New Cinnabon-Carvel fusion concept makes national debut in Peoria

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🍨 Cinnabon Swirl, a new dessert concept combining Cinnabon rolls with Carvel soft-serve ice cream, has made its national debut at Lake Pleasant Crossing in Peoria.

The store is located on the southeast corner of Happy Valley and Lake Pleasant Parkway.

You can enjoy classic menu items from both concepts, along with exclusive mashups such as the Bonini (pictured), a Cinnabon roll filled with Carvel vanilla soft serve that’s warm-pressed similar to a panini.

Another exclusive is the Cinnabon Swirl Sundae, featuring warm, center swirls of a Cinnabon Classic Roll chopped and topped with Carvel vanilla soft serve and a caramel drizzle.

Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

Moon Pie shuts down on Roosevelt Row

🍕 Moon Pie Pizza & Patio, an indoor-outdoor bar that specialized in tavern-style pizzas, has closed in downtown Phoenix. It had taken over the former Teddy’s Preserve space on the northeast corner of Central and Roosevelt in April 2024. Matt Fulton, majority owner of Whining Pig Enterprises, launched Moon Pie with Whining Pig partner Steve Coburn.

Get a free scoop of ice cream today

🍨 Scottsdale-based artisan ice cream shop Sweet Republic celebrates its 17th anniversary today by giving away free scoops from 7 -10 p.m. at all four of its Valley locations. Special monthly flavors include Thai tea, sweet berry cobbler, and banana pudding – but you can choose any flavor except Dubai chocolate. There’s a limit of one free scoop per person; in-store only.

MXSW’s daily newsletter is free, but you get access to additional dining guides and previews with an MXSW Insider membership for less than $5 per month. Learn how to become an Insider here.

Work to resume on Crust in downtown Mesa

🚧 For the past 16 months, Crust Simply Italian has sat only partially built in downtown Mesa. That’s finally about to change. MXSW Insiders can read more here.