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Piefection, an independent pie shop with locations in northeast Mesa and central Scottsdale, plans to open a third location this fall on the northwest corner of Chandler and Dobson in Chandler. Its menu includes more than 30 varieties of traditional
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Postino WineCafe will open its ninth Valley location – and its first in the West Valley – next to the Peoria Sports Complex on the south side of Paradise Lane between 79th and 83rd avenues. It will be part of
If you miss the wings at now-defunct Teakwoods Tavern & Grill, you’ll want to check out Teaks Wings & Rings, a new ghost kitchen concept (featuring Teakwoods’ familiar moose logo) that has launched at the Tempe Food Court and the
The Desmond, an Italian bistro and bar serving Neapolitan-style pizzas and sandwiches on house-baked bread, has opened next to Kettle Black on the northeast corner of First Street and Washington in downtown Phoenix. Besides pizzas and sandwiches, there are dinner
Mochinut, a Los Angeles-based chain that made its Arizona debut in Tempe last fall, is opening a second Valley location next to Lee Lee International Supermarket on the southwest corner of Cactus and 75th Avenue in Peoria. Mochinut sells mochi
Cafe Balkan, which bills itself as an ‘‘authentic European kitchen,’’ has opened in the former Southern Delights space near the northeast corner of Cave Creek and Rose Garden in north Phoenix. Entrees include sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls, pictured), goulash, and
B&B Cocktail Lounge, a spinoff of Bourbon & Bones Chophouse & Bar, will make its debut at 5 p.m. Wednesday just north of the fine-dining restaurant on the northwest corner of Scottsdale and Third Avenue in Old Town Scottsdale. In
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Cherish Farm Fresh Eatery, a healthy fast-casual concept that made its debut in 2019 at the Downtown Ocotillo development in south Chandler, has closed. The locally owned concept had taken over a building on Queen Creek between Dobson and Price
Komodo Asian Fusion, an eatery offering mostly Thai and Vietnamese dishes, has opened near the southwest corner of 12th Street and Northern in north Phoenix. The menu features a variety of stir-fry, curry, and noodle dishes. (Pictured: Pad Kra Pao.)
Taproom 120, a movie-themed craft beer and wine bar, is coming to the former Crossfit Obsession space next to Caldwell County BBQ on the northwest corner of Power and the 202 in southeast Gilbert. The bar also will sell beer
Roy’s Restaurant, the upscale American restaurant specializing in Hawaiian-Japanese fusion cuisine, has closed its west Chandler location near the southwest corner of Ray and 56th Street. The restaurant had opened in 2007. The struggling chain once had 21 locations in
Modern Margarita, a stylish lounge focused on Mexican small plates and margaritas, is opening a second location in front of EOS Fitness near the southeast corner of Gilbert and Ocotillo in south Chandler. Valley restaurateur Julian Wright opened the original
Buck & Rider, a 6-year-old seafood and steak restaurant in Arcadia, has a new timeline for the openings of its second and third locations. A Scottsdale location at the Shops at Chauncey Ranch on the southeast corner of Scottsdale and
Newly renamed Six Byrd Cider Co., which launched in Tempe in 2019 as Crush Craft Cider Co., is finally opening its much-delayed first taproom next month on the southeast corner of Indian School and 36th Street in Phoenix’s Arcadia Lite
After years of teases and false starts, Los Angeles finally has a Pizzeria Bianco. Valley restaurateur and chef Chris Bianco, fresh off his James Beard Award as the country’s Outstanding Restaurateur, soft-opened a new location of his famed pizzeria today
Little O’s, a smaller sibling of OHSO Brewery, will open its third location in the former Spoke & Wheel space on Central between Dunlap and Northern in Phoenix’s Sunnyslope neighborhood. The dog-friendly neighborhood concept offers a streamlined version of OHSO’s
Humble Bistro, a neighborhood wine parlor concept that’s a spinoff of Humble Pie, opens today in the former Waldo’s BBQ & Catering space on the northwest corner of Val Vista and Williams Field. The concept, which offers globally inspired cuisine
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Food Network personality Guy Fieri has soft-opened Guy Fieri’s DTPHX Kitchen & Bar at the new Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. The eatery, which formerly was home to Game 7 Grill, is Fieri’s first sit-down restaurant in
Tempe-based Venezia’s New York Style Pizzeria opens its sixth Valley location today next to The Parlay Kitchen & Cocktails near the southeast corner of Price and the 202 in south Chandler. Venezia’s offers pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and wings, and has
Times Square, a neighborhood Italian restaurant, has opened its third Valley location near the southeast corner of Bell and 59th Avenue in Glendale. The all-day menu features pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and dinner entrees. (Pictured: Bruschetta with diced tomatoes marinated in
Obed de la Cruz, who closed his El Zocalo Mexican Grill in downtown Chandler in 2020, is relaunching his fast-casual Mexican concept Burritoholics near the northwest corner of Main and Robson in downtown Mesa. Burritoholics debuted in 2017 in a
American Premium Vodka – a Phoenix-based company launched in March by Mark Gus Scott (pictured), drummer for the early 1990s glam metal band Trixter – has launched a campaign to donate $1 from every bottle sold to American Legion Charities.
MIXT, a San Francisco-based chain offering salads and grain bowls, will be giving away free salads from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday at its Scottsdale Quarter location. In exchange, diners are encouraged to donate to Blue Watermelon Project, a local nonprofit founded
Beverly Hills-based Fatburger and its sibling wing concept, Buffalo’s Express, have soft-opened in the food court at Arizona Mills shopping center in Tempe. A grand opening is planned for Thursday, June 30, when the first 100 fans will receive a
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Chris Bianco, owner of Pizzeria Bianco, Pane Bianco, and Tratto in Phoenix, was named the country’s Outstanding Restaurateur at the 2022 James Beard Foundation Awards, the culinary world’s equivalent of the Oscars, tonight in Chicago. The Bronx-born Bianco previously won a
Bacanora, an informal Mexican restaurant that’s captivated Valley diners with chef René Andrade’s Sonoran comfort food, fell short in its bid to win Best New Restaurant at the 2022 James Beard Foundation Awards, the Oscars of the culinary world, tonight
Giovanni Scorzo, owner of Andreoli Italian Grocer in Scottsdale, fell short in his bid to win Best Chef Southwest at the 2022 James Beard Foundation Awards, the Oscars of the culinary world, today in Chicago. Scorzo was one of five
Don Guerra, owner and head baker at Barrio Bread in Tucson, has won the 2022 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Baker. The Tempe native, who opened Barrio Bread in his garage in 2009, is the first Arizona baker to
Kudos to Phoenix’s Bitter & Twisted (pictured) and Little Rituals, which are among 10 finalists for Best U.S. Cocktail Bar and Best U.S. Hotel Bar, respectively, in the prestigious 2022 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. Finalists will be narrowed to
Sr. Ozzy’s Tacos Y Mariscos, which began as a Sinaloa-inspired food truck in 2016 and added a bricks-and-mortar restaurant in south Phoenix in 2017, has opened a second location – its first franchise – on the northwest corner of Peoria
The Vine Tavern & Eatery, an Irish-themed pub that’s been a favorite hangout of ASU students and sports fans for nearly four decades, is opening a third Valley location on the northwest corner of Ray and 38th Street in Ahwatukee.
Seattle-based coffeehouse Caffe Vita will make its Arizona debut next to recently opened Roses by the Stairs Brewing in the former Easley’s Fun Shop building near the southwest corner of McDowell and Fifth Avenue in central Phoenix. Plans call for
Motomoto Sushi & Izakaya, a Japanese restaurant and bar, has opened on the ground floor of the Hilton Garden Inn on the southeast corner of Central and Monroe in downtown Phoenix. The menu features sushi, ramen, and shareable plates. (Pictured:
The Wine Collective of Scottsdale, a downtown tasting room and retail shop showcasing premium Arizona wines, has opened on the northwest corner of Scottsdale and First Avenue. ‘‘I wanted a tasting room that was virtually 100 percent Arizona wines,’’ says
Vero Chicago Pizza, former known as Buddyz Chicago Pizzeria before rebranding itself in 2020, finally is opening its much-delayed fifth East Valley location behind AutoZone on the southwest corner of Gilbert and Chandler Heights in south Chandler. The restaurant, originally
The Golden Margarita, which operated as a Mexican restaurant during the day and a nightclub in the evening, has closed 21 months after taking over the former Paz Cantina space on the northeast corner of Roosevelt and Third Street in
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Colorado-based Ziggi’s Coffee has opened its fourth Valley location the southeast corner of Sossaman and Guadalupe in southeast Mesa. In addition to coffee and other drinks, Ziggi’s serves locally made breakfast, lunch, and snack items. The chain also has two locations
Sushi Green, a Colombia-based Asian fusion concept, will make its U.S. debut by the Harkins Theatres on the northwest corner of Gilbert and Germann in Chandler. It’s taking over the space formerly home to YC’s Mongolian Grill, which closed in
Ay, Chabela, a Mexican seafood restaurant with an agave-based cocktail program, is taking over the former Chez Gregory space near the southeast corner of Roosevelt and Seventh Street in downtown Phoenix. The restaurant is a joint project by brothers Andrew
The Arizona Taco Festival is moving to the East Valley for its 13th year. The popular event, which includes a tequila expo, a chihuahua beauty pageant, lucha libre wrestling, and live music, will be held Nov. 12-13 at Bell Bank
Mr Fries Man, a California-based concept that made its Arizona debut in Tempe three months ago, is planning to open a second Valley location in Peoria this summer. It will be located near the northeast corner of Beardsley and Lake
Heads up, Wendy’s fans: The fast-food chain introduced a limited-time Strawberry Frosty on Monday in conjunction with the seasonal return of its Summer Strawberry Chicken Salad. It’s only the second new Frosty flavor Wendy’s has debuted in the U.S. in the
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Prep & Pastry, a modern American brunch concept with locations in Tucson and Scottsdale, is coming to downtown Gilbert. It’s taking over the space that formerly housed Da’Bayou Creole Kitchen and, before that, The Brass Tap. No opening date has
Bashas’ has announced the three grand prize winners of its seventh annual Donut Flavor Craze contest: In the kids’ category, 15-year-old Owen (no last name released) from Phoenix won for his Cotton Candy doughnut, a white raised donut with blue
Tacos Calafia, a former Peoria food truck specializing in Tijuana-style tacos, is planning to open its seventh restaurant location in the former Fuzzy’s Taco Shop space on the southwest corner of Mill and Fourth Street in downtown Tempe. Besides tacos,
Big Chicken, a fast-casual chicken concept launched by former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal in 2018, is moving into the recently closed Pomo Pizzeria space in downtown Gilbert. Big Chicken’s signature sandwiches include the Shaq Attack and the Charles Barkley. The
Better Dayz AZ, a sports bar and grill, is taking over the former Twisted Cactus Brew & BBQ space on the northwest corner of McClintock and Ray in west Chandler. The sports bar originally intended to open in Surprise in
Friday is National Donut Day, created by The Salvation Army in 1938 to honor their members who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I. To celebrate, many Valley doughnut shops will be offering free or discounted deals, including: Duck
Hi 5 Tea, a Vietnamese restaurant and bubble tea shop that opened last August near the southwest corner of Arizona and Warner in Chandler, has launched Hi 5 Sushi in the space next store. Besides sushi, Hi 5 Sushi offers
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Rio Rico Mexican Grill, an 18-year-old Sonoran-style sit-down restaurant on the southeast corner of Val Vista and Guadalupe in Gilbert, has moved across its parking lot to a much larger space – the 5,000-square-foot building that formerly was home to
S. Maranto’s Italian Bar & Market, an Italian grocery and bar that served house-made pastas and artisan sandwiches, has closed after just six months on the southwest corner of Scottsdale and the 101 in north Scottsdale. ‘‘Unfortunately, our concept was
It’s been a month since I launched MXSW Insider, a series of in-depth posts for paid subscribers on Mouth by Southwest. (If you missed the announcement about MXSW Insider, you can find it here.) So far, the paid subscriptions have
Openings Tia Carmen, a contemporary Southwestern restaurant from celebrity chef Angelo Sosa, has opened at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in northeast Phoenix. See post Birdcall, a Denver-based chain specializing in fried chicken sandwiches and tenders,
Hashi Sushi has moved into the former Blu Sushi strip-mall space on the southeast corner of Pima and Pinnacle Peak in north Scottsdale. The menu is divided into basic rolls, fresh rolls, tempura rolls, and speciality rolls. Open for lunch
Salt Tacos y Tequila, a modern Mexican restaurant and bar at Westgate in Glendale and SanTan Village in Gilbert, has opened a third location at The Shops at Norterra on the northeast corner of the I-10 and Happy Valley in
Angel Thai Bistro, a family owned and operated restaurant, has opened in the former Sa Bai Thai space on the northeast corner of 40th Street and Greenway in northeast Phoenix. House specialties include angel hair pasta with seafood, chicken and
Zu & Pocha, self-described as ‘‘a modern seafood eatery and drinkery with a Korean touch,’’ has opened on the northeast corner of Apache and Terrace in Tempe. It’s the latest concept from the team behind Bei Sushi, Bei Express, Junn
Cinnaholic, a California-based chain of vegan cinnamon roll bakeries, has launched its latest location in the former Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf space at the entrance to the Harkins theaters at Tempe Marketplace. It’s Cinnaholic’s third Valley opening in less
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Munch A Mania, a breakfast and lunch eatery near the northwest corner of University and the 101 in Tempe, will close its doors Friday after 25 years in business. Owners Gordon and Mary Taggart have decided to retire. The deli
Jimmy G’s, an independent restaurant focused on pastas and salads, has opened in the Grove Towne Shopping Center near the southeast corner of Alma School and Southern in Mesa. The menu features seven salads and five kinds of pasta with
Utah-based soft drinks concept FiiZ Drinks returns to Arizona at noon Saturday with a new location on the northwest corner of Mesa and First Avenue in downtown Mesa. FiiZ previously opened multiple Valley locations, but all closed in 2019. Its
Cider Corps will debut its new production facility and taproom near the northeast corner of Gilbert and Warner in Gilbert with a series of ‘‘open houses’’ beginning this weekend. Chef Adam Allison’s new Brightside Burgers will be onsite. Hours will
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Just Love Coffee, a Nashville, Tenn.-based chain offering specialty coffees and an all-day food menu, will make its Arizona debut near the northwest corner of Power and Warner in southeast Mesa. Just Love uses waffle irons to make an array
Bravo’s Emmy-winning reality series ‘‘Top Chef,’’ which has spent most of its 19th season in Houston, moves to Tucson for the final two episodes. Featured guests will include Carlotta Flores of legendary El Charro Cafe, Don Guerra of Barrio Bread,
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Disco Dragon, a 40-seat Asian restaurant and bar, has opened on the southeast corner of Roosevelt and Fifth Street on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. It’s the latest concept from Sam Olguin and Brenon Stuart, the duo behind the nearby
California-based Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shops plans to open its first five Arizona locations by the end of this year and a sixth in early 2023. The menu offers hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and soups. The locations: Dobson and Ray
Sad news for Arizona craft beer fans: Tucson’s 1702, also known as The Address Brewing, is closing Friday. The pizza pub opened 2007 and began brewing its own beers in 2011, calling itself Address Brewing. (The 1702 name is a
Arby’s, the fast-food chain known for roast beef sandwiches, is introducing the first-ever hamburger in its 60-year history. The Wagyu Steakhouse Burger, expected to cost $5.99, is being promoted as 50% larger than a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder. It’s only scheduled
Wren House Brewing is opening a European-inspired beer hall in the Safeway/Trader Joe’s shopping center on the southeast corner of Chandler and 40th Street in Ahwatukee. Dubbed Südhalle (“South Hall”), the new venue will have all of Wren House’s acclaimed
