Scottsdale has no shortage of places to eat. But few names have done more to shape what dining looks and feels like in this city than Sam Fox and his Fox Restaurant Concepts. From a bold leap made with college tuition money at age 21 to a restaurant group running more than 90 locations nationwide, Fox has spent over two decades building something that goes well beyond just good food.
And right now, Scottsdale is getting a front-row seat to what comes next.
A Scottsdale Story Built From Scratch
Sam Fox did not attend culinary school. He came from his parents’ Tucson diner, where he absorbed the rhythm of hospitality early. When he left college and used his tuition money to open his first restaurant, most people expected him to fail fast. He did not.
Fox Restaurant Concepts was founded in 1998 and has since grown into one of Arizona’s most recognized homegrown restaurant empires, with concepts beloved by locals and visitors alike. Scottsdale has always been central to that story.
What’s Already Open in Scottsdale
Fox Restaurant Concepts runs several Scottsdale locations, each built with its own distinct personality:
- Society Swan at Scottsdale Fashion Square (7014 E. Camelback Rd.): Fox’s newest concept and his first original full-service restaurant in six years. An American brasserie with East Coast and Parisian influences, two levels, a champagne lunch menu, and a $10 happy hour martini menu on weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. Standout bites include fresh fig tartlets, roasted garlic custard, sushi rolls, and filet mignon. The name and design draw from the 1960s and ’70s New York socialites known as “The Swans” and the man-made Swan Island in the Seine River in Paris.
- Culinary Dropout: The Old Town Scottsdale original that started it all for this fun gastropub concept. Famous for pretzel balls with provolone fondue, a sprawling outdoor yard with lawn games, and live music.
- Olive & Ivy: A Mediterranean bistro at the Scottsdale Waterfront with a patio that earns its reputation on warm desert evenings.
- Flower Child: A health-forward concept that fits right in with Scottsdale’s wellness culture. Fresh, globally inspired, and feel-good from top to bottom.
- North Italia: A lively, modern Italian concept with a happy hour that keeps regulars coming back (half-off wine bottles, 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays and all day Sunday).
Coming This Month: The Henry North Scottsdale
Here is the big news for anyone paying attention to Scottsdale’s dining scene right now.
The Henry, Fox’s self-proclaimed “greatest neighborhood restaurant,” is opening its first-ever North Scottsdale location on March 18, 2026, just one week away. Reservations are already open.
Address: 7000 E. Mayo Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85054 (Southwest corner of Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 101 shopping center)
This is a brand-new, ground-up build of a 7,000-square-foot space that replaced a former Denny’s site. Here is what to expect:
- A statement fireplace on the front patio that anchors the space from the street
- An interior courtyard built for seamless indoor-outdoor dining
- A walk-up coffee bar for fast-casual mornings with house-made pastries
- Deep green accents, marble-topped tables, and leather banquettes throughout
- Live music on opening day and every weekend brunch after that
Plan Your Visit This Week
With The Henry North Scottsdale opening March 18, right around the corner from where you are reading this, now is a good time to grab a reservation before opening-week crowds fill up. Or head to Society Swan at Scottsdale Fashion Square any weekday between 3 and 6 p.m. for that $10 martini and a few small plates. Either way, there is no bad starting point in the Sam Fox playbook.
Curious about other Scottsdale businesses worth your time? Browse the full Local Business Wednesday series at Optimal Living AZ for more community spotlights just like this one.
Sources: foxrc.com, scottsdale.com, ktar.com, phoenixmag.com, azbigmedia.com, abc15.com, hoodline.com, arizonafoothillsmagazine.com, whatnow.com
Header Image Source: scottsdale.com
