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Barro’s Pizza, the locally owned chain with 40 locations in Maricopa and Pima counties, is donating all proceeds from its lunch specials in June to help families dealing with the difficulties of pediatric cancer. The pizzeria’s popular lunch specials include: A slice for
The first Downtown Donut Festival will take place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix. The event was created by the organizers of the fourth annual Phoenix Pizza Festival, which takes place Saturday, Nov. 17, at
Bashas’ has announced the winners of the supermarkets’ third annual Donut Flavor Craze Contest, which invites Arizonans to suggest new sweet or savory doughnut flavors: Creamy Horchata Donut: Loaded with a semi-sweet, horchata-flavored filling, and then covered with a velvety cinnamon
For the past couple years, SanTan Brewing in Chandler has been ramping up a distilling operation. Now, its first spirits are available. SanTan Distilling has released three small-batch offerings: Sacred Stave American Single Malt Whiskey SanTan Vodka Kaffir Lime Vodka All
The most frequent question I’ve gotten in 2018 is, ‘‘What happened to the Ted’s Hot Dogs location that was supposed to open in Chandler?’’ The good news is it’s still in the works for the northwest corner of Gilbert and Germann. It’s just
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, a North Carolina-based chain of steakhouses, will open on the northeast corner of Val Vista and Williams Field in Gilbert during the first week of June. The exact date has not been determined, but the restaurant
Prankster’s Gar & Brill, a casual hangout for ASU students and neighborhood types for more than 30 years, has closed its doors permanently. The bar and grill opened on the northeast corner of Rural and Broadway in 1985. In addition to
It’s official: Modern Margarita (pictured) and La Bocca Urban Pizzeria & Wine Bar will not reopen in downtown Chandler. The restaurants, which took over the former Coach & Willie’s sports bar space on the southeast corner of Arizona and Boston, were owned by
Congrats to four Arizona breweries – McFate, OHSO, Saddle Mountain, and Four Peaks – that won medals Thursday night at the prestigious 2018 World Beer Cup in Nashville, Tenn. The competition, which is held every other year, judged 8,234 beers from 2,515 breweries
Updates on a trio of East Valley restaurant openings: QuartHaus, a craft beer and wine bar in downtown Chandler, has pushed its planned April 30 opening back to May 5 due to some final touches and inspections. Las Palmas Cantina, a Yucatan-inspired
You can get a free lunch today at Little Caesars Pizza. The national chain promised to give away free lunch combos if a No. 16 seed upset a No. 1 seed in this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament – something that had never
Federico Estrada, the owner of Julia’s Mesquite Mexican Grill, has set up a GoFundMe account to help pay the medical costs of his battle with cancer. Estrada, a 38-year-old father of four young children, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in
Scary times early this morning at Sandbar Mexican Grill at Desert Ridge in northeast Phoenix. A video circulating on Facebook shows patrons standing outside as fire trucks respond to what appears to be a massive fire at the restaurant. See
Aloha Kitchen, a Hawaiian/Polynesian restaurant now in its 31st year in Mesa, will be featured on the Friday, March 2, new episode of ‘‘Diners, Drive-ins and Dives†on the Food Network. The episode, titled ‘‘Rollin’ In The Dough,’’ will air at 10 p.m. during
The last few years have seen nearly 50 restaurants, including local favorites like Pita Jungle, Dilly’s Deli, and Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles, open locations at Sky Harbor’s Terminal 4. A few restaurants, such as NYPD Pizza and OHSO Brewery, have been added to Terminal
It didn’t take long for Eddie Matney to get a new gig. Just eight months after the closure of his eponymous Eddie’s House in Old Town Scottsdale, the well-known chef has signed on as an ‘‘advisor’’ for Gino’s East of
The White Rabbit, a basement speakeasy complete with a secret door and a password required for entry, is coming to the historic Heritage Court Building on the northeast corner of Gilbert and Cullumber in downtown Gilbert. The building already is
Cuisine & Wine Bistro in Gilbert is the latest East Valley restaurant to be featured on Channel 8’s popular TV show ‘‘Check, Please! Arizona.’’ The wine bar and restaurant, located on the northeast corner of McQueen and Warner, will appear in the show
B2 Burgers & Brews, a new Chandler eatery that launched in September but closed after a kitchen fire Dec. 1, has finished repairs and reopened. The bar is open tonight – if you buy one drink you’ll get a second for $1.
