Category: New Restaurant Alert

Mission BBQ, a Maryland-based chain dedicated to giving back to veterans, police, and firefighters, has made its Arizona debut at PV, the $2 billion redevelopment of the former Paradise Valley Mall in northeast Phoenix. The fast-casual restaurant is located

 Da Kitchin Grill, an all-day restaurant that’s been under construction since 2022, finally has soft-opened in Ahwatukee. The new concept from Charles Stewart, a former managing partner at Biscuits and Cactus Jack’s, takes over the former Trattoria D’Amico space on

California-based microbrewery chain BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse officially opens its sixth Valley location today in Queen Creek. It’s located in front of Costco in the new Queen Creek Crossing Plaza on the northwest corner of Ellsworth and Queen Creek.

 Sana Sana Cerveceria, a new craft brewery honoring the owners’ Mexican-American heritage, has soft-opened on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. It’s located near the southeast corner of Roosevelt and Fourth streets behind Modified Arts and just west of Greenwood Brewing and Il

 Ricemill, a new Asian-inspired fast-casual concept, is scheduled to open Saturday in downtown Phoenix. The 1,789-square-foot restaurant will be located at the Collier Center near the southeast corner of Second Street and Washington. Ricemill’s menu features chef-curated rice bowls like

Filthy Animal – the latest concept from Pretty Decent Concepts, the team behind Phoenix hot spots Wren & Wolf, Chico Malo, and Carry On – has soft-opened in downtown Tempe. The wood-fired restaurant and its soon-to-open sibling cocktail bar

Liquor Pig, a much-anticipated gastropub from industry veterans Scott Casey and Steve ‘‘Chops’’ Smith, officially opens at 4 p.m. Friday in Old Town Scottsdale. It takes over the small brick building near the southeast corner of Scottsdale and Fourth

Jolt N Bolt, an independent coffeehouse and cafe, has opened on the northeast corner of Recker and Guadalupe in Gilbert. Besides a full range of coffee drinks, the beverage options include smoothies, shakes, juices, and lemonade. All-day breakfast features

 Bad Jimmy’s, a pandemic-era burger pop-up that opened a bricks-and-mortar Phoenix restaurant in 2023, has launched a second location in Old Town Scottsdale. It takes over the former Starlite BBQ & Whiskey Bar on the northeast corner of Indian School and

Cali Tacos, a California-based chain of Mexican eateries, has opened its sixth Valley location on the southwest corner of Bethany Home and 75th Avenue in Glendale. The menu offers tacos on a choice of corn or flour tortillas ($2.49-$3.99),

Faava, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, opens today behind Chandler Fashion Center on the southeast corner of Chandler Village Drive and Frye. It’s situated next to fine-dining restaurant Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine. Both are part of the Zest Hospitality Group.

Dos Victorias, a Mexican restaurant in Monterey, Calif., has opened a second location in the former Los Favoritos space on the southeast corner of Kyrene and Ray in west Chandler. The counter-service menu features 15 burritos (plus seven breakfast

The Pemberton, a popular outdoor food hall and entertainment venue in downtown Phoenix that closed last March, has reopened with a new look. The original concept, which opened in 2021, featured rotating food trucks, funky art displays and retail

 Title 9 Sports Grill, Phoenix’s first women-focused sports bar, has opened near the northeast corner of Indian School and Seventh Avenue in central Phoenix. It takes over the former Short Leash Hotdogs & Taproom, which closed in December. Title 9’s menu

 Blue Sushi Sake Grill, an Omaha, Neb.-based chain of Japanese restaurants focused on responsibly caught and humanely raised seafood, has opened its second Valley location at the Village at Prasada in Surprise. The concept from the Flagship Restaurant Group made

Dynamite Beer Company in Cave Creek has soft-opened a second location in uptown Phoenix. The taproom, bottle shop, and kitchen moved into the former Huss Brewing space on the northeast corner of Central and Camelback. Unlike Tempe-based Huss, Dynamite

 Miel de Agave, a two-year-old modern Mexican restaurant in downtown Phoenix, has opened a second location in downtown Chandler. It’s taken over the former Buqui Bichi space on the southeast corner of Arizona and Frye roads. The Mexico brewery’s first

