Good drinks, great music, friendly service, and tasty food. What more do you need to know? The place gets busy, so it is probably a good idea to make a reservation. We got lucky and secured one in the middle of the dinner rush, which meant we were able to eat at prime time at a local favorite. We arrived a bit early, so we stopped by the bar for cocktails and ordered the Paloma Spritz and the El Matador. I am not usually a cocktail person since many tend to be too sweet, but the bartender made an effort to tone down the sweetness, which I appreciated. For food, we ordered the soft pretzels with provolone dip, which is apparently a must-have, along with the spicy shrimp crispy rice and a pepperoni and sausage pizza. The pretzels and cheese did not disappoint. The pizza was solid for a Detroit-style pie, with dough that was airy and light rather than dense. The spicy shrimp crispy rice was good (My pic shows two pieces, but the dish comes with four. I forgot to take a picture before we started eating). The rice itself was done very well, though I would have preferred a bit more spice and no mint garnish. And the monkey bread and ice cream rounded the meal off just right. I know Culinary Dropout is a small chain, but if I get another opportunity to visit another location, I would definitely check it out if the experience is as good as this one. read more

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May 10 & 12, 2026 - Yes, our family gathering of 9 came twice for dinner (each time with a reservation). The service on May 10th was spot on and came with a great side of humor too! We wish we could remember her name to give her credit! On May 12th, one in our party received a filthy menu. When the menu was taken to the front desk, the reply was that the menu was wet from a water glass. HUMM, no one on our table had been given water yet! Then it was, "oh it is the menu sanitizer", REALLY? No apologies. Off to go wash hands...cool, modern bathroom! Some of the food highlights from our 2 dinners: The pigs in a blanket came with a tasty honey mustard dip. The prosciutto deviled eggs were delicious, but salty and I didn't think all the saltiness came from the finely diced prosciutto. The chopped chicken salad was a hearty portion and had a nice mix of contents. The chicken katsu sandwich was a really good concept/idea with a great execution. The prime rib dip was very tender, the bread was soft, and the sandwich was not any saltier than what is offered elsewhere. The spicy rigatoni had a little kick, wonderfully elevated comfort food. A perfect stick to your ribs Italian dish!. The monkey bread was raved about and devoured. read more

Me and my boyfriend came here to grab a quick dinner, it was my first time and already from the start, I loved the atmosphere!! We were seated immediately and was greeted very nice! I even got a welcoming greeting from the hosts themselves and that alone made me feel instantly welcomed. Our server was Devin and he was absolutely terrific. We did ordered the Italian pizza originally but was told it was out, but Devin was able to help us out. Introduced us to their ribs and that was absolutely scrumptious!! Made me laugh so much and smiled so hard:) I will definitely be coming to this only specific location and definitely will be asking for Devin! Thanks again guys, loved it overall, can't complain. read more

Culinary Dropout - Room Service - New American Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Came Saturday night between 5:30-6pm with waiting time of 45min, we ended up grabbing seats at the bar and ate there as that was offered. Great service at the bar no matter how must they were making drinks for every ordered made throughout the night. Clean, very spacious and beautiful layout! Great drinks and definitely great food! It's been 7yrs since I had pizza exactly like this back in east side of Seattle, was absolutely delicious and can't wait to try more of Culinary Dropout's pizza! read more

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Come here for a bachelorette dinner and shout out to our server Pat for making the bride's dreams come true. The food was amazing, the vibes were great and the service was great! There was something for everything and the drinks and mocktails were great! read more

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Loved the spicy shrimp rice! Everything else was just okay. Amazing service! Lovely drinks! Wonderful ambiance, would try again and hope the food is better. read more

Culinary Dropout - Mongolian Short Rib* - New American Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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Upbeat modern fun in the hustle and bustle of Scottsdale. This is a great spot for friends or family and especially dates. The service was great as the server was friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. We had the mushroom pizza and yesterday's soup that puts the similar rivals soup from Olive Garden to shame. It was hearty and sausage and cous cous blend of flavors was delicious. I ordered and old fashioned and it was a nice compliment to the meal. Oh yea, forgot that we had the wings which was a very good choice. Their buffalo dressing was unlike anywhere else I have tasted and so good! Banana bread French toast and popcorn shrimp. The kids loved the table tennis game and cornhole toss. Can't wait to visit again soon! read more

