This place is such a hidden treasure. It is right off the beaten path of the main road. We were watching the iron man race and wanted something close by. This was really close to the finish line. This place is huge ! Multiple rooms, really great environment. They had TVs, cool seating, good decorations. Just a pretty cool restaurant. It was a little expensive but the food that came was pretty nice so I get it. I got the crispy popcorn shrimp as my meal, it is an appetizer, but it was a great size for a meal. I really like it and it would be perfect for a table. I wasn't that hungry or else I would've gotten the fried chicken. It looked great. read more

Culinary Dropout - Crispy Popcorn Shrimp - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Got here on a Thursday just before 5PMwith a group of 6 and the place was already very busy. We had a magic show a few miles away that we had to be at by 6:30-6:45. (we made it) They were VERY accommodating to seat us and the waitress was Great getting food and drinks to us quickly so we did not have to rush to eat. The food was Fabulous! Two of us had the Peking Duck and Shrimp Fried rice and loved it. The drinks were marginal. Me and another at our table had an Old Fashions and were not impressed at all. One person ordered a Margarita and it was sour enough he sent it back. We will go back, but I might just order a glass of wine or a beer...... read more

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A group of 6 friends dined at the Tempe AZ and we all enjoyed the open air seating and the wait staff did a great job. The food was delicious and the beverages were unique. We will definitely return in the future! read more

5 - Service was very kind and not too attentive nor too avoidant 4.5 - Ambiance was chill and place was decorated for it's demo. If you're looking for outdoor fun and a lively atmosphere, I think they'll be a lot of fun on weekends and evenings 3.5 - Salad was much sweeter than I expected. The Vin was sweet, petrified fruit and sweet roasted butternut squash all added to be too sweet for me. Chicken was also a tad dry.. read more

Culinary Dropout - Ancient Grains Kale Salad with amaple Vin and Added Chicken - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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This place has terrible acoustics and pricing. The server read a couple pages worth of information at the table no one could hear except for "I am almost done " including the 20 year olds at the table so it's not an age thing. Also the bill came with $13 in additional charges for things she never told us about like an extra $6 each meal for white meat chicken! She offered it but didn't say it raised the price by 30%. Also charge for extra gravy! A one ounce ramekin for $1. The chicken is bland, no flavor just deep fried flour coating. Never again. UPDATE: They messaged below, then called at the phone number we thought was only to be used for a text when the table is ready. The offer of a gift card to remove or update the review is declined. We don't write this for free food. The food and service and atmosphere will still be sub par. No thanks, people need sincere and honest reviews online. read more

I had to go here. Cause I loved the. And if the place! Thank goodness was we made reservations. At 6 on a Monday night the people ahead of was told there was an hour wait! First the place is huge! Service was excellent. We tried the pretzels and cheese fondue at the recommendation of our waiter. It was good and I appreciated the cheese being warmed however it wasn't anything special but it was a large portion. We finally got our drinks after we eaten about a quarter of the pretzels. I really prefer to get my drink and have a few minutes before my appetizer shows up. I ordered the chicken vacío and Pepe. It was hot and very good. It was very rich. My husband had the chicken salad and enjoyed that as well. The noise level was not too bad but we were there on a Monday. read more

Culinary Dropout - Chicken Cacio e Pepe - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

The ambience is very hipster. They have an outdoor area with the dangling porch lights and they have games like cornhole. It's very loud there. There Are people screaming at cornhole while you eat, but it does seem like a fun environment. They have another area that was blocked off with fire pits in the middle of your table. Lots of fun drinks. Our server was very nice and checked on us often. I had the fish and chips. The dish smelt very fishy and was lacking in flavor. The fries were not fresh and had some burnt pieces. The coleslaw however, was fresh and tasty. We are visiting from out of town so we will not be back but I probably would not recommend based off of the food. The ambience looked fun so if you're looking for that type of experience, then I'm sure some appetizers drinks and cornhole would make for a great night. read more

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Love the local chain fun outdoor vibe. Not much "healthy" to choose from on the menu but what I've tried has tasted really good. Recently tried the salmon with grilled veggies which I really appreciated the server and kitchen staff willing to for me to satisfy my zillion dietary needs and restrictions. read more

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Hannah is the Best! I came into Culinary Dropout mildly dehydrated and spiritually in need of a vacation to recover from my golf vacation. So I asked Hannah--on a whim, half-joking--for some club soda and exotic fruit so I could pretend I was somewhere fabulous. I expected a lime wedge and a polite chuckle. What I got was six different fruits and a drink that screamed, "You're on a yacht in Saint-Tropez, darling." Pineapple, lemon, limes, grapefruit --at one point I swear I saw an orange wink at me. Hannah didn't just serve me a drink--she served me a whole tropical state of mind. I don't know if she's a server or a fairy godmother with citrus-based powers, but either way, she made my day. If you're at Culinary Dropout and Hannah's working, trust me--shoot your shot. Ask for something weird. She might just make your fruity little dream come true. Five stars, twelve fruits, and eternal gratitude. I am recommending a raise effective immediately! Good service is hard to come by nowadays so exceptional talent needs to be recognized and properly rewarded. Thanks again Hannah! read more

Culinary Dropout - Drizzle - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

We had an amazing experience at Culinary Dropout, and a big part of that was our server Abby. From the moment we sat down, she was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome. She checked on us at the perfect times without ever making us feel rushed and made sure everything came out exactly right. Abby really knew the menu well and gave great recommendations. You can tell she cares about giving people a great experience, not just taking orders. Her positive attitude and energy honestly made the whole meal even better. Great food is always important, but great service is what makes you want to come back. Abby definitely delivered that. If you're at Culinary Dropout, ask for Abby--you won't be disappointed! read more

I came here for a work dinner and got a bunch of food including the pretzel bites, fried chicken, ribs, and salmon. Fried chicken was quite dry and didn't have much seasoning. Ribs were a bit under seasoned as well. The Salmon was the best item during dinner as it was moist however way over salted. Staff were a bit slow, however it was quite crowded at the restaurant. Overall I thought the food was kinda below average with a bunch of inconsistency between dishes. read more

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We came here for a late lunch. The sheer size of the space is a little intimidating when it's not full but I wish we could have seen it at peak time, seemed like there would be a great energy. The drinks here really hooked us in. Everyone we tried was good. We both got relatively simple meals, a salad and a sandwich but they were so well done that we are excited to come back. read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

This spot is one of my annual go-tos when I'm in town for RNR Arizona in January. Came on Saturday for brunch. We had a reservation and were seated immediately, and had a great server. Even though we were familiar, she proactively suggested a couple of her faves, which we picked and split: Fried Chicken and Buttermilk Biscuit: amazing and totally lived up to the hype. Plenty of flavor and not greasy at all. Banana Bread French Toast. WOW... the caramel was the perfect accompaniment and I loved the toasted almonds on it. This would have been a bit much if I only had this, so splitting and having half savory and half sweet was perfect. BTW, they plated us with half of each so we didn't have to split or switch plates ourselves--nice touch! We each had a cocktail and I don't remember which one I had, but like always mixed to perfection. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area on a weekend! read more

Great place for brunch before attending Innings Festival. Quick seating at large bar area and nice menu with both breakfast and lunch options. Creative and tasty cocktails. Have been here before with a large group and it's got a great atmosphere whether you're by yourself or with a lot of people. Friendly staff. Great food. read more

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I came here for dinner at the recommendation of a colleague while I am in town for work. The venue is pretty cool, but parking can be interesting. The attached lot and complimentary valet are available, as well as, a parking garage. The Tempe location is large with several large private venue spaces. It also has a cycling space sharing the building. The entrance leads you down a long hallway with fun artwork and murals, and there are signs that direct you to check in with the host. The hosts at the stand were a little distracted when I arrived. After a few minutes, one of the hosts asked if I wanted to sit inside or out, and I chose outside. The inside ambiance is open and modern with very fun decor and ample seating choices in several different sections. There is the outdoor area as well with a few seating options and the yard games area. There is yet another private venue across the way from the yard game area. There was a catered event in the same outdoor area where we were dining which was an interesting set up. There are misters on the outskirts of the patio to help with the heat. Once seated, I was quickly greeted by Jackie. She asked if this was my first visit then kindly explained the menu, snack choices, cocktails, and beers. She explained the two rotation drafts and also made a cocktail recommendation. She was truly a personable, wonderful, and attentive server. The menu is creative but not extensive with options. I decided to choose the marinated olives and warm crusty bread with balsamic drizzled from the snacks. As much as I wanted to try additional choices, I wanted to try out a dinner option also and not have too much to eat on my own. The olives were a great mix and the crusty bread was an excellent accompaniment. I also ordered the katsu chicken sandwich and a salad with the Thai curry dressing. That dressing was incredible! The flavors were excellent. The katsu chicken sandwich was just okay; not sure if it was missing the hoisin sauce or what, but the flavor just wasn't there. The chicken was nice and crispy though. The slaw topping was also just okay. I would recommend a different option for dinner. Overall, the ambiance was okay. It seemed like a decent place to hang out and have some snacks and beers or cocktails, but I probably would choose another place for dinner besides enjoying the snacks menu. Service was top notch though! read more

