Where to Eat and What to do in Scottsdale

With a Toddler. Written by an aunt.

Anyone that knows me is aware of my most recent hobby/obsession (recent as in for the last 5 or so years) that is compiling lists of restaurants and sights to see when traveling. Not just for myself but at times for family or friends. It’s become one of my favorite things to do. And after realizing just how many lists and notes and google docs full of destinations and recommendations I had, I wanted to finally share some of them.

In order to do so, I’ve tried to sort of self audit my lists and travels, working backwards. My most recent trip was at the end of October/early November to Scottsdale. My brother and sister in law invited me to come meet them for four days and keep my one year old nephew company during the day, while they worked. A win win. I was immediately sold.

Not long after the invite, I began my “process”. I head on over to google and type in “local foodie spots Scottsdale”. From there it’s a rabbit hole. I click on every article that looks appealing, which in turn leads me to another article hyperlinked throughout. It’s an endless cycle and one I truly love.

I’ve always been into short form reading and wake up and read The Boston Globe and NYT each morning so it’s no surprise that after my passion for cooking and food developed, I’d enjoy reading food blogs and so on. Hence, my enjoyment in “stalking locations” before I go. I try to steer clear of simply relying on the best local ratings for TripAdvisor or Yelp but I do always check my sources and make sure there aren’t any red flags via those sites once I’ve narrowed down my list. In addition to carefully sorting through articles and blogs, I comb through each menu and visit every restaurants social media.

I find the best recommendations come from the “little blogs” or the local newspaper trying to highlight fantastic food in their town, city, or region. But again, I always also consider the big shots like Michelin and James Beard when finalizing my list. It almost always turns out to be an even balance of mom and pop shops and “award” winning establishments. A true taste of the area.

Thankfully, like I said I’m a notorious list maker. And I love to document as much as possible when it comes to my experiences. This proved to be really helpful when I went to sort back through my multiple phone notes for this first “travel list blog” and had to try and trace back my steps to what exactly I did and didn’t have time to do from my list. This involves. scanning through the messily thrown together phone notes of links, quotes (copied from articles I’d read), reminders of what looked good in photos, and so on. I even then go back and add in the distance from where I’m staying and what else it’s near.

For the purpose of these blogs, that part has been removed because it won’t be helpful unless you randomly stay at the exact same Airbnb in Paradise Valley. My Google Photos also comes in clutch for this as I type in the dates I was there on vacation and can again, “self audit” and confirm what it is I did each day, in order to capture that in this blog.

I hope someone going to the Scottsdale area will have just as much fun as I did with my little nephew and brother and sister in law. The next blog will be where I recap what I actually did in detail and would recommend to others. For now, I’ll let you in on my post trip checklist as a sneak peek.

Scottsdale Check Off List

Food:

Diego pops trendy Mexican

Farm and craft lunch , Menu looks great

Andreoli Italian Grocer, Amazing food sit down or takeout James beard

Citizen Public House – James beard chef

Bootleggers diners drive ins spot – near old town

From NYT 50 best kabob grill n go: “Pick a skewer, any skewer. At Kabob Grill N’ Go, large cases display swords of lamb, beef, pork ribs and chicken, each marinating in a different blend of spices — cayenne, sumac, black pepper — the flavors rooted in Persian and Armenian cuisines. Once you’ve made your choice, the co-owner Tony Chilingaryan, who does the butchering himself, will grill your selection over mesquite wood to order, basting the meat with his secret sauce. Expect to wait at least 20 minutes, but you’ll be rewarded with kabobs that are juicy beyond belief. Douse everything in Mr. Chilingaryan’s pepper-forward take on chimichurri, and you’ve got what may be one of the best lunches in Phoenix. PRIYA KRISHNA”

Didn’t make it to:

The sugar bowl – around since 1960s, go same day as lunch at farm and craft and maybe mini social

Fate brewery (near old town)
Four Peaks brewery

Mercado Y Carniceria Cuernavaca, Amazing Mexican

https://theatticalehouseaz.com/

The mission – couple locations

Postino – technically a chain

Kid friendly restaurants:

https://grayhawkgolf.com/dining-overview/isabellas-kitchen/

OHSO (near us and also a brewery), they have a few locations

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-yard-phoenix-3

Activities

Desert botanical garden

Butterfly wonderland, Arizona Boardwalk, Buy discount combo w the aquarium

McCormick Stillman Railroad Park, Carousel and playground. “In addition to all the train fun, this park features a vintage 1950’s carousel and multiple playgrounds with a water feature. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch. Plenty of picnic tables and grassy lawns cover the grounds.” Outdoor music and story time thanks to the library