Culinary Dropout is honestly one of those places that's hard to put in just one box--in the best way. It's part restaurant, part bar, part game hall... and fully a vibe. From the moment you walk in, you can tell this isn't your typical sit-down dinner spot. The lighting is cool, there's a live DJ, and yes--it is loud. Like, don't come here expecting an intimate, quiet dinner kind of loud. This is more "laughing over music, people-watching, and soaking up the energy" kind of place. Now let's talk food, because that's where they pleasantly surprised me. They actually have a legit vegan option that doesn't feel like an afterthought (which I always appreciate). I went with the vegan curry and wow--it was delicious. Rich, comforting, and packed with flavor, with a mushroom-forward sauce and sweet potatoes that just worked so well together. We also had the olive oil bread, which was simple but so good, plus almonds and Brussels sprouts that were absolutely worth ordering. Everything felt shareable and fun, which fits the whole vibe of the place. This isn't where I'd go for a quiet date night or a five-star fine dining experience--but that's not what it's trying to be. It's where you go to hang out, eat good food, sip drinks, and just have a really fun time. Would I come back? Definitely. read more

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Mediocre overall. The food felt very The Cheesecake Factory quality, nothing bad but nothing memorable either. Service was nice and she was friendly, but she definitely forgot my drink and I ended up going to the bar to grab it myself. Honestly, I'm mainly writing this because of the attached photo. This is what they gave me and said, "yeah, that's an Old Fashioned." I'm like... what. Granted server did take it off the bill and make sure my next one was better. read more

Culinary Dropout - Apparently it's an old fashioned.... No garnish, watery asf, too much simple syrup, and ya.. just bad. - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Was on way from Tucson back to San Tan Valley and was hungry. Saw the familiar face of Culinary Dropout looking very much like the one in Gilbert. Wheeled in for some food. Parking was spacious with some handicap parking right by front door. Had a reservation, so we bypassed the parties waiting for tables and were seated right away. Had Luna with me. No problem. Accommodated on the inside/outside patio. A couple of other dogs out there as well. It was pretty crowded on outside patio as there were a bunch of Philadelphia Eagle fans watching the football game on a few of the televisions hanging from the ceiling. The service was a bit slow to find us ... about usual for these chain/formula spots. I sampled the popcorn shrimp appetizer (ok) and The Hass avocado smoothie (pretty good). We also rocked The Pub Burger and an Asian Crunch Salad with a broiled salmon filet topper. It's pretty good food. The patio was a bit noisy because of football game and most of parties with children were out there playing foosball, table hockey and ping pong. If you want quiet, go inside. read more

We stopped by culinary drop out today while running errands around town. It's a typical fox restaurant establishment. It's a large space with plenty of seating. I like that you can reserve certain portions of the restaurant for special occasions. We saw both a graduation party and an engagement party there and there was still plenty of space for regular diners. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable of the specials and menu items. I ordered the salmon and my partner ordered the skirt steak. Both were delicious! The dishes are a little on the pricey side for the portions, but very flavorful and cooked perfectly. We'll definitely be back! read more

Culinary Dropout - Salmon - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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We went because some in our party don't have one where they live. It's fine. My steak was cooked as requested. The salad was delicious. Server was nice and friendly. The place is loud but wasn't too crowded so we could talk to each other read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Delicious food and a great ambiance, with a spacious and inviting atmosphere. They offer an extensive selection of food and drinks, making it perfect for families. The service is excellent I love coming here whether it's for a drink, a celebration, or just to relax and enjoy some delicious food. read more

Ample parking....tricky to access directly from Grant, but side street approach is easy. Side door entry. Ambiance/Cleanliness-Stellar. The dining room is all glass and light. The bar area is modern and inviting. The patio area has fire pits. The furniture is visually dstinctive and seating is comfortable. One of the more visually imp pressive places in Tucson, which is sad, because it is part of a chain..even so...5 stars Service-Skyla was welcoming, attentive and helpful. Could not have asked for better sevice. 5 stars Food-We started with the Pork Belly Nachos-honey mustard crème fraîche, BBQ Pork Belly, black bean,, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo...FLOUR tortillas (this is Tucson, do better) and overcooked pork belly. Filling but meh. Beer Battered Fish & Chips, coleslaw, tartar sauce.....fish was outstanding, fries were decent...coleslaw tasted like they mistook salt for sugar...tartar sauce was mid...needed pickle relish. Kitchen needs oversight. 3 stars. read more