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The food is really good, I'm a big pasta girly so the bolognese was perfect! Ambiance is great, it's young, lively and clean! Fancy clean bathrooms as well. I went on a weekday so wait wasn't more than 15 minutes which was nice Got some appetizers which was very good, I recommend the pretzels they're so soft and tasty! 10/10 Love this place! read more

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This is definitely a go to place to try their appetizers, entrees, and dessert. Very spacious rooms and seating was super comfortable in the dining areas. Large groups can sit together as well. There were four of us and it was a very pleasant dining experience. Service was excellent. Food came out hot and ready to eat. Beer was very good. Great place to hold a large banquet of people in another space. We came on a Monday evening around 6 pm and got in and seated right away, but it did get busy around 6:30pm and stayed busy until we left around 8:15pm. We were able to converse and catch up during our entire dining experience even though the casual dining was busy and somewhat crowded. Overall the food was excellent. We also ordered the pretzel bites which were extremely good with the provolone beer cheese and went well with our blonde beers. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place to give it a try and for us it's a bit of drive to Tempe, but apparently there is one in Gilbert as well and we may try that one as well if this place is the golden standard for their food, ambiance, and service. Thank you for such a wonderful time at your establishment. read more

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This place is very impressive and fun. I wish they would implement an over 15 or somehow make parents watch their kids. The service is a bit spotty. We sat at bar, played some games, and ate appetizers. We ordered Wagyu Pigs In A Blanket 4.5/5, Popcorn Shrimp 5/5, and House Made Potato Chips 5/5. Full bar, large (but not awesome) draft beer selection. read more

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Need to come back & have a full meal! Was only in for afternoon drinks & snacks & everything was so good, bartender was very attentive. It was nice & quiet until it got busy. Definitely recommend going on off times before they close off the parking lot. It was a bit of a challenge to get our car out once the dinner crowd hit. It was all blocked off. read more

Culinary Dropout - Make Your Own Charcuterie- delicious! - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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One of my favs! Always delicious. Great service. Fun vibes and good-looking people abound! read more

Culinary Dropout - Steak Frites* and Spicy Korean Pork Ribs 10/10 - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Great service! Awesome atmosphere. Perfect for a date night. Every bite was the best bite!

My sister, niece and myself came here on a Sunday night for a bite to eat. The waitlist was over 20 minutes, so we decided we were gonna sit at the bar. My sister and I both ordered a mule. It had nice flavor but lacked in booze. I ordered the vegan curry. The curry was good but it was better at the other location in austin. Note they have valet parking. I avoid this when I used my handicap placard. You could park nearby and walk. Overall it was a decent meal and would come back if in the area. read more

The food and service were amazing. Thank you Alexis and Gage for all of your help and kindness tonight. Your recommendations for the entree was spot on and I am so glad I went with the 36 hour Ribs as the meat fell off the bone with zero effort. The taste of them was the huge highlight of my dinner though it listed some heat with the ingredients, the taste of them were nothing but pure sweetness. I highly recommend this location and if you get a chance......I would request both Alexis and Gage to help you as they were always checking on the food and drinks to make sure nothing was lacking. You both made the dinner experience that much better because of everything you both did during dinner. Thanks again for everything you both did tonight. read more

Visiting with family for the holidays and decided to give Culinary Dropout a try while shopping. We were informed that because meals are made from scratch, they could be customized. I ordered the Korean short rib over risotto. Others in my party ordered turkey pastrami, bolognese pasta and salmon with veggies. My food was so salty that I wasn't able to enjoy it. I ended up returning it and instead getting an Asian salad with salmon. That was initially my first choice which I should've stuck with. The salad dressing was so flavorful and took the salad to a 10. By far, the turkey pastrami was the best meal at the table which was shocking. Service was great but I wasn't too impressed by the meal BUT would give them another try. read more

