Editorial Review by Nikki Buchanan

by Contributor

Come as you are for drinking and dining in this cozy neighborhood restaurant.

09/05/08

Delicious breakfasts and bar - that's right. A unique place.

by Porzitsku

I go every time I am in the Valley of the Sun for spring training. Food is great and service is professional, often cozy. However, if you're a loudmouth or celphone yakky doodle or some other kind of a patoot, they can sense it and will treat you poorly enough that you'll never want to come back (hopefully). I guess they don't lack for customers, so what's the big deal over a toadstool who doesn't come back? Note this is anecdotal only, I've observed it on occasion but never discussed it with the staff.

Fish tanks, signage everywhere (No whinning! - I guess they mean no whining!) and a bustly atmosphere that encourages you to eat up and get out! Well worth the visit, but like I said, behave yourself or it may be unforgettable in less desirable ways.

I've not tried the bar, but it is full-service and well-stocked. That's a liquor bar, folks. All breakfasts are full service, well-prepared and ample portions. mmmm, I can't wait to go back in March. Just wait'll next year!!

05/18/08

From FAVORITE!!! to FORGET IT!!!!

by CplLaibowitz

This used to be my favorite place in the valley to go for breakfast or lunch. The menu was varied, interesting and neither I nor any of my friends had a bad meal. The service wasn't always great (empty coffee cup), but the food was almost always with a rare exception - OUTSTANDING. My favorite as so many others was the Fire Island Eggs, followed closely by the Rock Island Eggs. Whenever friends would inquire about a good place to eat or come into town, Pischke's was always the first recommendation. Chris, the original owner, and his brother Matt always made me feel welcome. Especially Matt, who always made a point of informing my server to keep my coffee cup full and then checking on me several times just to be sure, all because I had complained once (3 years ago!). The people who dined at Pischke's were always a treasure themselves. Each time I dined there, I would end up speaking with whomever was next to me (as I usually ate at the counter) or sitting around the counter. Always very pleasant people out to enjoy the day and that included a good meal for reasonable prices in a great atmosphere. Then unfortunately Chris passed away. The new owner Robert rescued Pischke's and kept the concept the same - initially. Then one Saturday morning I walk in and it was a disaster. None of the original wait staff was there (gone was my beloved Machelle and the attentive Matt) and the menu had gone from eclectic and unique to minimal and boring. I asked about my favorite dishes and was told the cook had been let go along with the recipes and my only options were the few on the menu. I regrettably chose an omelette. I can't remember what exactly except that it was bad: burnt, bland, devoid of fillings. I complained and was told "sorry" come back and try something else. I have not returned. A once great icon of Old Town Scottsdale is now not even an also ran. It is just bad. Go to Butterfield's Pancake House instead. Pischke's is passe.

• Pros: It's in Old Town Scottsdale
• Cons: Everything else

01/25/08

This is not the same as Pischke's Paradise

by Cara3

The owner of Pischke's died last year. His restuarant was a Jimmy Buffet type feel known for their outstanding breakfasts and full house... and the puffer fish. After Mr. Pischke's death, I guess this Blue Ribbon thing came into play. Although I have never eaten here, I probably won't due to the fact that the whole concept of the restaurant is different than when it was last year. And what makes me sad is that honoroing the name Pischke in the restaurant's name but disregarding the concept is really disregarding the name altogether. Reviews are on this page and all but one are from Pischke's Paradise... not since it changed ownership. Don't honor the name to draw in the crowd based on what someone else succeeded at doing. I won't go into this place because of that action. Sorry. I'm sure it's good. But character speaks volumes more than food ever could.

12/03/07

Paradise Purgatory

by moves907

This was one of the most dissapointing restaurant experiences I have had in the valley in many years.. I've had worse food, but not from this caliber and pedigree of mngmt.. We arrived at 5pm on a Monday, we were told that only the bar and patio were available tonight.. I told the hostess, we would be quite quick and would be out by 6:30 latest, she informed us the owner/chef told us not to seat anyone inside.. strike one. As we walked though the 20 empty tables to the empty patio we were given menus.. Our server was prompt and very nice... I inquired about the king crab appetizer(15$) and was informed that the meat had been changed to cray fish... price hadn't changed... I made my mind up immedietely about having the flat iron steak, much to my shigrin they were not serving this dish tonight.. strike 2. they have a very small menu that is all over the place, and includes standards from MacGraths Roaring Fork menu.. We ordered the clam chowder and green chili mac for apps.. chwder was just a salty tasteless milk broth with a few clams and tomato pieces.. the cgreen chili mac was good, just very heavy, and got boring real quick.. The bread service was punishment.. stail, dry, tasteless onion rolls that wouldnt even soak up the broth of my bad soup... My wifes Fried Chicken entree was very good.. nice crisp chicken and very nice biscuit.. For dessert we had 2 of their 3 desserts.. smores and a pear dessert, they were both a wreck... tasteless, bland, and both need to be completely re-worked.. To sum up, I am trying to write an un biased review.. From a James Beard winning owner, I expect gold medal standards.. this place is horribble... the pure static from the radio on the patio did'nt help either.. 25$ cd player a must guys... I felt embarrased for this restaurant.. it is very poorly ran, the menu is very disjointed, and the food is very sub par.. Very sorry... we left at 6:30 with 14 empty tables as we exited the dining room... by the way, I am a restaurant owner

• Pros: Fried Chicken
• Cons: apps, bread, desserts, music, seating, menu

01/31/07

Best Breakfast on the planet!

by the_verdict

Imagine if Jimmy Buffet had exploded, that would sum up the atmosphere at Pischke?s. I had Fire Island Eggs (spicy chicken mixture on top of a Boboli crust, topped with melted Dofino cheese and two poached eggs.) Freaking AWESOME!!! I can?t even tell you how amazing this was. I know it was probably a 1000 calorie meal but good god it was awesome!

03/24/06

Keep coming back

by tammystravls

Everytime we come to Scottsdale we make a point of eating here. It is always a wonderful experience. We were there on the weekend and during spring training and were seated promptly. The food is excellent! It is a great place to people watch and the entire staff is attentive, entertaining, and pleasant. A must stop for us every time! (We ate here twice our last trip which was only a long weekend!)

• Pros: food choices, Inexpensive, Friendly
• Cons: None

07/11/05

Pischke's WHAT???

by prguy05

The last time I ate at Pischke's, I wasn't in Paradise. In fact I felt more like i was in hell!!! Anybody who has eaten at this establisment in Scottsdale knows that it can be a Zoo on the weekends, especially on a Sunday morning. So given that, expect at least a 1/2 hour to 45 min wait on a Sunday morning. The last time I ate there, I had possibly the worst service possible from our waitress! Not only was she rude and incompetent, but when I watched my meal sitting up in the window getting cold and she slowly walked it out to me, she spilled the only hot she could on me,(not my breakfast)coffee. Then had the nerve to just get a rag place iton the table and walk away, no appology, nothing. I will never go back!!!!!!!!!!!

• Pros: nONE
• Cons: Everything

02/24/04

Fabulous

by timmyra

Pischke's is fabulous. I meet my girlfriends here on a weekly basis for breakfast and mimosas. We always have a wonderful time. The menu selections are great and the portions are generous. I highly recommend the place.

11/01/03

No burgers in this Paradise!

by louiemic

We had a pretty underwhelming lunch experience starting with an aloof bartender that made the most boring Bloody Mary. Medium rare burgers were raw (really, they were). And how can a place with such a vast collection of hot sandwiches and burgers not have fries? Very mediocre, but probably the only place in Old Town Scottsdale that serves this type of food and because of that - a short wait for lunch.

• Pros: convenient, casual, inexpensive
• Cons: too busy, complacent