Opened: January 2025
Conceived by restaurateur Matt Carfagnini and his culinary-minded partner, Dolh Chompupong, this freewheeling South Scottsdale gastropub is what food biz people often call “industry-friendly.” Meaning, it’s chef-driven but unpretentious, priced like an Applebee’s and filled with the kind of day-sleeper energy that makes it not even slightly awkward to order a Manhattan at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. (In fact, it might be kind of weird if you didn’t.) Start with Chompupong’s lively chile dumplings – minced pork with lemongrass and pickled serrano ($15) – off the small bites menu, which also includes Cauliflower KFC, fried florets of everyone’s favorite cuneiform tossed with fermented hot sauce and served with dill buttermilk dressing ($12).
Admirably, none of the nine chicken sandwiches and double-patty “smashed” Wagyu burgers on Dodo Bird’s tight, one-page menu is more than $14, save one – the Wellington Burger ($22), an ingenious contraption of Wagyu ground beef, peppery duxelles and demi-glace encased in a bun-like pasty. A tad under-seasoned, but tasty and fun nonetheless. I recommend ordering one with The Chopper, a salad involving roasted corn and the usual accoutrements ($11), to cover your greens. For larger appetites: The all-day menu includes exactly three entrées, including steak frites ($27) with peppercorn sauce and waffle fries.
Wild Card: Need proof that Dodo Bird is a ton of fun? The Dodo Lunch Special (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) includes a chicken sandwich or burger, side and house-made ice cream sandwich for $13.
7901 E. Thomas Rd., 480-616-0707, eatdodobird.com
