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Ugolicious, an international chain of dessert cafes specializing in frozen Greek yogurt and Italian gelato, is coming to Chandler Fashion Center. Look for it to open this summer directly across from Hollister Co. on the mall’s second level.
Josh Katz, co-creator of Phoenix martini bar 36 Below, is working on a new concept – Rose Garden Cocktail Lounge – in the US Bank Center (pictured) on the southeast corner of First Avenue and Monroe in downtown Phoenix. A
Brunch Bros, an eatery serving breakfast and lunch, has opened in the former Cafe Roma space on the eastern corner of Washington and Priest in north Tempe. Menu highlights include a Brunch Bros Pancakes flight (red velvet, cinnamon, and Oreo)
Tempe-based Cartel Roasting Co. opens its 11th location at 7 a.m. Saturday, March 26, near the northwest corner of Seventh Street and Montevista in Phoenix’s historic Coronado neighborhood. The first 25 customers will get a free swag bag, the next
OHSO Brewery in downtown Gilbert releases its the 2002 edition of its award-winning Te Quiero imperial stout, as well as Mexican Mocha Te Quiero, at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 26. The beer, part of OHSO’s Ales From the Crypt series,
After scouting locations for more than a year, Texas-based Mutts Canine Cantina will make its Valley debut early next year at SanTan Village in Gilbert. Mutts, which has signed a deal to open six locations in Arizona, features a dog-friendly
Fans of Hong Kong Asian Diner on the northwest corner of Rural and Ray in south Tempe have just a week to enjoy their favorite dishes one last time. Citing staffing shortages, the 19-year-old Cantonese restaurant announced its last day
Cafe Morning Buzz, a breakfast-focused scratch kitchen that also serves dinner Friday through Sunday, has opened in the short-lived Eatalio Pasta & Wine space on the southwest corner of Williams Field and Val Vista in Gilbert. The menu also features
Etta, a neighborhood restaurant specializing in wood-fired pizzas and pastas, announced it will open Wednesday, April 6, in the former Brio Tuscan Grille space at Scottsdale Quarter in north Scottsdale. The concept is from the same group behind high-end surf
Zona Cantina & Cocina, a family-friendly Mexican restaurant promising ‘‘a modern take on traditional Mexican fare,’’ has opened in the short-lived El Autentico 1010 space next to Pita Jungle on the southeast corner of McKellips and Alta Mesa in northeast
Pete’s Fish & Chips, a Valley institution since 1947, celebrates its 75th anniversary Wednesday, March 23, at all eight of its locations. Leave your name and number at any location in a drawing for Pete’s gift certificates, T-shirts, hats, sports
After several months of delays, Lam’s Market, an Asian grocery store also featuring products from the Caribbean, South America, and Africa, finally has opened its third Valley location on the southwest corner of Avondale and Van Buren in Avondale.
SunUp Brewing in Phoenix announced Los Sombreros is now managing its remaining taproom, which will expand its hours to 11 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. weekends. The brewery previously had two taprooms in small side-by-side brick buildings at
La Fonda Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, a Tempe mainstay for 57 years that closed at McClintock and Baseline in November, has soft-opened its new home – the former La Hacienda space on the southwest corner of Chandler and Dobson in
Scottsdale-based Mesquite Fresh Street Mex, formerly known as Mr. Mesquite, has opened its first drive-through-only location (although there is a walk-up window) on the southeast corner of Val Vista and Queen Creek in Gilbert. It’s the chain’s second location in
Valley Taproom, a bar with 30 craft beers on tap and more in cans, has opened in the former Grabbagreen space at the Rivulon mixed-use development near the northeast corner of Gilbert and the 202 San Tan in Gilbert. There’s
Bottle & Bean Coffee House & Wine Shop, which had its soft opening late last month at the Downtown Ocotillo development in south Chandler, will hold its official grand opening party Saturday. You can get one free drip coffee and
Society by EVO, a new full-service upscale late-night restaurant and bar from EVO founder Nick Neuman and his partners, announced it will open Tuesday, March 22. Located in the former GuacStar space on the northeast corner of Rural and University
Cartel Roasting Co., which already had postponed the grand opening of its 11th location in Phoenix’s historic Coronado neighborhood from March 12 to March 19, has postponed it yet again. The company hopes to open near the northwest corner of
Chesapeake Bay Seafood Bistro, which opened last June in Ahwatukee, has secured a BYOB exemption allowing diners to bring in their own 40 ounces of beer, 750 milliliters of wine, or 4 ounces of distilled spirits per person. The service
Mexcelente, a fast-casual Mexican concept similar to Chipotle, has opened on the southeast corner of Thunderbird and 43rd Avenue in west Phoenix. Protein options include al pastor, carne asada, carnitas, cochinita pibil, grilled shrimp, grilled chicken, alambres, nopales, or tinga.
