By The Bucket Tempe Introduce
For Arizonans craving classic, hearty Italian-American **Comfort food** served with a focus on convenience and value, **By The Bucket Tempe** is a unique and straightforward dining option. Located conveniently near the Arizona State University (ASU) campus, this **Italian restaurant** has carved out a distinct niche by offering its main pasta dishes, primarily spaghetti and chicken alfredo, in signature "Buckets." This concept is a playful, simple, and affordable way to feed an individual, a couple, or an entire **Family-friendly** group.
The philosophy here is simple: deliver hot, satisfying Italian staples—not high-end, intricate dining, but rather the kind of meal "Just Like Grandma's" that fills you up. The menu focuses on the essentials: spaghetti with classic marinara sauce, rich chicken alfredo, savory meatballs, fresh Caesar salads, and oven-toasted garlic bread. This establishment is incredibly popular for quick and easy **Lunch** or **Dinner** options, making it a go-to spot for those seeking maximum flavor and generous portions without breaking the bank.
While some traditional diners may critique the simplicity, many customers appreciate By The Bucket for what it is: a **Fast service** establishment providing a great value, especially when compared to the effort of cooking at home. It excels as a convenient and satisfying alternative to pizza or other quick-serve options for a busy weeknight.
By The Bucket Tempe is situated at **907 E Lemon St, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA**. Its location is central to the Tempe area, making it an easy stop for students, residents, and those working nearby. It offers a very **Casual** environment, perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed family meal.
Accessibility is a key priority for the restaurant, ensuring a smooth experience for all patrons:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
However, it is important to note a recurring theme mentioned in local customer reviews: the parking situation can be challenging. Some reviews describe the **Parking** as an "absolute nightmare and dangerous," suggesting that local users should plan their visit accordingly or opt for the available delivery and curbside pickup options to avoid the stress of finding a spot in the shared lot.
For those who prefer dining in, there is **Outdoor seating** available, which is particularly pleasant during the cooler Arizona months. Additionally, the establishment is **Pets**-friendly, allowing dogs outside.
The service model at By The Bucket Tempe is geared towards ultimate convenience and efficiency, prioritizing options that make feeding a family quick and simple:
- **Flexible Dining:** Offers traditional **Dine-in** **Seating**, **Takeout** for quick grabs, and **Delivery** options, including **No-contact delivery**, for maximum convenience.
- **Curbside Pickup:** A highly convenient service where customers can pick up their orders without having to leave their vehicle, ideal for busy parents or those navigating the challenging parking.
- **Fast Service:** A key feature, ensuring that hot, fresh Italian meals are ready for **Lunch** or **Dinner** quickly, perfect for individuals on a tight schedule or for satisfying immediate family hunger.
- **Family-Focused Portions:** The signature "Buckets" are available in various sizes—from the personal **Bambino Bucket** ($13.44) and the popular **Medium Bucket** ($16.59) up to the **Family Bucket** ($22.83) and the even larger **Grande Bucket** ($55.07)—all designed to offer great value for feeding groups.
- **Lunch/Dinner Deals:** Features economical combos like the **Lunch Bucket** and **Sub Combo Meal Deal** as part of the **Reversed Lunch Specials 4pm- Close**, which provides excellent value during both day and evening hours.
- **Payment Convenience:** Accepts modern payment methods, including **Credit cards** and **Debit cards**, for a smooth transaction.
- **Onsite Amenities:** Provides clean **Restroom** facilities for dine-in guests.
- **Add-Ons:** Customers can easily customize their meal with a variety of sides and extras, such as **Extra Marinara 8oz** ($2.59), **Extra Alfredo Sauce** ($3.07), and individual **Tasty Meatballs** ($2.03).
By The Bucket's success stems from a few key features that resonate with the local Arizona community looking for reliable, affordable Italian comfort food:
- **The 'Bucket' Concept:** This unique serving method of hot spaghetti or chicken alfredo in sealed containers is the restaurant's defining feature. It simplifies the process of ordering and serving a hearty, satisfying meal for any size party, reducing fuss and maximizing convenience.