Good news for East Valley brunch fans: La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen in Gilbert now is offering its Sunday brunch menu on Saturdays as well. It’s available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. both days. Biscuits & Green Chile Gravy: Two homemade biscuits
Anthony Serrano, chef and owner of El Palacio Mexican Restaurant and Cantina in Chandler, continues to build his national profile tonight on the Food Network’s popular show ‘‘Chopped.’’ Serrano will compete in the show’s ‘‘Gold Medal Games,’’ a special four-part
Holmberg Bound, a red ale brewed to benefit the Arizona Humane Society, is now on tap at Good Time Charli’s in Chandler. John Holmberg, a radio show host on KUPD (97.9 FM) and owner of eight dogs, brewed the beer with Four
La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen in Gilbert toasts the end of 2017 with a New Year’s Eve dinner party at 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Appetizer: Seafood ceviche Entree: Short ribs with green chile mashed potatoes; crab cakes with cilantro
Republica Empanada, a family-run Mesa eatery serving Latin American comfort food, will be featured on the Food Network’s ‘‘Diners, Drive-ins and Dives’’ on Friday, Dec. 22. According to the cable network’s website, the 30-minute episode, entitled ‘‘Mom’s Kitchen,’’ will visit: ‘‘In
VB Lounge, which opened last December in downtown Chandler, has a new name: Sasha’s Kitchen & Cocktails. Owner Sasha Cosic, who also operates Va Bene, an award-winning Italian restaurant and wine bar in Ahwatukee, bought the former di Sciacca glassware retail store on
The Hungry Monk in Chandler will ring out 2017 with a five-course prix fixe dinner menu from beer chef Gidi Goldberg available from 4-10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Cost is $90 for two, which includes a bottle of wine, two beer pairing flights,
In celebration of its third anniversary this month, JC’s Steakhouse in Gilbert has added more than a dozen new items to its menu. Appetizer options now include charred brussels sprouts, fire-roasted artichoke spears, lobster ravioli, and crab-and-shrimp-stuffed avocado. New house specialities include
Republica Empanada, which will make an appearance on the Food Network’s ‘‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’’ on Friday, Dec. 22, has closed for 10 days for kitchen renovations. The small, family-run Latin American eatery in downtown Mesa plans to reopen to the public
Good Time Charli’s in Chandler celebrates the 84th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition with a trip back to the Roaring Twenties from 6 p.m.-close Saturday, Dec. 16. Sip a vintage cocktail while enjoying a live jazz/horn band, which will take the stage
Nicole Mastyk celebrates her birthday today. But she’s more focused on a day next week. On Dec. 12, she’ll undergo surgery for a double mastectomy. Just last Wednesday, the Queen Creek resident was diagnosed with two types of stage 2
In an effort to spur sales, Pizza Hut begins delivering beer with its pizza, wings, and pasta today. The national chain is testing the idea in only one market: Phoenix. Your options are limited to four Anheuser-Busch brands – Budweiser, Bud Light and
Phoenix-based Upward Projects restaurant group has reached a deal with Los Angeles private equity firm Brentwood Associates to expand its Postino Winecafe concept nationally. Upward Projects’ concepts also include Joyride Taco House, Federal Pizza, Windsor, and Churn. But it is Postino,
Romeo’s Euro Cafe in Gilbert holds its weekly ‘‘Taste of Romeo’s’’ dinner, hosted by chef Romeo Taus and his wife, Janice, in a private dinning room, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30. The dinners typically feature five courses selected from the restaurant’s regular menu. This
Why wait until Friday? Boulders on Southern in Mesa jumps the gun by kicking off its third annual Black Friday Specialty Beer Tappings a couple days early. That’s right. The majority of beers on this year’s roster are being tapped today
The Hungry Monk in Chandler releases ChanDiego, a collaboration brewed at Belching Beaver Brewing, at 5 p.m. today. Besides the hazy IPA, the Monk will have several other beers from the San Diego County brewery on tap, including: Texifornia: A triple IPA brewed in
Well, that sure escalated quickly. If you weren’t on social media Saturday, you missed a classic shitstorm involving Crust, The Ostrich and Brandon Casey (pictured). It all began when The Ostrich, Crust’s speakeasy-themed basement bar at the San Marcos Resort in
If you’re ordering Thanksgiving pies from AZ Food Crafters, you only have six more days. The popular Chandler hand pie shop and cafe has set Wednesday, Nov. 15, as this year’s cutoff date for orders. Although best known for its
