May 2022 Restaurant Openings and Closings

Marilyn HawkesJune 6, 2022
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Birdcall | Photo courtesy Oh Partners 

Openings

Angel Thai Bistro
Family-owned restaurant features a “divine dining experience” with popular Thai dishes, including pad Thai, multiple curries and coconut soup.
4010 E. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, angelthaiaz.com

Birdcall
Look for 100 percent all-natural fried chicken sandwiches and chicken fingers as well as salads at this Denver-based fast-casual restaurant.
7204 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, eatbirdcall.com

Black Rock Coffee
Oregon coffee chain opens its fifth Mesa location and 27th shop in Arizona.
5247 S. Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, br.coffee

Blue Burro
California-based burrito eatery that also serves tacos, fries and chips with toppings, salads, quesadillas and milk shakes.
2505 S. Val Vista Dr., Gilbert, eatblueburro.com

Brightside Burgers at Cider Corps
Handlebar Diner and Brightside Burgers food truck chef/owner Adam Allison sets up shop at Cider Corps’ new Gilbert production facility and taproom.
685 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, cidercorpsaz.com

Bubbakoo’s Burritos
National chain specializing in build-your-own fusion burritos, tacos and quesadillas has opened in Gilbert.
2649 S. Market St., Gilbert, bubbakoos.com

Cantina Gueros
Westside Concepts opens a second Cantina Gueros, featuring more than 10 varieties of street tacos, enchiladas and fajitas.
15375 W. McDowell Rd., Goodyear, cantinagueros.com

Cinnaholic
Tempe Marketplace is now home to Cinnaholic, a cinnamon roll bakery where you can order a  signature roll or customize your own.
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, cinnaholic.com

Colados Coffee & Crepes
This family-owned local coffee house and creperie, which recently opened in midtown Phoenix, also has shops in Avondale and Goodyear. They offer sweet and savory crepes and lots of coffee and tea options.
2315 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, colados.com

Crafti Tea & Mocktail
A shop featuring Boba tea and mocktails has opened in Mekong Plaza.
28 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, craftiaz.com

Disco Dragon
The folks who brought you Killer Whale Sex Club, Deez Buns and Halfway Crooks, have opened Disco Dragon on Roosevelt Row featuring pan-Asian cuisine.
509 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, 602-960-0406

Dynasty Chinese & Asian Cuisine
You’ll find appetizers and soups, seafood, beef, pork and chicken dishes along with noodles and rice. The restaurant also has health-conscious entrees.
29850 N. Tatum Blvd., Cave Creek, thedynastyasiancuisine.com

FiiZ Drinks
This national franchise features custom soda, energy and frozen drinks with a small selection of salty snacks.
52 S. Mesa Dr., Mesa, fiizdrinks.com

Green Corner Restaurant
A third location for this restaurant known for its Syrian and Lebanese cuisine.
10392 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, greencorneraz.com

Gypsy Cup
For a “little slice of Europe” in downtown Gilbert, visit Gypsy Cup and order hand-crafted coffees, specialty drinks and cocktails. The restaurant also offers light bites and pastries.
50 S. Vaughn Ave., Gilbert, gypsycup.com

Hashi Sushi
A new sushi restaurant has taken over the former Blu Sushi spot at Pinnacle Peak and Pima Roads.
23233 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, 480-585-8008

Jimmy G’s
This build-your-own-pasta eatery also serves a variety of salads with house-made dressings.
1130 W. Grove Ave., Mesa, jimmygsrestaurants.com

Light Heart Coffee
A specialty coffee shop is the gathering spot at Light Heart Studios, where owner Madison Morris operates a lash studio.
6969 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, lightheartcoffee.com

Loco Amigos
Tacos, burritos, nachos and quesadillas aplenty at this fast-casual Mexican restaurant. They also feature loaded nacho tots piled high with green chile carnitas or chicken.
1515 S. Price Rd., Chandler, 480-702-0457

Lola Coffee Bar
A branch of Lola Coffee Bar has opened in Peoria.
8385 W. Deer Valley Rd., Peoria, lolacoffeebarphx.com

The Paleta Bar
Icy treat lovers will swoon over these popsicles made with cream and water-based concentrates in a wide variety of flavors.
8251 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale, thepaletabar.com

Pokitrition
For build-your-own poke bowls, check out and this new location of Pokitrition, which also has a couple of items for the non-fish eaters.
9210 E. Via Ventura, Scottsdale, pokitrition.com

Press Coffee
Valley favorite Press Coffee has taken over the former Lakeview Coffee space in McCormick Ranch.
8300 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, presscoffee.com

Roses by the Stairs Brewery
This farmhouse-themed brewery is located in the former Bert Easley’s Fun Shop on the border of the Encanto and Roosevelt neighborhoods.
509 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, rosesbythestairsbrewing.com

Saigon Bistro Pho & Seafood
Look for a good selection of Vietnamese noodle soups, sandwiches, spring rolls and salads.
4747 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix, 602-612-4734

Salt Tacos y Tequila
The Shops at Norterra welcomes Salt Tacos y Tequila to its roster of restaurants.
2450 W. Happy Valley Rd., Phoenix, norterra.salttacosytequila.com

Sid’s Garage
For craft beer, “colossal” shakes, beefy burgers and high-octane music, Sid’s Garage at Desert Ridge Marketplace is the place to be.
21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, sidsgarage.com

Tía Carmen
Top Chef Angelo Sosa has opened a contemporary Southwest cuisine concept at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort + Spa in tribute to his aunt (tía) Carmen.
5350 E. Marriott Dr., Phoenix, tiacarmendesertridge.com

Tipsy Egg
Stop by the Tipsy Egg for a boozy breakfast or lunch. Fresh breads and pastries are available at the restaurant’s in-house bakery.
1 E. Boston St., Chandler, tipsyeggchandler.com

Two Hands Korean Corn Dogs
Try a spicy dog coated with hot Cheetos powder or go old school with a classic dog slathered in mustard. Located at Arizona Mills.
5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe, twohandsus.com

Vegan & Vine
A vegan restaurant, marketplace, café and wine shop has opened in North Phoenix.
502 E. Thunderbird Rd., Phoenix

Wildflower
Park West now sports a branch of this popular restaurant and bakery.
9824 W. Northern Ave., Peoria, wildflowerbread.com

Zu & Pocha
Billed as a “modern seafood eatery and drinkery with a Korean touch,” this new Tempe spot features interesting fish dishes like whole fried fish for two and shrimp sliders.
1212 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, zuandpocha.com

Closing

Bliss ReBar has closed after 12 years in downtown Phoenix due to a lease dispute.

Juan Jaime’s Tacos and Tequila in Chandler has called it quits, but the Scottsdale location is still open.

Munch a Mania has shuttered after 25 years because the owners wanted to retire.

Not Your Typical (NYT) Deli in Gilbert Town Square has closed, but will reopen in July as a pop-up at The Farmhouse in downtown Gilbert.

S. Maranto’s has shut its doors after just six months in business, announcing on social media: “Unfortunately, our concept was never able to catch fire as a sustainable business coexisting with other market conditions affecting all restaurants.”