Comfort Much? : Five Valley Places that do Comfort Food Right!

Scottsdale is obviously a culinary oasis (recently voted #2 foodie city in america)...ehem...(insert face palm)...Back to reality...look, we are limited culinarily here but that doesn't mean it's ALL shite (Khoa and Steve).  When Phoenix "stays in it's lane" the results can be pretty satisfying.  Here are a few Comfort Food places that take "Keep It Simple, Stupid" seriously!

Beckett's Table:

Arcadia has a thriving food scene and Beckett's is a corner stone of the scene.  I could make a meal at BT out of the warm bacon cheddar biscuits  and the super creamy grits and schreiners sausage alone.  But wait there's more!:  Pork Osso Bucco Confit and Saint Louis BBQ Ribs?? Child Please!  Lot's of fish and lighter offering too.  Bottom Line: Something for everyone.  Add in a solid wine list and the fact that almost every main is $20 or less you cannot go wrong...CANNOT!

Chelsea's Kitchen:

CK has been a favorite for a long time.  I used to drive here three times a week when I lived 25 miles away because it was just THAT good...plus the servers wear vests...how can you go wrong!?  The anchor point on the menu is a series of build your own tacos.  Pork, beer, fish, etc, any of these is worth while. I am still pissed they took the side of spetzle off the menu but, the place has more that made up for it with other tasty offerings.  They always have a great IPA on tap and drinkable wines by the glass. Plus, that PATIO!!!!

***pro tip. brunch at CK is destination worthy. chilaquiles and lemon ricotta pancakes!? you know how we do!?

Tuck Shop:

Slightly odd location (12th and Oak!?) Tuck pulls in a crowd because it is good enough to stand alone.  Chicken and Waffles and Duck are solid choices.  Seasonal vegetable are usually a big hit.  Best brussel sprouts I've ever had anywhere...when they have them.  Good beer and drinkable wine offerings too.

***pro tip it is a lot easier to guarantee a good beer than a good bottle of wine. plus, you are making a much smaller monetary investment in a beer.  if you are a wine snob (me) and you don't wish to take a chance with a mediocre wine list...get a beer and live to wine another day. If you don't like beer we cannot be friends...it's not me...it's YOU!

Saint Francis:

People GO for the Burger and STAY for the Pot Roast.  Typically, the simpler it sounds the better it is.  Saint Francis is a cool space on the edge of CenPho which pretty much everyone I know loves.  No pretense no pomp...bench seating and solid food and drink.  How can you go wrong with that formula?  You can't!

Dick's Hideaway:

"Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free kitten". No more welcoming door phrase exists anywhere.  I crave the entire Happy Hour Menu and the breakfast Green Chili Meatloaf and Eggs like few things on earth.  I can't lie, I have washed down said meatloaf with a perfectly poured Lagunitas IPA...at 930am...on more than one occasion (I will not be shamed).

Thanks for Reading!

Doc Jay