The Bar, a 4-year-old Arcadia tavern with a ‘‘The Big Lebowski’’ theme, opens its second location – this one with a ‘‘Pulp Fiction’’ theme – at 3 p.m. today in the former Copper 48 space near the northwest corner of
Arizona has four finalists for this year’s James Beard Awards, the culinary world’s equivalent of the Oscars: Giovanni Scorzo of Andreoli Italian Grocer in Scottsdale (Best Chef Southwest), Bacanora in Phoenix (Best New Restaurant), Chris Bianco of Tratto, Pane Bianco,
Starbucks has announced an ambitious campaign to phase out disposable paper and plastic cups by 2025. Instead, the company will ask customers to bring in their own mug or borrow a ceramic to-go mug from one of Starbucks’ 33,000-plus stores.
Denver-based Mici Handcrafted Italian, a fast-casual pizza and pasta concept, will make its Arizona debut this summer near the southwest corner of Power and Ray in southeast Gilbert. A second location is planned near the northwest corner of Ellsworth and Riggs
BBQ Holdings Inc., the Minnesota-based parent company of Famous Dave’s, has agreed to purchase Scottsdale-based Barrio Queen, which was founded in 2011 and currently has seven locations in the Valley, for a reported $28 million.
Cantina Gueros, a 16-month-old Mexican restaurant in Peoria, is opening a second location this spring in the former Native Grill & Wings space on the southeast corner of McDowell and the PebbleCreek Parkway in Goodyear.
The Valley’s food and drink community is mourning the death of Nicole Learmont, who lost her two-year battle with brain and lung cancer Sunday. Learmont, 44, a mother of two, was bar manager at Dos Gringos and helped her longtime
Angry Crab Shack, a Mesa-based chain of restaurants specializing in seafood boils with Asian-Cajun flavors, has opened its first Casa Grande location near the southwest corner of Florence and Arizola. It’s the 14th Arizona location for the concept, which also
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, a Louisiana-based chain of family-friendly sports bars co-owned by former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, has made its Arizona debut in the former Sweet Tomatoes building on the southwest corner of the 202 and Ray in
Monday is Pi Day (3/14), which means OHSO Brewery locations will be holding their annual pairing of 11 pie-inspired beers with 11 pies from Pie Snob starting at 11 a.m. Monday and continuing while supplies last. In downtown Mesa, Cider
SunUp Brewing in Phoenix is closing its remaining taproom and offering a ‘‘Kill the Keg’’ special from noon-8 p.m. Saturday, March 12. Get 50% off all pints and growlers while supplies last. Mexican restaurant Los Sombreros took over SunUp’s other
Tap Into Mesa, a beer festival with live music and food trucks, will take place 2-6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12, in downtown Mesa. Participating downtown breweries and bars include Desert Eagle, Oro Brewing, 12 West, Beer Research Institute, Chupacabra Tap
Missouri-based Andy’s Frozen Custard, the world’s largest dessert-only franchise, has opened its fourth Arizona store on the northwest corner of Gilbert and Warner in Gilbert. The menu features sundaes, shakes, concretes, and jackhammers (concretes with a filling). Andy’s also has
The Union Jack, a British pub that took over the former Skeptical Chymist Irish Pub in north Scottsdale in 2021, has opened a second location in the former Harp Irish Pub space at Dana Park on the northwest corner of
Lom Wong – whose owners, Alex and Yotaka Martin, have developed a loyal following for their Thai pop-up dinners around the Valley the past few years – has opened near the northeast corner of Garfield and Second Street in downtown
Carcara, a Southwest-themed restaurant offering Native American- and Sonoran-inspired dishes, has opened in the ground-floor space that formerly was home to The District American Kitchen & Wine Bar at The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown on the northwest corner of Van Buren
Hooters, the iconic Atlanta-based chain of sports bars, has closed its original Arizona location at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix after 32 years. The chain says all employees have been offered positions at Hooters’ three remaining locations in the
A Nebraska-based restaurant group has opened three new concepts – Cham Pang Lanes, an Asian-infused restaurant with six duckpin bowling lanes; Ghost Donkey, a tequila and mezcal bar; and Palma (pictured), an “urban botanical sanctuary” – in a building near the
Cession, a Southern-themed restaurant with multiple patios as well as rooftop dining, has leased 8,500 square feet at The Watermark, the $150 million mixed-use development on the north side of Tempe Town Lake. The opening is planned for early 2023.
Liz Modern Asian, an eatery specializing in traditional and modern Hong Kong-style dishes, has opened in the former Le Macaron French Pastries space at the Scottsdale Quarter on the southeast corner of Scottsdale and Greenway Hayden Loop in north Scottsdale.
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, a Louisiana-based chain of family-friendly sports bars, announced the grand opening of its first Arizona location will take place next Monday, March 14. It’s taking over the former Sweet Tomatoes building on the southwest corner of the
California-based BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse plans to open its fifth Valley location by the end of this year next to the Harkins Theatres on the northeast corner of McDowell and 150th Drive in Goodyear. BJ’s currently has locations in Chandler,
Congrats to Grand Canyon Brewing & Distilling, which has opened a third location in Page. Grand Canyon debuted in Williams in 2007 and added a Flagstaff location in 2019. The Page brewpub, located in the town’s old fire station on
Flying Basset Brewing has gone through a parade of kitchen staff in its four-year existence, but the Gilbert brewery seems to have found a somewhat novel solution: A partnership with Philadelphia Sandwich Company. The Scottsdale eatery has taken over operation
Enjoy free drinks from 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday when Oregon-based Black Rock Coffee celebrates the opening of its fifth Scottsdale location – and 24th in Arizona – behind McDonald’s on the northeast corner of 70th Street and Shea.
85° C Bakery & Café, a Taiwanese international chain selling coffee, smoothies, juices, and baked goods, will make its Arizona debut next to 99 Ranch Market on the northeast corner of Chandler and Dobson in Chandler this spring. The chain
Pizza Factory, a California-based chain with Arizona locations in Williams, Payson, and Show Low, will make its return to the Valley (a West Valley location in Buckeye recently closed) this summer on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Southern in
Acqua di Mare, which will offer what it calls ‘‘Mediterranean cuisine with a European tableside cooking experience’’ as well as ‘‘a flair of French, Italian, and Greek cuisine,’’ is coming to the southwest corner of Boston and Oregon – next
Downtown Gilbert’s Liberty Market, which temporarily closed in January for extensive remodeling, reopens at 8 a.m. Thursday for patio dining and to-go orders. The restaurant expects to reopen for inside dining – with new menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Twist Hot Chicken, a new concept offering a variety of hot chicken sandwiches (Nashville, Moroccan, Mediterranean, etc.), has opened in the former The Rec Pizza & Dogs space on the northwest corner of Thunderbird and 83rd Avenue in Peoria. Several
Mr. Rice Asian Cuisine, a restaurant focusing mainly on Americanized Chinese dishes, has opened on the southeast corner of Val Vista and Williams Field in Gilbert. Entrees include dishes such as fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, mu shu pork,
BEG Bakery & Creamery — a vegan, egg-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free bakery and ice cream shop — has opened on the northwest corner of Thomas and 68th Street in Scottsdale. Baked goods include cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and brownies.
