Author: Jess Harter

California-based Ono Hawaiian BBQ, known for its island-inspired plate lunches, has opened its 10th Valley location – and third in the East Valley – in the former Arby’s near the northwest corner of Rural and Ray in south Tempe.

Lucky Lou’s American Kitchen, an all-day concept that will be a sibling to the East Valley’s three Lucky Lou’s American Grills, is scheduled to debut in spring 2022 at Dana Park on the northwest corner of Val Vista and Baseline

Rusty Taco, a Dallas-born chain of Tex-Mex fast-food restaurants, plans to open its third Arizona location in March 2022 on the southeast corner of Seventh Street and Forest (about a block north of The Chuckbox) near downtown Tempe.

K-38 Beach Mex Cantina, a Mexican restaurant and bar inspired by a stretch of Baja Highway 1 in Baja California, is expected to open this month next to Black Rock Coffee Bar on the southwest corner of Alma School and

Niro’s House Mediterranean Kitchen, which had its soft opening several weeks ago on the southeast corner of Val Vista and Southern in east Mesa, celebrates its grand opening Tuesday, Nov. 2, by giving away free gyro or chicken shawarma wraps

Oregon-based Thirsty Lion Gastropub will launch its fifth – and largest – Arizona location with a 9,800-square-foot, two-story restaurant next to the Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale by December 2022.

Casanova Bros. Pizza & Pasta, a Gilbert favorite on the northeast corner of Val Vista and Guadalupe for 14 years, has decided to close permanently in the wake of the death of co-owner Mike Casanova from covid-19 in August.

Cava, a Washington, D.C.-based Mediterranean fast-casual chain that bought Zoës Kitchen in 2018, is converting the Zoës on the southeast corner of Camelback and 16th Street in Phoenix into Arizona’s first Cava.

Texas-based fast-food chain Whataburger is building its fifth East Valley location near the southeast corner of Gilbert and Queen Creek in south Chandler.

The Parlour Room, a red-lit cocktail lounge that’s a sibling of neighboring concept The White Rabbit Cocktail Bar in the basement courtyard level of the Heritage Building in downtown Gilbert, makes its debut at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Shaved ice shop Tropical Sno announced it will close its bricks-and-mortar location on the southwest corner of 48th Street and Elliot in Ahwatukee at the end of November, but will continue to operate its popular food truck.

Get a free salad or wrap with the purchase of a breakfast burro (see details) from 6:30-10:30 a.m. Friday to celebrate the opening of Salad and Go‘s newest Valley location on the southeast corner of Crismon and Southern in east

Shawarma Factory, a Mediterranean and Middle East to-go restaurant, has taken over the former Shawarma Corner space on the southeast corner of College and Veterans Way – across the street from Sun Devil Stadium – in Tempe.

Original ChopShop, which MXSW reported last January was taking over the former California Pizza Kitchen at Dana Park on the northwest corner of Val Vista and Baseline in Mesa, is expected to open next month.

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