On almost any day I can stop by Risky Business, a local bar and restaurant, and relax with some tasty beer and very good food. Most of the items on the menu will please you but a few stand out. Their soups a well seasoned and consistent. The burgers are, in my humble opinion, the best in town. Yes, i said it, they are big, tasty and the meat they use is always fresh. I have tried most items on the menu and there is usually something for everyone. Ok, now for the best part of any local place..... the people are great. There is always something happening but you will also find nice quite nights where you can relax with a cold one and chit-chat with your bar keep. Customers in the bar are also pretty friendly and you may even meet a neighbor you didn't know you had. Tucson is usually 4 degrees of separation from everything. I do recommend the "Wisky Wings". delicious and a great deal during happy hour.
(4)
Tam T.
Was in town for the weekend and wanted to catch the playoffs. Yelped a sports bar and this place came up. It was close to the resort and had decent yelp reviews. Didn't expect too much from a bar. Wanted a good beer,burger, and a TV. What I got was a beer that came out 20 minutes after ordering, the worst burger I have EVER eaten, and old ass tvs that weren't HD. My bar was set pretty low and this place still didn't come close to hitting it. This place was like one of those places you see on the show 'Bar Rescue'. Calamari heavily breaded and over cooked. Extremely chewy. Red sauce that it came with was good though. Burger was all wrong. Bun was soggy, bacon was tough, meat wasn't seasoned what so ever. Sweet potato fries were limp and greasy. How do you mess up sweet potato fries? Carrot cake was dry as hell. Service staff, I like to describe as honey badgers. They just don't give a sh#@!
(1)
Tito G.
Last night we went here for dinner. Lot's of menu items to choose from and settled on the blacken chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries. GREAT MEAL. I read some very negative reviews, but didn't have any of those experiences.
(5)
Wendy S.
We went here for drinks after our dinner at a nearby Mexican restaurant. The service was very slow. It was difficult to find the waitress and get her attention. She apologized for her slowness and explained that she was swamped with orders from a big party that just came in.
(3)
Hatifa E.
Surprisingly this place was so yummy!! At first, we were skeptical about its appearance when we walked in. The appetizers were ok. But the food were all so good! Our group had the burgers- all so good that it melt in your mouth and didn't feel so big; salmon with bourbon was also a surprise of deliciousness; and fish tacos were also good. Very satisfying meal!!
(5)
Brad S.
Good food, cold beer and excellent bartenders/waitresses. Plenty of tv's and very accommodating to watch whatever game you would like on one of them. Turkey burger is excellent and the hummus plates are great apps.
(4)
Al R.
Update. About a year after previous review, I was convinced to come back to Risky's and in a few visits, I fell in love with the place. The staff and management are much improved and are customer orientated since my 2011 review. We spent 3-4 nights a week there while we remodeled our kitchen (that took almost 3 months).
(4)
Rick B.
Been here a few times now, no significant changes, other than the wait staff. Party of 16 this time, only a couple of errors with the whole party. Bar seems to be under stocked, as they didn't have all the ingredients for margaritas. Food was quite tasty, as there were several special requests for different dietary limitations. Was nice to see the ability to cook a steak without the seasoning added. Flavor of the beef was really great without the salty seasoning! Really applaud the chef for an enjoyable meal! Waitress really tried hard to keep orders straight when delivered to the tables, having extra staff helping her bring several orders at the same time.
(4)
Kevin L.
After seeing their menu online I was quite impressed and decided to give it a try. First impression walking in: everyone who works here looks miserable, tired, and defeated. A good word to describe it would be "arrugh". The hostess pretty much just dropped the menus on the table. I don't really blame them given the fact that whoever designed this place had one thing in mind: give you a giant migraine. It is a cacophony of random ugly colors and poorly designed lighting that could induce a seizure. onto the food. every dish with protein in it was DRY DRY DRY = microwaved reheat/thaw because it was uneven and definitely not made to order. I can only imagine what a nighmare the kitchen must look like. presentation was repulsive, I can pretty much find some chicken or ribs at the Albertsons deli area, microwave it and slap it on a place, you wouldn't know the difference. nothing looked appetizing. I was going to get some dessert but I am certain that given the quality of food it'd be best to avoid the dessert. I'm not comparing this to well run bar restaurants like Gordon Biersch / Yard house, but this is worse than Applebees on a bad day. This restaurant carries a lot of potential but it is poorly managed and the menu poorly executed.
(2)
Bryan B.
Stopped in here on a Sunday afternoon for some happy hour appetizers and drinks. The food was pretty standard...and they served cold beer so that was a plus. We decided to give it another go a few nights later for dinner and had a great time. Clarissa was our server and she kicked ass. We ordered a couple rounds of shots, beers and food items. The chicken wings were definitely 5 stars along with the buffalo chicken sandwich. Way to go Risky Business!
(4)
Brandi M.
Much better set up than the old one on craycroft. I sat at the bar and the bartenders were very attentive. Good place to go to relax and have a few drinks. P.S. The jalapeño hummus is a must!
(4)
Adam F.
It had been a while since I've gone but a group decided last week to get dinner here. The service was friendly and the manager or general manager could be seen talking to regulars and others. What I was able to try: The shrimp salad, the Caesar salad, and the Taco salad. Each one was beyond plentiful. For a place not meant to be known for their salads, they clearly made them fresh and had flavorful additions. The one that was my dish (the shrimp) was loaded with avocado and it was great! The presentations on them can be a little better, but that doesn't make the end of the world or anything. The roasted tomato and garlic soup was great to a long with them. Breadsticks were pretty good but could have been just a bit warmer. I can't comment on the fried food because, well I admit I avoid it. With that I say if you want to get a huge fresh salad in the Foothills, come here and get one. Just don't come everyday as they can get pricy. Get a booth if you decide to go. The chairs were pretty uncomfortable. This remains a decent place to watch sports. TVs are throughout the restaurant and bar. Unlike places similar to this, Risky Business has a great deal of separation between the two. It's kind of nice but still can get a little noisy.
