Author: Jess Harter

Michael O’Dowd, who spent 10 years as chef at nationally acclaimed Kai at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa near Chandler, has a new project: a motorcycle-themed restaurant called Fork & Torque in Tempe. According to Republic dining critic Howard

Downtown Mesa’s dining scene gets a boost when Republica Empanada opens its doors for a “trial run” from 6-10 p.m. Friday. The eatery will be closed over the weekend, then officially open Monday. Republica is the brainchild of Marco Meraz,

Tom Ryan, one of the barbecue pioneers in the East Valley, will open another Tom’s BBQ on the northeast corner of Alma School and Queen Creek in south Chandler. The fast-casual restaurant will take over the Ocotillo Plaza’s former Buono’s

Not a lot of people outside of north Mesa are familiar with Baja Joe’s Mexican Cantina. That’s a shame, because Baja Joe’s serves up really good Mexican fare, especially seafood. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better fish taco

Joyride Taco House – the latest restaurant concept from the folks behind Postino, Windsor, Churn, and Federal Pizza – opens at 11 a.m. today in downtown Gilbert’s Heritage District. Located alongside Postino in the former GrainBelt GrillHouse on the northwest corner

Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, the Celtic-themed “breastaurant” chain based in Tempe, is one of the food and beverage industry’s more successful concepts. Since launching in 2003, it has grown to 70-plus locations in 26 states and Canada. For the

Beaver Choice, the East Valley’s critically acclaimed Swedish/Polish/Canadian restaurant, finally reopens today in its new, larger space on the southeast corner of Baseline and Extension in Mesa. The restaurant opened in 2010, but closed its original space at McClintock and

DownUnder, the Australian-themed bistro and wine bar in Gilbert, has closed, according to a notice posted on its door. The eclectic bar and wine shop – originally called Red Kangaroo – was launched in a strip mall on the north

The Valley’s craft beer community is still reeling today over the unexpected death of Phoenix Ale Brewery co-founder Greg Fretz over the weekend. The 44-year-old had been fighting throat cancer since December, but participated in American Craft Beer Week events

Sad news for the Valley craft beer community. Greg Fretz, co-founder of Phoenix Ale Brewery, has passed away after a short battle with throat cancer, the brewery announced. Fretz launched Phoenix Ale Brewery with George Hancock in 2010 and served

Guerrero’s, a Tempe mom-and-pop restaurant that’s been dishing out above-average Mexican food for 31 years, likely is closing this summer. PHX Rail Food, David Bickford’s excellent website reviewing restaurants along the light-rail line, visits the Apache Boulevard eatery and reports

Beaver Choice, the acclaimed Swedish restaurant that closed in January to move into a larger space, finally is ready to reopen May 28. The restaurant had hoped to reopen in February. Polish-born Hanna Gabrielsson, who also has lived in Sweden

Gringo-Star Street Bar, a new bar featuring vintage arcade games, a gourmet food truck inspired menu, and interactive street art, opens at 11 a.m. today in downtown Tempe. It takes over the former Blondie’s Sports Bar space, below Hooter’s, on

Mellow Mushroom, the Georgia-based pizzeria chain known for its extensive lineup of craft beers, is moving into the former Rock Bottom Brewery building on Ray Road, just west of I-10, in Ahwatukee. It’ll be the hippie-themed concept’s fourth Arizona location

Ahi Revolving Sushi, a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant, has opened at Gilbert Town Square, on Gilbert Road south of Warner, in the building that previously housed Damon’s Grill and later Fahrenheit’s. Think Japan’s version of fast food. Diners can grab whatever ready-to-eat

The Pecan Grove Restaurant and Pie Co. has opened in the former Native New Yorker space on the northwest corner of Alma School and Chandler Heights in south Chandler. The restaurant, which opens at 7 a.m. daily, offers a short

(Note: This post was updated after comments from Fresh & Easy.) Cheerio, Fresh & Easy? British conglomerate Tesco announced this morning it is pulling out of the U.S. market, putting the future of its 199 Fresh & Easy stores in