G-PZYQGERCM4

Author: Jess Harter

Il Bosco Pizza to expand with 2nd location on Roosevelt Row in Phoenix

Old Town Scottsdale’s Il Bosco Pizza, whose plans to expand to Gilbert fell through earlier this year, finally has found a spot for its second location on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. Back in February, the 8-year-old wood-fired pizzeria planned to

Ground Control in Litchfield Park introduces weekend brunch menu

Ground Control, the coffee roaster and craft beer tap house in Litchfield Park, has started a special weekend brunch menu. Options include chilaquiles, avocado toast, quiches, chicken and waffles, stuffed French toast, and banana pancakes with macadamia nut syrup. Brunch

Messana’s Chicago Hot Dogs launches in south Tempe

Messana’s Chicago Hot Dogs, an eatery offering only Chicago-style dogs and hand-cut fries, has opened on the northwest corner of Kyrene and Elliot in south Tempe. It takes over the strip-mall space that formerly was home to Gandolfo’s New York

Plant-based Mexican concept GuacStar to open Nov. 5 in Tempe

GuacStar Kitchen & Cantina, a plant-based Mexican restaurant whose March opening was delayed by the covid-19 pandemic, finally has announced an opening date: Thursday, Nov. 5. The 4,650-square-foot restaurant is located on the second floor of the Cornerstone plaza on

Glendale burger joint Chzburgr closes after 16 months in business

Chzburgr, an acclaimed chef-driven burger joint on the northwest corner of 49th Avenue and Thunderbird in Glendale, has closed after a little more than a year in business. Chef-owner Kelly Fletcher made the announcement Monday on social media: ‘‘It is

Salad and Go launches 24th location today in south Tempe

Salad and Go, the Gilbert-born drive-through concept that launched in 2013, opens its 24th location today on the northeast corner of McClintock and Elliot in south Tempe. It’s the third location to open in Tempe in the past four months,

Health-focused CoreLife Eatery makes AZ debut in south Tempe

CoreLife Eatery, a fast-casual concept specializing in healthy food, makes its Arizona debut this week on the northeast corner of McClintock and Warner in south Tempe. CoreLife uses only grass-fed beef, antibiotic-free chicken and pork, and cage-free eggs. All ingredients

Ocotillo owners launch Mexican restaurant Chantico in Phoenix

Chantico, a Mexican restaurant from the owners of Ocotillo, has opened on the southwest corner of 11th Street and Camelback in Phoenix. The diverse menu draws inspiration from all parts of Mexico, featuring such items as birria (goat) tacos, braised

Southern California’s Farmer Boys to make AZ debut in Gilbert

Farmer Boys, a Southern California-based fast-casual burger concept, will make its Arizona debut in the new City Gate Marketplace on the southeast corner of Higley and Baseline in Gilbert. Besides its award-winning burgers, Farmer Boys offers all-day breakfast, sandwiches, salads,

Ono Hawaiian BBQ takes over ex-Arby’s building in south Tempe

A sharp-eyed MXSW reader noticed California-based Ono Hawaiian BBQ is taking over the former Arby’s in the Fry’s Marketplace plaza on the northwest corner of Rural and Ray in Tempe. The chain currently has seven Valley locations, but several others

Soon-to-open fast-casual concept in Chandler changes name to Pasta78

Two months ago, MXSW was the first to report Pesto Italian Eatery, a new fast-casual build-your-own-pasta concept, would make its debut in Chandler this fall (see story). Now we know when: Monday, Nov. 2. Besides its opening date, the concept

New brewery Wicked Brews, Bites & Spirits coming to Ahwatukee

A new brewery – Wicked Brews, Bites & Spirits – is coming to the former Uncle Bear’s space on the southwest corner of I-10 and Ray in Ahwatukee. Not much is known yet about the newcomer, whose partners include Chip

Discount grocer Aldi announces Chandler location will open Nov. 5

Illinois-based discount grocer Aldi announced its first Arizona stores will open Thursday, Nov. 5, in Chandler and Goodyear. The Chandler store is on the northwest corner of Alma School and Queen Creek; the Goodyear one on the southeast corner of

Match Restaurant & Lounge in downtown Phoenix expands concept

Four-year-old Match Restaurant and Lounge, connected to the FOUND:RE art boutique hotel in downtown Phoenix, has transformed into Match Market and Bar. In addition to lunch and dinner for dine-in or and take out, the expanded concept offers grab-and-go food

The Pizza Experience closes after less than a month in Gilbert

Just 12 days ago, I wrote about the opening of The Pizza Experience, a chef-driven concept promising “no more boring pizza,’’ on the southeast corner of Lindsay and Warner in Gilbert. Sadly, it appears the restaurant has closed after less