A HIDDEN GEM IN A SEA OF OVERPRICED MEDIOCRITY I genuinely do not understand why more people aren't talking about Karsen's Grill. Everything I've eaten here has been fantastic. The salt and pepper wings are TO DIE FOR. The burgers are excellent, the fries are awesome, the onion rings are phenomenal, and the cocktails never disappoint. Seriously, I have yet to order something here that hasn't made me think, Why isn't everyone eating here? And then there's the service. I've had the same servers every time I've visited, and they're consistently wonderful: friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and genuinely good at what they do. They know the menu, they can make recommendations, and they make you want to come back. Imagine that! This is a small, unassuming place with about six tables and a bar. It's not trying to be the hottest reservation in Scottsdale. There's no pretentious bullshit, no need to drop $200 on a steak just to tell people you ate somewhere expensive, and no relying on trendy vibes to distract you from mediocre food. And THAT is what I love about this place. Scottsdale has no shortage of restaurants where the prices are astronomical, the atmosphere is carefully curated for Instagram, and somehow the actual food ends up being the least memorable part of the experience. People will wait forever for an overhyped restaurant, pay a fortune for a meal that's just okay, and convince themselves it was amazing because the place was popular. Meanwhile, Karsen's Grill is over here serving food that is genuinely, legitimately GOOD. Give me great food, a well-made cocktail, and staff who actually care about the experience over another overpriced, overhyped dining destination any day of the week. Karsen's is the kind of place you stumble across and immediately want to keep coming back to. If you actually care about what's on your plate more than how much it costs or how impressive the restaurant looks on social media, go to Karsen's Grill. Your wallet will thank you, your taste buds will thank you, and you'll wonder why the hell you ever bothered with some of the other places in Scottsdale. Just please don't let the secret out too much. I still want to get a table. read more

Karsen's Grill is located in Old Town Scottsdale and has become a go-to spot for my lunch rotation. I have been at least 2 times now, and each time has been great. The staff is friendly and quick to get the food out. It's a really casual spot with a small bar and bar height tables. They do offer outdoor seating when the weather cooperates. The last time I came in, I tried the Sunburst Chicken Bites because I wasn't starving but still wanted sustenance. It was okay, but pretty dry. The sauce helped but it tasted like it was from an old batch as it wasn't hot, either. I'll still come back because it's within walking distance from work and they have a bunch of other things on their menu I want to try. Prices are a bit above average but the portions are pretty generous. Parking in Old Town can be hit ir miss but there's plenty to go around. Check out Karsen's if you're in the area! read more

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Had lunch here with family last year, so we thought we'd have lunch here. Busy restaurant. Great service. I had the blackened chicken Caesar salad, which was filling and had sort of a southwest tang to it. Good food. Not exactly what I'd expected, but great nonetheless. read more

Cool little old-school atmosphere in old town. Limited seating but very worth it! The food is fantastic, and the dip is worth raving about!

Karsen's Grill is a quaint local bar with good food by the SFG's Spring training ballpark in AZ. Their burgers looked great but we opted for shrimp tacos and a sandwich dip. Both were good, but nothing exceptional. Good choice after any ballgame. read more

Karsen's Grill - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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Such a fun little spot in Old Town! It's definitely on the smaller side, but we got lucky and snagged a table right away. Sam was our server and he was absolutely amazing--super friendly, attentive, and gave great recommendations. Pro tip: check out the photos on their website beforehand because everything on the menu looks so good it's hard to choose! We ordered the jalapeño pickle bites, green chile chicken Philly with fries, and the chicken salad sandwich with a side salad and avocado lime dressing. Every single thing was delicious, but the chicken salad sandwich completely stole the show. So good. The vibe was just as great as the food. Super upbeat atmosphere, really good music, and fun quotes all over the walls that made it feel lively and unique. We were sitting next to a couple visiting from out of town who said they had already come earlier in the week and had to come back one more time before leaving--which says everything. Highly recommend if you're strolling through Old Town. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Stopped in here on our way to a Giants Spring Training game on a Sunday. Went in like 5 minutes after they opened and it filled up quickly. Waiter was REALLY friendly. My Soda was never empty. So really good service. Had the Club Sandwich, which was excellent. The Onion Rings were crispy and the onions were fresh (not mushy). My wife's in house made applesauce was the highlight. Almost like eating a Dessert. It's a small place and filled up fast. But definitely will try to come back next time I am in town. read more

