Doughnuts, pizza and Korean BBQ: 37 new restaurants are now open in metro Phoenix
Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of the article gave incorrect information on Pizza to the Rescue's donation program. The restaurant donates 25% of pizza sales to Almost There Dog Rescue.
Over 30 new restaurants, bars and cafes opened in metro Phoenix in April, from a West Valley speakeasy to a Korean convenience store to a pizzeria benefiting a local dog rescue.
Some iconic restaurant chains found new homes in Arizona in April, from the country's first reopened Sweet Tomatoes in Tucson to the Hollywood-famous Randy's Donuts metro Phoenix debut. But local chefs left their mark as well, opening exciting new restaurants like Moon Pie and The Pairing Room, Moodie Blacks at Yucca Tap in Tempe and House of Honey in Peoria.
Here are 37 new restaurants to try in metro Phoenix and beyond.
Angie's Burger
Angie's Burger, the latest concept from Salad & Go, Angie's Lobster and Angie's Prime Grill founders Tony and Roushan Christofellis, soft launched at the Angie's Prime Grill location in central Phoenix. All Angie's concepts share the mission of making luxury foods affordable to everyone. Angie's Burger offers USDA Prime steakhouse burgers at prices comparable with fast food restaurants.
Details: 53 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix. angiesburger.com.
Barley & Smoke
Barley & Smoke is a new speakeasy attached to Peoria Artisan Brewery at the corner of Lake Pleasant Road and Lake Pleasant Parkway. The menu focuses on craft cocktails and globally-inspired dishes like pork belly, Japanese sweet potato, ribeye tartare and catch of the day.
Details: 10144 W. Lake Pleasant Pkwy., Suite 1130, Peoria. 623-572-2816, peoriaartisanbrewing.com/barleyandsmokevip.
Brews Burger Joint
Brews Burger Joint opened its second Chandler location at the corner of Rural and Ray roads. As the name suggests, the restaurant offers a sizable burger menu including the State 48 that comes topped with pepper jack, fried corn tortilla, hatch green chili sauce, fresh pico de gallo and avocado on a brioche bun or the Bourbon Trail made with two slices of crispy bacon, grilled onions, cheddar cheese and homemade bourbon aioli topped with fried onion crisps, plus plenty of beers on tap.
Details: 5055 W. Ray Road, Suite 2, Chandler. 480-590-3901, brewsburgerjoint.com.
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Busan Mart Culdesac
Busan Mart soft opened its second Tempe location at Culdesac, a car-free living community near ASU. The Korean convenience store offers ready-to-eat kimbap and ramen plus many other Korean snacks, beauty products and K-Pop albums.
Details: 2005 E. Apache Blvd., Suite 100, Tempe. @busanmart.culdesac on Instagram.
Ceviche 101
A new ceviche and seafood restaurant is now open in Glendale. Ceviche 101 offers ceviche tostadas, tacos, oysters and aguachiles. Drink options include aguas frescas, Mexican sodas and micheladas.
Details: 9220 W. Glendale Ave., Suite 130, Glendale. 623-248-4883, ceviche-101.com.
Cookie Plug
Cookie Plug, a '90s hip hop-inspired bakery, opened a new location in Phoenix. The SoCal-based company is known for its graffiti-covered walls and thick cookies that are part cake and part brownie.
Details: 4575 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix. 480-247-8780, cookieplug.com.
First Watch
Brunch restaurant First Watch is now open in Ahwatukee, offering griddle pancakes, omelets and frittatas, egg dishes, chimichangas and benedicts, sandwiches, coffee and a juice bar.
Details: 4723 E. Ray Road, Phoenix. firstwatch.com.
Full Moon Izakaya
Full Moon Izakaya is a new Japanese restaurant in Phoenix offering sushi rolls, ramen and rice bowls plus sake, beer and cocktails. Happy hour is every day from 4-7 p.m., with a “happier hour” from 9 p.m. to close.
Details: 7810 N. 12th St., Phoenix. 623-290-4636, @fullmoonphx on Instagram.
Full Speed Chicken & Ribs
A new Southern restaurant from the owners of Little Miss BBQ is now open in Phoenix, serving fried chicken, pork ribs, sandwiches and biscuits. They also serve beer and cocktails such as the "Don't Be A Chicken" made with pineapple jalape?o tequila, Cointreau, lime juice a simple syrup or the "Daisy Duke's" made with Four Roses bourbon, strawberry puree, lemon juice and bitters.
Details: 513 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. 602-237-5292, eatfullspeed.com.
The Goose
The Goose is a new speakeasy at Crust Simply Italian in Scottsdale. Its name follows the bird theme of Crust's other speakeasies, The Ostrich and The Blue Heron. The Goose is primarily a cocktail bar, offering classics like a Paloma and Japanese Hi Ball plus specialties like the Only Feathers made with platinum vodka, passionfruit, lemon juice and Prosecco float, or the Mating Call made with Roku Japanese gin, Japanese plum sake, Sakura syrup and soda water. A small menu of shareable plates includes bone marrow, fried calamari and charcuterie.