A pair of downtown Chandler restaurants – Modern Margarita and La Bocca – are closed after a fire broke out earlier today at the eateries, which share the former Coach & Willy’s sports bar on the southeast corner of Arizona and
Cuisine & Wine Bistro launches a wine club today at its Gilbert location on the northeast corner of McQueen and Warner. Members can choose either a two-wine or three-wine package, which they would pick up each month. The wines will
Euro Pizza Cafe in Fountain Hills hosts an Uncle Bear’s Brewery ‘‘yappy hour’’ from 5-8 p.m. today. The canine-themed festivities include a dog costume party, free dog treats, Uncle Bear’s beer tastings, and pint glass and koozie giveaways. The dog costume
Michael’s Pizza – a family-run restaurant that also offers pastas, subs, wings, and salads – has opened in Gilbert. It takes over the space formerly occupied by Sanfratello’s Pizza on the southeast corner of Lindsay and Warner. Like its predecessor, it
Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails, the 2-year-old younger sibling of Crudo, has closed its doors. The restaurant, which offered a unique menu of Southern favorites with Italian influences, opened in August 2015 on Seventh Street, just south of Bethany Home Road, in
The Perch Brewery in downtown Chandler has announced new happy hour specials. Drink specials: $2 off Perch beers $1 off house wines $1 off well drinks Food specials: $8 pub tots $8 hummus & pita $8 green chile pork $8
Less than a week after Romano’s Macaroni Grill filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, another well-known restaurant chain has announced huge cost-cutting changes. This week it’s Arizona-born Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill, which has closed three of its five Valley locations. The closures are: Downtown Tempe
Candy Bar Milk Stout, the award-winning seasonal from McFate Brewing in Scottsdale, will be released at 11 a.m. today at the brewery’s south Scottsdale location. The popular brew – a milk stout conditioned with honey-roasted peanuts, cacao nibs, whole vanilla beans, and sea salt –
Earlier this week I wrote about the eighth annual Chandler Chuck Wagon Cook-off, a free festival that takes place Nov. 10-11 at Tumbleweed Park. At the time, I didn’t know this year’s Cook-Off will feature a new element: A sunset outdoor dinner to benefit Pardners
Denver-based Romano’s Macaroni Grill is the latest national restaurant chain to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The fast-shrinking chain, now in its 29th year, only has three locations left in the Valley, all of which are expected to remain open, at
SunUp Brewing in Phoenix debuts its latest beer – No Self Esteam Punk – when the brew pub’s doors open at 11 a.m. today. Steam beers, a style technically known as California Common, originated in the 18th-century California. Because refrigeration wasn’t
After closing for more than a month for renovations, Joe’s Farm Grill reopens today on the northwest corner of Higley and Ray. The 11-year-old, farm-fresh burger shack, which closed Sept. 5, has doubled the amount of indoor seating in what
Ghett’ Yo’ Taco, which opened less than two weeks ago in the former Yoli’s Cafe space in downtown Chandler, is adjusting its evening hours. The eatery’s original closing time was 11 p.m. weekdays and midnight weekends. Starting today, the kitchen will
Cider Corps, the cidery and taproom under construction in downtown Mesa, will host an open house from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Veteran’s Day – Saturday, Nov. 11. Located on Robson just south of Main, brothers Jason and Josh Duren’s new business is
After a disappointing performance in 2016, Arizona breweries bounced back by winning four medals Saturday at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. The world’s largest commercial beer competition, which drew nearly 100,000 people, judged a total of 7,923 beers in
Pier 54, an all-patio restaurant on a suburban lake in south Tempe, is celebrating Oktoberfest with several specials all month: German schnitzel and fries ($11.75, pictured) Bratwurst in pretzel roll with sauerkraut ($8) Bavarian snack: Large pretzel twist, stick sausages and
If you haven’t noticed the sudden proliferation of pink ribbons around the East Valley, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many restaurants are doing special promotions. At Nicantoni’s Pizza in Gilbert, for example, owner Vic Buono has come up with
Most Oktoberfest celebrations at East Valley restaurants and bars last a day. The Hungry Monk, though, if offering its special ‘‘Monktoberfest’’ menu for more than two weeks.
