Dropped by the tasting room on a sunny January afternoon and it totally exceeded expectations. The…read morevibe is super chill and welcoming - perfect desert escape with that authentic local feel. The staff here are seriously knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. Our bartender/guide was awesome - took the time to explain the whole distillation process, answered all our random questions, and really made the tasting feel personal without being pushy. Great energy all around! Their Carefree Bourbon is legit outstanding - smooth, rich with nice depth, warm finish that isn't too harsh. Definitely one of the best local bourbons I've tried in AZ. But wow, the Chakra Vodka lineup stole the show for me. All the infused flavors are so creative and well-balanced. My absolute favorite was the Third Eye - Grapefruit & Lavender. That bright citrus pop from the grapefruit mixed with the soft, floral lavender is pure magic - refreshing, elegant, and dangerously easy to sip. I could drink it all day (and almost did ). We also ordered one of their charcuterie boards to go with the tasting, and oh man - it was delicious! Beautifully arranged with a great selection of cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruit, nuts, and some local honey and crackers. Everything paired so perfectly with the spirits - the board elevated the whole experience and made it feel like a proper little afternoon treat. Highly recommend getting one (or sharing one) while you sip! Highly recommend the tasting flight - great value and you get to try everything. We'll definitely be back next time we're up in Cave Creek. If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and stop in!

My friend wanted to come here to try the bourbon…read more The place is quite cute and has lots of gift ideas . The service was pretty good but it seemed like they catered to their local regulars over just visitors, but that's understandable. We all tried the flights. My friend and my son tried to different flavored vodkas and the two varieties of bourbon while I chose to try four different flavors of vodka because I don't really care for bourbon. My favorite flavor of the vodka was the coconut lychee. Very delicious My husband just got a Coca Cola and my daughter tried a mocktail that tasted just like a melted dreamsicle Overall I would say it was a nice experience

My wife and I took her sister here for lunch. She is from Washington state, so she has had seafood…read morethat is about as fresh as you can get. We started with drinks. The dirty birdy and whiskey buck were such a hit we had a few. The appetizers we tried were delicious. The seared ahi tasted yummy and the pork belly with its crunchy exterior was gobbled up quick. We then tried the cauliflower and steamed clams. The broth for the clams was so good, we asked for more bread to sop it up. The cauliflower was yummy and everything on the plate was eaten up. The girls were full after that, but I wanted to try the beet salad. Have to say, one of the best I've ever had. Beets, arugula, goat cheese, walnuts (I think) and Orange slices with a tasty vinaigrette. Although the girls were 'full', they saw that and had to try it. Nothing left in that bowl as well. Overall, very pleasantly surprised and will for sure return to try other items on the menu. Service was great btw! My wife and I will certainly be back!

Came on Good Friday. Very nice menu selection and really good waiter. We had the taco special and…read morethe pork belly appetizers. They were so good! The special fish of the day was grouper with coconut rice, bok choy and ginger sauce. So light and delicate! My brother had the steak frites. Cooked perfectly with a garlicky chimichurri sauce. Dessert to go!!! Carrot cake with a super sweet sauce. Skip the sauce and it's perfect. Generous portion. The inside is light and airy. Outside seating available. The only disappointment is that they don't allow dogs outside on the patio. Otherwise we would come for lunches, as we live here year round. All in all, a nice night.

Local Johnny's is such a gem and we totally enjoy the service the food in the ambience…read more So glad you're part of Cave Creek. Thank you for being a great experience every time.

This is my 4th time here. Great outdoor seating, when it's not overly crowded or too hot…read more The food is great, the availability of menu items is disappointing. On a Friday morning they are out of menu items. We arrived at 10:40 and were not approached by a server until 11 am we were really disappointed because we wanted to order pancakes. My blue burger was great. My son enjoyed his breakfast bowl. My sister's BLT was short on bacon. My other sister ordered a seasonal fruit bowl... the strawberries were very bitter. I ordered the new seasonal tea; it was great. I wish our server would have had better follow up on our beverages. There are too many other restaurants in Cave Creek to settle for mediocre service and food.