Mr Fries Man, a California-based concept offering fries topped with your choice of meat (including shrimp and crab), has made its Arizona debut in the former College Bar & Grill space on the southwest corner of Fifth Street and College
Hutch Kitchen & Cocktails, a new neighborhood-focused concept from Crown Public House owner Jason Bell, has opened in the former Switch space on the northeast corner of Central and Virginia in midtown Phoenix. The ‘‘internationally inspired American’’ menu offers sandwiches,
Bellevue, Wash.-based Ascend Hospitality Group is bringing two new concepts to downtown Tempe this spring. Anoche Cantina, a modern cantina with a build-your-own margarita bar, is taking over the former El Hefe space on Mill Avenue. Six40rty, a sports bar/nightclub
Tucson-based Eegee’s officially opens its third Valley location on the southwest corner of Val Vista and Willis – kitty-corner from Mercy Gilbert Medical Center – on Thursday, but it will hold a soft opening from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday with 100% of
Twin Peaks – a Dallas-based chain of sports bars with locations in Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Glendale – will open its fifth Valley location this fall in the former Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar building at the Deer Valley Towne
Dallas-based Ojos Locos Sports Cantina, aka ‘‘the Mexican Hooters,’’ will open its fourth Arizona location this summer at Desert Sky Mall on the southwest corner of Thomas and 75th Avenue in west Phoenix. The chain made its Arizona debut in
Tuesday is IHOP National Pancake Day, meaning you can get a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. at participating IHOP locations throughout the Valley. Diners are encouraged to make a donation of any amount to Phoenix
PokiLuv Poke & Sushiritto, a food court eatery offering poke bowls and ‘‘sushi burritos’’ at Chandler Fashion Center and Glendale’s Arrowhead Towne Center, will open its first stand-alone location in March at the Watermark on the southeast corner of Rural
Netta Cheta’s on Mill, a locally owned breakfast and lunch restaurant, has opened in the former Eatza Pizza space on the northwest corner of Mill and Southern in Tempe. Hours are 6 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. The eatery, which has a
The Valley’s craft beer community is rallying around Uncle Bear’s head brewer Andrew Ortega, who’s been hospitalized with a scary illness that doctors haven’t been able to identify. A GoFundMe campaign for him, his wife, and his three kids has
World of Sourdough, a Houston-based chain of soup and sandwich eateries, has made its Arizona debut on the northwest corner of McDowell and 99th Avenue in Avondale. A second location is coming to the northeast corner of Alma School and
Scottsdale-based Hash Kitchen, the breakfast-and-lunch concept with five Valley locations, has signed deals to open two more this fall. One will be in the new Verde at Cooley Station development at Williams Field and Recker in Gilbert, the other in
Beard Papa’s, a Japanese-born chain of gourmet cream puffs, opens its second Arizona store near Macy’s at the north end of the SanTan Village shopping center in Gilbert at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. The first 100 customers will receive
Utah-based Social Axe Throwing has made its Arizona debut on the southwest corner of Val Vista and Williams Field (just south of The Whining Pig) in Gilbert. Besides eight lanes of axe throwing, the venue has a restaurant and bar.
K-Scoop, an unusual Korean buffet-to-go concept, has opened in the former Yume Sushi space on the southeast corner of Scottsdale and Frank Lloyd Wright in north Scottsdale. Diners choose from dishes like bulgogi, japchae, spicy pork bulgogi, and house-made kimchi
Thompson 105, a Tuscan-inspired wood-fired grill and cocktail bar, has opened in the former Twisted Lizard space on the southwest corner of McDowell Mountain Ranch Road and 105th Street in north Scottsdale. Menu highlights include prawns and spaghetti, rotisserie chicken
Giordano’s Pizza, which arrived in Arizona in 2016 as part of a wave of iconic Chicago pizzerias that also included Lou Malnati’s and Gino’s East, has closed on the southwest corner of Bell and 83rd Avenue in Peoria. Its other
Fifteen Arizona chefs and restaurants have been announced as semifinalists for this year’s James Beard Awards, the culinary world’s equivalent of the Oscars: Best Chef Southwest: Lori Hashimoto (Hana Japanese Eatery, Phoenix), Giovanni Scorzo (Andreoli Italian Grocer, Scottsdale), John Martinez
Crust Simply Italian, which has locations in Scottsdale and Chandler, has launched Calzone Connection, a new virtual concept featuring specialty craft calzones for pickup at Crust or delivery through third-party apps. Fillings range from basics like pepperoni and sausage to
Kazu Ramen, an eatery specializing in the Japanese noodle soups, has opened in the At Home strip mall on the southwest corner of Williams Field and Santan Village Parkway in Gilbert. The menu offers five kinds of ramen, rice dishes,
Popular Scottsdale breakfast spot Butters Pancakes & Cafe has opened its third location in the city on the southwest corner of Scottsdale and the 101. Menu highlights include freshly squeezed orange juice, 11 kinds of pancakes, and seven types of
The Buzzed Goat, a 3-year-old locally owned coffee bar and taphouse that’s become an Ahwatukee favorite, is launching a second location on the southeast corner of McClintock and Southern (behind Boston Market) in Tempe. Owner Gabe Von Weimer says the
After years of promises, teases, and false starts, it looks like Los Angeles is finally getting a Pizzeria Bianco. Valley restaurateur and chef Chris Bianco, who has a home in Hermosa Beach, Calif., has inked a deal to launch one
Frank Spaccarelli, who launched Italian restaurant Pacino’s in northeast Mesa in 2013, has opened a fast-casual New York-style pizzeria, Rocky’s Got Pizza, named after his grandson, on the southwest corner of Power and the 202 in southeast Mesa. The space
Renegade Coffee Company, a 4-year-old Scottsdale coffee shop and eatery, has opened a second location in the former Burger King building on the northwest corner of Alma School and University in northwest Mesa. Breakfast and lunch are served daily, and
Mifan Claypot Kitchen, the latest Asian restaurant from Valley chef and restaurateur Johnny Chu, has opened in the Muse Apartments complex on the northwest corner of Central and McDowell in downtown Phoenix. Besides the eponymous clay pot dishes, the streamlined
San Diego chef Angelo Sosa, best known for his three seasons on TV’s ‘‘Top Chef,’’ will open a new upscale Southwestern restaurant called Tia Carmen this spring in the former Stone Grill space at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge
Bottle & Bean Coffee House & Wine Shop, a new concept from developer Spike Lawrence and restaurateur Tom Kaufmann, has opened in the former Press Coffee space at the Downtown Ocotillo development on Queen Creek between Dobson and Price in
Valley chef Lawrence “L.T.” Smith, whose resume includes stints at Tempe Public Market Cafe and Ghost Ranch, will compete on Tuesday night’s ‘‘Chocolate Frenzy’’ episode of the Food Network show ‘‘Chopped.’’ Smith currently operates Chilte, a taco stand at farmers
Food Network personality Guy Fieri, who launched three delivery-only ghost kitchens called Flavortown Kitchen in the Valley last year, will open a bricks-and-mortar Flavortown this spring at the new Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. The space previously
The 21st annual Arizona Strong Beer Festival, the state’s premier craft beer event and the centerpiece of the 11-day Arizona Beer Week, takes place Saturday, Feb. 19, at the brand-new Bell Bank Park in southeast Mesa. VIP admission starts at
The 10th annual Arizona Cocktail Weekend with more than 30 events at bars and clubs throughout the Valley starts Friday, Feb. 18. Signature events include The Cocktail Carnival (Saturday), Top Bars (Sunday), and Last Slinger Standing (Monday).
Tucson-based Eegee’s announced it will officially open its third Valley location on the southwest corner of Val Vista and Willis – kitty-corner from Mercy Gilbert Medical Center – on Thursday, March 3. (A soft opening will be held 4-8 p.m. Wednesday,
Just days after new owners moved to Arizona and were locked out by their landlord, house-made ice cream and coffee shop Frozen Creamery has reopened in the same space on the northeast corner of Cooper and Ray in Gilbert. New
Arizona Beer Week kicks off its annual 11-day run today. One of the first notable events is HopSlam & Donuts, an annual tapping of Bell Brewing’s seasonal imperial IPA accompanied by free doughnuts at The Hungry Monk in Chandler. The events
Hapa Food Company, a non-chain Hawaiian barbecue restaurant, has opened in the Sprouts Farmers Market shopping center on the southeast corner of Higley and Southern in east Mesa. It also sells Portuguese pastries known as malasadas that are popular in
Vito’s Pizza & Italian Ristorante, which sold its Scottsdale location (now Vicinos Local Italian) in 2020, has opened another at DC Ranch Crossing on the southeast corner of Pima and Legacy in north Scottsdale. It joins the original location in
Mr Fries Man, a California-based concept selling build-your-own plates and boxes of fries topped with a choice of meat (including shrimp and crab), will make its Arizona debut this spring on the southwest corner of Fifth Street and College –
Hawaii-based fast-casual seafood chain Coconut’s Fish Cafe, which closed its south Chandler location in late 2020 due to lack of business, is finding better luck in Scottsdale, where it plans to open its third location in the city near the
First & Last Kitchen & Bar, a modern American restaurant with a ‘‘Bohemian desert oasis’’ vibe and a menu that will change seasonally, has opened in the former Rott n’ Grapes space on the northeast corner of Roosevelt and Third
Hello Vietnam Pho & Roll, a local chain of fast-casual Vietnamese restaurants, has opened its fourth location on the southeast corner of the 202 and Rural in north Tempe. A grand opening will be held Sunday, Feb. 20, when customers
Jimmie McBride and Julie Meeker, former co-owners of Mother Bunch Brewing in downtown Phoenix, have plead guilty to failure to pay state taxes from 2015 to 2020. The couple agreed to pay nearly $657,000 in back taxes and fines. Mother
Chompie’s celebrates the grand opening of its newest location on the northeast corner of Cactus and 32nd street in Phoenix today. The local chain of New York-style delis, which also is celebrating its 43rd anniversary today, is giving away free
California Fish Grill, a Los Angeles-based chain of fast-casual seafood restaurants that made its Arizona debut in Mesa in December 2020, will open a second location in the former IHOP at the Camelback Colonnade on the southeast corner of the Piestewa
Rio Rico Mexican Grill, a 17-year-old Sonoran-style sit-down restaurant on the southeast corner of Val Vista and Guadalupe in Gilbert, is moving across its parking lot to the former Casanova Bros. Pizza & Pasta building. The pizzeria closed last October.
Pork on a Fork, the north Phoenix barbecue joint that planned to open a second location in Chandler last May, has been beset by construction delays, but work continues on the long-closed Carl’s Jr. building near the southwest corner of
Arizona’s newest craft brewery, Lake Pleasant Brewing, opens today on the northwest corner of 19th Avenue and Rose Garden Lane – near the intersection of I-17 and the 101 – in north Phoenix. Co-owners Nick Kelley and Dustin Westby will
