Sushi to tacos, country bar to coffee shops: 42 new restaurants now open in metro Phoenix
January was a massive month for the dining scene in metro Phoenix, with over 40 new restaurants opening across the Valley, from a pair of James Beard semifinalists' new Mexican restaurant in Phoenix to four brand new offerings inside a historic Scottsdale resort.
The West Valley welcomed Gio's Chicago Pizza in Glendale, Jai Thai in Sun City, Kasai in Peoria and The Taco Spot in El Mirage.
In the East Valley, new restaurants include Tempe Taco Supply, Wayback Burgers in Gilbert and Sweet Time Bakery at Mekong Plaza in Mesa.
Here's your guide to 42 new restaurants, bars, cafes and bakeries now open in metro Phoenix.
Angie's Prime Grill
The latest Angie's Prime Grill location opened in Chandler in January. The fast casual restaurant serves high quality steak and seafood items at fast-food prices.
Details: 3131 E. Queen Creek Road, Chandler. angiesprimegrill.com.
A Sushi & Grill
An all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant soft opened in Tempe, offering sashimi, nigiri and dozens of sushi rolls. They also offer grill and wok dishes plus appetizers like shrimp tempura and chicken katsu.
Details: 1807 E. Baseline Road, Tempe. 480-839-0288, asushiandgrill.com.
Barrio Brewing Co.
Barrio Brewing Co. opened inside the Phoenix Deer Valley Airport on Jan. 23, offering its local craft beers, burgers and tacos to travelers and the community. It is the first location to serve breakfast, which includes pancakes, a breakfast burrito and corned beef hash.
Details: 702 W. Deer Valley Road, Phoenix. 602-858-0232, barriobrewingphoenix.com.
Bear and the Honey
Bear and the Honey bakery and coffee bar held a grand opening celebration for their new brick-and-mortar in January. The cafe offers sandwich options like egg and bacon, prosciutto and ratatouille plus salads and coffee. The bakery specializes in allergy-conscious vegan and gluten-free treats.
Details: 777 E. Thunderbird Road, Suite 100, Phoenix. 480-420-6529, bearandthehoney.com.
Born & Bred
Born & Bred is a sister restaurant to Phoenix's Aftermath — not to be confused with Born and Bred in Seoul, South Korea, which is not related. The Chandler restaurant offers some crossover dishes such as the Aftermath burger topped with two patties, Velveeta cheese, red onion, house pickles, island sauce and a Kona bun. Other entrees include scallop risotto, rigatoni alla vodka and chile braised short rib.
Details: 140 N. Arizona Ave., Suite 100, Chandler. bornandbredarizona.com.
Buqui Bichi
Award-winning Mexican craft brewery Buqui Bichi held a grand opening celebration for its new downtown Phoenix location in January. In addition to beer, Buqui Bichi serves tacos, aguachiles, tostadas, wings and burgers.
Details: 21 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. 602-702-6449, buquibichiarizona.com.
Cheba Hut
Cheba Hut is now open in Scottsdale. It's the Valley's seventh location. The chain offers a variety of toasted subs with cannabis-related names; however, there is no cannabis in the food, despite the theme.
Details: 4912 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-590-3090, chebahut.com.
Coffee48
Coffee48 is a new takeaway coffee and tea shop in Tempe at Dazë Salon Suites. The drink menu includes Vietnamese coffee, lavender honey espresso, lychee green tea, mulberry green tea with cheese foam and a matcha latte.
Details: 1310 E. Broadway Road, Suite 103, Tempe. @coffee48az on Instagram.
Crete Tea Room
Crete is a chic new cafe in Phoenix serving iced teas, hot loose leaf teas and lattes made with matcha, hojicha, wakocha or ca phe (Vietnamese coffee). The space's design focused on natural light, neutral tones and lively plants makes for a relaxed and elegant environment.
Details: 1906 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix. @crete.tearoom on Instagram.
CupBop
CupBop held a grand opening for its newest location in Gilbert in January. The fast-casual restaurant specializes in "Korean BBQ in a cup." Each bowl comes with your choice of protein served with rice, cabbage mix and noodles.
Details: 35 E. Warner Road, Suite 101, Gilbert. 602-725-2735, cupbop.com.
