Visit the Red Truck Plaza to find the Grotto Cafe. We had a meeting after lunch. I had an hour…read morebefore the meeting. I visited Grotto Cafe for more blueberry scones to take to the meeting. Their scones are so good; soft, moist and so many blueberries. Yum, yum. The scones flew out of the box. Shared parking lot.

Really disappointing experience at Grotto Cafe. The employee taking my order didn't even fully take…read moremy order or make sure I was finished before moving on. On top of that, every employee we interacted with came across as rude, cold, and unwelcoming. There was no friendliness or basic customer service, and it honestly felt like we were bothering them just by being there. I understand places can get busy and everyone can have an off day, but when the attitude seems to come from the entire staff, it really affects the experience. Unfortunately, based on the service alone, I wouldn't recommend this place and don't plan on returning.

I truly left this spot with mixed feelings…read more On the one hand, our servers were fabulous! They were dealing with a very large party (with a lot of confusion) behind us, so it was clear both the servers and kitchen staff were stretched thin. I'm not sure if it's a newer addition based on the reviews, but the spot is decorated beautifully. With decor, games, a solid color scheme and a variety of menu options, it's truly an inviting standout in Carefree! Our food was just fine (I think they're aiming for elevated bar food), and our drinks were alright. I'm not sure my smoked old fashioned was prepared correctly but it happens. However, for the experience I left feeling I'd severely overpaid. Additionally, the company was questionable. A gentleman walked around the venue with a dog and a frown, a man came in barefoot to pick up an order, and I witnessed a non employee (or off shift employee?) sneak behind the bar several times. There seems to be a speakeasy medspa behind a painting, but we didn't get the details. This spot has the potential to be a total standout! A mixologist with a solid craft cocktail menu and execution, a menu rethink, and maybe some event programming and this spot could certainly be a home run! If I revisit, I'd be beyond delighted to see they've grown into their potential! Best of luck to these folks!

A Shoutout to Cindy & a New Neighborhood Favorite!…read more We just got back from lunch at Tox Bar/Speedy Burger in Carefree, and what a treat it was! To our delight, Cindy--yes, the Cindy many of us have known and loved for years--was there bartending and serving with the same warm smile and stellar service she's always been known for. This time, though, she's doing it at a place that offers great food, a fun and cozy ambience, and a dog-friendly patio--a rare combo that's hard to beat. Let's face it: dining out isn't as affordable as it once was. But as I told Cindy, I don't mind paying for quality food and excellent service--and that's exactly what you'll get at Tox Bar/Speedy Burger. For years, we were loyal regulars at Brisam's, visiting twice a week. But over time, prices soared, food quality declined, and the atmosphere never improved. The space started to feel tired and neglected. Sadly, the lack of connection from ownership didn't help--unless you were a former mayor or someone "important," you likely didn't get a second glance. Let's be honest: Cindy carried Brisam's for 18 years. Her genuine care for customers was the reason many of us kept going back. Now that she's moved on, it's no surprise to see the shift. So here's my suggestion: support a place that supports its people and customers. Tox Bar/Speedy Burger is that place. Stop by on Sundays or Tuesdays this summer to see Cindy in action. Come fall, I predict it'll be wall-to-wall locals enjoying everything this gem has to offer. Let's spread the word and give our support where it's truly deserved.

Best pizza in the Carefree Highway area from Lake Pleasant to Scottsdale Road/Tom Darling!!…read more Went Friday night, not much of a crowd. Great pizza 18" Pepperoni, sausage and mushroom. Light, flaky crust, delicate sauce, great ingredients!!! Seriously, best in the area (and I LOVE pizza). Garden salad was fresh and had a good mix of ingredients. Happy Hour Domestic Drafts $5 until 6pm (other specials too, but that is what we had). Top notch!!! Support this place!!

Ok. I like this place but... The undercarriage was cook…read moreproperty. It was good. The issues: There was too much flop in the slice. No stretch cheese. Probably skim. The crust was way too soft. No crunch. So... just a suggestion that the cheese needs upgrade and the pizza top needs to be cooked better. Not bad but needs to get better. Thanks

Had a fabulous time last night at the Black Mountain Cafe -& Lounge. Originally called the Black…read moreMountain Coffee and one suite wide, they have expanded twice in the last five years or so and have a beautiful bar and restaurant area big enough for weekend bands. Their outside patio is super cozy and flanked with super tall and covered with wind sails equipped with misters to cool the area in the summer. Their Food is very reasonably priced and everything I've had has been nice n tasty . Last night I had their Chicken Piccata while sitting at the bar watching the band. I'd recommend it ... Check it out , you won't be disappointed. The whole Cave Creek / care free Arizona area is just great .

We both got breakfast. I got the 123 and he got the steak and eggs…read more Steak was cooked perfectly, as was my order. Bacon was like home cooking. Thick and chewy with just a little bit of crunch. The service was fantastic. This felt like a small town café with real home cooking. Would definitely come back.

Brunch offers an extensive breakfast/lunch menu. Staff were very welcoming and seated us…read moreimmediately. This is a popular spot for eats. They do not take reservations so be aware that if you're hungry, you may want to try elsewhere. I imagine during the lunch hour, there could be a wait, I had limited time before I had to leave. We both got their donut of the day. It was a PB&J donut. What a beautiful presentation of a donut; clearly it was elevated. I was thinking about a donut on a plate. The donut is topped with whipped cream, nuts and strawberry slices. The donut was pretty good. Somewhat sweet and super fresh. Each day they make a different donut. They close early at 2pm. If you want to try this place, make your plan to arrive before closure. There is a very small shared parking lot. If the lot is full, there is dirt parking on the side of the building.

This is my second time coming here after a hike nearby. We came on a holiday day, which is Labor…read moreDay and the place wasn't too busy at 12 PM. It took some time for us to get seated. I'm not sure if they were shortstaffed. The waiter was friendly however he was really slow. We waited for a food and it came out warm. Otherwise, I do like the ambience. This is chill and would come back again to try other items on the menu.

Always a great bar with great people! Food is good, atmosphere is great! Love this bar and will…read morealways be one of my favorite places!!!

The Hideaway Grill is the premier biker friendly bar and grill. It's an outdoor bar with shaded…read morecover. This place is home to thousands of riders during Bikers Week. It can feel intimidating when there are several bikers there. They are all there to socialize, meet other enthusiasts and have a can of beer. There is no tap available. The car was across the street since we were headed in that direction. The car had just pulled out when a host of bikers got ready to depart. One person stopped traffic in both directions. One by one, the bikers headed out with noisy mufflers and their live music on their cycles. At least 50 bikes pulled out. Most impressive and quite the show. Note: parking is typically easier if you use a lot across the street. The bikes tend to take up the parking.

Grilled Addiction came out to my business complex for the food truck rotation and they definitely…read moredelivered. I ordered their Blackberry glazed pulled pork and coleslaw sandwich and fries. My sandwich was quite large and messy to eat but very tasty. I could very faintly taste the hint of berries in the glaze and I was glad I was able to try this out. It was a very good pulled pork sandwich. The fries were cooked to a crispy texture and delicately salted. My co-worker opted to do the build-your-own burger and has remarked that his was pretty tasty. I will need to try this out next time their out!

I was happy to see this food truck at the Diamondbacks game. I'm from California, and I love the…read moreopportunity to get tri tip! There was no line at the truck and service was fast. The guy was super friendly. The sandwich was smaller than we expected, but the meat...! They nailed it. The tri tip was succulent and amazing. Seriously good. The bread it was on was so-so--the bottom bun was immediately soaked through so it made it kinda awkward to eat. But hey, the meat was the most important. We could have had a pile of that and dug in with forks and been quite content.

