These 12 Phoenix restaurants are now closed

Summertime can be brutal for restaurants in Phoenix and as the dog days drag on, more Valley restaurants have closed their doors. In July, we said goodbye to an Old Town Scottsdale staple, the Valley's last Sizzler and a downtown Chandler destination for barbecue and music.

These 12 metro Phoenix restaurants are now closed.

Hap's Pit Barbecue
Hap's Pit Barbecue, a longstanding spot known for its barbecue staples and unusual pulled lamb, closed in mid-July. It had served the Valley for more than 30 years. Over the decades, the restaurant evolved from a homemade smoker and cart parked outside the family's car dealership to a food truck to a brick-and-mortar storefront on the southeast corner of Washington and 48th streets. 

La Piazza al Forno
The last few years have been a tumultuous time for Glendale staple La Piazza al Forno. The restaurant opened in 2007 and expanded to include two other Valley locations. During the pandemic, the mini-chain shrank back down to its original spot. Then its owners went their separate ways. And now, the casual Neapolitan-style pizzeria has served its last pies.

Moto Sushi
Moto Sushi, a pan-Asian restaurant and beer bar on 16th Street just south of Glendale Avenue, has closed. The restaurant served a selection of sushi bites and rolls along with pho, curry, dumplings and Thai and Japanese-style noodles.

MOD Pizza
The bright lights of the MOD Pizza sign shone out over Indian School Road. But now, the Arcadia location of the Seattle-born build-your-own pizza chain has closed. Other Valley locations remain open.

Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant
The yellow-painted hacienda-style building with towering archways and columns stood out in Chandler, and was recognizable at Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant. Part of a Texas-based chain, the East Valley eatery closed abruptly after two decades. One Arizona location remains, serving Tex-Mex staples in Peoria.

Birdcall
One Valley location of Birdcall, a chain known for its chicken sandwiches, has quietly closed. The restaurant was located on the northeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Shea Boulevard. Birdcall has locations in Colorado, Texas and Arizona, with other Valley locations remaining open in Phoenix and Gilbert.

Preston's Steakhouse
Preston's Steakhouse, located in The Citadel shopping plaza on Pinnacle Peak Road in north Scottsdale, has closed. The high-end spot served steaks and seafood, along with a broad wine selection and classic cocktails, for over 10 years. In an announcement shared on its website, the owners explained the closure was due to upcoming repairs needed for the building.

Seafood Market & Restaurant
Mesa's Seafood Market & Restaurant served customers since 1991. The restaurant offered full-service dining and a menu filled with seafood dishes, steaks, pasta and salads. On the market side, customers could order raw fish to cook at home. Located within the Village Square at Dana Park on Baseline Road, the dual concept is now closed. 

T.C.B.C. Beer
Litchfield Park brewery T.C.B.C. Beer has poured its last pints. The company initially occupied the tiny space next door to its most recent home, where it moved in 2021. According to an announcement from the owners, the brewery's lease for its Honeysuckle Street spot was not renewed.

Drunk Munk
The bar, restaurant and giant patio known as the Drunk Munk has closed in Old Town Scottsdale. The restaurant space is perhaps most well known for housing Cowboy Ciao for over two decades, before getting a tiki makeover in 2019. The Drunk Munk served tropical cocktails along with Island-inspired eats.

Sizzler
The salad bar and steak chain Sizzler has closed its last remaining Valley location. The restaurant, located in Maryvale on Indian School Road and 51st Avenue, served customers for 40-plus years. News of its closure inspired a wave of nostalgia for longtime customers and fans.

West Alley BBQ & Smokehouse
Downtown Chandler spot West Alley BBQ & Smokehouse was known for its Tennessee-style barbecue staples and frequent live music. After seven years, the restaurant and venue is now permanently closed.