Author: Jess Harter

Tacos Tijuana, a small but celebrated chain of taquerias in the West Valley, has opened its first East Valley outpost on the southwest corner of Greenfield and U.S. 60 in southeast Mesa. The building formerly was home to Pita Pit, which closed

Elbows Mac N Cheese, a California-based concept dedicated to two of America’s favorite comfort foods, has opened on the southeast corner of Gilbert Road and the Santan Freeway in south Gilbert. The menu features 17 macaroni-and-cheese creations ($7.55-$13.95), such as: Pizza:

ATL Wings, a local chain considered by many to serve the best chicken wings in the Valley, has opened its sixth location on the southwest corner of Kyrene and Warner in south Tempe. It’s the concept’s second foray into Tempe.

The long-awaited Varsity Tavern sports bar and nightclub finally will open its doors next week on the southeast corner of Mill and Fifth Street in downtown Tempe. The specific day has yet to be determined. It takes over the 8,000-square-foot, second-story

Carne Asada Grills, a new quick-serve concept featuring burritos, tacos, and Sonoran hot dogs, has opened on the northeast corner of Dobson and Main in west Mesa. Similar to the assmbly-line ordering process at Chipotle, customers choose a burrito ($7)

Grubstak, a 2-year-old poutine-like concept in downtown Gilbert, has opened a second location on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Ocotillo in south Chandler. Grubstak’s offerings – known as Staks – are built on a layer of waffle fries, roasted vegetables,

Wok with Ming – a small restaurant offering Americanized Chinese dishes such as sweet and sour pork, beef chop suey, and chicken chow mein – has opened on the southeast corner of Cooper and Warner in Gilbert. A dozen lunch specials,

Ella’s Cuisine, a restaurant specializing in French cuisine, has opened on the southeast corner of Dobson and Guadalupe in southwest Mesa. It takes over the building that was the longtime home of Pink Pepper Thai Cuisine. The menu features classic

Katsu, a Korean fusion restaurant, has opened next to Asiana Market on the northeast corner of Dobson and Southern in west Mesa. Katsu is actually the Japanese term for cutlet, and Katsu offers both chicken ($10.99) and pork ($11.99) cutlets dressed with

When Steak and Stone closed its Gilbert Town Square location last month, the owners promised a remodeling and change of concept. This week, construction is underway on Thirsty Amigos Taco Shop. The standalone building on Gilbert Road between Ray and Warner has

The owners of The Brickyard Downtown have announced their second downtown Chandler restaurant – The Hidden House – will open in early 2019. The new 8,500-square-foot venture takes over a refurbished 1939 bungalow with a now-enclosed backyard on Commonwealth, a block

After years of delays, we finally have an opening date for Overstreet, formerly known as The Row, on the southwest corner of Arizona Avenue and Chandler Boulevard in downtown Chandler. Or at least a portion of it. The new development’s

Two days ago, MXSW broke the news about the closing of Biscuits Cafe on the northwest corner of Dobson and Warner in Chandler. Now we know what’s going to replace it: BlackBerry Cafe, another breakfast-and-lunch eatery, is taking over the space. The