This place is fantastic! The food was delicious! The spaghetti and meatballs were the best I've had in a long time. And the service was wonderful. read more

Very good! I stopped there late at night, at close, and the owner kindly made some for me and another guest. It was great. Get the garlic break too! read more

The staff (Cave Creek and Union Hills)were very nice and the spaghetti was not bad but it did not have nearly enough sauce. So if you like your spaghetti SAUCY order more. ;-) read more

Fast and cheap but still good. Where else can you feed a family of 6 for $30 and the concept is great. Definitely recommend.

Showed up an hour before closing and they were sold out of everything. Surprising for a place with such a limited menu.

Fantastic Spaghetti and awesome garlic bread. The meatballs are a must have. Going there tomorrow and I cant wait.

Cheap and delicious, it's hard to beat. Their meatballs are amazing for the price! They understate their serving size. Its a lot of food! Excellent way to carb up before a hike. read more

Loved the spaghetti and the bread is delicious. Had a meatball sub too which was amazing.

Cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap. The food is literally bought "by the bucket" from wholesalers down in Phoenix, so no, it's NOT fresh, it's nothing great, wonderful, or new. They use the cheapest ingredients so retail restaurants can max profits. The owner is in it for a fast buck, that's all. Couldn't care less about quality, or his customers. A great b.s.er is all, so don't let the smile fool ya. Across the street is another Italian sit-in/takeout with much better food. They actually make the bread fresh, and make fresh desserts. Owner will go out of her way to please her customers. read more

If we lived up in Payson, this would become a go to spot for us! We stopped by on our way out of town because it's a well talked about spot in the Valley so we wanted to see what it was all about. We got the bambino and a meatball sub. Everything tasted great! The spaghetti brought us back to childhood and the meatballs were very moist with great flavor. We will definitely be back when we come up to Payson and can't wait for more locations to open! We spoke with the owner while we waited and he was very nice and took the time to get to know us. Felt like a very family friend place. Well done! read more

This place is a jewel. Amazing spaghetti, sau e and meatballs. It's like being transported to Italy. Stop in and treat yourself an amazingly delicious dinner to go. The noodles are fresh and the marinara sauce is homemade. The meatballs are Great with lots of taste. The garlic bread is top notch and great for getting every drop of sauce. Get the large size and have leftovers. I never thought Payson would have food this great! Yum! read more

The hype is real. Very tasty meatball sandwich and the owner, Bret, was very friendly. He allowed me to eat my sub on the patio even with all the coronavirus drama going on. Highly recommend. read more

Overcooked reheated pasta and not enough sauce, unless you purchase extra. Meatballs were good and garlic bread were good, but I got turned away after the first visit when the gentleman working said the meatballs come frozen and the bread just comes from Walmart. read more

Great service! The food was great and I loved that the family working together. The garlic bread was TO DIE FOR!!

Nice addition to Payson as far as choices go. Spaghetti is good and meatballs are excellent. Garlic bread is on point and the value and portions are great. It's a great way to feed a lot of people and is my default for when I don't feel like cooking and don't want to lug everyone out. Service is great and is a wonderful addition to Payson, highly recommend!! read more

Best meal I've had since I moved to Payson! Neighbors said I would like it, but they undersold this incredible gem. Spaghetti was awesome, and the meatballs and garlic bread are as good as your Italian grandmother used to make. Reasonable prices, friendly service, just a wonderful experience. By The Bucket is my new go-to home-cooked meal in Payson. You won't be disappointed. read more

The Actual spaghetti sauce was very bland and not very flavourful needed more seasonings or something. The meatballs was amazing though the best meatballs I ever had. The Owner was very nice and I think the day I went in could have been an off day. From other reviews they seem to enjoy the spaghetti but it wasn't for me. The meatballs are the best you will ever have though so if anything check them out for that :) read more

I'm not one to usually leave reviews, but here goes... During our camping trip here in Payson, we wanted to try this place because of the stunning reviews we read while browsing the local options for dinner. Little did I know that they would exceed my expectations! The hype is legitimate! The service was quick, we ordered over the phone and got the middle bucket (perfect size for 2 people and came with a generous size garlic bread), 5 meatballs, and a meatball sub. Everything was ready within 15 minutes. The food was all amazing and not a scrap was left behind! Such a convenient option for camping, too! We're 100% making this a tradition to get By The Bucket at least once every time we come camping here. Wish there were more places like this! read more

Tried this place and it didn't disappoint! We got the families bucket N added meatballs it was delicious! The meatballs were s very good size and the spaghetti was tasteful. The garlic bread was fresh an crispy. I would recommend this to family and friends. Not to mention the cute environment an service.the man behind the counter was quick an cleanly ad he prepared our food with changing out his gloves for each order read more

We stopped here on our way back to Phoenix after a day of hiking. It was so cute and delicious especially for the price. We got all set up on the porch and ate our bucket and watched the sunset. And the cheesecake was delish. I think it was a father son running the place which was just adorable. After kinda looking at other reviews this place does not claim to be gourmet and is also not priced that way. But a great stop! read more

Great food and service!!! Will definitely get the spaghetti and meatballs next rodeo or trip to Payson.

