Author: Jess Harter

Fly Bye, the new Detroit-stye pan pizza and chicken ‘‘ghost kitchen’’ concept Sam Fox launched in December out of The Yard in central Phoenix, is opening a second location at Desert Ridge Marketplace in northeast Phoenix next summer.

Badlands Bar & Grill, an all-day American comfort food restaurant that’s a sibling concept to Chicago restaurant Dakota 94, is taking over the former Tres space on the west side of Price, about a quarter-mile south of Guadalupe, in Tempe.

Crust Simply Italian, an Italian restaurant in Scottsdale and downtown Chandler, is planning to open a third location on the southwest corner of Williams Field and Recker in Gilbert. The new location, expected to open by next summer, also will

Someburros, a local chain of family-run fast-casual Mexican restaurants, will open its 12th location Friday in the Eastmark community near the southwest corner of Signal Butte and Guadalupe in southeast Mesa.

Two days after opening its fifth Valley location in Cave Creek, Fat Willy’s Family Sports Grill will launch its sixth location Wednesday in the former Teakwoods Tavern & Grill space on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Williams Field in

Buzzed Bull Creamery, a Cincinnati-based chain that infuses alcohol into ice cream using liquid nitrogen, will make its Arizona debut this month in the former Creamistry space at the Scottsdale Waterfront on Marshall Way just north of the canal. The

Freely Taproom & Kitchen, which was called Fremont Taproom & Kitchen until a last-minute name change, has opened on the northwest corner of McClintock and Warner in south Tempe. Who’s behind it? Paul Gillingwater, who worked nearly a decade at

Blue 32 Sports Grill, a locally owned group of popular sports bars, has opened its fourth East Valley location on the northwest corner of Gilbert and McKellips in north Mesa. The menu: Sandwiches, burgers, flatbread pizzas, and comfort-food entrees like

D’Vine Gourmet, a shop specializing in Arizona food products, wines, and other locally made gifts, has opened in the former Sibley’s West gift shop space near the northwest corner of San Marcos and Boston in downtown Chandler. Cuisine & Wine

Confirming one of the worst-kept secrets in Ahwatukee, The Hub Grill & Bar announced the sports bar is taking over the recently closed Mellow Mushroom pizzeria on the southwest corner of I-10 and Ray for its third location. The menu:

Yasuo Sushi & Tapas, a casual Japanese restaurant from the owners of Phoenix’s Sushiholic, is coming near the northwest corner of Hayden and Via de Ventura in Scottsdale. The menu: Sushi and Japanese tapas. Projected opening: November 2021.

The Red Chickz, a fast-casual Nashville hot chicken restaurant with a single location in downtown Los Angeles, has announced plans to open 85 franchises in four states, including 10 in Arizona. The menu: Chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, chicken wings, chicken

Tucson-based quick-service restaurant Eegee’s is opening its second Valley location on the northwest corner of U.S. 60 and Crismon in east Mesa. The menu: Grinders (subs), fries, salads, and its signature frozen fruit drinks. Other Valley locations: The Valley’s first Eegee’s

Flower Child, Valley-based restaurateur Sam Fox’s healthy dining concept, opens its newest location Tuesday on the northwest corner of Santan Village Parkway and Williams Field at SanTan Village in Gilbert. The menu: Salads, bowls, and wraps featuring farm-fresh ingredients. (Pictured:

Thompson 105, a wood-fired grill and cocktail bar, is coming to McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, east of Thompson Peak Parkway, in north Scottsdale. The space: It’s taking over the former Twisted Lizard, which closed during the covid-19 pandemic. The menu:

Uniq Burger, a new concept specializing in plant-based burgers, is coming near the northwest corner of Hayden and McDowell in south Scottsdale. The menu: Burgers made with 100% plant-based ingredients. Projected opening: Fall 2021.