June was an exciting month for metro Phoenix, with over two dozen new restaurants opening in the Valley. Some of the most highly anticipated new eateries included a Michelin-recognized Indian restaurant at Desert Ridge Marketplace, an Italian sandwich shop in uptown Phoenix with a viral following and the Arizona debut of a wildly popular travel center serving fresh Texas barbecue in Goodyear.
The East Valley saw the most growth, with 14 new restaurants opening in Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale, Mesa and Gilbert. East Valley newcomers include a new neighborhood bar featuring live music and a Korean shaved ice shop with lakeside views.
Here’s a look at 28 new restaurants, bars, and cafes that are now open in metro Phoenix.
New restaurants in Phoenix
America’s Taco Shop
Family-owned Mexican restaurant America’s Taco Shop returned to Phoenix in the former Melrose Kitchen space. Husband-and-wife owners America Corrales and Terry Bortin opened America’s Taco Shop’s first location in 2008 and at one time had multiple restaurants in metro Phoenix before the owners had to close all but one location in Old Town Scottsdale. America’s Taco Shop is known for its street tacos and burritos, especially the carne asada.
Details: 4306 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix. americastacoshopcatering.com. facebook.com/Americastacoshop1.
Cheba Hut
Cheba Hut Toasted Subs opened its latest location in Arcadia, serving over 30 variations of toasted sandwiches. And no, the food is not made with marijuana, despite the restaurant’s theme.
Details: 3162 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-675-2965, chebahut.com.
Chico Coffee Bar
Chico Coffee Bar is a brand-new coffee shop on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. They roast all their coffee beans in house. The menu includes coffee drinks such as lattes and cold brew, matcha and pastries.
Details: 888 N. First Ave., Suite 107, Phoenix. @chicocoffeebar on Instagram.
Chula Seafood
Chula Seafood’s newest location is now open at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix. The downtown location menu includes Chula classics like lobster rolls and fish tacos, build your own bowls and a raw fish bar.
Details: 455 N. Third St., Suite 1180, Phoenix. chulaseafood.com.
Churrasco de Brazil
Tucson-based steakhouse Churrasco de Brazil has made its Valley debut in north Phoenix. Guests have three options for dinner: the full Churrasco experience ($58.95) in which servers circle the restaurant and carve meat from skewers onto each guest’s plate, plus access to a salad and sides bar; the seafood experience ($51.95) which offers a similar experience but with salmon instead of steak; and the meat-free salad and side bar-only experience ($42.95).
Details: 2460 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix. 480-214-3098, churrascodebrasil.com.
First Watch
First Watch brunch restaurant has opened its latest location in north Phoenix. Menu highlights include the “Chickichanga” egg sandwich, pancakes, oatmeal bowls, omelets, sandwiches and salads.
Details: 2949 W. Agua Fria Fwy., Phoenix. 623-260-3751, firstwatch.com.
NADU
The team behind Feringhee in Chandler has opened a second U.S. location of Michelin-recognized Chicago restaurant NADU at Desert Ridge Marketplace. NADU’s Phoenix location features a regional kebab program featuring kebabs inspired by different parts of India, such as a Galouti Kebab from Lucknow, Bhatti Ka Murgh from Punjab and a Chapli Kebab from the northwest frontier as well as a Duck Seekh Kebab, Stuffed Paneer Tikka, Goli Kebab and a signature Bihari Kebab.
Details: 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. naduphoenix.com.
One Sixth
One Sixth is a new dining hub from chef Chris Collins comprising six concepts under one roof. It takes over the former Cultivate by Mark Tarbell space at Bond Phoenix. The six concepts are SBK Pizzeria; a taco restaurant called Bobo Jefe; Saltwater Saint, serving coastal seafood and sushi; Misfit Cowboy, offering barbecue and smoked meat sandwiches; Perissa Mediterranean; and cocktails from Bar Cart.
Details: 3200 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-536-0600, onesixthaz.com.
Paper Bag Sandwich Co.
Paper Bag Sandwich Co. is now open and serving Italian-inspired sandwiches at The Frederick in Phoenix. The concept was inspired by owner Hunter Breshears’ trip to Italy, where he felt that lunch was a more relaxed affair than in the U.S. The menu comprises just five sandwiches, including the most popular “Starting QB” topped with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto and arugula.
Details: 1215 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix. @paperbagco_ on Instagram. paperbagsandwich.co.
Pinky’s
Pinky’s is a new casual sports bar in the former Angel’s Trumpet Ale House space in downtown Phoenix. The menu includes simple and affordable bar food like burgers, fries, wings, sliders and nachos. The space includes pool tables, darts and TVs.
Details: 810 N. Second St., Phoenix. @pinkysdowntown on Instagram.
STK
STK Steakhouse has made its downtown Phoenix debut just steps away from the Mortgage Matchup Center and Chase Field. STK offers premium cuts of steaks, seafood towers and specialty cocktails.
Details: 201 E. Washington St., Suite 114, Phoenix. stksteakhouse.com.
New restaurants in Tempe
Buffables Cafe
Buffables Cafe is a brand-new coffee and smoothie shop in Tempe. The drinks menu includes lattes, frappes, matcha, refreshers, tea and smoothies. Food options include waffles, toasts, burritos, sandwiches and acai bowls.
Details: 1325 W. University Dr., Tempe. 602-848-2955, buffables.com.
Sulbing
Sulbing Cafe has made its Arizona debut at Central Korean BBQ House in Tempe. Sulbing offers Korean shaved ice desserts called bingsu. Popular flavors include mango cheesecake and strawberry yogurt.
Details: 5350 S. Lakeshore Dr., Tempe. @sulbingaz on Instagram.
