10/25/09

Not so much for Sunday Brunch...

by SnT

Our group sat outside in the shade it was perfect, the waiter was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. At first I couldn't understand why there were less than five tables of customers and then on my way to Bloody Mary bar smile at the "Manager" who was rude and turned to walk out of the room. Next our food came and most was good, for some reason every slice of the french toast was COLD and BURNT on one side...how does a restaurant screw up french toast?? And with a Manager who has attitude with the few customers that acutally show up then doesn't bother to make sure their food is cook properly? No wonder there were no customers.

• Pros: friendly waitstaff
• Cons: rude management, incompetant cooks

08/27/08

Good Happy Hour Deal

by costconscious

This place has excellent food and actually a great happy hour deal. I got a ribeye quesadilla (HUGE!) for only $8 at happy hour. And they're drink specials are great at happy hour too.

Google "phoenix on a budget" to find a great review site for local Phoenix happy hour deals

• Pros: Great Happy Hour deals
• Cons: Happy hour ends at 6

11/04/07

Great Place to Dine

by cap3336

I was just there last night and it was amazing. They just finished remodeling the patio and adding better lighting and water fountains. The food was incredible. I had the Carlsbad Ribeye with a peppercorn sauce and my girlfriend had the Lobster Enchiladas. The pricing was good considering it?s located in Scottsdale. I would highly recommend the patio. With the waterfall the fireplaces it?s the best site in the place. I will be going back soon.

• Pros: The GREAT patio and the FOOD
• Cons: none that I saw

08/15/07

The Once Mighty Have Fallen

by e_sinatra

In it's original location on Scottsdale Road, this WAS the great, unfound gem of a restaurant in town. The new location was almost as good for a couple of years.....Currently, the food quality has fallen. Only an unknowing tourist or neophyte would accept the fare as "New Mexican" The owners skimp on ingredient quality too......so sad. This was a very authentic, imaginative restaurant once,no longer

05/27/07

Unique dining experience- not for the weak of stomach.

by jc2usc

This is a great out of the way place that offers great food at great prices. The outdoor patio area is awesome- a cool waterfall/stream that adds to the experience. Very themed around caves and caverns. The food is plentiful- prices are tiny, and it's totally worth it! I recommend the green chile burrito- yum-o!

Let me warn you though, if you don't like spicy food, this place has only a few items, but if your idea is "the hotter the better" then this is the spot! We'd definitely eat there again!

• Pros: Great outdoor patio, great service, great prices and great food.

03/06/07

Great Southwestern Local Restaurant

by djrepete

It is very easy to avoid traffic on Scottsdale road by using Hayden to go from Tempe to Scottsdale and vice versa. It is even easier to ignore the non-descript buildings, strip malls, and construction that lines the street almost the entire way. However, if you get the opportunity to notice anything, make sure that it is Carlsbad Tavern located on Scottsdale Rd. just south of Osborn.

This place has been around forever and it is always surprising that the line is not out the door. I don't know, maybe it's the location? Maybe it's because it isn't a chain located in the biltmore and arizona center? Whatever the reason, this is a great underutilized resource when it comes to trying to hunt down some great southwestern/new mexican food any day of the week. It's easy to enjoy one of their prickly-pear margaritas while dining on almost any of the menus delicious traditional New Mexican dishes. I personally like the carne adovada (pork simmered in a fiery red-chile sauce). I also enjoy sitting outside when the weather allows and enjoying the big pool or lagoon or whatever the heck you want to call the body of water that exists out there. Service is always wonderful and the portions are quite generous. Carlsbad Taver is open for lunch and dinner daily from 11:00 am - 2:00 am with a Happy Hour from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm and a great late night menu served until 2! If you are up for a spicy little evening try the Haba?ero Cheeseburger (Lots of freshly ground haba?ero chile mixed with lean ground beef, grilled and topped with melted jalape?o cheese. Served with fries & salad and a free glass of milk.) And if you are with a group try splitting any of the appetizers, you really can't go wrong. This is also a great place to bring the family and they do have a kids menu and high chairs available. Next time you are driving up or down Hayden Rd, or get to meet people in that part of town, give it a shot, you won't be disappointed.

• Pros: The wait is never horrible and the food is wonderful
• Cons: It is always better to go when the weather is nice and you can sit outside

12/21/06

Roswell Reuben is out of this WORLD!

by djrryan

Mom was in town for the holidays and I had the day off so we went to Carlsbad Tavern. I had heard it was a good place and served good New Mexican food. We were greeted at the entrance by a pretty fountain and stream and then ate a wonderful lunch on the outdoor patio. I often judge a restaurant for future visits by the quality of the Reuben sandwich ... seriously ... a good Reuben takes a good chef, good quality meat, bread, and special sauce. Awesome Tortilla soup followed by a delicious salad served with an out of this world Reuben. I'll be back!

• Pros: New Mexican theme was fun. Great Tortilla soup and Roswell Reuben was out of this world!
• Cons: It was my first visit and had no problems

Warm up to this spicy spot for New Mexico-style cooking.

by Contributor

In Short
Don't let the name throw you--this isn't a dark, dank hangout for smelly old men drinking beer at noon. Carlsbad Tavern is a neighborhood restaurant famous for spicy New Mexico dishes. Try chorizo-stuffed pork chops or the signature chicken-fried steak served with chili-spiked mashed potatoes. Burgers, salads, pasta dishes and a couple of appetizers should satisfy those who can't take the heat. Don't miss the prickly pear flan.

04/05/06

Great Restaurant for Inventive Mexican Food

by sonewa

Great restaurant. Menu is printed like a newspaper. I had the Chicken chimichanga w/n jalepeno sour cream sauce. I'm not a big Mexican food fan, but this was wonderful,a 5. My husband had short rib w/red chile sauce and said pork was overcooked, but flavorful. The salsa and tomatillo was fresh and VERY good. We have a lot of Mexican restaurants in TX and this was on par with the only one I like at home. The service was friendly and prompt. We had a late lunch so there was not a crowd. We ate outside on the patio which was larger than the inside. The inside is dark and reminds me more of a bar than a restaurant. The patio is decorated in a SW style which was VERY cute. Loved it! I would definitely recommend this restaurant and the dish I ordered.

• Pros: patio, food, family-friendly
• Cons: dark interior

09/26/04

Fun and different

by b_messmer

I am surprised by the negative feedback. We fly in to Phoenix from Chicago three times a year and we stop there straight from the airport every trip. The food is fun, spicy and we found it delicious. I look forward to the Prickly Pear Margaritas. Our service is always good, but we usually fly in around 1 pm so we miss the rush. We also love it because it is not the usual fare that is available at all the Chi Chi's, etc. You must sit outside for the atmosphere, so keep the weather in mind.

• Pros: Fun patio atmosphere, great, spicy food, misting machine
• Cons: , too spicy for kids