George & Gather, an all-day New American restaurant, bar, and market, has soft-opened near the southwest corner of Washington and Frye in downtown Chandler. The 7,700-square-foot, Art Deco-inspired space includes an 80-seat dining room, an indoor-outdoor bar, and a

Torchy’s Tacos, which started as an Austin, Texas, food trailer in 2006, has opened its fifth Valley location at the Village at Prasada near the southeast corner of the Loop 303 and Waddell in Surprise. The menu includes 17

 Cheba Hut, the Valley-born chain of cannabis-themed sub shops, opens its 11th Arizona location today on the northwest corner of Shea and the Loop 101 in central Scottsdale. The 3,000-square-foot-plus end-cap space features a custom mural by Colorado artist Joshua

Chilaquiles Modern Kitchen, an eight-year-old Mexican brunch eatery in west Mesa, has opened a second location in east Mesa. The family-operated restaurant’s new location is at the Superstition Gateway West shopping mall on the southwest corner of U.S. 60

Artisan ice cream shop Sweet Republic has opened its fourth location near the southwest corner of Scottsdale and Second Street in Old Town Scottsdale. It takes over the space formerly home to Tom’s Incredible Ice Cream and, before that,

Chicharron Shack, a restaurant offering Dominican and Puerto Rican dishes, has opened near the southeast corner of Glendale and 47th Avenue in Glendale. The streamlined menu offers both chicharrones de pollo (pieces of crispy fried chicken) or chicharrones de

Super Burrito, a family-operated Mexican eatery near the southeast corner of Scottsdale and Thomas in south Scottsdale, has rebranded itself as Checo’s Taco Shop. Under the same ownership, the huge menu offers a slightly revamped selection of taco, burritos,

Lin’s Grand Buffet, an Albuquerque-based Asian-American concept, has opened its seventh Arizona restaurant in northwest Phoenix. It’s taken over the former Black Angus Steakhouse at the under-redevelopment Metrocenter Mall on the southwest corner of I-17 and Peoria. Diners can

 Real Kabob, a Persian-Mediterranean grill in San Jose, Calif., has opened a second location in the former Subway on the southeast corner of Arizona Avenue and the Loop 202 in Chandler. As the name implies, the self-described ‘‘authentically Persian‘‘ menu focuses

 Macayo’s Mexican Food has launched its new Tempe location at Cornerstone on the northeast corner of Rural and University. The restaurant decided to move when its five-year lease expired at its previous space on the southwest corner of the Loop

Valley food truck Green Chile Love, a family-run concept featuring dishes made with Hatch chiles, has opened a restaurant in the Safeway shopping center on the southeast corner of 40th Street and Chandler in Ahwatukee. The space previously was

 Haymaker, a breakfast, burgers, and barbecue restaurant, has opened its fourth West Valley location at Verrado’s new Sunrise Market on the southeast corner of Sunrise Lane and Village Street in Buckeye. Highlights of the all-day menu include cream cheese-glazed cinnamon

 Caffenio, a chain sometimes referred to as ‘‘the Mexican Dutch Bros.,’’ has opened its first U.S. location near the northwest corner of Alma School and Southern in west Mesa. The coffee giant, which has nearly 200 locations in Mexico, uses

 Detroit Coney Grill, a Michigan-themed hamburger and hot dog eatery in Scottsdale, has opened a second location in Gilbert. It takes over the former Mr. Zeke’s on the northeast corner of McQueen and Warner roads. Detroit Coney Grill offers a

 JL Patisserie, a 2023 James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Bakery in the U.S., has opened its third Valley location on the southeast corner of 24th Street and University just south of Phoenix Sky Harbor. Jenna Leurquin launched the bakery –

Philadelphia-based Insomnia Cookies has launched its fourth Valley store just south of Pie Snob near the northwest corner of Arizona and Frye in downtown Chandler. The menu features 17 classic cookies ($2.89 apiece), as well as deluxe cookies ($3.10), cookie cakes, ice cream,

Cien Fuegos, a Mexican restaurant from the son of the owners of Casa Corazon, has opened in the former La Cocina space near the southwest corner of 16th Street and McDowell in Phoenix. Menu highlights include pipian verde (chicken

The Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails, a self-described ‘‘casually sophisticated’’ restaurant offering seasonal cuisine and craft cocktails, has opened in north Scottsdale. It’s located in the former New York Bagels ‘N Bialys space next to Mastro’s on the northwest corner of

Copper State Taphouse has opened in the former Papago Brewing space at Mesa Riverview. The iconic Papago closed a couple weeks ago after a two-year resurrection. While Papago boasted 60 beers on tap, Copper State’s tap list offers 28

Hope’s Brunch House has opened in the former IHOP building on the west side of Central about halfway between McDowell and Thomas in central Phoenix. Highlights of the huge menu include oven-baked biscuit sandwiches (two for $14), smokey grits

 Bubba’s 33, a Kentucky-based restaurant and ‘‘garage bar’’ concept from the founder of Texas Roadhouse, has opened its third Valley location on the southeast corner of I-10 and Warner in south Tempe. The late Kent Taylor created Bubba’s – a

Scottsdale-based brunch concept Over Easy has opened its 17th Valley location  at GSQ in downtown Goodyear. Menu highlights such as banana nut French toast, chicken fried steak, and ham with red-eye gravy have been featured on the Food Network’s

The Bar, a self-described neighborhood tavern ‘‘particularly reminiscent of the state of Michigan,’’ has soft-opened in uptown Phoenix. The locally owned concept’s second current location takes over the former Mateo’s Beach Bar space on the northwest corner of Seventh Avenue

Sweet Paris Creperie & Café, a Houston-based chain specializing in sweet and savory crepes, has made its Arizona debut at the Scottsdale Quarter. It’s located next to the Apple store on the northeast corner of Scottsdale and Butherus in

Omatase Japanese Kitchen, a new restaurant from the former owners of Sushi Stop in Mesa, has opened in the food court at the Asiana Market on the northeast corner of Dobson and Southern in west Mesa. The menu offers

La Cocina, a refined Mexican restaurant inspired by ‘‘the iconic dining experiences of Southern California,’’ has opened in far north Scottsdale. It takes over the former Hacienda’s Mexican Grill space (a few spaces south of the new Patricia’s Pizza)

Is Peruvian rotisserie chicken finally becoming a thing in the Valley? Mi Corralito Charbroiled Peruvian Chicken has opened in the old Tacos Chiwas space in the Pep Boys Plaza near the northwest corner of Alma School and Warner in

Carolina’s Mexican Food, one of my favorite Valley restaurants, has opened its seventh Valley location on the southwest corner of Alma School and Warner in Chandler. It’s great news for East Valley residents, whose only other Carolina’s opened in

Kill Club, a new lounge and restaurant from Jocque Concepts (The Montauk, Diego Pops, The Hot Chick, and Eat Up!) has opened in Old Town Scottsdale. It takes over the former Philadelphia Sandwich Company space next to DJ’s (across

Casa de Julia, a polished Mexican restaurant and bar named in honor of the owner’s grandmother, has opened in downtown Phoenix. It takes over the space formerly home to French bakery and cafe La Madeleine at the Luhrs Tower on the

Authentic EthioAfrican, a well-regarded Ethiopian restaurant and bar that’s been serving Phoenix diners since 2013, has opened a second location on the southeast corner of Hayden and Indian Bend in central Scottsdale. The menu offers individual and communal meals,

iThai Bistro has opened in the strip-mall space formerly home to Ah-Wok-Tukee Asian Cuisine on the northeast corner of Chandler and Desert Foothills Parkway in Ahwatukee. The menu features curries, wok dishes, noodle dishes, rice dishes, barbecue chicken and

Tired of paying nearly $20 for a burger and fries? Head over to El Camino, a new bar and grill in Old Town Scottsdale (of all places!) where you can get a double cheeseburger and fries for just $9.45.

Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop, a Scottsdale-based sandwich chain, has opened its seventh Valley location in the Safeway center on the southeast corner of Chandler and 40th Street in Ahwatukee. Founded by Frank and Michele Fagundes in San Mateo, Calif.,

Edo Japanese Grill, a Canadian chain of Japanese fast-casual restaurants, has made its Arizona debut in Chandler. It’s opened in the former Pasta 78 space on the northeast corner of the Loop 101 and Chandler Boulevard. Edo’s core menu

French Toast Cafe, a neighborhood breakfast and lunch eatery, has opened on the southeast corner of Sossaman and Guadalupe in southeast Mesa. The namesake menu item comes in three varieties – berry, cinnamon, and Nutella ($10.99 alone or $13.99

Cocina 10, the Mexican restaurant and bar at Crescent Ballroom in downtown Phoenix for the past 13 years, has opened a new restaurant nearby and changed its name to Condesa. The new location is above Valley Bar on the

Tatemados Tacos al Carbon, a two-year-old Sonoran-style taco shop in west Phoenix, has launched a second location on the east side of Seventh Street about halfway between McDowell and Thomas in midtown Phoenix. Tatemados’ specialty is Angus carne asada

Round1 Bowling & Arcade, a Japanese-born chain of family-friendly entertainment centers, has opened its third Arizona location at Chandler Fashion Center. The facility – which has cosmic bowling, professional-grade billiard tables, private party rooms with karaoke machines, and hundreds

The Public Grill, a family-run restaurant offering a unique fusion of American, Caribbean, and New England cuisine, has opened in east Mesa. It takes over the strip-mall space formerly home to Mama Linda’s on the south side of Main

 Cheba Hut, the Valley-born chain of cannabis-themed sub shops, has opened its 10th Arizona location on the northeast corner of Scottsdale and Bell in north Scottsdale just in time for the nearby Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament. Cheba Hut’s

Blanco Cocina & Cantina, the Sonoran-style Mexican concept from restaurateur Sam Fox, opens its seventh Valley location today near the northwest corner of Rural and University in Tempe. It joins Fox siblings Italia North, which also opened today, and

North Italia, the upscale-casual Italian restaurant from Fox Restaurant Concepts, opens its fifth Valley location today at Novus Place, the new entertainment district near the northwest corner of University and Rural on the east side of ASU’s Tempe campus.

Feta Cowboy, a new concept from the founders of Pita Jungle, has opened on the northeast corner of McClintock and Warner in south Tempe. The counter-service restaurant, which takes over a strip-mall corner space formerly home to CoreLife Eatery,

Flower Child, a fast-casual healthy concept, opens its eighth Valley location today at Novus Place, the new entertainment district near the northwest corner of University and Rural on the east side of ASU’s Tempe campus. The menu features salads

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

 Daruma, a chef-driven Japanese restaurant offering sushi and noodles, has opened a second Mesa location focused on ramen. The well-regarded flagship restaurant debuted on the northwest corner of Dobson and Southern in 2020. The ramen shop is on the northwest

 Elvira’s, an award-winning Mexican restaurant in Tubac, has opened a second location at Market Street at DC Ranch on the southeast corner of Pima and Thompson Peak Parkway in north Scottsdale. The new location is a joint effort between Elvira’s

 Eggstasy, a Scottsdale-based breakfast and lunch concept, has opened its eighth Valley restaurant on the southeast corner of Ellsworth and Rittenhouse in Queen Creek.. The breakfast menu offers traditional items like omelets, pancakes, and skillets, but also has fun with

 Mensho, a Tokyo-based chain of award-winning ramen restaurants, has opened its second Valley location near the southeast corner of Seventh Street and Bethany Home in Phoenix. The concept made its Arizona debut last June at Mesa Riverview. Founded in 2005

Asian Buffet, an all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant, has opened on the southwest corner of Gilbert and Southern in Mesa. For adults, lunch is $11.55 Monday-Thursday, $12.99 Friday-Saturday, and $16.99 Sunday. Dinner is $15.99 Monday-Thursday an $16.99 Friday-Sunday. For children ages

Sizzle Korean Barbecue, a popular restaurant from Scottsdale-based HL Concepts, has opened its third location at Arrowhead Towne Center on the northwest corner of Bell and 75th Avenue in Glendale. The menu offers a dozen different cuts of beef

 Hao Hao, a Chinese restaurant from the former team behind Nee House Chinese Restaurant in Phoenix, has opened on the northwest corner of the Loop 101 and Via de Ventura in central Scottsdale. The menu features both authentic Cantonese and Americanized Chinese dishes. Highlights

 Yod Thai Eatery, a small, family-run restaurant, has opened in the former BK Lobster space on the northwest corner of Scottsdale and Thunderbird in north Scottsdale. The menu features traditional noodle and rice dishes, such as pad Thai ($11), drunken

 Phoenix-based Angie’s Food Concepts launches its latest Valley multi-location – the first to feature its newest concept, Angie’s Chicken – at 10:30 a.m. today at Indian School and Jackrabbit Trail in Buckeye. Angie’s Chicken offers $3.99 fried or charbroiled chicken sandwiches and

 Peacock Indian Bar & Grill, an Indian fine-dining restaurant already drawing rave reviews, has opened on the northeast corner of Scottsdale and Bell in north Scottsdale. It takes over the strip-mall space formerly home to Famiglia Modern Italian Trattoria and,

 Paris Baguette, a South Korea-based chain of bakery cafes, has opened its third Valley location just south of Postino near the southwest corner of Central and Colter in uptown Phoenix. The menu offers a wide variety of breads ($3.89-$7.99), pastries

Shish kebabs or pizza for dinner? You don’t have to choose one or the other at Shish & Slices, a new fast-casual eatery offering Mediterranean food and Italian-style pizzas on the northwest corner of Apache and McClintock in Tempe. During

 Wine Down Lounge, whose elevated menu features a clever twist on charcuterie boards it calls ‘‘jarcuterie,’’ has opened in the former Peacock Wine Bar space on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Baseline in Gilbert. The signature starter features small jars

 85°C Bakery Cafe, a Taiwanese chain with more than 1,000 locations worldwide, has soft-opened its second Valley location at Arrowhead Ranch near the northeast corner of Bell and 75th Avenue in Glendale. Best known for coffee, tea, bread, and cakes,

 Patricia’s Pizza, a new restaurant from The Italian Daughter owner Melissa Maggiore Meyer, has opened in the Safeway/Target shopping center on the northeast corner of Scottsdale and Ashler Hills in far north Scottsdale. The wood-fired pizzeria takes its name from

 Better Buzz Coffee, a San Diego-based chain that opened its first out-of-state locations in north Phoenix and south Tempe last year, has expanded with two more Valley shops. One is near the southeast corner of Bell and Bullard in Surprise;

Tiki Taka, a shared-plates restaurant inspired by flavors from Japan and Spain but incorporating Southwest ingredients, has opened at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort near the northeast corner of Scottsdale and Doubletree Ranch roads. The 138-seat venue is the

 Mixela, a globally inspired tapas bar from owner and chef Gian Franco Brugaletta, has opened on the northwest corner of 24th Street and Osborn in Phoenix. The seasonal menu from Brugaletta, whose roots are in Venezuela and Italy, ranges from

 Industry Standard, a neighborhood small-plates restaurant and upscale craft cocktail lounge, officially opens today on the northwest corner of Second and Roosevelt streets in downtown Phoenix. The new concept from Scapegoat Beer & Wine owner Mike Cheathem, along with DashTrack founder

Rollin Smoke Barbeque, which has four restaurants in Las Vegas, has made its Arizona debut at Gateway Pavilions on the northwest corner of McDowell and 99th Avenue – just off I-10 – in Avondale. The menu features what it

 Postino WineCafé, the Valley’s pioneering wine bar concept, has opened its first West Valley location adjacent to the Peoria Sports Complex on the southeast corner of Bell and the Loop 101. A dozen kinds of bruschetta are the centerpiece of

Electric Pickle, a pickleball-themed entertainment complex from California-based Eureka Restaurant Group, has opened near the northeast corner of I-10 and Warner Road, just south of IKEA and Main Event, in south Tempe. The 4.5-acre venue soft-opened over the weekend

In roughly chronological order:  Élephante: The upscale coastal Italian restaurant from Santa Monica, Calif., opens a second location in the former Crate & Barrel space at Scottsdale Fashion Square. (see story)  Three Thirty Three: The high-end Asian-inspired concept is the

 Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers will open its 18th Arizona location at 3 p.m. Thursday at Gilbert Town Square on Gilbert Road between Warner and Ray. It replaces its recently closed sibling concept Famous 66 American Tavern. Besides 19 specialty burgers