Restaurants with the Best Value in Scottsdale

Cha Da Thai, located between McCormick Ranch and Gainey Ranch, is one of the most popular spots in Scottsdale for tasty, traditional Thai dishes. Traditional starters like satay and spring rolls populate the appetizer menu, and you'll find classic noodle dishes like pad thai and pad see iew. But the menu also offers harder to find northern Thai specialties like larb, which is available in traditional pork, chicken or ground beef, as well as a mushroom version. Of course, there is also a whole menu dedicated to curries, which you can adjust to your preferred spice level. For dessert, try the thai pumpkin custard or coconut ice cream.

Fresh and tasty is the operating culinary philosophy at YC's Mongolian Grill, where diners are invited to create their own stir fry creations. Simply choose from the assortment of enticingly fresh ingredients and step back and watch as one of the grill's experienced stir fry chefs cooks up your creation. Guests are invited to come up with their own combinations of meats, vegetables, noodles and sauces for a one-of-a-kind stir fry. Sauces range from bold and flavorful to tangy, spicy and sweet. This is a popular lunch spot for diners seeking a healthy and budget-friendly alternative to greasy diners and fast food options.

This small Scottsdale sandwich shop - pronounced "Crock's" (the restaurant's mascot is a cartoon crocodile) - is an unassuming spot that just happens to be full of surprises. You'll find a healthy and familiar selection of salads, wraps and sandwiches, ideal for taking to-go. But you'll also find French staples like croque monsieurs. Looking for something a little different? You probably shouldn't miss highlights like the bulgogi sandwich, which bulges with exceptionally good Korean barbecue steak, grilled peppers and onions. The grilled pork sandwich is another winner. Whatever you order, it will probably arrive on an irresistibly fresh baguette loaf.

For a hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner in Old Town Scottsdale, Karsen's Grill delivers on lots of flavor and friendly, neighborhood ambiance. The menu is filled with comfort food favorites, including hot wings, quesadillas, meatloaf and a full menu of specialty salads and sandwiches. Menu stand-outs include the Cuban sandwich, or the classic Reuben. Try the sweet potato fries on the side, which are crispy and savory. This small, family-owned restaurant is also a great place to grab a drink before or after a Giant's game at nearby Scottsdale Stadium. The drinks are reasonably priced and the service is consistently friendly.

There's nothing fancy about the small dining room at Tacos Jalisco in Scottsdale, but sometimes all you need is good food served up by expert cooks. This is the case at Tacos Jalisco, a tiny neighborhood restaurant located next to a laundromat that is dishing out tacos, burritos, tostadas, tortas and enchiladas that rival the best in town. Creamy beans, fluffy rice and a long menu of take-out classics make this a must-stop destination for those days when you're craving Mexican comfort food. Easy, fast and always flavorful, a great stopping point for a quick lunch, or order take-out for those long nights around the pool. Friendly service and fresh agua frescas (traditonal Mexican fruit coolers) offer further incentive for making a stop here.

"Egg-ceptional eggs," moist and fluffy omelettes, original skillets, scramblers, eggs benedict, fruits and grains, pancakes, French toast, and Belgian waffles are just some of the breakfast specialties you'll find at this bright Scottsdale cafe. Despite the name, don't expect a breakfast platter dripping in butter. The food here is prepared fresh with the most wholesome ingredients available. The orange juice is fresh-squeezed (no slushy concentrate here!), and the bright, impeccably spotless dining room makes this an ideal breakfast spot to get your day started right. For a one-of-a-kind breakfast specialty, try the eggs rojo or verde, two eggs topped with red or green New Mexico chile sauce and served with corn tortilla, black beans, jack cheese.

Looking for a nice breakfast or lunch spot in Scottsdale? Check out Noci Cafe, a family-owned cafe serving wholesome, home-style breakfast plates and Italian-inflected lunch options. For breakfast, you'll find options like omelettes, pancakes, Belgian waffles and homemade hash browns. Lunch includes a menu of panini, salads, and Italian pasta plates. You'll also find a pastry counter filled with treats and gourmet coffee. Most items are priced south of $10, making this a good place to fuel up on wholesome, homemade fare, without having to break your dining-out budget.

If cozy breakfast spots are your thing, plan a stop at the Alo Cafe in Scottsdale. The cafe, which is tucked away in an old house in Charles Miller Square in Old Town Scottsdale, is a take on the classic Eurostyle breakfast and lunch cafe. The cafe features menu items from across the globe, with a focus on the cuisine of Estonia, but you'll also find dishes inspired by Argentina, South Africa, and Spain, as well as classic American breakfast favorites. Highlights from breakfast menu include the French Toast, a breakfast sandwich on an Old Heidelberg Roll, and the Tortilla Espanola, a classic Spanish pancake made from eggs and potatoes.This hidden gem is also a good place to enjoy a good cup of joe. The cafe serves high quality local Cartel Coffee, and there a number of refreshing chai drinks too.

If you're craving tasty Mexican grub in Scottsdale, Mucha Lucha Taco Shop is here to serve. As its name implies, you'll come to this stylish fast-casual restaurant - which features bright pink walls and oversize murals of Mexican luchadores - for its craveable menu of classic Mexican street tacos like carne asada and barbacoa. But the expansive menu also includes specialty burritos, chimichangas, seafood, taco salads and classic snacks like nachos. Almost everything is prepared on site, including an assortment of homemade salsas. If you can't decide what to order, try the five street taco combo, which gives you a taste of the various meats on the menu. Of course, you'll want to top off your meal with an order of hot churros.

If you're looking for an original, family-owned Italian deli, Defalco's Italian Grocery is the real thing. This local treasure is located just south of downtown Scottsdale, on the border between Tempe and Scottsdale. The menu features traditional pasta dishes and hot sandwiches. You'll see a lot of loyal customers coming in before dinner to carry out one of the take-home dishes, or shopping for high quality Italian products such as hand-made ravioli and imported olive oil. Enjoy the outdoor patio with a plate of eggplant parm, chicken cutlet, or lasagna. The dessert menu includes traditional Italian classics like cannoli and tiramisu.