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Author: Jess Harter

AZ Taco Festival postponed until April due to covid-19 concerns

The Arizona Taco Festival, one of the Valley’s largest food events scheduled to take place Oct. 23-24 at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, has been postponed until April due to the rising number of covid-19 cases. The announcement: ‘‘With heightened

Coming soon: Chula Seafood in north Scottsdale

Chula Seafood, the family-owned seafood restaurant and market with locations in uptown Phoenix and south Scottsdale, is opening a third location in the former Hi-Health space on the east corner of Hayden and Thompson Peak Parkway in north Scottsdale. The

Coming soon: Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken in downtown Phoenix

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, a legendary Memphis-based chain that made its Arizona debut in downtown Mesa in January, will open a second location on the southeast corner of Van Buren and Fourth Avenue in downtown Phoenix. The menu: Hot

Now open: Wandering Donkey Taqueria & Tequila Bar in north Scottsdale

The Wandering Donkey food truck has launched a bricks-and-mortar restaurant – Wandering Donkey Taqueria & Tequila Bar – in the Bashas’ shopping center on the southwest corner of Bell and Thompson Peak in north Scottsdale. The menu: Nine specialty tacos

Chase’s Diner in Chandler closes 2 weeks for remodel

Chase’s Diner, a family-run ’50s-inspired restaurant on the northwest corner of Alma School and Warner in Chandler, has closed temporarily for remodeling. Remodel plans: The flooring will be upgraded throughout the building, new A/C units will be installed, the trim

AZ Central to resume dining reviews, but not festival

In a seeming contradiction, AZ Central, which suspended restaurant reviews when the covid-19 pandemic hit Arizona last year, announced it will resume reviews in September, but it is canceling its Wine & Food Experience festival in November for the second

Is The Hub replacing Mellow Mushroom in Ahwatukee?

The buzz making the rounds in Ahwatukee is The Hub Grill & Bar is going to take over the just-closed Mellow Mushroom on the southwest corner of I-10 and Ray. So I asked The Hub owner Kenny Klaus if it

Closed: Teakwoods Tavern & Grill in Gilbert

After giving away countless baskets of free peanuts over 15 years, the last remaining Teakwoods Tavern & Grill on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Williams Field in Gilbert has closed its doors. The reason: According to a Teakwoods official,

Coming soon: Fast-casual Mexican restaurant Someburros in Goodyear

Someburros, the local chain of family-run fast-casual Mexican restaurants, announced its first West Valley location – and 14th overall – will be built on the southwest corner of the Estrella Parkway and Van Buren in Goodyear. The menu: 15 types

Now open: Filipino BBQ restaurant Flaming Pig in central Phoenix

Filipino barbecue restaurant Flaming Pig has opened in the former Han Korean BBQ space on the northwest corner of Camelback and 15th Avenue in central Phoenix. The menu: Barbecued meats are available on sticks or platters. House specialties include pasingaw

Now open: Custom dessert shop Creamistry at Park West in Peoria

Creamistry, a California-based ice cream concept, has opened its first West Valley location at Park West shopping mall on the northeast corner of Northern and 99th Avenue in Peoria. The menu: Custom ice cream treats are flash-frozen using liquid nitrogen

Now open: Inchin’s Bamboo Garden in downtown Chandler

Inchin’s Bamboo Garden, an Atlanta-based chain of ‘‘elevated’’ south Asian restaurants, has opened its second Arizona location in the former Brunchies space near the southeast corner of Arizona and Boston in downtown Chandler. The food: An extensive menu focuses on

Now open: Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria takeout/delivery at Dana Park in Mesa

Chicago-based Lou Malnati’s has launched its first East Valley location – offering takeout and delivery only – at Dana Park on the northwest corner of Val Vista and Baseline in Mesa. The food: Chicago-style deep-dish and thin crust pizzas, pasta dishes,

Switch Restaurant & Bar in midtown Phoenix to close Sept. 5

Switch Restaurant & Bar, a casual neighborhood hangout that’s been a mainstay of midtown Phoenix for the past 14 years, announced it will close permanently at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5. The reason: ‘‘(The) last 18 months or so has

Closed: Howler’s Restaurant & Sports Bar at Gilbert Town Square

(UPDATE: Howler’s has responded to this post: ‘‘We are not closed permanently and will reopen in the next couple of weeks after remodeling the space and hiring enough staff to make the restaurant run effectively. This will probably be the

Now open: Mediterranean restaurant Supreme Shawarma in Chandler

Supreme Shawarma has taken over the strip-mall space that formerly was home to Turkdish Mediterranean Cuisine, which closed in March, on the southeast corner of Rural and Ray in Chandler. The food: Shawarma, kebabs, gyros, lamb chops, and more. Hours: