In February, the Valley welcomed a slew of intriguing expansions (from out of town and from closer to home) and bid farewell to a few exciting new spots and old favorites.
Backyard Taco
Family-run taco shop with six locations in the East Valley has opened an outpost in Laveen. 7730 S. 59th Ave., Laveen, backyardtaco.com
Bagelfeld’s
This wildly popular bagel bakery has set up a second location in Tempe. Be sure to order ahead, because they run out early. 5154 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, bagelfeld.com
Blue Plate Co.
CC’s on Central, run by mother-and-son duo Sharon and Devan Cunningham, has rebranded as Blue Plate Co. and is now only open weekdays for lunch. The menu still has Southern and Cajun favorites and weekly specials. 2800 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, ccsoncentral.com
Brew’s Burger Joint & Taphouse
Gilbert, get ready for some hefty burgers, including the Walk of Shame, topped with American cheese, bacon, eggs and Hatch green chiles. The eatery, which has two other east Valley locations, also serves fries and a couple of salads. 2540 S. Val Vista Dr., Gilbert, brewsburgerjoint.com
Caldwell County BBQ
Peoria’s historical downtown is now home to this popular East Valley Texas-style barbecue restaurant that features St. Louis-cut ribs and smoked brisket along with scratch-made sides. 8315 W. Washington St., Peoria, caldwellcountybbq.com
Camello
151 Hospitality (Little Pickle, The Mercer) has opened an upscale Mexican restaurant at The Esplanade with executive chef Julio Mata (Barrio Café) at the helm. Signature dishes include tableside ceviche and enchiladas with three different moles. 2425 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, camellobiltmore.com
Cascadia Pizza
Based in the Pacific Northwest, this wood-fire pizza franchise has debuted its first store in Arizona. The menu includes 20 combination pizzas, salads and wings with a couple of dessert pies (apple and s’mores). 1120 E. Baseline Rd., Tempe, cascadiapizzaco.com
Chern Thai Artisanal Cafe
North Scottsdale welcomes a new Thai restaurant with dishes that include tom kha soup, pad Thai and pork ribs with Southern Thai curry. Vegan dishes available. 15050 N. Northsight Blvd., Scottsdale, chernthaicafeaz.com
Cielito
A rooftop Mexican restaurant and bar called Cielito has opened at AC Scottsdale Old Town, offering a “day-to-night rhythm rather than a high-octane party scene,” according to a press release. 7117 E. Third Ave., Scottsdale, marriott.com
Cornish Pasty Co.
This Valley favorite has opened a location in Glendale serving pasties, hand pies with savory fillings (think lamb with mint or chicken pot pie) traditionally eaten in Cornwall. The restaurant offers more than 40 different fillings, including vegan and vegetarian options. 5747 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, cornishpastyco.com
Craft Kitchen Cafe
This brunch café serving seasonal fare with a “thoughtful” coffee program in a “cozy, light-filled” space has opened in north Scottsdale. Menu highlight: house-made biscuits and gravy. 15600 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, craftkitchencafe.com
Laymoon Café
A Palestinian- and Syrian-inspired café featuring baklava and tiramisu lattes along with house-baked pastries has opened in Tempe. 616 S. Forest Ave., @laymoon.cafe
Matilda’s All-Day Café
An all-day restaurant housed in a cozy 1914 bungalow has opened in the historical Roosevelt neighborhood that serves coffee, breakfast sandwiches, salads and snacks. Open Wednesday through Sunday. 822 N. Sixth Ave., Phoenix, matildasallday.com
Mendocino Farms
This California-based, fast-casual sandwich and salad eatery has opened in Gainey Ranch, showcasing seasonal specialties and elevated classics like loaded club sandwiches and superfood salads. 8777 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, mendocinofarms.com
The Mission
