Maui Dog to Close Up Shop

Sad news from the Valley hot dog scene: Maui Dog, the colorful eatery of island-inspired dogs, burgers, and sliders which opened last July on Indian School Road and 36th Street in Central Phoenix, is closing its doors for good at the end of this year. Owner John Stamatakis, who spoke...

By Laura Hahnefeld

December 6, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

Sad news from the Valley hot dog scene: Maui Dog, the colorful eatery of island-inspired dogs, burgers, and sliders which opened last July on Indian School Road and 36th Street in Central Phoenix, is closing its doors for good at the end of this year.

Owner John Stamatakis, who spoke to me in August about a possible relocation, says the deal has fallen through and due to a 60 percent increase in rent at his current location, he can no longer be profitable.

"I'm devastated," Stamatakis tells me. "This was my baby, my dream. And all the accolades I've received don't seem to matter. I've lost everything. I'm broke."

Stamatakis says that sales were up from last year, but not enough to make up for the increase in rent. He adds that he might continue to try and find a new location, perhaps in Tempe, or look into a food truck, but for now, has no immediate plans.

Those wanting their last Maui Dog can stop by through Wednesday, December 28, the restaurant's last day of business.

Follow Chow Bella on Facebook and Twitter.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.