- **Value for Money:** The portion-to-price ratio is a major highlight. The family and medium buckets provide a substantial amount of food for a modest cost, making it an extremely economical choice for **Family-friendly** dinners or feeding a large group of college students.
- **Famous Garlic Bread and Meatballs:** Many customers consistently praise the quality of the side offerings. The **Full Loaf Garlic Bread** ($7.23) is a highly-rated item, often described as "tasty," and the **Tasty Meatballs** are frequently highlighted for their savory flavor and satisfying texture.
- **Chicken Parmesan Sub:** A highly popular menu item, the **Chicken Parmesan Sub** ($14.04), built with breaded chicken, marinara, and melted cheese on a toasted garlic bread sub, provides a hearty alternative to the pasta buckets.
- **Focus on Comfort:** The menu is unapologetically focused on **Comfort food**, featuring simple, classic dishes like spaghetti, cheesy bread, and New York Cheesecake, making it a reliable choice when all you want is familiar, satisfying flavor.
- **Solo Dining:** Due to its fast service and simple order-and-go nature, it is highly **Popular for** **Solo dining**, allowing individuals to get a substantial meal quickly.
For quick family meals, convenient pickup, or to order your next "Bucket" of spaghetti or chicken alfredo, please use the following contact information:
- Address: 907 E Lemon St, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
- Phone Number: (480) 894-5402
- Mobile Phone: +1 480-894-5402
Arizonans should choose **By The Bucket Tempe** when they need a reliable, high-value, and incredibly convenient solution for a family meal. This is your go-to spot when time is short and the need for satisfying, classic Italian **Comfort food** is high. It is worth choosing for several compelling reasons:
- **Unbeatable Family Value:** The bucket sizes, especially the **Family Bucket** for less than $23 (before add-ons), represent one of the best value propositions in Tempe for feeding three to four people a hot, ready-to-eat meal.
- **Ultimate Convenience:** The combination of **Fast service**, **Curbside pickup**, and robust **Delivery** options makes it an ideal alternative to cooking after a long workday, minimizing effort while maximizing satisfaction.
- **The Best of the Sides:** While the pasta is the main event, the **Tasty Meatballs** and the highly praised **Full Loaf Garlic Bread** are worth the visit alone. Ordering an extra side of marinara is an easy way to customize your meal and ensure you have enough sauce for the generous portion of noodles.
- **Perfect for the ASU Area:** Its location and concept are perfectly suited for the dynamic environment of Tempe—it's fast enough for a student grabbing a quick **Lunch** and large enough for a local family's **Dinner**.
If you prioritize speed, volume, and simplicity over complex or high-end Italian dining, By The Bucket is the smart, affordable choice. While you might encounter parking challenges, the ease of their takeout and delivery services ensures you can still enjoy a massive, satisfying meal of spaghetti and meatballs without the hassle.
By The Bucket Tempe Services
Bread and Sides
- Cheesy Bread 1\2 Loaf $7.23
Cheesy Bread 1/2 loaf of toasted garlic bread smothered with mozzarella cheese
- Medium Ceaser Salad $7.23
Medium Ceaser Salad
- Extra Alfredo Sauce $3.07
Extra Alfredo Sauce
- Large Ceaser Salad $10.35
Crisp Romaine Lettuce, Ceaser Dressing, Tasty Croutons and Parmesan Cheese.
- Full Loaf Garlic Bread $7.23
Buttery Garlic Bread,Full loaf Toasted to Order
- Extra Marinara 8oz $2.59
- Ceaser Side Salad $4.11
Ceaser Side Salad- Croutons, Parmesan Cheese and Ceaser dressing
Reversed Lunch Specials 4pm- Close
- Lunch Bucket $16.25
Pasta,marinara and a meatball ready to eat! Comes with a slice of garlic bread and a canned drink. /upgrade with a Ceaser Salad add $2.00
- Sub Combo Meal Deal $14.51
Meatball Sub with Chips and a Canned Soda ( Coke & Pepsi )
Cold Drinks
- Can Soda $2.03
Coke, Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper, Sprite
- Gatorade $2.86
Gatorade
- Bottle Water $2.34
- Bottle Soda $3.01
IBC ROOTBEER
- 2 Liter Soda $5.98
Coke, Dr.Pepper, Sprite
Desserts
- New York Cheesecake $4.11
Chicken
- Grilled Chicken $6.19
Grilled Chicken Breast
- Chicken Parmesan $10.14
Breaded Chicken
Meatballs and Subs
- Meatball Sub $10.35
Meatball Sub Deliciously seasoned meatballs, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, served on a lightly toasted roll.
