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Scottsdale Restaurant Ranks Near the Top of Yelp’s 2025 Rankings

And a lineup of local events for the week

Author

John Apolinar
February 26, 2025

Good morning, Scottsdale. This is Scottsdale Scoop, the newsletter that shares fun events and highlights local businesses. 

Spring Training Season is here! Here’s a lineup of games this week.

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In today’s Scottsdale Scoop:

  • Top rated Yelp restaurant right in our backyard

  • A free trolley for Spring Training

  • The best sandwich in Scottsdale

Let’s get to it.

— John Apolinar

SCOTTSDALE SNAPSHOT

De Babel ranks #3 US - based restaurant on Yelp

Scottsdale Restaurant Ranks Near the Top of Yelp’s 2025 Rankings

De Babel isn’t as well known as it should be. My buddy from Iraq put me on to this gem a while ago and almost no one knows about it! I should be sharing this in the Business Buzz section, but ranking near the top of Yelp earned a spot here. It’s rated as the best restaurant in the entire valley, not just Scottsdale. Awesome to see a local place take home 3rd place in the US. See the article here. The Chicken Tawook sandwich is the best thing I’ve had there but it’s all amazing. Owner Marwan Kandeel has a lot to be proud of.

SUSD and ASU Art Showcase

If you’re looking for something fun and creative to check out in Scottsdale, the Scottsdale Family ArtsFest is worth your time. It’s a two-day event at SkySong that highlights the talent coming out of SUSD and ASU, from visual arts to live performances. This isn’t just a typical school showcase—there’s live music, interactive exhibits, and even a community mural you can help create. It’s the kind of event that reminds you how much creativity is happening all around us. If you’re around on March 1-2, it’s definitely worth stopping by. 

Free Trolley for Scottsdale

Heading to Scottsdale Stadium for spring training? Here’s a pro tip: you don’t have to worry about parking. The city is offering free rides to and from the stadium on the Scottsdale Trolley and other transit services. Whether you’re coming from Old Town or nearby parking areas, you can skip the hassle and get dropped off right at the game. It’s easy, it’s free, and it saves you the headache of traffic. More details on routes and schedules are right here.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A1 GARAGE DOOR SERVICE

If your garage door is giving you trouble, A1 Garage Door Service has you covered. Whether it’s a busted spring, a door that won’t open, or you just want an upgrade, these guys handle it all. They’ve built a solid reputation for fast, reliable service, and they’re known for actually showing up on time (which is rare these days). I’ve used them personally for my rental property and it was such a smooth process.

Plus, they offer 24/7 emergency repairs, so you’re not stuck if something goes wrong at the worst possible moment. If your garage door needs some love, you can’t go wrong with them.

BUSINESS BUZZ

This Spot Feels Like Vacation

You know a place is good when you go for the vibe… and keep coming back for the food.

That’s exactly what happened to me at CALA. I first stopped by for the aesthetic—coastal Mediterranean design, great lighting, and a patio that basically demands you stay for another round. But then the food hit. Bonus points since I went for a photoshoot when I had a clothing brand back in the day and they asked

The whipped feta with honey? Amazing.

The wood-fired branzino? As good as anything I’ve had by the ocean.

And if a restaurant has an espresso martini this good, they know what they’re doing.

Scottsdale has no shortage of great spots, but CALA does something different: it brings that effortless, vacation-style dining right to Old Town. You step in, and it feels like you’re in Mykonos or Ibiza—except you don’t need a passport.

Here’s a cool video they did giving you a walk through.

The Best Sandwich in Scottsdale?

DeFalco’s is a must try if you haven’t been there yet. The first time I popped in there I got the Classic Muffuletta Sandwich and…wow. The Muffuletta relish just ruined almost every other sandwich for me because they won’t compare. Also - the tiramisu is A+.

I love the no-frills, old-school Italian deli setting. They focus on amazing good and that’s it. In a sea of fancy restaurants it’s good to mix it up with something that feels more neighborhoody. Not sure if that’s a real word but I’m rolling with it. DeFalco’s has been that spot for 40 years now and it shows.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just local businesses I wanted to highlight. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

WEEKEND LINEUP

Friday, February 28

🖼️ Free Art Show - Finding Piece in a Chaotic World| Pavilion Fine Arts Gallery | 6:30PM

🎭 Maria Bamford Comedy Show | Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | 8PM

🎵 Yachtzilla | Casino Arizona | 7:30PM (multiple days)

🥗 Blue Zones Project Scottsdale Power 9® Series: Eat Wisely | 3721 North Scottsdale Road | 10AM

⚾️ Spring Training - Kansas City Royals at Arizona Diamondbacks | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | 1:10PM

Saturday, March 1

🎤 Standup Comedy Maddy Smith | Desert Ridge Improv | 6PM (multiple days)

🏓 Pickleball Court Connect: Play, Meet, Inspire | Spa at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain | 1PM

👑 Persian New Year Festival | Scottsdale Waterfront | 3pm

✈️ U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West | Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | 3pm

🏺67th Annual Indian Fair & Market | Heard Museum | 9:30PM

⚾️ Spring Training - Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | 1:10PM

Sunday, March 2

⚾️Spring Training - Seattle Mariners at Colorado Rockies | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick | 1:10PM

🎺 Sun & Sounds | Pick & Holler and The Melroses | Scottsdale Civic Center | 12pm

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