Scottsdale Happy Hour

Scottsdale Happy Hour at Sonic America's Drive-In

 

I know what you're thinking....Sonic Drive-In? Happy Hour? Yes, it's true! Although it's only for certain drinks it's still Happy Hour and a bargain worth making a comment about.

In 1953 the prototype of the first Sonic Drive-In (founded by Troy Smith, Sr.) opened in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Sonic currently has the highest customer frequency rate in the fast food industry. Sonic currently has 3,600 drive-ins in 42 states

Sonic in Scottsdale can be found at 2870 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85257.

Happy Hour Details:
Everyday 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

As I stated previously, Sonic only offers certain drinks for Happy Hour. All drinks and slushes are 50% off of their regular price. First, there are your standard soft drinks featuring Coca-Cola products (sorry Pepsi fans), Sprite, Barq's Root Beer, Dr. Pepper, Lemonade, POWERade, Hi-C and Ocean Water (blue water with a hint of coconut). Second, the iced tea comes sweet and unsweetened as well as flavored featuring raspberry, peach and cranberry as available choices. Third, there are three types of Classic Slushes available for you to choose from. These are the Famous Slushes (Cherry, Grape Watermelon, Orange, Blue Coconut and POWERade), Juice Slushes (Minute Maid Apple and Minute Maid Cranberry) and Real Fruit Slushes (Lemon, Lemon Berry, Strawberry and Lime). Finally, and my personal favorite, the Signature Limeades (Cherry, Strawberry, Apple, Lime, Cranberry, Low-Cal Diet Cherry and Low-Cal Diet Lime) with fresh limes. 

What's the atmosphere like at Sonic? Sonic has a unique use of curbside speakers to allow their customers to place food orders without leaving their cars. Customers also have the option of using the drive-thru window or just walking up to the front to place an order.

My favorite drink at Sonic is a Cherry Limeade with extra cherries. Try one!

On a sad note, Scottsdale Happy Hour offers our condolences to the Smith family and the Sonic Corporation. Sonic company founder Troy Smith, Sr. passed away on October 26, 2009.

Have you visited Sonic lately? Please feel free to comment and share your experience.

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Scottsdale Happy Hour at Yard House

The Yard House found its roots in an earlier rendition named the Boiler Room in Denver, Colorado and opened their doors in 1996 in Long Beach, California. This was a result of the operation founder Steele Platt selling the Boiler Room and heading west. Here, along with a collaborative effort he expanded upon the Boiler Room concept and hence the Yard House. Yard House derives the name from a 3-foot tall glass originally designed in England to hand to stagecoach drivers. The Yard House refers to itself as an upscale-casual eatery with locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois and Kansas. They have an extensive menu of what they call American cuisine and 100-250 (depending on location) beers on tap.

The location I visited for Happy Hour review can be found at 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 at the Fashion Square Mall. Tel: 480-675-9273.

photo courtesy of http://www.yardhouse.com

Happy Hour Details:
Monday-Friday 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Daily 10:00 p.m. - Close

SPECIAL NOTE: MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL - HAPPY HOUR OFFERED FROM KICKOFF TO FINAL PLAY
Available September 14 - December 18

Well, I finally have made the trip to Yard House. I've seen the restaurant in a few locations across the country, but I've never had the opportunity to dine at one. The menu states select half-priced appetizers, sliders and half-priced pizzas so that means no item costs more than $6.50 (not bad at all). I really don't know where to begin, but let me say that Yard House is just AWESOME when it comes to the quality and quantity of food for the price. I can already tell that this restaurant is going to be very very tough to beat. After going here two nights in a row I've had a chance to try and see a variety of things. To sum it up, the appetizers are so large they should state they have select half-priced entrees for Happy Hour. I've tried the California Roll (and it has REAL crab!), the Chinese Garlic Noodles, the Grilled Jamaican Wings, the Chilled Edamame and the Sliders. Everything I have ordered has been presented in a professional manner and the taste has been immaculate. My only complaint is the rice on the California Roll is a little harder than the norm, but after having it two nights in a row at the same consistency it is probably just how the Yard House prepares it. Another point to be mentioned is that they don't prepare the sushi rolls in the traditional fashion, but the way they do tastes just the same if not even better. Also, I did make a note to walk around and glance at other tables to see how their food appeared and it was consistent everywhere...professional and plentiful. Below are a few pictures I have taken of the food showing the presentation and the quantity I've seen the past couple of days.

