Metro Phoenix Dining Thread

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by ASU Diablo

Little O's on McDowell closed down unexpectedly. Didn't see that one coming...

Also, Illegal Pete's on Mill closed down. That one lasted longer than I thought it would, it was always empty. This probably has to be the biggest vacancy left on Mill?

There are still huge amounts of vacant space at Centerpoint. Pretty Decent Concepts has plans for the old P.F. Chang's space at the south end, but I'm not sure about the empty spots along Sixth Street.

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

There are still huge amounts of vacant space at Centerpoint. Pretty Decent Concepts has plans for the old P.F. Chang's space at the south end, but I'm not sure about the empty spots along Sixth Street.

The New Times link a few posts back from last week gives the details on a coastal Mexican restaurant/bar planned for the former Anoche/Whiskey Row spot on 6th.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by muertecaza

The New Times link a few posts back from last week gives the details on a coastal Mexican restaurant/bar planned for the former Anoche/Whiskey Row spot on 6th.

Thanks for reminding me. I think that's another Julian Wright project. He has opened a lot of places on Mill but also closed a lot. It would be nice to see some stability in that space.

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Thanks for reminding me. I think that's another Julian Wright project. He has opened a lot of places on Mill but also closed a lot. It would be nice to see some stability in that space.

Yeah, it would be nice to see some stability on Mill in general. Too much churn for my liking. Then again, they never seem to run out of willing tenants with a new concept, so it could be worse.

[Obadno]

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2024/10/07/seargeant-oldaker-house-downtown-phoenix.html

Another old boarded up house into a restaurant!

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by Obadno

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2024/10/07/seargeant-oldaker-house-downtown-phoenix.html

Another old boarded up house into a restaurant!

A tale as old as time...a project update posted on the boards followed up a PBJ article within days

Glad to see an updated timeline and how each phase will move forward.

Originally Posted by ASU Diablo

Finally received my public records request from the City after months of submission.

The Seargeant-Oldaker House redevelopment is scheduled to break ground in Q4 2024 and wrap up by Q4 2026. They will be seeking a GPLET.

• 6-story (parking podium on the 1st 2 floors) at 70'.
• 109 market-rate apartments w/ 4 of them being townhomes.
• 80 parking spaces.
• Retail sq footage stated at 2,500 sq feet.
• The historic home will be relocated close to the corner and will become a "light-fare restaurant and bar".

https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?p=10289622#post10289622

[ASU Diablo]

After much delay, Carry On Lounge is set to open next month at Renaissance Square. Been looking forward to this ever since it was announced over a year ago.

Pretty excited to see what Pretty Decent Concepts does with this space and the pending openings at Arizona Center.

[exit2lef]

Bad news:

Hugo's on First Street has closed. This doesn't surprise me. After Sin Muerte failed, the Poole people took a distinguished building and filled it with a limited menu of the same rolled tacos, guacamole, and margaritas that can be found everywhere, only with an unexplained cartoon bear as a mascot. I hope someone with a little more vision comes along with a better plan for this space. This development also makes me wonder if the same folks are still going to be selected for the city's RFP to develop an all-day restaurant in the old firehouse next to Hance Park.

Good news:

The space at CityScape that was formerly occupied by Trapper's Sushi and Squid Ink Sushi before that is now going to become a new location for Tucson-based Obon Sushi. Obon already has a presence in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area with two restaurants in Scottsdale and a slightly different concept known as Bisutoro at Biltmore Fashion Park. This will be there first foray into downtown Phoenix. I've enjoyed eating at their original location in downtown Tucson and look forward to having them at CityScape.

[TJPHXskyscraperfan]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Bad news:

Hugo's on First Street has closed. This doesn't surprise me. After Sin Muerte failed, the Poole people took a distinguished building and filled it with a limited menu of the same rolled tacos, guacamole, and margaritas that can be found everywhere, only with an unexplained cartoon bear as a mascot. I hope someone with a little more vision comes along with a better plan for this space. This development also makes me wonder if the same folks are still going to be selected for the city's RFP to develop an all-day restaurant in the old firehouse next to Hance Park.



Good news:

The space at CityScape that was formerly occupied by Trapper's Sushi and Squid Ink Sushi before that is now going to become a new location for Tucson-based Obon Sushi. Obon already has a presence in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area with two restaurants in Scottsdale and a slightly different concept known as Bisutoro at Biltmore Fashion Park. This will be there first foray into downtown Phoenix. I've enjoyed eating at their original location in downtown Tucson and look forward to having them at CityScape.

I went through AZ Center the other day, seems to be picking up so momentum there. The old hooters is completely gutted, all open, the liquor license said, Cleaverman, Filthy and Uppercut? Is this going to be those owners of Wren and Wolf or something else? Also, they have that Zoni Girls skating rink there now, there’s a Tamales pop up for Christmas, that suit shop and that pizza spot opened! Definitely some good momentum with PALMtower opening too!!! Man I hope to see retail get filled up at Sol and Central Station. I just moved downtown from midtown, it’s crazy to me that I had to hop on the freeway today to go to Bath and Body Works. That is something that should definitely be downtown by now,lol.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by TJPHXskyscraperfan

I went through AZ Center the other day, seems to be picking up so momentum there. The old hooters is completely gutted, all open, the liquor license said, Cleaverman, Filthy and Uppercut? Is this going to be those owners of Wren and Wolf or something else? Also, they have that Zoni Girls skating rink there now, there’s a Tamales pop up for Christmas, that suit shop and that pizza spot opened! Definitely some good momentum with PALMtower opening too!!! Man I hope to see retail get filled up at Sol and Central Station. I just moved downtown from midtown, it’s crazy to me that I had to hop on the freeway today to go to Bath and Body Works. That is something that should definitely be downtown by now,lol.

Yes, those are the places being opened by Pretty Decent Concepts, the folks behind Chico Malo, Wren & Wolf, and Carry On. They're also working on something on Mill Avenue in Tempe, so I hope they don't spread themselves too thin. I'm gratified to see progress at the Arizona Center, but I hope the complex doesn't go all-upscale. With the growing student populations surrounding the development, there's a need for quick, casual, and inexpensive options too. I think we've also reached a critical mass where Bath and Body Works, along with many other retailers, could probably work Downtown.

[Obadno]

It still shocks me that AZ center doesn't have more generic retail and fast food given its already around plenty of hotel, business and residential thats been open for a few years. But glad to hear some stuff is going in.

[MiEncanto]

If it shocks you why corporate stores don't go to downtown areas then I'd encourage you to look at other major downtown areas and listen to what those companies are saying.

Why can't we get a Target!? Target has been very open about their displeasure over their treatment. Their story is: "law enforcement won't help us. They tell us we're on our own to protect ourselves." Look at how much they spend on security in Christown Mall. It's a huge problem for big corporate chains because they're the highest target for theft, drifters hanging around, and the least likely to get any sympathy from the city. No one gives a crap if CVS gets treated like crap. They eat last.

I was in Seattle a few weeks ago. It's beautiful in most of the downtown areas. They've done a nice job of keeping most spaces clean and free of blight. The areas getting crapped on? All the big corporate stores. The poor Ross store was completely crowded out by fentanyl users. It was bizarre that most of the town was safe and clean except any of these BIG CORPORATE BOX STORES.

So don't hold your breath for mid or large corporate stores.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by MiEncanto

If it shocks you why corporate stores don't go to downtown areas then I'd encourage you to look at other major downtown areas and listen to what those companies are saying.

Why can't we get a Target!? Target has been very open about their displeasure over their treatment. Their story is: "law enforcement won't help us. They tell us we're on our own to protect ourselves." Look at how much they spend on security in Christown Mall. It's a huge problem for big corporate chains because they're the highest target for theft, drifters hanging around, and the least likely to get any sympathy from the city. No one gives a crap if CVS gets treated like crap. They eat last.

I was in Seattle a few weeks ago. It's beautiful in most of the downtown areas. They've done a nice job of keeping most spaces clean and free of blight. The areas getting crapped on? All the big corporate stores. The poor Ross store was completely crowded out by fentanyl users. It was bizarre that most of the town was safe and clean except any of these BIG CORPORATE BOX STORES.

So don't hold your breath for mid or large corporate stores.

Phoenix does not have those kinds of problems so this is really a nonsense point.

I wonder why we dont have things like a Jimmy Johns, Taco Bell, McDonalds, Etc generic chain type restaurants that cater to travelers and students. People arent worried about Maricopa County and Phoenix PD not prosecuting shoplifting and vandalism like San Francisco.