Eclipse Cookies & Coffee
Eclipse Cookies & Coffee is a build-your-own cookie bar in Mesa, open overnight from 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. They offer skillet cookies, shakes and coffee. Popular cookie flavors include snickerdoodle, birthday cake, cookies and creme and OG chocolate chip.
Details: 321 W. McKellips Road, Mesa. 480-329-2947, eclipsecookies.org.
El Patron
El Patron, a popular Mexican restaurant from New Mexico, made its Arizona debut at The Shops at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale. Menu highlights include ribeye and enchiladas, BBQ chile glazed baby back ribs, enchilada casserole and green chile chicken lasagna.
Details: 8977 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 500, Scottsdale. 480-590-8180, elpatronaz.com.
El Tataki Sushi Fusion
A third Valley location of El Tataki Sushi Fusion is now open in Tempe. The Japanese-Mexican fusion restaurant serves more than two dozen Mexican-inspired sushi rolls, plus plenty of traditional sushi rolls, baked rolls, fried rice and other seafood dishes.
Details: 1410 E. Southern Ave., Tempe. 480-912-3009, eltatakisushi.com.
Foley Ranch
Foley Ranch is a new restaurant and country bar at Desert Ridge Marketplace. The menu was designed by celebrity chef Brian Duffy of Food Network's "Beat Bobby Flay," "BBQ Brawl" and "Opening Night." Highlights include bacon-wrapped, brisket- and cheese-stuffed jalapeños, barbecue plates with your choice of one to three meats or ribs, and mason jar desserts like banana pudding.
Details: 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 93, Phoenix. 480-597-6478, foleyranch.com.
Gio's Chicago Pizza
A cozy new pizza shop opened in Glendale, serving 14- and 16- inch pizzas, wings and Chicago-style hot dogs.
Details: 4422 W. Peoria Ave., Glendale. facebook.com/gioschicagopizzaanditalianbeef.
Graze Craze
Graze Craze, a national charcuterie concept, made its Arizona debut in Tempe, with two more locations planned for the Valley soon. Graze Craze offers seven charcuterie board options plus some seasonal offerings. The Tempe location is open for pickup, catering and free local delivery.
Details: 1855 E. Guadalupe Road, Tempe. 480-272-9553, grazecraze.com.
Happy Lemon
Happy Lemon, an international brand of boba tea shops, opened a new location in Chandler. Menu highlights include teas with salted cheese topping, classic boba milk teas and bubble waffles.
Details: 1840 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite 8, Chandler. happylemonusa.com.
Hugo's Cantina
Aaron and Jared Pool, the brothers behind the popular Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup restaurants, opened Hugo's Cantina in downtown Phoenix in the former Sin Muerte space. Aaron told The Republic the menu will consist of shareable plates of nachos, enchiladas and tacos with "crushable" cocktails.
Details: 817 N. First St., Phoenix. 602-767-5600, hugosphx.com.
Jai Thai
Jai Thai is now open in Sun City in the space that formerly was King Red Crawfish & Pho. The extensive menu includes Thai favorites like pad see ew, spicy basil chicken, tom yum fried rice and seafood salad.
Details: 9803 W. Bell Road, Sun City. 480-635-4801.
Jake's Sweet Shoppe
Jake's Sweet Shoppe, the ice cream shop at Jake's Unlimited in Mesa, opened its first franchise location in Chandler, offering chocolate chip cookie skillets, brownie skillets, ice cream cakes, ice cream cookie sandwiches, milkshakes and the signature Unicorn cotton candy taco.
Details: 58 W. Buffalo St., Chandler. 480-590-2690, jakessweetshoppe.com.
Kasai
Kasai, a Japanese steakhouse in Scottsdale, opened a second location at Park West in Peoria. Asian-inspired dishes include a wagyu burger, lobster fried rice and orange peel tempura chicken. Other menu highlights include wagyu filet mignon, Mongolian glazed lamb chops and teppanyaki dinners.
Details: 9744 W. Northern Ave., Peoria. 623-259-6420, kasaiteppan.com.
La Sen Vietnamese Cuisine
La Sen Vietnamese Cuisine opened recently in south Chandler, serving pho, vermicelli soups, banh mi sandwiches, fried rice dishes, lamb chops and shaking beef stir fry.
