Filthy Animal

I can’t stress how blown away we were by this restaurant! The lemongrass chicken was some of the best chicken I’ve ever had. Drinks were on point. And the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. Great concept. Great atmosphere and color scheme! Right in the middle of all the action on Mill which was great for walking off our dinner afterwards.

Finally tried Fifth Animal in Tempe and it did not disappoint. We started with fresh oysters and the tuna tartare both incredibly fresh with a great spicy kick that made the flavors really pop. Perfect dishes to share. I also had one of their mezcal cocktails, which was smoky, smooth, and perfectly balanced, a great match with the food. Fun atmosphere, bold flavors, and a fantastic new addition to the Tempe dining scene. Definitely coming back!

10 out of 10 experience. My husband and I visited this restaurant on our last night in Arizona. This is by far our favorite restaurant we have gone to. The food, the ambiance,the vibe, the service all collectively made this one our favorites. The server Noah, was so attentive, knowledgeable, friendly and respectful to us. He offered suggestions and answered any questions we asked.The open concept kitchen, was a good entertainment. The bone morrow bread is a must try! I almost ate my fingers off while devouring it. The rib eye stake was medium well, as requested; but it was so juicy and tender; that even the fat melted inside of my mouth. The stake was well seasoned and carefully cooked over an open wood fire 🔥, which added extra flavor. Upon leaving we thank one of the chefs for this spectacular meal. We will definitely be back once in Tempe again. On a last note, there is only street parking.So be prepared to look for parking and walk back to the restaurant.

The Filthy Animal is an up-scale establishment offering fine dining and a romantic atmosphere located in Tempe. Reservations are definitely required to get a seat. Book well in advance to get indoor seating. We booked the day before and the patio was the only seating available on a Saturday night. The service was on point with wait staff eager to get whatever you need. We had the Bone Marrow for an appetiser. Very good. For the entree, we had the Pork Chop and the Bone-in Short Rib. When the waiter placed the plated Rib on the table, you could see a little jiggle resembling jello, the short rib was just that tender. The Pork was very tender as well and seasoned just right. Highly recommend checking out this fine dining restaurant.

We were the first guests to arrive for their brunch premiere and everything was perfect. The melted cast iron Brie was amazing, highly recommend. Our server Ashley was amazing! Our bartenders Lilly and Anastasia were very attentive as well. I’m not usually a fan of Bloody Marys but their Bloody Marys are actually good!

We stumbled into Filthy Animal on a whim before a play and left already planning our next visit. This place is fire in every sense, with vibrant jungle-meets-speakeasy energy, inventive cocktails worth asking about, and food that’s colorful, fresh, and downright fun. The shishito Caesar salad my sister ordered was so good she practically erased it from existence. I genuinely almost had to stop her from licking the plate. The steak tartare was equally addictive and absolutely worth fighting for a to-go box later. Anastasia helped set the vibe from the moment we sat at the bar. She was engaging, knowledgeable about drinks and food, and spot-on with recommendations. Those interactions felt like the heart of the experience, especially since we were on a tight timeline before a show. Now for the small ding on the wait staff. After we had already paid, Anastasia stepped away and we asked another staff member if we could get a to-go box because my sister was not leaving without the steak tartare. We were told someone else would help us. After waiting for a while and no one came over. We asked again, explaining that we were heading out the door, and she said “give me two minutes.” even though she had not been busy and the bar back/runner was also not busy. It wasn’t the request itself, it was the dismissive tone and lack of urgency that rubbed me the wrong way. If it hadn’t been for that moment and the way it was handled, this would have been a 10 out of 10 best last-minute decision. That said, we will be back. We will make reservations next time because we absolutely want the Flambadou Tomahawk finished table side with fire 🔥

First time in, and also first time in for Brunch. Steak and eggs were cooked perfectly and had so much flavor. Cocktails were made with love and the Miso cheesecake is 10/10. Thank you to our Serve Ashley who did an amazing job taking care of us on our anniversary.