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We had a company outing here and the atmosphere was fantastic! The street ambiance with the lights wrapped around trees across the restaurant reminded me of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. I ordered the crispy shrimp for appetizer and salmon with butternut squash and kale as entree. Both were really delicious but I wish the portion could be bigger. I also ordered a Hass mocktail which uses avocado as base. Highly recommend! read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Came here for a work-related dinner, and it was actually my second time visiting. It's a very fun, upbeat type of place with ample menu options and an energetic vibe. This is positive if it's what you are looking for, but unless maybe you come on a slow day for lunch, don't expect a quiet, laid-back meal. (On a nice day, you might request a table near the open-air roll-up doors.) And although the food is tasty, don't expect super reasonable prices. Yes, it's Scottsdale Quarter, so what should one expect, right? That's a fair point, so let's get on to what was really great about the place. First, the food was really good. Soft pretzels with provolone fondue were ordered for the table, and they were delicious. One of my colleagues ordered the steak frites with fries, and they certainly looked delicious. And I ordered the roasted salmon, which came with butternut squash, toasted couscous, garden herb pesto, and crispy brussels sprouts as sort of a garnish on top. The price was high, and the portion was small, but oh my, it was delicious--perhaps one of the most delicious pieces of salmon I've ever eaten. Also, it's actually quite filling despite it's size, and I was not super hungry the day I ate here, so it really hit the spot, especially since I was not picking up the tab. :) Service was friendly, despite the loud atmosphere and bustling crowds. We were seated in an area with live music, so that contributed to the noise level, but I didn't take that as a negative, as the talented soloist was singing light rock and jazzy tunes, so that actually made the environment a bit more chill. Parking, as usual, is a bit of a pain at Scottsdale Quarter, but I was able to find a reasonably good spot in the parking garage without too much of a walk. And it's free with no validation needed. All in all, I enjoyed the experience, especially given I was with good company. I would easily come back here again, but I might hesitate if I'm more in the mood for a quieter environment, easier access to the restaurant, and/or less drain on my wallet if I'm the one paying the check. :) read more

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Brought my #3 son Nick! Always drawn to my crispy shrimp appetizer & fried chicken! read more

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Our server was fantastic! Super attentive, happy to take a family photo, and overall very pleasant to be around. We went for dinner and the low lighting combined with the beautiful lights outside make for a perfect place for a celebration or a date night. Last, and certainly not least the food was delicious. PS: We also had a variety of their cocktails, all of which were great too!! I especially liked the two to mango. read more

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Every employee was so friendly from the second we walked in the door. The vibes were so fun and they had live music on Thursday night. We split the pretzels and fondue and the pigs in a blanket. They were fun appetizers. We also split the chicken katsu sandwich, that was my favorite thing from the night. Really fun spot I would definitely come again for some fun cocktails and apps. read more

Delicious food! We started with deviled eggs and the house made potato chips. Caesar salad with chicken was yummy too. Short ribs went over very well and also steak frites. Good drinks also. Service was very good. My only complaint is that it's quite loud. We sat outside and even at those tables it's hard to hear. Inside would have been impossible. We would go back; definitely worth a repeat. read more

The food is delicious, the setting is very nice and it's a fun place. This restaurant is popular and is a favorite.

