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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
Mokas Cafe, a pair of popular breakfast-and-lunch eateries in Kansas, will make its Arizona debut with Mokas Bakery & Bistro just south of the Fry’s Marketplace on the southwest corner of Higley and Baseline in Gilbert. The cafe, which offers
Ab Lattouf and Nichole Morris, who bought The Horny Toad in Cave Creek in a couple years ago, are turning another of their restaurants – Desert Rose Pizzeria Gastropub & Steaks near the southeast corner of Glendale and 59th Avenue
The Hub Grill & Bar, a local sports bar chain that opened its third East Valley location in Ahwatukee last month, is working on a fourth in the short-lived GOAT Sports Grill space on the southwest corner of Power and
The Arizona Craft Brewers Guild – which supports Arizona beer through education, communication, and lobbying – announced the hiring of Andrew Bauman (left) as its first deputy director. Bauman, a former head brewer at The Perch in Chandler and Uncle Bear’s
Carolina’s Mexican Food, a Valley favorite for more than 50 years, will open its sixth location this July near the northwest corner of 59th Avenue and Greenway Road in Glendale. The no-frills restaurant is best-known for its award-winning tortillas, which
Danny Quinn, the owner of Pubblico Italian Eatery in Phoenix and Scottsdale, has launched a new concept – Rockefeller – on the northwest corner of Hayden and Doubletree Ranch in north Scottsdale. The dinner-only restaurant focuses on seafood, oysters, and
Myungrang Hot Dog, a California-based chain specializing in Korean-style battered hot dogs, has opened its second Valley location next to the AZ International Marketplace on the northeast corner of Dobson and Broadway in west Mesa.
Hundred Mile Brewing, a 8,200-square-foot brewery and restaurant, is under construction in the former Looks Good printing and sign building on the southwest corner of Rural and the 202 – just across Tempe Town Lake from ASU. Demo work is
Macayo’s Mexican Food, a chain of sit-down restaurants founded in Phoenix in 1946, will open its ninth Valley location near the northeast corner of Alma School and Queen Creek in south Chandler. The building formerly was home to Carrabba’s Italian
Benny Blanco Tortillas, a favorite at the Gilbert Farmers Market and other markets around the Valley, will open a bricks-and-mortar storefront next month on the southwest corner of Idaho and the Apache Trail in Apache Junction. It sells 17 different
The Bar, a 4-year-old Arcadia tavern with a ‘‘The Big Lebowski’’ theme, will open a second location – this one with a ‘‘Pulp Fiction’’ theme – in the just-closed Copper 48 space near the northwest corner of Gilbert and Vaughn
Snowtime, a Korean dessert shop, has opened its third East Valley location next to next to Home Goods and the AMC Ahwatukee 24 theaters on the southwest corner of I-10 and Ray in Ahwatukee. It sells ice cream, shaved ice,
Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, a Utah-based chain of fast-casual Mexican restaurants, will open its 12th East Valley location in the former Boston Market building on the northwest corner of Alma School and Ray in Chandler. Valley-based Laurshan Construction has built more
The Paleta Bar, a New Mexico-based chain of Mexican dessert shops, has opened its third East Valley location on the northwest corner of Gilbert and Chandler Heights in south Chandler. The menu offers customized paletas, fruit cups, elote cups, dorinachos,
Frenchie Pizza, which opened in July in the Crossroads Towne Center on the southeast corner of Gilbert and the 202 in south Gilbert, has closed temporarily due to a staffing shortage. ‘‘Rather than offer subpar quality, we have chosen to
Little O’s, a smaller spinoff of OHSO Brewery, has soft-opened its second location – and first true market – next to the original OHSO on the northeast corner of Indian School and 49th Street in east Phoenix. It offers coffee
Frozen Creamery, a house-made ice cream and coffee shop next to Venezia’s Pizza on the northeast corner of Cooper and Ray in Gilbert, has been locked out of its space after five years in business. New owners, who moved to
Famous 48, an American tavern concept that the group behind Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers debuted in Scottsdale in 2019, will be the latest restaurant to move into a seemingly cursed Gilbert Town Square building on Gilbert Road between Warner and
Phoenix Coqui, Arizona’s first Puerto Rican food truck, will open a bricks-and-mortar location by taking over the recently closed Mediterranean restaurant Crazy Jim’s on the southeast corner of Indian School and 15th Street in Phoenix. It hopes to open by
Cava, a Washington, D.C.-based Mediterranean fast-casual chain that bought Zoës Kitchen in 2018, has opened its second Valley location in the former Zoës near the southeast corner of Scottsdale and Greenway in north Scottsdale. The first opened in the former
Thai Peppers Thai Kitchen has moved into the former Nurdberger space in the Shops on Warner near the southeast corner of Gilbert and Warner in Gilbert. Nurdberger closed in September after just a year in business.
