Openings
Angie’s Lobster
A fifth location for this local lobster empire where all meals are $9.99 or less.
13670 N. Litchfield Rd., Surprise, angieslobster.com
Birrieria Xolos
You’ll find “all things birria,” which includes tacos, burritos, quesadillas and ramen at this California-based chain’s first restaurant in the Valley.
1005 E. Main St., Mesa, 480-881-2383
Canelas Placita
Look for tacos, burritos, elote (including hot Cheetos) and tortas at this family-run Mexican restaurant in Peoria.
9976 N. 91st Ave., Peoria, canelasplacita.com
Claypot Kitchen
For claypot rice, meat and congee dishes along with soup, noodles, rice and specialty dishes, visit this new café in the former Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House space.
111 South Dobson Rd., Mesa, claypotkitchenaz.com
Copperhead Bistro
Chef Jonathan Raggio serves up a robust menu of Italian favorites that includes everything from linguine shrimp scampi to braised short ribs to pizza.
4727 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix, copperheadbistro.com
Fabio On Fire Panini and Gelateria
Fabio Ceschetti, chef-owner of Fabio on Fire, has opened a panini and house-made gelato shop with a mini grocery that features freshly baked bread and imported Italian cheeses and olives.
24775 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., Peoria, fabioonfire.com
Fluffy Cakes
If you’re hankering for Japanese souffle pancakes topped with fresh fruit, Fluffy Cakes at Chandler Fashion Center will be your new go-to.
3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, @fluffy_cakes_az
Ghett Yo Wings
A second Valley location for this wing joint, which also puts out a slew of different wing sauces, appetizers and salads.
40975 N. Ironwood Rd., San Tan Valley, ghettyowings.com
Hot Chicken Alley
Another takeout spot for Nashville-style hot chicken tenders in buns, tortillas or solo.
13636 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, hotchickenalley.com
The Hub Grill & Bar
This popular Mesa sports bar is reopening after a fire closed it down in 2020.
1925 S. Sossaman Rd., Mesa, hubgrill.com
Icho Izakaya Sushi & Grill
Sushi, sashimi, ramen and yakisoba curry have top billing at this new Japanese restaurant in Mesa.
1911 W. Broadway Rd., Mesa, ichosushiphonix.com
The Kickin’ Crab
If Cajun-focused seafood is your thing, pay a visit to this California-based restaurant that serves seafood in a bag priced per pound with various seasonings and heat levels.
1840 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, thekickincrab.com
Krispy Dogz
Savor six kinds of Korean corn dogs with toppings, bulgogi dumplings, boba milk teas and more at this new spot in Ahwatukee.
3233 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix, @krispydogz
Kuko’s Nest
Healthy Greek food, including pita sandwiches, kabobs, salads and soups, get top billing at this fast-casual restaurant.
10135 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale, kukosnest.com
Mochilero Kitchen
Fans of Peoria’s Mochilero Kitchen can now go to the family-run restaurant’s second location in Scottsdale for tacos, enchiladas, burritos, mole dishes and more.
14850 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale, mochilerokitchenscottsdale.com
Outcast Doughnuts
Doughnut lovers will swoon over this new shop featuring layered doughnuts, glaze free doughnut sandwiches, coffee and Dopecones ‑ ice cream cones made out of doughnut dough.
104 W. Main St., Mesa, outcastdoughnuts.com
Over Easy
The Shoppes at Casa Paloma welcome the 11th location of Valley-based brunch eatery Over Easy.
7131 W. Ray Rd., Chandler, eatatovereasy.com
Poke Paradise
Healthy poke bowls and fresh fruit teas and lemonades headline the menu at this new poke place.
440 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix, pokeparadise.com
Prep & Pastry
Gilbert marks the second Valley location for Tucson-based Prep & Pastry, a brunch restaurant that serves everything from harissa shakshuka to French toast.
313 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, prepandpastry.com
Puttshack
“Tech-infused” miniature golf comes to the Scottsdale Quarter with an extensive food and drink menu featuring globally inspired shareables, flatbreads, salads, signature cocktails and beer and wine.
15059 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, puttshack.com
Rito’s Mexican Food
Rito’s, a family-run Valley institution for 45 years, has opened a location in Mesa Riverview.
1033 N. Dobson Rd., Mesa, ritosmexicamfood.com
Roll-Em-Up Taquitos
California-based street-casual taquito franchise moves into the Valley, featuring hand-rolled taquitos with sides that include street corn and guacamole, and churro donuts.
301 W. Arizona Rd., Chandler, rollemup.com
Simple Machine Brewing Co.
The former Gaslight Inn in historic downtown Glendale has been renovated and Simple Machine Brewing Co. is its first tenant.
5745 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, simplemachinebrewing.com
Sizzling House
Mekong Plaza is now home to Sizzling House, a restaurant specializing in ramen and sizzling plates delivered by a robotic kitty.
66 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, 480-572-1010
SKNY Pig
Asian fusion takeout that includes appetizers, soups, curries and main dishes.
4330 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale, 623-252-1845
Taqueria Factory
A local and family-run restaurant “bringing the taste of Mexico straight to your table,” has opened a second location in the Ocotillo neighborhood of south Chandler.
1155 Ocotillo Rd., Chandler, taqueriafactory.com
Urge Taphouse Kitchen
Taphouse Kitchen is now Urge Taphouse Kitchen, serving burgers, salads, sushi, craft pizza, tacos and fish and chips.
6137 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, urgethk.com
Via 313 Pizzeria
Look for Detroit-style pizza made in rectangular steel pans at this new-to-Arizona pizzeria chain.
7175 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, via313.com
Closing
Christopher Fregozo has closed his Bagel Daddies store front, but you can still find his bagels at Uptown Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.
Queen Creek’s Bar Vinedo, a wine bar and American-fare restaurant, has closed after more than eight years.
Matta’s Mexican Food in Mesa has shuttered after 70 years, but the family may soon open another restaurant, so stay tuned.
Moiselle, a mobile wine bar at The Pemberton, will be closing for the summer.
Santé, an organic restaurant opened by Nick Neuman and Nico Doniel, has called it quits after 18 months in north Scottsdale.
Shady’s Fine Ales and Cocktails closed suddenly and a new Barter & Shake concept is coming soon.
The Spaghetti Shack ghost kitchen in Queen Creek has closed because host restaurant Bar Vinedo has been sold.
St. Urban, the bar atop Neighborly Public House has closed, but owner Christopher Collins promises something new in the space this fall. He also hinted that St. Urban will be resurrected at a different location.
Hush Public House chef-owner Dom Ruggiero has closed his neighboring concept, The Vanilla Gorilla Taproom & Bottle Shop, to make way for an expansion of Hush Public House and a yet-to-be named concept that will open later this summer.