The place has the best atmosphere! It's half outside half inside and the breeze is hitting! The food was fresh and delicious- we ordered the house salad and a pizza and the flavor hit the spot! The service was great, our sever checked on us throughout our experience! read more

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Culinary Dropout is one of Phoenix's most popular restaurants on Yelp. They have several locations around town, and I have been to several of them. I visited this location for dinner on a week day. Ambiance (4.5/5): I was seated at a high top in the bar area. This is a beautiful and spacious restaurant. There are large windows, plants, and a trendy vibe. Which makes it a great date spot. I, on the other hand, visited with my mom lol. Being that we were in the bar area, there were several TVs at the bar. I always like to have the game on when it's football or basketball season. And they also have free WiFi which is always a nice touch. Service (4/5): Our waitress did a nice job. She shared some recommendations when I asked her and was friendly. She could have stopped by a little more frequently, but overall, solid. She asked me if I wanted a to-go Arnold Palmer which was nice of her. Drinks (N/A): I had the aforementioned Arnold Palmer so not much to write home about here. They do have a full bar with a nice list of craft cocktails. The only unfortunate part is that their happy hour ends quite early. Food (4/5): I had the crispy chicken katsu. If you've never had katsu, it's a must! Think of it as a breaded cutlet. It's thin and it's a Japanese dish. This sandwich was served on milk bread with a pickle spear and a side of fries. The chicken was flavorful, the bread was fresh, and the fries were crispy and well-seasoned. A good size portion and overall, a great dish. It's no surprise that Culinary Dropout is such a popular restaurant in town. This location, in Scottsdale Quarters, is surrounded by a bunch of other restaurants, bars, and shopping. Make an evening out of it, it's a nice area. read more

Culinary Dropout - Crispy Chicken Katsu - New American Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Love this place!! My family and I came here for lunch during our Scottsdale Quarter shopping day. This place is huge! They have a pig pong table and a few other fun things to play while waiting on your food or after you eat. One of their most popular things is their charcuterie board which we got and it was SO good. We let the chef pick most of it then added some specific things we wanted to make sure we had. I got a Caesar salad with shrimp which id say was one of the best Caesars I've had. It had a ton of Parmesan and 10 whole shrimp. Our waiter was super kind and friendly and very attentive. My family all agreed we would come back here and recommend it to friends! I also saw they have locations in various cities. read more

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We brought friends in from town. We brought their three month old and had the best time. The food was great. We loved the menu options and the service was great. You can never go wrong with a meal out at Culinary Dropout. read more

Culinary Dropout - Mongolian Short Rib* - New American Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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What a cool venue! First the good: The food was overall very good. We tried the Brussels sprouts and pig in the blankets, as well as the spicy rice bites to share. My favorite by far was the rice, so well seasoned and crispy but chewy. The Brussels were so tasty but a little soggy. The pigs were exactly as expected, a solid choice if you love a good pig in a blanket. Their short rib was phenomenal. So tender, with crunchy bok choy and crispy onions over perfectly cooked rice. It was so good I kept making everyone else try it so they could share in the deliciousness. The musician playing deserves a special shout out, singing the most eclectic hits I've heard at a dinner- and he hit it out of the park!! The biggest lacking thing was the service. We had a reservation and waited 20 minutes past our reservation time. During the meal, I had to ask multiple times for water, one person needed salt and one needed a utensil and it took quite a while to get the requested items. I also would have ordered more drinks but the server didn't come back until the end of the meal to offer another (and bring the salt, spoon, and water). We ended up sharing what we had (or for the salt asking the table next to us!) and made it work but I definitely felt we were a tad neglected. In the servers defense they were pretty packed but I would imagine that's typical for them on a Friday. Overall a hit and I would certainly return! Get the crispy rice bites and the short rib!! read more

We got the fried chicken and they managed to keep the meat juicy and the skin crispy! The buttermilk biscuit hits the spot. The coleslaw was a little dry and bland but I appreciate having it to balance out the fried chicken. They had some tasty cocktails and mocktails as well that we'll try one day. Overall, this particular location is located in a beautiful spot in Scottsdale Quarter with couch seating facing the large windows. It's a little loud on the inside, but a fun time for all ages and occasions. They have live music sometimes over the weekends. Service is friendly. They do have a private room area in the back for events that's spacious. Service was really on top of things throughout the event, I'd recommend them as an event space. Smaller focused menu with great variety of dishes, a little pricey but a good experience! read more

