Twice a year, the Arizona Restaurant Association holds one of the most delicious and eagerly anticipated culinary events. For 10 glorious days, restaurants from around the state present their best offerings in a prix fixe format at a fraction of typical costs.
Need more? Read more: Zinburger expands menu: new bowls, appetizers and frozen cocktails
Amazing food and price points
The 2024 Fall Arizona Restaurant Week runs Friday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 29. More than 190 restaurants have already signed up to offer dining deals for $33, $44 or $55 per person. The price points represent excellent dining deals, even at some of Arizona’s most elegant and upscale restaurants. In some restaurants where the cuisine style is at a lower price point, there may be another dish or cocktail offered at certain price points to bring value.
The appeal of Arizona Restaurant Week fires on all cylinders. For diners and enthusiastic foodies, it presents many opportunities to try new restaurants or establishments that they hadn’t considered dining at previously. There are so many different types of cuisines, presenting opportunities to try a new meal every day during the 10 days of Arizona Restaurant Week, even for those that follow special diets.
Fall Arizona Restaurant Week preview
Two weeks prior to Arizona Restaurant Week, as part of a media group, we participated in a “dine around” as an introduction to three restaurants taking part in the10-day food fest. We started at Lou’s Bar & Grill at Papago Golf Club where we enjoyed a welcome cocktail, a fig and burrata starter with grilled country bread and an outstanding tortilla soup with the perfect amount of spice.
Our next stop was Doughbird, where we enjoyed samplings of their three main entrees being offered during Arizona Restaurant Week. We enjoyed the pan seared salmon, a scrumptious prime rib dip and the outstanding caramelized cauliflower. After quickly surveying our immediate group, the cauliflower with Greek yogurt, smoked almond, dried cherry and garden herbs was the favorite out of the trio of entrees presented. The gluten-free entree is a winning taste sensation.
Our final stop was Mastro’s City Hall Steakhouse where we enjoyed a final cocktail and trio of desserts. We loved the cheesecake, mango sorbet with fresh blackberries — and its super famous decadent warm butter cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Check out six deals you won’t want to miss:
Here are six Arizona Restaurant Week deals that showcase the diverse range of eateries and menus available during the fall event. Each restaurant is eager to greet diners from across the state as they discover new dishes and restaurants.
Seasons 52 Fresh Grill & Wine Bar
2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602-840-5252
Seasonally inspired dishes are on the menu at this Biltmore Fashion Park staple. The three-course menu starts with a choice of soup or salad (field greens, romaine Caesar or golden beet), followed by a choice of cedar plank-roasted salmon, a 6-ounce wood-grilled filet mignon or caramelized grilled sea scallops. The meal ends on a sweet note with a mini-indulgence dessert. Wine pairings, available for an additional cost, enhance the experience. $33 per person.
DraftKings Sportsbook Restaurant at TPC Scottsdale
8129 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, 480-866-8476
Executive chef Matthew O’Harris is betting his mix of American and Mexican flavors will be a home run with diners. The three-course menu kicks off with a choice of ceviche or beehive bruschetta. The main attraction is a lamb burger or chicken enchiladas. Dessert options are sour cream cheesecakes or a stuffed churro. Make it a winning combination with a special Tito’s cocktail from the sports bar for $13. “The Upset” features Tito’s vodka, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, red grape, ginger syrup and ginger ale. $33 per person
Multiple locations
This Tennessee classic, which has been serving up made-to-order, hand-battered spicy fried chicken for more than 60 years, made its Arizona debut in 2021. Now is your chance to learn why it’s been named one of the “top 10 meals in the U.S. worth flying for.” It’s special $33 lunch or dinner for two includes two fried dill pickle spears, two fried green tomatoes, four pieces of chicken, four small sides and a slice of pie.
17757 N. Scottsdale Road, #103, Scottsdale, 480-597-4463
There’s more to Arizona Restaurant Week than dinner. The deals begin with breakfast, and Chef Mauro Martina’s three-course menu will wake up your taste buds. Available from 7 a.m.-2 p.m., this three-course meal starts with a choice of fresh fruit or blistered shishito peppers.
Entree options are The Soul in a Bowl, featuring poached eggs, beef tallow fried herb potatoes, fresh local cheese curds, slow cooked bacon lardons and brown butter hollandaise; Traditional Benny, a classic Eggs Benedict with artisan-style old-fashioned rosemary ham; The Cluck Norris, a hand-pulled smoked chicken sandwich with pesto mayo, heirloom tomato, cranberry jam and micro watercress on artisan ciabatta accompanied by pommes gaufrettes; or Gnocchi Breakfast Carbonara, with double-smoked bacon, brown butter hollandaise, grana padano, cracked black pepper, raw yolk and petite watercress.
For dessert, choose from the French Toast Trifle, made with brioche, lemon curd, market berries, pistachios and torched pavlovas, or the Nutella French Toast, brioche topped with hazelnut gianduja, torched marshmallows and cocoa. $33 per person.
Multiple locations
This steal of a deal for two is pure flavor on a bun. The gourmet hamburger eatery’s Arizona Restaurant Week menu offers plenty of choices, making Zinburger the perfect spot for a night out with a friend or even a first date. The meal begins with a shared appetizer.
Choose from spinach and artichoke dip, Italian meatballs, spicy tuna and avocado, or soft pretzels and cheese. Each diner selects their own entree. Options are the Zinburger, Samburger, Spicy Chipotle Turkey Bowl, Seared Tuna Bowl, All-American Veggie Burger or Chopped Wedge Salad. (Add fries for an additional $2.50 per entree.) For dessert, share a slice of banana cream or chocolate pie. $44 for two.
Multiple locations
Drinks are included in this Mexican hotspot’s restaurant week menu! Start the meal with a shared appetizer of chili con queso or guacamole. Entree options are pollo con queso, a burrito bowl, quesabirria street tacos or blanco enchiladas.
Dessert is choice of flan or key lime pie. Each diner gets one drink with their meal. Choose from Ajo Al’s house margarita with a Grand Marnier, Chambord or Amaretto floater, a Mexican beer or a Mexican Mule made with Tito’s vodka, ginger beer, lime juice habanero bitters and a splash of Herradura Anejo tequila. Herradura tequila flight paired with each course are available for an additional $20. $55 per couple.
More restaurants are being added daily! Visit arizonarestaurantweek.com for additional information and a full list of participating restaurants.