New restaurants in Scottsdale
Copper State BBQ
The restaurant formerly known as Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is now Copper State BBQ. The menu includes pit-smoked brisket, pulled pork, hatch green chile sausage, chicken breast, beef tri tip and pork ribs, plus sides like mac and cheese, potato salad and baked beans.
Details: 14884 N. Pima Road, Suite 120, Scottsdale. 480-284-8027, copperstatebarbecueco.com.
Mendocino Farms
California-based Mendocino Farms has opened its second Arizona location in north Scottsdale, offering salads, sandwiches and wraps. Popular items include the not-so-fried chicken sandwich, the farm club and the avocado and quinoa superfood salad. Many options are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.
Details: 16203 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-536-8151, mendocinofarms.com.
Wayward
Wayward is now open in Old Town Scottsdale in the former Liquor Pig space. Chef CJ Kahley’s globally inspired menu includes highlights such as duck breast in carrot-coconut puree, bone marrow poutine, Koreano pork belly tacos, black cod tom kha with crispy rice, burrata and a shareable taco board comprising bone-in short rib and twelve handmade corn tortillas.
Details: 7217 E. Fourth Ave., Scottsdale. 480-687-3955, waywardscottsdale.com.
New restaurants in Chandler
Angry Crab Shack
Angry Crab Shack has opened its latest location in Chandler. They offer build-your-own seafood boils, catfish baskets, fish and chips, clam chowder, fried oysters, lobster rolls, jambalaya and po’boy sandwiches.
Details: 3033 S. Gilbert Road, Chandler. 480-265-8630, angrycrabshack.com.
Bourbon Jim’s
Bourbon Jim’s is a new neighborhood bar in Chandler. The bar hosts live music several nights a week, with a focus on rock and roll and country. The food menu includes fried pickles, chicken wings, nachos, a Sonoran hot dog, a chili cheese dog, loaded chicken baskets and a cheeseburger.
Details: 5945 W. Ray Road, Chandler. 480-621-7472, bourbonjims.com.
Brooker’s Founding Flavors
A Utah-based Founding Fathers-themed ice cream shop has made its Arizona debut in Chandler. Female employees scoop cones in bonnets and dresses while male employees wear tricorn hats and coats. The ice cream flavors have names like Martha Washington’s Colonial Cotton Candy and Alexander Hamilton’s Not Throwing Away My Scoop.
Details: 2560 W. Chandler Blvd. #3, Chandler. 480-881-6100, brookersicecream.com.
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Nothing Bundt Cakes held a grand opening for its latest Valley location in Chandler. The bakery offers a dozen flavors of bundt cake, including classic vanilla, Oreo cookies and cream, carrot, red velvet and gluten-free chocolate chip.
Details: 4040 S. Arizona Ave., Suite 13, Chandler. 480-470-4111, nothingbundtcakes.com.
Sazonova Taqueria
Sazonova Taqueria is a brand-new Mexican restaurant in Chandler, offering tacos, tortas, quesadillas, burritos, loaded fries, nachos, enchiladas, chilaquiles and bowls. The most popular item is the birria.
Details: 5865 W. Ray Road, Suite 11, Chandler. 480-275-3198, @sazonovataqueria on Instagram.
New restaurants in Mesa
Blue Corn Cafe & Bakery
Blue Corn Cafe & Bakery has opened a new coffee shop in historic downtown Mesa. They offer fresh baked sourdough, quiches, cakes and cookies. The drinks menu includes coffee, tea and refreshers.
Details: 19 W. Main St., Mesa. @bluecorncafebakery_mesa on Instagram. bluecorncafebakery.com.
DZO BBQ
DZO is a new Vietnamese barbecue restaurant in Mesa. Guests can grill their own meat at tabletop grills and create their own rolls with grilled meat, veggies and herbs. They also offer unique Vietnamese-inspired cocktails including a pho margarita.
Details: 4503 S. Power Road, Mesa. @dzobbq on Instagram.
Seattle Fish Shop
Seattle Fish Shop is a new seafood restaurant in Mesa that specializes in Pacific Northwest-style fish and chips with house made sauces. Other menu items include fish tacos, seafood chowder and coleslaw.
Details: 4419 E. Main St., Suite 117, Mesa. seattlefishhouse.com.
New restaurants in Gilbert
Perry’s Steakhouse
Texas-based luxury steakhouse Perry’s made its Arizona debut in Gilbert. Menu highlights include Texas Akaushi Wagyu steak, seafood entrees and their famous giant “seven fingers high” pork chop.
Details: 1835 S. Santan Village Parkway, Gilbert. perryssteakhouse.com.
New restaurants in Peoria
Someburros
Local Mexican restaurant chain Someburros has opened its latest location in north Peoria. Menu specialties include pollo fundido, a borracho burrito, chimichangas and a carne asada plate.
Details: 25700 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., Peoria. someburros.com.
New restaurants in Surprise
Head Right Brewing
Head Right Brewing is a new brewery and restaurant in Surprise. The food menu includes a pulled pork sandwich, green chili fries and the namesake Head Right burger with Gold Canyon beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and zesty burger sauce. In addition to beer, they offer a handful of cocktails and wines.
Details: 14312 W. Waddell Road, Surprise. 480-597-5573, headrightbrewing.com.
New restaurants in Goodyear
Buc-ee’s
Texas-based gas station and travel center Buc-ee’s made its highly anticipated Arizona debut in Goodyear. The chain is beloved for its beaver mascot and its large assortment of food options, including fresh Texas barbecue items and an entire wall of jerky.
Details: 1001 N. Bullard Ave., Goodyear. buc-ees.com.
Reporting by Eddie Fontanez, Arizona Republic
