MOUTH BY SOUTHWEST

Do you love going out to eat & drink in the Valley? Become a MXSW Insider

By Jess Harter • Friday, March 8, 2024

Welcome to MXSW! Most posts here are free to read. You also can sign up for MXSW’s free daily newsletter.

MXSW Insiders – subscribers who pay a small monthly fee (less than $5 per month) – get additional access to premium content, including exclusive dining guides and information about upcoming restaurants and bars.

Here are just a few links to popular MXSW Insider content:

Hottest new restaurants & bars in Phoenix metro area

Restaurants opening soon in Phoenix metro area

MXSW guide to every Phoenix metro area brewery

See the full list of MXSW Insider guides here. Or click here to see all recent MXSW Insider posts (you’ll only be able to see the headlines).

🔓 You can learn more about MXSW Insider subscriptions and unlock premium content here.

📩 Don't want to miss out on the latest Valley food and drink news? Click here to subscribe to MXSW's free daily email newsletter.

For paid subscribers

MXSW Insider: Il Bosco Pizza finally coming to East Valley

By Jess Harter • Thursday, April 18, 2024

Sorry! While most of MouthBySouthwest.com is free to read, MXSW Insider articles are for paid subscribers only.

Learn how to become an MXSW Insider.

New Restaurant Alert

Taste 117 chocolate shop, cafe & tea house opens near downtown Mesa

By Jess Harter • Thursday, April 18, 2024

🍫 Taste 117 – an artisan chocolate shop, cafe, and tea house concept from Provo, Utah – has opened an Arizona location on the northwest corner of Mesa Drive and Second Avenue near downtown Mesa.

What’s on the menu?

Savory options are three sandwiches ($11-$14) and seasonal soups ($8), while sweet choices include chocolate mousse ($8), brownies ($7.50), house-made ice cream ($6), scones (two for $5), and cakes ($6 per slice).

Beverages include hot chocolate ($7), sipping chocolate ($6), iced chocolate ($6), cacao tea ($7), ginger and mint steepers ($4.50-$5), and more.

An afternoon tea experience ($35 per person) comes with an English scone, four savory tea sandwiches or hors d’oeuvres, four desserts, and a choice of drink. Reservations are required.

A fondue experience ($20 per person) includes an imported cheese or artisan chocolate fondue base accompanied by seasonal fruits, veggies, scratch-made bread, and a drink. Reservations required.

Chocolate tastings ($26 per person) include an interactive chocolate-making demonstration, a video tour of Taste 117’s factory, and a guided tasting of nine artisan chocolates, as well as a selection of olive oils and vinegars. Reservations required.

If you go

📌 Taste 117, 144 S. Mesa Drive #A, Mesa, 480-769-9901. Open 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Closed Sunday-Monday.

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New Restaurant Alert

Fast-casual Mexican concept Quik Burrito launches in north Phoenix

By Jess Harter • Thursday, April 18, 2024

🌯 Quik Burrito, a fast-casual Mexican eatery, has opened at Mountainview Marketplace on the southwest corner of Thunderbird and 32nd Street in north Phoenix.

What’s on the menu?

Burritos ($12.99), burrito bowls ($13.99), flour or corn tacos (two for $13.99), quesadillas ($12.99), papas con carne ($14.99), and desserts ($4-$5).

Protein choices include carnitas, green chile carnitas, pastor, asada, asada ranchero, barbacoa, white chicken, chipotle chicken, shrimp, grilled fish, surf and turf, or vegetable.

No alcohol is available.

If you go

📌 Quik Burrito, 13802 N. 32nd St. #73B, Phoenix, 480-361-3578. Open 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

📩 Don't want to miss out on the latest Valley food and drink news? Click here to subscribe to MXSW's free daily email newsletter.

Things to Do

Myke’s Pizza in downtown Mesa to host Detroit-style pizza pop-up tonight

By Jess Harter • Wednesday, April 17, 2024

🍕 Myke’s Pizza, the award-winning wood-fired pizzeria inside Cider Corps in downtown Mesa, hosts a Detroit-style pizza pop-up today with Brent Kille of Sonoran Pasta Co.

Fifty percent of the proceeds will be donated to 22 Jumps, a non-profit that works toward veteran suicide prevention and promoting traumatic brain injury research.

What’s on the menu

Three special pizzas will be available from 5 p.m. until sold out:

The Lola: House-made spicy sausage, peppadew pepper, ricotta, red auce, mozzarella, and hot honey ($21).
The Peppi: Cupping pepperoni, pepperoncini, red sauce, and mozzarella ($20).
Classic Cheese: Mozzarella, red sauce, and oregano ($17).

There also will be a special ‘‘Michigan-inspired’’ dessert.

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For paid subscribers

MXSW Insider: Caldwell County BBQ making plans for 3rd Valley location

By Jess Harter • Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Sorry! While most of MouthBySouthwest.com is free to read, MXSW Insider articles are for paid subscribers only.

