Category: Restaurant Scouting

Phoenix-based restaurateur Sam Fox will debut a new Mediterranean restaurant called Theà next year at his new luxury hotel in east Phoenix. The location: Theá will be on the roof of the Global Ambassador, located at 44th Street and Camelback.

We finally have some new details on the new joint venture of well-known East Valley chefs Adam Allison (Handlebar Diner, Brightside Burgers) and Jeff Kraus (Crêpe Bar) in downtown Mesa. The concept: The chef simultaneously announced on social media they’ve just

The Food Network’s Bobby Flay is bringing his burger chain, Bobby’s Burgers, to The Crystal, a new food hall inside Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. The space: The restaurant will be located in the terminal’s eighth concourse, used

A question frequently asked by MXSW readers – including three so far this week – is whether Lucky’s Lou’s or Original ChopShop is moving into the former California Pizza Kitchen building at Dana Park in Mesa. The confusion: Some readers

Gio Osso, the chef behind acclaimed Virtù Honest Craft and Pizzeria Virtù, is opening a third Old Town Scottsdale restaurant, Piccolo Virtù. The space: It’s moving into the Nonna Urban Eatery space on the northwest corner of Main and Brown.

Pop Pot, a California-based chain of Taiwanese hot pot and tea shops, is moving into the recently closed China Magic Noodle House next to the Lee Lee International Supermarket on the northeast corner of Dobson and Warner in Chandler. The

If you were as saddened as I was by the 2020 closure of The Breadfruit & Rum Bar in Phoenix, here’s some good news: The acclaimed Jamaican restaurant is making a comeback of sorts. Where: Nationally renowned Bitter & Twisted

Several MXSW readers have asked why construction hasn’t begun on the Portillo’s location that the Chicago-based fast-casual chain said would open by the end of this year at SanTan Village in Gilbert. They weren’t very happy with the answer. The

Mox Boarding House, the Seattle-based restaurant and board games concept that’s been working on a Chandler location for nearly three years, again has pushed back its tentative opening. The space: It’s taking over the former Social Box Neighborhood Eatery, which

Barstool Sports, the popular sports and pop culture website, is opening a large sports bar, Barstool Scottsdale, in the former Two Brothers Brewing & Taphouse building in Old Town Scottsdale. The space: The 8,700-square-foot building near the southeast corner of

The space: Epicenter is a new mixed-use development at Agritopia on the northwest corner of Higley and Ray in Gilbert. The menu: Southeast Asian cuisine. Specialties include jackfruit and mustard green fried rice, pork belly and egg claypot, and shaking beef. The team: Belly, which debuted in Phoenix

The space: The former Sizzler building on the northwest corner of Country Club and Southern. Sizzler closed in 2020. The menu: Sub sandwiches, fries, salads, and its signature frozen fruit drinks. Opening: Spring 2023. The chain: It will be sixth Valley location for Eegee’s,

Modern Margarita, a stylish northeast Phoenix lounge focused on Mexican small plates and margaritas, will open a second location in front of EOS Fitness near the southeast corner of Gilbert and Ocotillo in south Chandler on Friday, Sept. 2 The

Bikini Beans, a local chain of coffee shops featuring bikini-wearing baristas, has begun building its fifth Valley location on the northwest corner of McDowell and Pebble Creek in Goodyear. The concept, which debuted in 2014, currently has locations in Phoenix, Tempe,

Tucson-based fast-food chain Eegee’s has submitted plans to build a 2,300-square-foot drive-through restaurant on the northwest corner of 83rd Avenue and Cactus Road in Peoria. If the plans are approved, the restaurant likely would open in 2023. Eegee’s opened its fourth Valley location – and first in

Lou Malnati’s Pizza (pictured) and Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers are the latest restaurants announced coming to the Village at Prasada, a huge indoor-outdoor shopping center opening this fall off the Loop 303 near Waddell Road in Surprise. They join previously announced OHSO Brewery &

SodaRush soda shop has won numerous awards for its giant, made-from-scratch gourmet cookies, so it’s not surprising a pair of franchisees from Chandler are launching a cookie store, CookieRush by SodaRush, on the northwest corner of Gilbert and Chandler Heights. They hope to

The owners of popular nightspots Pigtails and Rough Rider are planning two new concepts in downtown Phoenix. Coabana, a 50-seat bar offering Cuban-inspired cocktails and tapas, is scheduled to join Pigtails at Cityscape in October. Teddy’s Preserve, a 350-seat indoor-outdoor

