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Openings/ClosingsJuly 2026 Restaurant Openings and Closings

Marilyn HawkesAugust 3, 2026

More than 20 new restaurants opened in July amid sizzling 115-degree-plus temperatures. But the month also delivered a big round of closures, including an Old Town Scottsdale institution that has been around for 30 years.

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Food ReviewsEat Beat Review: Calle Chile

Jess HarterJuly 1, 2026

A Silver City couple brings their mothers’ recipes – and New Mexico’s most famous chile – to northeast Mesa.

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Craft BeerPhantom Fox Beer Co. Begins Work on Expansion

Matthew JohnsonMay 5, 2026

New Tempe taproom expected to open in August, Gilbert location in the works.

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Things to DoPrincess Bride Star Cary Elwes Conceives at Mesa Arts Center 

M.V. MoorheadFebruary 6, 2026

“Death cannot stop true love,” says Westley. “All it can do is delay it for a while.”

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DiningWhere to Eat: Japanese & Sushi Restaurants in the Phoenix Area

Editorial StaffDecember 18, 2025

33 of our editorial favorites for sushi and Japanese cuisine across the Valley.

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LandForging a Creative Hub

Jimmy MagahernNovember 3, 2025

Downtown Mesa’s shuttered retirement tower reopens as a high-rise designed for creatives.

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Craft BeerPhotos from the 2025 Arizona Craft Beer Awards

Matthew JohnsonOctober 2, 2025

Congrats to all our medal winners at the 2025 Arizona Craft Beer Awards.

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Dining5 Must-Try Valley Restaurants this Summer

Editorial StaffJuly 1, 2025

The restaurants listed are noteworthy and randomly selected from our rotating master list.

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Trail Head42 Miles of Hiking, Biking Improvement Set for Hawes Trail System in Mesa

Mare CzinarMay 2, 2025

Located in the hilly space between the Salt River and the Usery Mountains in Mesa, the Hawes Trail System is about to get an upgrade.

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HealthMedical Files: Caring Robots

Jimmy MagahernMarch 14, 2025

Facing caregiver shortages, a Mesa senior living community turns to AI.

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ListsWhere Should I Eat? 16 East Valley Restaurants to Try this Spring

Editorial StaffMarch 14, 2025

The restaurants listed are noteworthy and randomly selected from our rotating master list.

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Food ReviewsDining Review: The Guadalupe on Main Impresses Our Food Critic

Nikki BuchananMarch 6, 2025

In Mesa, it takes a village to create an endearing Modern Mexican eatery with perfect queso and magnificent mole.

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Food ReviewsDining Review: Top One Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine in Mesa

Nikki BuchananJanuary 6, 2025

Tastefully decorated and staffed with friendly servers, this strip mall pan-Asian spot in East Mesa is worth the drive for well-executed favorites such as hot pot, Korean barbecue and Chinese dumplings.

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City Guide 2025A Guide to Food & Drink in the East Valley in 2025

Editorial StaffDecember 5, 2024

Global cuisine, American favorites and tons of breweries hold court in Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert.

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City Guide 20253 Latin Restaurants in the East Valley

Editorial StaffDecember 4, 2024

From traditional preparations to modern takes, these restaurants specialize in the wide-ranging flavors of Colombia, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

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For more than 50 years, PHOENIX magazine's experienced writers, editors, and designers have captured all sides of the Valley with award-winning and insightful writing, and groundbreaking report and design. Our expository features, narratives, profiles, and investigative features keep our 385,000 readers in touch with the Valley's latest trends, events, personalities and places.

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  • About Us
Charles Lohrmann

As managing editor and associate publisher of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, Charles Lohrmann experienced astounding natural wonders, from canoeing in Deep East Texas to trekking into the remote canyonlands west of Del Rio to view Archaic rock art. From TPWD, Lohrmann moved to Texas Highways, the award-winning Official Travel Magazine of Texas, where he was editor and publisher, and directed coverage of destinations in every corner of Texas. As editor of Texas Co-op Power magazine, he guided content development — including travel, history and culture — for the largest circulation publication in the state of Texas, reaching more than 3.5 million readers. Now residing in Santa Fe, N.M., Lohrmann has also traveled throughout Arizona many times, in particular to the Hopi and Navaho tribal lands, as well as to the Tohono O’odham nation.

Jenna Watters

Jenna Watters was born and raised in Sedona, Arizona, which is where her love of music began. She started singing in church as a young girl, joined a traveling choir that toured all over Arizona, and even helped teach the choir her senior year at Sedona Red Rock High School. In 2005, she graduated high school and spent a couple years at Arizona State University before she decided to travel around Europe, and it was during her travels that she decided that a career in music was calling her name. She linked up with her friend, Daniel Watters and they began writing songs via e-mail and would meet up during holiday breaks back home to Sedona to play small coffee shop shows for their friends and family. Fast forward to 15 years later; Jenna now lives in Austin with her husband Daniel and their son Johnny and has achieved her dream of becoming a full time musician with their band, The Watters. She also sings in various other side projects in town and teaches yoga on the side. Both Jenna and Daniel’s families still live in Arizona and they often travel back home for holidays and shows.

Jennifer Baluch

Jenn is a celebrated food influencer and a stand out in Arizona’s culinary scene. Honored as Best Food Influencer and recognized for her TikTok and Instagram accounts by PHOENIX magazine’s Best of the Valley, Jenn has become a trusted voice for food lovers across the state.

Her journey began during the challenging days of the Covid-19 pandemic, when she started spotlighting local restaurants to support struggling businesses.

Since then, Jenn has earned a reputation for her expertise in authentic Mexican cuisine, her passion for mom-and-pop eateries, and her love of dive bars and hidden gems.

Her genuine love for food shines through in her videos, where her expressions while tasting each dish say it all-no words needed.

Known for her honest yet thoughtful reviews, Jenn has built a loyal audience that appreciates her down-to-earth personality and approachability.

When she’s not discovering Arizona’s best bites, you might find her snapping selfies with fans or sharing her latest food finds.

Brian Goddard

Brian Goddard is a Scottsdale/Phoenix based Photographer, Videographer and Designer with a focus on Architecture, Food, Travel, Adventure, Garden and Lifestyle Content Creation.

Brian began his career as a Graphic Designer, Art Director and Photographer for Organic Gardening magazine and Organic Style magazine at Rodale, in Pennsylvania, Disney Adventures magazine in New York City, before relocating to Arizona to Design and Art Direct Phoenix Home & Garden magazine and PHOENIX magazine.

Brian has a lifelong interest in Adventure, Culture, Travel, Cuisine, Plants and Lifestyle, which makes Arizona a perfect place to Live, Work and Play.