Late evening in Scottsdale/Phoenix

[princetonfoodie]

I'll be landing in Phoenix tomorrow after 9PM, and with delays, getting out of the airport, etc, I'll be hungry and looking for a decent meal around 10PM or later. Any recommendations? A good tex-mex or thai would be perfect.

[ajs228]

What part of town will you be heading to/driving through?

[princetonfoodie]

Landing at the airport and staying in Scottsdale, but we'll have wheels, and will travel for good food. (They just need to be serving when we get there.)

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

There isn't much Tex-Mex in this part of the country. The Mexican grub around here runs more toward Sonoran with a pinch of New Mexico thrown in here and there. It sounds like your best bet is going to be in southern Scottsdale with Carlsbad Tavern's late-night menu. They serve up bar food with New Mexican twists all over the place. Great enchiladas, ask for 'em with a fried egg on top. The green chile cheeseburger is a wonderful thing, too.

If you're more toward Central Phoenix than Scottsdale, Richardson's serves until midnight. It's New Mexican as well, with a little classier vibe to it.

The only Asian open late was Fate, but the chef left and started a new place called Sens. No word yet on if they're open as late as Fate, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if they were. It's closer to downtown Phoenix.

[princetonfoodie]

Thanks, these sound like really good leads.

[Veggo]

I was in Scottsdale last week and had several good meals at Sapporo on Scottsdale Rd. Nice variety (sushi, kobe sliders with fries ) and open fairly late.

[princetonfoodie]

Thanks. I know it's not really logical, but I have trouble eating sushi in the desert. Somehow I need to be closer to water to believe it's really fresh.

[Veggo]

PF, I used to agree with you completely. Then I had sushi at the Venetian in Las Vegas. It was as good as I have ever had, as much as I didn't want to admit it. Refrigerated air freight makes for incongruous bedfellows.

[Beach Chick]

Z' Teja's in Scottsdale is open till 11pm on Friday..it's been awhile but I remember it was good...southwestern cuisine

Los Olivos in Old Town Scottsdale for Mex is good too.
7328 2nd Street, Scottsdale [phone]

www.ztejas.com

[winedubar]

wellllllllll - z tejas is a chain, i think they are in about 5 states so far. its not bad if you happen to be shopping in one of the mall's where a franchise is located, but i'd be hard pressed to send someone to seek them out.

it's only about 15-20 mins from the airport by freeway to richardson's. it's really great and open late.

[ajs228]

Yeah, but if the poster is heading to Scottsdale, Richardson's is in the other direction. Not too far out, but the last thing I want to do if I'm getting off of a plane late at night is drive any more than I need to.
Besides, Z's has wicked good margaritas :-)

[AnonymousWaitress]

Just a note on Z Tejas, if princetonfoodie is flying in tonight then it will be very crowded with people drinking before they go out and probably not the most relaxing place after a long flight. I would go to Carlsbad Tavern(although not tex-mex it is new mexican style) on a friday night if you want a more laid back dinner and not a scene.

[gourmetwineaux]

Not to mention that Richardson's is still closed due to a fire a couple months ago. Not sure when it will reopen.

[hohokam]

For late-ish Mexican, you could try Mucho Gusto in Tempe (between the airport and Scottsdale), which is open until 11pm on Fridays. I wasn't wowed by their food, but I didn't think it was bad.

For late-ish non-Mexican options, I'd recommend Caffe Boa (downtown Tempe) or Digestif (Old Town Scottsdale).

[tastebuddy]

My favorite late night place is Pasta Bar. The best pasta in town. They are open until 2:00 am on Fri. & Sat. and 12:00 am Monday-Thursday. Their cocktails are fabulous also.
www.pastabaraz.com