I want to give 5 stars for the amazing dinner experience at Filthy Animal. I've been a few times…read morenow, and the food and service during dinner have always been incredible. The oysters are a must, the steak is cooked perfectly, and everything is plated so thoughtfully it really feels like a full experience, not just a meal. The dinner staff has also always been attentive, friendly, and on point. That said, I recently came in for brunch and had a very different experience. I'm a huge pancake person, so I was excited to try the strawberry pancakes, but they were honestly disappointing. They were soggy, lacked any fluff, and had more of a cornbread texture than a pancake. The strawberry topping also wasn't very appetizing--it seemed like it was meant to be more of a sauce, but it didn't quite work. I completely understand that higher-end restaurants like to get creative with their dishes, but I think some basics like pancakes should still be done really well. I'll definitely be back for dinner, but I'd probably skip brunch next time.

Filthy Animal is a play on words as it grabs your attention and makes you remember it. Please…read moredon't let the name confuse you, it is NOT organ meat. The restaurant is beautifully decorated. I feel the need to wear a safari pith helmet and khaki. The upscale lighting and artwork is stunning. We went with our friends who are mostly vegan and very adventurous. The menu can be meat heavy but the small plates are intriguing and have well thought out flavor combos. The evening was nice and our reservations early so we elected to dine outside. Our only issue was the misters were going so strong that water droplets can down like rain. Once notified, the restaurant shut them off. We had real intrigue with the small plate flavor combinations, unusual ingredients groupings and waitress suggestions. The milk bread with miso tomato butter, almond and kalamata was the first to arrive. The rolls were slightly sweet, pillowy and unbelievable when accompanied with the savory butter. I easily could of polished off two plates on my own. The heirloom tomato and spicy peanut dressing with onions, daikon radish, baby gem, whipped queso de cabra, mala chili and sour nut was a show stopper. It was not over-powering but kept you coming back for one more bite. A definite must try. The Taridito with yellow tail, grilled peaches, avacado crema, habanero passion fruit aguachile, and crispy quinoa was good but our least favorite. The tuna cerviche with grilled pineapple, leche de tigre, crispy quinoa and lightly salted long plantain chips were over the moon good. The sweet, salty and savory flavors were perfectly blended and memorable. Our final selection was the bomba rice risotto with shrimp, linguica, green peas, piquillo peppers, kosho aioli and parmesan was smooth, amazing flavor and warm to the soul. A truly incredible dish. It is difficult to express just how pleasantly surprised and absolutely tasty our dining was tonight. The name completely threw us off. A heart felt thank you to our female server and her suggestions. Filthy Animal is a new favorite dining space in the hip ASU center of town. All of us will definitely be returning to discover the rest of the menu. If you have the opportunity, make reservations and book a seat to a truly enjoyable evening of dining at Filthy Animal. Great Job!

Finally stopped in after driving by this place for a while and not realizing what it was and I'm…read moreglad I did. The restaurant and outdoor entertainment complex is huge and has a really fun, energetic vibe. According to the bartender, they have ping-pong, pickleball, and a big upstairs outdoor patio with amazing views of Tempe and the surrounding area. There's also a large parking lot, lots of outdoor seating, and even a dog park area, which makes it really easy to spend time here. The bartenders and wait staff were very friendly. Azbel was a great server. I had the bistro steak and fries and the Szechuan lettuce wraps, and both were really good. Portions were generous. During late-night happy hour my total was about $55 for a main entrée, an appetizer, a cocktail, and tip, which felt like a great deal. I was pleasantly surprised that happy hour runs every day Monday through Sunday from 3-6 PM and again from 8 PM to close. I also checked out the event venue on site, and it looks like it would be a great place for a company party, corporate event, or group gathering. I'll definitely be returning in the near future.