Bourbon Jacks in downtown Chandler celebrates its five-year anniversary Thursday, but the party will go on all weekend. Thursday: Anniversary happy hour from 2-7 p.m.; Reliable Hardware Band with special guests, 9 p.m.; Girls Night Specials (girls only) include $2.50 12-ounce Bud and Coors Lights
Despite its rank as the fifth-largest city in the United States, Phoenix suffers a dearth of locally focused food and drink websites, especially ones that publish daily or at least several times per week. One of the most common questions I get is,
The twice-a-year Arizona Restaurant Week, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, kicks off its fall edition Friday and runs through Sept. 24. More than 100 participating restaurants will offer three-course, prix-fixe menus for either $33 or $44 per person.
Felicia Campbell, who introduced herself as Phoenix New Times’ new food editor on May 11, is leaving the Valley after just four months. No explanation was given for Campbell’s departure, but the alt-weekly already has hired its third food editor of 2017: Chris Malloy,
Chandler brewpub The Perch, closed for the past 12 days for construction to expand its kitchen, will open both of its bars today. It will be tapping a fresh batch of Route to Fruit imperial strawberry IPA (8.1% ABV, 71
The Devoured Culinary Classic, one of the Arizona’s premier food events, is moving to the Desert Botanical Garden after eight years in Phoenix Art Museum’s sculpture garden. The 2018 fest will be held March 3-4. One-day general admission tickets, which will increase from $99
Joe’s Farm Grill in Gilbert closed today for five weeks of renovations. The 11-year-old burger stand, built on the site of owner Joe Johnston’s childhood home, is doubling the amount of air-conditioned indoor seating. It plans to reopen Oct. 12 and roll
Construction work to expand the kitchen and its plumbing system at downtown Chandler brew pub The Perch is taking longer than expected. The venue had hoped to re-open over the weekend after being closed all last week. It now says it will remain
Arizona Brewery Wilderness Brewing in Gilbert is celebrating its four-year anniversary with five days of special beer tappings starting today. The weekend schedule: Today American Presidential Stout tapping Old Growth Forest: Bush & Vine tapping Wet Hop Saison tapping Pure Hop Water DIPA tapping Friday
Four Peaks taps Pumpkin Porter, its best-selling seasonal beer, tonight at midnight at its pubs in Tempe and Scottsdale. It will hit restaurants, bars, and retail stores next week. Pumpkin Porter made its debut in 1999, when it was one of
So long, That’ll Do. Hello, Copper State. Huss Brewing in south Tempe has released a new beer – Copper State IPA. Brewed with Citra, Amarillo, and Simcoe hops, Copper State is described as juicy yet dry and has an ABV of 6.5%
The Perch Brewery in downtown Chandler closed Saturday for several days for expansion of its kitchen. If you’re wondering why they didn’t keep at least the bar portion open during renovations, the answer is pretty obvious when you see the 6-foot-deep
After 10 years, Amazing Jake’s entertainment center in Mesa is undergoing a massive renovation, including an upgrade of its food and beverage offerings and a new name – Jake’s Unlimited. Starting this week, Jake’s is closed for construction Mondays through Thursdays,
Scottsdale Beer Company, Arizona’s eighth-largest brew pub in terms of production volume, soon will be providing its beers to bars, restaurants, and stores throughout the state. Valley-based Quail Distributing will begin delivering SBC beers in mid-September. “It brings us great pride to team
Scottsdale-based Flo’s Restaurants, which operates three Asian eateries in the Valley, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Owner Flo Chan opened her original Asian eatery in Scottsdale in 1997, and has added (and closed) several addition locations over the years. There
One restaurant’s misfortune can be another’s opportunity. That’s how Dennis Petty and wife Diana Blewer, owners of JC’s Steakhouse in Gilbert, saw the July 28 fire that destroyed the historic Mining Camp Restaurant in Apache Junction, That same day, Petty was
