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Shawarmaati Mediterranean Grill expands to Chandler

🥙 Shawarmaati Mediterranean Grill, a 17-month-old restaurant in Gilbert specializing in beef and chicken shawarma, has opened a second location on the northeast corner of Arizona and Chandler Heights in Chandler. The Middle Eastern concept originated in Amman, Jordan. Gilbert

If you need an excuse to wear a hot dog costume, here it is

🌭 If your idea of a good time involves soup, hot dogs, disco balls, or celebrity vino (or all four), the Valley’s early-year food festival calendar has you covered. Here’s a roundup of some of the most unusual upcoming food

Arcadia gets new neighborhood lounge in Neutral Ground

🍸 Neutral Ground Lounge has opened on the northeast corner of Thomas and 46th Street in Arcadia, bringing a laid-back new hangout to one of east Phoenix’s busiest dining corridors. The drink menu keeps things approachable but thoughtful. Expect classic

Four Seasons Scottsdale debuts Sonoran-inspired café

🌵 Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale has opened Desert Orchard, a new daytime café concept rooted in the landscape, history, and quiet abundance of the Sonoran Desert. Set beneath Pinnacle Peak near the northwest corner of Alma School and Jomax, the

Fast-casual Someburros launches 18th Arizona location in Surprise

🌯 Someburros, a family-owned Mexican restaurant rooted in Arizona since 1986, has launched its 18th Arizona location – and first in Surprise – on the southeast corner of Cactus and the Loop 303. The menu features signature Sonoran-style burritos under

Peruvian restaurant El Chullo closes original Phoenix location

🚫 El Chullo, a family-run Peruvian restaurant, has closed its original location after 12 years near the southeast corner of Seventh Street and Thomas in Phoenix. A Melrose District location that opened on the northwest corner of Seventh Avenue and

Dolce Vita Gelato opens 2nd East Valley location in Tempe

 Dolce Vita Gelato – a 20-year-old Italian dessert shop, deli, and grocery in northeast Mesa – opens its second location Thursday on the northeast corner of Priest and Warner in south Tempe. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., guests can

6 Valley chefs named 2026 Best Chef Southwest semifinalists

🏅 Six Valley chefs have been named semifinalists for Best Chef Southwest in the 2026 James Beard Awards, the culinary world’s version of the Oscars: Roberto Centeno from Espiritu in Mesa; TJ Culp from Progress in Phoenix; Armando Hernandez and

Are savory doughnuts a new food trend? Parlor thinks so

🍩 For years, doughnuts have politely stayed in their lane: sweet, sugary, and unapologetically breakfast-adjacent. But 2026 may be the year they finally rebel. Parlor Doughnuts, a fast-growing chain known for its laminated, flaky “Famous Layered Doughnuts,” launches its first-ever

Godfather’s Pizza returns to East Valley after 2-decade absence

In a nostalgic comeback, Midwest favorite Godfather’s Pizza has returned to the East Valley after a nearly two-decade absence with a new location in Queen Creek. It’s located on the southeast corner of Queen Creek and Signal Butte along with

Best donut shops in the Phoenix metro area

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Panda Express at San Tan Village in Gilbert closes after fire

🔥 Panda Express at San Tan Village in Gilbert has closed indefinitely after a weekend fire. Officials say the fire, which occurred Saturday morning before the restaurant opened, appeared to have started in the kitchen before spreading to the roof.

After huge response, Rita’s Burritos reverses decision to close

❤️ The Valley’s food and drink scene has started 2026 fairly gloomily – from the death of legendary restaurateur Lee Cohn to the closings of several longtime restaurants and breweries – so let’s enjoy an upbeat story today. An outpouring

Silver Rose Bakery owners open Four Desserts in Scottsdale

🍮 Michael and Priscilla Sweet, the talented couple behind Phoenix’s Silver Rose Bakery, have launched a smaller sibling concept, Four Desserts, near the northeast corner of the Loop 101 and 90th Street in central Scottsdale. The fast-casual-style shop focuses on

Ex-P.F. Chang’s chef launches Scottsdale dumpling house

🥟 Ni Hao Bao Dumpling House, which soft-opened over the holidays, holds its public grand opening Friday at Mercado del Rancho on the southeast corner of Shea Boulevard and 92nd Street in central Scottsdale. Founded by Arizona natives and longtime