[MiEncanto]

Originally Posted by Obadno

Phoenix does not have those kinds of problems so this is really a nonsense point.

I wonder why we dont have things like a Jimmy Johns, Taco Bell, McDonalds, Etc generic chain type restaurants that cater to travelers and students. People arent worried about Maricopa County and Phoenix PD not prosecuting shoplifting and vandalism like San Francisco.

Just because we're not the worst case scenario doesn't mean it's not a thing.

You can listen to their rationale... and see the evidence of their lack of investment... or just continue saying It's a BIG MYSTERY!

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by MiEncanto

Just because we're not the worst case scenario doesn't mean it's not a thing.

You can listen to their rationale... and see the evidence of their lack of investment... or just continue saying It's a BIG MYSTERY!

You are foolish to think these companies don't delineate the jurisdictions and locations that are bad for business and those that are good. They know that locating at a place like the Arizona center isnt going to result in mass theft and destruction of their stores.

So its some other reason, they dont think the demand is there and the rent is too high, or at least that's likely why they haven't located there for many years.

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Bad news:

Hugo's on First Street has closed. This doesn't surprise me. After Sin Muerte failed, the Poole people took a distinguished building and filled it with a limited menu of the same rolled tacos, guacamole, and margaritas that can be found everywhere, only with an unexplained cartoon bear as a mascot. I hope someone with a little more vision comes along with a better plan for this space. This development also makes me wonder if the same folks are still going to be selected for the city's RFP to develop an all-day restaurant in the old firehouse next to Hance Park.

Good news:

The space at CityScape that was formerly occupied by Trapper's Sushi and Squid Ink Sushi before that is now going to become a new location for Tucson-based Obon Sushi. Obon already has a presence in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area with two restaurants in Scottsdale and a slightly different concept known as Bisutoro at Biltmore Fashion Park. This will be there first foray into downtown Phoenix. I've enjoyed eating at their original location in downtown Tucson and look forward to having them at CityScape.

I don't think I've seen it mentioned but Full Speed Chicken & Ribs closed in late Nov. Food was pretty damn good but kinda pricey. Each time I went, it was kind of dead so maybe not surprised.

Also, Pemberton House 2.0 is making a come back and will open later this month!

https://dtphx.org/post/pemberton-20-a-reinvention-of-downtowns-beloved-community-retreat

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by ASU Diablo

I don't think I've seen it mentioned but Full Speed Chicken & Ribs closed in late Nov. Food was pretty damn good but kinda pricey. Each time I went, it was kind of dead so maybe not surprised.

Also, Pemberton House 2.0 is making a come back and will open later this month!

https://dtphx.org/post/pemberton-20-a-reinvention-of-downtowns-beloved-community-retreat

My experience at Full Speed was the opposite. It was consistently busy on every visit, so I'm not sure what happened.

[MiEncanto]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

My experience at Full Speed was the opposite. It was consistently busy on every visit, so I'm not sure what happened.

I happen to know the owners.

It simply wasn't doing enough business. Their clientele tend to be older and drive cars. And that part of Roosevelt is the hardest to find parking.

They also own their other 2 spots so renting this location was new for them and they felt like it was quickly becoming a money pit. They do not use cheap products at all and their margins were tiny. I thought their prices were pretty attractive given the quality and quantity.

They're going to refocus on other parts of town.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by ASU Diablo

I don't think I've seen it mentioned but Full Speed Chicken & Ribs closed in late Nov. Food was pretty damn good but kinda pricey. Each time I went, it was kind of dead so maybe not surprised.

Also, Pemberton House 2.0 is making a come back and will open later this month!

https://dtphx.org/post/pemberton-20-a-reinvention-of-downtowns-beloved-community-retreat

Pemberton was a great place very glad to see it coming back to life

[Centralworks]

Originally Posted by MiEncanto

I happen to know the owners.

It simply wasn't doing enough business. Their clientele tend to be older and drive cars. And that part of Roosevelt is the hardest to find parking.

They also own their other 2 spots so renting this location was new for them and they felt like it was quickly becoming a money pit. They do not use cheap products at all and their margins were tiny. I thought their prices were pretty attractive given the quality and quantity.

They're going to refocus on other parts of town.

Hopefully they move the chicken joint to the old Honeybears spot on central, since it looks like it still hasn't sold.