I'd give this place ten stars, if I could!!! This is destined to be a long Yelp review, so if you're looking for a great restaurant in Tucson, you've found it. Go now! First of, the physical space is amazing. We ate inside and sat at the round tables with armchairs. Loved the old posters of Bowie, Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain. Loved the industrial pipes turned into foot rests for the tall tables. Loved the fancy bar and open kitchen. The second half of the restaurant is a covered outdoor space with ping pong tables and foosball tables. Loved it too. The menu is comfort food meets gastropub. In short, the food was sensational (be aware this review is also full of superlatives). I recommend the pretzel fondue appetizer. It was probably the gastronomical highlight of my year! The single order is plenty large for 4 adults and the fondue was mind blowing. Honestly, I used my finger to eat the leftover cheese after the pretzels had been consumed. My wife said the kale salad was the "best salad of my life." Both kids ate all all of their cheeseburger and chicken fingers, respectively (hallelujah!). I had the fried chicken and it was crispy, crunchy, and juicy inside. Forgot the fried chicken, I was blown away by the garlic mash potatoes with gravy and cole slaw -- staples that are forgettable at most places. The chefs really went out of their to improve these sides and kudos to them. Cornbread was moist and sweet, but I could use more jalapeño in the mix and more butter. Good food is common, but great restaurants are rare. Culinary Dropout is in a class of its own. I was truly blown away and I can't wait to go back. Those 36 hour ribs sounded tasty... read more

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Service was great! I could just drink the ranch dressing. Prime rib sandwich was very good and the au jus even better.

Surprisingly great experience. Went there for a quick lunch after a conference and the food and service were outstanding. The waitress was attentive and but not overbearing. Everyone we encountered were pleasant and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant was relaxed and fun. The food surpassed our expectations. We ordered the pretzel bites appetizer and it was perfectly cooked and the cheese dip that accompanied it was delicious. Best pretzel appetizer I have ever had. The Cobb salad with grilled chicken was well made and left me wishing I would have ordered one of their main entrees. Definitely looking forward to visiting again when I am back in town. Best restaurant I ate at while in Tucson. read more

Culinary Dropout - Jameson on the Rocks - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Good food Great service Restaurant is large & not quiet Have enjoyed the food every time I've gone. High menu with something for everyone, read more

Came back for a second visit with the Bros. The service was quick and mostly accurate. Waitress made mistake on appetizers so we got pretzels comped. All of the entrees were good. The ribs were not available when we ordered but the manager came back before our food was served and offered a complimentary order as they became available. The outdoor temperature was perfect and the crowd and music were spot on for a Friday night. The last visit was a one off so I will definitely be back! Just proved that everyone has a bad day sometimes. read more

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It's expensive, portions tend to be small, use of provolone cheese with buritos and pretzels does not taste right to me, there are better restaurant choices around read more

Stopped by culinary to grab a drink, but was enticed by a bowl of pretzels walking by...I ended up with a three course meal haha. Very nice staff, will be comin back for more turkey pastramis and monkey bread read more

LOVE THIS PLACE. Always a great atmosphere. Everyone is amazing. The food is on point!

This place is so big inside! And it's relaxing, although there's a lot of noise in the background, it did not bother me at all. It's great for big groups and service is fast and servers work together as a team to bring your food out fast. And they make sure you're well taken cared of. They have lots of choices on drinks, and portion is just right. Although it's pricey but I think it's well worth it. read more

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We had never been to a Culinary Dropout before, so didn't know what to expect when we went to the restaurant in Tucson, AZ. It is a huge restaurant, with spaces for eating indoors and out, as well as a large room that appeared to be for large groups. However, the patrons in the indoor and outdoor spaces were also mostly large groups, some celebrating special events such as birthdays. The noise level was on the high side. The food was largely comfort food of moderate quality. Overall, this is a reasonable place for large groups, but smaller groups may prefer less of a party atmosphere. read more

We drove from Scottsdale to Tucson for try this restaurant today. We are not disappointed! Super Server" Dee " helped us on menu. Manager stopped by and he was so Cool as well. We ordered Their most popular items... fried chicken, Brussels sprouts, Pretzel with cheese dips and salmon dish which cooked with Perfection Thanks Guys for awesome job. read more

First timer. I think it's a great place for a social experiment, like a pre-game before the clubs. It a big-wide range restaurant. And it's very loud and busy. Not that it's a bad thing. The food and service were very good. I would definitely go back. Also restroom were in excellent condition. Cleaned. read more

