Humble Oysters & Bubbles Review: Smoked Prime Rib and Seafood at High Street

Humble Oysters & Bubbles sits on High Street at Desert Ridge in North Phoenix, a short drive up from Scottsdale. We went for dinner on a Saturday night with friends, six of us total, and it turned out to be one of those easy, fun evenings where everybody at the table left happy. It’s a seafood spot first, but the thing I’ll remember is a smoked prime rib I almost didn’t order.

Atmosphere

The room has a clean, almost old-school subway feel: white subway tile, whitewashed wood walls lined with small framed photos, pendant lights hanging over a big bar in the middle of the room, and a lot of white everywhere. Out front, the windows advertise a “Seafood Parlor for Ladies and Gentlemen” and the doors open up to the sidewalk, so it feels connected to the rest of High Street. It was busy but not chaotic, and it has a lively, social energy that works well for a group.

They don’t take reservations, so plan on walking in. Even on a Saturday, we didn’t wait long for a table of six. Their site says to call ahead for parties larger than six.

What We Ordered

• Smoked prime rib: This is only served on Fridays and Saturdays. I was a little reluctant to order prime rib at an oyster bar, but it was really good, with a nice smoky flavor. It came with mashed potatoes and a homemade croissant, and the croissant was good too.
• Salmon Caesar salad: My wife Sherrie went with this, and it was well mixed and well dressed. We split both of our plates, which is how we usually do it.
• Cajun shrimp pasta with lobster tails: One of our friends ordered the Cajun shrimp pasta and added a couple of lobster tails on the side. It looked excellent, and it’s what I’d look at next time.
• Coconut cream pie: We had to try dessert. It comes layered in a mason jar, so it’s more of a mixed-up, spoonable version of the pie than a slice, which was a fun twist.

Standouts

The prime rib is the surprise of the night, so if you’re going on a Friday or Saturday, it’s worth ordering even at a seafood place. The Cajun shrimp pasta looked like a winner, and the coconut cream pie in a jar is a fun way to finish. Oysters are what they’re known for, along with the rest of the seafood menu, and they rotate a daily mix of East Coast and West Coast oysters, so that’s on our list for the next visit. We didn’t have anything we’d skip.

Service

Our server was a big part of why the night was so much fun. She was quick and witty, joked around with the table, and kept everything moving without us ever waiting on her. With a group of six, that makes a real difference.

Price & Value

The six of us got out for just under $300, or about $50 a person. With prime rib, lobster tails, and dessert on the table, this isn’t a cheap night out, but the portions and quality felt worth it. If you want to keep the bill down, they have a happy hour and other specials. The sign out front advertises a “Low Tide” menu that runs all day until 5, and their website lists the current deals.

The Verdict

Humble Oysters & Bubbles is a great pick for dinner with friends or a group, especially on a Friday or Saturday when the smoked prime rib is on. The location is great, the food is a little different from the usual, and the service makes it a good time. We’d highly recommend it, and we’ll be back for the oysters.

Rating: 4.7/5

Hours: Sunday through Thursday 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4 to 10 p.m. Dine-in and takeout. No reservations.