Over the past month, the Valley food scene welcomed Eegee's, the Tucson-based eatery, as well as two new sushi places in Gilbert: L&L Fresh Hibachi Sushi and Sushi Rock and Grill. Veggie Village, a haven for those craving meat substitutes, also made its debut in Phoenix.
But we lost a mainstay, too: After two decades in business, Burger Factory closed its doors.
Below, check out the full list of openings and closings in the Phoenix restaurant scene from July 2021.
OPENINGS
Eegee's
3535 East Baseline Road, Gilbert
The Tucson-based fast-casual restaurant Eegee's opened its first location in Gilbert. The menu highlights salads, sandwiches, hot dogs, and pretzels.
BlackSheep Wine Bar & Merchant
98 South San Marcos Place, Chandler
BlackSheep Wine Bar & Merchant is open and celebrating with deals: $5 glasses of wine, and, on Wednesdays, half-off bottles of wine. The food menu includes flatbreads, bruschetta, and salads.
Crave Pizza
7641 East Guadalupe Road, Suite B111, Mesa
Crave Pizza specializes in Chicago-style, but you've got your choices when it comes to crust — deep dish, butter crust, or thin crust.
The Double Dutch Kitchen & Cocktails
1890 West Germann Rd #1, Chandler
Open for lunch and dinner daily, The Double Dutch Kitchen & Cocktails serves comfort food like braised short ribs, fish and chips, as well as riblets and Reuben sandwiches.
Famiglia Modern Italian Trattoria
17025 North Scottsdale Road, #140, Scottsdale
Opened near the northeast corner of Scottsdale and Frank Lloyd Wright, Famiglia Modern Italian Trattoria welcomes patrons for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. The drink menu includes 10 craft beers on tap, 11 specialty cocktails, and 27 wines. Highlights on the food menu include linguine clams, truffle fries, and bolognese ragu.
De Babel
14884 North Pima Road, Scottsdale
De Babel is bringing Middle Eastern fare to Scottsdale. Expect dishes like chicken shawarma, hummus, lamb kofta, and more. The restaurant is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill
8300 North Hayden Road, Suite D-101, Scottsdale
Opening its second location, Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill showcases dishes like tamale with carnitas, Santa Fe enchiladas, chicken fried steak, and diablo pasta. For breakfast, try that Kahlua and agave French toast.
El Taco Santo
4025 East Chandler Boulevard, #5
Debuting its second Valley location, El Taco Santo offers patrons Sonoran-style tacos and quesadillas.
Harbor Seafood Cajun House
2711 South Alma School Road, #14 Mesa
Harbor Seafood Cajun House offers seafood boils custom-made to individual spice levels. Open seven days a week, the restaurant offers free snow crab legs if you spend enough money.
L&L Fresh Hibachi Sushi
1495 North Higley Road, #103, Gilbert
The latest Japanese eatery in Gilbert, L& L Fresh Hibachi Sushi showcases classic sushi rolls like tuna avocado, Boston rolls, and California rolls. If you're trying it for the first time, online orders are ten percent off.
Sushi Rock & Grill
3306 South Higley Road, Gilbert
Another Japanese restaurant, Sushi Rock & Grill, has opened at the southwest corner of Higley and Pecos in Gilbert. It takes over the space that formerly housed Poki Point Poke restaurant.
Cafe Rio Mexican Grill
1939 East Baseline Road, Gilbert
The Utah-based fast-casual Mexican restaurant Cafe Rio has opened its fourth location in Gilbert. Don't miss out on the soft tortillas and other favorites like the bowls, enchiladas, and tacos.
Oscar's Taco Shop
21811 North Scottsdale Road, #105, Scottsdale
The fifth location of Oscar's Taco Shop has opened in Scottsdale. The fast-casual restaurant serves breakfast burritos, quesadillas, tacos, and nachos. The Scottsdale location is currently taking online orders.
Maskadores Taco Shop
4855 Warner Road, Ahwatukee
The 18th location of Maskadores Taco Shop, a luchador-themed eatery, opened in Ahwatukee. It offers 20 types of tacos including Tinga chipotle chicken, green Chile beef, Baja shrimp, and surf and turf.
Veggie Village
1255 East Northern Ave
Fusing together vegan and vegetarian fare, Veggie Village is an Asian eatery showcasing soy chicken, tofu, noodles, as well as other meat substitutes. Salads, stir fry, and fried rice are also available. All menu items can be made vegan.
36 Below
3620 East Indian School Road
A new speakeasy makes its debut in Phoenix. 36 Below offers wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages. Reservations can be made for up to 15 people for a private events held in a space called, "The Rose Garden."
Frenchie Pizza
3765 South Gilbert Road, Gilbert
European flatbreads known as flammekueche are the main attraction at Frenchie Pizza in Gilbert. They've also got six beers on tap, as well as a margarita machine.
So Good Kitchen
960 West University Drive, #116, Tempe
So Good Kitchen opened in Tempe this month. The Chinese restaurant has an extensive menu serving pork, beef, chicken, tofu, and rice dishes.
StarZ American Bar & Grill
2662 East University Drive, Mesa
A family-friendly neighborhood joint named StarZ American Bar & Grill has opened in Mesa. Menu items include pizza, wings, Mac and cheese, and tacos.
Vero Chicago Pizza
1334 East Chandler Boulevard, Gilbert
The first franchise location of Vero Chicago Pizza is now welcoming guests in Gilbert. Deep-dish pies are available, of course, as are wings and pasta.
Via Della Slice Shop
222 North 5th Avenue
Family-owned Via Della Slice Shop opened its door in Phoenix. Grab New York style pizzas, as well as wings.
NOTABLE CLOSINGS
Burger Factory
702 W. Osborn
After 22 years, Burger Factory is closing for business. The down-to-earth establishment served sandwiches, burgers, gyros, and Mexican food. Replacing it is 7 Leaves Cafe, a teahouse chain from southern California.