November has been an exciting month for the Phoenix culinary scene as 19 new restaurants have opened. Crème brulee and grilled-cheese doughnuts; lobster, asparagus, Asiago and Parmesan mac and cheese; and venison sliders are just some of the far-from-ordinary menu items now available in the Phoenix metro area. Many of the openings are new locations for old favorites like Whining Pig, Baja Fresh, and Little Miss BBQ. Among the closings was a favorite of soccer fans, the Rose and Crown Pub.
Openings
Baja Fresh
4979 West Ray Road, Chandler
This fast-casual Mexican food Chain has opened a new location in Chandler. Since 1990 Baja Fresh has been serving traditional fire grilled Mexican favorites throughout the U.S. Menu items include fire-grilled chicken tortilla soup, fajitas, and savory pork carnitas rice bowls.
Sweetest Season Artisan Eatery
1835 East Guadalupe Road, Tempe
One of the latest additions to the south Tempe food scene is serving up breakfast, lunch, and scratch-baked desserts. At Sweetest Season Artisan Eatery’s new second location on East Guadalupe Road in Tempe, guests can enjoy hearty breakfast plates like golden seasoned french fries topped with candied bacon, avocado, micro greens, and an over easy egg. Several vegan options are available as well as a vast selection of burgers and salads.
Whining Pig
21001 North Tatum Boulevard, #46-1405
The Whining Pig has opened a new location in Phoenix. This beer and wine bar offers an enormous selection of craft beers and wine. The draft and canned beers offered are continuously rotating and poured by a knowledgeable staff. A simple food menu features hearty fare like grilled cheese sandwiches and a meat and cheese plate.
Raising Cane's
5850 North Seventh Street
This Louisiana-based chain is known for its crispy chicken finger platters served with crinkle-cut fries and a variety of dipping sauces. Their newest Phoenix location has opened on Seventh Street and Bethany Home Road.
Grubstak
4165 South Gilbert Road, #5, Chandler
This comfort-food restaurant allows guests to create mouthwatering stacks of fries with cheese and other savory items. Signature offerings include a braised beef, cotija cheese, and horseradish crema stacks; a roasted chicken, ranchero sauce, sour cream, cotija cheese, and cheddar cheese stack; and a barbecue-braised beef, applewood bacon, and coleslaw stack. Grubstak also offers sides, salads, and desserts.
Wild Elk Den Restaurant & Lounge
275 West Warner Road, Chandler
If you are in the hunt for a different dining experience, you will want to pay Wild Elk Den a visit. This new restaurant in Chandler is offering a sizable selection of game meats on their lunch and dinner menu. Bison, elk, and venison sliders are just some of the interesting featured dishes. More traditional proteins, salads, and a superior beer selection are also available.
XJ's Casa Reynoso
1661 South Val Vista Drive, #109, Gilbert
On the southwest corner of Val Vista Drive and Ray Road in Gilbert, XJ’s Casa Reynoso Mexican restaurant has opened. The family behind XJ’s has owned and operated several restaurants and food trucks throughout the Valley for decades. This latest concept features shredded beef tacos, green chile burritos, and red chile beef enchiladas. Draft beers and classic cocktails can also be enjoyed in the casual, family-friendly dining area.
Ella’s Cuisine
1941 West Guadalupe Road, #105, Mesa
A restaurant featuring classic French fare has opened in Mesa on the southeast corner of Dobson and Guadalupe roads in a space once occupied by Pink Pepper Thai Cuisine. The reasonably priced menu features seared scallops, ratatouille, chicken chasseur and crepes Suzette. The classical background music and elegantly designed dining room create the perfect atmosphere for a date night.
EXPANDThe Donut Bar's sweet doughnut display at AZ Foodie's booth.Jacob Tyler Dunn
Donut Bar
16205 North Scottsdale Road, #110, Scottsdale
This craft doughnut shop's San Diego location is known for lines that span several city blocks and now. Donut Bar has arrived in Scottsdale. This eatery serves up to 60 specialty doughnuts like cake batter, creme brulee, grilled cheese, French toast, and caramel latte. Once that day’s batch of freshly baked doughnuts has sold out the restaurant promptly closes. In addition to the award-winning doughnuts, craft beers on tap and mimosas are available.
Jimmy and Joe’s Pizzeria
4550 East Bell Road
Jimmy & Joe's Pizzeria is serving up some serious slices. The family-owned restaurant has opened its third location in the valley. The intentionally simple menu features wings, salads, desserts and pizza slices the size of your head. Specialty pies include The Popeye – a pizza topped with spinach, basil, garlic, feta tomato, and mozzarella; and The Lasagna – a meatball, sausage, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese-topped pizza.
Los Taquitos
3176 East, Indian School Road
Los Taquitos is a hip new Mexican restaurant in Arcadia. Floor-to-ceiling murals cover the walls of the cozy dining space. Shredded pork quesadillas, fish tacos, chile verde pork burritos, and other authentic Mexican dishes can be enjoyed in modern dining space or taken to go.
George Yang's Chinese Cuisine
6048 North 16th Street
George Yang’s Chinese Cuisine is now open in Phoenix. This Chinese restaurant is putting a spin on popular American Chinese favorites. Dishes like spicy wontons, tofu broccoli in oyster sauce, egg drop soup, and Mongolian beef can be enjoyed in the casual modern interior. George Yang’s has a full bar with a vast selection of wines and spirits.
Tocaya Organica
7012 East Greenway Parkway #100, Scottsdale
Sea bass, carne asada, vegan picadillo, and adobo tofu are being used to create organic Mexican fare at Tocaya Organica. This fast casual restaurant located in Kierland Commons focuses on pairing high-quality ingredients with bold flavors. The versatile menu is rooted in traditional Mexican recipes. A variety of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options are also available.
The Root and Soul
14414 North 100th Street, Suite B130, Scottsdale
The Root and Soul is plating traditional Southern fare in Scottsdale. Christian Buze, a.k.a Chef Buzz, has been honing his recipes for years. Catfish is flown in daily and all other ingredients are locally sourced. Menu items include southern fried chicken, chicken and waffles, cajun shrimp n’ mac, and jambalaya. All meals include your choice of two side dishes.
Carne Asada Grill
67 North Dobson Road, #101, Mesa
This fast-casual restaurant has opened on North Dobson Road in Mesa. Tacos, burritos, and hot dogs can be customized to your liking at the Carne Asada Grill. Chicken, steaks, and barbacoa are grilled in-house atop mesquite-fueled flames.
Elbows Mac N’ Cheese
3757 South Gilbert Road, Gilbert
Over 20 mac-and-cheese dishes are being handcrafted at Elbows Mac N’ Cheese of Gilbert. Elbows Mac N' Cheese is focusing on high-quality ingredients to create stick-to-your-ribs American comfort food favorites. The menu includes decadent and flavor-packed bowls of mac like the So Shellfish – a lobster, asparagus Asiago and Parmesan mac; the Jalapeno Business – a jalapeno sharp cheddar and habanero jack mac; and the Holy Cow – an Angus burger, bacon, mushroom, cheddar, and Swiss mac.
Katsu
1135 South Dobson Road, Mesa
This Korean fusion restaurant is serving honey butter chicken wings, curry fried rice, kimchi and their signature dish of fried chicken or pork cutlets topped with your choice of sauces. Katsu is located next to the Asiana Market on the northeast corner of Dobson Road and Southern Avenue in Mesa and is open for lunch and dinner.