Culinary Dropout - Fish and Chips - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I can honestly say I've never had a bad experience/ meal here! I'm often pleasantly surprised by the latest visit- meal! I've been when they've got musicians in, and when it's just a cozy environment! Exceptional service and Culinarily; they're 2nd to none! I tend to stick with the same items; but maybe I'll branch out! read more

During my most recent visit to Tucson, I was excited to give Culinary Dropout a try. The location itself was massive and could accommodate large parties. We saw at least 2-3 Christmas parties during our visit. A good location given they offer ping pong tables, live music, and an open area for entertaining. We did have some trouble finding parking and the restaurant is VERY loud. Good decor though. Unfortunately we only had a party of two. From across the street, I called to ask about the wait time. It was a Friday night, but the hostess said they currently had no wait but was subject to change. When we arrived under 5 minutes later, the wait was around 15 minutes. Our waiter was SO nice, but there was some significant time between visits. He was apologetic because they were prioritizing the parties. We had plenty of time to finish our waters before refills, and to let food settle between orders. We started with the prosciutto deviled eggs. Crispy, fine prosciutto, creamy yolks and perfect eggs. These are a must try, although they only come with 3 (1.5 eggs). The entrees were just incredible, but not very filling. The Mongolian Ribs were delicious but only came with about 3 good pieces of meat. Supplementing with an app and/or dessert is a must. My favorite was the carmalized banana bar. I'll be dreaming of it. Tasted like a dense toffee graham cracker crust, with a mousse or custard, and topped with a torched banana. The cream on the plate was just as good. read more

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This place was so cool! We went on a late Friday night- we got to hear live music, watch the game & play some ping pong. We were STARVING when we went but could t decide on what to get so we got a few appetizers- the brussel sprouts, the pretzel fondue and the crispy rice with spicy shrimp on top. Everything was so good- the crispy rice was yummy and we couldn't get enough, the cheese fondue was not your regular nacho cheese which gave it an elevated flavor, & in third place the brussel sprouts in that delicious sauce (I just personally like my brussel sprouts cut up a little smaller) It was a bit pricey BUT the ambiance and the staff made it so worth it. Will be going back! read more

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The service was amazing and so was the food except the gravy was very salty, first time there for brunch will definitely go back. read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

We thought this would be better than it was. The food was mediocre. It's a sports bar so it was loud and we had to wait a long time. Good for younger people but we're over 60 so it's not really for the older crowd. read more

Extremely delicious and flavorful chicken katsu sandwich! I love when you ordered a crispy sandwich and it actually comes cripsy, even when it's topped with slaw and a dressing. It's been a while since I have been here but it's just as good as I remember. Very large space with plenty of food options. Our table enjoyed the MAC Burger as well. Our server was very nice and recommended the burger, everyone was happy with it. Tons of games to play in the back room like Ping pong, foosball and cornhole. Bathrooms were very clean and nice. Great atmosphere to hang out in with a large group. read more

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

Great service, great food, great ambiance. Awesome restaurant - we'd come back again for sure.

I love to go there with my family. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun for all ages. Their menu for food and drinks has many options for everyone. I've liked everything I've had there. Service is good too! read more

Great chef concept gone bad. Trendy and overpriced in a constant din of echoing surfaces made this visit rather disappointing. You cannot hold a conversation with anyone more than 8" away from you. The drinks are ridiculously overpriced and food is "meh". The worst of Foxs concepts. This is a once and done. read more

Great spot. Ordered the steak and it was super good. The portions were a little small, reason for the four stars. Service was great Ambiance is awesome. read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Very cool space! Lots of seating of different styles (regular tables, high tables, low booths, bar area, etc.), a play area with cornhole and pingpong, and a private room. The food was excellent. We had the duck and shrimp fried rice and the Mongolian short rib... both fantastic! Would love to come back and try other items on their menu. We had a large party reservation that they had to split into two low tables pretty far from each other. The low tables didn't have enough space for everyone since there was a booth/couch-type seat and a few lawn chairs so we ended up pulling seats from other tables, which felt illegal to do. It was a busy Saturday night so our food and drinks did take a while to get to us but it was worth it. Very cool atmosphere for groups! read more

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First time visit, booked reservation for outdoor seating boy was I surprised when it's still basically indoors Was not impressed with the table and cold metal chairs. Ordered a vegetable Bloody Mary which was so terribly tomatoey and spicy I couldn't drink it. One of the worst I've had, thankfully they made it right and took it back no charge. On the plus side, I appreciated you can pick and choose what you want on a cheese board! Bread was super good! Smokehouse hash was very flavorful and came with the biggest tortilla I've ever seen in my life! Will return to explore the menu further. read more

