on the "rude" staff didn't pick up on the fact that its a bit with regulars and if any staff are actually ignoring you or being dismissive, its probably because you probably wave at bartenders to get their attention, are generally impatient, annoying and thus deserve it. It's a dive bar we clown in here and they don't have to fake a smile when you are being rude. If you want constant ass kissing customer service despite your lack of manners and etiquette, go take a waymo to Old Town or something.