Italian-American fast-casual chain Fazoli’s, which announced earlier this year it was returning to the Valley after a 14-year absence, finally has revealed where its first location will open this fall: Sky Harbor Airport. Mesa-based Kind Hospitality has signed a deal to

Joey and Cristina Maggiore – owners of Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher, The Sicilian Baker, and The Mexicano – are planning two new concepts. The Rosticceria, an Italian rotisserie wood-fired grill, will open near the northeast corner of Tatum and

Meet Fresh, a Taiwanese dessert shop chain that made its Arizona debut in the 99 Ranch Market in Chandler last October, is preparing to launch its second Valley location next to boba tea shop Miss Dessert on the northeast corner of Dobson

Crust Brothers Pizza, a 2-year-old independent pizzeria in central Scottsdale, is opening a second location on the northwest corner of Baseline and McClintock in south Tempe. Crust Brothers makes what its calls ‘‘Midwest-style’’ square-cut pies that are ‘‘crispy on the

Salad World, a local fast-casual build-your-own-salad concept, is coming to the Safeway center on the northwest corner of Cactus and 83rd Avenue in Peoria. Diners will be able to choose from among more than 60 ingredients. Salad World also will

White Castle, the iconic burger joint and the country’s oldest fast-food chain, is coming to the southeast Valley. The chain announced its second Arizona location will open near the northeast corner of I-10 and Warner in south Tempe (just southeast

The Vine Tavern & Eatery, which closed its original Valley location on Apache Boulevard in Tempe last month, is planning to soft-open its new Ahwatukee location Friday – assuming it passes all of its final inspections. It’s taking over the

Hanshin Pocha, a California-base chain of quick-casual Korean street food taverns, will make its Arizona debut this fall near the southeast corner of Alma School and Southern in Mesa. It’s taking over the space that formerly was home to Draft

Ambrogio15, which has been voted the best pizza in San Diego by several publications, is bringing its Milanese-style pies with paper-thin crusts to Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix. Its name refers to Ambrogio, the patron saint of Milan, and the

Richie V’s Chicago Eatery, a restaurant offering Windy City faves such as Vienna hot dogs, Italian beef, and Italian sausages, is taking over the former Johnny’s Greek & Burger Bar on the northwest corner of Alma School and Chandler Heights in

Hush Public House chef-owner Dom Ruggiero and his wife, Holly, are opening another restaurant, Fire at Will, this fall in the former Little Cay space on the northeast corner of Tatum and Shea in north Phoenix. Although it will borrow several menu items from its

Sushi 101 Bar & Grill, a popular Tempe eatery for ASU students for two decades, is moving this fall from Cornerstone on the northeast corner of Rural and University to the former Salut Kitchen Bar (and short-lived McKinley Brewing) space near the northwest corner

Los Angeles-based Spitz Mediterranean Street Food will make its Arizona debut at Desert Ridge Marketplace in north Phoenix around the end of this year. Borrowing from street carts popular in Europe, Spitz’s menu features doner wraps, bowls,  ‘‘doquitos’’ (described as Mediterranean taquitos), and

South Carolina-based New York Butcher Shoppe, which has 20 locations in five states, will make its Arizona debut in Cave Creek this fall. It’s under construction next to 3 Regions Vietnamese Kitchen on the northeast corner of Tatum and Dynamite. The

After previously announcing it would open today, Bonfire Craft Kitchen & Tap House in south Tempe changed its plans at the last minute and now is targeting a launch next Monday, Aug. 8. The restaurant and sports bar, which debuted

JoJo’s Shake Bar, a Chicago-based concept known for over-the-top shakes, onion ring towers, and milk and cookie flights (pictured), is coming to the Scottsdale Quarter on the northeast corner of Scottsdale and Greenway/Butherus. The menu also offers sandwiches, burgers, and

Smoking Tiger BBQ – which, unlike most Korean BBQ restaurants serves an à la carte menu instead of an all-you-can-eat one – is moving into the former Ah-So Teppanyaki & Sushi House of Japan, which closed last fall, on the northeast corner

Chandler bakery Decadent Macaron is launching a second location at Verde at Cooley Station, a new mixed-use development on the southwest corner of Recker and Williams Field in Gilbert, in October. The store sells French macarons in more than 40 flavors, such as chocolate

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, an award-winning Memphis-based chain that made its Arizona debut in downtown Mesa in January 2021 and added a downtown Phoenix location in October, is planning a third restaurant in Ahwatukee. It’s expected to open by

Tulum Modern Kitchen & Cocktails, a New American concept that promises to source fresh ingredients from local farmers markets, plans to open by the end of this year at the Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale. It’s taking over the space that formerly was

Cook & Craft, a 2-year-old Scottsdale gastropub that recently opened a second location at High Street in northeast Phoenix, already is planning a third. It’s joining the slew of previously announced restaurants at Verde at Cooley Station, a mixed-use development on the

Liars Club, a new cocktail bar and restaurant concept from the team behind Baby Boy and Khla, is coming to the former Downtown Deli space on the southwest corner of Central and Monroe in downtown Phoenix this fall. The menu

Tacos Chilango, which opened in Avondale in 2020, is planning to launch a second location next month on the southeast corner of Indian School and 195th Avenue in Buckeye. Besides tacos, the highly rated Mexican restaurant serves burritos, quesadillas, tortas,

KonaKava, a modern wine bar and bistro, is preparing to open any day now in a strip mall on the southeast corner of Southern and Longmore in west Mesa. In addition to wine and cocktails, the bar will offer a

California-based Gen Korean BBQ House, which made its Arizona debut at Tempe Marketplace in 2017, will open its second Valley location at the 99 Ranch Market shopping center on the northeast corner of Dobson and Chandler in Chandler. Instead of

Ni Hao Tea, a boba tea shop with two locations in Tucson, will open its third next month on the northwest corner of Dobson and Warner in Chandler. It’s taking over the space formerly home to Glacier Snow Sweets &

Oregano’s, the Scottsdale-based pizza bistro concept with 23 locations in Arizona and Colorado, announced it will open a new restaurant at North Gateway Village Core community on the southeast corner of I-17 and Dove Valley in north Phoenix. It will

Mekong Plaza, the west Mesa complex that’s home to Mekong Supermarket and 30 Asian-owned restaurants and shops, has broken ground to add more than 35,000 square feet to its existing 100,000 on the southwest corner of Main and Dobson. The

Doshi Chicken & Cupbop, a counter-service eatery specializing in Korean street food, is coming to the Safeway center on the northwest corner of Alma School and Chandler Heights in south Chandler. Owner Son Moon’s sister, Yumi, operates Sushi 101 in

Duck Donuts, a Pennsylvania-based chain offering made-to-order cake doughnuts that made its Arizona debut in south Chandler in 2019, is opening a second location near the northeast corner of Signal Butte and Ocotillo in Queen Creek. No opening date has

Sonson’s Pasty Company, the mother-and-daughter bakery that debuted in northeast Mesa in 2018, is opening a second location on the northeast corner of McQueen and Warner in Gilbert. Owner Julie Groom and her mother, Sonia ‘‘Sonson’’ Williams, worked at a

Angie’s Lobster, the new drive-through concept from the founders of Salad & Go, isn’t scheduled to open its first construction-delayed bricks-and-mortar location until next month, but already has found a novel way to lower its food costs. The company, which

Harbor Seafood Cajun House, which debuted in Phoenix in 2020 and added a Mesa location last year, is opening a third restaurant on the northwest corner of Broadway and Hardy in Tempe. The strip-mall space formerly was home to Bamboo

Houston’s Hot Chicken, a Las Vegas-based chain named for founder Houston Crosta, will make its Arizona debut in the former Burger Fi building on the southeast corner of University and Rural in Tempe. It joins a parade of Nashville-style chicken

Pitch, an Italian restaurant launched in Nebraska 15 years ago, is opening its second Scottsdale location on the northwest corner of Hayden and the 101 in north Scottsdale. It joins a 5-year-old location on the northwest corner of Thomas and

Nautical Bowls, a Minnesota-based chain specializing in açai and other superfood bowls, will make its Arizona debut this fall at The View at Cascade Apartments near the southeast corner of Scottsdale and Mayo in north Scottsdale. Additional locations are scheduled

Sonora Cocina Express, an offshoot of Carniceria Sonora meat market, is coming to the northwest corner of Kyrene and Elliot in south Tempe. Its menu features tacos, burritos, tortas, and a huge selection of Sonoran desserts. A late summer opening

The Genuine Concepts restaurant group, which recently converted its The Vig Uptown location in Phoenix into a new flagship concept called The Genuine, is opening The Vig North Central this fall near the southeast corner of Central and Dunlap in

Collins Bros. Chophouse, the latest concept from restaurateur and chef Christopher Collins, will open next Friday, July 8, inside The Village at Hayden on the northwest corner of Hayden and Via De Ventura in central Scottsdale. It replaces previous Collins

Chicago-based fast-casual chain Portillo’s has submitted a ‘‘pre-application’’ with the town of Queen Creek to build a 7,700-square-foot restaurant with a drive-through on the southeast corner of Ellsworth Loop and Walnut, just south of Queen Creek Road. Known for its Chicago-style

Tucson-based fast-food chain Eegee’s announced it will open its fourth Valley location – and first in the West Valley –  July 7 on the northwest corner of Peoria and 35th Avenue in west Phoenix. Eegee’s menu offers sub sandwiches, fries,

Piefection, an independent pie shop with locations in northeast Mesa and central Scottsdale, plans to open a third location this fall on the northwest corner of Chandler and Dobson in Chandler. Its menu includes more than 30 varieties of traditional

Postino WineCafe will open its ninth Valley location – and its first in the West Valley – next to the Peoria Sports Complex on the south side of Paradise Lane between 79th and 83rd avenues. It will be part of

Mochinut, a Los Angeles-based chain that made its Arizona debut in Tempe last fall, is opening a second Valley location next to Lee Lee International Supermarket on the southwest corner of Cactus and 75th Avenue in Peoria. Mochinut sells mochi

Taproom 120, a movie-themed craft beer and wine bar, is coming to the former Crossfit Obsession space next to Caldwell County BBQ on the northwest corner of Power and the 202 in southeast Gilbert. The bar also will sell beer

Modern Margarita, a stylish lounge focused on Mexican small plates and margaritas, is opening a second location in front of EOS Fitness near the southeast corner of Gilbert and Ocotillo in south Chandler. Valley restaurateur Julian Wright opened the original

Buck & Rider, a 6-year-old seafood and steak restaurant in Arcadia, has a new timeline for the openings of its second and third locations. A Scottsdale location at the Shops at Chauncey Ranch on the southeast corner of Scottsdale and

Newly renamed Six Byrd Cider Co., which launched in Tempe in 2019 as Crush Craft Cider Co., is finally opening its much-delayed first taproom next month on the southeast corner of Indian School and 36th Street in Phoenix’s Arcadia Lite

Little O’s, a smaller sibling of OHSO Brewery, will open its third location in the former Spoke & Wheel space on Central between Dunlap and Northern in Phoenix’s Sunnyslope neighborhood. The dog-friendly neighborhood concept offers a streamlined version of OHSO’s

Obed de la Cruz, who closed his El Zocalo Mexican Grill in downtown Chandler in 2020, is relaunching his fast-casual Mexican concept Burritoholics near the northwest corner of Main and Robson in downtown Mesa. Burritoholics debuted in 2017 in a

The Vine Tavern & Eatery, an Irish-themed pub that’s been a favorite hangout of ASU students and sports fans for nearly four decades, is opening a third Valley location on the northwest corner of Ray and 38th Street in Ahwatukee.

Seattle-based coffeehouse Caffe Vita will make its Arizona debut next to recently opened Roses by the Stairs Brewing in the former Easley’s Fun Shop building near the southwest corner of McDowell and Fifth Avenue in central Phoenix. Plans call for

Colorado-based Ziggi’s Coffee has opened its fourth Valley location the southeast corner of Sossaman and Guadalupe in southeast Mesa. In addition to coffee and other drinks, Ziggi’s serves locally made breakfast, lunch, and snack items. The chain also has two locations

Sushi Green, a Colombia-based Asian fusion concept, will make its U.S. debut by the Harkins Theatres on the northwest corner of Gilbert and Germann in Chandler. It’s taking over the space formerly home to YC’s Mongolian Grill, which closed in

Ay, Chabela, a Mexican seafood restaurant with an agave-based cocktail program, is taking over the former Chez Gregory space near the southeast corner of Roosevelt and Seventh Street in downtown Phoenix. The restaurant is a joint project by brothers Andrew

Mr Fries Man, a California-based concept that made its Arizona debut in Tempe three months ago, is planning to open a second Valley location in Peoria this summer. It will be located near the northeast corner of Beardsley and Lake

Prep & Pastry, a modern American brunch concept with locations in Tucson and Scottsdale, is coming to downtown Gilbert. It’s taking over the space that formerly housed Da’Bayou Creole Kitchen and, before that, The Brass Tap. No opening date has

Tacos Calafia, a former Peoria food truck specializing in Tijuana-style tacos, is planning to open its seventh restaurant location in the former Fuzzy’s Taco Shop space on the southwest corner of Mill and Fourth Street in downtown Tempe. Besides tacos,

Big Chicken, a fast-casual chicken concept launched by former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal in 2018, is moving into the recently closed Pomo Pizzeria space in downtown Gilbert. Big Chicken’s signature sandwiches include the Shaq Attack and the Charles Barkley. The

Better Dayz AZ, a sports bar and grill, is taking over the former Twisted Cactus Brew & BBQ space on the northwest corner of McClintock and Ray in west Chandler. The sports bar originally intended to open in Surprise in

Just Love Coffee, a Nashville, Tenn.-based chain offering specialty coffees and an all-day food menu, will make its Arizona debut near the northwest corner of Power and Warner in southeast Mesa. Just Love uses waffle irons to make an array

California-based Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shops plans to open its first five Arizona locations by the end of this year and a sixth in early 2023. The menu offers hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and soups. The locations: Dobson and Ray

Wren House Brewing is opening a European-inspired beer hall in the Safeway/Trader Joe’s shopping center on the southeast corner of Chandler and 40th Street in Ahwatukee. Dubbed Südhalle (“South Hall”), the new venue will have all of Wren House’s acclaimed

Flower Child, the fast-casual healthy food restaurant from Fox Restaurant Concepts, will open its sixth Valley location on the southwest corner of Ray Road and 56th Street in west Chandler. Its menu focuses on salads, bowls, and wraps. Flower Child

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, the Utah-based chain of fast-casual Mexican restaurants, will open its next location June 10 near the southwest corner of Hunt Highway and Golf Club Drive in San Tan Valley. Cafe Rio’s menu offers salads, tostadas, burritos,

Two previously announced nightlife concepts coming to Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe now have tentative opening dates. Anoche Cantina, a modern cantina with a build-your-own margarita bar that’s taking over the former El Hefe space, is scheduled to open Aug.

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, a Florida-based chain  of frozen dessert shops that opened its first Arizona location in south Chandler in 2020, plans to add another in the city by September on the northeast corner of Rural and Ray Roads. Jeremiah’s

Taco Boys, the casual Mexican eatery with popular locations in Phoenix and Tempe, is opening two more in west Phoenix by the end of this year. One will be on the southeast corner of 91st Avenue and Camelback Road (a

The Stone Korean Tofu House, which opened across the street from H Mart in west Mesa in 2020, is adding a second location near the southeast corner of Power and Southern in east Mesa this summer. The Stone, which makes

Flagstaff-based Firecreek Coffee Company, which opened its first Valley location inside The Marilyn office-rental space in Arcadia in December, will open a second, much larger location on the northeast corner of McDowell and 16th Street in Phoenix this summer. It

Little Jupiter Cafe, an independent coffee shop, is coming to the northwest corner of McQueen and Guadalupe in northwest Gilbert. The shop also will offer a selection of locally sourced pastries, some baked in-house. The cafe is expected to open

Wayback Burgers, a Connecticut-based fast-casual chain formerly known as Jake’s Wayback Burgers, will open its first Arizona restaurant in an 1,807-square-foot space between Orangetheory Fitness and Chipotle at Gilbert Town Square on Gilbert Road between Warner and Ray. Wayback’s menu

California-based Roll-Em-Up Taquitos, the nation’s first taquito-focused franchise, will make its Arizona debut with two locations by the end of this year. One will be near the northeast corner of the 101 and 90th Street in central Scottsdale, the other

The Parlay Kitchen & Cocktails, a modern American gastropub that opened in Chandler in 2019, will open a second location on the southwest corner of the 101 and Via de Ventura in central Scottsdale this fall. Owners Kyle and Erica

Good news for Japanese candy lovers: Daiso is coming! The Japanese discount store chain, which has nearly 6,000 locations worldwide, will make its Arizona debut later this year next to 99 Ranch Market on the northeast corner of Chandler and

Louisville, Ky.-based Green District Salads will make its Arizona debut with a pair of Valley locations late this year. The fast-casual concept offers salads, wraps, and grain bowls. One location will be on the southwest corner of Power and Ray

Green Corner Restaurant, one of the Valley’s top Mediterranean eateries, is launching a third location at the end of this month. The locally owned, fast-casual concept, which has current locations in Mesa and Chandler, is putting the final touches on

Naughty Tacos, a Valley food truck that launched last year and quickly became popular for its quesabirria tacos, is taking over the former Shawarma King space on the northwest corner of Cactus and 43rd Avenue in west Phoenix. A summer

New Jersey-based Bubbakoo’s Burritos, a fast-casual Mexican fusion eatery, will make its Arizona debut next month in front of Sam’s Club at SanTan Village in Gilbert. The menu offers standard build-your-own burritos, bowls, quesadillas, and tacos, but unusual protein choices

California-based Ono Hawaiian BBQ, known for its island-inspired plate lunches, will add to its three East Valley locations with a new one in front of the Cardenas Ranch Market on the northwest corner of Stapley and Southern in Mesa. It’s