Juan Jaime’s Tacos & Tequila, a popular Chandler hangout since opening in 2007, has closed its doors near the northeast corner of the 101 and Chandler Boulevard. In a social media post, the restaurant said it decided not to renew
Flower Child, the fast-casual healthy food restaurant from Fox Restaurant Concepts, will open its sixth Valley location on the southwest corner of Ray Road and 56th Street in west Chandler. Its menu focuses on salads, bowls, and wraps. Flower Child
Not Your Typical Deli, the popular sandwich shop that hires about half its staff through its own training program for those with autism and other developmental disabilities, announced the Gilbert Town Square location will close Thursday, May 26. The deli
The twice-a-year Arizona Restaurant Week begins its 10-day spring run Friday with more than 125 participating restaurants offering special three-course meals for either $33, $44 or $55. The $55 price is new this year, allowing high-end restaurants to create more expensive
Colados Coffee & Crepes, a family-owned shop that’s been serving some of the best crepes in the West Valley since 2014, has opened its third location near the northeast corner of Seventh Street and Oak in midtown Phoenix. Crepes are
New Jersey-based Bubbakoo’s Burritos, a fast-casual Mexican fusion eatery, makes its Arizona debut at 11 a.m. today in front of Sam’s Club at SanTan Village in Gilbert. The menu offers standard build-your-own burritos, bowls, quesadillas, and tacos, but unusual protein choices
Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, the Utah-based chain of fast-casual Mexican restaurants, will open its next location June 10 near the southwest corner of Hunt Highway and Golf Club Drive in San Tan Valley. Cafe Rio’s menu offers salads, tostadas, burritos,
Two previously announced nightlife concepts coming to Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe now have tentative opening dates. Anoche Cantina, a modern cantina with a build-your-own margarita bar that’s taking over the former El Hefe space, is scheduled to open Aug.
Wisconsin-based Culver’s will be giving out free cheese curds (pictured) and frozen custard from its first-ever food truck from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday at the Phoenix Zoo. Attendees also will get to snap selfies with a dairy cow, see an
Enjoy free drinks from 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday when Oregon-based Black Rock Coffee celebrates the opening of its fifth Mesa location – and 27th in Arizona – on the southeast corner of Ellsworth and Ray.
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Vietnamese restaurant Saigon Bistro Pho & Seafood has opened on the southwest corner of Bell and Tatum in north Phoenix. The menu focuses on Vietnamese sandwiches, several kinds of pho, and other soups. Open for lunch and dinner daily.
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, a Florida-based chain of frozen dessert shops that opened its first Arizona location in south Chandler in 2020, plans to add another in the city by September on the northeast corner of Rural and Ray Roads. Jeremiah’s
Roses by the Stairs Brewing, a farmhouse-inspired brewery that takes its name from the lyrics of a Blink-182 song, has opened in the former Easley’s Fun Shop building near the southwest corner of McDowell and Fifth Avenue in central Phoenix.
One of the most protracted restaurant builds in Valley history finally comes to end at 6 a.m. Tuesday with the opening of Tipsy Egg on the southeast corner of Arizona and Boston in downtown Chandler. The breakfast and lunch eatery
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Idaho-based burger joint Sid’s Garage will make its Arizona debut Sunday next to the AMC movie theaters at Desert Ridge Marketplace in northeast Phoenix. The menu features 10 specialty burgers, including a $24.50 three-patty Godzilla Burger, a signature appetizer of candied
The Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market has moved from its longtime home at Central and McKinley. It now takes place on the southwest corner of Fifth Street and McKinley. The larger digs allow the market, which has summer hours of 7:30-11:30
Vegan & Vine, a family-owned, plant-based cafe, wine bar, and marketplace, has opened on the northwest corner of Seventh Street and Thunderbird in north central Phoenix. An elevated menu offers vegan-friendly fare such as avocado toast, carrot ginger soup, Buffalo
Taco Boys, the casual Mexican eatery with popular locations in Phoenix and Tempe, is opening two more in west Phoenix by the end of this year. One will be on the southeast corner of 91st Avenue and Camelback Road (a
SomiSomi Soft Serve & Taiyaki, a Los Angeles-based chain of Korean-inspired dessert shops offering soft-serve ice cream and taiyaki (fish-shaped waffles with a choice of fillings), will make its Arizona debut on the northeast corner of Chandler and Dobson in