Charming in the best way! They've really worked hard to make this place feel like a nostalgic visit…read morewith your grandpa if he was the coolest, hippest grandpa ever who had insane bar tending skills. Every detail in this building was so carefully considered and really yielded refined but almost-whimsical ambiance as a result. Our little group had a blast ordering several cocktails and trying them all. First, Poppy's Cigar. The presentation alone makes it a must-try, and the cigar scent lingers long after the drink is done. My favorite drink of the night was the Money Trees, which was like a sweet bourbon with bananas foster. We also tried the Lil Demon, which includes a chai foam that's very unique. The third highlight for me was a Chocolate Martini, which wasn't on the menu but was the first I've ever had to not include Bailey's. So good! I should also mention that the bartender was kind enough to make the chocolate martini, even though we could tell it isn't his favorite drink to make. We also tried the chocolate lave cake and the deep fried cornbread. The cake was decadent and true to what you'd expect. The deep fried cornbread was a showstopper... sweet but savory, like if a churro visited the Texas State Fair.

This was a nice easy access speakeasy feel establishment. I was hoping for a little more…read more"underground" with password, etc. That was not the case, however, walking in the front door. I definitely got the speakeasy feels. It also has large screen TVs where sports are playing. That does take away from the speakeasy field, but it's a good balance between casual eye out to watch a sporting event with friends and get a classy cocktail in a great atmosphere. Not my first choice go to for speakeasy, but definitely makes the list.

Janey's Coffee Co & Bodega is truly a treasure. Set back from the main road (Cave Creek), I was…read moremildly surprised at how busy it was on a late Sunday Afternoon. I say "mildly suprised" because once we walked up to the actual coffee house we heard the live music on the large back patio. One of our absolutely favorite local artist, Aaron Howard was performing, and he definitely brings in a crowd. It was busy, as I mentioned, but not too crowded, and we found a good table towards the back. As it was the begging of the hot weather this spring, we were very grateful for the generous-sized table umbrellas. But first, we went inside the Bodega to order a Beer and a snack. They have a great selection of Beer and wine! And since we were still 2 hours or so away from dinner, we decided to grab a veggie & cheese board, which had a nice variety of cruditè and humas. It was very satisfying for 2 adults. We spent.a total of about 2 hours there and left there knowing we would be coming back to Janey's. Side note: For those of you who need accessibility, I myself am on an electric scooter for ambulating. The parking lot is dirt and only has a couple of handicap parking spots. But no space is more than approximately 150 ft from the entrance to Janey's. Once you get to the building, it is very easy to get in and out of the main bodega, with wide, level doorways. The doors were propped open when we visited. I did not utilize the restroom on this visit.

Janey's can be found at the Saguaro Ridge plaza. Being in the mood for a hot chocolate I stopped…read moreinto Janey's for a beverage. It had been years since I had this drink. It tasted just perfect. Small sips are the best. Yummy. Free parking on the dirt road in back.

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.

I organized a private dinner, in their private dining room, for my husband's birthday. Julia was an…read moreabsolute joy to work with. She responds so quickly and always addressed every question, idea, etc I presented. I loved getting to work with Julia, she is such an asset at Keelers. I cannot say enough good things about her! Overall, we had a good experience. They were very nice to provide a vegan option for one of our guests. The food was hit and miss with some dishes (like the NY Strip) being great and others being not so good (like the Prime Rib (although it was massive in size!) and Salmon). Our server Maria was great! She had a full section on the patio and then us off in the private room and she did a great job providing us with good, quick service and we loved her banter as well. All the staff we interacted with were really nice. We enjoyed being in the private room and not having to worry about disrupting other dinners, but there were some quarks with the private room. Staff often came in to access some kind of storage room within the room, we would have loved the ability to control the music ourselves, which was on when we arrived but stopped part way through out meal. The room is also separate from the rest of the restaurant, I assumed it would have been inside the same building but it is off the patio in it's own building and down a very steep ramp.

Came here on a Friday without a reservation and they were nice enough to seat us right away but…read moreafter that the experience was unpleasant. We didn't feel like eating steak so I ordered the burger and my BF ordered the prime rib dip. My burger was really good but the onion rings and fries were over fried or it just tasted old and dry. Also they take forever bring out drinks and food. We received our bill and my BF noticed that there was something on the receipt that didn't look familiar which was $60. The server charged a bottle of wine table next to ours on our tab. Probably won't be back, not the best experience and the server never really checks on you to see if you need anything, more like trying to get her attention.

