It was a mid-November afternoon when Neighbor Roy & I went to Culinary Dropout on Grant Road in Tucson for lunch. Unusually, I did not have a discount card for this place, but having heard good things about it, we decided to try it anyway.
Culinary Dropout is a Fox Concept Restaurant of which there are three in Tucson; Zinburger, Blanco Tacos + Tequila and Wildflower. There are several other restaurants in the Phoenix area, but we won’t go into that. If you know Tucson, you know Zinburger, Blanco, and Wildflower. All great!
On with the meal. We walked in, were greeted immediately, and sat near a window in the main dining area. The first thing we noticed was how huge this place is. Very spacious. I took a few photos. Roy ordered hot tea and I ordered iced tea.
First, we ordered an appetizer: CHEDDAR & POTATO PIEROGIES crispy brussels sprouts, mustard crème fraîche, fresh herb ($10). When our appetizer arrived at our table, Roy commented that this is how he remembered pierogies from when his mother made them, fried. They were delicious. So good, we forgot the picture until they were half-eaten. Better than the extremely popular Polish Cottage? You decide. Let us know what you think.
Roy then ordered MA… THE MEATLOAF!?! green beans, mashed potato, gravy ($16). I ordered BEER BATTERED FISH & CHIPS: coleslaw, tartar sauce ($16.50).
When our orders arrived I asked Roy how he liked his meatloaf. He said, “This is the best meatloaf I’ve ever had, at least that I can recall. And the green beans are properly cooked and delicious.” Mind you Roy is on a diet all week.
My fish & chips were also very good, not at all greasy. And the French fries were excellent as was my coleslaw. The service was so good that Roy didn’t even have to flag down a waitress to renew his hot water for tea. She did it automatically.
Culinary Dropout bills itself as a Classic Bar with damn good food. It appears to cater to groups of sports lovers wanting good food and a good time. The food may be classic but it is far from ordinary. There’s music and sports television, but today anyway, it was not obtrusive. We rate Culinary Dropout five saguaros: excellent!
Culinary Dropout
2543 East Grant Road; Tucson AZ 86716
520-203-0934
Addendum: We raved about our lunch upon our return home so much, Ms. Karen wanted to return to Culinary Dropout for Sunday Brunch a couple of weeks ago before heading to Yume Gardens. Miss Karen had a Vegan Curry Entree, sweet potato, eggplant, snap pea, cauliflower, shiitake mushroom, black rice. She noted that the tastes, aside from the distinct curry flavor, were quite subtle. Delightful. I had the Bread Pudding French Toast, tasty, and a Bacon Bloody Mary, interesting, perhaps a bit greasy, but I suppose that was to be expected. Roy had the Sunday Breakfast Burrito, disappointed that the Perogies were not on the Brunch list. I do believe he finished it.
Again, a worthwhile trip to the Culinary Dropout. We have added it to our “Go-To” list. Some are worth a try, interesting, good but not placed on a regular list. Culinary Dropout has been added to our Go-To List for Central Tucson. Good but not expensive, comfortable enough to return on a whim.
RESTAURANT HOURS
Mon – Wed: 11am – 11pm. Thurs: 11am – 12am. Fri: 11am – 1am. Sat: 10am – 1am. Sun: 10am – 10pm
Brunch
Sat – Sun: 10am – 3pm
Happy Hour
Mon – Fri: 3pm – 6pm
