Category: COVID-19

Good Time Charli’s, a 3-year-old west Chandler bar and grill with extensive live music offerings, has temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. ‘‘When the shutdown began on March 20th, I knew we would be OK for awhile,’’ owner  Charli

Beer and spirits wholesale giant Crescent Crown Distributing is donating a percentage of its April sales – a minimum of $250,000 – to help support Arizona restaurants, bars, and workers. ‘‘So many good people have suffered a loss of wages,

The Servd mobile app, featured several weeks ago on MXSW, is being offered to restaurant owners for free during this period of coronavirus restrictions. Developers Frank Estadt, owner of Waldo’s BBQ & Catering, and Aaron Zeper say there is no cost

Chandler neighborhood hangout Jolie’s Place announced it will close temporarily Wednesday after learning its SBA loan application was denied. ‘‘We’ve made the terribly hard decision to temporarily close Jolie’s Place,’’ the popular bar and grill posted on social media, adding

Press release: Since its inception, the Arizona Restaurant Association (ARA) has been dedicated to the support and advocacy of the Arizona food and beverage industry. In recent weeks, this has been exemplified in great strides with the immediate implementation of

Press release: Some good news for the industry from Governor Ducey. Last week, he issued an executive order regarding commercial evictions, including lock-outs, notice to vacate, or any other attempt to inhibit the operations of a business. Ducey said, “Arizona

Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants have launched a Burritos for Badges program allowing people to donate meals to first responders and medical personnel. You can donate online or by calling 480-857-0343. Anyone who makes a minimum $10 donation receives a digital coupon

All hail our new robot overlords! Venezia’s Pizzeria‘s flagship location in Tempe has become the first East Valley restaurant to deliver pizza via robotic vehicles. The locally owned chain, which has locations in Tempe, Gilbert, and Mesa, has teamed up

SanTan Brewing and Helluva Brewing have joined the list of East Valley craft breweries that are making hand sanitizer during the coronavirus pandemic. SanTan has partnered with Crescent Crown Distributing to convert 16,000 gallons of unsold beer into 400 gallons

The Living Room in south Chandler is the latest East Valley restaurant to experiment with market-like commissary service. Besides prepared meals, the wine cafe and lounge is selling meat, dairy, produce, and other supplies – including toilet paper, paper towels,

Although its doesn’t serve food, Hop Central Brewery & Taproom in Chandler remains open for to-go sales of growlers and crowlers of craft beer and bottles of wine. Hours are limited to 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; The

After giving out more than 500 free kids lunches last week, Sal’s Gilbert Pizza is continuing the giveaways until schools resume. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, kids get a choice of three free to-go meals: Slice

Many MXSW readers have asked for a list of small, family-owned restaurants they can support by ordering delivery or takeout during the COVID-19 crisis. I’m compiling the list in sections, starting with pizza since it’s the most popular delivery food.

With so many restaurants struggling financially during the COVID-19 crisis, I’m sharing this advice for restaurant owners and landlords offered by MXSW sponsors Chuck Wells and Justin DiBiase of Kidder Mathews, the largest independent commercial real estate firm on the

Skeptical Chymist Irish Pub in north Scottsdale is giving away free hot meals from noon to 5 p.m. today. It’s only asking for cash donations for the staff members volunteering their time to prepare the meals. The restaurant, which is

Brooklyn V’s Pizza, a locally owned pizzeria with locations in Gilbert, Chandler, and Queen Creek, is holding a benefit for its servers Tuesday. The pizzeria will donate 50 percent of the day’s sales to its servers. ‘‘I am so blessed

Worth Takeaway, the award-winning sandwich shop in downtown Mesa, is raising money for Valley chefs with its popular Monday Night Supper series. Every Monday 4 to 9 p.m. Mondays, Worth Takeaway has featured a ‘‘hearty and tasty’’ off-menu item. Now,

Baja Joe’s Mexican Cantina in northeast Mesa has set up a GoFundMe campaign to support its employees and their families. The restaurant, which is open for takeout and delivery from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., is trying to keep as

Gilbert-based Salad and Go, which gave away more than 12,000 free salads and breakfast burritos to nurses and first responders last week, is doing more giveaways this week. Drive-throughs at all 15 Salad and Go locations in the Valley will

Press release: The Arizona Restaurant Association (ARA) is responding to the recent state of emergency by creating an all new marketing strategy to help support local dining establishments with the debut of Arizona Takeout Week. Harnessing the energy from the