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Author: Jess Harter

Backyard Taco opens 4th East Valley location in southeast Chandler

Backyard Taco, an award-winning chain of local taco shops born in a Mesa backyard, has opened its fourth location on Gilbert Road about a quarter-mile south of Germann in southeast Chandler. Its fast-casual menu offers tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tostadas, gorditas,

Pizzicata owners to open Pomodoro Italian Grill & Seafood in Cave Creek

Federico Venturini and Viola Tagliaferri, the husband-and-wife team behind year-old Carefree pizzeria Pizzicata, are opening an upscale restaurant, Pomodoro Italian Grill & Seafood. They’re partnering with Cave Creek resident Philip Igneri on the concept, which is taking over the former

Virtual restaurant GoGo Greens launches in Tempe for delivery only

GoGo Greens, a virtual restaurant featuring salads, has opened in Tempe. It offers five salads available only via delivery by DoorDash, Grubhub, or Postmates. The menu features a garden salad, Caesar salad, chopped veggie salad, Cobb salad, and Sedona salad.

Desert Cider House, AZ’s oldest operating cidery, closes in Chandler

Chandler’s Desert Cider House, Arizona’s oldest operating craft cidery, has closed after four years. The cidery cited the covid-19 pandemic as the reason. According to its social media post: ‘‘With a great deal of consideration and deliberation, and in light

Phoenix’s Monroe’s Hot Chicken to open 2nd location in Tempe

Monroe’s Hot Chicken, the 18-month-old downtown Phoenix eatery specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken, is opening a second location at The Watermark on the north side of Tempe Town Lake. The Watermark, a $150 million mixed-use development, is located near the

Michael Waltrip Brewing signs distribution deal with Hensley

A couple weeks ago, MXSW broke the news former NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip was opening a brewery in the Valley (see story). Now, Michael Waltrip Brewing has signed a distribution deal with Hensley. Arizona’s largest beer distributor will ship Waltrip’s

Breakfast chain Snooze opens 7th Valley location in Scottsdale

Denver-based breakfast concept Snooze has opened its seventh Valley location near the northwest corner of the 101 and Shea in Scottsdale. Menu offerings include pancake flights, breakfast pot pies, breakfast tacos, and seven variations of eggs Benedict. Snooze is open

Korean dessert shop Snowtime opens 2nd location in west Mesa

Snowtime, a 3-year-old Korean dessert shop in Chandler, has opened a second location inside H Mart on the southeast corner of Main and Dobson in west Mesa. To celebrate, both locations will offer 10% off all purchases through Sunday. Menu

Sweet Republic bringing its award-winning ice cream to Tempe

Sweet Republic, the award-winning artisan ice cream shop, will open its third location at The Watermark on the north side of Tempe Town Lake. The $150 million mixed-use development is located near the southwest corner of Scottsdale and the 202.

OHSO Brewery releases annual beer to draw attention to suicide hotline

OHSO Brewery has released its annual 1-800-273-8255, a beer to raise awareness of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. One dollar from every pint or can of the hazy IPA sold will be donated to the hotline, which provides free and confidential emotional support

ASU president reports 4 Tempe restaurants for covid-19 violations

ASU president Michael Crow has asked state officials to investigate four downtown Tempe restaurants for allegedly violating covid-19 regulations. In a letter sent to ADHS director Dr. Cara Christ and Department of Liquor Licenses and Control director John Cocca, Crow

Chris Bianco to close newer Pane Bianco, move Tratto into building

Acclaimed Valley chef and restaurateur Chris Bianco has announced some big changes to his restaurant group due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Pane Bianco at 16th Street and Van Buren is closing after 18 months in business. It had

Black Rock Coffee in Gilbert to offer $2 drive-through drinks Friday

Oregon-based Black Rock Coffee celebrates the grand opening of its first Gilbert location Friday with an all-day special: Get any medium drink for just $2 via the drive-through only. The new store, which will be open 5 a.m.-9 p.m., is located