Mike Madriaga
Audio By Carbonatix
Many restaurants throw open their doors around the Valley each month. But some of them stand out as spots we can’t wait to try.
In February, some familiar eateries opened second locations or planted roots as they made the leap from food truck to brick and mortar. Others are brand new to the Valley and are now welcoming customers to see what they’re all about. These are the restaurants we’re most excited about that opened in February.
Feta Cowboy fuses healthy Mediterranean food with the flavors of the Southwest.
Feta Cowboy
Feta Cowboy
1840 E. Warner Road, #108, Tempe The owners of Pita Jungle launched a new concept in early February. Feta Cowboy combines Southwest and Mediterranean flavors in a counter service, assembly line format. Owner Bassel Osmani described the concept as pita meets tortilla, carne asada meets shawarma and wraps meets tortas.
At Cien Fuegos, the all-day menu leans on family recipes passed down through generations.
Melissa Pickering
Cien Fuegos
1550 N. 16th St.
The Verdugo family has been serving high-quality food on the 16th Street corridor since 2018 with their southern Mexican restaurant Casa Corazon. In early February, the family business expanded with the addition of Cien Fuegos, located just down the street. The new restaurant is an all-day eatery with breakfast staples and a lunch and dinner menu that focuses on seafood. Beer, wine and craft cocktails round out the offerings.
Mariscos El Dorado Sinaloa celebrated its grand reopening on Feb. 8, reintroducing its menu of decadent seafood options to South Phoenix.
Mike Madriaga
Mariscos El Dorado Sinaloa
5630 S. Central Ave. This South Phoenix seafood staple celebrated its grand reopening on Feb. 8 following a three-month transformation. The restaurant got a total overhaul, with a new, swanky interior, a freshly painted mural and other new touches. Some things are the same as ever though, including the Cardenas family’s passion for fresh seafood and over-the-top presentations. Find maximalist mariscos at this South Phoenix spot.
Green Chile Love owner and chef Dave Castaneda (right) poses with cook Leon Eubanks (left) in front of the new Ahwatukee restaurant.
Lauren Topor
Green Chile Love
4025 E. Chandler Blvd., #5 Green Chile Love started rolling as a food truck in 2018 when owner Dave Castaneda decided to share his love of Hatch green chiles with the Valley. Now, after years of popping up at festivals and serving burgers and burritos around town, Green Chile Love has a permanent spot to call home. With an expanded menu and an Ahwatukee restaurant, Green Chile Love continues to bring the heat. It officially opened on Feb. 27.
Dynamite Beer Co. opened in Cave Creek in 2022, serving a regularly rotating list of beer and wine. Now it’s open at Uptown Plaza.
Dynamite Beer Co.
Dynamite Beer Co.
100 E. Camelback Road, #160 Huss Brewing Co. closed its taproom at Uptown Plaza in January. But before beer fans could miss their local watering hole too much, another taproom has stepped in to take its place. Dynamite Beer Co. opened at Central Avenue and Camelback Road on Feb. 27. The bar and bottleshop comes from Mike Chapman, a former manager of the Huss taproom. He and his wife Laura launched Dynamite in Cave Creek in 2022. It serves a selection of brews from near and far plus pizzas, pretzels and other bar bites.