 

Happy Hour drink prices are as follows: Domestic Pints $3.50, Import Pints $4.00, $2 off Wine by the glass, Goblets $4.50, Well Drinks $4.25 and House Martinis $5.75.

This particular location has an outdoor patio (with heaters for cooler temperatures) and always appears to have a relatively decent amount of people. It's right near the Fashion Square Mall valet parking so car exhaust may present somewhat of a breathing challenge to some. Indoors is a large bar area (113 out of 130 taps of beer) with table and booth dining surrounding the entire restaurant. The lights are somewhat dim with over 20 overhead flat screen televisions dispersed everywhere as well as Yard House classic rock music playing in the background.

What's my take on Yard House? This place deserves serious consideration and I give a full recommendation to stop here for Happy Hour in Scottsdale, Arizona, whether you live here or just passing through.

Have you visited Yard House lately? Please comment and share your experience.....

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Scottsdale Happy Hour at Humble Pie

Friday evening presented the opportunity to hit the town due to a good friend wanting to visit Scottsdale for the first time in his life. We had a couple of other friends joining and I didn't want to force Happy Hour on the group so I let them choose where we would dine. Humble Pie was the final concensus and since I'd never been there, I decided to view their website to see what was offered. To my surprise the only thing listed for Happy Hour were drinks so that was my expectation. But, upon arrival I was amazed to find out this was not the case. Unfortunately, when we arrived it was much later than the designated Happy Hour so I was unable to make an evaluation. However, being a Philadelphia Eagles fan and last night being Monday night football I was able to return at 4:30 p.m. to participate in Happy Hour and watch the game.

As far as Humble Pie history is concerned, I really have not been able to find that much due to limited information on their website. I did find out that they serve the Valley with two locations. Here you can enjoy 'wood fired' pizza (Humble Pie), wine and spirits seven days a week.

The Humble Pie I visited is located at 6149 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85250 in Hilton Village. Tel: 480-556-9900.

Happy Hour Details:              
Everyday 3 - 6 p.m.

Happy Hour Menu - View this photo

There are specials on selected items from their menu for Happy Hour and nothing is over $5. The big special is select 8-inch pizzas (Cheese, Margherita and Pepperoni) are $5 and extra toppings are $1. The Crispy French Fries are $3 and the waitress guaranteed I'd like them or she would give me $3 from her pocket to pay for them. $5 for select glasses of wine, $2-$2.50 beers and $3 well cocktails and specialty drinks. I ordered a pepperoni pizza along with the fries and it was more than enough to fill me up. Both were very tasty and I would definitely call it "a delicious experience". It would be nice to see some other variety of pizza types offered, but you don't throw away a Rolls Royce because it has a dent in it do you? A friend of mine ordered the Spicy Chicken Drumettes and they are definitely a bargain at $3.

Humble Pie has seating outdoors (see the welcome page on their website - this is the Hilton Village location) and indoors presents itself with bar seating and various types of table/tabletop dining. The lights are lower than normal and it gives the restaurant a very cozy type of feeling. To my surprise there was not much of a crowd during the period of Happy Hour and this may be due to people just not being aware of what Humble Pie has to offer. No complaints here though....we had the big flat screen in the back all to ourselves. The overall atmosphere was very laid back and the service was more than adequate with a very attentive and personable staff.

Humble Pie is another Happy Hour in Scottsdale that I recommend making a visit to. I really don't think anyone could make a mistake coming here on any night. 

If you've visited Humble Pie lately I'd like you to comment and share your experience.

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Scottsdale Happy Hour at Frasher's Steakhouse and Lounge

 

This past Thursday evening, after passing this restaurant for over 2 years...I (along with a friend) finally decided to stop into Frasher's Steakhouse & Lounge for Happy Hour. Frasher's recently requested a friendship via Facebook and this also furthered my curiosity into what they had to offer. If I can recall correctly, the menu stated that Frasher's was established in 1999. Their website states that the restaurant is the brainchild of George Frasher, Kevin Grojean, Patrick Malloy, Tim Sciortino, and Chef Jim Kelly. They headed out West from St.Louis, MO and wanted a unique place to remind them of home.

