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Author: Jess Harter

Coming soon: Look Cinemas to take over Flix Brewhouse in Chandler

Dallas-based Look Cinemas is taking over the nine-screen Flix Brewhouse, which has been closed since last year by the covid-19 pandemic,  on the southwest corner of Chandler and Arizona in downtown Chandler. The menu: Moviegoers can enjoy food ranging from

Coming soon: Buck & Rider at Epicenter at Agritopia in Gilbert

Buck & Rider, a 6-year-old seafood and steak restaurant in Arcadia, will open a third location at Epicenter, the mixed-use development at Agritopia on the northwest corner of Higley and Ray in Gilbert. The menu: A raw bar, sushi, seafood,

Now open: Panchita’s Mexican Food in south Tempe

Panchita’s Mexican Food, a 10-year-old hole-in-the-wall restaurant in San Luis (southwest of Yuma), has opened a second location on the northwest corner of Kyrene and Elliott in south Tempe. The menu: Tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas, menudo (Friday and Saturday), and

Coming soon: Fat Willy’s Family Sports Grill in Gilbert

Fat Willy’s Family Sports Grill, which has four East Valley locations, will take over the just-closed Teakwoods Tavern & Grill space on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Williams Field in Gilbert. The menu: Burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, tacos, and comfort-food

Closed: Character Distinctive Dining on Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row

Character Distinctive Dining and Alias, the new concepts from restaurateur Peter Kasperski and bartender Richie Moe, has closed after just 10 months on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. The background: Character and its behind-the-restaurant speakeasy Alias took over the short-lived

Now open (again): Howler’s Restaurant & Sports Bar in Gilbert

After abruptly closing its Gilbert Town Square location without notice last month, Valley-based Howler’s Restaurant & Sports Bar has reopened it just in time for the kickoff of the college and pro football seasons. The background: Howler’s closed Saturday, Aug. 21,

Now open: Unos Tacos y Birria in Mesa

Popular West Valley taqueria Unos Tacos y Birria has opened a second, larger location in the space that formerly was home to The Halal Guys on the northeast corner of Stapley and Baseline in Mesa. The menu: Tacos, quesadillas, quesotacos,

Coming soon: Cornhole-focused bar Hole 9 Yards in Gilbert

Hole 9 Yards, a new bar billing itself as the ‘‘premiere cornhole venue in Gilbert,’’ is coming to the former Goodwill space on the northwest corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe. Who’s behind it? Dr. Todd Kisicki, co-owner with Nic Feinstein,

Coming soon: Puttshack at Scottsdale Quarter

London-based Puttshack – which bills itself as ‘‘the world’s first and only upscale, tech-infused mini golf experience with global food and drink’’ – is coming to the Scottsdale Quarter on the northeast corner of Scottsdale and Greenway. The space: The

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