The Frybread Lounge — Restaurant in Scottsdale

In the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, where art galleries and boutiques line sun-drenched streets, Frybread Lounge emerges as a culinary oasis, offering a long-overdue celebration of Indigenous cuisine. This newcomer to Arizona's dining scene isn't just serving meals; it's offering a journey through Native American gastronomy, expertly guided by an award-winning chef from the Tohono O'odham community.

As you step into Frybread Lounge, the ambiance strikes a delicate balance between contemporary chic and cultural homage. Earth-toned walls adorned with Indigenous artwork create a warm, inviting atmosphere that beckons you to linger. The staff, knowledgeable and passionate, are eager to share the stories behind each dish, turning your meal into an educational experience.

The menu, a carefully curated selection of traditional recipes reimagined for the modern palate, is a testament to the chef's James Beard Foundation Award-winning expertise. The star of the show, undoubtedly, is the Frybread Taco ($20). A monument to texture and flavor, this dish elevates street food to fine dining. The frybread, impossibly light and crisp, cradles a generous portion of Indigo meat, its richness cut through by the bright acidity of fresh tomatoes and house-made salsa. Each bite is a harmony of flavors that dance on the tongue, at once familiar and thrillingly new.

For those seeking a leaner option, the Bison Asada Tacos ($9 for two) offer a masterclass in balancing tradition with innovation. The bison, sourced from local ranches, is cooked to tender perfection and seasoned with a blend of spices that hints at centuries-old recipes. A vibrant green salsa adds a fresh, zesty note that complements the meat's earthy flavors.

While the savory options shine, the beverage program shows room for growth. The Turtle Island Iced Tea ($15), despite its intriguing name, lacks the complexity one might expect at this price point. The wine list, heavily skewed towards Arizona vineyards, feels more like a nod to local loyalty than a thoughtful pairing selection. However, the local craft beer offerings provide a satisfying alternative.

Frybread Lounge isn't just a restaurant; it's a cultural touchstone, offering diners a chance to explore the rich culinary heritage of Arizona's Indigenous communities. While some dishes may need fine-tuning, the overall experience is one of discovery and delight. As you leave, satiated and enlightened, you'll find yourself already planning your next visit – perhaps to try the tantalizing Bison Ribeye that caught your eye.

In a city known for its resort dining and Southwestern fare, Frybread Lounge stands out as a vital addition to Scottsdale's culinary landscape. It's more than a meal; it's a celebration of a cuisine long overlooked in fine dining circles. For travelers seeking authentic experiences and locals looking to connect with their state's heritage, Frybread Lounge offers a meal that nourishes both body and soul.

Reservations are essential, particularly during high season. And while you're there, don't forget to ask about the daily specials – they often showcase ingredients foraged from the Sonoran Desert, offering an ever-changing taste of Arizona's...

I find that one of the best ways to learn about a culture is through thier food. We were walking by a couple weeks ago before they opened and the chefs were outside and stopped us for a moment to explain what the restaurant was all about and told us about thier food. They told us about the opening and invited us to come back and try it. Today we were finally able to get back and it was so worth it. We were warmly welcomed at the door and the hostess explained the concept to us as well, asking if we had ever tried Native American food before - we said we hadnt, so she explained what types of ingredients they use and where it is sourced - fully farm to table here! Our server came over quickly with waters and answered the few questions that we had. She also made note of my allergies and double checked with the kitchen to make sure there was no cross contamination. I ended up ordering 2 of the appetizers as my meal as I couldnt decide on one thing: the bison asada tacos and the wild mushroom tacos. They were both amazing! Im not usually someone to go for something vegetarian (I love my meat too much) but the mushroom tacos were intriguing and Im so glad I ordered them as they were so well cooked and flavorful I didnt miss the meat at all. The bison tacos were also amazing and so tenderly cooked, both were packed full and the tortilla tasted homemade. My partner got the bison burger and sweet potato fries (both of which she let me try and they were also amazing). I also had the sweet wandering iced tea which was amazingly refreshing in the crazy heat today and brought a great contrast to the chili peppr sauces that came with the tacos. Our server explained each dish as she gave them to us telling us exactly where the main ingredients were grown/harvested. We then split the frybread flight for dessert. Our server remembered on her own that I cant have beans and offered to get us an alternative to the white bean dip. The fry bread was amazing, especially with the prickly pear sauce (even better using the honey and prickly pear together). We made sure to get every drop of those sauces out before leaving. All of the staff we interacted with were friendly and helpful and willing to answer our questions about the food. The chef even came out halfway through our meal to see if we were enjoying it and remembered talking with us 2 weeks ago, even with what Im sure has been a very busy couple of weeks finishing the prep and opening. We will definitely be going back when we are...

Tried The Frybread Lounge in Old Town Scottsdale. Worst experience everrrr!!!!! Every little thing was wrong. First shot, they say they're out of beans, duck, Agua frescas, & oysters. We order the birria tacos no onion, & two bison burgers one no mayo, one with reg fries & the other with sweet potato fries, a navajo ground espresso & a white iced tea. THIRTY min later they bring out the tacos WITH ONION. 10min later our burgers. Waitress asked if we still want the expresso. Like WHAT?! 5min later one sweet potato fries cuz they're out of reg fries. Let me say that she asked before hand if they had reg fries!!! Burgers have no onions and no mayo. We left it and ate. I asked about the other fries. Nothing. Later the waitress comes & asks "So, with every order being wrong, how was the food?" Like gurl. I said it was average and dry & reminded her we never got fries. We asked for the check & they took SIX DOLLARS off a 71 dollar check. They don't understand customer service at all!!!!! They stood huddled up like a bunch of kids repeating the word "onions" over and over & that they're almost out of oil. Like broooo. Get yourselves together. There was only one couple there besides us!!!! Not busy or nothing. & prepping should be done HOURS AGO. Why wasn't anything done to fix yalls problems beforehand. I worked in food and am mean!!!! But we going to Sams if we're out of things, or I'm giving free food, remaking orders, & coming up to you to apologize and fix the problem if we are wrong. Not once did the owner/bald guy come and speak to us. Until we are going out the door he follows behind trying to apologize. We weren't hearing it we were there for over an hour. They suck and I will never return. We were being the nice Natives too!!! Lucky It was us and not them rowdy ones. I didn't even wanna support they're other shop next door. It was soooo bad. TERRIBLE. The only good thing was the frybread. They did something right. Kudos to that. But I'll stick to the Natives who hustle Native food on the side and have it out within minutes of you pulling up. Good luck. Get some experience. The pretty flowers & lights can't fix...