Details: 1890 W. Germann Road, Suite 1, Chandler. 602-600-7278, lasenrestaurant.net.
Macayo's
Macayo's, the popular local Mexican restaurant chain, opened its 11th location in January in Avondale.
Details: 10220 W. McDowell Road, Avondale. 623-288-7040, macayo.com.
Mountain Mike's Pizza
Mountain Mike's Pizza opened its fourth Arizona location in Surprise. The new restaurant features an all-you-can-eat pizza and salad buffet and a selection of domestic and craft beers on tap, as well as 10 big-screen televisions for sports games and a kids' arcade area.
Details: 13736 W. Bell Road, Surprise. 623-235-8100, mountainmikespizza.com.
Pieology
A new location of Pieology is now open in Queen Creek. The pizza chain offers 13 signature pizzas in addition to classics like cheese, pepperoni and sausage, or you can build your own pizza. They also offer gluten-free and vegan options.
Details: 25166 S. Ellsworth Road, Suite B101, Queen Creek. 602-291-7245, pieology.com.
R&B Tea
The latest location of R&B Tea soft opened in Phoenix in January. The international boba tea chain offers classics like brown sugar boba and matcha milk tea, plus their own drinks made with dragon fruit, mango, honeydew, strawberry and taro.
Details: 2211 W. Camelback Road, Suite 174, Phoenix. 714-808-3539, @rbteaphoenix on Instagram.
Raising Cane's
Raising Cane's, the chain known for its chicken fingers, opened its latest location at the corner of Seventh Street and Indian School Road in Phoenix.
Details: 710 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-691-3277, raisingcanes.com.
Robeks
A new location of Robeks smoothie and juice bar is now open in Avondale. Robeks offers superfood, classic, acai, performance, low calorie and wellness smoothies as well as fresh juices, acai bowls, wellness shots and toasts.
Details: 10485 W. McDowell Road, Suite 105, Avondale. 480-219-9101, robeks.com.
Santo
A new Mexican restaurant from James Beard semifinalists Roberto Centeno of Espiritu, who rose to prominence while working at Bacanora, and Armando Hernandez of Tacos Chiwas and Cocina Chiwas, is now open in Arcadia in Phoenix. Santo is a casual fine dining concept offering steaks, ceviches and salads, plus a bar program featuring Mexican spirits like Mexican whiskey and bourbon, cocktails, sake, and global wines with a focus on Mexican wines.
Details: 4418 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix. 480-272-6799, santoarcadia.com.
Scottsdale Resort and Spa restaurants
Four new culinary concepts are now open at Scottsdale Resort and Spa following massive renovations to the entire hotel that began over a year ago: La Fogata, Barnaby's Cafe, The Social Boardroom and The Madam.
La Fogata: La Fogata means "the campfire" in Spanish and is a reference to the dishes cooked over an open mesquite fire, as well as a nod to the view of the fire pit on the restaurant's patio overlooking the golf course. The menu is Sonoran-inspired, featuring dishes like meat and potatoes with gnocchi from Sedona Pasta Company and a sweet roasted salmon succotash.
Barnaby's Cafe: Named after the architect who designed the resort, Barnaby's Cafe is a combination coffee shop, wine bar and local boutique. The menu includes house made croissants, Danishes and muffins; breakfast items such as five grain coconut oatmeal with sun-dried cranberry and pecans and a house smoked salmon and bagel; and an assortment of sandwiches, soups and salads.
The Social Boardroom: A welcoming hangout space for hotel guests and community members of all ages. Menu highlights include a bucket of naked wings, a bucket of house made cinnamon and sugar beignets, a Golfer's Pizza made with aged Calabrian pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, sliders and Cowboy Nachos topped with pork, pico de gallo and chipotle aioli.
The Madam: The Madam is a speakeasy inspired by the 1920s prohibition era, with lighting and music to set the vintage mood. The menu includes craft cocktails and small bites to pair with them, such as tempura shishito peppers, a ceviche tostada and a house made salmon board.
Details: Scottsdale Resort and Spa, 7700 E. McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale. 480-991-9000, hilton.com.
