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Author: Jess Harter

Illegal Pete’s closes after 5 years in downtown Tempe

🌮 Illegal Pete’s, a Colorado-based chain of fast-casual Mexican restaurants, has closed its only Valley location on Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe. The restaurant opened in October 2018 in a space formerly home to My Big Fat Greek Restaurant near

Tradiciones Mexican Grill debuts in south Tempe

🌮 Tradiciones Mexican Grill, a new restaurant from the owner of Tacos El Paisain Chandler, has opened in south Tempe. It takes over the just-closed Pronto space on the southwest corner of Rural and Guadalupe roads. The Restaurant Brokers facilitated

First Watch opens at Village at Prasada in Surprise

🍳 First Watch, the national chain of brunch restaurants, has launched its latest Valley location in Surprise. It’s located at the Village at Prasada on the northeast corner of the Loop 303 and Waddell Road. What’s on the menu? Omelets,

OHSO Brewery’s original Little O’s in Phoenix abruptly closes

🚫 OHSO Brewery & Distillery spinoff Little O’s abruptly closed its original Seventh Avenue location in Phoenix today. What happened? ‘‘Our proprietor Summer has made the difficult decision to leave the desert,’’ the neighborhood hangout posted on social media. ‘‘Without

Maskadores Taco Shop closes Ahwatukee location after 3 years

🚫 Maskadores Taco Shop, a local chain of Mexican wrestling (lucha libre) themed eateries, has closed its Ahwatukee location. The franchise location had opened in 2021 on the southeast corner of Warner Road and 48th Street. No reason was given for the closure. The

Raising Cane’s to open Tuesday with giveaways in east Mesa

🐓 Louisana-based fast-food chain Raising Cane’s opens its newest Valley location at 8:40 a.m. Tuesday on the northeast corner of McKellips and Power roads in east Mesa. Entries will be accepted from 7:30-8:30 a.m. for an 8:40 drawing in which

Arizona Rebel Republic bar & grill opens in southeast Mesa

🍔 Arizona Rebel Republic, a neighborhood bar and grill, has opened on the southeast corner of Warner and Mountain roads in southeast Mesa. It’s a sibling to the year-old Point 22 Tavern located at Ellsworth and Ray roads. What’s on

McDonald’s new collectors cups reselling for big bucks online

🥤 It’s been just a week since McDonald’s introduced its new series of collectors cups aimed at nostalgic adults. Early signs are they’re a hit. A single Hello Kitty-themed cup sold for $25 on eBay last week. A full series

Randy’s Donuts to open 2nd Valley location in west Chandler

🍩 Randy’s Donuts, the iconic Los Angeles doughnut shop featured in dozens of movies and TV shows, is opening its second Arizona location later this month in Chandler. The chain made its Arizona debut in April near the southeast corner of

New concept Smoaked to hold pop-up Sunday in Tempe

🔥 Smoaked Kitchen and Cocktails, a barbecue-and-beer concept under construction on the southwest corner of Mill and Baseline in Tempe, will hold a pop-up event from noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The pop-up will be held at next-door neighbor Casey’s Woodshed. The

Popular Tucson dive Dirtbag’s opens Arcadia location today

🍔 Longtime University of Arizona hangout Dirtbag’s, known for its signature ‘‘Dirtburgers’’ and creative shots, makes its Valley debut at 6 p.m. today in east Phoenix. The bar and grill has renovated the building formerly home to The Spot on the

Taiwan Mama expands with location in north Phoenix

🧋 Taiwan Mama, a year-old Taiwanese eatery and bubble tea shop in Tempe, has opened a second location in Deer Valley. It’s located on the northwest corner of Union Hills Drive and 10th Street in north Phoenix. What’s on the

Postino, Salt & Straw team up for Watermelon Frozeini

🍨 Postino and Salt & Straw are teaming up to offer a Watermelon Frozeini. Described as a whimsical take on the classic bellini, the drink features Salt & Straw’s limited-release Pink Rosé & Watermelon Sorbet, Cocchi Rosa, and sparkling rosé

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill expands to Gilbert

🥙 The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, a Florida-based chain of counter-service restaurants, has opened its second Arizona location in southeast Gilbert. It’s located between Einstein Bros. Bagels and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux in the Gilbert Gateway Towne Center on the southwest

5 R Cha Thai & Pho replaces Thai Basil in west Chandler

🇹🇭 5 R Cha Thai & Pho has replaced Thai Basil on the southeast corner of Rural Road and Chandler Boulevard in west Chandler. It’s the second East Valley location for 5 R Cha, which also has one in northeast