Details: 8300 N. Hayden Road, Suite F102, Scottsdale. 480-948-3099, thegooseaz.com.
Graze Craze
Graze Craze, a charcuterie catering concept, opened its newest location in Fountain Hills. Additional upcoming locations are planned for north and northeast Phoenix.
Details: 16845 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Suite D-109, Fountain Hills. 480-805-8651, grazecraze.com.
House of Honey
House of Honey is a new cafe in Peoria offering coffee, pastries and fresh local honey. Many of the coffee drinks are also made with honey from the Gonzalez family business.
Details: 9163 W. Union Hills Dr., Peoria. 623-296-4538, houseofhoneyaz.com.
Ingo's
A new location of Ingo's Tasty Food is now open near north Scottsdale. Ingo's serves sandwiches and burgers and all-day breakfast, including a chorizo burrito, egg salad tartine, an egg sandwich and daily fresh baked pastries and cookies. The drinks menu includes signature coffees plus beer, wine, spirits and cocktails.
Details: 7087 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-863-8850, ingostastyfood.com.
iPizza
iPizza is a small, family-owned pizzeria in a Scottsdale strip mall on the corner of McKellips and Miller roads. Pizza is served in 16-inch pies or by the slice. They also offer meatball subs, chicken wings, garlic knots and mozzarella sticks.
Details: 7620 E. McKellips Road, Suite 1, Scottsdale. 480-625-0360, ipizza.pizza.
Main Squeeze Juice Co.
Louisiana-based Main Squeeze Juice Co. opened its first metro Phoenix location in Goodyear. The menu includes acai bowls, juices, smoothies, frozen and hot lattes, breakfast sandwiches and avocado toasts.
Details: 14175 W. Indian School Road, Suite D3, Goodyear. 480-219-5797, mainsqueezejuiceco.com.
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Manna BBQ
A new location of Manna BBQ is now open in Chandler. The restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue that you cook yourself right at your table.
Details: 2990 E. Germann Road, Suite 5, Chandler. 480-699-2223, mannabbqshabu.com.
Moodie Blacks at Yucca Tap
Musician and Tex Mex chef Kristen Martinez is now serving tacos, taquitos and nachos inside Yucca Tap Room in Tempe. All of her tortillas are made from scratch. Brunch is also available on the weekends, including breakfast tacos and chilaquiles.
Details: 29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe. 480-967-4777, @mb.foodhouse on Instagram.
Moon Pie
Moon Pie: Pizza and Pie is a new Chicago tavern-style pizzeria in the downtown Phoenix space that was formerly Teddy's Preserve. Menu highlights include a hot honey pizza made with soppresatta, Calabrian chiles, pickled red onions and hot honey from Twisted Bee Farms.
Details: 1001 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 480-584-6134, moonpie.pizza.
Nando's Mexican Cafe
Gilbert-based Nando’s Mexican Café opened its fifth Valley location in Maricopa. The restaurant offers tacos, burritos, tamales, enchiladas, fajitas and other Mexican food staples.
Details: 44460 W. Edison, Maricopa. 520-532-1011, nandosmexicancafe.com.
The Nest North
The Nest North is now open in Glendale near ASU’s West campus after closing its previous location several years ago. The sports bar serves wings, burgers, sandwiches and 14-inch pizzas.
Details: 5843 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale. 480-534-5253, facebook.com/facebook.comthenestaz.
Outcast Doughnuts
Outcast Doughnuts is now open inside Level 1 Arcade Bar in downtown Gilbert. The unique doughnut shop offers layered doughnuts, such as the Strawberry Shortcake made with fresh strawberries, cream filling, sweetened condensed milk drizzle and graham cracker sprinkles; or the Happy Camper chocolate frosted with graham cracker sprinkles, Hershey’s chocolate and toasted marshmallows.
Details: 60 W. Vaughn Ave., Suite 107, Gilbert. 480-687-1192, outcastdoughnuts.com.
The Pairing Room
The Pairing Room is now open in the downtown Phoenix space that was formerly The Larder + The Delta. The concept focuses on globally-inspired dishes paired with wines from Coronado Vineyards and beers from Throne Brewing Co. Menu highlights include focaccia bruschetta made using blood orange beer and topped with whipped goat cheese, crispy prosciutto, pickled asparagus, bull blood beets, micro greens and a red wine reduction; and a crispy chicken coconut curry made with chicken katsu and red wine-infused jasmine rice topped with rich curry.
Details: 200 W. Portland St., Suite 101, Phoenix. pairingroom.com.
Pita Cafe Express
Pita Café Express is a new takeout and delivery-only location of Pita Café Mediterranean restaurant. Guests first choose a base: pita, gluten-free pita, rice bowl, hummus bowl, salad bowl or fries, and top with either gyro, chicken, steak and lamb or falafel, plus vegetables and sauces.
Details: 430 E. Bell Road, Phoenix. 480-307-8333, pitacafeaz.com/pita-cafe-express.
