Scottsdale’s restaurant scene is constantly changing, but some names have become part of the city’s history. This week on Scottsdale Vibes, host Alicia Haygood sits down with longtime Scottsdale restaurateur George Frasher, who has spent more than 25 years building restaurants, creating lasting relationships and watching Scottsdale evolve into one of the Valley’s most exciting dining destinations.
George’s journey into the restaurant business started long before Frasher’s became a Scottsdale institution. He recalls learning to cook as a young child and eventually earning a hospitality degree from the University of Missouri. His career took him through restaurants in St. Louis and Kansas City before he ultimately moved to Arizona and opened his first Frasher’s location on Scottsdale Road in 1999.
27 Years of Frasher’s in Scottsdale
Since opening in 1999, George has built a restaurant group that reflects his St. Louis roots while embracing Scottsdale. What began as three concepts under one roof eventually evolved into Frasher’s Tavern, Frasher’s Barbecue and St. Louis Pizza, and Mrs. Chicken, with Mr. Custard now joining the mix.
One of the things that makes Frasher’s stand out is George’s commitment to quality and consistency. He sources premium Iowa beef from independent ranchers, ages the meat for 28 days and uses a signature steak sauce recipe that he developed more than 30 years ago. The steaks are cooked over a charcoal grill and finished with clarified butter, creating the signature crust and flavor that customers have come to expect.
But George says great food is only part of the equation. Hospitality is equally important. He regularly walks around the restaurant talking with guests, while many of his employees have stayed with him for years. His barbecue chef Ramon recently celebrated 25 years with the company, while other members of his team have been with him for more than a decade.
Scottsdale’s Restaurant Scene Has Changed
Having been part of Scottsdale’s restaurant community since 1999, George has witnessed enormous change. Restaurants that were once considered Scottsdale staples have closed, new concepts continue to arrive and the city’s dining scene continues to evolve.
For George, the key to surviving those changes is staying true to what has worked from the beginning: quality food, quality service and taking care of people.
That commitment also extends to innovation. George continues to look for ways to make his restaurants unique, from importing specialty St. Louis ingredients to sourcing Mexican vanilla for his frozen custard. He even treats his travels as educational opportunities, looking for new techniques and ingredients that can make his food better.
Baseball and Scottsdale History Come Together
Perhaps one of the most fascinating parts of George’s story is the connection between Frasher’s Tavern and Scottsdale baseball history.
Inside the restaurant is the Arizona Baseball Legacy Experience, a museum filled with memorabilia connected to Scottsdale and baseball history. The collection includes the home plate from the original Scottsdale Stadium, a locker belonging to San Francisco Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti and memorabilia celebrating players who came through Scottsdale and went on to play college or Major League Baseball.
The museum is more than a collection of baseball artifacts. George says the stories are what make it special. Guests regularly recognize players, places and moments from their own childhoods and share their memories with friends and other diners.
One of the museum’s upcoming highlights is connected to one of baseball’s most famous moments, Bobby Thomson’s 1951 home run known as the “Shot Heard Round the World.” George discusses a baseball believed to be connected to that historic game, with a major reveal planned for October 3.
A Scottsdale Restaurant Story Built on Relationships
What comes through most clearly in Alicia’s conversation with George is how much of his restaurant business has been built around relationships.
From longtime employees to friends who helped create restaurant logos, George’s restaurants have personal stories woven into almost every corner. His businesses continue to evolve, but the emphasis on people, quality and hospitality remains the same.
George Frasher’s story is ultimately a Scottsdale story. It is about entrepreneurship, food, baseball, community and the people who help make a city what it is.
Listen to the latest episode of Scottsdale Vibes with Alicia Haygood to hear George talk about his 27 years in the Scottsdale restaurant scene, the evolution of local dining, his restaurants, the baseball museum and what keeps him excited about the industry.
And, of course, don’t forget to hear George answer the question every Scottsdale Vibes guest gets: What is your favorite Scottsdale vibe?