Frasher's Steakhouse & Lounge is located at 2122 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85257. Tel: 480-429-9544

Happy Hour Details:
Monday-Friday 3 - 7 p.m.

            
 

In order to minimize confusion, let me start off by pointing out that the current Happy Hour menu does not match the menu given on their website. Also, the current Happy Hour times do match what is given on their website. Fortunately, my BlackBerry Tour has a camera and I was able to grab somewhat decent pictures of the correct Happy Hour menu. I've attached four (4) files that show what's being offered. For our meal we ordered the Toasted Ravioli, Hummus, Pizza Balls, Frasher's Sliders and a glass of wine. Hot Bread & Butter was served in the interim while we waited for our food to arrive. As for the appetizers, the portions were plentiful and the food was excellent! In fact, I'm sure that no matter what I ordered I would have enjoyed it completely. I would also like to make a note that the Pizza Balls are spectacular!!!!

Frasher's offers indoor and outdoor seating and we opted for the indoors since it was our first visit and not a soul was outside at the time. Once inside we found the environment to have a very warm and homey type of setting. The lights are turned down low, there's St. Louis memorabilia on the walls and a lounge with couches along with a giant flat screen in the dining area (yes, the lounge is in the dining area). The staff was friendly and everyone appeared to be having a nice time whether they were watching the game or just plain socializing. 

In summary, the prices were great and the service was more than adequate and I'll be returning. So, I recommend you give Frasher's Steakhouse & Lounge a try. Perhaps it's somewhere you would like to add to your Scottsdale Happy Hour rotation.

If you've been to Frasher's Steakhouse & Lounge recently I'd like to hear your comments.

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Scottsdale Happy Hour - What is "Happy Hour" ?

If you are reading this post then you along with a majority of your co-workers, family and friends probably participate in this activity called Happy Hour. It then occurred to me that a majority of us don't even know the exact definition or the history of this global event that we all eagerly participate in. 

According to Wikipedia, the term Happy Hour originated in the 1920s in the United States Navy. The word Happy Hour itself was slang for a scheduled entertainment  period on a ship where boxing and wrestling matches took place. This afforded sailors the opportunity to let off the stress accumulated during long periods at sea.

As we know it, Happy Hour is a marketing term for a period of time where discounts are offered on alcoholic drinks. The typical time period is somewhere between 4 PM and 7 PM and is used to boost business during their slow hours. In the 1980s, establishments started pushing free hors d'oeuvres in an attempt to lower blood alcohol content from excessive drinking. Happy Hour is banned in Massachusetts and in U.S. Military clubs. Many other cities and states are advocating banning Happy Hour as well in order to curtail drunk driving and alcohol abuse.

If you didn't know what Happy Hour is about, now you do......

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Scottsdale Happy Hour at Pearl Sushi Lounge & Bomber Bar

Pearl Sushi Lounge opened a few years ago and is one that I frequent on a regular basis. The owner is Tammy Carlin and she works behind the bar daily and was also the original owner of the original Blue Wasabi in DC Ranch.

Pearl Sushi Lounge is located at 4254 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Tel: 480-94-PEARL.

Happy Hour Details:
24/7 - Pearl Sushi Lounge has a separate Happy Hour menu and can be enjoyed from open to close, seven days a week.

I will start by saying that I have tried sushi all over the world (nationally and internationally) and I have a pretty good take on what the best and what the worst is. What you have here is what I call good MOR (Middle of the road) sushi. It's not the creme de la creme, but it's not the worst on the block either. If you keep all of this in mind you'll have a great experience. Nothing on the Happy Hour menu is priced over $6 and that's a good thing since we're trying to be easy on the bank. My only complaint (and I see this almost everywhere i go) is that they use imitation crab and I like real crab meat. The portion of food you receive is decent and in addition to what's on the Happy Hour menu, there is always a weekly special on a "selected" martini and it goes for $5. The Bomber menu has everything priced at $4 and they are unique and quite tasty....try one!