Great find in Cave Creek! Friends turned us onto it after loving it themselves and we are happy to…read moreagree with them! Sat outside on a Wed. evening, PACKED! Albeit we're 'in season' here in AZ so prob. more crowded than usual, but service and food did not suffer because of it. Hubby had chile verde with beef rather than pork--loved it. Both our friend and I had the pollo fundito and it was excellent. LOTS of crema and that's a bonus! Had half to take home for tomorrow! Environment can be loud w/the large crowds, screaming kids chasing the ducks and turtles in the pond, but overall a beautiful, seemingly authentic Mexican feel. Can't wait to return!

What a great find!! This visit was on a very busy Friday afternoon. We waited a little more than 20…read moremin. We were seated near the pond. There are turtles and ducks swimming and resting on the rocks that surround pond. Very entertaining. We had the great pleasure of having Calvin as our server. We started with margaritas on the rocks. My go to is the chicken enchiladas pequeno mole. It comes with a side of rice and black beans. I am dairy sensitive and Calvin made sure my order was without cheese. The mole is so very flavorful and the chicken is so tender. I fully recommend this dish. The one enchilada with rice and beans is just enough. I saw when driving home there is a second location that is closer to the interstate. Will have to try that location sometime. But then I probably wouldn't have Calvin's as my server. Calvin is the best!

This was my first time dining at Pizzicata (Mesa location), and the live music is what initially…read moredrew me in. The patio views are beautiful, and the weather made it such a great spot to sit outside in the evening. The live music was a perfect touch...not too loud, so you could still have a conversation comfortably. The owner even walked around and spoke with guests, and both he and his wife were incredibly friendly. You can tell they really take pride in the entertainment they provide and in making sure customers have a great experience. As for the food, it reminded me a lot of the pizza at A Modo Mio Cucina Italiana, which is just a few streets away. If you've had and enjoyed their pizza, you'll likely enjoy Pizzicata as well. I ordered the Jennifer calzone, and it was okay. I would try a calzone again, but with different toppings. I added a meatball for an extra $3, and honestly, it didn't quite hit the spot compared to homemade meatballs. The calzone had a lot of ricotta and not a lot of other ingredients in it, so if you're not a big ricotta fan, this probably isn't the best choice. That said, the ricotta itself had a different flavor than other ricotta I'm used to. The calzone doesn't come with sauce inside, and the side of sauce is pretty small. I was charged $0.50 for an extra... I probably could've used two or three sides of sauce since the calzone had none. That being said, the sauce itself was excellent... very close to the flavor of sauce that my family makes. This sauce really gave the calzone a good Taste, it just needed more! We also tried the mozzarella sticks, and those were good. Overall, the atmosphere is beautiful, the space is a nice size, and the staff is warm and welcoming. It seems like a good place to bring kids, although when we went (Thursday around 6), I didn't see many. The decor is lovely, and the overall vibe makes it a place I'd come back

Decided to try this place because of a post on Cave Creek Infamous Bulletin Board. Shout out for…read moreposting about it! Our first time in there JC was our server. She was awesome and encouraged us to try the pizza. The pizza was awesome. JC was so nice and so welcoming. The food did not disappoint. It was delicious and the pizza crust was the best we've had in the USA! JC told us that their flour is shipped in from Italy so it's much more healthier and TASTIER than the flour out here. Since it was so good we couldn't wait to bring our kids there. We were greeted immediately by Randy and sat immediately. Randy was an awesome server and our food came out very quickly. She checked on us enough to make sure our food was good and our drinks were always filled. She was very friendly and welcoming as well. Before leaving, we decided to get some gelato and Noah helped us. He was very patient with our chaotic family and gave us good recommendations on the gelato. This place is so cute, very clean, has awesome food, but most especially wonderful customer service. Good representation of Carefree and Cave Creek!!! I can't wait to bring out of towners here.

I've been to Ofrendas several times and have always had a great experience. The waitstaff is…read morefriendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The ambience has a great vibe...immersing you in the culture of Latin America. The Margaritas are unique and made with quality Tequila. The prices are all reasonable. The food is amazing! The chips and salsa appetizer is such a fantastic deal...$3.99 for a basket of warm, perfectly salted, thin chips with 3 sauces! The grilled Romaine salad is replete with bacon and a delicious blue cheese dressing. I've tried several tacos and my fav is the carne asada. Tender, succulent beef with 2 dipping sauces! The 3 green chicken enchiladas are light and flavorful, yet filling. The churro dessert is incredible! Warm, doughy and sweet with a delicious dipping sauce. The flan is also decadent! I love this restaurant!

This restaurant was amazing from the service to the food. The enchiladas are just to die for.read more