(4)
Griffin V.
Cool place to hang for a late snack. Went on a Wednesday night by myself because everything else was closed or empty. It was bustling and service was good.
(4)
Nolan A.
Have eaten here many times and have always enjoyed myself. The bar staff is awesome and they are very friendly. I sometimes have to wait a little while before I get a drink refill if I am sitting outside on the patio, but that is the only complaint that I have. Every worker is very kind. I have never seen anybody getting out of hand at the bar. Risky's does a good job of cutting people off, as I have witnessed them having to do it on a couple occasions. They will even call people a cab if need be. Will always be a loyal customer.
(5)
Jill S.
This is what every normal American restaurant should be. Generous portions, varied options, tons of choices, and flexibility with substitutions. As a college student, I used to work at a RB here in Tucson and it's the ONLY restaurant where I've worked and will still eat. All of the dressings are made from scratch, as are the soups and salads. The food is a little on the pricier side, but it's such a huge step in quality above any other restaurant that tries to cater to the general American public that I'm willing to pay an extra two or three bucks for food that wasn't premade and frozen for months before being microwaved. The service isn't always amazing, but it's never horrible. The only disappointments I've had have been on take-out orders.
(4)
Cake A.
A little good service can go a long way. It's been getting worse over the last few months. Caution.
(1)
Lexa M.
I stopped by for a business lunch, and the meal was nice, but lacking. I ordered the Prime Rib Au jus (I think that was what they called it). I wanted onion rings so I asked if they were breaded or battered. The waitress said she didn't know, they just throw them in frozen. Turned out they were beer-battered. Good news is they are still tasty and thick cut, even if they don't make them themselves. The side salad that I added with the meal was bagged salad similar to Fresh Express (You know, iceberg, carrot and purple cabbage.) and nothing tasted original or any different than I can get at many fast food restaurants. Strawberry Lemonade had real strawberries added in for an additional Fifty cents, but every refill will cost another .50. It's a bar/grill so it was pub food. Only for 15 dollars without drinks I would have liked to know someone had taken a little effort. Staff was nice, but really slow to getting to us. We were first told to seat ourselves, then stopped half way by another waiter to show us a table, then a third waitress made a table for us. I don't know if they were vying for the tip, but I do know the experience overall does not make me want to rush back anytime soon.
(2)
Tim B.
Great tasting wings, BBQ Chicken Pizza, & Sam Adams Cold Snap on tap. Would recommend this bar for beer, food, & sports on TV.
(5)
Michael N.
Great atmosphere, food and service, especially for the E. side of Tucson. Wait Staff try hard and the beer tenders pour a "healthy" drink. One of my go to's for Fri night Prime Ribs. Sit at the bar and watch the Cats consistantly POUND the Sundevils.
(5)
Rachel R.
It's generally a good family restaurant but the service is hit to miss. I used to work here in high school and loved it bit it seems to have gone a little downhill
(3)
William L.
One of my best friends used to live in Oro valley and every time I was in town we would stop by this location for some Micro-Beers and good eats. The coconut shrimp where the best I have eaten ... ever. Sadly, this location no longer exists and my friend has since moved back to Wisconsin. Last Saturday we decided to take a trip down highway 79 down to Tucson to take in the cactus bloom and some awesome coconut shrimp. Unfortunately we didn't find either one. (Try again in a couple of weeks) When we arrived in Tucson we decided to try all 3 remaining Risky Business Bar & Restaurant's to see which one we like the best. Strangely they are all within 6 miles of each other, Siri made it easy to find them on my iPhone. The Tanque Verde one has the smallest bar and is more family oriented. The other two locations have these large 'oddly shaped' circular/triagular bars with totally separate dining rooms. I like that! The Sunrise place is up the hill and the Broadway location is down the hill ... I roll either way. We ate and drank our way from early happy hour, though late happy hour, visiting all 3 locations. While we enjoyed them all, we found the bartenders and clientele more personable at the the Sunrise location. (At least on this given Saturday night) While the coconut shrimp weren't as killer as the old Oro location, they're still as good as it gets in Arizona. The overall food at all 3 Risky Business is way above Sports Bar standards with surpassingly eccentric selections. (Check their website) Indeed these Bar and Restaurant's offer a really nice mix of fine casual dining, meets sports bar, meets neighborhood. A very rare combination of things done right. Risky Business ... i don't think so ... When you open your first location up in the Phoenix area, I'll be the first in line. You Tucsonite's should consider yourselves lucky. If you find yourself in the Tucson area you owe it to yourself to stop by for a visit. We'll be back!
(4)
Terry B.
The Potato Skins are the best! Great sports atmosphere. We actually watched the ASU vs U of A game here and wore our ASU attire! Nice clientele and friendly staff.
(4)
Abhishek N.
Good choices in menu even for the vegetarians. I ate the Greek salad and bruschetta and my wide ordered the veggie garden burger and Mac n cheese for the kid. The taste and the ambience were good. Due to lack of near by alternatives around the ventana canyon this restaurant was refreshing. (They probably forgot to give the kids drink with the kids meal and we didn't ask for it again). Want to note that the bruschetta bread was incredibly soft.
(4)
Maureen R.
The Abbey across the street was jam packed so we lowered our standards and went to Risky Business. I knew we were in trouble when the menus smelled like sour dish rags. My daughter chose the place so I went along to get along. The food was tasty. I had the prime rib dip and fries. A few hours later and I'm now paying for the meal with some gastrointestinal distress to put it delicately. Not good my friend.
(1)
Fred M.