Friends had told us to try this restaurant. We made a reservation last night and dined here . The atmosphere was unique and fun. The food was all excellent . Every thing we ordered (including cheesecake) had a taste of the grill. The only thing that could improve is the service . For the prices the charge they service should be more attentive . I would highly recommend . The only thing we did not get the memo on was to wear leopard print. Haha

First of all, this aesthetic of this restaurant is top notch! The decor, the plating, and cocktail presentation are all thoughtfully curated. The open kitchen concept makes for fun entertainment and I couldn’t help myself from walking around and admiring all the over the top (but incredibly classy) decor. The service is immaculate - very attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly! My husband and I ordered their edamame hummus, pibil dumplings, lemongrass chicken, and their wood-fired center cut filet. Each dish was well-balanced, cooked to perfection, and an absolute joy to experience! We finished off with a miso cheesecake which was nothing short of amazing as well (one of the best cheesecakes I’ve had in a while). And I can’t forget the cocktails! We loved their Vintage Culture (think extra fancy old fashioned) and their Passion or Cinn (delicious, delicious tiki drink). We can’t wait to come back!

Filthy Animal is a very different style of restaurant. Theres really only 1 downfall in my opinion & thats understanding the menu . I got the bone-in Short Rib & it was to die for ! The food is Outstanding , Atmosphere was very creative and gives off “ Jungle Vibes “ like your eating in a rainforest. Additionally the waiters & Waitresses dress up in cute outfits . Best way I can describe them is either 1800s Elegant or Prom Dress style . It’s very cute. Definitely recommend at least trying it once .

Amazing experience! The vibe is so on point and on theme. Even though it’s close to ASU, it doesn’t feel like a college spot (in a good way!). Love the open kitchen. Food-wise, we had zero misses. Highlights were the short rib, Brie, and ice cream cake. The shishito peppers added such a unique twist to the Caesar salad. Chicken skewers were juicy - sometimes restaurant chicken is so dry - not the case here. Get an after-dinner, drink Resy at drop dead gorgeous which is kind of speakeasy-esqe in the back of the restaurant.

There doesn’t need to be a special occasion to dine here, but many would agree it feels like a truly special place. From the moment we walked up to the front doors, I was in awe and excited for what was to come. The entire staff was absolutely incredible—every interaction we had was kind, considerate, and knowledgeable. That said, I would be remiss not to give a special shout-out to Taylor, our animated, generous, funny, and genuinely engaged server. He made our evening phenomenal. Taylor knew the menu inside and out, offered thoughtful recommendations, and guided us through what has become one of our top dining experiences to date. With his guidance, we enjoyed the Brie, the Chicken, and the Branzino—all fantastic. And please, don’t sleep on the cocktails! The Chilte Bell Em was a delightful surprise, and finishing the night with the Miso cheesecake felt like the perfect finale. Every aspect—food, drinks, and the people—was on point. This restaurant is an absolute must, and I cannot wait to return. Thank you again, Taylor, for helping us enjoy such a wonderful evening!

Had the filet and it was excellent. Cooked just right and had an amazing flavor with no gristle. The service was just right - the server was present when needed and we didn't notice him when not. Also had the pork skewers and they were unbelievably tender and flavorful. Drinks were amazing. Ambiance is very cool.

Loved the vibe in this place! It was the perfect spot for a girls night out after work. Servers were awesome. Drink was fresh delicious, it was a cilantro French 75. Broccoli and Brie weren’t my favorite, but they were pretty good. Blackberry chocolate ganache was the best part, don’t skip on it!!

Three of us shared a tomahawk steak. We all agreed it was the best steak we ever had. Cooked to perfection. The cheesecake is also a must. Soooo delicious! The best part of evening was the service. Our waiter was very attentive, friendly and had great recommendations.

We went for lunch and sat outside, such prefect weather. We Had the Elote and oysters to start, it was fantastic, the fresh peppers on the oysters gave a perfect texture,a slight crunch and balance, the flavor was amazing.. The Elote absolutely blew my mind, the flavors, textures, the sauces and cheese. Just wow, so much going on in all the right ways.. My wife had the pork belly sandwich, cooked to perfection just melts in the mouth. Had s the chicken skewer with fried rice and a ginger lime cream sauce. The chicken was so tender and melted in the mouth perfect bite sized. The fried rice was excellent but the ginger sauce was refreshing and addictive. The steak and fries was cooked too perfection tender and delicious with the chimmichuri sauce. Salad was a nice palate cleanser. Probably one of the best all round dining and food experiences we've had.

Kelly the server, Victor the manager, and the other white manager dude (forgot name sorry bro) were all amazing! Kelly gave great recommendations and was professional and fun for my wife and I’s anniversary! Kudos to the chef for perfect lamb chops, seared tartar, and tiradito were my favorites. Good job everyone. Nice introduction to fine / casual dining in Tempe. *only complaint: hostesses forgot to tell our server we were celebrating but not worth removing a star. Just work on communication and yall are golden! Thx

Such a beautiful space!! And what a nostalgic visit to mill avenue. Thank you for bringing such an incredible business to the area. My boyfriend and I ordered the ribeye, ceviche, and a couple of sides - everything was PHENOMENAL!! The service, the presentation, the food quality, the ambiance. 10/10 recommend!!