The Arizona Restaurant Association has announced the dates of the state’s Spring Restaurant Week: Friday, May 20, through Sunday, May 29. Participating restaurants will offer special three-course menus for $33, $44 or $55 per person. Restaurants can register here.
Good news for barbecue fans: Little Miss BBQ is opening a third location this summer. It’s taking over the Honey Bear’s BBQ near the southwest corner of Central and Thomas in midtown Phoenix. Honey Bear’s will continue to operate until
Recreo, a playground-themed restaurant and bar whose name is Spanish for ‘‘recess,’’ has opened in the former El Zocalo space on San Marcos Place in downtown Chandler. The concept features live outdoor entertainment on an elevated shipping-container stage, a bar
La Fonda Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, a Tempe mainstay for 57 years that closed at McClintock and Baseline in November, has secured a new home: the former La Hacienda space on the southwest corner of Chandler and Dobson in Chandler.
Condolences to Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue owner and pitmaster Bryan Dooley, whose father, Joe, passed away unexpectedly last weekend. The Cave Creek restaurant will have limited hours this week: 3:30-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday.
The Spaghetti Shack, a new spaghetti-by-the-bucket concept, has opened on the northwest corner of Rural and Guadalupe in south Tempe. Managing partner Joey Palomarez originally signed up for a By the Bucket franchise, but ultimately decided to launch a similar
Angie’s Lobster, the new drive-through concept featuring $9.99 lobster meals from the founders of Salad and Go, has opened its second location on the northwest corner of Thunderbird and 43rd Avenue in Glendale. Like its first location in south Tempe,
Sid’s Garage, an Idaho-based concept featuring over-the-top burgers and shakes, will make its Arizona debut this spring in the former Nori Sushi space at Desert Ridge Marketplace in northeast Phoenix. Nori Sushi relocated to High Street in late 2020.
Beard Papa’s, a Japanese-born chain that claims to make ‘‘the world’s best cream puffs,’’ announced its second Arizona store – near Macy’s at the north end of the SanTan Village shopping center in Gilbert – will have its grand opening
Mugsy Dogs, a 5-year-old hot dog and burger shop in south Gilbert, has opened a second location near the southwest corner of Main and Stapley in central Mesa. A grand opening celebration with prize giveaways will be held Saturday, Feb.
Lake Pleasant Brewing announced it will hold its grand opening Friday, Feb.11, on the northwest corner of 19th Avenue and Rose Garden Lane – near the intersection of I-17 and the 101 – in north Phoenix. There will be 18
Venezia’s Pizzeria, a local chain of family-owned New York-style pizzerias, will open its sixth location this summer next to The Parlay Kitchen & Cocktails near the southeast corner of Price and the 202 in south Chandler.
Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom, a Denver-based chain that made a return to the Valley with a new location in Chandler in 2019, has opened a second Arizona location in the former Romano’s Macaroni Grill space on northwest corner of
San Diego-based Mr. Moto Pizza, a 6-year-old chain of New York-style pizzerias, will make its Arizona debut in March in the former Giant Rustic Pizza space at Arcadia Village on the southwest corner of Camelback and 40th Street in Phoenix.
Big’s American Sports Bar & Grill, a 20-year-old sports bar next to Cal State Fullerton, is opening a spinoff location this summer at the P83 shopping and entertainment complex on the southeast corner of the 101 and Bell in Peoria.