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My wife and I recently went to dinner at Culinary Dropout. We got there early before our reservation and decided to sit at the bar though it was very busy, and it took some time to find two seats. Once we sat down, the bartender was pleasant and very helpful, and drinks were prepared rather quickly. We had a relatively favorable experience at the table when ordering food though the experience at the host podium was rather negative. The food was good, and we will likely return another day. When we were seated, our server quickly identified himself. We ordered Soft Pretzels & Provolone Fondue as an appetizer. They arrived and were delicious! We then ordered a Classic Caesar Salad with Salmon & a M.A.C. Burger with fries as our entrees. They also showed up in a reasonable amount of time and were tasty. We finally ordered Monkey Bread for dessert, which came out well and yummy. The service in general was good, and the server made a point to offer rapport. The staff did leave used dishes (from the appetizer) on the table for the duration of the meal and forget to refill water, but they still left a positive impression. A manager also stopped by to greet us and to ask how our meal was, which is always appreciated. We also enjoyed live music that was being performed near where we were sitting. It is important to note that the host podium seemed overwhelmed and disorganized. We arrived to the podium in time for a reservation made in advance. We were seated 17 minutes after the quoted time for the reservation, and from speaking to other diners, it seemed this was what everyone else was experiencing as well. I would encourage diners to avoid weekend evenings if you don't want to experience frustration while waiting for a table regardless of whether or not you have a reservation. If you go to the Culinary Dropout website (https://www.culinarydropout.com), you can get a $20 bonus promo gift card for every $100 in gift cards you buy. Also, in addition to the live music we heard, you can enjoy sports TVs, local bars, yoga at The Yard, games, and other special events at Culinary Dropout. Also, if you sign up for their Ebites (https://www.culinarydropout.com/ebites-email-signup), you will get a coupon for $10 off a $20 purchase and get notified about special events and offers. read more

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Like the other culinary dropout's around town, this one did not disappoint. Brought my family out for some happy hour cocktails and food. I tried the salmon for the first time (my go-to with friends is always the nachos since they are great for sharing) and it was delicious. Cocktails were tasty. Plenty of seating available and it's very spacious inside read more

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I understand covering for reservations but to block tables that have been open for over 1 1/2 hours from people who would maybe sit for 45 minutes is ridiculous. I am sure they do well but with proper management they could do so much better. The ambiance is very trendy but you should use the tables you have and stop putting children in charge of seating. We have been waiting for an hour and these tables are still open.... So we left. Don't bother showing up without a reservation. read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

A few weeks late but we came here as a larger family/ group and We had a great time. Our server Kimberly was the best. She went above and beyond the rest of the staff in order to make our seating arrangement and surprise party work out for the evening. Thanks girl for all your help you truly are the best read more

My family and I came to visit my brother in Phoenix, and this was the spot he recommended we come for dinner. The food was delicious, especially the pretzels and fondue cheese - it was to die for! The service was friendly, and the atmosphere was great as well - it was great experience for my family and I, and we will unequivocally be back! Would definitely recommend! read more

Picked up orders of wings because we had family visiting from Colorado, and they were a huge hit! Easy ordering and fantastic curbside pickup! The wings were meaty and super flavorful! My DIL said the accompanying side sauce was lovely all in itself! Perfectly cooked and seasoned wings and highly recommend! read more

Great place to grab a bite with friends and/or family. The menu offers something for everyone. My favorite appetizer was the pretzel bites with the fondue. read more

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Great dinner for any outing, especially for groups or special events. They have patio games like Ping pong and cornhole. The pretzel bites are good to share and the nachos. I got the duck fried rice but most of their meals are good. And great cocktails! read more

Culinary Dropout - Peking Duck & Shrimp Fried Rice - New American Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Went here for dinner last night. The restaurant is super spacious inside and has a really cool vibe. There were lots of tvs everywhere to watch the football games. We had a reservation and were seated immediately. Our server came over and took the adults drink orders and the kids food orders which was clutch and greatly appreciated. I got the Paloma spritz, which was delicious. For an appetizer we split the whipped feta and tahini dip which was so good! For my main I went with the fried chicken and it was amazing! The chicken was crispy and juicy. The potatoes and gravy were really good and the biscuit was delicious! My wife went with the Mongolian short rib which was very good as well, but a bit on the sweet side. Over great experience and food and will definitely be back again to try other menu items. read more