Found Filthy Animal while trying to find a place to take a friend in from out of town. Extremely glad I did, will definitely be going back and ordered extra dumplings to take home and share. The atmosphere was better than 4 stars but I can’t give 4.5. The restaurant is very nice, very comfortable, and you can tell they put a good bit of thought into it. The only downside was that it was a bit loud for my taste, please note I am not a fan of extraneous noise. (Unless it’s my car exhaust, guilty pleasure) I should note it was raining so the outside patio was closed, that may have had an impact. Our service was beyond excellent, every member of the team was a pleasure to interact with. The drinks were very good and the food excellent. I really liked the way they created a fusion or their own spin of sorts on everything. The Brie small plate was delicious, highly recommend. The pork chop was excellent, best I’ve had in some time. I was told the short rib was very good, basing the flavor of the short rib dumplings I am confident that was the case. Dress sharp when you go, but go!

It's a new place on Mill St in Tempe near ASU (old PF Chang's) that explodes with atmosphere. The restaurant is uniquely and beautifully decorated with leopards around some tables. We questioned the name of the place all night but it was anything but "Filthy". The owners scored big with an amazing staff. From the hostess to our waiter/bar personality Mike C we had a blast and an incredible experience. The chef prepared a spectacular display of food. The steak and chicken were cooked to perfection. We were surprised by a crunch in the fried rice which made it a little more special. The sides were great and well thought out. The ceviche was excellent with Plantain chips? I don't know but they tasted like bacon. Yum! With a grade A staff from around the country, a unique jungle take on decorating, and wonderful food this is the place to be in Tempe.

Michelin Star incoming. I said what I said. When the Michelin Guide finally realizes Arizona exists, Filthy Animal is getting drafted first round! Chef Rene Vargas is either a genius or legally insane (in the best way). The food here had me questioning reality. I was out here apologizing to plates before I destroyed them. Highlights: • Pineapple tuna ceviche = melt city • Pibil dumplings = edible artwork • That mozzarella stick thing = quite literally the greatest bite of food I’ve ever had. I saw God. He winked. For mains, I got the bone-in ribeye cooked like it had something to prove. My lady had the lemongrass chicken which was so juicy it could solve world peace. Then we shared the spicy lobster mac and stared silently at each other like, “Are we okay??” Our server Levi has psychic powers. Nostradamus level powers. She brought stuff before we even knew we needed it. If she told me to invest in Bitcoin again, I’d do it. 😂 Best dinner I’ve had in my LIFE. Also, ask about the speakeasy in the back called Drop Dead Gorgeous. You’re welcome. 🖤 10/10 would ruin these plates again. Thank you Rene, Levi and the rest of the Filthy Animal staff for making a night I’ll never forget.

Came in for a Saturday birthday weekend and had such an amazing time! 🎉 Our server was absolutely incredible, I wish I could remember his name because he truly made me feel special and hyped me up for my birthday 😝. The drinks were fantastic, the rice was unique with delicious flavors, the steak was cooked to perfection, and the chicken had a sweet, caramelized sauce that was to die for (I need to know what it was!). I did order oysters, and that was the only item I didn’t really enjoy, they should consider removing the green sauce. Other than that, everything was on point! Our group of 10 had a wonderful evening filled with great food, amazing company, and the best server, he was full of energy and made the night unforgettable 🤩

One of the best culinary experiences I’ve had in some time . They hit all the senses here . Every single staff member was well put together and on point as far as great service . The food was absolutely incredible. A must stop ! Many vegan options , all of which blew my tastebuds away . The ambiance is beautiful ( and so is every person who works here ) Will be back !

My husband took me here for chef’s week to celebrate my birthday. Service was prompt, well informing, and helpful through my indecisiveness. The atmosphere was fun and sheik eclectic, maybe? Drinks were delightful and the food was so delicious! We are originally from a big food city and I was really missing culinary gems that gave you a food experience. This hit the spot and would highly recommend it. Food was full of flavor, balanced, beautifully presented, and the steak just about melted in your mouth 🤤 and that dessert, so fun and a perfect end, not overly rich or heavy! We will be back for sure! Also fyi if you park in the garage, they validate your ticket!