This is an ok, but relatively small sports bar. The restaurant side is pretty large, but the bar part is tiny. Food here is pretty expensive, even for happy hour which is $6 appetizers... not much of a discount. Service is always nice.
(3)
Missy K.
So the very first time I went to Risky's was a date gone TERRIBLY wrong. I had a very sour taste in my mouth from that point on... Until... Risky's was redeemed when I came back with some friends after a soccer game, for drinks and apps. The service was friendly and the food was good. The fact that this is a locally owned business is a reason I keep coming back. I appreciate that when things aren't right they have done their best to fix them. There is a great mix of foods on the menu, good happy hours. Plenty of space and lots of TVs for sports viewing!! My favorites from the menu: WINGS WINGS WINGS!!! Big wings with lots of meat on the bones. The Seared Salmon salad is my favorite and I always get it Blackened. Its a HUGE salad with plenty of pieces of salmon, candied walnuts, tomatoes, bacon, and blue cheese crumble on a bed of fresh spinach and a light vinaigrette! So good! The mussels- do get them they are great! The bar is a bar- they carry everything but nothing too special. Tuesdays Kids eat free with purchase of an adult meal. They have specials every night of the week- but I don't remember all of them to list them. I will post them next time I'm there.
(4)
Robert H.
Daily Specials (usually on drinks) but Tuesday is Kids eat Free. My wife ordered Lasagna and liked it. Large order so took home half. I did not care for the flavor. I had the original Burger. Good flavor and 1/2#. Took half home. Fries were seasoned and good. Waiter was really nice, even tho we only drank water. Tipped almost 30% because of his positive attitude. Bar looked like a better area to eat in then the restaurant. Brighter and lighter. Prices were very reasonable. We will return.
(3)
Caleb T.
When i come in here I order the chicken Caesar salad or the kids mac n cheese. Both are dynamite! Highly recommend it. The bar scene is always popping off and happy hour is just wight. The whiskey wings are where it's at also.
(5)
Susan C.
I've eaten at Riskys before, although not this location. I could say the food was good, and the service was fast. The nachos looked great, although I didn't try them. I had a salad, the ingredients were fresh, the dressing was good. The only thing I would say was I felt like the bathrooms could have been cleaner. All in all it was a fun time, good food and a nice atmosphere. I think the prices are really good too.
(3)
V K.
Food was very good but service was marginal and they were not busy but I looked at a dirty table the whole hour I was there
(4)
Cain D.
Salmon Caesar salad was delicious and reasonably priced, service was fast, and the blueberry basil lemonade tasted like cough syrup. I would go back for the salad and the regular lemonade is really good.
(4)
Brian H.
Full disclosure, a relative of mine worked here, so I've eaten at Risky Business on numerous occasions, but I think I've had ample opportunity to fully assess this place... A relic of the recent fin-de-siècle, Risky's is an aptly named revamp of the failed "Ventana Grill," a midpriced American that never quite took flight after two attempts in the mid-90s. The new concept seems to have stuck: a family-oriented (in the daytime at least) sports bar, which embodies all of the hedonistic virtues of that prosperous era... a wide-ranging menu (salads to ribs to pizza to burgers to seafood to pasta to steak) that is wide in palate (asian, italian, southwest, mexican and cajun influences), carb heavy (the so-called "angry" mashed potates), and heaping in portion. Desserts are monstrous and unabashedly decadent. I was never truly impressed with the cooking; it seemed to try to please too many people at once, and never really scored well at anything in particular. Often they went a little haywire with the jerk seasoning, which always hurt on the way out. Particularly in these lean, recession hit days, where such extravagance seems out of fashion, it's surprising to note how little has changed at Risky's...even the loud fire-engine-red decor and staff attire (cargo shorts, ankle socks, running shoes) seems dated. The bar really seems to be the primary attraction here...well stocked, with TVs at every angle, and filled with regulars: Air Force types, guests from the resort up the road. But if you truly like that gluttonous, stone in your gut feeling after you eat, don't let me stop you from going here!
(2)
Scott Z.
Food was mostly decent but service was not. Daughter's nachos were gross. Waitress slow and never checks up on us. Manager knows nothing about customer service and has lost our family business for ever. They offer kids eat free on Tuesday night. My kids got their orders, and I ordered a burger with extras. My wife just wanted a burger. Waitress told us Tuesday night is Kids Eat Free. When the check came they only took off one kid's meal. I asked why.. I was told I had to talk to the manager. He took his time (about 10 min. for me to wait). He then said you have to spend $10 on a meal to get the kid's meal. My burger was $9.95. I said I would have been happy to order a drink had I known. He said it wouldn't of mattered because the meal has to be over $10. There was no print material nor mention of this rule by the waitress who knew I asked about the kids' eat free. The manager was an absolute jerk in his response and attitude. I was friendly throughout until he shared an attitude. I refuse to do business with an establishment who has a disrespectful and uncaring manager. This is not about cost, but principal. There are too many other good restaurant options who care about the service and quality they provide, I recommend you go to other options instead of Risky Business.
(1)
Lala M.
Decent happy hour (twice a day, which is always a good thing).. Cheap appetizers during happy hour... plus different daily specials everyday. Food is alright, nothing spectacular but always tastes better than I expect from a sportsbar called Risky Business.... :D
(3)
Susan P.
This would actually be a 3.5 star for us, if Yelp allowed it! We wanted a light lunch and ended up ordering the mussels off the appetizer menu and a cup of french onion soup each. The soup was okay, not bad but not the best. The thing that had us raving were the mussels. Garlicky but with a little sweetness from the honey in the broth. Served with a loaf of delectable bread and butter for dipping in the broth. We plowed through our first batch and decided to order round two. Didn't expect to have wonderful mussels like those and so we were pleasantly surprised. If we go back the next time we are in Tucson, I'll just have to remember to order something better to drink than the overly sweet lemonade. Our server was very nice and brought me a whole plate of lemon wedges when I asked so I could "tart up" my drink. I have to agree with one reviewer about the menus...they were sticky and could use a good scrubbing. The same with the little stand they put the drink and daily specials on. I wanted to wash up after touching these things. I was a Risky Business fan when I lived in Tucson but I don't know if I'd recommend this place to friends now based on the cleanliness issue.
(3)
Eric B.
On a trip to Tucson, I stopped for dinner at Risky Business on my way to the hotel. It's a fair sport bar with a quite large restaurant zone beside. You can sit outside as well if you like the view on the parking lot. I prefer staying at the bar. The atmosphere was not very hot, only little attendance at 9pm. Good selection of beers, good variety on the menu. The entries are a bit pricy but they are quite big, so if you have a little hunger it's sufficient. I took a burger, got it quite rapidly and it was good. I decided to take a creme brulee for dessert. It was fair, the creme not cooked enough and the crunchy suger too thick. On the next day, I stopped again to check the atmosphere as I was a bit earlier. This place seems really for earlier birds (although it closes at 1am). Much more groud. Stayed again at the bar, took a nachos plate HUGE! and Mahi Mahi Tacos EXCELLENT! Again the service was pleasant and fast. I'm not a fan but the place is good. Just a bit more clean would make it more attrative.
(3)
Jim H.
This is one of our favorite places to eat. My wife and I are very health minded, but like to treat our selves once in a while. Riskys always accomodates our request to split a burger and fries. The food tastes great, the servers are right on top of your needs, and the beer is cold.
(5)
Anne J.
You'll find us at Risky's at 5:30pm on Friday or Saturday with the kiddos - it's all families and Early Bird Specials. Not sure why they painted over the nifty reptile on the HVAC ducts, but they have the huge screen and the other screens and the big fat salads. Kids can be noisy and nobody cares, the beer selection is decent, and the patio is not fancy but does the job. Service is usually pretty good. It's a solid, reliable favorite dinner spot for us.
(4)
Dan N.
Consistently good -- casual, very good with kids, wide selection of yummy food, lots of TVs for those into sports. When we want a good sit-down restaurant close to our house, this is often our choice.
(4)
Brian H.
Always great food and service in a fun relaxing atmosphere.
(5)
Jeff V.
I love this place! Really good food which I honestly didn't expect. I'm a pescatarian (fish only, no meat) and all their fish is wild caught! That's unusual for a bar/restaurant. Also, Debi the bartender is the best! Always happy, upbeat and remembers your usual order. Highly recommend this place!
(5)
Christine F.
Risky Business is so outrageous....I can't believe the food...Their .Roasted Tomato And Garlic soup is to die for and the Split Pea With Ham WOW. I am sitting at home eating their Chicken finger leftovers from last night and WOW! I love this place. Every ounce of food they make is so delicious that I wanna eat there every night. No more food shopping for me cause I'm gonna at here every day/night, etc. Oh and did I mention the Margarita's....Mmmm mmmm m! One thing I would like but this goes for all restaurant/bars are hooks for the ladies pocketbooks under the bar and cell outlets under there too cause I hate when my cell is dead and I have to go home :{
(5)
Jeff And Lori A.
Great atmosphere plenty of TV's and great Bartenders. The food is good and well priced.
(5)
S B.
Great local sport's bar. I don't understand the negative reviews. We go usually for lunch about twice a month. Great for kids, We have a three month old and there's plenty of room for her car seat. I can't comment on the big entrees or seafood but would recommend sticking to food that fits the type of establishment. Beer, burgers, sandwiches, big salads are all excellent. Seems very reasonably priced to me. No more expensive than some applebees / chain place. Very local for us so that helps.
(5)
Vanessa R.
best chicken fingets ever, i know i know chicken fingers but when you have a 9yr old who won't eat anything but chicken thid is a big deal...
(4)
Brooke R.
The first time I came here I fell in love. The second time I fell out of love. It's a great place, but I got tired of the menu after my second visit. They have amazing fries here.
(3)
Balki B.
LOL. No, seriously guys.
(1)
Leslie L.
Went here for the 4th of July and there was a COCKAROACH leg on one of the plates they brought out, it was disgusting. It used to be good but last night it was just gross, the place has definitely gone to the dumps.
(1)
Jack E.
Great menu with many tempting options. Great beer selections also. The four separate patrons each raved about their dinners. Service quite good. Food treated with great respect.
(5)
Brian M.
It's kind of a dive bar with decent food, good drinks, big TV's and a friendly staff. I go here when there's a game on or we are in a bit of a rush. It's solid just not outstanding.
(3)
Laura B.
Eh. Not great. Not terrible. Didn't leave much of an impression at all. Drinks are okay. Food is okay. Bartenders are kind of douchey and a little too cool for school.
(2)
D. H.
I'm glad we discovered this place on a recent trip to Tucson. The menu has a lot of variety and prices are moderate. Portions are generous and I felt it was a good value for the money. The burgers are awesome, I would ask for the fries to be extra crispy next time. All the sandwiches looked really good that I saw going to tables near us. Everything was clean and the service was good. I'll go back next time I'm in town.
(4)
Georgia R.
You know what makes me happy? Happy hour. And Risky Business has a mighty fine one. It's something like $1-2 off their drinks- which aren't pricey to begin with and you get good discounts on their tasty apps, including the spinach artichoke dip, shrimp, onion rings, fries and nachos. Perfect bar food. All in all, I think Risky Business is a pretty fun bar/restaurant I like to go to when I'm down in the Tucson way. The atmosphere is lively and the bar seems to be filled with quite a few regulars. That or the bartender has an amazing memory. The prices are very reasonable too!
(4)
NJ- A.
Always a good stand by place for us. Friendly, food is OK, depending on what you order. Stay far away from the Pasta or Pizza...but I love the crab cakes!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon, Sat, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Gary B.
On almost any day I can stop by Risky Business, a local bar and restaurant, and relax with some tasty beer and very good food. Most of the items on the menu will please you but a few stand out. Their soups a well seasoned and consistent. The burgers are, in my humble opinion, the best in town. Yes, i said it, they are big, tasty and the meat they use is always fresh. I have tried most items on the menu and there is usually something for everyone. Ok, now for the best part of any local place..... the people are great. There is always something happening but you will also find nice quite nights where you can relax with a cold one and chit-chat with your bar keep. Customers in the bar are also pretty friendly and you may even meet a neighbor you didn't know you had. Tucson is usually 4 degrees of separation from everything. I do recommend the "Wisky Wings". delicious and a great deal during happy hour.
(4)Tam T.
Was in town for the weekend and wanted to catch the playoffs. Yelped a sports bar and this place came up. It was close to the resort and had decent yelp reviews. Didn't expect too much from a bar. Wanted a good beer,burger, and a TV. What I got was a beer that came out 20 minutes after ordering, the worst burger I have EVER eaten, and old ass tvs that weren't HD. My bar was set pretty low and this place still didn't come close to hitting it. This place was like one of those places you see on the show 'Bar Rescue'. Calamari heavily breaded and over cooked. Extremely chewy. Red sauce that it came with was good though. Burger was all wrong. Bun was soggy, bacon was tough, meat wasn't seasoned what so ever. Sweet potato fries were limp and greasy. How do you mess up sweet potato fries? Carrot cake was dry as hell. Service staff, I like to describe as honey badgers. They just don't give a sh#@!
(1)Tito G.
Last night we went here for dinner. Lot's of menu items to choose from and settled on the blacken chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries. GREAT MEAL. I read some very negative reviews, but didn't have any of those experiences.
(5)Wendy S.
We went here for drinks after our dinner at a nearby Mexican restaurant. The service was very slow. It was difficult to find the waitress and get her attention. She apologized for her slowness and explained that she was swamped with orders from a big party that just came in.
(3)Hatifa E.
Surprisingly this place was so yummy!! At first, we were skeptical about its appearance when we walked in. The appetizers were ok. But the food were all so good! Our group had the burgers- all so good that it melt in your mouth and didn't feel so big; salmon with bourbon was also a surprise of deliciousness; and fish tacos were also good. Very satisfying meal!!
(5)Brad S.
Good food, cold beer and excellent bartenders/waitresses. Plenty of tv's and very accommodating to watch whatever game you would like on one of them. Turkey burger is excellent and the hummus plates are great apps.
(4)Al R.
Update. About a year after previous review, I was convinced to come back to Risky's and in a few visits, I fell in love with the place. The staff and management are much improved and are customer orientated since my 2011 review. We spent 3-4 nights a week there while we remodeled our kitchen (that took almost 3 months).
(4)Rick B.
Been here a few times now, no significant changes, other than the wait staff. Party of 16 this time, only a couple of errors with the whole party. Bar seems to be under stocked, as they didn't have all the ingredients for margaritas. Food was quite tasty, as there were several special requests for different dietary limitations. Was nice to see the ability to cook a steak without the seasoning added. Flavor of the beef was really great without the salty seasoning! Really applaud the chef for an enjoyable meal! Waitress really tried hard to keep orders straight when delivered to the tables, having extra staff helping her bring several orders at the same time.
(4)Kevin L.
After seeing their menu online I was quite impressed and decided to give it a try. First impression walking in: everyone who works here looks miserable, tired, and defeated. A good word to describe it would be "arrugh". The hostess pretty much just dropped the menus on the table. I don't really blame them given the fact that whoever designed this place had one thing in mind: give you a giant migraine. It is a cacophony of random ugly colors and poorly designed lighting that could induce a seizure. onto the food. every dish with protein in it was DRY DRY DRY = microwaved reheat/thaw because it was uneven and definitely not made to order. I can only imagine what a nighmare the kitchen must look like. presentation was repulsive, I can pretty much find some chicken or ribs at the Albertsons deli area, microwave it and slap it on a place, you wouldn't know the difference. nothing looked appetizing. I was going to get some dessert but I am certain that given the quality of food it'd be best to avoid the dessert. I'm not comparing this to well run bar restaurants like Gordon Biersch / Yard house, but this is worse than Applebees on a bad day. This restaurant carries a lot of potential but it is poorly managed and the menu poorly executed.
(2)Bryan B.
Stopped in here on a Sunday afternoon for some happy hour appetizers and drinks. The food was pretty standard...and they served cold beer so that was a plus. We decided to give it another go a few nights later for dinner and had a great time. Clarissa was our server and she kicked ass. We ordered a couple rounds of shots, beers and food items. The chicken wings were definitely 5 stars along with the buffalo chicken sandwich. Way to go Risky Business!
(4)Brandi M.
Much better set up than the old one on craycroft. I sat at the bar and the bartenders were very attentive. Good place to go to relax and have a few drinks. P.S. The jalapeño hummus is a must!
(4)Adam F.
It had been a while since I've gone but a group decided last week to get dinner here. The service was friendly and the manager or general manager could be seen talking to regulars and others. What I was able to try: The shrimp salad, the Caesar salad, and the Taco salad. Each one was beyond plentiful. For a place not meant to be known for their salads, they clearly made them fresh and had flavorful additions. The one that was my dish (the shrimp) was loaded with avocado and it was great! The presentations on them can be a little better, but that doesn't make the end of the world or anything. The roasted tomato and garlic soup was great to a long with them. Breadsticks were pretty good but could have been just a bit warmer. I can't comment on the fried food because, well I admit I avoid it. With that I say if you want to get a huge fresh salad in the Foothills, come here and get one. Just don't come everyday as they can get pricy. Get a booth if you decide to go. The chairs were pretty uncomfortable. This remains a decent place to watch sports. TVs are throughout the restaurant and bar. Unlike places similar to this, Risky Business has a great deal of separation between the two. It's kind of nice but still can get a little noisy.
(4)Griffin V.
Cool place to hang for a late snack. Went on a Wednesday night by myself because everything else was closed or empty. It was bustling and service was good.
(4)Nolan A.
Have eaten here many times and have always enjoyed myself. The bar staff is awesome and they are very friendly. I sometimes have to wait a little while before I get a drink refill if I am sitting outside on the patio, but that is the only complaint that I have. Every worker is very kind. I have never seen anybody getting out of hand at the bar. Risky's does a good job of cutting people off, as I have witnessed them having to do it on a couple occasions. They will even call people a cab if need be. Will always be a loyal customer.
(5)Jill S.
This is what every normal American restaurant should be. Generous portions, varied options, tons of choices, and flexibility with substitutions. As a college student, I used to work at a RB here in Tucson and it's the ONLY restaurant where I've worked and will still eat. All of the dressings are made from scratch, as are the soups and salads. The food is a little on the pricier side, but it's such a huge step in quality above any other restaurant that tries to cater to the general American public that I'm willing to pay an extra two or three bucks for food that wasn't premade and frozen for months before being microwaved. The service isn't always amazing, but it's never horrible. The only disappointments I've had have been on take-out orders.
(4)Cake A.
A little good service can go a long way. It's been getting worse over the last few months. Caution.
(1)Lexa M.
I stopped by for a business lunch, and the meal was nice, but lacking. I ordered the Prime Rib Au jus (I think that was what they called it). I wanted onion rings so I asked if they were breaded or battered. The waitress said she didn't know, they just throw them in frozen. Turned out they were beer-battered. Good news is they are still tasty and thick cut, even if they don't make them themselves. The side salad that I added with the meal was bagged salad similar to Fresh Express (You know, iceberg, carrot and purple cabbage.) and nothing tasted original or any different than I can get at many fast food restaurants. Strawberry Lemonade had real strawberries added in for an additional Fifty cents, but every refill will cost another .50. It's a bar/grill so it was pub food. Only for 15 dollars without drinks I would have liked to know someone had taken a little effort. Staff was nice, but really slow to getting to us. We were first told to seat ourselves, then stopped half way by another waiter to show us a table, then a third waitress made a table for us. I don't know if they were vying for the tip, but I do know the experience overall does not make me want to rush back anytime soon.
(2)Tim B.
Great tasting wings, BBQ Chicken Pizza, & Sam Adams Cold Snap on tap. Would recommend this bar for beer, food, & sports on TV.
(5)Michael N.
Great atmosphere, food and service, especially for the E. side of Tucson. Wait Staff try hard and the beer tenders pour a "healthy" drink. One of my go to's for Fri night Prime Ribs. Sit at the bar and watch the Cats consistantly POUND the Sundevils.
(5)Rachel R.
It's generally a good family restaurant but the service is hit to miss. I used to work here in high school and loved it bit it seems to have gone a little downhill
(3)William L.
One of my best friends used to live in Oro valley and every time I was in town we would stop by this location for some Micro-Beers and good eats. The coconut shrimp where the best I have eaten ... ever. Sadly, this location no longer exists and my friend has since moved back to Wisconsin. Last Saturday we decided to take a trip down highway 79 down to Tucson to take in the cactus bloom and some awesome coconut shrimp. Unfortunately we didn't find either one. (Try again in a couple of weeks) When we arrived in Tucson we decided to try all 3 remaining Risky Business Bar & Restaurant's to see which one we like the best. Strangely they are all within 6 miles of each other, Siri made it easy to find them on my iPhone. The Tanque Verde one has the smallest bar and is more family oriented. The other two locations have these large 'oddly shaped' circular/triagular bars with totally separate dining rooms. I like that! The Sunrise place is up the hill and the Broadway location is down the hill ... I roll either way. We ate and drank our way from early happy hour, though late happy hour, visiting all 3 locations. While we enjoyed them all, we found the bartenders and clientele more personable at the the Sunrise location. (At least on this given Saturday night) While the coconut shrimp weren't as killer as the old Oro location, they're still as good as it gets in Arizona. The overall food at all 3 Risky Business is way above Sports Bar standards with surpassingly eccentric selections. (Check their website) Indeed these Bar and Restaurant's offer a really nice mix of fine casual dining, meets sports bar, meets neighborhood. A very rare combination of things done right. Risky Business ... i don't think so ... When you open your first location up in the Phoenix area, I'll be the first in line. You Tucsonite's should consider yourselves lucky. If you find yourself in the Tucson area you owe it to yourself to stop by for a visit. We'll be back!
(4)Terry B.
The Potato Skins are the best! Great sports atmosphere. We actually watched the ASU vs U of A game here and wore our ASU attire! Nice clientele and friendly staff.
(4)Abhishek N.
Good choices in menu even for the vegetarians. I ate the Greek salad and bruschetta and my wide ordered the veggie garden burger and Mac n cheese for the kid. The taste and the ambience were good. Due to lack of near by alternatives around the ventana canyon this restaurant was refreshing. (They probably forgot to give the kids drink with the kids meal and we didn't ask for it again). Want to note that the bruschetta bread was incredibly soft.
(4)Maureen R.
The Abbey across the street was jam packed so we lowered our standards and went to Risky Business. I knew we were in trouble when the menus smelled like sour dish rags. My daughter chose the place so I went along to get along. The food was tasty. I had the prime rib dip and fries. A few hours later and I'm now paying for the meal with some gastrointestinal distress to put it delicately. Not good my friend.
(1)Fred M.
This is an ok, but relatively small sports bar. The restaurant side is pretty large, but the bar part is tiny. Food here is pretty expensive, even for happy hour which is $6 appetizers... not much of a discount. Service is always nice.
(3)Missy K.
So the very first time I went to Risky's was a date gone TERRIBLY wrong. I had a very sour taste in my mouth from that point on... Until... Risky's was redeemed when I came back with some friends after a soccer game, for drinks and apps. The service was friendly and the food was good. The fact that this is a locally owned business is a reason I keep coming back. I appreciate that when things aren't right they have done their best to fix them. There is a great mix of foods on the menu, good happy hours. Plenty of space and lots of TVs for sports viewing!! My favorites from the menu: WINGS WINGS WINGS!!! Big wings with lots of meat on the bones. The Seared Salmon salad is my favorite and I always get it Blackened. Its a HUGE salad with plenty of pieces of salmon, candied walnuts, tomatoes, bacon, and blue cheese crumble on a bed of fresh spinach and a light vinaigrette! So good! The mussels- do get them they are great! The bar is a bar- they carry everything but nothing too special. Tuesdays Kids eat free with purchase of an adult meal. They have specials every night of the week- but I don't remember all of them to list them. I will post them next time I'm there.
(4)Robert H.
Daily Specials (usually on drinks) but Tuesday is Kids eat Free. My wife ordered Lasagna and liked it. Large order so took home half. I did not care for the flavor. I had the original Burger. Good flavor and 1/2#. Took half home. Fries were seasoned and good. Waiter was really nice, even tho we only drank water. Tipped almost 30% because of his positive attitude. Bar looked like a better area to eat in then the restaurant. Brighter and lighter. Prices were very reasonable. We will return.
(3)Caleb T.
When i come in here I order the chicken Caesar salad or the kids mac n cheese. Both are dynamite! Highly recommend it. The bar scene is always popping off and happy hour is just wight. The whiskey wings are where it's at also.
(5)Susan C.
I've eaten at Riskys before, although not this location. I could say the food was good, and the service was fast. The nachos looked great, although I didn't try them. I had a salad, the ingredients were fresh, the dressing was good. The only thing I would say was I felt like the bathrooms could have been cleaner. All in all it was a fun time, good food and a nice atmosphere. I think the prices are really good too.
(3)V K.
Food was very good but service was marginal and they were not busy but I looked at a dirty table the whole hour I was there
(4)Cain D.
Salmon Caesar salad was delicious and reasonably priced, service was fast, and the blueberry basil lemonade tasted like cough syrup. I would go back for the salad and the regular lemonade is really good.
(4)Brian H.
Full disclosure, a relative of mine worked here, so I've eaten at Risky Business on numerous occasions, but I think I've had ample opportunity to fully assess this place... A relic of the recent fin-de-siècle, Risky's is an aptly named revamp of the failed "Ventana Grill," a midpriced American that never quite took flight after two attempts in the mid-90s. The new concept seems to have stuck: a family-oriented (in the daytime at least) sports bar, which embodies all of the hedonistic virtues of that prosperous era... a wide-ranging menu (salads to ribs to pizza to burgers to seafood to pasta to steak) that is wide in palate (asian, italian, southwest, mexican and cajun influences), carb heavy (the so-called "angry" mashed potates), and heaping in portion. Desserts are monstrous and unabashedly decadent. I was never truly impressed with the cooking; it seemed to try to please too many people at once, and never really scored well at anything in particular. Often they went a little haywire with the jerk seasoning, which always hurt on the way out. Particularly in these lean, recession hit days, where such extravagance seems out of fashion, it's surprising to note how little has changed at Risky's...even the loud fire-engine-red decor and staff attire (cargo shorts, ankle socks, running shoes) seems dated. The bar really seems to be the primary attraction here...well stocked, with TVs at every angle, and filled with regulars: Air Force types, guests from the resort up the road. But if you truly like that gluttonous, stone in your gut feeling after you eat, don't let me stop you from going here!
(2)Scott Z.
Food was mostly decent but service was not. Daughter's nachos were gross. Waitress slow and never checks up on us. Manager knows nothing about customer service and has lost our family business for ever. They offer kids eat free on Tuesday night. My kids got their orders, and I ordered a burger with extras. My wife just wanted a burger. Waitress told us Tuesday night is Kids Eat Free. When the check came they only took off one kid's meal. I asked why.. I was told I had to talk to the manager. He took his time (about 10 min. for me to wait). He then said you have to spend $10 on a meal to get the kid's meal. My burger was $9.95. I said I would have been happy to order a drink had I known. He said it wouldn't of mattered because the meal has to be over $10. There was no print material nor mention of this rule by the waitress who knew I asked about the kids' eat free. The manager was an absolute jerk in his response and attitude. I was friendly throughout until he shared an attitude. I refuse to do business with an establishment who has a disrespectful and uncaring manager. This is not about cost, but principal. There are too many other good restaurant options who care about the service and quality they provide, I recommend you go to other options instead of Risky Business.
(1)Lala M.
Decent happy hour (twice a day, which is always a good thing).. Cheap appetizers during happy hour... plus different daily specials everyday. Food is alright, nothing spectacular but always tastes better than I expect from a sportsbar called Risky Business.... :D
(3)Susan P.
This would actually be a 3.5 star for us, if Yelp allowed it! We wanted a light lunch and ended up ordering the mussels off the appetizer menu and a cup of french onion soup each. The soup was okay, not bad but not the best. The thing that had us raving were the mussels. Garlicky but with a little sweetness from the honey in the broth. Served with a loaf of delectable bread and butter for dipping in the broth. We plowed through our first batch and decided to order round two. Didn't expect to have wonderful mussels like those and so we were pleasantly surprised. If we go back the next time we are in Tucson, I'll just have to remember to order something better to drink than the overly sweet lemonade. Our server was very nice and brought me a whole plate of lemon wedges when I asked so I could "tart up" my drink. I have to agree with one reviewer about the menus...they were sticky and could use a good scrubbing. The same with the little stand they put the drink and daily specials on. I wanted to wash up after touching these things. I was a Risky Business fan when I lived in Tucson but I don't know if I'd recommend this place to friends now based on the cleanliness issue.
(3)Eric B.
On a trip to Tucson, I stopped for dinner at Risky Business on my way to the hotel. It's a fair sport bar with a quite large restaurant zone beside. You can sit outside as well if you like the view on the parking lot. I prefer staying at the bar. The atmosphere was not very hot, only little attendance at 9pm. Good selection of beers, good variety on the menu. The entries are a bit pricy but they are quite big, so if you have a little hunger it's sufficient. I took a burger, got it quite rapidly and it was good. I decided to take a creme brulee for dessert. It was fair, the creme not cooked enough and the crunchy suger too thick. On the next day, I stopped again to check the atmosphere as I was a bit earlier. This place seems really for earlier birds (although it closes at 1am). Much more groud. Stayed again at the bar, took a nachos plate HUGE! and Mahi Mahi Tacos EXCELLENT! Again the service was pleasant and fast. I'm not a fan but the place is good. Just a bit more clean would make it more attrative.
(3)Jim H.
This is one of our favorite places to eat. My wife and I are very health minded, but like to treat our selves once in a while. Riskys always accomodates our request to split a burger and fries. The food tastes great, the servers are right on top of your needs, and the beer is cold.
(5)Anne J.
You'll find us at Risky's at 5:30pm on Friday or Saturday with the kiddos - it's all families and Early Bird Specials. Not sure why they painted over the nifty reptile on the HVAC ducts, but they have the huge screen and the other screens and the big fat salads. Kids can be noisy and nobody cares, the beer selection is decent, and the patio is not fancy but does the job. Service is usually pretty good. It's a solid, reliable favorite dinner spot for us.
(4)Dan N.
Consistently good -- casual, very good with kids, wide selection of yummy food, lots of TVs for those into sports. When we want a good sit-down restaurant close to our house, this is often our choice.
(4)Brian H.
Always great food and service in a fun relaxing atmosphere.
(5)Jeff V.
I love this place! Really good food which I honestly didn't expect. I'm a pescatarian (fish only, no meat) and all their fish is wild caught! That's unusual for a bar/restaurant. Also, Debi the bartender is the best! Always happy, upbeat and remembers your usual order. Highly recommend this place!
(5)Christine F.
Risky Business is so outrageous....I can't believe the food...Their .Roasted Tomato And Garlic soup is to die for and the Split Pea With Ham WOW. I am sitting at home eating their Chicken finger leftovers from last night and WOW! I love this place. Every ounce of food they make is so delicious that I wanna eat there every night. No more food shopping for me cause I'm gonna at here every day/night, etc. Oh and did I mention the Margarita's....Mmmm mmmm m! One thing I would like but this goes for all restaurant/bars are hooks for the ladies pocketbooks under the bar and cell outlets under there too cause I hate when my cell is dead and I have to go home :{
(5)Jeff And Lori A.
Great atmosphere plenty of TV's and great Bartenders. The food is good and well priced.
(5)S B.
Great local sport's bar. I don't understand the negative reviews. We go usually for lunch about twice a month. Great for kids, We have a three month old and there's plenty of room for her car seat. I can't comment on the big entrees or seafood but would recommend sticking to food that fits the type of establishment. Beer, burgers, sandwiches, big salads are all excellent. Seems very reasonably priced to me. No more expensive than some applebees / chain place. Very local for us so that helps.
(5)Vanessa R.
best chicken fingets ever, i know i know chicken fingers but when you have a 9yr old who won't eat anything but chicken thid is a big deal...
(4)Brooke R.
The first time I came here I fell in love. The second time I fell out of love. It's a great place, but I got tired of the menu after my second visit. They have amazing fries here.
(3)Balki B.
LOL. No, seriously guys.
(1)Leslie L.
Went here for the 4th of July and there was a COCKAROACH leg on one of the plates they brought out, it was disgusting. It used to be good but last night it was just gross, the place has definitely gone to the dumps.
(1)Jack E.
Great menu with many tempting options. Great beer selections also. The four separate patrons each raved about their dinners. Service quite good. Food treated with great respect.
(5)Brian M.
It's kind of a dive bar with decent food, good drinks, big TV's and a friendly staff. I go here when there's a game on or we are in a bit of a rush. It's solid just not outstanding.
(3)Laura B.
Eh. Not great. Not terrible. Didn't leave much of an impression at all. Drinks are okay. Food is okay. Bartenders are kind of douchey and a little too cool for school.
(2)D. H.
I'm glad we discovered this place on a recent trip to Tucson. The menu has a lot of variety and prices are moderate. Portions are generous and I felt it was a good value for the money. The burgers are awesome, I would ask for the fries to be extra crispy next time. All the sandwiches looked really good that I saw going to tables near us. Everything was clean and the service was good. I'll go back next time I'm in town.
(4)Georgia R.
You know what makes me happy? Happy hour. And Risky Business has a mighty fine one. It's something like $1-2 off their drinks- which aren't pricey to begin with and you get good discounts on their tasty apps, including the spinach artichoke dip, shrimp, onion rings, fries and nachos. Perfect bar food. All in all, I think Risky Business is a pretty fun bar/restaurant I like to go to when I'm down in the Tucson way. The atmosphere is lively and the bar seems to be filled with quite a few regulars. That or the bartender has an amazing memory. The prices are very reasonable too!
(4)NJ- A.
Always a good stand by place for us. Friendly, food is OK, depending on what you order. Stay far away from the Pasta or Pizza...but I love the crab cakes!
(4)