Call it a chain reaction. From a new zpizza to a new Scooptacular, the Valley is crazy about chains this month — and we're not talking about Olive Garden. This month, we also said hello a shiny new Pita Jungle and goodbye to the original restaurant on Apache Boulevard.
Openings
zpizza Tap Room, Phoenix
The new tap room on the first floor of the Monroe Building downtown serves hand-tossed and brick-oven pizzas, part of an international chain of restaurants.
Flower Child, Phoenix
Sam Fox's fast-casual health food restaurant is now open in Uptown Plaza, on the corner of Camelback Road and Central Avenue in Phoenix. The popular spot offers health food with seasonal veggies and fresh iced tea. Fox previously opened locations in Arcadia and Scottsdale.
Sip Coffee and Beer Garage, Phoenix
It's a coffee shop. It's a bar. It's now open on the northeast corner of 36th Street and Indian School. The new Phoenix cafe will have live music a few nights a week and other events, like Sunday morning yoga.
Scooptacular Ice Cream, Gilbert
Turkey-flavored ice cream?!?!? At Scooptacular, it's reality. The Gilbert location of the shop carries on the tradition of serving bizarre flavors like turkey and gravy.
Flourish, Fountain Hills
The new restaurant at the Copperwynd Restaurant promises farm fresh food from chef Mike Winneker, much like Enchantment Group's restaurant in Sedona.
Tracy Dempsey Originals, Tempe
Well-known local pastry chef Tracy Dempsey has opened the door to her Tempe bakery to the public just in time for the holidays. Located on University Drive, the storefront will stock some of Dempsey's best-known creations including homemade marshmallows and bacon pecan brittle.
Pita Jungle, Tempe
The new location at the corner of University Drive and Mill Avenue will serve the same menu of Mediterranean fare, but now features street art-themed decor.
Barro's Pizza, Phoenix
A new location of the chain opened in early November on 24th Street and Baseline Road. Barro's serves pizza and pasta, with locations all over the Valley.
Fired Pie, Tempe
Fast-casual Valley pizza chain, Fired Pie opened a new restaurant in Tempe at 414 West University Drive in mid-November.
Closings
Buffalo Chip Saloon, Cave Creek
No news yet on whether the legendary Buffalo Chip Saloon will rebuild after it was declared a "total loss" from a suspicious fire on Thanksgiving day.
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Citrine, Tempe
After just a few months, chef Peter DeRuvo and Nick Neuman parted ways in their joint business venture, which included Citrine in downtown Tempe and EVO in Scottsdale. In an announcement, a PR agency wrote that DeRuvo aims to reopen Citrine after upgrades.
Dos Gringos, Scottsdale
The cantina and popular nightspot closed last month after it was sold to an unspecified company out of Chicago. The restaurant served Mexican fare, but was mostly known as a bar.
Fired Up Grill, Chandler
According to a post on the restaurant's Facebook early last month, the Chandler restaurant closed its doors for good.
Pita Jungle, Tempe
The flagship Apache Boulevard closed on November 5, replaced by the new University Drive spot.
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