Author: Jess Harter

Bonfire Craft Kitchen & Tap House, a 2-year-old restaurant and sports bar in Surprise, will open its second location in the former Tilted Kilt building near the southwest corner of Priest and Warner in south Tempe.

Mae Khong Thai Tapas & Bar, a family-run traditional Thai restaurant, has had its soft opening in the former Thai Time Kitchen space next to the AMC Mesa Grand 14 theaters on northeast corner of Stapley and Baseline in Mesa.

Washington-based Trapper’s Sushi Co. has opened its second Arizona location in the former Squid Ink sushi bar space at CityScape in downtown Phoenix. The first made its Arizona debut in Avondale in March.

Myungrang Hot Dog, a restaurant specializing in Korean-style battered hot dogs, has opened at Westgate on the northwest corner of Glendale and 91st Avenue in Glendale.

Espiritu, a new but yet to be revealed concept from Chiwas Tacos owners Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin, is taking over the short-lived Herb n Smoke space on the south side of Main between MacDonald and Robson in downtown Mesa.

After making its long-awaited return the Valley with restaurants in Gilbert and east Mesa this year, Tucson-based Eegee’s will open a third location on the northwest corner of Peoria and 35th Avenue in west Phoenix this spring.

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, a Japanese chain featuring dishes displayed on a conveyor belt, has made its Arizona debut in the former Smashburger space at the Camelback Colonnade on the southwest corner of Camelback and 20th Street in Phoenix. A

By the Bucket, a Payson-based concept that sells spaghetti and meatballs by the bucket to go, has opened its second East Valley location in the former Papa John’s Pizza space on the southeast corner of Cooper and Warner in Gilbert.

Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a California-based chain known for its signature ‘‘crispy curly’’ pepperoni, will make its Arizona debut in the former Rosati’s Pizza space at Mesa Riverview on the southeast corner of Dobson and the 202 in Mesa.

Tempe Eats – a ‘‘drive-thru food hall’’ featuring Yogis Grill, Oh Sushi Burrito, Wing Station, Sobremesa Gastrobar, Pour My Beer, and Cafe X Robotic Coffee Bar – is coming to the former Pet Club building on the southeast corner of

Cava, a Washington, D.C.-based Mediterranean fast-casual chain that bought Zoës Kitchen in 2018, has opened its first Arizona location in the former Zoës space on the southwest corner of Indian School and 44th Street in Phoenix.

Rice Paddy, a small Vietnamese restaurant offering pho, banh mi, and rice dishes, has opened on the northeast corner of Seventh Street and Rose Lane in uptown Phoenix.

At My Place Cafe, a family-run Filipino restaurant that closed in May after four years in south Mesa, has reopened in the former Pastries N Chaat bakery space near the northwest corner of the 101 and Chandler – across the

Aftermath Bar & Kitchen, a modern American restaurant from Hush Public House co-founder Charles Barber Jr. and former Zinc chef Dave Bowman, has opened in the former Rehab Burger Therapy space on the northwest corner of 16th Street and Bethany

Gilbert-based Uncle Bear’s Brewery has opened its fourth Grill & Tap location in the former Kovo Modern Mediterranean space on the northeast corner of Tatum and Shea in Paradise Valley.

Chicago-based Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria plans to open its seventh Valley location (and third in the East Valley) for takeout and delivery only near the northeast corner of Alma School and Queen Creek in south Chandler in May.

Fire & Fury Brewing, a new craft brewery that originally was called Furious Beer & BBQ before a last-minute name change, has opened in the former Joe’s Grotto space on the northeast corner of 32nd Street and Thunderbird in Phoenix.

Thai Chili 2 Go, an East Valley-based chain of to-go Thai eateries, opens its 12th location at noon Saturday on the southeast corner of Bell and 75th Avenue in Peoria. The first 50 guests will receive a free entrée; after

Enjoy free drinks from 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday when Oregon-based Black Rock Coffee celebrates the opening of its second Tempe location  – and 22nd in Arizona –  behind McDonald’s on the northeast corner of 56th Street and Ray.