Photos by David Moore challah French toast

Cozy and cost-effective, this Scottsdale deli-market hybrid is all locavore, all the time.

Go ahead and accuse Richard L. Fredrickson III of discrimination. The owner of Prime Provisions wouldn’t have it any other way. “All of our products will come from local suppliers,” Fredrickson said before his local-only Scottsdale deli-market opened last May. “Our beer and wine will be all Arizona, too.”

Locavorism has mushroomed across the Valley but hasn’t flourished in north Scottsdale – especially in the field of lower-priced eateries. And while many restaurants sprinkle local foods across their menus, few take the “all local” mantra to literal extremes.

Prime Provisions’ menu doesn’t tediously name the specific provenance of each ingredient, but every item either originates from the Grand Canyon State or is sourced from an Arizona company – whether it’s produce from Maya’s Farm, Scottish salmon flown in by Cave Creek’s Jet Fresh, or chorizo courtesy of Phoenix’s Nicola Imports. The counters are fetchingly lined with local pickled olives, salsas and leaf tea; the eggs are cage-free; and the shop periodically hosts market events called North Scottsdale Locavore, promoting partner vendors such as What’s Your Grind Coffee Roasters, Fierce Fire Foods, and North Scottsdale Organics. Diners order at the counter, then choose a seat at white café tables set with red chairs and tins of wheat grass, or on the air-conditioned, pet-friendly patio, where pups can nibble on organic dog treats.

ribeye cheesesteak sandwich

Chef Chad Holmes skillfully engineers breakfast, lunch and dinner staples like fluffy challah French toast ($7) with pecan maple syrup and strawberries (great with the first-rate chai latte, $3.50), and a BLT ($9) fancied up with thick, expertly cooked crispy-meaty bacon and fried green tomato. The tapas bar selection is simple but interesting – tortilla chips really don’t work with delicate bruschetta ($5), but the homemade chorizo sliders layered with jalapeños and Pepper Jack ($6) are fireworks-terrific.

 Holmes also invites customers to be their own chefs, with “build your own” selections. Choose from several kettle-boiled bagel and bread varieties, then pile on a choice of cheeses, meats, veggies and condiments. The tally’s a little difficult to calculate, since every item from ciabatta ($1.50) to prosciutto ($4) is separately priced.

Even so, the menu is reliably easy on the pocket. Six bucks is a small price to pay for a grilled sandwich of brie, muenster, Vermont cheddar and provolone, made better when paired with chorizo black bean soup scattered with roasted red bell peppers and cilantro ($4 cup/$6 bowl). The most expensive items are each $11 – a seared ribeye cheesesteak sandwich with provolone, sweet red bell pepper and onion; and a slow-roasted ribeye French dip topped with baby Swiss and dunked in rich jus.

With quality ingredients, a welcoming environment and low prices, we can recommend Prime Provisions without prejudice.

inside Prime Provisions

DETAILS
Prime Provisions
Cuisine: American
Address: 16640 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
Phone: 480-275-8656
Website: prime-provisions.com
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
Highlights: French toast ($7), chorizo sliders ($6), BLT ($9), Top Dollar grilled cheese ($6), chai latte ($3.50)