Thirsty Lion — Restaurant in Phoenix

A Memorable Evening at Thirsty Lion Gastropub and Grill - Desert Ridge

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Desert Ridge, Thirsty Lion Gastropub and Grill offers a delightful fusion of excellent food, a welcoming atmosphere, and outstanding service, making it a must-visit for anyone in the area. Our recent experience at this gem of a restaurant left an indelible mark, balancing exceptional moments with a minor hiccup.

The Ambiance: Walking into Thirsty Lion, you’re immediately embraced by a lively and inviting atmosphere. The music sets a cheerful tone without overpowering conversation, and the dog-friendly patio adds a charming touch, making it a perfect spot for both casual outings and special gatherings.

Standout Moments: A couple of weeks ago, while attending the NASRO conference at the JW Marriott, I spontaneously arranged a private dinner for about ten prospective and current customers. Despite the last-minute nature of the reservation, Thirsty Lion accommodated us without a hitch.

The highlight of the evening was undeniably the service. Our server, Tatum, and bartender, Kim, delivered impeccable service with warmth and efficiency. Tatum’s attention to detail and genuine friendliness made everyone feel welcome and valued. Kim's expertly crafted drinks were a hit, perfectly complementing the delicious food. My guests couldn’t stop raving about the flavorful dishes and the quality of the cocktails. The combination of good food, great drinks, and stellar service ensured that everyone left with smiles on their faces and a newfound appreciation for Thirsty Lion.

Not-So Standout Moments: Unfortunately, the experience wasn’t without its flaws. The female manager on duty during our private dinner was notably unhelpful. I had requested that she direct anyone asking for my company to our table, a simple task that she neglected. As a result, a few of my guests were unable to find us and left disappointed. Additionally, her absence throughout the evening was felt, as she neither introduced herself nor checked in on our group. This lack of managerial support stood in stark contrast to the otherwise excellent service provided by the rest of the staff.

Conclusion: Overall, Thirsty Lion Gastropub and Grill - Desert Ridge stands out as a fantastic venue for both casual dining and special events. The wonderful vibe, great music, and dog-friendly patio create a perfect setting, while the exceptional service from individuals like Tatum and Kim ensures a memorable experience. Despite the minor managerial hiccup, the positives far outweighed the negatives. Thirsty Lion is a place I would highly recommend and look forward to...

Howard ruined date night. I have never been more offended in a restaurant period. We were nearing the end of our meal that included an appetizer, main course and a bottle of wine. Our waitress was kind enough to bag up our leftovers and we had just finished signing our check. With about two sips of wine left in our glasses Howard stepped up to our table and asked "May I ask how far along in your meal you are" my girlfriend and I were understandable perplexed. Obviously he could see that our leftovers were bagged and we had just paid.

I said we are just finishing our wine and then we will be out of your hair. Howard proceeded to asked us to MOVE TABLES???? I have NEVER in my 50 years on this planet heard of such a thing, especially with two sips of wine left and obviously in the middle of a conversation. Howard proceeds to tell us the he "needs our table" for a large party. I told him we would be less than 5 minutes but that we were not going to move tables with only a couple of minutes left in our meal.

I let Howard know on the way out how offended we were and he doubled down by saying that he wasn't asking us "to leave" but just to move tables. He then finally said something that made some sense and told us there was a lady in a wheelchair so he needed a low top. If he would have said that in the first place this entire situation could have been avoided. Instead his approach was to ask a question he already knew the answer to and then ask us to take a "walk of shame" to another table with our leftovers and mostly empty glasses of wine.

I was just baffled by this approach and still cannot comprehend how he thought asking someone to move tables near the end of their meal was the solution to his problem.

We just moved to Phoenix and Thirsty Lion had quickly become one of our favorite restaurants, the wait staff has always been kind and the food solid. I am extremely disappointed that this happened and after learning that Howard is the Manager we will likely never visit this location again.

Next time try honesty Howard, rather than trying to manipulate the situation. Also ask yourself if you would have had the same approach with your "best customer" because that is the respect that we...

Wow, this place was a lot of fun!

Our server was Tristin and she was great. She acknowledged us very quickly, checked on us periodically, and was just pleasant and helpful (good guidance with the menu) and fun. She just added to the great dining experience

We started with the giant baked pretzel, which started us off WAY on the right foot. My goodness. What a winner. Fresh, hot, soft overall but just enough crisp on the outside, just the right amount of salt, too. And the three dipping sauces were all very good. One of them is the creamy queso (I assume this is the same queso used in the queso and chips appetizer but I'm not completely sure because it was a little thinner than I'd normally see for queso and chips, but it was still delicious), then of course the stone ground mustard, and even a nice surprisingly sweet and very lightly spicy type of chili sauce, maybe a Thai chili or a variation. I would go back just for the pretzel.

Fish and chips were out of this world! Yes, I ordered them because of all the positive Yelp reviews about that specific dish, and yes the hype was well-deserved. Light, crispy batter, delicious tender fish (xxx), nice and hot, with crispy fries next to it, really creamy yummy coleslaw, and great tartar sauce (and yes there's malt vinegar too). Who would've thought the best fish and chips I ever had would be in Arizona? Not even coastal but no need to argue, just come here and eat it!

My wife had the California roll and it was really good (now I want sushi) too! AND Tristan not only acknowledged my wife's recent birthday (where we had nowhere near as good a dining experience as Thirsty Lion), but also offered a dessert (we loved the Churros, at her recommendation)! Plus some good happy hour specials on top of everything else. We're only in Scottsdale two days and I'm pretty sure we're coming back here again later today - it was THAT good and a lot of fun. And we don't often go to the same restaurant...