Liberty Market launches its eighth annual Burger Daze promotion today. Every day this month, the downtown Gilbert restaurant is offering a different specialty burger. (Pictured: This week’s first six burgers, in order.) Today: Coffee Burger with Beehive Barely Buzzed Cheese, candied bacon,
August is almost upon us, so it’s time to order your Hatch chile peppers. La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen in Gilbert will hold its fifth annual Hatch Chile Festival on Aug. 25-26. You must pre-order your Hatch chiles in advance. Peppers are
The fourth annual Real, Wild & Woody beer festival drew a record crowd of more than 3,100 to the Phoenix Convention Center on Saturday. The indoor event, which featured cask (real) beers, Brettanomyces yeast (wild) beers, and barrel-aged (woody) beers – is one of three
SunUp Brewing in Phoenix celebrates its 16th anniversary Aug. 18-20 with the release of a one-time, limited-run braggot – a type of mead made with both honey and barley malt– called Sunna’s Nektar. The braggot, which has an ABV of 17%, has
Cowboy Ciao and neighboring Kazimierz World Wine Bar – two mainstays of the Old Town Scottsdale restaurant and nightlife scene for more than a decade – have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Owner Peter Kasperski (pictured) blamed the filings on penalty fines from
Chef Yolanda “Yoliâ€Â Fernandez and husband Rick Scott have sold Yoli’s Cafe, their award-winning breakfast and lunch eatery in downtown Chandler. The cafe will close Saturday to begin renovations. The couple, who regularly closed in July for a monthlong sabbatical, made the
Queen Creek residents will have to wait a little longer for their Pita Jungle. The locally based chain of Mediterranean restaurants had been scheduled to open its 16th Valley location Monday near the Harkins Theatres at Ellsworth Loop and Rittenhouse. Now, the
Congrats to Mirza ‘‘The Snowman’’ Selmic, who woofed down two large cheese pizzas in 14 minutes, 25 seconds to win the 17th annual charity pizza-eating contest Sunday at Flancer’s in Mesa. The Phoenix resident, who finished a close second in
Flancer’s in Gilbert has issued an open call for contestants for its April 9 charity pizza-eating contest, an annual fundraiser for Warfighter Sports, Sunshine Acres, and Jewish Family Children Services. There typically are a few serious contestants (first prize is $250), but
Tempe landmark Minder Binders, which reopened in 2014 after sitting vacant for nine years, is up for sale again. The asking price? $4.95 million. The iconic two-story red barn on the northeast corner of McClintock and University was a popular nightlife
Former Valley chef William Bradley, now heading Addison at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, gets some major love from the New York Times’ T Magazine this week in a glowing profile headlined ‘‘This is a Chef’s Chef.’’ This
Last week, equipment failures forced JC’s Steakhouse in Gilbert to postpone its monthly beer dinner. Unfortunately, repairs are more extensive and taking longer to complete than expected. As a result, the restaurant has canceled the August beer dinner. The next one will
I stopped by Brooklyn V’s Pizza in Gilbert today to check out its expansion work. The restaurant, located on the northeast corner of Lindsay and Warner, is building an addition over its former patio to create capacity for another 30 or diners. Since
Cuisine & Wine Bistro in Gilbert is celebrating Bastille Day, a French holiday commemorating the 1789 storming of the Bastille during the French revolution, with a free wine tasting Thursday. Fabrice Buschtetz, the chef who opened the wine bar 15 months ago, is a
AZ Food Crafters, which lengthened its weekday hours of operation last month, announced it now will be open on Sundays as well, starting this weekend. Sunday hours will by 8 a.m.-3 p.m. to enjoy brunch in the cafe or to
Uh-oh. After just 10 months, big changes are coming to Pedal Haus Brewery in downtown Tempe. Julian Wright’s 14,000-square-foot, European-inspired brewery, restaurant, and beer garden will close Monday for three months of retooling. It’s scheduled to reopen Sept. 26. According to
After years of closing at 4 p.m., AZ Food Crafters finally is open for dinner. The Chandler hand pie shop and cafe has extended its hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Saturday hours remain 8 a.m.
Phoenix Ale Brewery Central Kitchen, a collaboration between Phoenix Ale Brewery and former NYPD Pizza CEO Rich Stark, opens Wednesday in Phoenix. The gastropub is located in the Crown on 7th plaza on the east side of Seventh Street just south
Looks like the reopening of The Hungry Monk in Chandler is going to be a day later than planned. The restaurant and bar has been closed this week for a facelift including brick facing (pictured)Â behind the bar, new paints, new
The Hungry Monk in Chandler announced it will be closed until Thursday: ‘‘We are remodeling the Monk and updating our look (new kitchen flooring, paint, face-brick on a few walls, refurbish of the patio along with all new furniture on the
Craft beer and wine drinkers are quite familar with the idea of flights. Now it looks like coffee lovers are getting in on the fun. Infusion Coffee & Tea in Tempe is introducing coffee flights. For $8, you get five 3-ounce
The East Valley apparently loves food trucks. And with Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, and Queen Creek hosting regular weekly roundups, it probably was inevitable Tempe would join in. Enter Saturday Food Trucks at Kiwanis Park. Starting this weekend, a food truck
While the East Valley long has been the epicenter of Arizona’s craft beer scene, it’s been slow to warm up to the growing craft spirits trend. That appears to be changing, though, as some of the Valley’s most prominent ‘‘mixologists’’
Arizona Wilderness Brewing in Gilbert, Yoli’s Cafe in Chandler, and Republica Empanada in Mesa are some of the East Valley restaurants that will be featured in Season 6 of ‘‘Check, Please! Arizona.’’ The four-time Emmy-winning TV series airs at 7 p.m.
Adios, The Good Egg. Florida-based First Watch, which bought The Good Egg chain last year, has announced it will convert all 19 Good Eggs in Arizona into First Watch restaurants. That includes four in the East Valley: Rural & Ray in
Sad news to share this morning from neighborhood favorite Mark’s Cafe in Tempe: Chef-owner Mark Vojtek suffered a heart attack Sunday. Vojtek’s wife, Karen, posted the news on the restaurant’s Facebook page late Sunday night: It is will great sadness that I
Condolences to Elmer’s Tacos, the longtime Chandler taco shop that lost its founder this week. Claudio ‘‘Elmer’’ Cuen passed away Sunday at age 70. Cuen, a Sonora native, moved from Los Angeles and opened Elmer’s in 1974 just a few feet north of
Pier 54, the lakeside patio restaurant in south Tempe, is marking National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by spotlighting OneHope Chardonnay as its wine of the month for October. OneHope Wines were launched to make a positive worldwide social impact. Half of
Already known for an all-Arizona roster of 35 craft beers on tap and a well-curated wine list, Craft 64 in Old Town Scottsdale now is pouring spirits as well. The pizzeria opened in March with just six tap handles and wine. It