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This was such a disappointing eat - a mate of mine had recommended it so I thought, it must be good. When I got there, it was certainly quite packed, with a lot of people waiting 20+ minutes to get in. It took us 20 minutes to get a table, so we waited while everyone else came, put their names on the waitlist, and when we were finally seated, it was right by the platform where extremely loud music was playing - if you want to have a conversation, or even a pleasant meal while retaining your ear drums, forget about this place and just go elsewhere; not even worth placing a to-go order because you'd be wasting your money here. I got: - House Smoked Salmon Dip, Crushed Pretzel: $9 Missing something; barely could taste the smokiness of the smoked salmon; there was barely any crushed pretzel, but I did appreciate the dill and red onions, so that's something I suppose. - Beer Battered Fish & Chips: Comes with coleslaw, tartar sauce. $20.5 - Steak Frites (medium rare): Prime skirt steak, black truffle butter, french fries. $32 - Make-your-own charcutterie board with Hot Coppa ($7), Prosciutto Di San Daniele ($9), Aged Manchego ($5.5), and Pimento Cheese ($6): $27.5 For what we paid, there was not a lot of slices of the hot Coppa or Prosciutto, which was disappointing. And the amount of manchego and pimento should have been at least half a cup for the $5+ prices. - Crusty Bread: $5 Was expecting more than four slices for $5 (which were actuall 2 whole slices cut in half). An entire loaf would have been nice. These prices are quite ridiculous honestly. - Prosciutto Deviled eggs: $6.5 I think we got 1 egg and half of a whole egg. So disappointed that we were charged $6.5 for this. Wild that that's the quantity for that price. How is this acceptable? - Garlic Oil & Balsamic Prosciutto Deviled Eggs: $6.5 While we ate everything - because we were paying for it - it was all rather bland or oily (beer battered fish & chips). It also gets extremely loud very quickly, so not the place to come here if you want a conversation. I can't speak much to parking as we opted to walk here, but it looks like it's a small parking lot for a rather large venue/restaurant, and they do offer valet services. Unless you're really hungry for food and it's late with no other options (as was our case), I'd recommend going elsewhere. [EDIT: Added more details about the quantity for the different items I ordered and downgraded the rating from a 2 to a 1 because this was absolutely deplorable experience - stay away. Honestly.) read more

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Good selection to pick from Staff was very friendly and attentive Valet parking helps - it can get busy Like everywhere else the price seems to be getting higher read more

Such a casual fun restaurant! Loved how the menu fit everyone's tastes and everything was really tasty. The pretzels and fondue are a MUST! The meatloaf is also so delicious and filling. the atmosphere was very playful where you could meet up with friends, a date, or even bring work friends there. I loved how the service was also attentive and friendly! Will be back! read more

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Went to Culinary Dropout in Tempe last night for dinner and it was fabulous. Our server was incredibly personable and offered his suggestions on the menu for us. I ended up going with the fish and chips - a solid option here as they were crispy and tasty. I loved the fries too which had a yummy seasoning. We had a reservation at 7:15 and were seated at that time. This is a great place to watch sports games as they had plenty of tvs on in the background while we ate. The place was packed but not loud so my partner and I could chat with each other. I also love the outdoor games they have if you plan on staying for a while and hanging out. read more

Culinary Dropout - Beer Battered Fish & Chips - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Delicious Food? Great Vibes? This is the place! Exciting atmospheric environment at CD. CD's locations are all vibrant and full of energy. Selection of food is spot on. Good list of Cocktails and Beer. This restaurant is a great option for many occasions such as quick lunchtime, girls night or guys night, family gathering, friends handout, date nights, and work events. Overall experience is exceptional. Warm-welcoming hosts, friendly and attentive servers, and chefs are perfect! read more

Culinary Dropout - Chicken Cacio e Pepe - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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My friend and I came by on Monday night and had a great time! I originally had a reservation but our flight was delayed two hours and we weren't able to make it until 30 minutes before closing. The staff were so gracious in allowing us to order and service us! We ordered the soft pretzel bites and provolone fondue and shared the steak frites, fries, and arugula salad. We also ordered a Bee's Knees and vodka soda. The soft pretzel bites looked great for photos but unfortunately the pretzels lacked flavor and the fondue cheese never really melted all night. The steak was cooked just as we ordered and was super tasty! Arugula and parmesan salad was delicious as well The restaurant is very spacious with a fun vibe. All the servers and management were great- would come again! read more

Culinary Dropout - Steak Frites* - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Just had a great night attending a graduation party at culinary dropout. This place is extremely large and has a few private rooms plus plenty of areas for large groups. The yard area had very comfortable couches arranged into cozy spaces for groups to gather. We had a great wait staff, who were always there to keep our celebration going. We had a buffet style dining set up and the food was amazing, I particularly liked the roasted Brussels sprouts, and the pretzel bites with cheese sauce were definitely a kid favorite. I have to say I've never had a bad experience at any culinary dropout, and this location seems so much larger and busier than the others. Oh and I forgot the complimentary valet parking, was the best! read more