Karsen's Grill - Calexico Chicken Sandwich and house made applesauce - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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Visited this restaurant twice during a recent stay in Scottsdale area. Small, intimate gregarious place with great food! We felt like we were a "member" of a family style bar! The fried baloney sandwich was to die for. Have a prickly pear margarita for us! read more

My meal at Karsen's Grill was great. My dad and I ordered a burger and chicken sandwich to share, and both were very juicy and tasted delicious. The fries were also yummy and the portion was very generous. The place itself is a small sports bar with very few tables, but it feels very cozy and has a nice vibe to it. The servers are absolutely lovely - they were so friendly and helpful and made the experience even better. I enjoyed my experience here! read more

Karsen's Grill - Red Bird Sandwich, Uncle Slappy Burger - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Karsen's, as always, is perfect. Connor made us feel right at home with amazing service, generous margs, and delicious food. You're always home at Karsen's. Get the chicken tenders and fries!! They're unlike any other. Chill vibes, great people, and delicious food. What more could you want? read more

Oh my gosh....Karsen's Grill was so good and such a great find. Food was outstanding! The portions generous and price fair. What a great menu. Service is excellent and food came out quick. A friendly place and a nice place for a meal and to watch one of the games on the many screens. Small restaurant but great ambiance. Couldn't stop laughing at the many signs they had on the walls. Highly recommend! read more

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Talk about a little local gem. MichaelAnn is running that place. I don't think there was one person that walked in that she didn't know. She made great dirty martinis and was so funny. The place it's self was so small but in all the right way. The hallway to the bathroom is decked out in classic memes The food was decent! Hard to judge being an East coast foodie in the desert read more

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Food is AMAZING! I had the Pastrami Senor with onion rings. Small but great ambiance. Don't hesitate.Go now!

We had lunch here. It's small so we sat at the bar. The bartender was friendly. We ordered their Friday taco special and chicken fingers. We found out that the chicken fingers aren't available when the Friday fish special is. So I ordered the club sandwich with french fries. The good news is that their onion rings are excellent as is the club sandwich. But the grilled fish tacos were sorely lacking in fish and the fries were super salty. And it was in excess of $40 before the tip. Seems high to us for the quality of the food. read more

Karsen's Grill - Friday grilled fish taco special and delicious rings - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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Everything! The food is great! Friendly and very welcoming atmosphere. Definitely recommend and will be going back!

I came here on a whim and had the MOST fun!! The bartenders are hilarious and very interactive and the guests are so nice too!!! The chicken tenders were to dieeeee for and the buffalo sauce was one of the best I have ever had. They need to bottle it!!!!! this is the best little bar and restaurant in old town!! I will be visiting in the next couple of days to try more menu items! read more

Karsen's Grill - Chicken tenders - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Great service, atmosphere, and food. Cozy space and worth the wait if they are busy! Check the daily specials! Repeat customer and will certainly be going back! read more

Karsen's Grill - Potato salad and Philly special - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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This is the second time going there and we had to get the S&P wings again, so good!! We tried the queso after seeing it on the table next to us. With a big portion and the house made chips really made the dish. The burger was surprisingly really good to me. I'm not a big mushroom fan, but with them being soaked/marinated in Pinot noir the flavor stood out. Plenty of cheese and a cooked perfectly. I guess I forgot a pic of our drinks but the Tradition marg (3oz pour) is a really good if you like em tequila forward. She got the Prickly pair marg, also very good. There is a good vibe to the bar with a good, dry sense of humor with creative signs with funny sayings. The bartender Michael Ann is great too! read more

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So glad we tried this place. Living here and dining in Old Town can be a bitch parking sometime. We got lucky during a weekday and a little past lunchtime. Food was excellent...wants to come back and try other things, the bartender/waitress was easy to talk to and had great recommendations for our first time, adding this joint to our rotation! read more

Karsen's Grill - A little extra in the shaker! - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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Great local bar in downtown Scottsdale. Very friendly staff with a full bar and a good selection of bar salads and sandwiches. I had the chicken salad sandwich with onion rings. Very solid. Not much seating inside and out. read more

Karsen's Grill - Chicken salad sandwich. Onion rings. - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Food was ok. Service was fine. Ambiance small bar and six tables. Tight fit for groups. Overpriced food and drinks. Everyone's experience is different. read more

Karsen's Grill - Dip, sweet potato fries and blackened chicken sandwich - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

This place is a secret gem. The food and service are great. My husband had a burger which he loved. I had a chicken sandwich that was like a Philly beef but with green chilies. I forget the name. The roll was soft yet crisp from the oven. It was soooooo good. The fries were perfectly seasoned and hot!! I asked for ranch to dip my fries and to my surprise it was house made. The place is tiny. It's an old school bar really. My complaint is about the seating. It's not comfortable. They made a big deal about the 2 vs 4 tops! There were 2 people sitting at the bar. No one else... and they insisted we sit at a 2 top. We wanted more room And to sit by the wall. We finally talked them into allowing us! read more

My family and I had lunch here and loved it. The best part was the service. Connor was our server and Sam helped us as well. It was very busy but both servers were very friendly and upbeat. The place was super clean as well. While there definitely give the Nachos a try!! Can't wait to go back. read more

I'm a huge fan of chicken salad and this recipe is definitely one of my favorites. I dont know what gives this sandwich a bit of special zing (is it a bit of dill?) but on its toasted sourdough bread it was to die for. Onion rings were a bit well done but still delicious. We also had the chicken Phillie, which was fantastic. Tiny little place with great service and a lot of heart. Oh, and all the tables have purse/bag hooks. Big plus, given how small it is. read more

Karsen's Grill - Chicken salad sandwich and onion rings. - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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If food were a sport, this place would be the undefeated, undisputed champion of the green chile burger division. Picture a hidden gem so dive-ish, it practically wears sunglasses indoors. I've been here several times, and every visit has me convinced they sprinkle some kind of magic into their seasoning. As a native New Mexican, I'm practically a green chile burger snob. But this burger? It was so perfect I almost wrote it a love letter. Juicy, spicy, and grilled to perfection--it checked all the boxes, then went ahead and drew more boxes just so it could check those too. Oh, and the fries? Crispy little pieces of potato heaven. The service? So good, it made me want to invite the staff to Thanksgiving dinner. The vibe? Somewhere between "cool and chill" and "how do they do this magic?" This isn't just a meal--it's an experience. Eat here. Your taste buds will thank you. read more

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DO NOT SLEEP ON KARSEN'S!! The owners were out there hustling on a Wednesday during lunch rush, the food is incredibly fresh, the environment is small but mighty. Tastes like a scratch kitchen & the service was 10/10. Like others said only 6 tables inside and 2 outside but so worth the wait for the experience. Will definitely be back. read more

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What a cute, comfortable place. Arianna( our bartender) not only pours a great drink, she was helpful in guiding us toward a few must haves from the menu. She was correct on every suggestion. My husband ordered the Sophia Loren sandwich ( must try!) we shared the chicken strips and fries and all the house made sauces. Really , really good! The queso is pretty good as well. We will DEF return. Not only is the food great, the employees seem happy to be there. For us, a sure sign of good management... No need to dress up for your visit. Think gastro meets corner bar read more

Karsen's Grill - Chicken strips and fries. Various sauces - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

I ordered the protien bowl ,which was exactly as listed. Very well done and an excellent portion, more than I could consume, which is not unusual. I didn't order the chicken tenders, that obviously many of the locals did but they looked great. I'm A bartender and ordered an old fashioned, which I use to judge bar and it was excellent and made by Morgan! read more