After a previous experience here, I thought the food was great, so I decided to share it with my…read morefamily, with the hopes they too would enjoy. The Service was "electric" for us as we were celebrating a birthday at the table during lunch. It was too Hot for us to do pickleball, but they do have a fully shaded area that had people playing outside ~105 degrees. As for the food, we had the Fish & Chips with a Mahi Mahi Slaw & Fries, the Ahi Poke Tacos which come in Wonton shells. Hot Honey and Sausage Pizza was great. The Barbacoa Nachos had all the right ingredients & the Double Smash Burger had only some "fancy sauce" on the plate. The Tempura Green Bean, can't remember who ordered, but were good with the chipotle ranch sauce. With me, I'm all about the cocktails, so I treated myself to both the Froze Margarita & the Chi Chi. They call them spiked slushes, I call them "heaven sent" during the Arizona Summer. All of the food was a hit for the table and my family understood why I suggested EP for lunch! I said our Server was "electric" and that's because they made our experience very enjoyable. It was appreciated and I will return again for lunch and pickleball (in the evenings) during the hot summer!

What a find in the heart of Tempe! A friend invited me to lunch here on. Monday and wow, they were…read morebusy! Full parking lot! That was good sign. We shared a Berry Avocado Quinoa Bowl and a Perfectly Grilled Cheese. They even plated them separately for us! (2 plates with half a grilled cheese and French fries on each and 2 bowls with our Berry Avocado quinoa! So sweet and helpful!) Everything was very delicious--fries were seasoned and crispy! The grilled cheese and sweet and salty (they use their spiced pear bread, a delicious four cheese blend and bacon). Quinoa bowl was very hearty! The space was cozy and not too loud--my friend and I were able to catch up without having to raise out voices. Cannot wait to come back to try the rest of their menu!

This was a quaint little place that I picked out based on reviews and the fact that they had a…read moreCuban sandwich on the menu. It was very tasty. And hit the spot. I ordered one of the side salads but I asked if I could have them add fresh pear to it because of course the name of the place is Perfect Pear Bistro so I was naturally craving pears. The ambience was cute and classy. I sat on the patio because it was gorgeous outside, but I did take a peek inside and it has a low lit upscale rustic vibe. There was plenty left in the salad after I housed my sandwich (elegantly) and I finally had to tap out and get a to-go box. Lovely little stop, would come back.

We had an awesome birthday celebration at Culinary Dropout. The facility is huge and incredibly…read morelively, with a fun outdoor area that has games for all patrons to play. The long bar is impressive and the drinks were excellent. I had the Campfire Vibes, which I highly recommend. For food, we started with the pretzel bites, which Culinary is known for, but I also tried the crispy katsu chicken sandwich, which was out of this world. Great food, great service, and an all-around great vibe. Definitely a fun spot to visit in Tempe.

Came here for lunch and it was really good. I got a salad with salmon and once again I forgot to…read moreask for dressing on the side but it was still good. Salmon was perfectly cooked and tasty. Plenty of parking outside. This restaurant is huge and can accommodate large parties should you need a place to bring friends and coworkers. The staff was very nice and helpful.

Odd description on their Yelp "About" because this is not a rooftop view. It's on the street…read morelevel. Nonetheless, this place was a great surprise. Our group of 8 ended up here when another Tempe restaurant had a kitchen emergency and cancelled our reso an hour before dinner. Alter Ego was able to accommodate us, and we were glad they did. If you enter from the street side you'd never know you're in a hotel restaurant. It's got an upscale, classy vibe not usually seen in hotel dining. The waiter and bartender were attentive and knowledgeable. The menu wasn't huge but it was a great variety of options. Table had some salads, flatbreads, burgers and a round of butter cake desserts. Each was really, really good. Way more sophisticated plates than expected. Also had a bunch of craft cocktails, unique and well made. Sometimes the best experiences are unplanned. But you SHOULD plan to give this place a try.

I came to Alter Ego Tempe this morning with my wife expecting brunch... and instead got an…read moreimmersive, interactive escape room experience called "Find the Hostess." We walked in and were immediately greeted by... absolutely no one. There was what might have been a hostess stand, or possibly a modern art installation--I'm still not sure. After doing a full lap like we were casing the place for a heist, we confirmed: no hostess, no sign, no clues. Just vibes. Naturally, we migrated to the bar like confused NPCs waiting for a quest. Stood there. Made eye contact. Practiced our "we are clearly humans who would like to eat" stance. Nothing. Not even a nod. At this point, I was considering ordering invisibility cloaks since we were clearly already wearing them. Finally, we move to the front of the bar where someone acknowledges us and says, "Oh yeah, just go to the hostess stand... she'll be back." Ah yes--the elusive hostess. A mythical creature. So we return to the podium of mystery and wait. Eventually, an older woman appears (possibly summoned by our collective confusion) and seats us. Progress. We sit down. No water. No greeting. No "hey, glad you solved the puzzle and made it to Level 2." Just silence. About 7 minutes later, two guys get seated right next to us. Within 4 minutes, a server rushes over to them like they're VIPs at a Vegas club and takes their drink order... while we're sitting there like decorative furniture. At that point, we realized we weren't dining--we were extras in someone else's restaurant experience. So we left. To whoever manages this place: you might want to check the tape. Not even to fix things--just to appreciate the full cinematic masterpiece of how impressively this all unfolded. Honestly, it'd make a great training video titled "What If We Just Didn't?" Would I come back? Only if there's a leaderboard next time so I know how close I was to unlocking the "Order Coffee" achievement.

Had the philli cheese steak this morning. Joe at the bar was the most wonderful bartender I've had…read morehere in Arizona. Super kind and friendly. Service was fast and attentive. Really appreciate the Hudson and Joe for the wonderful morning!!

If you blink, you might drive right past this little bar and grill, as it's set back offv the road…read moresnuggled up next to a bigger building. There is plenty of bar space if you're popping in for a drink.. of course, the actual bar that runs along the shelves of liquor, and there is also a bar on the other side of a roll-up door, perfect for people who come with dogs. There's also a bar space that runs along the window that separates the small dining room and the patio. There are a few tables inside as well as some bigger tables on the patio. The patio is nice with lots of shrubs right outside the rail. The murals on the wall are pretty darn cool - - they're like enlarged historic photos of the area. I love them! And I'm not sure who's giant face is hanging on the ceiling but it's short a spark conversation. The menu here has a little something for everyone. There's the regular loaded fries and wings, salads, and a nice election burgers. We ordered the Philly Salad and the Very Summer Salad with a side order of fries. They make their own ranch, and it is good. I will say they don't seem to skim on salad ingredients either - - the Philly salad was covered with shaved beef, and my berry salad had a lot of chicken and tons of blue cheese. The fries were delicious - - slightly seasoned and crispy. This place is clearly dog friendly. In fact the day we went there was a sweet Pitbull named Daisy who literally hopped up on a bar stool and sat there like a little angel the entire time. The bar had a dog full of water that they sat down on the counter next to her owner's beer. They also have dog biscuits to give. It made my day to see that sweet little dog hanging at the bar having a treat. This really is kind of a spot that feels like it's probably the hangout spot of many people. Great bar food and a good selection of beers. What's not to love?

Such a great spot for the whole family! I love that you can eat, drink, and play all in one place…read more The decor has such a fun vibe and makes it easy to settle in and stay awhile. We ended up staying for hours trying out so many games, sharing appetizers, and I enjoyed a latte. Definitely one of those places that makes for such a fun and memorable outing. The kids are asking to go back!

I'm a regular, paying customer who has spent significant time here across multiple visits…read more On a recent visit, I was asked to give up my table due to a reservation conflict after being seated for hours and actively ordering. The issue wasn't the food or atmosphere, but how the situation was handled once a conflict arose. As a visibly queer patron with mobility considerations, this raised concerns about how long-stay customers are treated, particularly when accessibility and inclusion are part of the venue's public messaging. This was a situation that could have been resolved with clearer communication and basic service recovery (including acknowledgment or compensation for the disruption). Instead, it left me feeling dismissed. I've documented the full experience, including accessibility observations, for anyone who wants additional context. Sharing this so others can make informed decisions. Read the full review including notes about accessibility on Medium.com @accessible_tempe https://medium.com/@accessible_tempe

My boyfriend and I had our date night at Oliver's modern American and it was lovely. I've never…read morebeen here before but the decor is super cute and classy. I loved the little Coca-Cola truck out front. Our server gave great suggestions when we asked what to order, and my boyfriend loved his Queen cocktail which was pretty sweet. I got a pecan espresso martini which was also delicious. For food, I ordered a hamburger which was huge! I couldn't eat half my fries because the portions here are outstanding. I had a bite of my boyfriend's pasta and the sauce was to die for. For a cute, casual date night I'd highly recommend this spot, but they also have larger tables for bigger groups and the outside seating looked like a fun vibe as well!