As for Pearl Sushi Lounge itself, there is no separating wall between the patio and dining room so it creates a very interesting atmosphere. The temperature can vary from hot to cold depending on where you sit and what time of the year it is so be prepared. I normally sit at the indoor section of the bar and always have a great time meeting new people and chatting with Tammy. Tammy and her staff are all very personable, welcoming and will go beyond the call of duty if you're not happy. The big screens are well-placed so sports enthusiasts will find satisfaction in keeping up with current games and trends. I do suggest avoiding the use of valet parking that is provided if you visit in the evening hours. If you look nearby you'll find suitable parking available for all makes and models of vehicles and save a few additional dollars.

My thought? Give Pearl Sushi Lounge a visit for Happy Hour. It's not a bad place at all and the prices aren't bad either. If you have visited Pearl Sushi Lounge & Bomber Bar recently please feel free to comment and share your experience. 

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Scottsdale Happy Hour at Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill

According to the their website, in 1989 the first restaurant was born in an old Victorian house in Austin, Texas on historic 6th Street. The menu, which has a southern influence, is characteristic of the flavors of Arizona, California, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas. There are 10 locations in the Western United States.

Z'Tejas is located at 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 at the Fashion Square Mall. Tel: 480-946-4171.

Happy Hour Details:
Monday 3:30 p.m. - Close (**NOTE: All day on Monday)
Tuesday-Friday 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 3 - 5 p.m.

All appetizers (which are outstanding) are discounted by 50%, 50 cents off beer, and $1 off Margaritas (which are awesome), mixed drinks and house wines. Now what makes all of this so special is that you receive an endless supply of cornbread served with honey butter. To be honest, and I'm not giving the appetizers any less weight, I can dine at Z'Tejas just on the cornbread alone!! It's baked fresh every 30 minutes and ranks with some of the best I've ever tasted....period. This coupled along with an appetizer and beverage will leave you stuffed full. Ultimately, the great part is when you get your bill you'll swear that you're being undercharged.  

Z'Tejas has seating indoors and outdoors, but my personal preference here is outside. I would avoid sitting at the table under the television because of people constantly passing by and it's just too close to the screen itself. My personal preference is in the back near the big screen and Z'Tejas logo on the back wall. The atmosphere here is great and has the typical "Scottsdale" feel. If you live in the area you understand what I mean by this and if you don't, you will by the time you leave. Regardless, I've always had a great time here and can always count on it. As I stated before, the appetizers are outstanding so just take your pick. Also, try the Chambord Margarita....

I give a full recommendation to go to Z'Tejas for Happy Hour in Scottsdale. You won't be disappointed at all!! Another suggestion I might add is to become a follower of Z'Tejas on Twitter. Their username is ZTejas.

Have you visited Z'Tejas lately? Please comment and share your experience.

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Scottsdale Happy Hour now on Facebook!

Are you a fan of Scottsdale Happy Hour? Then become a fan on Facebook too. Today a Facebook page was launched as a way for social media users to gain information about Scottsdale Happy Hour. It's just one more place to find out about our reviews and suggestions for the Greater Scottsdale area. It's a fast and easy way to stay connected and correspond with Scottsdale Happy Hour. If you have a Facebook account please click here and send a Friend Request.

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Scottsdale Happy Hour at Wildfish Seafood Grille

Earlier today I stopped at Wildfish Seafood Grille (7135 E. Camelback Road, Ste. 130) to check out their Happy Hour specials that run nightly from 4 - 7 p.m. Honestly, I can't recommend this restaurant and my review will be limited. Although 75 cent oysters are a great deal, $4 off high-priced selected appetizers and $2 off high-priced selected drinks just doesn't cut it. Please don't get me wrong, this is a very nice restaurant and the food is excellent. But, given the situation of our economy and with competition being fierce amongst restaurants for patrons....Wildfish Seafood Grille can do better than what they are offering.

Through the grapevine, I heard that Wildfish Seafood Grille used to offer their appetizers at 50% discount. Perhaps, they should revert back to this deal and see if business improves.....Nevertheless, I left and went across the street to Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill. Stay tuned for the review of Happy Hour at this restaurant.

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Scottsdale Happy Hour now on Twitter!

Are you interested in brief updates about what's going on around Scottsdale for Happy Hour? Then following Scottsdale Happy Hour on Twitter will provide what you've been looking for. It's free and you can register on the Twitter website. The Twitter username for Scottsdale Happy Hour is scottsdalehh.

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