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Bronson was our bartender and he was amazing. The drinks were fabulous. The pork ribs and crispy brussels sprouts are also worth trying. The ambiance just before sunset is better than much later than night. Personally I would go again during happy hour and sit around the bar to get some drinks read more

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Fun place. This place is huge with not only a great bar but casual food and games including corn hole, ping pong and lots of other fun activities. Located in a busy dining area the parking can be a bear. The atmosphere here is one of fun, games and small fare for your appetite. Try everything. read more

Culinary Dropout - Cocktail Menu - New American Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Great food, with a really fun vibe!! Good portions, too!! Always hopping and a fun place to take family and even small kids!! A little play area with corn hole and live music on some nights!! Large restaurant and bar area with lots of seating but definitely make a reservation!!!!! Crispy chicken katsu sandwich and soft pretzels are a must!! Always great, friendly servers!!! read more

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Fun restaurant that has a great bar area, and perfect for families too! Put our name in, put on a wait list and was notified 20 min prior to suggested wait time! Our server was fantastic. She gave solid recommendations and stopped by frequently but not too much. She suggested the apps and they were delicious and came out promptly. The Brussel sprouts and pretzels with fondue dip was a huge family hit! The salad with chicken and avocado was simply delicious and full of flavor! Overall, a restaurant that tailors to just about everyone. Ping pong table and corn hole to pass the time, and a great selection of food and beer and cocktails. Highly recommended read more

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I visited Culinary Dropout with a friend for dinner in a Tuesday evening. The restaurant was crowded but not completely full so we were seated promptly. Although it was a little noisier than I prefer for having a private conversation, our server was attentive and helpful but not overly pushy to get us to order and then clear the table. The food was fresh and delicious (salmon bowl and Asian crunch salad) . I would definitely return to this restaurant next time I'm in Scottsdale, AZ. read more

One of my favorite restaurants of all time. Food is amazing and unlike anywhere I've ever been. The food is just so flavorful. Service is very good with everyone being very friendly. Even during a rush, you can tell they are trying their hardest and still maintaining good service. This location specifically does get very busy often so if you are looking for a quiet relaxing dinner, this may not be the best choice. Still would choose it 10/10 times though. There are also many events going on and live music often. read more

Great find! So glad we weren't hungry until later. A lot of restaurants were closed by then, so we decided to check this place out. The ENDLESS SUMMER MARGARITA (watermelon) hit the spot and was a refreshing beverage on this hot night. I was surprised of all the food actually! I recommend the SPICY SHRIMP CRISPY RICE for an appetizer, the ASIAN CRUNCH for salad, no protein added, it was so good it didn't need it, and the CHICKEN CACIO E PEPE for an entree. Everything was delicious, the ambiance provides a great place for a late night dinner or drink! The service was excellent. read more

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Best place in the quarter, service is perfect food is perfect. Ambiance is super cool always the vibe is smooth. Managment is the best love of mine! read more

Ordered the broccoli cheddar soup to go. Both cups were half full so I only got a cup of soup for $10. There is no broccoli, it's a weirdly spicy cheese sauce basically. Didn't get any of the broccoli topper I saw on other photos here. Would not recommend. read more

Culinary Dropout - Poured the two cups of soup together - New American Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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Stopped in for a quick lunch during restaurant week and was pleased by the menu offered. The dessert was by far the best thing, but the brussel sprouts weren't all too bad. It was a bit later in the afternoon, so it was not busy so our server was able to check in on us multiple times. read more

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The good: Crispy Brussels sprouts, Fried Chicken, Peking Duck & Shrimp Fried Rice, Korean Style Ribeye Cap -- all were delicious. The fried chicken was surprisingly REALLY good. Restaurant is fun and brings in lots of natural light and LOTS of space. The bad: our food took over an HOUR to arrive. The staff was kind though, and they knew that the food was taking forever. Just annoying to deal with. read more

Culinary Dropout - Reposado Giddy Up Espresso Martini with reposado tequila - New American Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona