The Grotto Cafe is located in the Red Truck Plaza. Another fabulous lunch with my gals. We…read morearrived right after our dance class. It was early so not too busy yet. I drooled over the scones and muffins but acted right. we ordered the avocado toast, chicken salad sandwich with gazpacho soup, turkey avocado sandwich and a strawberry feta salad. Service is prompt and cheerful. I had the avocado toast which was excellent. Mashed avocado with shopped tomatoes and everything seasoning on toast. Very yum! Everyone enjoyed their orders as always. We love this place! Shared parking lot.

Really disappointing experience at Grotto Cafe. The employee taking my order didn't even fully take…read moremy order or make sure I was finished before moving on. On top of that, every employee we interacted with came across as rude, cold, and unwelcoming. There was no friendliness or basic customer service, and it honestly felt like we were bothering them just by being there. I understand places can get busy and everyone can have an off day, but when the attitude seems to come from the entire staff, it really affects the experience. Unfortunately, based on the service alone, I wouldn't recommend this place and don't plan on returning.

I truly left this spot with mixed feelings…read more On the one hand, our servers were fabulous! They were dealing with a very large party (with a lot of confusion) behind us, so it was clear both the servers and kitchen staff were stretched thin. I'm not sure if it's a newer addition based on the reviews, but the spot is decorated beautifully. With decor, games, a solid color scheme and a variety of menu options, it's truly an inviting standout in Carefree! Our food was just fine (I think they're aiming for elevated bar food), and our drinks were alright. I'm not sure my smoked old fashioned was prepared correctly but it happens. However, for the experience I left feeling I'd severely overpaid. Additionally, the company was questionable. A gentleman walked around the venue with a dog and a frown, a man came in barefoot to pick up an order, and I witnessed a non employee (or off shift employee?) sneak behind the bar several times. There seems to be a speakeasy medspa behind a painting, but we didn't get the details. This spot has the potential to be a total standout! A mixologist with a solid craft cocktail menu and execution, a menu rethink, and maybe some event programming and this spot could certainly be a home run! If I revisit, I'd be beyond delighted to see they've grown into their potential! Best of luck to these folks!

A Shoutout to Cindy & a New Neighborhood Favorite!…read more We just got back from lunch at Tox Bar/Speedy Burger in Carefree, and what a treat it was! To our delight, Cindy--yes, the Cindy many of us have known and loved for years--was there bartending and serving with the same warm smile and stellar service she's always been known for. This time, though, she's doing it at a place that offers great food, a fun and cozy ambience, and a dog-friendly patio--a rare combo that's hard to beat. Let's face it: dining out isn't as affordable as it once was. But as I told Cindy, I don't mind paying for quality food and excellent service--and that's exactly what you'll get at Tox Bar/Speedy Burger. For years, we were loyal regulars at Brisam's, visiting twice a week. But over time, prices soared, food quality declined, and the atmosphere never improved. The space started to feel tired and neglected. Sadly, the lack of connection from ownership didn't help--unless you were a former mayor or someone "important," you likely didn't get a second glance. Let's be honest: Cindy carried Brisam's for 18 years. Her genuine care for customers was the reason many of us kept going back. Now that she's moved on, it's no surprise to see the shift. So here's my suggestion: support a place that supports its people and customers. Tox Bar/Speedy Burger is that place. Stop by on Sundays or Tuesdays this summer to see Cindy in action. Come fall, I predict it'll be wall-to-wall locals enjoying everything this gem has to offer. Let's spread the word and give our support where it's truly deserved.

Somehow the pizza didn't taste the same as other visits:…read moreLess cheese Cheese that was there was different. Sauce was still bitter Overcooked also Pizza and wings combo gone. 4.2 review.

Cowboy Pizza is the real deal! I was a bit apprehensive…read moreabout just how good a pizza joint in Cave Creek could be, but I was so wrong. This was the best pizza I've had so far in Arizona. I ordered the Tuesday special--an XL two-topping pizza for $20. I ordered the pizza with half pepperoni and half sausage. It was crazy good! The crust was airy and delicious and you could tell they use top-notch ingredients. Plus, you definitely cannot beat the price! I'm looking forward to returning during my next visit to Cave Creek.

The Black Mountain Cafe is found in the Spanish Village plaza. This is another popular hangout for…read morelocal and others. No one was using the plaza area. Everyone seemed to want the air conditioning seating. Two rooms of seating for customers. I was yearning a treat and saw the raspberry muffin calling my name. That was the choice for today. The muffin was fresh, soft and chock full of berries. There was a berry taste in each bite. Excellent muffin! Free street parking and WiFi.

I genuinely hate to write bad reviews. But as I am sitting here paying a $400 hospital bill, I feel…read morethe review is necessary. My family and I were visiting from out of town. My son has a severe gluten allergy and we came here as I saw they had gluten free pancakes. I informed the waitress of my son's allergy when we placed our order, and confirmed that his pancakes were gluten free when they were brought to our table. Being a normal 5 year old who loves pancakes, my baby enjoyed his breakfast... only to begin coughing intensely and then breaking out into severe hives (and panicking) shortly thereafter. By God's grace, we had his epi Pen nearby. We still ended up in the ER as his breathing was impacted in addition to the hives (thankfully the epi pen helped but he still had to receive treatment and be monitored). All of this was due to pancakes that we were told were gluten free. While my husband and I rushed our son to the hospital, my father who is a local resident, spoke with management. They comped our meal, which was kind. But this truly could have been a life or death situation.

Brunch offers an extensive breakfast/lunch menu. Staff were very welcoming and seated us…read moreimmediately. This is a popular spot for eats. They do not take reservations so be aware that if you're hungry, you may want to try elsewhere. I imagine during the lunch hour, there could be a wait, I had limited time before I had to leave. We both got their donut of the day. It was a PB&J donut. What a beautiful presentation of a donut; clearly it was elevated. I was thinking about a donut on a plate. The donut is topped with whipped cream, nuts and strawberry slices. The donut was pretty good. Somewhat sweet and super fresh. Each day they make a different donut. They close early at 2pm. If you want to try this place, make your plan to arrive before closure. There is a very small shared parking lot. If the lot is full, there is dirt parking on the side of the building.

the hot italian is one of the best sandwiches in the world!!!…read more great service too. we love it here!!

The Hideaway Grill is the premier biker friendly bar and grill. It's an outdoor bar with shaded…read morecover. This place is home to thousands of riders during Bikers Week. It can feel intimidating when there are several bikers there. They are all there to socialize, meet other enthusiasts and have a can of beer. There is no tap available. The car was across the street since we were headed in that direction. The car had just pulled out when a host of bikers got ready to depart. One person stopped traffic in both directions. One by one, the bikers headed out with noisy mufflers and their live music on their cycles. At least 50 bikes pulled out. Most impressive and quite the show. Note: parking is typically easier if you use a lot across the street. The bikes tend to take up the parking.

We stopped in a beer and we're totally surprised that there are no beers on tap. All cans and…read morebottles. So that's the reason for our disappointment. Ambiance is great - nice patio. Parking mostly for motorcycles. Service is at the bar and it was fine.

Grilled Addiction came out to my business complex for the food truck rotation and they definitely…read moredelivered. I ordered their Blackberry glazed pulled pork and coleslaw sandwich and fries. My sandwich was quite large and messy to eat but very tasty. I could very faintly taste the hint of berries in the glaze and I was glad I was able to try this out. It was a very good pulled pork sandwich. The fries were cooked to a crispy texture and delicately salted. My co-worker opted to do the build-your-own burger and has remarked that his was pretty tasty. I will need to try this out next time their out!

I was happy to see this food truck at the Diamondbacks game. I'm from California, and I love the…read moreopportunity to get tri tip! There was no line at the truck and service was fast. The guy was super friendly. The sandwich was smaller than we expected, but the meat...! They nailed it. The tri tip was succulent and amazing. Seriously good. The bread it was on was so-so--the bottom bun was immediately soaked through so it made it kinda awkward to eat. But hey, the meat was the most important. We could have had a pile of that and dug in with forks and been quite content.

My husband and I decided to take a chance on a new restaurant while vacationing in Arizona…read more Normally, we stick with restaurants we've visited before or well-known brands, but this time we stumbled upon a charming husband-and-wife-owned restaurant called Confluence, located in the Sundial Plaza in Carefree, Arizona. We're certainly glad we did. Confluence offers a beautiful outdoor patio for dining, while the interior is intimate, with only six to eight tables and a small bar. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with warmth and character--you can definitely tell there's a thoughtful touch behind every detail. We were greeted by our bartender and server, Victoria, who also happens to be the co-owner. She was absolutely wonderful. Even though the restaurant was busy, she made us feel like we were her only guests. As we talked with her, we learned how she and her husband, Chef Brandon, are the entire operation and work seamlessly together to create an exceptional dining experience. The menu is intentionally small, but that's because every dish is prepared fresh to order. Chef Brandon's attention to detail is evident in every plate. The presentation is beautiful, and the complex, well-balanced flavor profiles showcase his culinary talent. We highly recommend the Gazpacho--it was outstanding. As former restaurant owners ourselves, we were especially impressed by how this husband-and-wife team consistently delivers such an exceptional level of food quality, hospitality, atmosphere, and overall uniqueness with such a small operation. Their teamwork and dedication are truly something to admire. If you're visiting the Carefree or Cave Creek area, make it a point to dine at Confluence. We don't think you'll be disappointed. One final tip: To ensure they can maintain the highest standards of food and service, they intentionally limit the number of guests they serve each evening. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during the busy season.

this is my go to. It's the most enjoyable meals ever fresh delicious not complicated just amazing…read morebetween husband and wife. They are the best of the best I live in the neighborhood. It's my go to.

Hidden gem, totally worth it and we will be back. Old world style with French classics that are…read moreabsolutely delicious. The staff and service is outstanding. Friendly, warm and knowledgeable. Our waitress has been there for over 10 years and knew the menu so well, wine and food and made wonderful recommendations. She made us feel like we were at home eating there. We started with the classic French 75 cocktail and scallops , delicious. French onion soup top notch, ate every drop :). We ordered the 1/2 lamb (phenomenal ) and filet with peppercorn and bordelaise sauce. Finished with the vanilla soufflé ... which is a must and totally worth it, shareable and the soufflé I've ever had. All was delicious and totally recommend. Each cooked to perfection in temp and served perfectly to enjoy.

One of the best in the Phoenix area. Seafood is fresh and delicious. Everything is prepared with…read morethe utmost flavors. Service is excellent. It's always a wonderful experience to eat there and it never disappoints.

We love Earls! If you want a really good burger this is the…read moreplace to go. Great food and Great place to watch all the fun cars a motorcycles go by. Foods always made fresh to order. Prices are pretty typical. They have a huge backyard for fun with large yard games. The Candy store will take you back to your childhood. Fun place to bring out of town guest to enjoy a meal.

I went to Big Earl's to grab a cheeseburger. The place is small with friendly staff. Mostly…read moreoutside seating. The cheeseburger was juicy and cooked just right; medium rare. It was a good sized burger. The bun got exchanged to potato bread which tends to be a little more flavorful than your regular bun. A very satisfying lunch. Napkins needed for the juicy tendencies of the meat. Parking in back of the restaurant.