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The Buschtetz family, French expatriates who just launched their fourth East Valley restaurant, will celebrate Bastille Day on Wednesday with specials at all their establishments. The national day of France commemorates the fall of the Bastille in Paris on July
IHOP, the national chain that started in 1958, celebrates its ‘‘panniversary’’ Tuesday with 58-cent short stacks from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at participating locations. The deal is for dine-in only, and there’s a limit of one short stack per
Harbor Seafood Cajun House, a 9-month-old restaurant in southwest Phoenix, has launched a second location in Mesa. It takes over the former Korean BBQ, which closed at the end of 2020, on the northeast corner of Alma School and Guadalupe.
After skipping last year due to covid-19, Fibber Magees Irish Pub in Chandler will host its eighth annual Feast of St. Arnold on Saturday, July 10. The indoor beer festival, which runs noon to midnight, honors the 11th-century monk who is
Maskadores Taco Shop, a local chain of Mexican wrestling (lucha libre) themed eateries, opens its 18th Valley location Friday on the southeast corner of Warner and 48th Street in Ahwatukee. It takes over the space next to Zesty Zzeek’s Pizza
Eis Cafe, a new food truck specializing in German-style gourmet ice cream and coffee, will make its debut at the Gilbert Feastival from 5:30-9 p.m. Friday. The weekly food truck roundup takes place in the Sam’s Club parking lot on
Frenchie Pizza, a new fast-casual concept featuring thin-crust American pizzas as well as European flatbreads called flammekueche, opens at 11 a.m. Thursday in south Gilbert. It takes over the former My Pie Pizza in the Crossroads Towne Center on the southeast
Chino Bandito, Phoenix’s unique Mexican-Chinese-Jamaiican fusion eatery, has moved from its home of 31 years on the northwest corner of 19th Avenue and Greenway. The eatery reopens Thursday in a 6,000-square-foot space on the northwest corner of Bell and Third
Apple Pie Frita – apple pie and cheesecake filling folded into a tortilla and deep-fried – is one of the July specials at Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants: Shrimp Cocktail Tostaditas: Shrimp, red onion, tomatoes, and chiles with a blend of sauces
Thursday Night Tastings return to The Cellar: Wine & Tapas in Ahwatukee this month: July 8: Summer whites July 15: Oregon vs. California July 22: Natural wine July 29: Greece The wine tastings, which run 5-7 p.m., include four wines
Romeo’s Euro Cafe in Gilbert will hold a rare weekend version of its weekly ‘‘Taste of Romeo’s’’ dinner this week at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 10. The dinner, hosted by owner-chef Romeo Taus (pictured) and his wife, Janice, in a
Tucson-based quick-service restaurant Eegee’s announced its much-anticipated first Valley location – located on the southwest corner of Val Vista and Baseline in Gilbert – will open Thursday, July 15. The restaurant will have dine-in and takeout, offering online ordering and
Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, a Utah-based chain of fast-casual Mexican restaurants, has opened its fourth Gilbert location next to Farmer Boys near the southeast corner of Higley and Baseline. It’s Cafe Rio’s 11th location in the East Valley, but only
Wicked Rain, a craft beer bar featuring ales from the Pacific Northwest, is under construction near the southwest corner of Gilbert and Baseline in Gilbert. The 3,000-square-foot bar will have a rotating selection from 30 breweries. It also will serve
Four Peaks Brewing announced its Eighth Street brew pub in Tempe will close at 3 p.m. Sunday for four days of renovations. The 25-year-old brew pub will reopen at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 8. Four Peaks just released After-School Snack,
Floridino’s Pizza & Pasta in Chandler hosts its annual Muffin Madness promotion on the Fourth of July. You can get a dozen original or pepperoni pizza muffins – the restaurant’s signature menu item – for just $6 (normally $11.79) Sunday.