Culinary Dropout - Fish & fries with coleslaw - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Stopped by on a Sunday - they were serving the brunch menu but I asked if I could get the Steak Frites. They said, sure, and I am so grateful - it was amazing. Tender slices of skirt/hanger steak, med rare, topped with a very light truffle butter. Almost did not need a knife. Great fries and a beer to go with. Now THAT's brunch. Service was very good. Place is huge and still inviting. Want to go back soon. read more

Culinary Dropout - Terrific Steak Frites - recommended. - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

It's basically Applebee's but for people one tax bracket above the mean. Safe American menu with something that can please everyone, but no real signature dish that sticks out. What I like: It's an aesthetically pleasing and spacious hangout with some ping pong and cornhole. There are a wide variety of canned/bottled beers, and even a couple draft wines. What I don't like: Pretty much the rest of the experience. I know it was a good 95 degrees out when I visited, but I was still surprised by how stuffy it was indoors. I know we had a big party, but I have no idea why it took a half hour after drink orders to even get our food orders in. Then there's the kitchen. Nobody in my party seemed to have their meals cooked adequately--two burgers we explicitly asked to be well done were cooked to a mushy pink medium. I'm talking, like, taking a first bite and having a stream of liquid slosh onto my plate. Mushy and bright pink almost all the way through. Another diner ordered a steak and complained about how close to well done it was. But we all agreed they were so slow (and it was not crowded) that asking for any sort of correction would not be worth it. I ordered fries with my dish, but also tried some side salad and was deeply disappointed--good quality produce ruined by gratuitous globs of ranch dressing. Tone it down! When it came time to pay the bill, we were surprised by how much of a hassle it was to get things split up. At good restaurants, they're invested in making it easier to give them your money--they are usually walking around with some type of mobile point of sales device and can make it all work with ease. At pretentious and overrated joints (like this), they are completely disinterested and perhaps even annoyed that you would ask. So overall, this looks cool but is not a place I would want to return to. At the very least, everyone should at least be sent to the Uptown Phoenix location for reeducation, which I don't rave about but certainly enjoyed much more. read more

It's about time I wrote this. Been here several times, some 5 star experiences, and some not so, hence the 4. Sat inside this time around with 4 of us total. Had to remind a friend that she'd been to the one in Vegas with me. It was our other friend's first time. They have a nice selection of cocktails, refreshing options perfect for Tucson. I ordered the Tequila Spa (?) again. I had had one my previous visit....tequila, ginger, cucumber, fern leaves, pumice stone garnish. It took at least 30 minutes for our drinks....busy Friday night with some large parties hogging up the service. This is a common occurrence since it's a good place for groups. I feel like since this happens a lot that CD could take the opportunity to expedite that part of their service. I don't know the solution but something to consider. My husband ordered his carbon copy meal, deviled eggs, fish and chips, and the monkey bread for dessert. To me, that is the sign of a great restaurant, when you can just stick to your go-to and, without fail, and walk out happy. I did the same thing, buffalo wings and caesar salad with extra dressing except that I didn't get the extra dressing even after my server and I shared our love for drowning lettuce. I like to come here for the games and the ambiance that will keep you awake. There was a dude singing country folk fusion or something. Kind of kept me awake. And the food is pretty good scratch kitchen fare. There's just these little things that make the service inconsistent, forgetting my silverware, not maintaining drinks, or bussing everyone's plates except for mine, not knowing the recipe for a basic coffee drink. If they could bump up that consistency that would round out my experience and this place would be an even greater place for us to order our go-tos. read more

We flew in from Seattle with our French Bulldog and needed a place for lunch with the in-laws. This place is super dog friendly and the food was extraordinary! We had a charcuterie board and the Asian Crunch Salad with a margarita with Serrano chili agave! I practically licked my salad bowl. Everything in the salad was uber fresh, and they chopped up a whole Fresno chili inside. Wonderful! The service was just ok. It would not deter us from returning though. read more

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Food is decent, but why are they charging $9 for a High Noon. Absolutely absurd, good luck everyone!