We were helped by the sweetest waitress! The whole team, including the manager for the night, were extra communicative on the timing of our food and drinks. Will always love the low-lit atmosphere and they had live music just before we arrived. The also had the sports playing on tv so it makes a great place to grab a drink and hangout. read more

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This restaurant had free valet parking which was excellent. The expresso martinis were a treat and I totally recommend the pretzel bites and fondue. The service was good and the large space allowed us to not feel packed in. A good time was had by all. read more

Culinary Dropout - Pretzel bites with provolone fondue. - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

We made a reservation for 7pm on a Monday and got seated after about 5 minutes. The waiter was friendly, but our food took just shy of an hour to get served to us. I ordered the kale squash salad and my friend ordered the rib. The salad was very tasty. One thing I do love about culinary dropout is how their menu always combines unique flavors together unexpectedly well. Although the food was good, food service was quite slow. read more

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5-Star Review I've been eating here for over six years, and it just keeps getting better. Whether I order in person or through the app, this spot has become a weekly ritual--and for good reason. The food is consistently five-star. The Monkey Bread is on a whole different level--next level texture and flavor that sets the tone for the entire meal. The fried chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, exactly how it should be. The biscuit? A flawless balance of moist and crusty with a rich, buttery finish. One bite and you know it's made right. Mashed potatoes could use just a pinch more salt, but I'm fine with adjusting that to my liking--it's a minor note in an otherwise incredible dish. The coleslaw is fresh, with spot-on texture and just the right amount of tang. It's rare to find slaw this balanced. On top of all that, the vibe and location are unmatched. The energy of the space adds to the experience, making every visit feel like more than just a meal--it's a moment. This place is a gem. Consistently delicious, warm, and welcoming. Highly recommend. read more

The ambiance was warm , friendly and inviting . It was lively and fairly crowded. Our server Sam was attentive and engaging . The food was a below average . Our party of 7 , of which 4 ordered the fried chicken were extremely disappointed. The crust was tasteless and burnt. The chicken was moist but the taste and visual look of the batter was off putting. I'll stick with Scottsdale location. read more

I have been here several times in the past few months because it's consistently good service and great food. I gotta ding them a bit on the host situation because although we had a resi and checked in they got confused and didn't seat us at table with enough seats... for example my friend and I checked in while hubbys were outside, resi for 4 at 6p, they sat us at a 2 top... but they are always quick to fix it but definitely something maybe someone with a bit more experience should help manage. Steak Frites, pretzel with provolone fondue, Prime Dip, Pub Burger, Pork Ribs, Ribeye Cap, I mean I guess I could list the whole menu because we've tried them all. It's a little loud but it's an upbeat inviting place with great indoor / outdoor space, big bar, dogs are allowed on the outside patio. MUST TRY! read more

This restaurant has one of the best fried.chickens I've ever had. However, we came in for brunch and I tried the Fried Chicken with Biscuits and Gravy topped a sunny side up egg. It was amazing and the egg was cooked perfectly! I am not a fan of burnt eggs. My friends had a salad and it looked just as good. There was a special on the menu, some baguette toast with salt & balsamic vinegar, this was sooo good, we had to get another order. The host was welcoming and as we were meeting friends, she gave us the freedom to look around. Our server refilled our drinks automatically. Venue was interesting. We sat outdoors and I felt like we were in a classy warehouse. It's a trick to find this place. Coming from Scottsdale, GPS took us the long way around but the quickest way is through Rio Salado from the 101 South. Parking was unclear too but there's valet and self parking through an open lot. My other friend parked on the multi level parking structure! Too far! This restaurant is at the Yard and we were confused!!! All in all, a good experience! read more

Culinary Dropout - Arnold Palmer - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Service and ambience were great, wait was about 20 mins for two people on a Saturday night around 4:30 pm. The nacho was very good the pork belly but the fried chicken was so dry. I ate the drumsticks and took a bite of the breast, so dry. I would not recommend the fried chicken. However, my son had fish and chips, it was very enjoyable. read more

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

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One may ask "how can someone forget a slice of bread on a sandwich" but I can answer you "Culinary Dropout." As a neighborhood staple I have enjoyed many great meals here and their drinks are quite great to the point of coming back but every single takeout order has been messed up someway or another. They forgot fries on a takeout order when we were heavily looking forward to them (after a strenuous day of flying when we most wanted a large and comforting meal) and there was the time they forgot one of the two slices of bread on a chicken katsu sandwich -- that was a remarkable miss on them. read more