Dave & Buster's, Texas Roadhouse and more: September restaurant openings and closings

Brian Blueskye, Palm Springs Desert Sun
Updated ·5 min read

The Coachella Valley restaurant scene expanded in recent months with the highly anticipated opening of Dave & Buster's in Rancho Mirage, Texas Roadhouse in Indio and Breakfast Republic in Palm Desert, as well as the return of Jackelope Ranch Bar & Grill in Indio.

But it's not all good news. A popular Palm Springs restaurant closed, and some others were shut down by Riverside County due to health violations.

Here is a list of restaurants that have opened, closed and others that have come back, as well as a look at other restaurant news.

Restaurants that opened this month

Hundreds of people get a sneak peek at the new Dave & Buster's at The River in Rancho Mirage on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.
Hundreds of people get a sneak peek at the new Dave & Buster's at The River in Rancho Mirage on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.

  • BeeCh Please - This sassy named Palm Springs spot, which is a portmanteau of the words “beer” and “chicken,” which are two stapes on its menu, is focused on “elevated Korean street food."

  • Blazing King Korean BBQ & Hot Pot - All you can eat Korean BBQ and hot pot style dishes featuring beef brisket, pork belly and more in Palm Desert.

  • Dave & Buster's - A 22,000-square-foot restaurant/arcade at The River in Rancho Mirage.

  • Freddie's Kitchen at The Cole - Opened by French chef Chef Frederic Pierrel, this Palm Springs brasserie-style eatery features elevated meals from a small menu such as pasta with a short-rib sauce, an Australian sea bass and elk medallions.

  • Jackalope Ranch Bar and Grill - After being closed for nearly three years, the popular Indio restaurant has been rebuilt and reopened under new ownership.

  • La Dolce Piccola - Good news, you can now enjoy the flavors of fresh Italian homemade gelato in Palm Desert along with a selection of baked goods.

  • Maleza - Enjoy family-style Baja feasts with rare mezcals and craft cocktails at this new eatery located at Drift Palm Springs.

  • Mickey's Kitchen Mexican Cuisine - For those who enjoy Mexican dishes such as tortas and chimichangas to menudo, cucarrachas (fried shrimp coated in seasonings) and other less universal specialties, this new Palm Springs Mexican restaurant has a plethora of offerings.

  • Palm Canyon Swim & Social - A new all-day, adults-only poolside brunch at Arrive Hotel in Palm Springs.

  • Texas Roadhouse - Known for hand-cut steaks, fresh-baked rolls and honey cinnamon butter, the national chain recently opened its first location in Indio.

  • Zadie Cafe - A new “modern Mediterranean kitchen” opened inside the Hilton Palm Springs.

And one opening from August you might have missed:

  • Breakfast Repubic - This San Diego-based breakfast chain opened its first valley location in Palm Desert.

Restaurants opening soon

  • Play Lounge & Cafe - A new cafe by day, game night lounge by night concept is coming soon to Palm Springs.

Restaurants that closed this month

Several restaurants closed in the desert in September, and many of those were due to health code violations.

These restaurants closed due to failed health inspections:

These restaurants closed for other reasons:

  • Nicolino's - The restaurant's Palm Springs location at 440 El Cielo Road., Suite 14 is now occupied by Carousel Bakery. There are rumors of Nicolino's returning in a new location, but nothing's been confirmed yet.

  • Pete's Hideaway - After closing for the summer in July, this Palm Springs establishment known for steaks and seafood failed to reopen in September. Its website is also offline. "The beautiful thing is there will never be another place like Pete’s, it has so many great memories," the restaurant wrote on its Facebook in August.

Other restaurant news from September

  • 533 Viet-Fusion - According to a September Facebook post by Palm Springs Chef and Restaurateur, Chad Gardner, the Palm Springs Vietnamese restaurant 533 Viet-Fusion is under new ownership since closing for the summer. No reopening date has been announced yet. "We are working overtime to get everything ready to welcome you back," the restaurant posted to its Facebook page in September.

  • Alps Village - The Palm Desert German eatery is back open after a summer break.

  • Azúcar - Looking for a new brunch spot? Azúcar at La Serena Villas in Palm Springs is now offering a daily brunch menu. Enjoy offerings such as deconstructed chicken and waffles, brioche french toast and more.

  • Backstreet Bistro - The Palm Desert bistro on El Paseo where "friends meet friends" is open again following its summer break, and its sister restaurant in La Quinta, The Sandbar, will reopen Oct. 3.

  • Cafe des Beaux Arts - Palm Desert's renowned French bistro has reopened after its summer break.

  • Carousel Bakery - The Palm Springs bakery renowned for its pastries and croissants has reopened in a different suite (see above) within the same plaza.

  • Low Desert / Modern Mexican in Palm Springs will begin serving brunch on Oct. 7, but only from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

  • Rio Azul Mexican Bar and Grill - The traditional Mexican Palm Springs restaurant reopened on Aug. 31 following its summer break.

  • Ruben and Ozzy's Oyster Bar & Grill in Palm Springs reopened at the begining of the month.

  • TRIO - If you've been to TRIO lately, you've probably noticed things look different. The Palm Springs restaurant reopened in September and now features a remodeled interior and new menu offerings.

  • The New York Company Restaurant and Bar in Palm Springs has been vacant for six years. But, according to a post on Facebook, workers at the site have said new ownership is planning to reopen another restaurant there soon, but have not revealed the ownership or what it will be.

This report includes previous reporting by Desert Sun staff.

Brian Blueskye is the arts and entertainment reporter for The Desert Sun, where he covers all the music festivals in the Coachella Valley as well as other A&E happenings. Email him at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: September restaurant openings and closings in the Palm Springs area