The Original Arcadia Tavern

Every neighborhood has that one spot. The place you go after work. The place you meet friends on Sundays. The place you take out-of-town guests because it feels familiar, comfortable, and unmistakably local. For Arcadia, that place has long been Arcadia Tavern. First opened in 2009, it quickly became one of the community’s most dependable hangouts. Good food, friendly staff, TVs everywhere, cold drinks, and an easygoing vibe that made every visit feel like home.

But even the most beloved neighborhood spots need a refresh eventually. And Arcadia Tavern did not just refresh. It reinvented itself.



After a complete reimagining, The Original Arcadia Tavern is back with a renewed sense of identity. The space feels modern and energized. The menu celebrates scratch-made comfort food. The atmosphere blends sports bar excitement with polished dining room warmth. The patio is bigger and brighter. The service feels elevated. And the motto remains the same: it’s all good in the hood.

This revitalized Arcadia Tavern honors its roots while embracing a new era, one where diners want more thoughtful dishes, elevated cocktails, quality ingredients, and a space that feels both neighborhood-friendly and destination-worthy. The result is a tavern that still carries that classic Arcadia charm, but with a fresh look, a more creative menu, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Below is your full breakdown of what makes this revamped local favorite worth rediscovering.

The Evolution of a Neighborhood Staple

Arcadia Tavern began with a simple goal: create a place where people could gather, relax, watch sports, and enjoy approachable, satisfying food. For years, it did exactly that. The tavern became woven into the rhythm of the neighborhood. Families came in after games. Friends met for happy hour. Regulars knew the staff by name. It was casual, comfortable, and consistent.

Over time, though, Arcadia’s food scene evolved. New restaurants appeared. Expectations shifted. Customers wanted scratch cooking, elevated comfort, creative cocktails, and modern spaces. Arcadia Tavern recognized that the community it served was ready for something more.

The renovation was not about losing identity. It was about expanding it. The reimagined space feels fresh, lively, and intentionally designed. You can sense that the tavern is stepping confidently into the next chapter of its life, honoring the past while embracing a broader culinary vision.

Today, Arcadia Tavern feels like the best version of itself. It is still the spot for game days, but also a destination for memorable meals. A place for family dinners, date-night appetizers, or casual brunches. A tavern with community roots and restaurant-level execution.

The New Look

One of the first things you notice when walking into the renovated Arcadia Tavern is how open, bright, and inviting the space feels. It strikes the perfect balance between modern polish and laid-back comfort.

Large HD screens line the walls, making the tavern a prime destination for game days. The bar feels sleek and welcoming, with enough space for groups without feeling crowded. The dining room is warm and contemporary, with a layout that encourages both intimate meals and group gatherings.

The outdoor patio is one of the highlights. Spacious, airy, and ideal for Arizona weather, it brings a relaxed energy to the entire restaurant. Whether you are catching a game, meeting friends after work, or enjoying the sunset with a drink in hand, the patio is a major selling point.

And yes, complimentary valet is a thoughtful touch. Anyone familiar with Arcadia knows parking can be a challenge. This small detail shows the new Arcadia Tavern is thinking not just about ambiance and food, but about the entire guest experience.

Sun Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a classic appetizer, but Arcadia Tavern gives them a Southwestern twist that makes them memorable. These Sun Deviled Eggs are creamy, rich, and topped with bacon and candied jalapeños, creating a perfect contrast of salty, sweet, spicy, and smoky.

The filling is smooth and balanced. The bacon adds crunch and depth. The jalapeños bring a zesty kick without overwhelming the palate. It is one of those starters that disappears quickly because it is impossible to stop at just one.

The dish sets the tone for the rest of the menu. Familiar favorites made with intention. Comfort classics elevated with simple but effective twists.

Southwest Egg Rolls

Southwest egg rolls are one of those appetizers that immediately spark curiosity. They combine everything people love about Southwestern flavors into a crispy, handheld bite. Arcadia Tavern’s version is hearty and flavorful, filled with grilled chicken, black beans, corn, pepper jack cheese, and spices.

The exterior is golden and crisp. The interior is warm, melty, and full of texture. The tomatillo salsa served on the side adds brightness and acidity, cutting through the richness and bringing the entire bite into balance.

It is the kind of appetizer that works for game days, happy hours, or casual dinners. Easy to share. Easy to love. Packed with flavor.

Taco Pizza

This is where Arcadia Tavern leans into fun, nostalgic, comfort-food-meets-game-day creativity. The Taco Pizza is part of their happy hour deal, which is already almost too good to be true: any pizza plus a bottle of wine for twenty five dollars.

The pizza itself is a playful, layered creation. A base of seasoned beef. Lettuce and pico de gallo for freshness. Melted cheese for richness. And the final touch: a crumble of Doritos that gives the pizza a surprising crunch and a hit of nostalgic flavor.

It sounds wild. It works. This is not a gimmick. It is a genuinely satisfying, joyfully constructed pizza that tastes exactly like the kind of dish a neighborhood tavern should be known for: familiar, fun, and delicious.

Steak Salad

This dish is one of the standout items on the reimagined menu. The steak salad is hearty enough to satisfy someone craving a full meal, but balanced enough to feel fresh. It is built on baby spinach, which adds a tender, leafy base. Avocado brings creaminess. Bleu cheese adds tang and richness. Bacon gives it a smoky finish.

The steak itself is cooked beautifully, seasoned well, and sliced to sit neatly over the greens. Every ingredient plays its role. The flavors complement each other without overpowering. It is a tavern salad done with true craft and one of the dishes you will likely return to again.

