The Catering Kitchen

On a slow weekday morning the room feels almost private — but on weekends, every seat is earned.

Set in Phoenix, AZ, The Catering Kitchen has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.

If you only order one thing, make it the shakshuka — a bubbling cast-iron pan of tomatoes, peppers, and softly poached eggs, served with warm pita for sopping.

Menu highlights

Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at The Catering Kitchen. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.

• Veggie scramble with spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese
• Crab cake Benedict with old-bay hollandaise (regional specialty)
• Acai bowl with granola, banana, coconut, and honey drizzle
• House bloody mary with bacon, olives, and pickled vegetables
• Buttermilk pancakes with whipped butter and warm maple syrup
• Avocado toast on grilled sourdough with chili crisp and a soft egg
• Chicken and waffles with hot honey and pickled jalapeño
• Steel-cut oats with brown sugar, toasted nuts, and stewed fruit

Light streams in through tall windows, jazz plays at a sensible volume, and the espresso machine hums in the background like a third instrument.

Avocado toast at a place like this is not a meme — it's smashed in front of you, seasoned with flaky salt, lime, and chili crisp, and built on a slab of grilled sourdough.

Pro tip from the regulars: arrive before 9:30 on Saturdays or after 1 on Sundays to skip the worst of the wait.

Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Phoenix, The Catering Kitchen is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. By the time you walk out, you'll already be planning a return visit — and probably a long walk to work off the second cup of coffee.

Tips from the regulars

• Save room: the pastry case at the front is part of the experience.
• Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at The Catering Kitchen.
• Best for: groups of 2 to 4 — larger parties may want to call ahead.
• Don't miss the daily-special chalkboard near the host stand — it changes weekly and tends to feature the kitchen's best ideas.
• Coffee is taken seriously here. If you only know diner drip, ask the barista for a recommendation.

Hours

Frequently asked questions

What time does The Catering Kitchen open for brunch?

Posted hours are: Mo-Fr 10:00-14:00. Hours can change on holidays — call ahead if you're traveling.

Does The Catering Kitchen take reservations?

Most brunch spots in Phoenix are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.

Is The Catering Kitchen kid-friendly?

Yes — The Catering Kitchen welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.

What kind of cuisine does The Catering Kitchen serve?

It's classified under coffee_shop, breakfast, lunch, sandwich — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Phoenix.

Is there outdoor seating at The Catering Kitchen?

Outdoor seating is not always confirmed. We recommend calling ahead during nice weather.

Location

Located at 1725 West University Drive. Coordinates: 33.4215, -111.9672. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.