Bad Jimmy's is opening a burger joint in downtown Phoenix. Here's what to know
A new chef is finally moving into the space on Pierce Street in downtown Phoenix that was home to Danielle Leoni and Dwyane Allen's buzzy Jamaican restaurant Breadfruit and Rum Bar from 2008 to 2020.
Allen relaunched a version of Breadfruit as a pop-up restaurant inside Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour's kitchen in September 2022, but he announced in August that he was leaving the restaurant behind to focus on his artisanal soda company Big Marble Organics.
In August, Allen transferred the lease to James Piazza, the man behind one of Phoenix's most popular smashburger pop-ups.
What is Bad Jimmy's?
Bad Jimmy's is a smashburger concept started by Piazza, who previously worked in the kitchen at Valentine and Pizzeria Bianco. He launched the pop-up during the pandemic in 2020 and has since gained loyal fans who follow him on social media for a chance to snag his signature grass-fed beef and brisket smashburgers.
In addition to the crispy, thin patty cheeseburgers, he offers specials like the Western Burger, topped with onion rings, BBQ sauce, bacon, cheese and pickles, or collaborations like the Concha burger, served on a Purisima Bakery concha roll with pepper jack cheese, mayo, relish and a bacon jam made by chef Donny Hawk of Valentine.
"We are lucky to find this space and excited to be able to serve people," said Piazza, who plans to expand on the menu he serves from his truck and add a bar menu as well.
Bad Jimmy's is slated to open this fall. A grand opening has not yet been announced.
Details: 108 E. Pierce Street, Phoenix. @badjimmys on Instagram.
Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Bad Jimmy's smash burger restaurant is opening in downtown Phoenix
