Story: Casey Moore's-More than a College Hangout in the Heart of Tempe, Arizona

If you were looking for a great restaurant in the Tempe, Az. area, you might not expect to find an oyster house among it. Of course, you might not even find Casey Moore’s if you didn’t know it was there. After all, it is nestled on a side residential street a few blocks away from the main Mill Avenue strip area. The restaurant is located inside a historic 1910 red brick house, formerly a brothel and rumored to be haunted by ghosts.

In searching for a place to eat prior to a Spring Training game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, my Dad found this place in the AAA Guidebook (one his travel bibles on almost every trip). He and his fellow New England native college friend who both love oysters decided to check it out. By the time I arrived a day later, neither of them could stop talking about how great their meal was there. So a few days later, when all three of us were heading back to Phoenix Municipal for another game, they took me along.

The casual restaurant has a self admitted Irish pub atmosphere inside, and outside is a pleasant large patio area. Above the bar includes flat screen tvs perfect for sports watching. The menu includes a large selection of unique salads, classic sandwich selections, Creole and Southwestern-influenced dishes, and oysters and other seafood, of course. There is also traditional pub appetizer fare such as Chicken Wings, Mozzarella sticks and chicken fingers.

In addition to the outdoor patio and lower levels usually brimming with the local college crowd from ASU, there are two more formal dining areas upstairs featuring tables lined with linen tablecloths.

My dad and his friend each had a dozen oysters to start with, which they described as “excellent” and I know they were surprised to find that in Arizona. They were oysters directly from Louisiana. Each day there are also lunch and dinner specials, usually featuring a fresh seafood choice. The fish and chips are only $11 and the sandwich selections included an Old Town Club with chicken breast, ham, bacon and melted Swiss for $8. With so many great choices, I had trouble deciding what to order, but eventually I settled on the Tuna Melt, which in this case was the typical open faced tuna salad sandwich covered with cheddar cheese, but in this case, also included a layer of bacon. It included a choice of sides including French fries or a side salad. It was a perfect lunch before heading to see America’s favorite pastime.

You could also create your own burger or chicken sandwich from a number of topping choices. There was also a “Hippie Sandwich” which is a choice of meat with pesto, cucumber, spinach, avocado, tomato and Swiss cheese or the Tempe Cheesesteak sandwich which is Tempe’s twist on the Philly classic, featuring Angus Roast Beef with bell peppers, onion and Swiss on a French roll.

On this particular Spring Saturday right as they opened at 11am (which might have also been during ASU’s Spring Break), we virtually had the place to ourselves, but that all changes during the evening hours and when the students are present. They recommend reservations for dinner most evenings, even during the week. It also has a vibrant Happy Hour Monday through Saturday.

So, even if you’re like me and you’re not a fan of oysters, you don’t have to worry, as with all of the other selections on this menu, you are sure to find something to wet your appetite and satisfy your cravings. They also have a large selection of beer and a full bar serving cocktails to keep you from being thirsty. And it’s located just minutes from Phoenix Municipal Stadium if you happen to be heading to a game there. There is parking on site, the prices are reasonable, and the staff is friendly and always ready to help you.

Find yourself in Tempe and you need to make your way to Casey Moore’s Oyster House and Restaurant.

850 S Ash Ave (2 blocks west of Mill avenue)
Tempe, AZ
(480) 968-9935
All Major Credit Cards Accepted
Open Daily 11am to 2am