Ajo Al's
For as long as I've known my boyfriend and his family, this Mexican cafe by 90th and Via Linda has been their Friday night dig. Yes, this is "how we roll": chips and margaritas on Friday nights with the fam.
"Are you coming for chips?" is topic of calls and emails being circulated on Thursdays and Friday mornings among us. And yes, we wouldn't miss it unless we really couldn't!
The cafe is ultra casual and very kid friendly. We have two to four kids with us at any time we go there. The menu caters to both adults and children, so have no fear.
Our Friday night staples (and something that I crave for the whole week) is Chili Con Queso and a pitcher (or pitchers) of their house margarita. We actually went there last Tuesday to satisfy our chips craving.
It gets packed for dinners. And on Friday evenings, your luck of getting a seat for more 5 or more people comes with at least a 10- to 15-minute wait. We've waited for more than 45 minutes before. Their fare is that good, I guess!
They have everything from salads, to pizzas, to flautas. Vegetarians have several choices to pick from the menu. Drinks are decently priced, but get the margaritas by the pitcher if there are enough people to share it. If you order it by the glass, it's actually good for two if you're both lightweights. 
Appetizers go from $5.75 (cheese crisp, which is my current food obsession) to $19.95 (Pizza Del Mar, a jumbo shrimp pizza). Lunch specials go from $8-$11. Beware of the salads: they are big servings that could be shared by 2-3 people depending on how big of an eater you guys are. There are also American fares for those who prefer their burgers, sandwiches, chicken tenders or grilled cheese with fries. They have a few desserts and I have not tried any of them, because honestly, I get way too full from the appetizers alone!
I would say that Ajo Al's is one of my favorite "wind down" and dress down places. I can get yummy lunch and dinners (comfort food anyone?) and get together with friends and family. I can just go there in my shorts and flip flops on a lazy Saturday, munch on fresh tortilla chips and fajitas, and sip my margaritas...and be merry. Because really, life should be like that: easy and relaxing.
So see you later tonight?
Here are the two locations in Scottsdale:
Ranch Center
90th St. & Via Linda
SCOTTSDALE
480-860-2611
Agua Caliente Plaza
70th St. & Shea Blvd.
SCOTTSDALE
480-998-1734