Nando’s Mexican Café, which has four locations in the East Valley, is coming to the Edison Pointe Center on the northeast corner of Edison Road and John Wayne Parkway in Maricopa. The restaurant plans to break ground in May and
Buzzed Bull Creamery, a Cincinnati-based chain that infuses alcohol into ice cream using liquid nitrogen, has made its Arizona debut in the former Creamistry space at the Scottsdale Waterfront on Marshall Way just north of the canal. Also offered are
After a three-year absence, Arizona PBS kicks off a ninth season of its most popular show, ‘‘Check, Please! Arizona,’’ at 7 p.m. Thursday. The 30-minute show, which features three guests reviewing restaurants with host Mark Tarbell each week, had been
Mediterranean restaurant Crazy Jim’s, an Encanto neighborhood favorite that’s been operating for 36 years on the southeast corner of Indian School and 15th Street in Phoenix, has closed after completing the sale of its property Tuesday.
Tifa Chocolate & Gelato, a Los Angeles-based chain of dessert cafes that also offers fresh pastries, espresso, and cold brews, will make its Arizona debut later this year next to Black Rock Coffee Bar on the southeast corner of Val
Power Food Park, a six-days-a-week food truck roundup on a 2-acre lot near the northeast corner of Power and Brown in northeast Mesa, has abandoned its legal battle with surrounding neighborhoods and the City of Mesa and will close at
Nicholas Campisano and Joshua James, the guys behind Clever Koi, have opened a new fast-casual concept, Clever Ramen, on the ASU SkySong campus on the southeast corner of Scottsdale and McDowell in south Scottsdale. The menu offers Clever Koi-inspired build-your-own
EVO founder Nick Neuman and his partners will launch Society by EVO, described as ‘‘a full-service late-night upscale social dining experience,’’ in the former GuacStar space on the northeast corner of Rural and University in Tempe. There will be a
The Hub Grill & Bar, a locally owned sports bar with a pair of locations in Mesa (the one in east Mesa, closed since a Jan. 1, 2021, fire, is scheduled to reopen this summer), has launched a third location
Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue, one of the Valley’s top smokehouses, unexpectedly closed over the weekend due to what owners Bryan and Donna Dooley call a ‘‘family emergency’’ in a social media posting. No word yet on when the Cave Creek
College Street beers will be more widely available in the Valley in 2023: The Lake Havasu brew pub has begun construction on a 9,000-square-foot expansion that will increase production from 8,600 barrels a year to 30,000, making it one of
Miss Dessert, the Hong Kong-style sweets shop that made its debut in Mesa in 2018 and added a Gilbert location last year, will open a third eatery this March in former Persian Garden Cafe space on the southeast corner of
Boba Whaaat, a Vietnamese tea shop and eatery, has opened next to Far Away Wine & Provisions in the Squaw Peak Commercial Center on the southwest corner of Indian School and 32nd Street in central Phoenix.
The Paleta Bar, a New Mexico-based chain of Mexican dessert shops that made its Arizona debut in Tempe in August, celebrates the grand opening of its second Valley location Saturday next to the AMC Superstition East 12 theaters on the
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, which was founded in Annapolis, Md., in 2014 and now has 18 locations across eight states, will make its Arizona debut at the Scottsdale Quarter this spring. It’s moving into the space between Press Coffee and
Chicago-based Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, which opened locations in Mesa in August and Gilbert in December and plans to launch one in Chandler in May, isn’t done expanding in the East Valley. According to developer Vestar, the pizzeria is taking over the
Sushi Friend, a one-man operation offering sushi and poke for takeout, has opened in a storefront next to Ladera Taverna y Cocina on the southeast corner of Central and Alice in Phoenix’s Sunnyslope neighborhood.
Thai Chili 2 Go founder Akshat Sethi and Pa’la chef Claudio Urciuoli (pictured) are teaming up to open Source, what they describe as a ‘‘fast-fine dining’’ Mediterranean restaurant and market, this spring at Epicenter at Agritopia on the northwest corner
A clarification on last week’s post about the closing of Da’Bayou Creole Kitchen in downtown Gilbert: Da’Bayou chef Ari Biller’s new meal prep and catering company Tasted is not being run out of the same space.
FilmBar, an 11-year-old indie movie theater and bar in downtown Phoenix, is closing permanently, owner Kelly Aubey announced. The venue near the northeast corner of Second Street and McKinley had been closed for the past month.
Patent 139 Brewing has begun its soft opening in the former Third Base sports bar space with a lakeside patio on the southeast corner of Dobson and Ray in Chandler. Owner Tim Hass (whose family holds the patent – No.
Cinnaholic, a California-based chain of vegan cinnamon roll bakeries that made its Arizona debut in Gilbert in July and added a Scottsdale location in December, is preparing to launch a third at Tempe Marketplace. It will be located in the
Just a few days after unveiling its new winter menu items, Salad and Go, the Gilbert-born chain of drive-through salad eateries, opened its 42nd Arizona location Monday on the northwest corner of Ironwood and Ocotillo in Queen Creek. On the
Jinya Ramen Bar, a Los Angeles-based chain of contemporary Japanese restaurants that made its Arizona debut last April in downtown Chandler, will open a second Valley location this summer, It will share the Blaze Pizza building near the northwest corner
S. Maranto’s Italian Bar & Market, an Italian grocery with a bar that serves house-made pastas and artisan sandwiches, has opened in the former Blast & Brew space on the southwest corner of Scottsdale and the 101 in north Scottsdale.
A MXSW reader noticed temporary signage for an upcoming Mountain Mike’s Pizza – which just made its Arizona debut at Mesa Riverview – on the former Tokyo Joe’s space in the Chandler Pavilions on the southeast corner of I-10 and Ray
Liberty Market in downtown Gilbert closed part of the restaurant’s interior for renovations this week, and it will close completely starting Monday, Jan. 24. It plans to reopen in March for outdoor dining only, with the return of inside dining
Nebraska-based Scooter’s Coffee will open its first East Valley location (there already are two in Phoenix and one on Surprise) near the northwest corner of Higley and Queen Creek in southeast Gilbert later this year.
Fata Morgana Mediterranean Cuisine, a kosher restaurant offering dishes from Morocco to the Middle East (and even sushi), has opened in the former Aunt Abby’s Confections space near the northwest corner of Scottsdale and Shea in Scottsdale.
414 Pub & Pizza in downtown Tempe is planning to open a second, larger location with an expanded menu later this month in the Honey Baked Ham strip mall near the northeast corner of Extension and Southern in Mesa.
Espiritu Cocktails & Comida, a Mexican cocktail bar and seaf00d-focused eatery from the owners of Tacos Chiwas and Bacanora, has opened in the short-lived Herb n Smoke space on the south side of Main between MacDonald and Robson in downtown
Hello Vietnam Pho & Roll plans to open its fourth Valley location at the end of this month in the former McAlister’s Deli space across Tatum from the under-redevelopment Paradise Valley Mall. Current locations are in Scottsdale (two) and Peoria.
Brunch Snob, a breakfast and lunch restaurant with a full bar, has opened in the former Irish Hare space next to Safeway on the southwest corner of Elliot and 48th Street in Ahwatukee. Co-owner Celene Hillsbery also owns the Sacks Sandwiches
California-based Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a 44-year-old chain known for its signature ‘‘crispy curly’’ pepperoni, has launched its first Arizona restaurant in the former Rosati’s Pizza space at Mesa Riverview on the southeast corner of Dobson and the 202 in Mesa.
Congrats to HOP Central Brewery & Taproom, which is celebrating its fourth anniversary this week with four days of beer specials – including $4 house pints and growler discounts – beginning Wednesday, Feb. 12. HOP Central is located on the
Matty G’s Steakburgers & Spirits, a locally owned group of popular bar and grills, has opened its sixth restaurant – and fourth in the East Valley – in the former BurgerIM building near the northeast corner of Gilbert and the
Da’Bayou Creole Kitchen, which supplanted The Brass Tap in downtown Gilbert in 2020, has been replaced by Tasted, a meal prep and catering company.
Copper 48, the downtown Gilbert gastropub that launched in 2016 as Nico’s Heirloom Kitchen before rebranding last January, has closed.
Badlands Bar & Grill, an all-day American comfort food restaurant from the owners of Chicago’s Dakota 94, has opened in the former Tres space on the west side of Price, about a quarter-mile south of Guadalupe, in Tempe.
Texas Rib Shack, a 3-year-old family-run barbecue joint in Glendale that closed last fall, plans to reopen next month on the southeast corner of Indian School and 67th Avenue in west Phoenix.
