Author: Jess Harter

Meet Fresh, an international chain of Taiwanese dessert shops, has made its Arizona debut in the new 99 Ranch Market on the northeast corner of Dobson and Chandler in Chandler.

Tacos Calafia, a former Peoria food truck specializing in Tijuana-style tacos, has opened its fifth bricks-and-mortar location on the northeast corner of Bell and 16th Street in north Phoenix.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, a Chicago-based chain of Napa-inspired ‘‘upscale casual’’ wine bars, will build its third Valley location just north of the recently opened North Italia and Flower Child on the northwest corner of Santan Village Parkway and

Thai Chili 2 Go, an East Valley-based chain of to-go Thai eateries, has opened its 12th location – and second in Scottsdale – in the Edge shopping center on the northeast corner of the Loop 101 and 90th Street.

Netta Cheta’s on Mill, a new breakfast-and-lunch concept from the owners of Tempe sports bar Final Round, is scheduled to open next month in the former Eatza Pizza space on the northwest corner of Mill and Southern in Tempe.

Fast-expanding Maskadores Taco Shop, a local chain of Mexican wrestling (lucha libre) themed eateries, has opened its 18th Valley location on the southeast corner of the Loop 101 and Cave Creek Road in north Phoenix.

Barrio Cosita, a new fast-casual Mexican concept from the owners of Barrio Queen, has debuted on the northeast corner of the Loop 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in north Scottsdale.

Poke & Ramen – a family-run eatery specializing in … well, you can pretty much guess – has opened in the former Sushi Kee space on the southeast corner of Main and Power in east Mesa.

Chandler sports bar Third Base, which closed in June after losing its lease at Dobson and Ray, is reopening in the former Rick’s Pub & Grub space on the northeast corner of Rural and Ray.

Japanese restaurant Shinko Sushi House is moving into the former Perfect Pear space in the Foothills Park Plaza on the southeast corner of Chandler Boulevard and Desert Foothills Parkway in Ahwatukee.

Kazu Ramen, an eatery specializing in the Japanese noodle soups, is coming to the At Home strip mall on the southwest corner of Williams Field and Santan Village Parkway in Gilbert this winter.

Slangin’ Birdz, a Los Angeles-based concept specializing on Nashville hot chicken, is coming to the former Fatburger/U.S. Fries space on the southwest corner of Mill and Fourth in downtown Tempe.

Zona Cantina + Cocina, a family-friendly Mexican restaurant offering ‘‘a modern take on traditional Mexican fare,’’ is coming to the short-lived El Autentico space on the southeast corner of McKellips and Alta Mesa in northeast Mesa.

Florida-based I Heart Mac & Cheese, which made its Arizona debut in Tempe in April, opens it second Valley location Wednesday on the southwest corner of Scottsdale and Bell in north Scottsdale.

Wingstop, a Texas-based chain of aviation-themed restaurants specializing in chicken wings, has opened its 17th Valley location on the southeast corner of the 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright in north Scottsdale.

Haldi Indian Cuisine, a well-regarded 3-year-old restaurant in Surprise, has launched a second location in the former Rogue Tomato space on the southeast corner of Union Hills and 59th Avenue in Glendale.

El Fogón Taqueria in the Chandler Fashion Center food court is moving into the former Uno Mas Cantina space on the southeast corner of Chandler Boulevard and Desert Foothills Parkway in Ahwatukee.

Twisted Chef Cantina – a sports bar offering burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and pastas – has opened in the former Panda Libre (later known as Kung Pow) building on the southwest corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe in Gilbert.