2012 E.V. restaurant openings
January
Sunshine’s Motor City Cafe: Tempe eatery specializes in Detroit favorites
5 R Cha Thai: Mesa Thai restaurant expands to Tempe
O’Neill’s Place: Former Indigo Joe’s re-opens at Las Sendas
Bay Leaf Cafe: Indian eatery opens in south Chandler
The Spot: Sandwich and salad spot opens at Ray and Higley
R.T. O’Sullivan’s: Sports bar opens 3rd Mesa location at Stapley & U.S. 60
Devil’s Den: ASU-themed restaurant opens at Mill & University
Big Jimmy’s $5 Large Pizza: Tempe gets another late-night pizzeria
February
Fritzs Footlong: Hot dog restaurant takes over ex-Smokey’s in Mesa
La Cucina di Venti: Italian trattoria/enoteca opens at Brown & Mesa in Mesa
March
Bread Connection: Artisanal bakery & cafe open at Chandler Blvd. & Alma School
Pita Jungle: Local fresh-Med chain opens location at 49th Street & Ray in Ahwatukee
New Mexican Grill: Chandler eatery opens 2nd location at Gilbert & Queen Creek
Fat Willy’s Family Sports Grill: Local chain’s 5th location opens in Chandler
Postino: Wine lounge’s 3rd location opens in ex-GrainBelt space in downtown Gilbert
April
Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q: Texas chain makes AZ debut in Chandler
Jolie’s Place: Chandler bar & grill opens at Arizona & Warner
Monsterland: AZ’s 1st monster-themed bar & grill in downtown Mesa
Mind Over Batter: Tempe bakery opens Gilbert spinoff
D’Lish: Healthy drive-through eatery expands into Tempe
Can’t Stop Smokin’ Bar-B-Q: New Mexico smokehouse opens in Chandler
Porkopolis: BBQ, burger & beer joint opens at Arizona Ave. & 202 in Chandler
May
Babbo Italian Eatery: 1st East Valley location opens at Rural & Ray in Tempe
Coming soon
Harvey American Public House: Restaurant and sandwich shop coming to Gilbert (May)
ATL Wings Your Way: BBQ & wings joint comes to Gilbert (May)
Pearl Sushi: Downtown Scottsdale sushi bar to open Chandler spinoff (May)
La Fonda Mexican: Longtime north Tempe fave moves south of U.S. 60 (June)
Mad G’s Tavern: Tempe sports bar from owners of The Grind (June-July)
World of Beer: Downtown Tempe’s Mill Avenue gets new beer bar (July)
Handle Bar & Grill: New Mill Avenue spot from owner of La Bocca & Canteen (July)
Desert Eagle Brewing: 1st brewery in downtown Mesa (July)
Raising Cane’s: Chicken fingers chain to make E.V. debut in Tempe (Aug.)
Arizona Wilderness Brewing: 1st brewery in Gilbert (fall)
Bad Mother Cluckers: Northeast corner of Mill and University (fall)
Loco Patron: Valley’s 3rd location opening in downtown Tempe (fall)
(Projected opening dates are tentative)
