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N. Scottsdale inexpensive dining recommendations

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I am new to the N. Scottsdale area and am just NW of the airpark and am wondering what inexpensive dining options there are around. I know Sapporo has 6 items for $6 for lunch (sounds like a great deal) and a happy hour menu including Teppan (amazing deal, we tried that already) and when I am in a hurry there is an In-n-Out on Frank Lloyd and Scottsdale Rd (2 miles away, very convenient).

Does anyone else have any dining recommendations that are an excellent value for some good food? I need something for lunches when working and something fun and affordable for a young family (wife and I are in our thirties, boys are 7 & 10).

Thanks in advance!

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  1. You know, this will sound a little offbeat, but if I were around the airpark and wanted to regularly get out of the office at lunchtime and not spend much over $5-8 a day....I'd think seriously about the packaged foods and salads available at both Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

    1 Reply
    1. re: Alice Letseat

      Also second Whole Foods. They have a great salad bar/prepared foods area that is huge with lots of choices.

    2. The Promenade there has a Daphne's for greek/mediterranean lunches, and a Picazzo's, which ought to be good for the family.

      Alice is right about Whole Foods, a very good lunch option.

      1. I work in the area also and have lunch often at Restaurant Guiseppe on the SW corner of Scottsdale Rd and Thunderbird. Great Italian food, cash only.

        I also like: Wildflower Bakery (Pima and FLW), Daphne's (Promenade), Rinaldis Deli(Promenade), and there is always The Tilted Kilt if you want some scenery ;-) with your lunch.

        13610 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

        1. Nick's Italian on Scottsdale and Grayslake has some good sandwiches in the $8 dollar range. You might want to check them out.

          1. There's quite a few good choices around the airpark. Some of my favorites:

            Sauce (Scottsdale N of Tbird)
            Dilly's Deli (Scottsdale N of Tbird)
            Habanero Grill (new, Northsight N of Raintree)
            Whatever that Italian place is next to the south end of the runway
            Zinc Bistro, North, Greene House (Kierland)
            La Pinata Nueva (FLW/Thompson Peak)
            Skeptical Chymyst (?) (FLW/Pima)
            Ray's Pizza (FLW/Pima)
            Ono Hawaiian BBQ (FLW/Pima)
            Fresh Mint (Scottsdale N of Tbird)
            Croque (Scottsdale S of Tbird)
            Zipp's Grill (64th/Greenway)
            Baja Fresh/Chipotle (FLW/Thompson Peak)
            Andreoli (94th/Mountian View)

            Places to skip:
            Taylor's Cafe
            PF Changs
            Cheesecake Factory
            Arriba (FLW/Pima)

            I'm sure I've forgotten a few, will add as I remember.

            4 Replies
            1. re: cakennedy

              Have you been to Habaneros? I got a menu posted on my windshield while in the Rubio's parking lot, and after calling the number to find it disconnected I drove around looking for it just to see if it existed. I found it, but I haven't tried it yet. I must say, being open until 3am in that part of town seems like a lofty goal (I like the idea, but that center just doesn't seem to lend itself to a late-night crowd). On the menu it said the hours of operation, but it also listed a broken phone number so I'm not sure if the hours are still the same. Would love to hear opinions of the food of anyone who's tried it!

              1. re: Jess321

                I go once or twice a week, which is a real testament because I usually don't like to return to any place many times. It is, in short, spectacular. The "parillada tampiquena" is particularly good, and kind of fun because those were two words that were brand new to me. Anything with chorizo or their fresh guacamole is top-notch.

                It's a bit ironic because I think the previous tenant was a horrible Tacos del Mar; hopefully people don't associate the old tenant with the new.

                1. re: cakennedy

                  For anyone interested in finding the Habanero Grill, it's right between the Scottsdale Gun Club and USAutoWeapons (no joke). I have a hard time finding things in this area. With all the parking lots and driveways, having an address isn't a lot of help. Busiesses that are closer to the street are K O'Donnell's and the Salty Senorita. Venture back into the parking lot between these two, and you should find it.

                  1. re: johnseberg

                    I went there last night, they actually are open late on weekends! Which is so surprising given the area and the lack of other late-night things around there. I had a veggie burrito in a whole wheat tortilla (props to them for even having those) and it had black beans and sauteed mushrooms and onions (I didn't get the peppers that normally come with them), and I added guac. It was delicious!! The chips that came with it were a little stale, but the hot sauce/salsa stuff on the side was great and had just the right amount of heat. I hope people discover this place so that it can stay in business!!