Good comfort food, with a dizzying array of burgers and sandwiches. Friendly waitstaff and a buzzing vibe. read more

Karsen's Grill - Salad with blackened shrimp - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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Great local gem just a block off the main drag in Old Town Scottsdale! Super friendly staff, fast service, and great quality bar food done right. We tried the fried fresh mozzarella, wings, and a smash burger -- all solid, though the burger was probably our least favorite of the three (lots of other burger options to try next time). The vibe is casual and comfortable -- mostly adult couples and groups of friends out for good food, drinks, and conversation. It's the kind of spot that feels local and laid-back, not touristy. If you're looking for a relaxed place with great service and dependable food, Karson's Grill is an easy recommendation. Definitely worth a visit! read more

Super kind staff very helpful with such a small restaurant I swear they know everyone's name it's so cool. Food is so so good I will 100% be back I was lucky to snag a seat at the bar on a Saturday evening and it's just a place you want to go my friend loved her burger and my pasta was so flavorful! read more

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Relaxed atmosphere but space limited because they were busy Decent draft beer selection - a couple local beers Out of salmon slammies but pastrami was good not great We walked from our house so parking was perfect read more

When you find a gem like this place there is an internal struggle - shout it from the mountain tops, or keep it to yourself? Here I am shouting from the mountain tops- this place is too great. Service is great. Ambiance is great. Food was amazing. What else do you need? Can't wait to go back- a lot. read more

Karsen's Grill - french-tastic dip and delicious fries. - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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Wow are we glad we waited for a table! First off, don't let the small dining room size put you off. Get in line and just hunker down. First time visitor and it won't be my last time. These guys have their business dialed in! They know how to serve their customers with a small, yet efficient staff. Try a little of everything and share with your friends! We got the fried pickles to start. And this is a bold statement but I've not had better than these fried pickles. Next I had The Dip. She was smaller than I anticipated but ended up being the perfect portion. We also enjoyed their onion rings and fish special. Everything hit! Cocktails...not so much. While they have a full bar, the old fashioned wasn't really an old fashioned. If they named it something else I would say it was a good drink. But for next time I will stick to the basics of a cold beer with great food. read more

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Top notch food and service. It's a little bar with some lunch tables. I was a little surprised when I walked in because I didn't expect it to be so small, but the food was amazing! read more

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Food is good. Very expensive for burgers plus they add a fee for using a credit card. Good food but poor on value.

The blackened chicken sandwich was alright granted I went in being it's a slightly healthier option than the rest. Had friends buy burgers and corn beef sandwiches and ofc they loved them. Although, the side of fries were amazing! Food was reasonably priced and service was pretty quick. Place is small but it's great dive. I'd probably come back next time im in town. Staff here is super nice and they like riff with ya too read more

Karsen's Grill - Blackened Chicken Sandwich - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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What a cool spot. It's super small and filled with regulars but they make anyone feel right at home. We grabbed a seat at the bar and the bartender quickly introduced herself and gave us the rundown. It was just her and one other guy running the show but you could tell they ran it like a well oiled machine. Everything on the menu sounded delicious and several regulars around us confirmed you couldn't go wrong. I settled on the Red Bird Sandwich and was quite happy with my choice! It also came with a small side salad which I enjoyed. We'll definitely return next time we're in town. Thanks for making us feel right at home! read more

Karsen's Grill - Everything here is delicious! - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

Fantastic spot! We came here for lunch- it was packed, but the two lady bartenders working were both so lovely and sweet and really hustled to get our food to us ASAP. The chicken salad sandwich was one of the best I've ever had. They don't skimp on cocktails either! Excellent spot, would definitely return! read more

Karsen's Grill - Prickly pear and regular margarita - Bars Near Me - Scottsdale, Arizona

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Loved, loved, loved this place! First of all, the server (Michael Ann) was really attentive & engaging to everyone. There must have been a lot of regulars because the servers knew their names. We had the fried pickles & the chicken sandwich with fries. Everything was delicious. This place is very small but we loved the atmosphere. We will definitely be back. read more