Taste DINING GUIDE
THE SICILIAN BUTCHER
The Sicilian Butcher is a modern casual eatery that specializes in craft meatballs and charcuterie. This butchery-inspired concept also serves fresh pastas made in-house daily and a variety of small plates. Try Tony’s steak balls made with ground aged rib-eye, roasted garlic, mozzarella, Parmesan, onions and herbed breadcrumbs or the vegetarian eggplant parm balls made with roasted eggplant, basil, Parmesan, mozzarella and herbed breadcrumbs. Gluten-free options available. Enjoy happy hour drink and food specials all day, every day. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. 15530 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix; 602.775.5140; www.thesicilianbutcher.com; $$
BY RHEANA TECHAPINYAWAT
AMERICAN
BARBECUE
AZ88 AZ88 is a vivacious restaurant and bar known for its swanky martinis and an upbeat ambience. The food menu consists of refined pub fare such as burgers and chicken sandwiches next to shrimp ceviche and baconwrapped water chestnuts. The kitchen cooks from 11:30 am to 1:30 a.m. daily. Cocktails served until 1:30 a.m. 7353 E. Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale; 480.994.5576; www.az88.com; $$
BRYAN’S BLACK MOUNTAIN BARBECUE Bryan’s offers a variety of barbecue meats available as sandwiches or plates, plus combos with twists on classic sides. On Friday, they serve a special of sauteed mesquite flourdusted frog legs with preserved lemon tartar sauce. No reservations. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Monday. 6130 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek; 480.575.7155; www.bryansbarbecue.com; $$
ALL AMERICAN MODERN SPORTS GRILL Not to be missed is All American’s bourbon bar – Cask 53 – with a selection of over 90 whiskeys. A relaxing open-air patio and cigar lounge is located just steps away from the bourbon bar. The kitchen offers innovative dishes including hoisin-sriracha wings and a Moroccan salmon entree. Open daily at 11 a.m. Happy hour food and drink specials Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 20751 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale; 480.868.2702; www.allamericanmodernsportsgrill.com; $$
CB LIVE The full-service kitchen at this all-inone eatery and entertainment venue serves up chef-driven comfort food like grilled chicken wings and soft pretzels with garlic butter and cheddar beer cheese as well as a wide selection of wine, cocktails and beer. Happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. Open daily until late. At The District at Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix; 602.910.5161; www.cblive.com; $$ EL CHORRO Overlooking Camelback Mountain, El Chorro delivers Southwest flair in comfort food classics. Try the twisted deviled eggs, the honey-glazed bacon pork tenderloin, and the sticky buns. Happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Dinner nightly starting at 5 p.m., Sunday brunch from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. 5550 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley; 480.948.5170; www.elchorro.com; $$$ GRASSROOTS KITCHEN & TAP Family-owned and -operated, Grassroots offers a from-scratch menu of classic American cuisine with Southern influences. Favorites include the braised short ribs and shrimp and grits. Craft beers and wines are available on tap. Social hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. every day. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 8120 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale; 480.699.0699; www. grassrootsaz.com; $$
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So Scottsdale! June ‘19
ARIZONA BBQ SHACK At Arizona BBQ Shack, meats are dry-rubbed with a special house blend of spices then smoked up to 10 hours. A wide selection of barbecue meats – such as pulled pork, brisket and smoked bratwurst – pair well with three choices of housemade barbecue sauce and many Southern side dishes. Stop by on Saturday for their brisket burnt ends special. Closed Sunday. 8471 E. McDonald Drive, Scottsdale; 480.948.4227; www.arizonabbqshack2016.com; $$
FRESH BBQ INNOVATIONS At Fresh BBQ Innovations, enjoy a blend of Kansas City- and Texasstyle barbecue in the industrial-chic dining room and on the dog-friendly patio. Specialties include filet mignon, bacon-wrapped chicken thighs, and a vegan pulled “pork” mushroom sandwich. The bar offers over two dozen bourbons and whiskeys and many draft and bottled microbrews. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Happy hour from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 15111 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale; 480.427.4207; www. freshbbque.com; $$ THE THUMB The Thumb is a gas station-barbecue joint located inside the Tom’s Thumb Fresh Market. Stop by for gas and a car wash, then pop inside for tasty barbecue. Try the hardwood-smoked pulled pork or the famous breakfast Brisket Stack that was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives. Open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily for all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner. 9393 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale; 480.513.8186; www.thethumb.com; $$
BREWERIES
GROWLER USA Growler USA is a national pub chain dedicated quality craft beer. They have their own exclusive range of microbrew beer and over 90 other beers on draft. Try their loaded sidewinders, which are beer-battered fries loaded