When a new spot opens in town, we can’t wait to check it out — and let you know our initial impressions, share a few photos, and dish about some menu items. First Taste, as the name implies, is not a full-blown review, but instead a peek inside restaurants that…
Another month, another opportunity to comb through the county’s restaurant inspection records. In August, some Valley restaurants seemed to struggle with the “sanitation” aspect of restaurant hygiene. And we don’t want to repeat this: Everyone, please start cleaning your soda nozzles and ice machines. Check this list before heading out…
According to The Republic, Amy’s Baking Company, the restaurant that rose to infamy on an episode of Kitchen Nightmares, closed this week. Samy and Amy Bouzaglo confirmed reports earlier this summer that they were in final negotiations to sell the restaurant on 7366 East Shea Boulevard. The Amy’s Baking Company name will likely live…
The Valley’s hard water is notoriously problematic. You may notice the water’s impact on your hair, your dishwasher, your glass of H2O, and maybe even your food. Fortunately, the Valley’s brewers and chefs aren’t letting this aquatic dilemma stymie their product. We talked to Tempe-based brewery Four Peaks about how…
This week the Phoenix-area said ‘hello’ to a few new, interesting concepts, including an all-poutine spot for Canadian culinary aficionados, and another new incarnation of the iconic Lodge — this time in Tempe. We also said goodbye to our “Nabers.” Openings Angry Crab & BBQ, Ahwatukee The Ahwatukee-area restaurant…
Tempe-based Vemma is in trouble with the Federal Trade Commission for allegedly being a “pyramid scheme,” roping people into selling nutritional drinks and other products at a financial loss. The FTC filed a complaint against the company this week, temporarily halting the business. In a press release detailing the complaint,…
A Phoenix-area woman says she found a tiny lizard in her latte at a Starbucks inside Fry’s on 67th Avenue and Happy Valley Road. According to ABC 15, the lizard was found in Kim Dillon’s sugar-free latte. When Dillon discovered the small critter — which she claims went into her mouth…
Running Wild Films is making progress on its upcoming film, Durant’s Never Closes, starring Tom Sizemore (of Black Hawk Down and Saving Private Ryan fame) as the steakhouse’s owner, Jack Durant. The production house just released a full-length trailer for the film, which revolves around Durant — “a restaurateur, ladies man, and…
Detroit-style pizza is coming to Phoenix. Jet’s Pizza, a chain based in Sterling Heights, Michigan, is opening two locations in the East Valley, according to a spokesman. The chain is known for its square, deep dish style pizza with crispy edges and a chewy crust. Unlike Chicago-style deep dish pizza,…
Restaurants aren’t the only establishments facing wrist slaps from the county health inspector — grocery stores and corner stores are, too. This time around, a Safeway and an Albertson’s both scored a ‘D’ in inspections. We also noticed a lot of “no glove” violations this time around. Check this month’s…
US Fries is officially open in Tempe, and according to a press release from the restaurant, it’s the state’s “first poutinerie.” The shop’s menu revolves around the Canadian specialty, poutine, — fries topped with brown gravy and cheese curds — ranging from traditional poutine to variations topped with pulled pork,…
Last month’s biggest restaurant openings include the long-awaited location of Eliot Wexler’s Nocawich in Tempe and a third Valley location of Snooze, An A.M. Eatery. On the downside, we said goodbye to three local dining spots — including Franks A Lot, a longstanding hot dog stand. Openings The Hash Kitchen,…
La Piñata, the classic Phoenix Mexican restaurant on 19th Avenue, is headed to a new location you might know — 5521 North Seventh Avenue, the former site of Mary Coyle Ol’ Fashioned Ice Cream, which closed its doors last October. “An opportunity arose for us to go north, and we needed…
Phoenix’s Luncha Libre food truck is looking for a new name. On Facebook, the popular food truck’s crew wrote that it received a cease and desist letter from San Diego’s Lucha Libre Taco Shop. According to the Facebook post, the San Diego shop is claiming Luncha is violating federal trademark…
No, Detroit isn’t the new Brooklyn. And we wouldn’t recommend you go out and buy a house in Detroit for $500, unless you have a background in construction. But the Motor City is changing, from a rusted-out industrial city to an interesting locale with a burgeoning arts scene (hipsters included)…
Z’Tejas Inc., a Scottsdale-based group that includes all Z’Tejas restaurants and Taco Guild in Phoenix filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week. In the filing, Z’Tejas President and CEO Steven Micheletti says the chain has about $9.25 million in outstanding debt. According to the filings, a decline in sales contributed…
Franks A Lot, a classic Phoenix hot dog stand, will close its doors for good at the end of the day this Friday, after a long run on 40th Street and Washington, says Rachel Smola, the daughter of the stand’s owners. The family-run stand has been open for more than 30…
We hate to break it to the Valley’s carne asada fry aficionados, but Filiberto’s Camelback location scored a “D” during an inspection in June. And so did 12 other dining spots in metro Phoenix. Birria Y Mariscos Sin Son Nay, Phoenix (2822 W. Van Buren Street) “More than 5+…
Samy and Amy Bouzaglo, the owners of Amy’s Baking Company in Scottsdale, are close to selling their restaurant on Scottsdale Road and Shea, according to the Phoenix Business Journal. The couple says they have an international buyer interested and that a deal that could be finalized as early as next month…
Maricopa County has an interesting restaurant inspection system — restaurants can choose not to get a grade right before an inspection and thereby avoid the shame of getting anything below a “B.” It’s easier on the restaurant if they have a bad day when the inspector comes around, but tougher…
Just a few years ago, if you were hired by a restaurant in the Valley, your training usually included a trip to some county office, where you had to take a test on food safety for a “Food Service Worker card.” That piece of plastic signified you knew the proper…
Mi Comida Restaurante Latino owner Rosa Rosas confirmed on Wednesday that she and her husband decided to close their well-loved Latin restaurant (formerly called Mi Cocina Mi Pais) after 20 years in business. The Ecuadorian restaurant on Bell Road in Phoenix served Latin cuisine with influences from all over South…