Thunderbird Hot Chicken Sandwich

This sandwich is an easy favorite, especially for anyone who loves heat. Crispy fried chicken is coated in Arcadia Tavern’s house hot sauce, giving it a sweet, smoky, spicy glaze that clings perfectly to the golden crunch of the chicken.

It hits all the marks of a great hot chicken sandwich: heat, texture, moisture, flavor. But here’s the detail that gives it even more heart. One dollar from every Thunderbird Hot Chicken Sandwich sold goes to charity. It is a meaningful gesture and a reminder that Arcadia Tavern is still rooted in community values.

Half Roasted Chicken

For diners wanting a more classic comfort food entree, the half roasted chicken is a must. Slow roasted until the skin becomes beautifully crisp and the meat remains juicy, this dish is pure comfort. It comes with mashed potatoes that are creamy and rich, garlic broccoli that adds brightness and texture, and a chicken jus that ties everything together with savory warmth.

It is simple, but simplicity done right. It tastes like something straight from a home kitchen, only elevated with restaurant-level technique.

Baby Back Ribs

Arcadia Tavern’s baby back ribs are slow roasted until they reach that perfect point where the meat slides effortlessly off the bone. The marinade creates a deep, smoky sweetness. The oven work ensures tenderness. The finishing glaze adds shine and flavor.

Ribs are one of those dishes that can go wrong easily if rushed or carelessly prepared. These are not rushed. These are not dry. These are not chewy. They are everything ribs should be: tender, rich, and deeply satisfying.

Bananas Foster Butter Bundt Cake

Every great meal needs a memorable ending, and Arcadia Tavern delivers with one of the best desserts on the menu: the Bananas Foster Butter Bundt Cake.

This dessert begins with a warm butter cake that is soft, moist, and aromatic. Caramelized bananas add sweetness and depth. Vanilla ice cream melts slowly over the top, creating a rich sauce that blends with the caramel and the cake.

It is decadent but not overwhelming, nostalgic but polished. It is the kind of dessert you share but secretly wish you had ordered for yourself.

Drinks and Bar Program

Arcadia Tavern is a sports bar at heart, but the drink menu shows a level of creativity and care that elevates the entire experience.

Over 40 Draft Beers

There is something for everyone here. Light beers, local craft options, IPAs, stouts, seasonal picks. The tap list changes, but the variety remains strong.

Jalapeño Business

This cocktail blends Don Julio Blanco with melon liqueur, peach liqueur, and lemon juice. It is bright, spicy, refreshing, and layered. The jalapeño heat hits gently, balanced by the sweetness of the peach and the acidity of the lemon.

Burst My Bubble

Anyone who loves a playful cocktail experience will enjoy this one. Casamigos Blanco meets coconut puree and lime juice, topped with a signature aroma bubble that bursts tableside. It is fun, flavorful, and memorable.

Happy Hour Specials

Arcadia Tavern offers one of the most appealing happy hour lineups in Arcadia.

Monday through Friday from 3pm-6pm

 Any pizza and a bottle of wine for twenty five dollars
Margarita Mondays with six dollar margaritas
Titos Tuesdays with six dollar Titos drinks
Wine Wednesdays with half off all bottles

These specials make the tavern a go-to for after-work meetups, casual dinners, or weekday gatherings.

Atmosphere and Experience

Arcadia Tavern has always been known for its friendly energy, and the renovation only enhances that. The restaurant feels lively without being chaotic. The lighting is warm. The music is upbeat but not overwhelming. The mix of families, sports fans, couples, and regulars creates a sense of community.

The staff is warm and attentive. The service is efficient. The overall vibe feels polished but never pretentious. This is still the neighborhood tavern Arcadia loves, just expanded, improved, and more intentional.

What To Order on Your First Visit

If you are coming for the first time, here is how to build the perfect introduction to Arcadia Tavern.

Start with the Sun Deviled Eggs
They set the tone for the entire menu.

Share the Southwest Egg Rolls
Crispy, hearty, and full of flavor.

Order the Taco Pizza if you come during happy hour
You will not regret it.

Try the Steak Salad or Half Roasted Chicken if you want something more classic
Both are executed beautifully.

Get the Thunderbird Hot Chicken Sandwich if you love heat
Plus, it supports charity.

Finish with the Bananas Foster Butter Bundt Cake
The perfect ending.

Pair anything with the Jalapeño Business or a cold draft beer for the full tavern experience.

Practical Details

The Original Arcadia Tavern
3950 E Indian School Rd 150, Phoenix, Arizona 85018

Great for
Game days
Happy hour
Casual dinners
Family meals
Group gatherings
Date night appetizers
Weekend hangouts
Neighborhood regulars

Final Thoughts

Arcadia Tavern has always been a staple of the Arcadia neighborhood, but this renovation marks a new era for this beloved local spot. With a refreshed look, scratch-made dishes, creative cocktails, a spacious patio, and the same welcoming spirit it has carried since 2009, Arcadia Tavern has reestablished itself as a must try destination.

Whether you are here for the game, the food, the drinks, or the atmosphere, you will feel right at home. The comfort food is polished and flavorful. The drinks are creative and balanced. The desserts are indulgent. The service feels personal. And the entire space feels like a vibrant, renewed part of the neighborhood.

If you have not visited since the remodel or have never experienced this Arcadia staple at all, you have to try The Original Arcadia Tavern.