Without further introduction, here are all the restaurant openings and closings we saw last month.
Openings
Azusa Ramen
3128 South Mill Avenue, TempeThose on the hunt for traditional varieties of ramen can swing by the new Azusa Ramen at Southern and Mill avenues. The menu lists tonkotsu, miso, shio, and vegetarian ramen, as well as beer and wine.
Chicago’s Chicken Shack
1936 East University Drive, TempeHere’s something that could be a little taste of home for all you Chicago transplants. Chicago’s Chicken Shack has opened a Tempe location near University and McClintock drives. The small eatery specializes in Chicago-style fried chicken — meaning barbecue-soaked skins from drizzles of sauce across the entire plate.
Front Pourch Brewing
1611 West Whispering Wind Drive, #7Another home brew operation turned physical brewery, Front Pourch Brewing is the latest beer joint in north Phoenix. Located at 19th Avenue and Happy Valley Road, Front Pourch Brewing offers craft beers with some food trucks standing by.
George’s Wildberries
745 West Baseline Road, MesaThe old Beaver Choice spot is now George’s Wildberries in south Mesa. This breakfast and lunch spot is owned by George Petropoulos, formerly of Wild Berry Diner. The menu lists omelets, pancakes, waffles, burgers, sandwiches, and Greek dishes.
Khazana Indian Bistro
8140 North Hayden Road, Suite H115, ScottsdaleA new family-run Indian buffet has opened in north Scottsdale in the former Tandoori Times Indian Bistro spot. Khazana Indian Bistro's menu offers rice dishes, specialty breads, vegetarian options, and more.
La Esquina Argentina
3960 East Broadway Road, MesaA new Argentinean restaurant has opened in east Mesa offering empanadas and regional sandwiches, steak, and chicken. La Esquina Argentina is located at Broadway Road between Greenfield Road and Val Vista Drive.
Lomi Poki
1840 East Warner Road, #118, TempeSouth Tempe has recently welcomed the second location of Lomi Poki. The new poke bowl restaurant (but FYI, no sushi) is located at McClintock Drive and Warner Road.
Mama Baer’s Scones, Jams & Treats
891 North Val Vista Drive, GilbertThe former Gabriela’s Kitchen spot is now home to Mama Baer’s Scones, Jams & Treats, a bakery and storefront offering 20 flavors of jam. The new cafe at Val Vista Drive and Guadalupe Road also offers coffee, gluten-free items, and baked goods.
Maple & Ash
7135 East Camelback Road, #130, ScottsdaleOne of the Scottsdale Waterfront’s newest eateries is Maple & Ash — a Chicago-based restaurant found in the former location of Wildfish Seafood Grille, and not to be confused with the college-adjacent Tempe neighborhood. This wood-fire heavy steakhouse offers a menu of upscale surf and turf dishes, as well as a global wine list — all driven by chef and Scottsdale resident Danny Grant.
Meño’s Place
1720 West Southern Avenue, Suite C5, MesaA new lunch spot near Mesa Community College has opened in the former Uncle Monkey’s Bar & Grill. Meño’s Place is a family-owned restaurant offering Mexico City street food in the form of huaraches, tortas, burritos, and tacos.
Peacock Wine Bar
1525 North Gilbert Road, Suite C108, GilbertThe north Gilbert intersection of Gilbert and Baseline roads is now the site of Peacock Wine Bar. The new spot offers a lengthy wine list, including wine flights, as well as craft beers and small plates (with the option to build your own charcuterie board).
PHX Beer Co.
8300 North Hayden Road, ScottsdaleThe former Phoenix Ale Brewery at Washington and 32nd Street and Phoenix Ale Brewery Central Kitchen in Uptown have closed and reopened as PHX Beer Co. under new ownership. The 3,400-square-foot brewpub has opened at the Mercado del Lago in Scottsdale with a 1,500-square-foot dog-friendly patio.
Portillo’s Avondale
10331 West McDowell Road, AvondaleThe Chicago-style fast casual restaurant opened its third location in Arizona, this time in Avondale. The 9,000-square-foot eatery offers hot dogs, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and the Portillo’s Famous Chocolate Cake.
Someburros Uptown
5115 North Seventh StreetThe ninth location of Someburros opened in central Phoenix last month — it’s first outside of the east Valley. The family-owned, fast-casual Mexican eatery offers killer burros, rice, margaritas, and beer.
Tempura Takeover
2371 East Baseline Road, GilbertEver had a Sloppy Lobsta Roll? If no, head to the new Tempura Takeover for Japanese tempura with a fast food spin like the Tokyo Shrimp Loaded Fries. The eatery is located in a former gas station in Gilbert.
The Buffalo Spot
2505 South Val Vista Drive, GilbertThe former Bush’s Chicken spot in Gilbert is now home to the sixth Buffalo Spot in Arizona. The menu lists the well-known buffalo fries and the restaurant itself offers the first drive-thru for the California-based chain.
The Hidden House
159 West Commonwealth Avenue, ChandlerDowntown Chandler is growing crazy fast, with The Hidden House being one of the latest additions. Next to the SanTan Brewery, the 1939 bungalow turned bar and eatery was established by the same people behind The Brickyard Downtown. The 8,500-square-foot restaurant serves lunch, dinner, beer, and craft cocktails from a New American menu created by Chef Aaron Rickel.
The Parlay Kitchen & Cocktails
1245 South Price Road, #1, ChandlerThe former Meridiem Kitchen & Lounge spot is now home to The Parlay Kitchen & Cocktails — located just south of the Loop 202 SanTan Freeway on Price Road. The gastropub serves upscale pub fare, beer, and wine in its naturally lit and modern dining room.
Closings
Burros & Bowls
Most of us probably didn’t get a chance to try the Hot Cheetos at Burros & Bowls. The fast-casual Mexican joint near downtown Mesa closed after less than three months.Clever Koi Gilbert
Clever Koi’s location in Gilbert’s Heritage District closed after a kitchen fire on August 21. Owners say the Asian eatery and ramen shop likely won’t reopen for three to six months.Pobrecito
The cocktail bar in back of The Churchill, the 14,000-square-foot food court in downtown Phoenix, has closed. The Pobrecito space will be relaunched as So Far, So Good, another cocktail bar overseen by former Pobrecito general manager Sam Olguin.Restaurant Mexico
After 42 years, the long-standing Restaurant Mexico along Mill Avenue closed on August 15. Take a look at one of our last visits.Toh Zan Nagasaki Grill
After 36 years, Toh Zan Nagasaki Grill in Mesa closed at the Dobson Road and Southern Avenue. The classic Japanese restaurant was owned by Yoshito and Yuko Eguchi.Editor's note: This article has been updated from its original version.