Top 10 stories involving Phoenix metro area restaurants & bars in 2022

Restaurant labor shortage

Any hopes covid-beleaguered restaurants and bars had of getting back to ‘‘normal’’ in 2022 were dashed by a shortage of available workers, which has led to numerous closures, limited days and hours of operation, and overworked staffs. Sadly, this situation shows no signs of improving next year.

Chris Bianco’s triumphs

Arizona’s famous pizza-maker had a very good year, even by his lofty standards. He finally opened a long-anticipated Pizzeria Bianco in Los Angeles, starred in a Netflix series, and won the James Beard Award for the country’s Outstanding Restaurateur, among other accomplishments.

Epicenter at Agritopia launch

Restaurateur Joe Johnston’s dream of creating a food-centric mixed-use development at the site of his former family farm in Gilbert finally became a reality with first-phase openings including Air Guitar, Beer Barn, Belly, Peixoto Coffee, Undertow, and Source. More are coming in 2023.

Return of Papago Brewing

November’s closure of The Brass Tap at Mesa Riverview has opened the door for the impending return of Papago Brewing, the Valley’s seminal craft beer bar that lost its popular Scottsdale taproom to developers in 2017. It could open as soon as February.

Legalization of sports betting

What does Arizona’s legalization of sports betting have to do with Valley restaurants? Look no further than the new Guy Fieri’s DTPHX Kitchen & Bar in the Caesars Sportsbook in downtown Phoenix. Or the new Flanker Kitchen & Sports Bar in the BetMGM Sportsbook in Glendale. Or the new Barstool Sports in Old Town Scottsdale.

Gregory Elias’ death

Longtime Scottsdale restaurateur Gregory Elias died while swimming at Lake Pleasant in August. The 72-year-old was best-known as the owner of popular Eli’s American Grille from 1992 until its closure in 2015, but also was involved with several other local restaurants and bars.

Tempe restaurant closures

Every Valley city and town saw restaurant closures in 2022, but Tempe was hit particularly hard. One example: Four of its closed restaurants – The Vine, House of Tricks, PF Chang’s, and Chompies – had been in business for a combined 120 years.

Return of Fazoli’s

Breadstick lovers rejoiced when Italian-American fast-casual chain Fazoli’s announced it was returning to the Valley after a 14-year absence. They’ll break ground in January at Sky Harbor for the first of nine new locations.

Ty Largo’s death

The 40-year-old public relations guru, whose Awe Collective agency seemingly represented just about every award-winning chef and restaurant in the Valley, died unexpectedly in July. The respected thought leader’s other clients included municipalities, media outlets, and political groups.

Cider Corps closes new site

Arizona’s largest cider-maker spent years planning the May opening of a large production facility and taproom in Gilbert. Then the property owner died and disagreements with the new owner led Cider Corps to close the site and move production back to its original Mesa site this week.