#1042 - Italian Grotto, Scottsdale, AZ - 3/22/2010

This place is old-time Scottsdale, along the lines of the famous Pink Pony, and its easy to see why it is often packed.  It has good food, stunningly cheap prices (e.g. $11 for entree, salad, and bread), and a great selection of local characters (including RT, working the bar, and a couple umpires from the game when I went.  Since it was overflowing on the late Monday evening I attended, I asked RT what it would be like on a Friday night; he pointed out that it was that full because the Giants had a home (spring training) game that day, and "It's been like this since 10 this morning."  But every subsequent evening I passed it was just as full.  The bar is just the basics and you need to expect a wait for dinner, but it's worth it.

3915 N Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 - (480) 994-1489
italiangrotto.com - yelp