I made a reservation at Culinary Dropout at the Yard this past weekend for a party of 12 to celebrate my sister-in-law's birthday. Overall, the experience was average, but unfortunately the service was very disappointing. Our server initially took drink orders from only about half of the table, and we had to track him down so the rest of our group could order beverages. We then had to find him again to place our food orders. When the food arrived, it did not come out at the same time for the entire table. Throughout the meal, we repeatedly had to ask for drink refills and, later, for our checks. I've been to Culinary Dropout at the Yard many times before, with both large and small groups, and this was by far the worst service experience I've had at this location. The food itself was good, as expected, and we continue to love the outdoor patio atmosphere, but the level of service we received was very disappointing and took away from what should have been a special celebration. I wanted to share this feedback because this experience was not consistent with the high standard of service I've come to expect from Culinary Dropout. read more

The food and service were excellent, but the music was so loud that you couldn't hear one another, and risked hearing loss. This was a Friday evening, and the restaurant was packed, so perhaps it would be different on a weekday evening. But the extremely loud noise from the band and recorded music ruined the experience for us. Valet parking was required and free of charge, but it was difficult to find the entrance. Most of the driveways were blocked off and the only open one had a sign saying "Valet pick-up only." We went there and. after some time in line, reached an attendant, who said that yes, we could drop off there. We had made a reservation online, but there was still a wait. read more

The staff are friendly and very helpful. Our waitress let me request everything on the side instead of directly on top of my hot wings, and they tasted amazing. You can tell everything is made from scratch-- even my ranch tasted like someone hand-mixed it with love. My husband loved his ribs, and though his drink contained a decent amount of cilantro, he loved that too. We're definitely coming back here with family for a hangout, and think it's a great place for group meet-ups. read more

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My brother recommended this restaurant while we were in town on vacation. Really loved the vibe of the place, the huge open patio area with all the games available and it was absolutely packed because it was graduation weekend. We still got in relatively fast and everything was fantastic food and drink wise. We started with a few drinks, and had the pretzels and fondue cheese and the whipped feta appetizer. The pretzels were really soft and the cheese was really delicious. The whipped feta and bread was also really delicious and light! We ordered the fried chicken dinner, chicken katsu sandwich and the turkey and pastrami sandwich. We also got side salads and the ranch was really delicious! Highly recommend the salad! Overall great ambiance, drinks and food! Highly recommend this place! read more

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Slow service and feces smeared all over the bathroom stall. Disgusting. Skip. Anbiance cool. Not going back.

We've come to CD a handful of times, and the experience has always been positive. The food we've enjoyed the most is the Mac burger, the chop salad and the pork belly nachos - we've tried more but those were the standouts. We've done a bunch of work events here and the service has always been good at this location. A little slow but we're usually a large group so not excessively so. I would like to see them maybe expand the menu or do something seasonal maybe, as the menu only has so many options on it. But what's on it is very good so *shrug* it's my only gripe that they don't have more options to try how tasty their other food could be. read more

Connie was our server and she was great! All of her recommendations were delicious. There were six of us and I tried almost everybody's dish and loved everything. The atmosphere is great as well. They had a terrific duo playing music inside. Highly recommend. read more

Visited a new location of Culinary Dropout, and it became my new favorite spot! Positive service from the moment we walked through the door. Jonathan was our server and he was great! Very attentive and helpful, even though we were a large a party. Food was fantastic, and if you're a dessert person I HIGHLY recommend the Mississippi Mud Pie! read more

Food was good. Smaller portion for the price. The indoor area was very loud. The waitress was good.

Ambiance was very nice, customer service was good, drinks were great. The food however, honestly subpar I am shocked that this fried chicken is one of their most popular items because they fry it way too hard, it's honestly just not good chicken you can get better at Popeyes. I'm not the only person in my group to get it and none of us ate it. Very dry and crunchy, not good. The appetizers were good. We had the pretzel and cheese and the fried shrimp with zucchini, and we all thoroughly enjoyed that and I would say that the sides to the meal were also pretty good. Someone else at my table had the fish and chips, and they also did not enjoy it. They said that it had no flavor. read more

Culinary Dropout - Fried Chicken & Buttermilk Biscuit* - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

My boyfriend was raving about a few things: gochujang brussels sprouts, crusty bread, garlic oil & balsamic, and soft pretzels & provolone fondue. Those were ALL worth it, but if I had to choose two, it would the brussies and pretzels! For an entree, he got the steak frites, and for mine, I chose the crispy caesar salad but I replaced the shrimp with salmon. I was not that hungry, but if I were, I would have likely gone with the Korean style ribeye cap or fried chicken. The restaurant itself was very aesthetically pleasing. It is also the only Culinary Dropout that is connected to a pizza place, so I have been told (by my boyfriend). When we went, there was a live band playing and it was very loud and vibrant. It was a weekend, so I am not entirely sure if live music is common, but it was fun to experience. Our waiter was attentive and sweet! We didn't have to wait too long for him to get to us, and the food and drinks arrived pretty quickly as well. Overall, a cool and casual spot to checkout. I would suggest making reservations! read more

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Ambiance. Didn't see fine print it's (complimentary) dinner valet parking run by muscled college boys. Maybe highchoolers because they seemed socially awkward: lack of smile, eye contact, and engagement. They just want to park your car and retrieve it. Sadly, they don't open car doors for ladies that seat in front passenger's seats. Host stand had 2 girls posted. Asked if we had reservations. They seemed very stressed to anticipate where 2 people without reservations should be sat in their ginormous restaurant. With anxiety and depression on the rise for teens, this was telling. Nonetheless, we got sat. Eventually. Their schtick is the laid back yet party atmosphere. Prime for extroverts. Lots of lawn games, ping pong tables, etc. Great for corporate meeting and private party events. Loved loungey lawn furniture. Loud. Airy. Nice lighting. Picnic tables too. Loos. See pics. Food. Overall very good, especially with a name like Culinary Dropout. Interesting flavors. See pics. Service. Sweet, nice. Outfits were what kids wear now. High waisted jeans, cropped tops revealing a lot. Early 90s throwback, especially with Nike kicks. SMH. But I digress... service was fine. Friendly, good pace, accommodating. Overall, good. Interesting. Wanted to play games, but exhausted that night. May work in Detroit metro if the patio can be enclosed with heaters. Perfect venue for Phoenix weather. read more

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Another great experience at our local Culinary Dropout! Zack, Sarah , Shayla and Seth were perfect hosts and hostesses and treated us like gold. The food and beer was amazing-my wife had the Mongolian short rib and I had the Korean wagyu rib top-perfect! We've thoroughly enjoyed our dinners with you guys for a few years and we will be back! read more

Service and ambiance were great. We were seated promptly and our waiter was very attentive and nice. I was celebrating my birthday and they brought out the monkey bread, which was amazing. It's made to order, definitely order it. I got the Mongolian short rib. It came with crispy rice and teriyaki flavors. This meal was interesting to me that the flavors were not what I was expecting, and the crispy rice really wasn't that crispy. I still ate so it wasn't that bad. My sister ordered the Alfredo pasta. She had to ask for more Alfredo, but after that, it was good. read more

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

This restaurant is a gem! We came with a large party on a Sunday night with a reservation of course. The service was impeccable, food was tasty, and the ambiance was a vibe. I had the Peking duck and a cocktail called Tijuana spa water and the waiter recommended mud pie. Loved the food and the cocktail was decent. I also appreciated they sat us at a large round table so everyone could engage with one another as opposed to rectangular table. They have a multitude of TVs which have a great view from all around the restaurant which I would assume would be great for watching sports. There is a private lot to park in with plenty of spaces. read more

I have always been a big fan of Culinary Dropout. It's a great place for drinks, appetizers, dinner with friends or family, or just to hang out. I came here recently for a work holiday lunch and they were so accommodating. We had a reservation but there was a table delay since other parties were still finishing. It was not a problem for us but they still brought out a few complimentary appetizers as a thanks for our patience. It is just above and beyond service every time. The pretzel bites are a standard for us. The warm cheese dip is insane. I loved the Chicken Katsu sandwich I got last time. I have never been disappointed or had any issues. The only thing I would give a warning to is the parking situation. It gets very busy. I would carpool as much as possible and be early. Also be patient. The valet staff is kind, courteous, and are doing their best. read more

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

We enjoyed lunch with Joseph's boss and co-worker. I wasn't aware that they are a chained restaurant. The decor at this one is more rustic touches of elegant flare like the chandeliers. Our server made sure our needs were met. There was a variety of options, something for everyone. The drinks were okay. I had the Evil jungle princess; love the name. The server suggested this was one of their more sweeter drinks. It is not overpowering and about a 5 out of 10 on the sweet scale. The sangria was okay. The pasta was good and I thought the pork would have been better with a little less sauce. read more

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Great location for families with kids. Our server Hailey was amazing, on point with her recommendations! Will definitely be back

Menu choices are poor. Shrimp and avocado salad for $24 - very poor value. Atmosphere good. Service was bare minimum. This is the second time Culinary Dropout was not worth my time or money. Will not return. read more

What a fun place to grab brunch or lunch with friends or family. This place has amazing energy, the waitstaff hustles and is super friendly and attentive. We had a great time visiting this place for the first time a few weeks ago - everyone enjoyed what they ordered and we will definitely be back. read more

The food was great! I had the Korean Steak Fritte and was sad when it was gone. The service was good and efficient. The restaurant was cold, and I like to be comfortable when I eat. read more

Always a great time at Culinary Drop out in Phoenix. I have been in several times for different meals, or just kicking off a night out at their bar. It's very versatile from being able to have a quiet brunch, or a lunch with family and kids playing games, to a night out with live music. The staff is very personable, Mathew always stops by to make sure we are doing good, and shout out to both Sarah and Arriah, my daughter and I were in recently after a school dance and they made a point to stop by our table, ask her how it went and proceeded to tell her how beautiful she looked in her dress, that experience was a big deal for my preteen! Overall the Service and the Food are both amazing! read more

We went to celebrate a birthday and the overall experience was good. Martin was our service and he was a delight. My husband got the fish and chips and enjoyed that. However, I got the steak frites and the steak was barely edible. I do not recommend. The espresso martini was good for drinks, but didn't have any coffee beans or anything to add to make it cute for the aesthetic. Overall, the birthday boy got a birthday shot and we all had a nice time. Also, the non alcoholic cocktails were a delight and I recommend the pot stickers for an app. read more

Culinary Dropout - Steak frites - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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The DJ was great! The food was delicious, beautifully presented, and arrived promptly. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared with fresh ingredients, and the variety pleased everyone at our table (Pretzel appetizer, Prime Rib sandwich, Turkey and Pastrami sandwich, Mongolian Short Rib, Fried Chicken, Mississippi Mud Pie, and Monkey Bread. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a nice and lively dinner. read more

This location is HUGE!! They have their own parking lot and valet which makes it an easy place to go in the city. Their "outdoor" seating is still covered and they have a lot of social games on the patio. Pool, bags, ping pong etc. This is a great place for happy hour! They recently expanded their menu and added some great salads. My go to dish is the crispy chicken katsu sandwich! They have house made ranch which is also really good! The soft pretzels are pretty popular as far as appetizers go. If you do dessert go with the monkey bread! It's baked to order, so be patient! But it's pretty good. I tried the caramelized banana bar this time around but was not a fan... aside from the vanilla crema abs the banana. read more

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All the above!!! Loved the brussels sprouts Are cushy round booth was perfect All most enough heat for me, but everybody else was comfortable. read more

While we were visiting Phoenix for spring break, we stopped by Culinary Dropout and it was a great choice for a relaxed family evening. The food was okay, nothing mind-blowing, but the service was excellent and the ambiance was amazing. The space is super fun and inviting. My 7-year-old daughter had the best time playing the games and exploring the kid-friendly areas it made the whole experience memorable for us. We'd come back just for the vibe and the service! read more

Great flavor, decent pricing and attentive staff!!! Will definitely be back!!! Turkey Pastrami was amazing, fry's were crisp and water was cold!!! Tables were clean and spacious, lots to do and not too loud! read more

It was definitely worth the drive. All of the food was unique and perfectly cooked. The Korean style Ribeye Cap was VERY spicy but delicious. It reminded me of Mongolian Beef. The fish had a sauce under the breading which was different but was a really good flavor. The caramelized banana bar was problematically delicious. A nice balance and not too sweet, surprisingly. The service was excellent. The atmosphere was loud but we were able to have conversation without straining. We will definitely be back and excited to try more items from the menu. read more

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Went for drinks and apps. Got seated immediately with no res on a Friday night which was nice! We ordered 2 margs, nachos, and the pretzels/fondue cheese. Our food came out quick, about 10 mins after ordering, but our drinks took at least another 10 mins on top of that. Then after our second drink when we were ready to get the check, a waiter didn't stop by our table for at least 20 minutes. It was a very cool spot and the food and drinks were sooo good but the service could've been better. read more

Culinary Dropout - Soft Pretzels & Provolone Fondue, BBQ Pork Belly Nachos - New American Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

We thought 'oh let's go some place our toddler can play and we can grab lunch' so we spent $127 for lunch here and it was the worst food I've ever had. We hadn't been here in a while and decided to give it another chance and I wish we hadn't. I ordered the $20 chopped chicken salad and it was truly the worst salad I've ever had. Salad and Go is better quality. Burnt bacon, over dressed and maybe 3 tablespoons of actual chicken. Ordered the crispy brussels and they were soggy and way over-sauced. Our server also clearly wanted to be anywhere there. We most certainly won't be back and with this quality, I have no clue why anyone continues to go here. read more

The place is awesome. Our server Jake was amazing- excellent service , attentive, but not hovering. Very knowledgeable about menu. As for the food A+. Steak n frites very well done, fried chicken - clearly southern roots. The drinks were also great. Would definitely come back. read more

A little slow service but great food. Area was really neat looking inside. Asian chop salad was very good, I added steak and that was the way to go. read more

Haven't been to the restaurant in 3 years. For large groups they have a set menu. Loved their zucchini and popcorn shrimp, loved the French dip but it was half the size . The fries was not the steak fries , their decent menu was very limited. Server was attentive and friendly. They added a service charge plus a tip . read more

A Thoughtful Reflection on an Otherwise Excellent Establishment As someone who deeply appreciates the art of hospitality and the delicate balance between ambiance and service, I feel compelled to share a recent experience at Culinary Dropout in Phoenix. This is not written in anger, but in the spirit of sincere concern and a desire to see a truly promising establishment reach its fullest potential. Let me begin by acknowledging what Culinary Dropout does exceptionally well. The food is, without exaggeration, superb--crafted with care, flavor-forward, and reflective of a kitchen that understands both comfort and creativity. The aesthetic of the space is equally commendable: hip, inviting, and thoughtfully designed to evoke a sense of ease and belonging. However, it is precisely because of these strengths that the shortcomings in hospitality were so jarring. Upon arrival, I was met by a hostess--blonde, with a braid--whose body language and facial expressions conveyed not indifference, but something closer to disdain. There was no greeting, no warmth--only the subtle but unmistakable sense that my presence was an inconvenience. This was not a matter of a single moment, but a sustained impression that colored the entire beginning of my visit. Later, after an otherwise pleasant meal, I was left in an awkward and frankly embarrassing position. My server failed to return to confirm my payment, leaving me to wait outside, uncertain and exposed, as other patrons looked on. It was a small oversight, perhaps--but one that left a lasting impression of neglect. I do not write this to disparage, but to illuminate. A restaurant, like a principality, thrives not only on its riches (in this case, food and design) but on the loyalty and goodwill of its people--its guests. When the front line of hospitality falters, it undermines the very foundation of trust and return. A Note for Future Guests While the food and setting at Culinary Dropout are commendable, I feel it's important to share a concern that may help others feel more prepared. During my visit, I encountered a hostess--blonde, with a braid--whose demeanor felt markedly unwelcoming. While I cannot speak to her intentions, the experience left me, as someone of Turkish background, feeling subtly but unmistakably out of place. I share this not to accuse, but to encourage awareness. Hospitality is, at its heart, about making all guests feel seen and valued. I hope future diners of diverse backgrounds are met with the warmth that matches the restaurant's otherwise inviting atmosphere. With respect and hope for improvement, J. R. Phoenix read more

Music was good, waitress was awesome. Appetizers came out really quick. Food was delicious.

What excellent outstanding customer service at this Culinary Dropout location! This restaurant values their customers. I dined in yesterday with my sister this time and we had such am awesome experience and the food was delicious. Fresh made soft pretzels and provolone fondue, cheap house salad with chicken, and beer battered fish & chips. It all was very very good. I especially enjoyed the beer battered fish that was so fresh and cooked to perfection. I can honestly say that this experience has redeemed my confidence in dining at this location. Thank you to Mandy, Amber, and Sam for making this dining experience exceptional. read more

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Absolutely no Internet service. Or cell service. Zero. We run a few businesses and missed some important communication while dining here. Everything else was great! But we cannot go back due to the phone service problem. Unfortunately. read more

It was a chill Thursday night and we got seated right away with more tables to spare. The parking was enough but we uber'd our way to the place. Service was almost immediate considering that there were 12 people in our party Kale salad was good, dressing was evenly tossed throughout. Salmon was cooked the way I requested it. Service was fast. Korean beef skirt cooked well and served hot. Margarita was spicy enough to call it spicy, unlike the others who claim they serve spicy margarita. Ladies restroom was kept clean, see photos. Five stars for me during my short visit to Phoenix read more

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My wife and I tried this place not knowing what to expect since we're from out of town . I am a person who gets overwhelmed in crowded places and it was taking all my energy not to tell my wife let's find someplace else . I'm glad I didn't because once we were seated I calmed down a bit and got to enjoy the great food and excellent drinks . The lighting in the place was low and nice but the noise level was pretty hectic . It was a mix of everyone from families to college kids . And I didn't know they had valet parking . The drinks took a while to come out from the bar but without even saying anything someone came over and said sorry about the wait on your drinks and they comped us the 1st round . read more

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