The food was great! A little pricey but not too bad.. a typical Friday night date night with drinks. Our bill was 132$ with tip. The ambiance is very casual and cool. Love the vibe in the main dining area and when we walked back to the bathrooms where the more casual area was with corn hole, fire pits and pool tables it's definitely a fun place to hang out! Our server Christian was great. Very nice and accommodating. I wish I had gotten a photo of the antipasto appetizer plate we had before dinner because that was so good! The happy hour drinks weren't watered down and I really appreciate that! We will be back! :) read more

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Great time at the Culinary Dropout! Quick and friendly service. All the food we tried was great but the Fried Chicken is a show stopper. Fun place, lively but not too loud. Going to bring the family back for a holiday get together. read more

Trendy spot to go to for food, drinks, and outdoor games - it can get busy so recommend either making a reservation or go mid-afternoon time. The food is solid overall. We've tried a variety of appetizers and entrees, and our favorites are: - House potato chips: thick cut, not greasy at all, perfect to share with a tasty onion dip - Crispy chicken katsu: such a good sandwich; the chicken is fried but not greasy and the milk bread is so fluffy - Fried chicken: comes with a buttermilk biscuit, the creamy yet chunky mashed potatoes, not too greasy fried chicken - though I am a bit disappointed that the flavor wasn't consistent because it was so good the first time! We've also had the pork belly nachos which were okay but not as good as the above dishes. Overall, a pretty good meal if you're looking for a lot of options! read more

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

Never a disappointment eating here. My go to starter was the pretzels and fondue always so delicious. Entree was the M. A. C. Burger added some avocado to it to enhance that flavor of the juicy double patties, made to perfection. The wait staff always knows how to accommodate their guests. My wife and I love culinary as the vibe is always good, enjoyed a quick game of cornhole as we sipped on our adult beverages. read more

Excellent selection of many different types of cuisine! Alcoholic drinks with a twist are also offered. I tried an açaí drink that was amazing! Food portions are small so an appetizer may be in order! My only complaint is the noise level! Very high in all sections of the restaurant. read more

This summer, my son and his fiancé came to visit Tucson, found Culinary Dropout on their own, and then wanted to come back and eat there again! They even wished that C.D. would open in Maine! Fun atmosphere, better-than-bar-food, and definitely casual. The wait staff could use a little more polish, but their demeanors certainly matched their quirky, personalized attire. Good place to eat too much. read more

Awesome hip vibe. great food. Service was very attentive! Kale salad is a must. NA beer selections too!

Not from the area but needed to find a place for a date night and this was recommended. I glanced at the menu but did not study it for long. When arrived we did have a reservation and seated immediately. The place is a bit on the louder side so it still allowed for a good conversation to be had at the table. Once seated it didn't feel like it was that long before our sever came to us and apologized for the wait and took our drink order. He again Came back and apologized for the wait as he was waiting on the drinks from the bar and someone got sent home so he had extra tables. Once he brought our drinks we ordered food and he gave some recommendations based on the menu change recently. Once again while waiting for our food he came by to check and apologize. I do not know what they believe a long wait time but this was not it however the attention and conversation with the waiter definitely made it feel as if he was just as much invested in our time out as us. Dinner was amazing, I come from an agricultural city which is well known for our steaks and seasoning and they did amazing with the food, the only thing was my medium steak was a bit more rare and closer to my partners rare steak. We decided to skip dessert and head out on a hunt for something specific. I would return back just based on the service and attention given to our time and discussing the menu alone. read more

Great service. Food was good although small portions and I left hungry. The drinks were marginal as our party sent back a few because they didn't taste very good. Fun atmosphere! read more

Easy 5 start review. Great service and great food. Staff is nice and the restaurant is clean. Majority of dishes are Gluten Free. Even if you're not GF you can't taste the difference. Very well crafted food! read more

Culinary Dropout - Monte Cristo - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Culinary Dropout has a cool vibe, good food, and drinks. The space is large and has a few yard games like corn hole, ping-pong, and fooseball. I've been here several times and the service is inconsistent. The food is good, but no culinary marvels. The drinks they offer are good, but the staff are not experts on what they're serving. Example, the staff was unaware of how legendary the Pseudo Sue beer is. I believe this is Fox Concepts restaurant and they're a good family of restaurants. I know Culinary Dropout could be more, but I'm not sure if that's what they want or what I want from them. It's a cool restaurant with good food. read more

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Very long wait time, but I've expected much!! The food was so dang good!!! Even the sauces are made from scratch!!!