We had Taylor he was amazing 10/10 you should definitely ask for him when you go. He was so fun and kind everything you could hope for from a server. The food was delicious and the drink menu was amazing. We will definitely be back!!!!!💙💙💙💙

The flavors are so on point, it’s overwhelming. The dumplings, skewers, and banzino were incredible and the atmosphere is straight out of the 70s. The cocktail with bell pepper was perfectly balanced. Definitely recommend.

Had quite a mixed experience tonight. Food was very good - table had steak, pork chop, risotto. Dumplings and a sushi-like starter. Service was very slow & missed items. I told the waiter I was not pleased, and they went above and beyond to make it right. Offered something complementary and I declined. Sincere apologies from the waiter and manager. Appreciated it and will give them a second chance.

Wonderful experience from start to finish! Great service and food. The ambiance was unforgettable. Ace was our waiter, he was awesome!

One of the best overall experiences I've had in a long time! Great food from appetizers to dessert, with one of the best ribeyes I've ever eaten in my life, and I've eaten a lot of ribeyes! My family all enjoyed their pork chops, and New York strip steaks just as much as I enjoyed my meal. Super funky atmosphere that provides a fun atmosphere! Our waiters were great also. We will definitely be coming back and I'm excited to try the tomahawk steak for the table because that looks like an amazing experience. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Filthy Animal for pretty much any occasion.

Nice restaurant, good service from Luke, tasty drinks, enjoyed the tomahawk steak. It is a lot of meat, wish it had better sides like broccolini or brussel sprouts included. The desserts were delicious.

Came here for restaurant week which means it’s a prefix menu with smaller portions. Dumplings came with 3 instead of 4 and pork chop came with no ancho glaze lol. But the food itself was very good. Service is…posh. Drinks are delicious. I’ll likely come back and try other things.

So happy to discover this place near ASU my friend recommended. In great contrast to many of the other college friendly bars around Very cool vibe. Excellent menu. Great drinks and service was very attentive, polite and on point. Appetizers and salads were phenomenal. One star taken away due to dinner execution. I had to send my pork chop back because it was warm, not hot. Rice was room temperature and stuck together. They seem to do a great job on the cold dishes. They need to work on execution of the hot dishes. Hot dishes are supposed to be served hot, steaming, juicy and alive. All entrees instead were delivered lukewarm, gummy, a bit dry, somewhat flavorless and unremarkable. Keep doing everything you are doing! Just fix the entree delivery and you will have a memorable place.

I had an amazing experience here from start to finish. For starters, we tried the milk bread, tuna pineapple ceviche, and the dumplings — all incredibly tasty and beautifully prepared. For the main dishes, we ordered the lamb and the ancho chili–glazed pork chops, and both were full of flavor and cooked perfectly. We also tried the PassionCinn, and Jungle Thyme drinks, and each one was unique and delicious. Service was truly outstanding — a full 5 stars to Amber B. for being attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. The atmosphere was clean, inviting, and comfortable, making the whole experience even better. Overall, the food was delicious, the drinks were creative, and the service was exceptional. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be coming back.

Wife took me here for my birthday. The lemongrass chicken was excellent, easily the highlight of the meal. The vibe was fantastic and the service staff constantly refilled water, which was a really nice touch. A runner brought our food out, and our waitress checked on us once right as I was finishing my chicken. She then spent time chatting with the table next to us, and we didn’t get another check-in until the end of the meal. Unfortunately, the fried rice wasn’t good. I took one bite, mentioned it to the waitress, and even tried it with the aioli she suggested, but it didn’t help. When she asked again how it was, I told her I didn’t like it. Right after that, we were handed the check. It wasn’t until my wife was signing the receipt and asked about boxing it up that the issue was addressed. Once it was clear I didn’t like it, the waitress went to the manager and had it removed from the bill, which I appreciated. The whole situation could have been avoided with a bit more attentive follow-up during the meal. Overall, great food and atmosphere, but the service pacing could use some improvement.

I discovered Filthy Animal while searching for a place known for a serious Tomahawk steak. Dining solo this visit, I opted for the Hand-Cut Dry-Aged New York instead. With their “Fire & Feast” motto and a $180 check for one, expectations were understandably elevated. The hostess team was welcoming, and my server, Jake, was personable and professional. Cocktails were well made. The grilled oysters were a standout — flavorful, slightly spicy, and memorable. They rivaled chargrilled oysters I’ve enjoyed in New Orleans, with their own distinctive twist. The dry-aged New York, ordered medium-rare, had good flavor but fell short in execution. Several portions of fat and strip seam were not fully rendered, leaving parts of the steak a bit sinewy. With dry-aged beef at this price point, texture precision matters as much as flavor. Timing was another miss. I had selected a wine specifically to pair with dinner, but it did not arrive until after the steak was served. For a steak-forward restaurant, pacing and synchronization are part of the experience. When a manager checked in, my feedback was acknowledged, but it felt more noted than engaged. I wasn’t looking for compensation — just the sense that details matter consistently for every guest. There’s clear potential here, and I plan to return to try the Tomahawk. But at this price level, I expect a bit more polish in both execution and service.