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Someburros
Family-owned Mexican restaurant Someburros opened a new location at Norterra in Phoenix. Someburros is known for its crispy and soft tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, quesadillas and signature pollo fundido.
Details: 2525 W. Jomax Road, Phoenix. 602-334-1279, someburros.com.
Sweet Time Bakery
Sweet Time Bakery is the latest newcomer to Mekong Plaza in Mesa. They offer house made pastries such as coconut cream bread, almond cookies, mini pancakes and other desserts.
Details: 66 S. Dobson Road, Suite 136, Mesa. @sweettimebakeryaz on Instagram.
Szechwan Kitchen
Szechwan Kitchen is a new Chinese restaurant in Phoenix's Melrose District. Specialties include spicy fish, cumin-flavored beef, pepper beef, walnut shrimp, mapo tofu and sizzling rice shrimp.
Details: 4402 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix. 602-248-3807, szechwan-kitchen.com.
Taco Boys
Taco Boys is a Phoenix-based Sonoran Mexican restaurant with several locations in the Valley, known for its tacos, vampiros, burritos and quesadillas. The newest location opened in a former Circle K building at 32nd Street and Thomas Road in Phoenix.
Details: 2949 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. 480-634-1941, aztacoboys.com.
Taco Papi
Taco Papi is a new Mexican restaurant in north Scottsdale offering classic Mexican dishes like tacos, burros and quesadillas, plus some unique international options like chicken tikka tacos and Korean beef tacos. The bar offers margaritas, micheladas, rumchata and highmaica cocktails.
Details: 14891 N. Northsight Blvd., Suite 119, Scottsdale. 480-794-1404, tacopapi.com.
Tempe Taco Supply
Tempe Taco Supply is the first Arizona location of Colorado's McDevitt Taco Supply. The restaurant is open at the Vib Hotel in downtown Tempe. Menu options include nine specialty tacos, Mexican street corn, charred lime salad, a burger and a chicken sandwich.
Details: 511 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe. 520-552-8485, mcdevitttacosupply.com/tempe-taco-supply.
The Taco Spot
The Taco Spot opened its first West Valley location in El Mirage. The restaurant is known for its birria, including birria ramen and birria pizza. Other menu items include street tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, vampiros, loaded fries and nachos.
Details: 13011 W. Greenway Road, Suite 101, El Mirage. 623-440-2578, tacospotaz.com.
théa
théa, the Mediterranean rooftop restaurant at Sam Fox's The Global Ambassador Hotel, opened in January. The menu includes some of Fox's favorite dishes from his travels in Europe, including mezze, pasta and seafood plus shareable plates like dips, flatbreads, vegetables and marinated protein skewers.
Details: 4360 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 480-800-2211, globalambassadorhotel.com.
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Uchi
The Arizona debut of Austin, Texas-based, award-winning Japanese restaurant Uchi soft opened in Old Town Scottsdale in January, with a grand opening celebration on Feb. 1. Uchi serves sushi and sashimi, tempura and specials like wagyu carpaccio, masu crudo and lamb sirloin.
Details: 3821 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. uchirestaurants.com.
Wayback Burgers
Connecticut-based burger chain Wayback Burgers recently made its Arizona debut in Gilbert. The menu includes burgers, chicken sandwiches, cheesesteaks, hot dogs and milkshakes.
Details: 1110 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. 480-892-1272, waybackburgers.com.
Window Coffee Bar
A second location of Window Coffee Bar soft opened at The Royale in Phoenix's Melrose neighborhood in January. Signature drinks include a cookie butter macchiato, apple brown sugar latte, cherry almond latte and a Lucky Charms latte. The food menu includes toasts, bagels and pastries including a raspberry prickly pear tart and a churro donut.
Details: 635 W. Glenrosa Ave., Suite 109, Phoenix. windowcoffeebar.com.
Yumbar
Also located at The Royale, Yumbar is a new casual restaurant and bar serving salads, burgers, pressed sandwiches and bowls. The drinks menu includes eight specialty cocktails, sparkling wines and beer on tap and bottled.
Details: 635 W. Glenrosa Ave., Suite 101, Phoenix. facebook.com/yumbarmelrose.
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Reach the reporter at endia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow @EndiaFontanez on X, formerly Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 42 new restaurants in metro Phoenix include Korean and Mexican food
