Author: Jess Harter

🍔 California-based quick-service chain The Habit Burger Grill has opened its first Surprise location – and its 17th in the Valley – on the southeast corner of the Loop 303 and Waddell. The food: 11 specialty burgers, chicken sandwiches, steak

🍪 CookieRush, a spinoff of local soda shop chain SodaRush, has opened its first location on the northwest corner of Gilbert and Chandler Heights in south Chandler. The concept: SodaRush, which has three Valley locations, won Phoenix Magazine’s award for

JL Smokehouse, regarded as one of Phoenix’s top barbecue joints, has opened a second location in the former Can’t Stop Smokin’ BBQ space on the northwest corner of Lindsay and University in east Mesa. The background: Pit master James ‘‘JL’’

🥩 Bourbon & Bones, a high-end steakhouse from Valley-based restaurant group Square One Concepts, launches its third location at 4 p.m. today at 83 Marketplace on the southeast corner of Happy Valley and 83rd Avenue in Peoria. The history: Square

Nad’s Chicken & Seafood, a fast-casual concept with Southern-style fried foods, has opened in the former Arizona Bread Company space on the southeast corner of Elliot and Kyrene in south Tempe. The food: Chicken wings and tenders, fried catfish, fried

Princess Pita, an off-shoot of Princess Pita Mediterranean Restaurant and Market in Mesa, has opened on the northeast corner of Priest and Washington in northwest Tempe. The background: For 17 years, Princess Pita has operated as a small deli and restaurant

Chickii, a new fast-casual concept specializing in Thai-style fried chicken, has opened at Arrowhead Ranch Center on the northwest corner of the Loop 101 and 59th Avenue in Glendale. The food: Panko-crusted chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, chicken wings, chicken rice

☕️ Oregon-based Black Rock Coffee, which made its Arizona debut in 2016, has opened its 32nd Grand Canyon State store on the southeast corner of Glendale and 75th Avenue in Glendale. The menu: Coffees, teas, smoothies, energy drinks, and fresh-baked pastries.

🍺 Goldwater Brewing, which launched in Old Town Scottsdale in 2015, has opened its third Valley taproom on the northeast corner of Priest and Ray in south Tempe. The space: The newly constructed building, located between McDonald’s and the Perfect

🌮 Tacos Chisco, a small Mexican eatery that debuted in Glendale last year, has opened a second location, Tacos Chisco Bar & Grill, on the northeast corner of Northern and 19th Avenue in north Phoenix. The food: Nine kinds of

The Trophy Bar, which calls itself ‘‘a car lover’s sports bar,’’ has opened at the Downtown Ocotillo development on Queen Creek, between Dobson and Price, in south Chandler. The space: The locally owned concept replaces the health-focused Cherish, which closed

Mijana, a 14-year-old Lebanese restaurant in Tempe, has opened a fast-casual spinoff, Mijana Express, on the southeast corner of 40th Street and Thunderbird in north central Phoenix. The food: An array of Mediterranean plates (shawarma, gyro, lamb shank), sandwiches, and