- Chicken Parmesan Sub $14.04
Breaded Chicken ,marinara sauce,Parmesan cheese on at toasty garlic bread sub.
- Tasty Meatballs $2.03
Meatball signature blend of Italian spices, aged cheese, and select cuts of pork and beef.
Buckets
- Bambino Chicken Alfredo $15.60
Bambino Parmesan Chicken Alfredo
- Family Bucket $22.83
Family Bucket 1.5 lbs Pasta , 24 oz. Marinara, 1\2 Loaf of Garlic Bread/ upgrade to full loaf add $2.95
- Medium Chicken Alfredo $22.88
Medium Parmesan Chicken Alfredo
- Bambino Bucket $13.44
Small Bucket 1/2lb. Pasta, 12oz Marinara, Slice of Garlic Bread/upgrade to 1/4 loaf add $1.00
- Family Chicken Alfredo $28.08
Family Parmesan Chicken Alfredo
- Grande Bucket $55.07
Grande Bucket 1.5 lbs. Pasta, 24 oz. Marinara,1/2 loaf of Garlic Bread/upgrade to full loaf add $4.75, 4 canned sodas (Coke and Pepsi Products) 4 meatballs, 2 Desserts.
- Medium Bucket $16.59
Medium Bucket 1lb. Pasta, 18oz Marinara, 1\4 Loaf Of Garlic Bread/Ugrade to 1\2 Loaf add $1.50
By The Bucket Tempe Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Curbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Comfort food
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
By The Bucket Tempe Photos



By The Bucket Tempe Location
By The Bucket Tempe Reviews
spaghettialfredomeatballschicken parmparkingpriceemployees
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1We used to love getting By The Bucket but I don't think we will be coming back. 1st Parking is an absolute nightmare and dangerous. Our spaghetti didn't have anywhere near enough sauce and the clueless kid working behind the counter really shouldn't be there. I asked for a side of chicken and obviously he didn't understand the 4 times I explained, 1... Extra... Piece... Of... Chicken... Not a $15 burnt sandwich.Truth be told... Order olive garden to go...
January 29 · Deena CandelariaThe meatballs and bread are good. The spaghetti is sub par. Not even close to enough sauce for amount of noodles. I don't know if they screwed up, or if that's what they actually provide. Needless to say we are going to go pick up a jar of sauce from the grocery store for "the bucket of noodles" Parking is scarce!
January 24 · Joe DragtWatched us park and had our car towed as soon as we went inside a different business. It was 8pm and we thought they were closed. There was other parking spaces open. We would've been happy to move if they had said something when we got out. We're from Payson, where this business started. Guess small town hospitality only stays in small towns. 235 dollars to get it out. Yeah, we shouldn't have been there but thought it was closed. Why couldn't we have just been asked to move when we literally stepped out of our car? 235 dollars is a lot of money. We aren't disrespectful people, we don't just ignore the tow signs typically. We thought it was closed.
July 20 · Kylie GuevaraWe ordered this "By the Bucket" for our store employees and it was great! We got a little bit of everything; Spaghetti w/meatballs, Chicken Alfredo, Chicken Parmesan, Meatball subs, Chicken Parm subs, and Chicken Alfredo subs. Everything was great! I'm even having a hard time choosing what my favorite was...the food was ready when I arrived and it was delicious. Highly recommend...we will be back!
November 20 · Tony OwensThe Spaghetti was delicious. The Meatballs are HUGE.The Chicken Parm and the Chicken Alfredo were equally as tasty, and the Chicken was very tender. Nice touch.Service with a smile. They are always friendly and courteous.The place is really clean. That means a lot.Keep up the good work, we will be back.
November 20 · Kenny Burch
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