Culinary Dropout - Antipasti Plate - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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This was our third time here over the years, this time we brought out pups for a late lunch. The big main area is dog friendly given it is simply a 'covered patio'. We had GREAT service this time, the young man waiting on us was a gem and on point. The crispy brussels sprouts on the menu are where it is at. I can literally eat an entire bowl myself. My husband ordered the Steak Frites and I ordered the Chix Katsu sandwich. Fries were a bit old/cold but the sandwich was great. My husbands fries were from the same batch as mine but he said his steak was good. Great place to meet people/gatherings. read more

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

Can I give them 10 stars? They earned them. Greaters were friendly, asked questions and didn't seem "bored and scripted" as they took us to our table. Fun to ask their favorite items and see them light up before sharing their faves. Our server was Alexa. She was prompt, gave awesome suggestions based on local favorites, what she serves the most of, and her personal favorites. My mom and I split the fried chicken and it absolutely IS worth the wait. My dad got the ribs that was recommended, and they were fall off the bone perfect. They have a fun menu, and I don't think you can go wrong with anything! Every dish that went past us was perfectly plated and ample. I hope your visit is as enjoyable as ours was! I'm posting pictures of the food and the creativity of the rooms. Fun place! read more

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Service is always slow and food is just ok but consistent. My favorite thing on the menu is crispy rice but it's very pricey for the very small portion. It's a good place for big parties cause they will split the bill and kids can run around. read more

Great restaurant for just about anything! Perfect for hang outs, family dinners, private parties, and date nights. Culinary Dropout has delicious food and drinks! Great selection on starters and entrees. Excellent service throughout and definitely appreciate the additional entertainment read more

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This is a fun place to hang out and play ping-pong or beanbag toss or whatever. Today though were a bunch of kids playing with parachutes that they were throwing up to the ceiling. The back room - - see my video - dash is connected to the outside so they have misters and evaporative coolers. It's a great place to bring your kids. There's lots of lounge area areas to enjoy a drink or a appetizer. The staff is really nice, but in my food, the food is mediocre. However, it is a great concept to have a restaurant and a play area. Come and enjoy. read more

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Loved it for lunch with old friends! Zach made us feel like family. Recommend it for everyone.

This place is for people with a more simple pallet. The food wasn't bad but it also wasn't anything to write home to your mother about. All the food was very one note except for the sauce that came with the pigs in a blanket. Staff was very friendly. The ambience gives off college kid vibes. read more

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We had only ever been to the CD in Phx ao it was due time we stopped in. Came on a friday after normal lunch so it was pretty quiet which was nice. The space is really open and lots of seating. The view of the large kitchen behind the windows is very cool too. But nice that you dont have the kitchen noise like at othe open concept places. The food was good- I think ill always feel the food (entrees) are overpriced when I compare the quality and portion to other similar restaurants locally. But the cocktails are definitely priced well and pack good flavor. We had the wygu pigs in a blanket and while they were good- they were probably more idea than anything. The prime rib sandwich was good but a small portion and the fries were sad and soft. The fish and chips were huge and a good rock fish- worth the price. Our server was the sweetest English gal and was incredibly friendly and helpful (especially for being new to serving as she mentioned). Would definitely go back for pretzels and cocktails and maybe pass on entrees. read more

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Food was delish, music was great and not too loud, ambience was spot on! We loved our server! The only complaint we had was the unruly kids in the corn hole area. We couldn't even play a game because they kept running between our boards (one of them even jumped on our board). Not really a restaurant issue (although I think they could have intervened), more of a parenting issue! read more

It always takes forever to be seated here. I think they need to figure out a better system. Other than that, their servers are friendly, the food is excellent, they have plenty of beer options on tap, and the ambiance is comfortable and fun. read more

Went here during weekday for Christmas event with coworkers. The food especially appetizer for tahini dip was delicious. Very strong in flavor and the bread that came with it was perfectly cooked and not too crunchy or soft. Didn't order any main course but the people who did looked amazing and said it was delicious. I think service was extremely disappointing. We had to ask multiple times to check on drinks and apps. It got to the point where we thought they forgot a couple times. Said they didn't have happy hour when there is a menu online. Turns out happy only at bar so read the menu carefully and as a heads up. Wish they would have said that then to say they had none. Waitress left and said someone else would take over. It took about 30mins for anyone to check on us. The ambiance of the establishment is perfect though for group settings and has plenty of games and open space! Overall not the worst place I think it's definitely perfect for big groups. Foods great but service could improve. read more

