Dutchman’s County BBQ: Former ‘‘MasterChef’’ champion Shaun O’Neale is smoking Texas-style brisket, St. Louis ribs, and house-made sausage links in a sprawling restaurant and bar on the Apache Trail in Apache Junction.
Haidilao: The global Sichuan-style hot pot powerhouse with more than 1,700 locations worldwide has opened its first Arizona outpost at Mekong Plaza, one of the Valley’s most popular Asian food destinations, in west Mesa.
Taroko Sports: The family-friendly Japanese-based concept has brought its batting cages and arcade favorites to west Chandler, joining the Mesa Riverview location that opened earlier this year.
Portillo’s: The Ilinois-based cult favorite, famous for Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and addictive chocolate cake, has opened an eighth Valley location in west Chandler.
Salt & Straw: Portland’s artisan ice cream darlings expand their Arizona footprint with a third location, this one in uptown Phoenix, joining stores at Epicenter in Gilbert and Novus Place in Tempe.
STK Steakhouse: After shutting down its Old Town Scottsdale location earlier this year, the modern steakhouse and lounge reopens in the original RA Sushi space. Both concepts are owned by The ONE Group Hospitality.
Back Alley BBQ: The owners of DTC Sport Grille have debuted a second downtown Chandler concept – a chef-driven smokehouse blending traditional Texas barbecue with bold Southwestern twists – in the former home of West Alley BBQ & Smokehouse.
Luna Grill (pictured bottom left): San Diego’s Mediterranean fast-casual favorite, which offers kabob plates, gyro wraps, falafel, and fresh salads in modern setting, made its Arizona debut in southeast Mesa.
Original ChopShop: The Scottsdale-born fast-casual eatery known for protein and superfruit bowls, salads, and sandwiches has opened its 11th Arizona location (and 27th nationwide) in midtown Phoenix.
Tasteful Tailgates (pictured at top): A sports bar that also bills itself as steak and seafood restaurant has taken over the southeast Mesa space formerly home to Cajun-themed sports bar Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux.
Spicy Hut: The owners of Avasa Restaurant have opened a casual eatery offering classic North and South Indian dishes in the former Chicago’s Chicken Shack space in northeast Tempe.
Bad Jimmy’s: The former burger pop-up concept has opened in the former Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup space near downtown Tempe. It’s the fourth brick-and-mortar restaurant Bad Jimmy’s has launched in the past two years.
Il Asilo: The two owners of The Playa II Bar & Grill have bought the The Corner Bar and changed the name. The pair worked at the north Phoenix business when it previously was Ammaccapane’s Restaurant & Bar.
Effin Egg: The Florida-based chain of fast-casual breakfast eateries, known for its craft breakfast sandwiches served on house-made Hawaiian buns, has made its Arizona debut in the former Freshly Laid space next to Trevor’s Liquor in east Phoenix.
Villa Meola Coffee: The casual hangout for entire families, including young children, has partnered with Gelato Cimmino to join its shops next to OHSO Brewery in downtown Gilbert and on gallery row in Old Town Scottsdale.
Akamaru: A family-run modern Japanese restaurant offering ‘‘Tokyo-meets-New York’’ fare has opened in the former Duck Donuts space at the Sonora Village shopping center in north Scottsdale.
J. Alexander’s: The Tennessee-based chain of polished American grills, known for wood-fired steaks, hearty comfort classics, and a buttoned-up-but-welcoming vibe, has opened in Chandler, returning to the Valley after a 10-year absence.
Humble Bistro: The neighborhood wine bar and bistro has opened its fourth Valley location on the ground floor of the Adeline Luxury Living apartments, just north of the Phoenix Suns arena, in downtown Phoenix.
Tipsy Taps & Grill: A new family-run sports bar and restaurant has replaced the year-old DTC Sports Grille location in south Tempe. It’s the fourth concept in five years to occupy the space next to the Hilton Garden Inn.
Night Owl Pizza & Drinks (pictured bottom right): The popular south Scottsdale hangout has brought its retro-cool mix of pinball, New York-style slices, smashburgers, and all-day patio vibes to a second location, this time in Tempe.
Jinya Ramen Bar: The Los Angeles-based chain of contemporary Japanese restaurants, known for slow-simmered broths and customizable ramen, has opened its third Valley location at The Trailhead in Peoria.
Cheese ’n Stuff: The longtime Central Avenue staple, known for its stacked sandwiches, no-frills counter service, and neighborhood-hangout energy, has reopened under new ownership after a brief hiatus in midtown Phoenix.
Pickleman’s Gourmet Café: The Missouri-based chain of sandwich shops, known for toasted sandwiches, chopped salads, and thin-crust pizzas, has launched the first of five planned Arizona locations in Glendale.
Dave’s Italian Eatery: The second Gilbert concept from Eatalio Pasta & Wine owner David Bhatti is a family-friendly mash-up of classic red-sauce comfort, stone-fired pizzas, and neighborhood-casual vibes.
Cleaverman: The much-anticipated new creation from Pretty Decent Concepts (Wren & Wolf, Filthy Animal, Carry On, etc.) was unveiled, along with its sibling Filthy Martini Bar, at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix.
Estelle: A two-story open-air bar and dining destination blending Mediterranean breeziness with Mexican flair – the latest concept from Jocque Concepts (The Montauk, Diego Pops) – has opened in Old Town Scottsdale.
📧 Subscribe to the free MXSW Daily Email here for the latest news about food & drink in the Phoenix metro area.
