September Restaurant Openings and Closings in Metro Phoenix

Phoenicians welcomed a whole bunch of new restaurants last month, including the second location of Portillo's and couple new vegan-friendly spots. And the month also saw a few makeovers completed. You can officially check out the fresh digs at T. Cook's at the Royal Palms Resort, or grab a cocktail at their new Mix Up Bar. In central Phoenix, Coronado's Astor House reinvented itself as a neighborhood BBQ joint; read on to check out what we thought of the new concept.

See also: 10 Most Chef-Anticipated New Restaurants in Greater Phoenix

Openings

• Good Donuts, Gilbert

"Good Donuts offers more than 25 varieties of traditional doughnuts as well as doughnut holes and large-sized doughnuts (think apple fritters and bear claws nearly the size of catcher's mitts). Coffee and breakfast and lunch sandwiches served up on a choice of croissant, bagel, or biscuit are available as well. There's even Thai tea and smoothies in flavors like mango, green tea, and taro."

• Wine Warehouse, Scottsdale

"Offering an extensive selection of wine and beer as well as a bar, the locally owned Wine Warehouse of Scottsdale, which opened Thursday, September 12, is located at 17025 North Scottsdale Road (Scottsdale and Bell Roads), close to Kierland Commons."

• T.Spot (inside Tien Wong), Chandler

"For those who fantasize about real-deal ramen and Asian teas, T.Spot, the new space inside Tien Wong, the casual hot pot restaurant in Chandler, might be the place of your dreams."

• Portillo's, Tempe

"Built from the ground up, the 8,219 square foot restaurant includes a patio and -- like all Portillo's -- will come packed with vintage memorabilia reflecting owner and founder Dick Portillo's love of history -- especially Chicago history."

• Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co., Gilbert

"On the heels of last week's opening of Huss Brewing Co., the Tempe brewery from husband-and-wife-team Jeff and Leah Huss, comes a second East Valley brewing establishment ready to kick up the craft when it comes to local ales."

• The Cutting Board Bakery & Café, Mesa

"Opened last week and located at 2235 South Power Road, just south of Baseline Road, The Cutting Board will feature vegetarian- and vegan-friendly food along with juices, gourmet coffees, and house-made breads and pastries."

• Pizza People Pub, Phoenix
• Astor House: Coronado 'Cue & Southern Speakeasy, Phoenix (formerly "Astor House")

"After closing temporarily a few weeks ago Astor House, the adorable neighborhood spot for small plates and cocktails, announced it would be re-opening this week but with a totally new persona. That persona comes in the form of a barbeque menu. And this weekend guests got a preview of just what the reinvented Astor House has to offer."

• T. Cook's & Mix Up Bar , Paradise Valley

"Officially unveiled last Monday, T. Cook's newly remodeled interior emphasizes a more vibrant color scheme as well as adding features such as an interactive kitchen, a glass-enclosed wine and tequila tasting room, and a new private al fresco dining experience within the property's historic Orange Grove."

• Sol Diablo Cantina Kitchen, Tempe

"We designed Sol Diablo to be Tempe's costal, urban taco retreat," says co-founder and owner Spike Lawrence. "The patio may be in the desert, but once you're beneath the decades-old trees, listening to live music, enjoying soulful street tacos under the blue sky or the star-filled sky, you're in paradise."

• Red Hut Coffee, Phoenix

"Red Hut Coffee, located on the northwest corner of Seventh Street and Roosevelt, is brand-new to the neighborhood -- and already facing scrutiny, backlash, and a boycott after a Facebook post by owner David Marsh."

• The Breakfast Joynt, Scottsdale

"The Breakfast Joynt, the locally owned breakfast and lunch spot that closed its North Scottsdale location in April after five years, is ready to (sun)rise again."

• La Ristra , Gilbert
• Whole Foods, Phoenix

"A new bar and casual restaurant might be the Camelback Whole Food location's most interesting standout. Called Twenty Highland Tavern, it will feature indoor and patio seating, a rotating selection of more than 36 craft beers on tap (with at least 20 local options), six wine taps, cocktails, and dishes made with local produce and sustainable meats."

Closings:

• Rock-N-Roll Fingers, Tempe

"Rock-N-Roll Fingers, the Valley's only locally owned spot specializing in chicken fingers of the fresh-not-frozen kind, has shuttered."

• Mambo's Restaurant, Queen Creek

"Mambo's, the family-owned restaurant serving traditional comida dominicana in Queen Creek, has shuttered.

Courtesy of former New Yorker Eddie Taveras and his family, Mambo's, which opened under a year ago, brought the food and flavors of the Dominican Republic to a former pizza joint in Queen Creek."

• 5 Star BBQ & Grill, Mesa

"Mesa residents now have one fewer option for pulled pork, brisket, and racks of ribs -- 5 Star BBQ & Grill has shuttered.

The 'cue joint, owned by Jim and Joanne Hauer, who started 5 Star as a barbecue-focused catering company in 2009, opened in a former Taco Bell on Country Club Drive, just north of Mesa's Main Street, in September of last year."

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