Truly a mixed experience here. We came for my son's 25th birthday. Ambiance is fantastic, but service was a little slow. Took 10min and 2 requests to get the restaurant week menu and then service throughout the meal was a tad slow. The food was up and down too. Presentation was good, but the pibil dumplings lacked flavor and depend too heavily on the pepper puree for flavor. Same for the beef tartare. Seasoning was lacking on the tartare and too heavy on the vinegar. Needed salt. Also, the mountain of plantain chips pretty much buried the tartare. The fried rice was super heavy on the peanut oil and not many other flavors were present. However, the lemongrass chicken was tender and juicy, while the Jalapeño jam had mild heat, was slightly sweet, and packed a ton of flavor. I also recommend the Japanese milk bread. Warm, fluffy and a light sweetness reminiscent of hawaiin rolls. The cocktails were really good as well. Overall, a lackluster experience. Given the price paid, would expected a bit more consistency.

I had made a reservation for me, myself and I. I got there earlier and they were able to sit me quickly. I ordered from the happy hour menu. I got the edamame hummus, the dumplings, and the mushroom skewers. The food arrived rather quickly. Presentation beautiful. The edamame hummus with the plantain chips. Wonderful. Tasty and crispy chips. The dumplings were ok. The dumpling dough was a bit chewy and the chili sauce is really what elevated it. The skewers mushroom although it looked great didn’t taste like much of anything. Aside from the edges where it was grilled and had flavor, the middle of the mushroom was plain white and in fact cold. As if, they were grilled only from the sides and they have just been sitting around in the back. I asked to substitute for the chicken skewers instead. As you can see in the picture, no way those pieces of chicken touched any grill. They are white, and didn’t have any of the flavors described. They were just salted. I asked it to go, but had I asked for dinning, I know I would received the proper product with the right portion. I didn’t appreciate the lack quality on the food even if it is for to go. The rice was yummy. But they definitely missed the mark on that chicken and the presentation of it.

Very cool looking spot near the university, inside decor is pretty funky with tropical taxidermy vibes. Not really a safe spot for food allergies, nothing marked GF or Veg. No GF dessert other than a scoop of ice cream. Had a filet and the Mr had a newyork- not really anything to right home about and we probably would not eat here again. Nice staff tho and if you are a drinker- the drinks looked pretty

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY. GO TO A REAL STEAKHOUSE!!! The restaurant is nice but overrated and overpriced. We went to dinner and ordered lamb chops, lobster, and steak. All three were horribly seasoned. Unless you added tons of salt, they had no flavor. The mashed potatoes were lukewarm and lacked flavor as well. The drinks were weak and not good. We were so disappointed with the service. I ordered dumplings for an appetizer, and someone forgot to place the order. The steak came with a salad and small, flavorless potatoes. The lamb chops came with small, dry, flavorless potatoes and garbanzo beans. A bad, bad combination. I am not a chef, but they need to have someone taste the food before it is served. I will never go back to this restaurant; this was the first and last time.

I came here again for a friend’s birthday because I had a good experience before, but this time was honestly pretty disappointing. We ordered the ribeye, and it was extremely fatty — to the point where there was barely any actual meat to eat. For a $165 dish, that’s really unacceptable. If I had known, I would’ve just ordered three separate steaks instead. The presentation was very flashy with the fire show and all, but once the show was over, there wasn’t much substance left on the plate. It felt like we paid more for the performance than the food. Service was also lacking. Our server was rarely around, and when we tried to get help, no one was available. A man in a suit kept walking back and forth, so we ended up flagging him down multiple times. When he asked how the food was and I mentioned how greasy it was, he simply said he already knew — which didn’t feel very professional or reassuring. Afterward, he suggested we check out their bar. We did go, and to be fair, the bar was nice and the atmosphere there was enjoyable. Unfortunately, that was the highlight of the night. Overall, this place looks impressive, but for the price point, the food quality and service really need to match the hype.