Author: Jess Harter

🧀 The Melt, a San Francisco-based chain specializing in cheeseburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and mac and cheese, has made its Arizona debut at PV, the redevelopment of the former Paradise Valley Mall on the northwest corner of Cactus and Tatum

🇬🇷 San Jose, Calif.-based chain Nick the Greek, which made its Arizona debut in downtown Phoenix in 2023, has opened a second location in the Target plaza on the southeast corner of Gilbert and the Loop 202 in south Gilbert. The

🤠 Neon Spur, a 1970s-themed western dive bar, has opened in the former Handlebar space near the northeast corner of Mill and Seventh Street in downtown Tempe. The bar is a joint venture by Clive Collective (Cala, Tell Your Friends)

🇮🇳 Tikka Shack, a Texas-based chain of fast-casual Indian restaurants, has opened its fourth Valley location in front of Whole Foods on the southeast corner of the Loop 101 and Ray in Chandler. It takes over the space formerly home

🥗 Hearsay Social Kitchen and Perks Café, two new concepts from Chicago-based Episcope Hospitality, have opened at the Esplanade on the southeast corner of 24th Street and Camelback in Phoenix. Episcope is helmed by David Morton, whose father Arnie Morton

🇮🇹 A Modo Mio Cucina Italiano, a family-run Italian restaurant, deli, bakery, and coffee shop, has opened on the southwest corner of Higley and Brown in northeast Mesa. It’s a sister concept to owner Domenico Cavallo’s celebrated Mimi Forno Italiano in Laveen. The

🍜 Top One Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine, a well-regarded restaurant that opened in September at Superstition Springs in east Mesa, has launched a second location in south Chandler. The restaurant takes over the former Hong Kong Bistro space in the Bashas’ shopping

🌮 Tacos Chilango, a locally owned concept specializing in Mexico City street food, has opened its third location in the Legacy Village Plaza on the northwest corner of 24th Street and Baseline in downtown Phoenix. The menu features al carbon and

🍔 Main Burgers, a new eatery from the team behind highly regarded Espiritu in downtown Mesa, has opened a few doors down in the former Subway building on the southeast corner of Main and Robson. The concept is another joint

🦤 Dodo Bird Kitchen & Cocktails, a locally owned gastropub inspired by ‘‘the distinctive charm and playful spirit’’ of the extinct bird, has opened on the southwest corner of Hayden and Thomas in south Scottsdale. The heart of the menu are

👨‍🌾 Steadfast Diner has opened in the vintage red-and-white Valentine diner formerly home to The Handlebar Diner at the master-planned Eastmark community in southeast Mesa. The restaurant, located on the north side of Ray halfway between Ellsworth and Signal Butte,

🥯 The Kolache Cafe, a locally owned bakery specializing in its namesake Czech pastries, has opened its third location on the northwest corner of Alma School and Guadalupe in southwest Mesa. Owners Jose and Bebe Leal introduced their concept in Ahwatukee

🐓 Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken and Wings, a national chain of quick-serve Cajun chicken restaurants, has opened its second Valley location on the southwest corner of Indian School and 27th Avenue in west Phoenix. The concept, which made its Arizona debut

🍣 Blue Sushi Sake Grill, an Omaha, Neb.-based chain of polished Japanese restaurants, has opened its first Arizona location at Novus Place next to the ASU campus near the northwest corner of Rural and University in Tempe. Dinner prices range