Culinary Dropout is exactly the opposite of its name. The location is first and foremost a great spot. The space is huge - a private dining space, open kitchen concept where guests can see what's happening, two dining spaces: one with high bar chairs and the other more casual relax, and a space for a live DJ and your favorite bar games. Part of Fox Restaurant Concepts, this location of Culinary Dropout is everything family friendly and more. After a 12 hour road trip from California, this was where we decided to grab a bite, and it did not disappoint. Right off the bat, this place was crawling with people - literally it was full we had no option to sit anywhere but the bar. Not a bad second choice - a view of pretty much everything. It even took me awhile to realize there was alive DJ. The music that was being played was on point. Now for the food and service. The staff was very attentive to our needs and made sure our glasses were constantly full. As an appetizer we ordered the pork belly nachos. NOW, let me tell you this was a full on plate. We could not even finish this thing. Honestly everything looked good but we settled on the Katsu chicken sandwich. Also a great choice. We even split this and could not finish. Needless to say, their portion sizes here are very generous. With a name like Culinary Dropout you'd think that the food would be short of the name. Thank goodness this was a dropout and with good reason - amazing. read more

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I had the Mongolian Short Ribs and my wife had the French Dip (but called something else). Service was fine. The short rib dish was a bit of a muddle of flavors, not bad but too much going on. The French dip was unremarkable. I might sample some other things on the menu that looked interesting, but the deal killer for me is the space. High ceilings, bare surfaces, TV screens everywhere, and just a ton of ambient noise. If you don't mind loud environments, maybe that will be OK for you. But if you are old enough for hearing aids, I predict that you won't love it. read more

Looking for alternative food options and a great HH near our resort, we decided on CD! We had some drinks and starters! Great prices at HH. Skyla was fantastic, sweet and efficient. We loved the size of the HH charcuterie tray; perfect for 2! We also had entrees, meatloaf and a chopped salad-just ok, but the stars were service, drinks, and apps. read more

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Came in a few months ago for a grad party and returned for a birthday dinner. Kayla was once again my server and was once again incredible! Kayla recommended that I try the fried chicken and it was so crispy and juicy could not have been better! Culinary should be the go to place in Tucson t celebrate any occasion and make sure Kayla is your server read more

We went here for New Years Eve dinner. Ambiance was perfect. Food was good and service even better. Nice balloon display for selfies. I had the steak and it was seasoned perfectly read more

We really enjoyed dining at Culinary Dropout. The inside is open and well-lit, with a bit of industrial-chic. We were able to entertain our seven year old with ping pong and ring toss while waiting for our food. They also have corn hole and shuffle board for pre/post-dining entertainment. Our meals were very good. Our appetizer consisted of pretzel balls, which were good, but not comparable to Bavarian pretzels. I had the Katsu Chicken sandwich, which came on thick-sliced toast. That was tasty. My wife had the Vegetarian Curry, to which she added chicken. It was spicy and she really enjoyed it. The kid's Cheeseburger was, according to him, "really good," but his palate isn't too fancy, so... I would dine there again. read more

Went today with a HUGE group. Jessica was awesome to work with in scheduling our event. Josie was our server and she was amazing! She's a gem. Excellent service and serious hospitality skills. Food was excellent and the game area was perfect for us to play some ping pong and corn hole. All around 10/10. Thank you! read more

Came for Sonoran Week, waited a good 5 min before anyone approached us at the hostess stand. Had a long waitress wait as well, but she was working hard and they had her tables all over the place. we got the Strawberry toast appetizer and the wedged iceberg. For our entrees we got the meatloaf and the chicken pasta. Both were delicious. The fried capers on the pasta brought a little too much salt though in my opinion. We got the caramelized banana bar for dessert (not photos because we got them to go and haven't opened them yet) read more

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Greet Food and Service. I always take my family here for dinner or bring coworkers for Team Building Events.

I'm normally a big fan of all Fox Restaurants but I've been consistently disappointed by this Culinary Dropout. I love the Phoenix Area locations, particularly The Yard but this one just isn't as good. Their team was kind and attentive, but everything else lacked. From our appetizer and entrees to the drinks it was all disappointing. The pretzel bites were hard and cold, seemed day old and the cheese wasn't warm. The Fish and Chips weren't very flavorful and just plain greasy. Fried Chicken was about the same quality as a fast food spot and the mashed potatoes were full of large chunks. The margarita wasn't great and the rim wasn't salted. Pretty terrible when spending roughly $20 per plate. I was hoping the games would be the highlight after a mediocre dinner but they also just felt low quality. The ping pong paddles were falling apart and the shuffleboard tables were tough to play on due to there being virtually no powder. I want to love this place and am glad Tucson has a location, the old Grant Road Lumber building holds cool history and has a nice aesthetic. I wish the quality of everything inside stood up to the presentation of the space. Until things change, we won't be back. read more

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Great place for get-togethers with friends, the food was actually pretty good and the service was great. Pretty good diverse menu and lots of drink options. read more