L&L Fresh Hibachi Sushi, a Japanese eatery specializing in grilled meats, has opened on the southeast corner of Higley and Baseline in Gilbert. Hibachi meals – featuring grilled steak, chicken, salmon, shrimp, or tofu – come with fried rice and
Furious Beer & BBQ, one of the more talked-about concepts in the Valley’s craft beer scene for nearly a year, finally is beginning construction. The brewery and smokehouse took over former live-music club Joe’s Grotto on the northeast corner of
Sushi Rock & Grill, a Japanese restaurant offering sushi and traditional entrees, has opened on the southwest corner of Higley and Pecos in Gilbert. It takes over the space that formerly housed Poki Point Poke Restaurant, which closed in May.
Mr Brews Taphouse, a Wisconsin-based chain of burger-and-beer eateries, has opened on the northeast corner of Signal Butte and Southern in east Mesa. It’s the concept’s second try at this market; it made its Arizona debut in south Chandler in
I Heart Mac & Cheese, a 5-year-old Florida-based chain that opened its first Arizona restaurant in April in south Tempe, is working on a second location in Scottsdale. It will be located on the southwest corner of Scottsdale and Bell.
The Valley’s latest Chick-fil-A opens at 6 a.m. Wednesday on the northeast corner of 19th Avenue and Bethany Home Road in Phoenix. The concept, the 19th-largest fast-food chain in the United States, was founded in Atlanta in 1967 and came
Taking advantage of the slow Arizona summer, Cuisine & Wine Bistro in south Chandler closes today for its annual two-week summer break. It will reopen Tuesday, July 13. While most of the staff will enjoy a two-week vacation, owners Fabrice
Birdcall, a Denver-based chain specializing in fried chicken sandwiches, will make its Arizona debut this fall in Scottsdale and add a Phoenix location this winter. The 5-year-old concept is a high-tech pioneer in the restaurant industry – using kiosks instead
810 Billiards & Bowling, a South Carolina-based entertainment center concept, has opened next to Old Navy on the south side of Chandler Fashion Center. The 20,500-square-foot center, which has a large restaurant and a bar/lounge, offers billiards, bowling, foosball, ping
Veal Pirata and Paella Barcelona (pictured) will be the featured entrees when Romeo’s Euro Cafe in Gilbert holds its weekly ‘‘Taste of Romeo’s’’ dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 1. The dinner, hosted by owner-chef Romeo Taus and his wife,
Fired Pie, a fast-casual pizza concept with 20 locations in the Valley, is giving away ‘‘free pizza for a year’’ to six lucky people. You can enter online here. No purchase is necessary, but entrants must be 21 and agree
Matcha Grove, a small cafe offering matcha-based drinks and gluten-free baked goods, has opened on the southeast corner of McQueen and Elliot in Gilbert. It takes over the strip-mall space formerly home to Muesliikon Green Cafe, which closed earlier this
The Sugar Bar, which describes itself as ‘‘Arizona’s first candy store and bar combo,’’ is coming to the northwest corner of McQueen and Warner in Chandler. It takes over a strip-mall space that formerly housed a tattoo shop and a
Someburros, the local chain of family-run fast-casual Mexican restaurants, will open its 12th location later this year on the southwest corner of Signal Butte and Guadalupe in southeast Mesa. The Tempe-born concept offers 15 types of burritos, as well as
Cider Corps in downtown Mesa finally is getting statewide distribution: Its award-winning Mango Foxtrot now is available at more than half of the Sprouts markets in Arizona. The cidery’s four-packs of cans have been available at Whole Foods, AJ’s Fine
A pair of well-regarded Valley chefs – Rochelle Daniel and Cassie Shortino – will launch small restaurants this summer. Daniel, chef at Scottsdale’s Fat Ox, will venture north to open her own restaurant, Atria, in historic downtown Flagstaff. Atria (pictured)
Chicago-based Lou Malnati’s is hiring staff for its fifth Valley location, which will be located at Dana Park on the northwest corner of Val Vista and Baseline in Mesa. The location, which will be the first in the southeast Valley,
Barro’s Pizza, the local family-owned chain with 46 locations in the Valley and Tucson, has opened its first Apache Junction restaurant. It’s located in the Fry’s shopping center on the northeast corner of Idaho and the Apache Trail. The chain
Hatch Cover, a popular weekly special at Surf City Sandwich in southeast Gilbert, has been added to the restaurant’s permanent menu. The sandwich features roasted chicken breast, Hatch green chile cream cheese spread, jack and cheddar cheese, and caramelized onions pressed
Tiger Sugar, a worldwide chain of Taiwanese dessert shops best-known for its brown sugar boba milk, will make its Arizona debut in Mesa. It will be located in the Safeway shopping center on the northeast corner of Dobson and Main.
Spirit House, SanTan Brewing & Distilling’s tasting room and cocktail lounge in downtown Chandler, celebrates its second anniversary with a week of craft cocktails inspired by vintage ice cream trucks: Bomb Pop: A Citrus Rose gin base with layers of
(Updated 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 22) Tickets were supposed to go on sale Monday for Mile High Brew Fest, the downtown Prescott beer festival that will return Saturday, Aug. 21, after last year’s event was canceled due to the covid-19
A new sports bar and grill hopes to open in northeast Mesa in time for the NBA Finals. Starz American Bar & Grill is wrapping up construction on the northwest corner of Lindsay and University. The 5,400-square-foot space previously was
As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, Floridino’s Pizza & Pasta in Chandler is offering a Throwback Thursday special – a two-item calzone for just $6.99 – this Thursday, June 17, and next Thursday, June 24. The restaurant also will
The venerable Valley chain Macayo’s Mexican Food has opened its eighth restaurant on the northwest corner of the 101 and Shea in Scottsdale. It takes over the space that formerly housed the brewpub Scottsdale Beer Company, which closed last year.
Cupbop, a Utah-based chain of Korean-BBQ-in-a-cup eateries, has opened its first Arizona location at Desert Ridge Marketplace in northeast Phoenix. It takes over the former Rubio’s Coastal Grill space, near Café Zupas, in The District zone of the shopping center.
Frenchie Pizza, a new fast-casual concept featuring thin-crust American pizzas as well as European flatbreads called flammekueche, is opening in south Gilbert next month. It will be the fourth member of the Buschtetz Family Restaurant Group, which includes Cuisine &
With the covid-19 pandemic mostly behind us, I’m compiling a new list of Taco Tuesday specials. If you know of an East Valley restaurant to add to this list, please let me know. Baja Joe’s Mexican Cantina: $2.50 tacos. SanTan
Grubstak, an unusual concept that offered a variety of poutine-like dishes, closed Sunday after two and a half years on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Ocotillo in south Chandler. The eatery was the brainchild of Colton Grubb, the grandson
Keegan’s Grill, an Ahwatukee mainstay for more than 25 years, announced it will close permanently June 30. According to the statement, ‘‘Due to a very rough 16 months with covid-19 disrupting our business along with rising operating costs we have
Vero Chicago Pizzeria – formerly (and, by many, still) known as Buddyz Chicago Pizzeria – hoped to open its first franchise around Feb. 1 in Gilbert. More than four months past that target, things are, um, progressing at the former
Florida-based Another Broken Egg Cafe will make its Arizona debut near the southwest corner of Williams Field and Santan Village Parkway in Gilbert. The restaurant will be located between Black Rock Coffee Bar and Jersey Mike’s Subs. The French-countryside-meets-the-Deep-South concept
Tucson-based Eegee’s return to the Valley will happen next month, and the company is looking to hire 60 people to work at the Gilbert restaurant. The chain, which unsuccessfully tried to establish a foothold in the Valley in the 1980s,
After eight years of explosive growth, Salad and Go, the Gilbert-born chain of healthy drive-throughs, is expanding beyond its 31 busy Valley locations. The first non-Valley location recently opened in the Dallas area, where four others will join it this
Illinois-based Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, a chain of Napa-inspired ‘‘upscale casual’’ wine bars that made its Arizona debut in north Scottsdale last fall, is preparing to launch another restaurant in front of Chandler Fashion Center. The 16-year-old concept’s 41 locations
Huss Brewing, the third-largest brewery in the state, finally has begun construction on its third location – a two-story, indoor-outdoor space on the north facade of the Phoenix Convention Center. The new location (pictured in an artist’s rendering) on Monroe
Tempe-born Cartel Coffee Lab – a specialty coffee purveyor known for sourcing, roasting, and brewing high-quality coffee – unveils a new menu today for the first time in its 13 years. The summer menu, available at all 10 of its
Maui Hawaiian Grill, an independent restaurant featuring Hawaiian BBQ, has opened on the southeast corner of Mill and Baseline in Tempe. The strip-mall space formerly was home to Jamaiican restaurant Caribbean Spice. Maui Hawaiian’s menu offers typical island fare such
With last weekend’s opening of 99 Ranch Market in Chandler comes Hot Deli, its food-court eatery featuring dim sum to go and Chinese and Korean barbecue. The Taiwanese-American supermarket anchors a newly renovated shopping center on the northeast corner of
Buono’s, a longtime East Valley pizzeria now in its third manifestation, opens at 11 a.m. today near the northwest corner of Val Vista and Williams Field in Gilbert. It takes over the strip-mall end-cap that has been home to a
Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen opens its sixth restaurant – and second in the East Valley – on the northeast corner of Lindsay and William Field in Gilbert at 11 a.m. Thursday. It takes over the space that formerly was home
Salad and Go, the Gilbert-born chain of healthy drive-throughs, launches its 31st location – and first in Ahwatukee – at 6:30 a.m. Thursday near the northwest corner of 48th Street and Ray. Salad and Go offers nine chef-created salads (all
Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, an award-winning pizza chain out of New York City that made its Arizona debut in south Tempe last year, has launched its second Valley restaurant in Phoenix. It’s located just north of Matty G’s and The Vig
Genuine Concepts, the local restaurant group behind The Vig, The Little Woody, The Womack, and others, opens its newest concept – Campo Italian Bistro & Bar – in Scottsdale at 3 p.m. today. It replaces James Beard Award-winning chef Alex
Back before covid-19 (if you can remember that far back!) I used to run a weekly list of Taco Tuesday specials. Since that popular list was last published in March 2020, there has been a bunch of restaurant openings, restaurant
99 Ranch Market, a Taiwanese-American supermarket chain based in Buena Park, Calif., will hold a grand-opening ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. Saturday for its first Arizona store, which anchors the newly renovated shopping center on the northeast corner of Chandler and Dobson in
The restauranteurs behind Z’Tejas Southwest Grill launch a new ghost kitchen concept, Woo Woo Burgers, today operating out of the Chandler location. The throwback concept offers a straightforward menu of burgers, chicken sandwiches, and sides. Ten percent of total sales for
5th Street Burgers & Fries, which began as a takeout-only ghost kitchen concept, has opened a bricks-and-mortar restaurant on the northeast corner of Priest and Washington in northwest Tempe. It takes over the space that formerly was home to Mediterranean
Chandler-based SanTan Brewing not only is the state’s largest craft brewery, it’s now the first to employ some new technology to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide is a natural by-product of the fermentation process. SanTan produces about 1,000
As breweries nationwide and around the world wrestle with high-profile issues of gender disparity, Gilbert will welcome a new female-owned craft beer bar this summer. Tap Dragon Craft Beer & Wine Bar is scheduled to open on the southeast corner
LGO Hospitality announced it will open a third location of Ingo’s Tasty Food on the southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Mayo Boulevard in north Scottsdale. It will be located adjacent to the recently announced Buck & Rider, also part
After a delay of more than a year due to the covid-19 pandemic, IHOP finally will launch its fast-casual spinoff, Flip’d by IHOP, in July. Ordering at a counter or kiosk, diners can choose from pancake bowls, customizable egg sandwiches,
Renata’s Hearth, a new restaurant with charred and smoked dishes featuring Central and South American-inspired flavors, has opened at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. Chef Jesus Figueroa Ortega, who was sous chef at Tarbell’s in Phoenix and Café Monarch in
Brooklyn V’s Pizza, a group of family-run local pizzerias, opened its fourth East Valley restaurant today in south Chandler. It takes over the former Amalfi Pizza strip-mall space on the northeast corner of Alma School and Chandler Heights. Amalfi closed
The owners of Chiwas Tacos are working on a new concept – a Mexican restaurant called Cocina Chiwas – to debut in Tempe next year. The restaurant’s wood-fired oven and grill will produce an expanded menu of regional dishes from
At My Place Cafe, a 5-year-old Filipino restaurant in the southwest corner of Dobson and Guadalupe in southwest Mesa, is moving. It will close this Friday, May 28, for the summer, then reopen in September in its new home across
Celebrate the Memorial Day weekend with an Arizona-centric picnic courtesy of AZ Women in Food, a group created earlier this year to support woman-led food businesses. AZWIF’s first ventures were three-course takeout meals offered in March and April. Now, it’s
Oregano’s, one of the Valley’s most popular locally born restaurant concepts, is launching a takeout-only concept in Tempe next month. Oregano’s Takeout Kitchen will debut Wednesday, June 2, near the southeast corner of University and 52nd Street. It will offer
CoreLife Eatery, a Syracuse, N.Y.-based fast-casual healthy eating concept, holds the official grand opening of its second Arizona restaurant Friday in Gilbert. On Thursday, though, the eatery on the southeast corner of Higley and Baseline will hold a soft-opening ‘‘Pay
Schmear Bagelry & Cafe, Queen Creek’s first bagel shop, announced it will close Saturday after two years in business. Owners Matt and Lindsay Aronson shared the news on social media: ‘‘There are many factors that have contributed to this decision,’’
After 33 years of dishing out some of the Valley’s best New York-style pizzas, Vic Buono is calling it quits. Buono announced Tuesday night on social media he will retire after closing his Nicantoni’s Pizza in Gilbert on Sunday, May
Bandera, a restaurant popular for its rotisserie chicken and American comfort food, has closed after for nearly three decades in Old Town Scottsdale. Located on the northeast corner of Scottsdale Road and First Avenue, it was one of 40-some restaurants
By the Bucket, a Payson-based concept that literally sells spaghetti and meatballs by the bucket to go, has made its Valley debut in Ahwatukee. The 1,200-square-foot restaurant is located on the northeast corner of Chandler Boulevard and Desert Foothills Parkway
Arizona restaurants can return to selling to-go cocktails this fall under a new law passed Monday by the state Legislature. Gov. Doug Ducey extended the temporary privilege to restaurants last year to help them survive the covid-19 pandemic, but his
Rough Rider, a new restaurant and cocktail bar from the owners of The Whining Pig chain, is coming to Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix this summer. It will be located in the basement of the Ten-O-One building, a former hotel
It’s official: Rula Bula Irish Pub, a downtown Tempe mainstay for 20 years, will close this Sunday, May 23. MXSW reported last month the restaurant and bar was almost certain to close before the end of June after it was unable
The Chandler City Council has voted to end its popular ‘‘On The Street’’ dining program, which let eight downtown restaurants replace curbside parking spaces with temporary patios during the covid-19 pandemic. The patios allowed restaurants to serve extra customers beyond
Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant closed its 15-year-old location on the southwest corner of Arizona and Ocotillo in south Chandler on Sunday. The Geneva, N.Y.-based chain now has three remaining locations in the East Valley – University and Gilbert in north Mesa,
Brooklyn V’s Pizza announced its fourth East Valley restaurant – which is taking over the former Amalfi Pizza space on the northeast corner of Alma School and Chandler Heights in south Chandler – will open next Monday, May 24. MXSW
Rancho La Candelaria Mexican Food & Oaxacan Food, a well-reviewed restaurant on the southeast corner of Baseline and 35th Avenue in southwest Phoenix, was destroyed by fire early Saturday morning. The restaurant’s two food trucks also were lost in the
D’Vine Gourmet – a south Chandler shop specializing in Arizona food products, wines, and other gifts – is taking over the Sibley’s West gift shop space in downtown Chandler. Sibley’s owners John and Michelle Wolfe announced last month they would
The Taco Spot, a Mexican restaurant that launched 15 months ago near downtown Chandler, has opened a second location in south Tempe. It takes over the former Thai House space on the southeast corner of Kyrene and Elliot. The menu
Syracuse, N.Y.-based CoreLife Eatery, a fast-casual healthy eating concept that made its Arizona debut in south Tempe last October, is opening a second restaurant in Gilbert. It will be located next to the new Farmer Boys on the southeast corner
Crazy Tuna, a Japanese restaurant and all-you-can-eat sushi bar, has opened on the southeast corner of Alma School and Elliot in Chandler. It takes over the space that formerly was home to Masa Sushi & Izakaya. The menu boasts more
As Craft 64 in downtown Chandler approaches its second anniversary next week, the pizzeria brew pub is making a major change in its craft beer tap list. Unlike its older sibling in Old Town Scottsdale, which was the first notable
Back in March, MXSW reported James Beard Award-winning chef Alex Stratta was retooling his short-lived Stratta Kitchen in Scottsdale into a concept called Campo Italian. What we didn’t know at the time was the restaurant would be part of Genuine
The group behind high-end surf and turf restaurant Maple & Ash is bringing another concept to Scottsdale. Etta, a restaurant specializing in wood-fired pizzas and pastas, is taking over the former Brio Tuscan Grille space at the Scottsdale Quarter. Chicago-based
B Gastrobar (Gilbert): Chef Steven Buschtetz’s special three-course menu plus amuse bouche is $75. Items also are available a la carte. See menu. Cuisine & Wine Bistro (Chandler): Chef Fabrice Buschtetz’s special three-course prix-fixe menu is $70 from 3-7 p.m.
The much-anticipated reopening of El Charro Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge takes place at 11 a.m. today near the northeast corner of Country Club and Main in downtown Mesa. The iconic restaurant, which closed in 2017 after 59 years in business,
Tempe-based Venezia’s New York Style Pizzeria has added another meatless protein topping: Vegan pepperoni is now available at all five Valley locations. The plant-based pepperoni from Field Roast Grain Meat Co. is soy-free and made with pea protein, offering the
99 Ranch Market, a Taiwanese-American supermarket chain based in Buena Park, Calif., will make its Arizona debut as the anchor of a newly renovated shopping center on the northeast corner of Chandler and Dobson in Chandler. The 117,000-square-foot retail center,
Donny Johnson has been a fixture in the local music scene for two decades, first as the owner of Tempe live-music bar Bigfish Pub and more recently as general manager of the Marquee Theater concert venue. Now Johnson (pictured above
Jinya Ramen Bar, a Los Angeles-based chain of contemporary Japanese restaurants, makes its Arizona debut at 11 a.m. Thursday at the New Square development in downtown Chandler. It joins the new DC Steakhouse and Tennessee import The Stillery in the
Is the so-called ‘‘Asian Corridor’’ through Mesa and Chandler finally reaching a saturation point? Four-year-old Korea Mart, citing increased competition, is closing. The shopping center opened in the Three Fountains Plaza on Longmore south of Southern – just west of