Award-winning Arizona Stronghold Vineyards will open its second tasting room – and first in the Valley – at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, in the former Sugar & Spro space near the southeast corner of Marshall Way and Fifth Avenue
Hash Kitchen, the popular brunch concept with five Valley locations, is the latest addition to the list of restaurants coming to Cooley Station, a mixed-use development scheduled to begin opening in April on the southwest corner of Recker and Williams
Boba Tealight, a locally owned boba shop that also will offer Taiwanese street food, is coming to the Target strip mall on the southwest corner of Val Vista and Warner in Gilbert.
Popular food truck Tacos Barbon has opened a bricks-and-mortar restaurant with an expanded menu inside the Holiday Inn & Suites on the northwest corner of I-10 and Dysart in Goodyear.
Scott and Melissa McIntire, owners of The Ainsworth in downtown Phoenix and The Lola at Westgate, and 101.5 FM radio personality “Joey Boy” Rodriguez have opened an Asian-American fusion restaurant, Buddha’s Ritual, at Soho Scottsdale on the southwest corner of
Randy Walters, the former owner of well-known Chandler restaurants Pittsburgh Willy’s and Wimpy’s Paradise, has published a book about his business and life experiences, ‘‘Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and Hugs,’’ available on Amazon.
Eggstasy, a local chain of breakfast-and-lunch restaurants, has opened its fifth Valley location at The Shops at Norterra on the northeast corner of the I-17 and Happy Valley in north Phoenix.
Woo Woo Burgers, a ghost kitchen concept that Z’Tejas Southwest Grill launched last May out of its Chandler restaurant, has expanded with pickup and delivery service now available out of Z’Tejas’ Scottsdale restaurant near the northwest corner of Hayden and
Chino-Mex, a 2-year-old south Phoenix restaurant offering a Asian-Mexican hybrid menu (think birria ramen and birria tacos), will open its second location in the short-lived Bibio Modern Korean Kitchen space on the northwest corner of Kyrene and Chandler in west
Beau MacMillan, longtime chef at Elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, is launching a second concept, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant called Cala, later this month at the new Senna House boutique hotel on the southeast corner of Camelback and 75th Street
Citing the Valleywide labor shortage, Oregano’s Pizza Bistro has closed its downtown Tempe restaurant until April so staffers can assist at other Valley locations.
P.F. Chang’s, the Asian-themed casual restaurant chain that started in Scottsdale in 1993 and grew to more than 300 locations worldwide, has closed its restaurant on Tempe’s Mill Avenue after 24 years.
Point 22 Tavern, an all-day American grill with a full bar, is coming to Cadence at Gateway on the southeast corner of Ellsworth and Ray in southeast Mesa next summer.
Rosie’s Taco Shop, a new concept from the founders of Oscar’s Taco Shop (which has 13 family-run locations in Arizona and Tennesee), is coming to a new development on the southeast corner of McQueen and Guadalupe in Gilbert.
Bonfire Craft Kitchen & Tap House, a 2-year-old restaurant and sports bar in Surprise, will open its second location in the former Tilted Kilt building near the southwest corner of Priest and Warner in south Tempe.
Mae Khong Thai Tapas & Bar, a family-run traditional Thai restaurant, has had its soft opening in the former Thai Time Kitchen space next to the AMC Mesa Grand 14 theaters on northeast corner of Stapley and Baseline in Mesa.
Washington-based Trapper’s Sushi Co. has opened its second Arizona location in the former Squid Ink sushi bar space at CityScape in downtown Phoenix. The first made its Arizona debut in Avondale in March.
Myungrang Hot Dog, a restaurant specializing in Korean-style battered hot dogs, has opened at Westgate on the northwest corner of Glendale and 91st Avenue in Glendale.
Espiritu, a new but yet to be revealed concept from Chiwas Tacos owners Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin, is taking over the short-lived Herb n Smoke space on the south side of Main between MacDonald and Robson in downtown Mesa.
After making its long-awaited return the Valley with restaurants in Gilbert and east Mesa this year, Tucson-based Eegee’s will open a third location on the northwest corner of Peoria and 35th Avenue in west Phoenix this spring.