Chef Matt Carter has opened a third Valley location of his modern Latin restaurant. Look for tableside guacamole, pozole, roasted pork shoulder tacos and house-made tortillas, along with an impressive beverage program showcasing an “agave-centric” cocktail menu and curated wine list. At Epicenter in Agritopia. 3150 E. Ray Rd., Gilbert, themissionaz.com
Naz’s Halal Food
This fast-casual halal restaurant with outlets across the country has opened a branch in Tempe, featuring gyros, rice platters, sandwiches, wings and salads. 960 W. University Dr., Tempe, nazshalal.com
The Nook Café & Bakery
Gilbert has a new neighborhood coffee and pastry spot with “millennial nostalgic vibes.” 4024 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert, @thenookxoxo
Osteria Mia
Husband-and-wife team Mario and Kayla Rana have opened a second location of their popular West Valley Italian restaurant featuring house-made pastas, pizza, seasonal bruschetta boards, salads and gelato. 16853 N. 145th Ave., Surprise, osteriamiasurprise.com
Sazas Pampered
A halal restaurant has taken over the Hap’s Pit Barbecue space. Look for smoked meats and wings with sides that include mac and cheese and cornbread. 4801 E. Washington St., Phoenix, sazas.co
Santo Agave
Park West welcomes a new restaurant and bar offering elevated takes on regional Mexican cuisine with a cold raw bar, seafood dishes, coal-fired steaks and tacos with house-made tortillas. 9832 W. Northern Ave., Peoria, elsantoagave.com
Slice House
This San Francisco-based pizzeria specializing in New York, Detroit, Sicilian and Grandma-style pizzas with an abundance of topping combinations has opened its first Arizona outlet. The restaurant also features appetizers, salads, pastas and desserts. 3115 S. Val Vista Dr., Gilbert, slicehouse.com
Soul Fire Tacos
Dana Dumas, owner of SugarJam The Southern Kitchen, has opened a nearby taco spot that fuses Southern soul and Southwestern fire under the direction of chef Johnnie Dixon, a former NFL wide receiver. 15111 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, soulfiretacos.com
Still & Barrel
Sheldon Knapp and Dennis Shaw (Phoenix City Grille) have opened an intimate bar devoted to fine bourbon, rare liquors and specialty cocktails, with a limited food menu. 5812 N. 16th St., Phoenix, stillandbarrelphx.com
Telefèric Barcelona
The long-awaited tapas and paella restaurant – founded in Spain by siblings Maria and Xavi Padrosa in 1992 – has opened at Scottsdale Fashion Square. 7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, telefericbarcelona.com
Thiru Kuppusamy
A new South Indian restaurant serves up biryani, chicken and mutton dishes, as well as vegetarian fare. 955 Chandler Heights, Chandler, thirukuppusamy.com
Toasted Owl Cafe
The former Oink Café near the PV Mall complex is now home to a second location for this Flagstaff-based eatery that puts out omelets, pancakes, breakfast burritos, and hot and cold sandwiches. Vegan menu available. 4326 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix, thetoastedowl.com
U.S. Egg
The Tempe location of U.S. Egg has reopened after a fire closed the restaurant for 15 months. The newly remodeled eatery is known for its protein pancakes and scratch-made dishes. 131 E. Baseline Rd., Tempe, usegg.com
Wild Barbecue
This smokehouse, featuring brisket, beef and lamb ribs, tandoori turkey, sandwiches and desserts, is now open Friday through Sunday. 601 W. University Dr., Tempe, thewildbbq.com
Closing
Desert Roots Kitchen’s owner Leslie Robin has closed her vegan café at Rainbow Bliss Botanicals, but will now offer meal boxes and catering.
Golden Oak BBQ & Taproom closed after four months due to an ongoing dispute with Artisan Lofts on Central residents (where the restaurant was located) over barbecue smoke.
Johnny T’s Brooklyn Pizzeria in Scottsdale has shuttered after one year due to increased operating expenses and high rent.
After eight years, Smallcakes Ahwatukee has called it quits.
