The 12 biggest Phoenix restaurant closings of 2025

Throughout the year, plenty of restaurants welcome their first customers, while others serve their last meals. But when some Phoenix eateries shut their doors for the final time, it sends shockwaves through the community. Customers mourn the loss of their favorite lunch spot or dinner destination, share memories in the comments and go searching for a new spot to fill the gap.

In 2025, some longtime Phoenix staples closed, including a retro Taco Bell that brought fast Mexican food to Valley customers for nearly 60 years and the Valley’s last location of Sizzler, a Maryvale destination for over four decades.

This year also saw the rapid turnaround of some splashy new spots that opened, made their mark quickly, and then closed shortly thereafter. An award-winning chef transformed his restaurant into a fine-dining format, only to close 10 months later. A modern Mexican eatery earned praise from the James Beard Awards as one of the nation’s best new restaurants of the year, before shutting down.

Whether they were brand new or had been around a few dozen years, we’ll miss them all. Here are the 12 biggest Phoenix restaurant closures of 2025.

The little corner shop on Grand Avenue and Fillmore Street had long been a spot to grab a slice, first as Grand Avenue Pizza Co., and then at SnapBack Pizzeria. Prior to opening SnapBack, owner and chef Ryan Moreno operated a pizza pop-up known as The Hungry Homie. Fans were thrilled when he set up shop at a permanent location, serving creative pies from the Grand Avenue window. But then in January, the pint-sized pizzeria shuttered. The space has since become home to Malegria Cafe.

Lou Malnati’s

Lou Malnati’s was one of the most prominent restaurants at Uptown Plaza. It anchored the shopping center with a large restaurant in the center of the action. But in February, the shining marquee went dark. The closure is part of a shuffle occurring with Lou Malnati’s locations in the Valley. The chain previously closed its Gilbert restaurant, shut down a takeout-only spot in Mesa and opened a new restaurant in Surprise. Changes are underway for Chicago deep dish fans.

Taco Bell

It was not just any Taco Bell that closed in April. The tiny restaurant on McDowell Road near Hayden Road was the last remaining Mission-style Taco Bell in Arizona, and one of less than 10 across the country. The vintage spot served crunch wraps and chalupas from a time capsule, complete with turquoise-painted chairs and an old yellow bell sign. The old-school Taco Bell served Valley customers for nearly 60 years.

Santo Arcadia

Santo Arcadia opened in early 2024 and cranked out such delicious food that the James Beard Awards came knocking. The restaurant, owned by powerhouse Valley trio Nadia Holguin, Armando Hernandez and Roberto Centeno, was named a semifinalist for best new restaurant. But then at the end of May, just a few months after receiving the national spotlight, Santo closed. The owners have shared plans to reopen the restaurant in a smaller space. We can’t wait to see if they put the mouthwatering lamb and grits back on the menu. 

CRUjiente Tacos

The gradual closing of CRUjiente Tacos was a heartbreaker. The restaurant, located on Camelback Road and 40th Street, initially announced plans to close at the end of April. But then, fans showed so much love and support for chef Richard Hinojosa and his cooking that the restaurant’s landlord allowed it to stay open for another month. But when May 31 came around and the owners and landlord still couldn’t reach an agreement, the restaurant closed. The creative eatery was known for its fusion dishes such as the fan-favorite Korean fried chicken taco.

The Larder & The Delta

One of the fastest turnarounds of the year was The Larder & The Delta. Award-winning chef Stephen Jones moved his restaurant from downtown Phoenix into the former longtime home of Binkley’s on Osborn Road. He elevated the offerings and introduced a 12-course tasting menu, infusing Southern flavors and ingredients into the fine dining experience. But then, just 10 months after opening, The Larder & The Delta closed. The space was recently transformed into Tandy’s.

La Piazza Al Forno

Downtown Glendale eatery La Piazza Al Forno closed in July after a tumultuous few years. Its owners separated, with namesake chef Justin Piazza leaving the business in late 2023. Rachel Ybarra-Piazza kept the dine-in and takeout restaurant running for a year and a half before shutting down the shop over the summer. It was the last remaining location of La Piazza, which once had three restaurants throughout the Valley. We’ll forever miss the ricotta and sausage lasagna pie.

Sizzler

When Sizzler closed in July, it sent shockwaves through the West Valley. The internet buzzed with commenters sharing stories of their bygone visits, first dates that spurred decades-long marriages and childhood memories of celebratory dinners. The restaurant, located in Maryvale on Indian School Road and 51st Avenue, was the last remaining Valley location of the chain, and served customers for 40-plus years.

FEZ on Central

The patio of downtown Phoenix bar and restaurant FEZ on Central always seemed to be packed. Whether it was brunch time and the sun was shining, or downtown was buzzing for the evening. Customers flocked to the restaurant for two decades to enjoy drag events, a stellar happy hour and famous feta fries. The longstanding restaurant closed abruptly in September.

Frank & Lupe’s Old Mexico

Old Town Scottsdale restaurant Frank & Lupe’s was a staple for Mexican and New Mexican cuisine for 30 years. It quietly closed this year, which many fans only realized after a new concept was announced. The space is set to become The Ponderosa House, a casual eatery serving Mexican and American eats.

Angel’s Trumpet Ale House

One of the original taphouses in Phoenix to celebrate craft beer closed in October after 13 years. The taproom and restaurant was essential to the budding craft brewing scene in the Valley, and along Roosevelt Row, which has now become a brewery hub. In addition to its large selection of brews, the taproom was also famous for its loaded nachos and crispy chicken wings. There were once two locations of Angel’s Trumpet. The Arcadia restaurant closed in 2021, and now, both are gone.