My husband and I decided to take a chance on a new restaurant while vacationing in Arizona…read more Normally, we stick with restaurants we've visited before or well-known brands, but this time we stumbled upon a charming husband-and-wife-owned restaurant called Confluence, located in the Sundial Plaza in Carefree, Arizona. We're certainly glad we did. Confluence offers a beautiful outdoor patio for dining, while the interior is intimate, with only six to eight tables and a small bar. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with warmth and character--you can definitely tell there's a thoughtful touch behind every detail. We were greeted by our bartender and server, Victoria, who also happens to be the co-owner. She was absolutely wonderful. Even though the restaurant was busy, she made us feel like we were her only guests. As we talked with her, we learned how she and her husband, Chef Brandon, are the entire operation and work seamlessly together to create an exceptional dining experience. The menu is intentionally small, but that's because every dish is prepared fresh to order. Chef Brandon's attention to detail is evident in every plate. The presentation is beautiful, and the complex, well-balanced flavor profiles showcase his culinary talent. We highly recommend the Gazpacho--it was outstanding. As former restaurant owners ourselves, we were especially impressed by how this husband-and-wife team consistently delivers such an exceptional level of food quality, hospitality, atmosphere, and overall uniqueness with such a small operation. Their teamwork and dedication are truly something to admire. If you're visiting the Carefree or Cave Creek area, make it a point to dine at Confluence. We don't think you'll be disappointed. One final tip: To ensure they can maintain the highest standards of food and service, they intentionally limit the number of guests they serve each evening. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during the busy season.

Wonderful experience. Excellent food. Friendly owners and prompt service…read more The pastrami sandwich is amazing. Highly recommend.

If you love French cuisine, you must try Le Sans Souci, a truly exceptional French restaurant. The…read moreambiance immerses you in France, especially when the Canadians are present. When everyone speaks French and you close your eyes, you're almost there. The French chef is outstanding. I strongly recommend the Sunday brunch at eleven--it's a magnificent meal and an incredible value. Reservations are advisable, though it's often busy because the food is that remarkable.

TL;DR the manager on duty Oct 10th shrilly screamed at both us and at our waiter from the kitchen,…read morebut wouldn't come out to speak with us herself. (and no, she is not French - no one there is) When ordering my glass of wine, our waiter confirmed that it was dry. There were 2 options according to him, both the most expensive of their white glasses at $13.50. The wine I chose was not in fact dry. It was in front of me for a while so I drank half - but after a bit I flagged a different waiter to please clear it before I drank any more. Our waiter saw the glass gone about 10 mins later, asked if I wanted another. I said it was not dry, so no thanks, and he nicely brought out a different option for me to try before I then committed. The bill came and I was charged for both wines. Yes, I drank half the first glass, but again, I asked a waiter to clear it, and mentioned twice that I didn't think it matched the description I verified with our waiter before ordering. The waiter went to ask the manager if they could remove the 1st wine, and she started yelling at him. I heard, so I said "ok, I can hear you, I don't think that's cool but I'll pay for it". Then, she started yelling at me. She never came out, just yelled from the back. The good parts: our waiter was nice, and the homemade pate is delicious. But, the escargots were rubbery, and the steak tartare is a country-style chunky hash with differently-sized chunks of egg whites in it, rather than a minced tartare in a patty-form. Wish the menu had said that. Overall: aghast that the manager yelled at the top of her lungs at patrons during service - without even revealing herself or discussing with us in the flesh. Truly terrifying, beware! Not what you'd expect from a Cave Creek experience at all.

Do you like being treated like a loved family member? The crew at Poppy's office dote on their…read morepatrons unlike any establishment in Arizona. This event was incredible! We frequent Poppy's Office for drinks with our favorite bartender (Trevor) and occasionally mouthwatering prime rib night/or flavorful unique appetizers.. This was our first opportunity to enjoy a dinner event featuring Blanton's & an exclusive menu! It was incredible! The chef is creative and talented- perfectly balancing delectable dishes paired expertly with libations elevating the flavors in both. Exquisite meal/cocktails and stellar service! Thank you Tate and the entire team for a memorable & high value evening! Looking forward to the next event!

Great people and BEAUTIFUL ambiance. The walls were covered so beautifully and the lighting was…read morejust perfect. Kasey served me and she was an absolute delight. She truly cares about the customers. The drinks were alls phenomenal and for food they give you a menu from their restaurant next door "liberty station." Overall 10/10 and so great to have a little family owned speak easy up here.