No Chains, Please

[Yummye]

I am always on the lookout for small, or smaller, restaurants that are NOT part of a chain (I call the chains "corporate feeding troughs".) in the Scottsdale or Phoenix area.

Storefront restaurants that are independently, and usually chef-owned, are more elusive, and therefore harder to tease out since it's the big ones that create the biggest publicity noise and are therefore on everyone's list. For example, Razz's, Havana Cafe, Wally's, Un Bacio, Amarone, come to mind

Can anyone add to my list?

Yummye

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Un Bacio's
7704 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85258

[crsin]

Those who post on Chowhound are by-and-large uninterested in large chains, and very pro-independent/chef-driven restaurants. Because of this, I'd say that about 95% of all restaurants mentioned and discussed on this board are non-chain, with the remaining 5% being the occasional small and/or regional chain. Just comb through virtually any of the threads, and you're bound to expand upon your list tremendously.

[Yummye]

Not particularly helpful reply. An informal review of recent postings found references to Modern Steak, In-N-Out, White Chocolate Grille, Flemings, and Claim Jumper; I'd have to guess that every so often, Chowhounders blemish their foodie standards with forays into the big chains as well.

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Modern Steak
7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

[scaheld]

That recent post that mentioned all the chains was an anomaly. Trust me ;-) Keep digging, there's a lot of great, independent spirit in the Valley.

Quiessence
fnb
Petite Maison
Carolina's
Binkley's

Just to mention a handful.

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Carolina's Mexican Food Restaurant
1202 E Mohave St, Phoenix, AZ 85034

Binkley's
6920 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, AZ 85331

Quiessence
6106 S 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85042

Petite Maison
7216 E Shoeman Ln, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

FnB
7133 E Stetson Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

[crsin]

Not trying to be obtuse, just pointing out that it takes far more effort to find posts referring to chains than it does to find recs for non-chain establishments. We can all provide a random example, but to list all of the quality independent restaurants in the general Phoenix area is insurmountable. If you just want some general recommendations for ANY non-chain restaurant, there are numerous within the vast majority of CH threads. A similar question naming a specific area and type of cuisine would be more fruitful for your search.

You're right that the general public does, inexplicably, get excited over many chains, especially when they first open (the lines at Cheesecake Factory and Claim Jumper clearly attest to this). That said, they aren't generally discussed (at least in a positive light) or recommended on PHX CH--that's what the "National Chains" board is for. If they are, it's usually by someone who posts very rarely, or because the question warrants it (i.e., in a very specific location where there simply isn't any other options). And yes, I'm sure most posters have enjoyed plenty of chain meals--I've got my receipt from today's lunch at Al's to prove it :)

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

Look harder. You will be much more handsomely rewarded by combing through the boards instead of just asking us to bring you the best. PS: Havana Cafe is technically a chain; they had three locations until their Ahwatukee one closed up this past winter.

You think I blemish my standards by going to chains such as In-N-Out Burger? Them's fightin' words. As a Chowhound, I seek out pure deliciousness in ALL forms, from the chef-driven storefronts you seek, to beat up old dives that I'll bet you wouldn't dare set foot in, and yes, even sometimes to chain restaurants. I will have you know that I am in VERY good company by eating at chains. Thomas Keller loves In-N-Out Burger. When Grant Achatz goes to NorCal to team up with Keller on a blowout dinner, they often end up at In-N-Out afterward. Joël Robuchon sampled an Animal Style cheeseburger on a recent trip to his restaurants in Las Vegas. Our patron saint, Julia Child, carried with her a list of every In-N-Out location in California. It's OK to like chains. When the decisions of the restaurant are made by focus groups instead of focused people, that's when the restaurant becomes just another bland chain trying to market themselves to as many people as possible.