Pizza Patron
Pizza Patron has been serving pizza in the Valley for two decades, and to celebrate this milestone, the restaurant simultaneously opened two new locations, in Phoenix and Glendale. The family-friendly pizzeria serves classic favorites as well as unique flavors and toppings like carne asada, chorizo, jalape?os, poblano peppers, cilantro and Chihuahua cheese.
Details: 2815 W. Peoria Ave., Suite A102, Phoenix. 602-613-3716. Also, 6911 N. 75th Ave., Glendale. 623-227-0701, pizzapatron.com.
Pizza To The Rescue
Pizza To The Rescue combines two of the best things in the world: pizza and puppies. 25% of all pizza sales go to Almost There Dog Rescue. Menu highlights include a funghi formaggi pizza topped with seasonal mushrooms, mozzarella, fontina, shallots and garlic, a 40-layer lasagna and basque cheesecake with roasted pistachios and olive oil.
Details: 2601 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-314-4832, pizzatotherescuephx.com.
La Purisima Bakery
A new location of La Purisima Bakery opened in north Phoenix. The Mexican bakery offers pan dulce, tamales, tortillas, burritos and menudo.
Details: 602 W. Union Hills Dr., Phoenix. 480-350-7169, purisimabakery.com.
Quik Burrito
Quik Burrito is a new Mexican restaurant in Phoenix offering burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, quesadillas and papas con carne. Their super-Instagrammable burritos are made with house-made corn or flour tortillas.
Details: 3131 E. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix. @quikburrito on Instagram.
Randy's Donuts
Hollywood-famous Randy's Donuts, known best for its giant rooftop doughnut, has made its Arizona debut in Phoenix, offering classic, deluxe, fancy and premium doughnuts via takeout or drive-thru. Some unique doughnut options include matcha tea raised, Fruity Pebbles raised, cherry iced cake, blueberry cake and bacon maple long john.
Details: 5709 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 480-716-1999, randysdonuts.com.
Real Thai & Sushi
A new restaurant serving Thai cuisine and sushi is now open in Surprise. Thai street food options include crab fried rice, pepper steak, pad-phed frog leg and kra pao moo krob, which is made with crispy pork belly, garlic, chili, house sauce and Chinese broccoli. They also offer curries, stir fry, noodle soups and a large selection of sushi rolls.
Details: 13749 N. Litchfield Road, Surprise. 623-214-9775, realthaiandsushi.com.
Shaghf Cafe
Shaghf Cafe, a Dubai-based Arabian coffee shop chain, opened its first Arizona location in Tempe. They offer a large selection of coffees and teas, plus pastries and desserts including waffles, croissants, tiramisu and cakes.
Details: 1250 E. Apache Blvd., Suite 116, Tempe. 480-590-4909, @shaghf_tempe_az on Instagram.
Sorimmara
Sorimmara is a new Korean-style malatang restaurant in Chandler. Malatang is a street food originating in China that is most often served as a hot pot dish. Sorimmara also serves tteokbokki and rice dishes.
Details: 1920 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. 623-439-6510, sorimmarachandler.com.
Stellar66
Stellar66 is now open in Gilbert, serving both classic and Americanized Chinese dishes. Menu highlights include Peking duck, which is lit aflame tableside, as well as frog hot pot, plum sauce shrimp, spicy pork feet and traditional dim sum service.
Details: 1817 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Gilbert. 480-892-5318, stellar66.com.
Sweet Tomatoes
The first reopened Sweet Tomatoes in the country threw open its doors in Tucson on April 1, and super fans drove great distances to visit the iconic salad bar. The new restaurant is exactly like the Sweet Tomatoes you probably remember, with a huge self-service salad bar, plus a hot food area offering pasta, soups, baked potatoes, pizza, bread and pastries as well as an ice cream sundae bar for dessert.
Details: 6202 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson. sweettomatoes.com.
Taste 117
Utah-based Taste 117 made its Arizona debut near downtown Mesa. Taste 117 is a cafe, tea house and artisan chocolate shop offering sandwiches, pastries and desserts, afternoon tea service, fondue and an interactive chocolate tasting experience.
Details: 144 S. Mesa Dr., Suite A, Mesa. 480-769-9901, taste117mesa.com.
Tikka Shack
A third Valley location of Tikka Shack Indian Grub is now open in Gilbert. The restaurant offers build-you-own curries plus other Indian dishes like masala, chaat, biryani and naan pizza.
Details: 5498 S. Power Road, Suite 101, Gilbert. 602-639-0793, tikkashack.com.
Too Sweet Cakes
Too Sweet Cakes opened its second Valley location in Gilbert. The bakery has a large selection of cakes, cupcakes, cookies, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls and more. They also do custom cakes for weddings, birthdays and other occasions.
Details: 1727 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert. toosweetcakes.com.
Trevizo's Tavern
Trevizo's Tavern is a brand-new bar and grill in Glendale, offering plenty of cocktails and beer plus dinner options like tacos and pizza. The bar also has karaoke, live music and dancing.
Details: 5304 N. 59th Ave., Glendale. @trevizostavern on Instagram.
Reach the reporter at [email protected]. Follow @EndiaFontanez on X, formerly Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 37 Phoenix restaurants now open: sushi, doughnuts and pizza