Tried spaghetti and, it was not bad. However, we were a bit disappointed as there was not much sauce. It was expensive too when adding meatballs to family bucket. Being a spaghetti connoisseur myself, I have to say, I like a thick chunky sauce with peppers, onions and lots of meat that simmers a long time. read more

I've always wanted to go to By The Bucket. Just hearing spaghetti in a bucket is a once in a lifetime opportunity to eat spaghetti from a legit bucket. When I walked in, the worker welcomed us and explained their menu as the "bucket list". Hilarious, am I right. My family and I ordered the medium bucket that came with a loaf of garlic bread. We also ordered three meatballs. Meatballs cost $1.25 each. At first, I thought paying extra for meatballs is insane but seeing the size of it, i can see why. The spaghetti, meatballs, and loaf of garlic bread were pretty good and would come back again. read more

Whether your just passing through Payson or a native and need to feed a soccer team or an army or just your signicant other for a romantic dinner away from the kids.DO NOT miss by the Bucket the meatball subs are second to none and the Spaghetti in in a class by itself.It isnt fast food,Its JUST GOOD FOOD AND EXCELLENT SERVICE. read more

If you have kids what more can you ask for when work is finished and you are tired?

Just really good spaghetti. In a bucket. Went for first time today, and will be back. Owner was friendly, service was fast, food was good.

We've driven by here lots of times and finally decided to stop on our way to Heber. Let me tell you, it was absolutely worth it! The spaghetti and meatballs were good, but the meatball sub was EXCEPTIONAL!!!!! Seriously sooooo good! We have already decided that this will be a regular stop for us whenever we're heading up to Heber!!! read more

Best place for spaghetti and meatballs or a meatball sandwich. Fast, hot and taste amazing. Very reasonable. When I don't feel like cooking after a long day, or just for a yummy meal, I swing by "By the Bucket". The owner is great to chat with while you wait. My husband and I have picked up food here on many occasions and have never had a bad experience. Really happy he is teaching his "working age" teens work ethics!! High 5 to you and thank you for great food!!! read more

I highly recommend this place...Amazing spaghetti and meatballs...wow!!! Thank you so much...very first time in..

Most Excellent and the staff is super nice I'm bummed I didn't try them sooner! The Gravy is just right, pasta perfect and the BALLS are fabulous! read more

I was ready to not like this spaghetti probably because whenever you mention that someone sells it by the bucket it does not sound appealing. I was surprised to find that their red sauce is outstanding and their meatballs are big and tasty. read more

So plain and basic. I could heat up noodles and order frozen meatballs myself for cheaper. Why do you think there is never anyone here???

Gross. Don't go here if you want food. The owner is fairly rude as well. I am from out of town and was so disappointed.

There is room for more than one Italian to go restaurant in Payson, AZ. I don't approve of the cheap shots being directed at By The Bucket. (There are no roaches.) Time will tell who has the tastiest food, by how many repeat customers each one has. Everyone will visit once, but will they visit multiple times, or on a regular basis? The food makes the restaurant and competition is a good thing, but no mudslinging, please! By the way, By The Bucket has the best meatball sandwiches! The meatballs are delicious, the bread is chewy and fresh, the sauce is authentic tasting, and the cheese is creamy. Just my opinion. read more

Have seen this place since it's on the way to our summer retreat here in Phoenix. It's in Payson, Az and finally stopped by. So glad we did.The pasta and sauce is wonderful as well as the garlic bread but, in my opinion, his meatballs are the star of this show. And the prices he has just makes the whole experience a perfect 10! So do yourself a huge favor. Especially if you have family traveling with you. Stop by, say hello, and grab some really great food to go! read more

a new location is opening up in Tempe less than a mile from me!!!!!!!!!!!!! can't wait to try it :) might make a trip up to payson as an excuse to try it out. read more

this place is soo good i love it soo much i have told all my friends and family 10 out of 10

My daughter, husband and I have been eyeing this place for awhile now. We pass through Payson a few times a month and always seem to miss them after hours as we either travel late or pass through on Sunday's when they are closed. We finally passed them on a Monday and were due to arrive at their location at 7:25 as they close at 7:30. We immediately called them at 6:30 and ordered, explaining our situation. Upon arriving they were very polite and the owners child asked for my name and introduced himself which caught me off guard because not many young children go out of their way to introduce themselves like that. Very impressive and a very good quality to possess. We were not expecting too much as far as taste and initially just thought it was just a cool idea to have spaghetti in a bucket. We underrated this place as the sauce and bread were so good. We really weren't expecting much but it was amazing and so much more. So glad we stopped and loved it. We will definitely be back. read more