If you dare get off of your ivory tower, I invite you to join me at these two places:

Carolina's. Specifically, the original on 12th Street and Mohave in the middle of the barrio. The place looks like it hasn't seen a fresh coat of paint since around the early Reagan administration. Some of the price numbers have fallen off the menu boards. You order at the counter and take a seat. When they yell your order number, you go to the counter to get your food. It comes out in a styrofoam box on a plastic tray. But I'll be damned if it isn't some of the best Mexican food I've had. The Oaxaca Special burro (chorizo, potatoes, cheese, and refried beans) enchilada style with red sauce is glorious. And don't miss the simple pleasure of a tortilla made with lard (como los dios quieren, as the gods want), pressed and cooked just for you, still hot off the griddle, brushed with butter.

Nogales Hot Dogs, 20th Street and Indian School. They have a few locations around town. This is the one to hit, mostly because they're on the edge of barrio instead of smack in the middle of it. During the day, the building is home to a cheapo furniture store and a tire yard. As the sun sets and the businesses close, a van pulls up and sets up shop in the parking lot for the evening. The tables are plastic banquet tables with folding chairs around them. Entertainment is limited to cars going past on Indian School, and a tiny flat screen TV airing the late news or a telenovela. The staff speaks English as a courtesy; odds are good that you'll be the only gringo there. A Sonoran style hot dog makes the Chicago dog look like an exercise in polite restraint. They start out by cooking a hot dog that has been wrapped in bacon. It is then topped with [deep breath] mayo, chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, frijoles, shredded yellow cheese, crumbled queso fresco, sliced mushrooms, salsa verde, guacamole, and I don't remember what all else. Good thing the roll is a substantial bolillo roll, as your garden variety hot dog bun would collapse under all the toppings. Yes, it's messy as all hell. This is not fancy food. We Arizonans are not fancy people. It's places like Nogales Hot Dogs that separate the foodies from the Chowhounds. And the people who turn their noses up at such a joint are missing out on a true regional specialty.

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Nogales Hot Dogs
1945 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

In-N-Out Burger
12413 N Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, AZ

[ejs1492]

Brilliant response. Can't any restaurant with more than location, technically, be referred to as a chain? So that would mean that Bouchon is a chain?

For the record, although I'm not a huge fan (as my review attests), Modern Steak is not a chain. It has one location.

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Modern Steak
7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

[danieli10]

My 2 cents: chowhound talks food, pure and simple. If its a chain big or large, so be it. We will criticize it the same. If a chain can put out great food, so be it.

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

And Havana Cafe is, too. They had three locations until the end of last year. White Chocolate Grill isn't a chain, but was created by former management from Houston's. Modern Steak is in a grey area to me. Sure it's the only Modern Steak, but it is part of Sam Fox's Scottsdale empire of restaurants that (from what I've heard, I've never eaten in one and feel no particular need to) have good food but emphasize the style and atmosphere.

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White Chocolate Grill
7000 E Mayo Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85054

Modern Steak
7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

[johnseberg]

I didn't think WCG was a chain either, but, it looks like they fit my definition, after looking at their website. http://whitechocolategrill.com/restau...

[scaheld]

The reason WCG looks like a chain is because it was created by former Houston's employees. I remember walking into the place the first time thinking Houston's lawyers could have a "copycat" field day if they were so inclined.
I do enjoy Houston's and WCG is okay too.

[kmarg]

White Chocolate looks like a chain, because it was set up as a concept store for possible regional and national expansion. Phoenix is a great test market for national concepts because of our population base and relative size. i.e if it flops here it may not get national press and bring down an investment portfolio. Same thing with Taneko for Changs, Bamboo Club for Main & Main, etc. Some decent chains base and grow out of AZ because we do have a vibrant food scene.

And wasn't the OP looking for a Carraba's not that long ago?

[ipsedixit]

Well said, JK.

For the OP, might want to check out Guanaquito on McDowell in downtown Phoenix.

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Guanaquito
1434 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85006

[duck833]

Dragonfly - great locally owned place that is sourcing locally as much as possible

Corner of Via Linda and Mountainview