June recap: 4 notable restaurants now closed in the Valley

Bell’ Italia

4909 E Chandler Blvd, Ahwatukee

Bell’ Italia (pictured) has closed after 24 years in Ahwatukee. The restaurant’s website now displays a brief farewell message, and staff say the ‘‘temporarily closed’’ sign has been hung for weeks while quietly becoming permanent. Founder Mario Caputo opened the East Coast-style pizzeria in 2002, and family members kept it running after his unexpected death in 2021.

Native Grill & Wings

1301 E Broadway Rd, Tempe

Native Grill & Wings closed June 15 after 47 years, marking the end of the line for the original location of one of Arizona’s homegrown restaurant brands. Originally known as Native New Yorker, the location was opened by a New York transplant in 1979 and run by his daughters for the past 17 years.

12 West Brewing

12 W Main St., Mesa

The brewery’s flagship location has shut its doors for what it’s calling a ‘‘summer break,’’ with a ‘‘fresh, exciting concept’’ teased to take its place this fall. The closure comes a year after the two-story Main Street location drew controversy for hosting a comedy act that attracted neo-Nazi protesters. The original Gilbert taproom at Barnone remains open.

Kobe Japanese Steakhouse

1125 W Elliot Rd, Tempe

Kobe served its final hibachi dinner June 27 after 22 years, announcing the closure on Facebook just hours before locking up for the night. No reason was given, but the south Tempe spot had long been a go-to for birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries.