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SoJo’s Donuts, a bakery specializing in handmade vegan doughnuts, is coming to the southwest corner of Alma School and Guadalupe in southwest Mesa. It takes over a space that has housed several bakeries, including Daylight Donuts, Dori’s Bakery, and Mom’s
Beard Papa’s, a Japanese-born chain that claims to make ‘‘the world’s best cream puffs,’’ will make its Arizona debut on the northeast corner of Scottsdale and Greenway in north Scottsdale. Yuji Hirota, the bearded baker whose cartoon image is the
Chandler’s Desert Cider House, Arizona’s oldest operating craft cidery, has closed after four years. The cidery cited the covid-19 pandemic as the reason. According to its social media post: ‘‘With a great deal of consideration and deliberation, and in light
Hair of the Dog, a canine-friendly wine bar and taproom, is coming to the northeast corner of Lindsay and Pecos in south Gilbert. The corner already is home to New Mexican Grill and Henhouse Cafe. Owners Randy and Marleen Duren
Monroe’s Hot Chicken, the 18-month-old downtown Phoenix eatery specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken, is opening a second location at The Watermark on the north side of Tempe Town Lake. The Watermark, a $150 million mixed-use development, is located near the
A couple weeks ago, MXSW broke the news former NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip was opening a brewery in the Valley (see story). Now, Michael Waltrip Brewing has signed a distribution deal with Hensley. Arizona’s largest beer distributor will ship Waltrip’s
Denver-based breakfast concept Snooze has opened its seventh Valley location near the northwest corner of the 101 and Shea in Scottsdale. Menu offerings include pancake flights, breakfast pot pies, breakfast tacos, and seven variations of eggs Benedict. Snooze is open
Snowtime, a 3-year-old Korean dessert shop in Chandler, has opened a second location inside H Mart on the southeast corner of Main and Dobson in west Mesa. To celebrate, both locations will offer 10% off all purchases through Sunday. Menu
Ghost Street Asian Taqueria, a virtual restaurant specializing in Asian-inspired street tacos, has opened in Scottsdale for takeout and delivery only. The concept is the brainchild of Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar & Grill owner John Banquil Jr. and operates
Sweet Republic, the award-winning artisan ice cream shop, will open its third location at The Watermark on the north side of Tempe Town Lake. The $150 million mixed-use development is located near the southwest corner of Scottsdale and the 202.
Postino, the popular neighborhood wine cafe concept offering inexpensive wines by the glass and light Italian fare, opens its eighth Valley location today in south Tempe. It takes over a heavily remodeled building that formerly was home to Tempe Public
For what it’s worth: ‘‘The 101 Best Pizzas in America’’ include three in Arizona, according to The Daily Meal. The food and drink website’s annual rankings put Pizzeria Bianco (pictured) in Phoenix at No. 14 and Cibo in Phoenix at
OHSO Brewery has released its annual 1-800-273-8255, a beer to raise awareness of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. One dollar from every pint or can of the hazy IPA sold will be donated to the hotline, which provides free and confidential emotional support
ASU president Michael Crow has asked state officials to investigate four downtown Tempe restaurants for allegedly violating covid-19 regulations. In a letter sent to ADHS director Dr. Cara Christ and Department of Liquor Licenses and Control director John Cocca, Crow
Acclaimed Valley chef and restaurateur Chris Bianco has announced some big changes to his restaurant group due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Pane Bianco at 16th Street and Van Buren is closing after 18 months in business. It had
Oregon-based Black Rock Coffee celebrates the grand opening of its first Gilbert location Friday with an all-day special: Get any medium drink for just $2 via the drive-through only. The new store, which will be open 5 a.m.-9 p.m., is located
Beering Arizona, a virtual craft beer festival with in-person options, will take place Saturday, Sept. 19, to help the state’s struggling breweries and taprooms. The event is a fundraiser for the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, which had to cancel several
Aioli Gourmet Burgers, which began in 2013 as a food truck, has opened its third Valley location on the northwest corner of Seventh Street and Bell in north Phoenix. It takes over the space that formerly was home to Caveman
Coconut’s Fish Cafe, a Hawaii-based fast-casual seafood chain, has permanently closed its location on the southwest corner of Alma School and Ocotillo in south Chandler. The eatery, which opened in 2016, had closed in March when the covid-19 pandemic hit
Wally Ansari, owner of Ghett Yo Tacos, Burritos & Sliders in downtown Chandler, is opening a sibling restaurant, Ghett Yo Pizza, Sliders & More, in Ahwatukee. It’s taking over the former Jimmy & Joe’s Pizzeria in the Safeway center on
Fast-growing State 48 Brewery, which launched in Surprise just four years ago, is opening its sixth Valley location in Gilbert. State 48 Tap House is taking over the former Gordon Biersch space at SanTan Village shopping center. Current locations include
Rick’s Pub & Grub, a small bar that serves food in west Chandler, was ordered to close Monday after social media photos over the weekend showed crowds of patrons not observing the state’s covid-19 regulations. According to the Arizona Department
Rusty Taco, a Dallas-born chain of Tex-Mex fast-food restaurants, has opened its second Arizona location next to Starbucks and White Castle on the northwest corner of the 101 and Via de Ventura in Scottsdale. The chain, now owned by Arby’s
CaskWerks Distilling in Tempe announced it’s losing its home of the past five-plus years: The distillery is located near the northeast corner of University and McClintock.
Mr. Mesquite Taqueria opens its sixth Valley location Saturday in east Mesa, and the first guests in line will get some freebies. The restaurant is located on the southwest corner of Crismon and Southern. The first 50 guests when doors
A husband-and-wife catering team from San Francisco has opened Gabriella’s Contemporary American Cuisine on the east corner of Mountain View and Via Linda in Scottsdale. Anthony and Anna Barr moved to Arizona last spring when the covid-19 pandemic decimated their 50-person catering
OHSO Brewery will unveil a new concept called Little O’s – a ‘‘baby’’ version of its popular brewpubs – in downtown Phoenix. The restaurant, bar, and dog-friendly patio are taking over the former Zoe’s Kitchen near the southeast corner of
Matty G’s, a popular family-friendly neighborhood grill, will open its fourth Valley location in southeast Gilbert. It’s taking over the former Dean’s Hermanos Mexican Food, which closed at the end of July, on the southeast corner of Higley and Queen
Safe Haven Brewery, a new brewery from the father-and-son team of Rykert and Gus Fowler, is coming to Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. The Fowlers have signed a lease on a 5,000-square-foot building near the southwest corner of Fourth Street
Lochiel Brewing in east Mesa is inviting its fans and others to invest in the 3-year-old brewery and its Scottish-style ales. Owner and brewmaster Ian Cameron (pictured) temporarily closed the brewery’s taproom in May to concentrate distributing its beers to
Tukee Tap & Bottle, a beer and wine bar that also will sell both to go, is coming to the Fry’s shopping center on the southwest corner of 40th Street and Chandler Boulevard in Ahwatukee. The 2,100-square-foot venue on the
Nicholas Campisano and Joshua James, the guys behind Clever Koi and Fellow Osteria & Pizzeria, are bringing a new fast-casual concept to the ASU SkySong campus in south Scottsdale. Broth & Bao will feature Clever Koi-inspired build-your-own ramen bowls, bao
La Calabria Ristorante, a well-loved but ill-fated Italian restaurant in Gilbert, has closed permanently after 10 years in business. Giovanni and Clara Spataro launched La Calabria, named for Giovanni’s home region in Italy, in 2008. He was the chef; she
If you’re interested in the Valley’s food scene, you’re likely familiar with restaurateur and chef Adam Allison. Maybe you’ve eaten his incredible comfort food at his ’50s-era Handlebar Diner in southeast Mesa or from his Left Coast Burrito Co. food
Rift Wine+Tap – a concept combining a wine lounge, a craft beer taproom, and a liquor store – opens for in-store consumption today in south Scottsdale. The new venue, located near the northeast corner of Scottsdale and McKellips, began retail
Openings Founding Fathers: Gastropub closes original location in Ahwatukee, but opens another in Chandler. Read more Doc & Eddy’s: Sixteen months after being destroyed by a fire, longtime south Tempe sports bar finally reopens. Read more Salad and Go: Gilbert-born concept’s
Glow Shots & Cocktails in downtown Tempe is the latest Valley bar to be shut down for not complying with the state’s covid-19 guidelines. The Arizona Department of Health Services closed the bar Sunday for “jeopardizing the health, safety and
If you’ve spent much time in Prescott, you’re familiar with its popular Park Plaza Liquor & Deli. Now owner Trevor Phillips is opening a liquor store extraordinaire in south Scottsdale. The eponymous Trevor’s, located near the northeast corner of Scottsdale
Dallas-based Twin Peaks has broken ground on its fourth Valley restaurant in the southeast corner of Tempe Marketplace. The 7,100-square-foot restaurant is being constructed on the last remaining vacant lot at the shopping center. The so-called ‘‘breastaurant’’ concept features a
Former NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip (pictured) is opening a brewery and taproom in Phoenix. Waltrip launched Michael Waltrip Brewing in March. The company temporarily is based in Texas. So far, it has three beers – Checkered Past (a coconut IPA),
Two nightclubs in Old Town Scottsdale – Bottled Blonde (pictured) and Casa Amigos – had their liquor licenses suspended today for violating the state’s covid-19 guidelines. Both clubs has just reopened Thursday. They reportedly were shut down at 11 p.m.
Benjamin’s Upstairs, a fried chicken and oyster bar from the team behind Citizen Public House and The Gladly, opens today in Old Town Scottsdale. It takes over the upstairs space at CPH that formerly was home to its experimental cocktail
Cider Corps in downtown Mesa will release 12-ounce cans of its C-Bees cucumber-honey cider at noon Friday. The cider, a tribute to the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion commonly known as the Seabees, is part of the cidery’s Honor Series that
National Gyro Day is Sept. 1, but St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Chandler will be celebrating Saturday with a drive-through gyro sale. The church, which hosts the annual A Taste of Greece festivals, will be selling chicken and beef
Howler’s, a new sports bar that debuted at Gilbert Town Square last month, celebrates the grand opening of its second location at Chandler Fashion Center at 4 p.m. Friday. (There are numerous rumors of a soft opening at 4 p.m.
Detroit Coney Grill, a 7-year-old hot dog and burger shop, is opening its fourth Valley location in downtown Tempe. It’s taking over the former Steak ’n Shake space on the northeast corner of Mill and Seventh Street. Detroit Coney Grill
Kudos to Venezia’s Pizzeria, which raised $5,000 for United Food Bank last week. The locally chain’s five Valley locations donated $1 from every pizza sold from Aug. 17-19. The $5,000 will provide 25,000 meals for families in need. “Food insecurity
Cuisine & Wine Bistro in Gilbert is undergoing a transformation. The award-winning wine bar, which has been closed this summer due to the coronaviruspandemic, will reopen next month as B Gastrobar. The American-style gastropub concept will feature a full bar,
Roses by the Stairs Brewing, an environmentally focused brewery that takes its name from the lyrics of a Blink-182 song, is coming to central Phoenix. It’s taking over the former Easley’s Fun Shop, which closed in 2018 after 72 years
The Arizona Department of Health Services announced that Maricopa County is expected to improve into the ‘‘moderate’’ phase of covid-19 community spread when the latest metrics are updated Thursday. That would allow some bars with Series 6 and 7 liquor
It’s been so long since the news broke you may have forgotten that Postino is taking over the former Tempe Public Market Cafe in south Tempe. The winecafe concept finally has announced an opening date: Wednesday, Sept. 16. The ill-fated
Century Grand, the train-themed cocktail bar in Arcadia, is one of four finalists for Best New American Cocktail Bar in the Spirited Awards. The 10-month-old bar, restaurant and bottle shop is the first from Arizona to make the finals in
Los Angeles-based JINYA Ramen Bar will join the crowded restaurant scene in downtown Chandler this fall. It will join DC Steakhouse and Nashville-based concept The Stillery at New Square development. (Read more about The Stillery here.) The 2,400-square-foot ramen bar
Green Feet Brewing, a small, family-run brewery in Tucson, is closing permanently. The 4-year-old brewery announced on Facebook its last day will be Oct. 16 or whenever it runs out of beer, whichever comes first. Scott “Petey” Petersen (pictured) and
El Taco Santo, a popular Valley food truck that opened a bricks-and-mortar restaurant in Ahwatukee in November, is opening a second in Gilbert. It will be located in the under-construction plaza on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Warner that
Fans of Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants can now find its Original Salsa and Red Hot Sauce for sale at d’Vine Gourmet in south Chandler. The store, which specializes in locally made foods and gift baskets, is located on the northeast corner
Dominic Armato, the dining critic for the Arizona Republic and AZCentral.com, has tendered his resignation after five years with the media company. ‘‘There’s no one reason,’’ he writes on social media. ‘‘It’s more a heavy collection of evolving circumstances and
Alibi, a rooftop bar and restaurant, has opened to the public at the new Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown hotel near the northeast corner of Mill and University. Customers can enjoy panoramic views of downtown Tempe, craft cocktails, and global
The Beer Research Institute in Mesa releases cans of Rice Krispy Bois, an American rice lager, at 11 a.m. today. The easy-drinking beer with clever can art (pictured) has an ABV of 4.5% and just 15 IBUs. The beer’s name
The annual James Beard Awards, the culinary world’s equivalent of the Oscars, have been canceled for 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s finalists in the various categories were announced May 4, and winners were to be
Legendary Memphis-based chain Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, known for its signature spicy coating, is coming to downtown Mesa. Founded in 1984, Gus’s has received countless honors, including being named the best fried chicken in America by Forbes and one
Pitadise Mediterranean Grill, a new fast-casual concept focused on healthy modern Mediterranean cuisine, has opened in south Tempe. It takes over the former Donna’s Bakery strip-mall space on the northwest corner of Kyrene and Elliot. The menu features pitas, bowls,
Daruma, a Japanese restaurant named for the legendary monk credited with founding the Zen tradition of Buddhism, has opened in west Mesa. It’s one of several eateries in the Asian-centric strip mall on the northwest corner of Dobson and Southern.
Americana Burgers & Beer, a popular ASU student hangout in downtown Tempe, has closed permanently. The bar and grill opened in January 2018 near the northwest corner of Mill and Fourth Street.
Longtime south Scottsdale favorite Los Sombreros has opened its third Valley location across the street from Mesa Community College. The Mexican restaurant takes over the strip-mall space that formerly was home to La Casa de Juana, which closed last fall,
Tacos Chiwas, the award-winning taco shop known for its Chihuahuan-style street tacos, has opened its third Valley location in downtown Mesa. It takes over the longtime Queens Pizzeria space on Main between Robson and Macdonald. The space most recently was
Pesto Italian Eatery, a new fast-casual build-your-own-pasta concept, will make its debut near Chandler Fashion Center this fall. Not to be confused with Pesto’s, a longtime Italian restaurant also in Chandler, Pesto will be located on the northeast corner of
The Crowned Egg, a family-run breakfast-and-lunch restaurant that debuted in Gilbert in 2018, has opened a second location in Chandler. It takes over the space that formerly was home to Knead a Bagel and, before that, America’s Taco Shop space
Origami Ramen Bar, a new ramen concept that uses a creamy chicken-based broth instead of a more common pork-based one, has opened in Ahwatukee. It takes over the recently closed UD Thai Cuisine on the northeast corner of 48th Street
Mesa-based Angry Crab Shack, which specializes in seafood and boils with Asian and Cajun flavors, has opened its 11th Arizona location in San Tan Valley. It’s located on the south corner of Hunt Highway and Gary, next to Starbucks and
Local chain Venezia’s Pizzeria is donating $1 from every pizza sold today, Tuesday, and Wednesday to United Food Bank, which provides meals to Arizonans in need. “We are incredibly grateful for the support we received during the last few months,
You still have one week to order your Hatch chiles from La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen in Gilbert and Chandler. The restaurant’s staff makes a trip to Hatch, N.M., at the end of every summer to buy their year’s supply
Francine, a French-Mediterranean fine-dining concept from famed restaurateur Laurent Halasz, has opened at Scottsdale Fashion Square. It joins Nobu, Toca Madera, and Ocean 44 in the mall’s new luxury wing. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant originally was to be called Farmhouse, which
Condolences to the family and friends of Salim Yousif ‘‘Sam’’ Hanna, the owner of Gilbert Convenience Mart and an early supporter of the Valley’s nascent craft beer scene, who passed away Saturday at age 72 after complications from covid-19. Hanna
Mike’s Grub, an eclectic quick-service eatery that splits its small menu between comfort foods and healthy-focused fare, has opened in Tempe. Owners Mikey Mitschele, Michael Bennett, and Jeremy Davenport have taken over a portion of a former car wash near the
Civic Market – a combination of coffeehouse, restaurant, grab-and-go market, and beauty salon in downtown Chandler – is undergoing changes. Lilly and Adam Walter, who opened Civic Market in March 2019, have left the business, but building owner Peter Sciacca
Majerle’s Sports Grill, launched by and named for former Phoenix Suns star Dan Majerle, has closed its Chandler Fashion Center location after 13 years. Howler’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, which recently debuted in Gilbert, will take over the building in
Tacos Chiwas, one of Arizona’s best taco shops, soon will be selling its Chihuahuan-style street tacos in downtown Mesa. The concept is taking over the short-lived Main Street Bar & Grill space on Main Street for its third location. The
It looks like it’ll be a long time before some of the Valley’s bars and nightclubs – which were closed for the second time July 29 – will be able to reopen. On Monday, the Arizona Department of Health Services
Farmboy Market, Meats & Sandwiches in south Chandler is the latest East Valley restaurant to succumb to covid-19. The scratch-kitchen smokehouse temporarily closed four weeks ago to wait out the pandemic. Now, though, owner Oren Molovinsky says Farmboy is closed
La Bocca Urban Kitchen & Wine Bar has closed its two remaining Valley locations – the original in downtown Tempe and another at High Street in northeast Phoenix. A third location in downtown Chandler closed after a 2017 fire. La
Greenwood Brewing, a female-owned and -operated brewery, has opened on the southwest corner of Roosevelt and Fifth Street in downtown Phoenix. Founder Megan Greenwood has been brewing Greenwood beers under contract at another Valley brewery since 2017. After raising $68,000
Barro’s Pizza, the family-run chain that’s celebrating 40 years in the Valley, has introduced 8-inch mini pizzas at all 27 of its locations in the East Valley. The pizzas, which already have been available at West Valley locations, start at
Last month, MXSW reported The Brass Tap in downtown Gilbert was closing and the space was going to be transformed into a Creole restaurant. Da’Bayou Creole Kitchen, which also offers Southern-style seafood and Bourbon Street-inspired cocktails, is now open. Hours
It seems like I’m writing about a new Salad and Go every month. The fast-growing Gilbert-born concept’s 21st Valley location has opened on southwest corner of Priest and Elliot in south Tempe. It’s the first Salad and Go to feature
Oink Cafe, a local breakfast-and-lunch eatery that opened in December 2016, has closed on the southwest corner of McClintock and Warner in south Tempe. Two other locations – in Paradise Valley and Tucson – remain open. Oink Cafe is best
Longtime Tempe sports bar Doc & Eddy’s, which has been under reconstruction since a devastating March 2019 fire, finally has reopened near the northeast corner of Rural and Baseline. Due to current restrictions on Series 6 liquor licenses, Doc &
After two unsuccessful months of trying to get financial concessions from its landlord, The Harp Irish Pub has been locked out of its Dana Park space on the northwest corner of Val Vista and Baseline in Mesa. A post on
Founding Fathers Kitchen, a well-reviewed but short-lived gastropub that debuted in Ahwatukee in December, has opened a new location in Chandler. It takes over the former Jimmy T’s Holy Crab building on the northwest corner of Alma School and Ray.
Howler’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, a locally owned concept with several Valley locations in the works, holds its soft opening at 4 p.m. today at Gilbert Town Square. It takes over the 6,300-square-foot building on Gilbert Road between Warner and
Good Time Charli’s, a west Chandler bar and grill that temporarily closed June 28 due to the covid-19 pandemic, reopens today for takeout and limited-capacity indoor dining. Hours are 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. The popular
East Valley-based Thai Chili 2 Go, a local chain of fast-casual Thai eateries, will open its 10th location next month on the southwest corner of I-10 and Chandler in Ahwatukee. It will join other East Valley locations in Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert,
The Golden Pineapple, a restaurant and lounge from the owners of Chandler craft beer bar and bottle shop The Sleepy Whale, officially opens today in Tempe. It takes over the 5,000-square-foot building that most recently was home to Italian restaurant
Condolences to the family and friends of Kris Chupp, a Valley DJ and the entertainment director at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, who passed away Sunday after a three-week battle with covid-19. Chupps, known professionally as DJ Steel, had worked for
Tacos Lupe, a locally owned taqueria promising ‘‘the best tacos in Maricopa County,’’ has opened near the northeast corner of Stapley and Broadway in Mesa. The fast-casual menu offers tacos and burros with a choice of seven fillings: carne asada,
Mesa brewpub The Beer Research Institute, which closed July 3 after an employee tested positive for covid-19, has partially reopened after some of the staff tested negative and the venue was deep-sanitized. BRI will be open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Farmboy Market, Meats & Sandwiches in south Chandler has joined a growing list of local restaurants that have decided to close temporarily during the current surge in covid-19 cases in Arizona. ‘‘At Farmboy we have a very small staff, and it
The GOAT Sports Grill, named for the common sports acronym for ‘‘Greatest of All Time,’’ has opened near the southwest corner of Power and McDowell in northeast Mesa. It joins several other eateries – including Nando’s Mexican Cafe, Barro’s Pizza,
McMahon’s Ice Cream, the 3-year-old family-run dessert shop on the northwest corner of McQueen and Warner in Chandler, will permanently close at the end of this month. The shop made the announcement on social media: ‘‘We hope you visit us
Popular Ahwatukee pizzeria Zesty Zzeeks will close next week for a makeover and the installation of some new equipment. The pizzeria will close at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 12, and plans to reopen at 10 a.m. Friday, July 17. The