Service was fantastic, I wish I got our server's name. We visited Oliver's during happy hour for a…read morechance to catch up with some colleagues old and current to just yap, nibble, and have a drink. The location and vibes were gorgeous. Their espresso martini was just fine. Our food was nothing too impressive. The bruschetta came out a bit cold - like it was in the freezer and needed to thaw out much longer. The bread also came out a bit cold. Calamari was fine and I really wanted to love the blondie dessert but that too seemed like the temperature was just a bit off. That being said, we sat for a couple of hours enjoying the views and cozy seating. I'd go back and try different menu items.

My husband booked this for a Saturday dinner for our anniversary. We got seated outside by the…read moreshade where there was a great breeze and incredible views. The food was decently priced but expect to atleast spend $200-$250 for two people minimum. The menu was small which was not bad cause the food was incredible. We got the pork chop which was cooked perfectly and seasoned perfectly. The pasta was also really good! There were only two scallops and 3 shrimp on there and it was black squid ink pasta which I have had elsewhere before and it didn't color my lips and teeth like it did with this so if this was a first date, I'd say no to that dish haha but it was delicious. We got a bottle of moscato to share which was a great choice and then we got dessert for free which we did not expect but definitely appreciated as it was delightful. We watched the sunset and it was gorgeous, the sky was like a painting. Pictures didn't do justice so I didn't have night time pics. You'll just have to go see it for yourself! Also, our server was very nice. She was attentive in all the right moments

I was very excited to visit Top of the Rock, having never been even though I am an Arizona native…read more My brother selected this restaurant to celebrate his birthday with a small party of 4. Upon entering, the interior is beautiful and clean, albeit very quiet and the outdoor view of the city is extraordinary. We were seated in a booth with a direct view of the kitchen. For a cocktail, I ordered an Espresso Martini which was made beautifully. We were also served a jalapeño (I believe) Focaccia with some honey butter Madeline's, also very delicious. For my entree, I ordered a Chicken dish and it was presented absolutely beautiful. It took around 45 minutes for us to receive our food and the temperature was not up to par. It tasted fine enough but would have been better fresh off the press and cooked a little longer. Ultimately, the other members of my party asked for refunds the next day as they were not happy with their food either. Our service lacked a little also which is disappointing because we were really looking forward to dining here and I cannot confidently say I will be returning.

Came for lunch because the last time they gave us a coupon for $5 off. Tried the nachos…read moretoday......... And the QUAD MELT which seems to be every one's favorite. It was so good we ordered another one, and then we ordered one to go for our son. Nachos were very good I recommend adding chicken. *OH MY LAWDY THE SWEET POTATO FRIES ARE 100% the BEST I've ever had anywhere. They are sooooooooo sooooooo good! Might come back just for the sweet potato fries. *I did find out today that they use seed oils for their food. So while it is top notch and delicious and unique, it'll probably be avoidable for us in the future.

I will start by saying I usually love this place, but today it was not so perfect…read more.. I ordered the Perfectly Grilled Cheese with sweet potato fries as the side. The bread on the sandwich was tough, the bacon bits were chewy, hard knots, and the sandwich was dry overall. The sweet potato fries were greasy and tough and not hot. Nothing about what I ordered today was good with the exception of the appetizer, which was the Crisp Korean Brussels and Cauliflower. It was hot, delicious and plentiful so I did not go hungry. Our server was friendly and prompt. He was very quick to refill my drink. I will say that both my chair and our table rocked terribly, so was not very comfortable. Hoping for a better experience on my next visit.