This place is old-time Scottsdale, along the lines of the famous Pink Pony, and its easy to see why it is often packed. It has good food, stunningly cheap prices (e.g. $11 for entree, salad, and bread), and a great selection of local characters (including RT, working the bar, and a couple umpires from the game when I went. Since it was overflowing on the late Monday evening I attended, I asked RT what it would be like on a Friday night; he pointed out that it was that full because the Giants had a home (spring training) game that day, and "It's been like this since 10 this morning." But every subsequent evening I passed it was just as full. The bar is just the basics and you need to expect a wait for dinner, but it's worth it.
3915 N Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 - (480) 994-1489
italiangrotto.com -
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