Learn how to become an MXSW Insider.

Coming soon

The Larder & The Delta to reopen in Binkley’s midtown Phoenix space

By Jess Harter • Tuesday, April 16, 2024

🧑🏿‍🍳 The Larder & The Delta, chef Stephen Jones’ well-regarded Southern restaurant that closed in October, will reopen in the soon-to-be-vacated Binkley’s space near the northwest corner of 24th Street and Osborn in midtown Phoenix.

Binkley’s owners Kevin and Amy Binkley broke the news in a social media post announcing the impending closure of their 22-seat restaurant.

The quote

‘‘In August, we will be turning Binkley’s Restaurant over to the talented Chef Stephen Jones of the larder & the delta,’’ they posted. ‘‘Binkley’s Restaurant is special to us, so we thought carefully about who we would like to see operating in our space. We reached out to him to see if he would consider executing his food as an elevated, multicourse, seasonal tasting menu, and he enthusiastically accepted our offer.’’

The history

Jones opened The Larder & The Delta (originally called Yard Bird & The Larder) in 2015 as a six-seat counter in a shared space at the DeSoto Central Market in downtown Phoenix.

After winning $30,000 on the Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games: Impossible,” he moved into his own space (pictured) on the northwest corner of Central and Portland in 2018.

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Say Goodbye

Binkley’s in midtown Phoenix to close in August after 20-year run

By Jess Harter • Tuesday, April 16, 2024

👨‍🍳 Binkley’s, one of Arizona’s most acclaimed restaurants, is closing this August, owners Kevin and Amy Binkley announced on social media.

The New American fine-dining eatery, which debuted in Cave Creek and moved to midtown Phoenix in 2016, will celebrate its 20th anniversary on May 25.

It offers only a 12-course for $265 per person, with wine pairings for an additional $200. There is just one seating (6:30 p.m.) Wednesday-Saturday.

Kevin Binkley has been nominated for the James Beard Award as Best Chef Southwest 11 times – more than any other Valley chef – but has never won the award.

The quote

‘‘While there are many things we will miss, we are excited for the future!’’ the couple posted. ‘‘It has truly been an honor to host so many wonderful and supportive guests over the years. We would like to thank all of the amazing people with whom we have had the privilege to work…we couldn’t have done it without you.’’

What’s next for the Binkleys

The couple plan to take some time off and relax while deciding what they’ll do next. That may include a return to the food and beverage industry, but not as restaurant operators.

What’s next for Binkley’s?

Starting May 24, Binkley’s will bring back many of its most popular dishes from over the years for its final three months.

Per tradition, the 22-seat restaurant will be closed for a week after Mother’s Day and again for Fourth of July week.

📩 Don't want to miss out on the latest Valley food and drink news? Click here to subscribe to MXSW's free daily email newsletter.

New Restaurant Alert

Ingo’s Tasty Food launches 3rd Valley location in northeast Phoenix

By Jess Harter • Tuesday, April 16, 2024

🍔 Ingo’s Tasty Food, a self-described ‘‘gourmet food stand’’ concept that debuted in Arcadia in 2013, has opened its third Valley location on the southwest corner of Scottsdale and Mayo Boulevard in northeast Phoenix.

What’s on the menu?

All-day breakfast and pastries ($3.50-$13), appetizers ($5-$9), salads ($12-$16), sandwiches ($12-$16.50), and burgers ($10.75-$11).

Highlights include Ton’s Deviled Eggs ($5), Fresh Shattered Potato Chips ($6.50), Ingo’s Chorizo Burrito ($13), and Farmer’s Daughter Burger ($11).

Beverage options: coffee drinks, teas, cocktails (including its signature Ingo’s Greyhound, $10), wine, and draft beer.

Other locations

Northwest corner of 40th Street and Campbell in east Phoenix and southeast corner of Washington and First Street in downtown Phoenix.

Did you know?

Ingo’s is owned by HiNoon Hospitality, which also operates upscale seafood concept Buck & Rider. The new Ingo’s is next to a Buck & Rider.

If you go

📌 Ingo’s Tasty Food, 7087 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, 480-863-8850. Open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.

📩 Don't want to miss out on the latest Valley food and drink news? Click here to subscribe to MXSW's free daily email newsletter.

Say Goodbye

Liars Club in downtown Phoenix closes after 16 months in business

By Jess Harter • Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Liars Club – a downtown Phoenix restaurant and bar launched by Colton Brock and John Sagasta, owners of now-defunct cocktail bar Khla – has closed after 16 months on the southwest corner of Central and Monroe.

The menu featured Detroit-style pizzas, smash burgers, and bar bites.

The quote

‘‘We have sold the project to some great local operators that have some cool plans,’’ the owners posted on social media. ‘‘We will be keeping the brand and intend to reopen when the right space arises.’’

📩 Don't want to miss out on the latest Valley food and drink news? Click here to subscribe to MXSW's free daily email newsletter.

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