It is hard to go wrong with Cull drop ! Honestly this is a great location and the food and service are very much to par with the rest of the locations! Well done team Tucson! read more

Culinary Dropout - Good patio seating :) - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Stopped in the Friday afternoon Thanksgiving to watch a basketball game and get some lunch. They weren't very busy, so had my pick of seats- I choose the standard height tables in the covered patio, mostly due to the plentiful tvs in view. Noise from the foosball and ping pong was noticeable, but fine as I was there to see a game, not have intimate conversation. The hostess, server, and manager were all nearly over the top nice. Felt very well taken care of the entire time. Much like in my reboot years ago, pretzelbites were only ok (though their cheese sauce was excellent), and the build your own charcuterie was amazing. Chicken katsu was also pretty great. I hadn't been to this spot in ages, but will certainly come back soon. read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Came for Sonoran restaurant week. Great experience. I was blown away by how tasty everything was. Whipped feta was awesome just hit all the right notes. Strawberries with balsamic glaze and honey with greens. Fish and chips were huge and yummy. Couldn't finish it! The tartar sauce was great and they offered malt vinegar which was delicious. Service was awesome too. I came midweek so it was slow but peaceful. Based on this experience I would come back! read more

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

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Awesome service as always. Well prepared food& wonderful ambience!. Always have a great experience here. Will return. read more

The live music was amazing! We had such a great experience at Culinary Dropout . The service was excellent from start to finish, and the food was just as impressive. Everything came out fresh, flavorful, and well prepared. You can really tell they care about both the quality of the food and the overall experience. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made us feel really taken care of. They also made my order exactly right, which I really appreciated. Definitely a place I'd come back to and recommend to others. read more

This place has a pretty decent Happy Hour menu on the weekdays. We went with some friends, sat out in the game area, and enjoyed a couple of hours of relaxation, good food, and fun. We had a great server with a positive attitude who was very attentive to our needs. After eating, we went and played some cornhole, with a lot of laughter involved! read more

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Good food, good drinks and good service. Well worth a visit anytime you are in the area. Fox concept restaurants don't disappoint.

Visited for the first time and I have a mixed review. The ambiance was amazing, the lighting, the tables, the decor- stunning! The service was outstanding, seriously 10/10. It was loud, the music was very loud for brunch. Most of the appetizers were great. The pork belly nachos- incredible, the soft pretzels with fondue- delicious! The deviled eggs with prosciutto were lacking flavor and overly salty. There were only three on the plate, so a smaller appetizer. Unfortunately everyone's main course was overly salty. Our table had a mix of dishes and everything was salty beyond being edible unfortunately. We had a kids chicken tenders and fries, probably the least salty but still pretty salted. Fish and chips, the coleslaw was just vinegar and salt sadly. The tartar sauce was terribly salty. The fish did have course salt on top and that was fine but mixed with the tartar sauce and coleslaw it was inedible. The fish was fried perfectly though. One of the dishes was the fried chicken with coleslaw, mashed potatoes and gravy and again just way too much salt. The fried chicken is mostly batter not much skin so if that's what you prefer you may enjoy. Another dish was a breakfast burrito and again, so overly salty. It was a bit of a let down due to the appetizers being so good. And of course the price. Our table joked it was likely so salty in order to encourage people to order drinks because we were definitely thirsty! The menu is nice, it's definitely bar/cocktail focused - even the kids menu had cocktails on the back which was quite funny. Anyway, beautiful restaurant, outstanding service. Unfortunately a bit over priced and way too heavy handed on the salt. Sadly won't likely be returning. It was a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy conversation though! If you're big on cocktails you may really enjoy it! read more

Great little spot that popped up on yelp while I was on my way out here from LA. Service was immediate. I sat at the bar and the bartenders were all pretty cute. I asked what's good. She said burger if you're hungry and that she had just had the fried chicken and it was awesome. I don't know about getting fried chicken anywhere but the deep south ,so I went with the burger. Burger was great fries were crispy and delicious and the Mississippi mud pie was fucking amazing if I was staying any longer, I'd probably go back and try something else but after a ride up Mount Lemmon, I'm out of here. read more

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Very busy for back to school. Large space yet can have quite the wait. We waited 45+ minutes. Creative drinks and dishes. I had the chicken Cobb salad which was delicious and unique very heavy dressed but kind of the thing I think. To drink had the juicy Watermelon drink which was sweet and refreshing. My husband had a ginger type drink which was really good. Sports bar vibe and echoey tall ceilings. High top & low top seating. Very friendly waitstaff. Check your bill we had a random Coke put on there. read more

Culinary Dropout - Inside - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona