Two dozen restaurants opened acrossPhoenix in July, including onewith an Arizona-focused menu in Tempe, an Italian spot in Litchfield Park and a vegan Mexican eatery in Glendale.
A pair of closings included a longtime favorite in downtown Chandler and a Chinese restaurant in Scottsdale.
NOW OPEN:
Cotton & Copper
Warm Pima wheat rolls with smoked honey butter,cornmeal-crusted chicken andcharbroiled local beef burger are among the offerings on the menu overseen by chef Tamara Stanger, formerly of Helio Basin Brewing Company. The restaurant, at Warner and Rural roads in Tempe, also has an extensive, Arizona-themed co*cktail menu from Sean Traynor, previously with Counter Intuitive andUnderTow.
Details: 1006 E. Warner Road, Suite 113, Tempe. 480-629-4270, cottonandcopperaz.com.
The Latin Kitchen
BJ Hernandez, the woman behind the now-shuttered Havana Cafe, teamed up with Elisa Nolan to open this new restaurant in Mesa. You’ll find Cuban and Puerto Rican dishes such as tostones, empanadas, Cuban sandwiches and bistec plates. It's serving lunch only, for now. Dinnerwill be added in the coming months.
Details: 540 W. Broadway Road, Suite 101, Mesa. 480-306-7266, latinkitchenaz.com.
Hatter and Hare
The Alice in Wonderland-themed bar openedon Seventh Street, just north of Bethany Home Road, in the former Joe's Midnight Run space in Phoenix. co*cktails have whimsical names such as the Humpty Dumpty and Cheshire Cat, and the food menu includestoasted sandwiches, salads and bar snacks. Glass Half Full Restaurant Group alsorunsCamp Social, a camping-themed restaurant, next door to Hatter and Hare.
Details: 6101 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 480-865-2447, hatterandhareaz.com.
Hash Kitchen
The Maggiore Group (The Sicilian Butcher, Tomaso’s and Tomaso’s When in Rome) opened its third Valley branch of Hash Kitchen, a breakfast and brunch restauranthousedin the former Panera spaceat Raintree Ranch Center in Chandler. Itserves hashes, Benedicts, waffles, biscuits and gravyand mimosa flights. Check out theimpressive build-your-own Bloody Mary bar.
Details: 2855 W. Ray Road, Suite 4, Chandler. 480-909-4270. Two Scottsdalelocations at hashkitchen.com.
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Mi Vegana Madre
The former food truck is now a restaurantin Glendale thatserves vegan-friendlytraditional Mexican cuisine.Dishes include tacos al pastor with soy meat marinated in mildchilesauce;tacos San Lorenzo made with nopales;and vegan empanadas.
Details: 5835 W. Palmaire Ave., Glendale. 623-934-0358.
Papa Paul’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta
From the Brooklyn-bred Mahoney family, this charming Italian restaurant opened across the road from The Wigwam resort in Litchfield Park. You’ll find bruschetta, arancini, pizza, salads and rotating pasta specials on the menu. Save room for the tiramisu.
Details: 118 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park. 623-215-6850, search “Papa Paul's Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta” on Facebook.
Matty G’s Steakburgers
Sports and steakburgers are served in equal measure at this California import. The Field of Dreams burger comes with two steakburger patties, ghost pepper cheese, sauteed mushrooms, pickled jalapeño and chipotle aioli. Tacos, carne asada fries, chili cheese fries, fried pickles and frozen custard round up the menu.
Details: 1958 E. Brown Road, Mesa. 480-306-7406, search “Matty G’s Steakburgers & Spirits Mesa Location” on Facebook.
Zookz Sandwiches
This destination for round grilled sandwichesopened indowntown Phoenix. Zookz sandwiches aremade with a special press that seals the edges so the fillings don’t fall out. Varieties range fromaThanksgiving-inspired creation toa breakfast sandwich withthe signature “Zookz Zinger” cream cheese sauce. The new location is open on weekdays, but the Uptown Plaza restaurantin central Phoenix is opendaily.
Details: 1 N. First St., Phoenix. Also, Uptown Plaza, 100 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix 602-279-0906,zookzsandwiches.com.
Kwench Juice Cafe
Raw juices, juice shots, smoothies and juice cleanses make up the liquid portion of the menu at this newcomer to the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix. For food you can chew, try the açai or pitaya bowls.
Details: Arizona Center,455 N. Third St., Suite 1200, Phoenix. kwenchjuicecafe.com.
Ramen Hood
The fast-casual, build-your-own ramen bowlrestaurant opened in north Scottsdale’s Gateway 101 shopping center. First, pick noodles or rice, then choosea protein such as cha siu pork or gyudon beef. Add a broth, liketonkotsu, spicy miso or tomato. Then dress up your bowl withany vegetables, spices and toppings. The menu also featuressteamed bao, gyoza and karaage fried chicken appetizers.
Details: 15807 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-275-8104, ramen-hood.com.
Dutch Bros
The first location in Chandler, this Dutch Bros has two drive-throughlanes to (maybe) make lines shorter. Either way, it featuresthe brand’s signature coffee, smoothies, teas, freezes, Dutch Bros private-label energy drink, Dutch Bros Blue Rebel and nitrogen-infused, cold-brew coffee.
Details: 3665 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. Other locations atdutchbros.com.
La Señora
The new concept inside the Saguaro hotel in Scottsdale showcases Mexican-inspired dishes, including a cactus quesadilla, Sonoran hot dog, shrimp avocado ceviche tostada and sopapilla sundae. Drinks include aguas frescas, Jarritos, beer, wine and co*cktails likethe Oaxaca Old Fashioned and Saguaro Belle. It's also open for breakfast and weekdayhappy hour,from 3 to 6 p.m.
Details: 4000 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-970-4444, thesaguaro.com/Scottsdale.
Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q
The Texas-based chain's third Valley restaurant openedon the northeast corner of Higley and Baseline in Gilbert. Diners can expect hefty plates with 13 choices of meat, including moist brisket, prime rib and jalapeño sausage. The menu also featuressandwiches, tacos, desserts and a wide variety of sides, such asRudy’s Beans, cream corn and green chile stew.
Details: 1733 N. Higley Road, Gilbert. 623-232-3506. Other locations atrudysbbq.com.
LemonShark Poké
This is the first Arizona branchof the fast-casual poké bowl chain, which hasinCalifornia and Florida. Choose a signature bowl, such as the Maui Heat Wave or Aloha Tuna, or build yourown. Start with a base (four kinds of rice are available). Pick a protein, such as miso-glazed salmon, octopus or tofu. Select yourtoppings and then choose a sauce. The menu also includes Hawaiian katsu grill, appetizers and sides.
Details: 7325 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-219-9233, lemonsharkpoke.com.
Phila-Deli
This family-run, Glendale-based deli servesa number of hot and coldsubs. Go for a classic cheesesteak with grilled onions and cheese; or try one withgrilled mushrooms, green pepper, pepperoni and marinara sauce. You can also ordera cheesesteak with chopped chicken.
Details: 20219 N. 59th Ave., Glendale. 623-376-9333, philadeliaz.com.
Meatballz Inc.
Meatball lovers will rejoice for this new spot in north Scottsdale. Start by picking classic beef, spicy pork, vegetarian or chicken meatballs. Then choose one of the many sauces, from pork bolognese to spinach-almond pesto. Finish it off in slider, grinder or “Saucy Ballz” form. Wine and beer are available.
Details: 7342 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-306-8600, meatballzinc.com.
NPX — A Neighborhood Joint
This family-friendly sports bar innortheast Phoenix serves lunch and dinner, plus weekendbrunch. The menu features appetizers, sandwiches, salads, entrees and a kids’ menu. Signatures includeArizona tortilla rolls, Ray’s root beer and Koffee Kölsch short ribs, and Ashley’s biscuit chili. Happy hour is generous: from11 a.m. to 6 p.m.weekdays. The drink menu includes craft co*cktails, wine, beer and spirits.
Details: 4717 E. Bell Road, Phoenix. 602-788-7134, npx.life.
Sol Azteca Mexican Kitchen
Thenew restaurant in east Mesa offers hearty, authentic Mexican fare likered chile burritos,enchiladas,chile relleno and street tacos. The menu also features what might be less familiar to some, including tampiqueña, a traditional Mexican steak dish;and huaraches, a long, thick corn tortilla topped with refried beans and other goodies.
Details: 9265 E. Baseline Road, Mesa. 480-656-9060.
Thai Chili 2 Go
This local Thai jointopened its fifth Southeast Valley branch, near Williams Field Road and Santan Village Parkway in Gilbert. The menu features dishes such as Thai dumplings, panang curry, drunken noodles, sweet-and-sour rice and green curry. There is also a location in Scottsdale at The Promenade.
Details: 1887 E. Williams Field Road, Suite 101, Gilbert. 480-566-8061. Other locations at tc2go.com.
Salad and Go
Now open near Rittenhouse and Ellsworth roads in Queen Creek, this local healthy fast-food spot serves more than 10 kinds of salads, such as Greek, Cobb, barbecue ranch and Southwestern Caesar. All salads can be ordered as wraps. Kids can order cucumber pinwheels, turkey wraps and peanut butter and banana wraps. Smoothies and breakfast are also available. More locations are planned around Phoenix.
Details: 21429 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek. Other locations at saladandgo.com.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Build a monster-sizeburrito at this colossus of the fast-casual industry. Burrito bowls, tacos, chips and salads complete the menu. Now open at Royals Palms of Mesa shopping center.
Details: 1229 E McKellips Road, Suite 102, Mesa. Other locations at chipotle.com.
Uno Mas Cantina
You’ll find quesadillas, tacos, burritos, nachos, salads and margaritas at this Mexican restaurant near Chandler Boulevard and Desert Foothills Parkway in Ahwatukee.
Details: 1327 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 108, Phoenix. Search “Uno Mas Cantina” on Facebook.
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Ono Hawaiian BBQ
Grab a Hawaiian barbecue chicken plate and a couple of Spam musubi at this island-inspired, fast-casual restaurant. Kalua pork, Island fire chicken, chicken katsu and crispy shrimp also are offered. Now open at Christown Spectrum shopping center in Phoenix.
Details: Christown Spectrum,1818 W. Montebello Ave., Suite 110, Phoenix. 602-973-0088, onohawaiianbbq.com.
Cici's
The fourth Arizona location of the pizza buffet chain is now openatSuperstition Springs.The casual, family-friendly spot features a wide range of pizza combinations, from spinach Alfredo to zesty veggie, in traditional, flatbread, deep-dish and stuffed-crust styles. A saladbar, wings, pastas and garlic cheesy bread also are available. Cici’s boastsmore than 250 locations in 32 states nationwide.
Details: Superstition Springs, 1411 S. Power Road, Mesa. 480-582-4008, cicis.com.
NOW CLOSED:
La Stalla Cucina Rustica, the longtime downtown Chandler restaurant that specialized in Italian food.
Tang Dynasty, a traditional Chinese restaurant with karaoke and private rooms in south Scottsdale.
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