Metro Phoenix Dining Thread - Page 78

Obadno · #**1541** Posted **Jul 8, 2025, 5:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Good news not only for historic preservation but also in terms of bringing back a decent mix of restaurants to Downtown Tempe. So many longstanding restaurants have closed lately and new places haven't filled the void.

IVe been out of the loop on tempe for several years now what has closed?

muertecaza · #**1542** Posted **Jul 8, 2025, 5:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obadno

IVe been out of the loop on tempe for several years now what has closed?

Off the top of my head, some more established, non-chain restaurants that have closed in the past few years include House of Tricks, the Vine, Spinelli's, Phoenicia, Rula Bula, Med Fresh, and Fuzzy's. Long-standing chains that closed in the past few years include P.F. Changs, Oregano's, Mellow Mushroom, Pita Jungle. Then there's constant flux on Mill itself of stuff that seems to come and go in a matter of months/years, Bang Bang and Illegal Pete's are some recent examples.

Chuckbox and Casey Moore's are the only two I can think of that are really left.

builder03 · #**1543** Posted **Jul 14, 2025, 1:21 AM**

Per their Instagram, Novel Ice Cream is looking to open a location in Downtown Tempe at 25 E 5th St. This is an old ATM/city storage shed so should be interesting to see how the conversion looks.

Phxguy · #**1544** Posted **Jul 16, 2025, 5:00 PM**

The New Times claim a new restaurant will be moving into the NEC of Rio Salado and Mill (A Pretty Decent Concept venue) and Proof is looking to move into the Brickyard around Mill/7th St. While turnover is the most consistent thing about Mill, it's noteworthy that the slew of new retail and F&B seems less tailored to students/casual drinkers and more to urban professionals.

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/glai-baan-owners-to-open-new-tempe-restaurant-22115532

Also, I have it on good authority the former House of Tricks home is eyed to move to the parking area adjacent City Hall on 5th St.

muertecaza · #**1545** Posted **Jul 16, 2025, 11:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phxguy

Also, I have it on good authority the former House of Tricks home is eyed to move to the parking area adjacent City Hall on 5th St.

Nice, that's a good spot for it. Hopefully there is a future food/retail use down the line.

builder03 · #**1546** Posted **Jul 17, 2025, 1:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by muertecaza

Nice, that's a good spot for it. Hopefully there is a future food/retail use down the line.

I have a question regarding the old House of Tricks buildings. There are two separate structures. Which one is the "historic" one? Will both of the buildings be relocated or just one of them?

muertecaza · #**1547** Posted **Jul 17, 2025, 3:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by builder03

I have a question regarding the old House of Tricks buildings. There are two separate structures. Which one is the "historic" one? Will both of the buildings be relocated or just one of them?

The historic registration I believe is just for one of the structures, the one with the House of Tricks sign on the right/east side of the property if you're facing it from the street:

https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/b03561f6-5674-411b-afce-3ea1b7ae729b

My recollection from the developer's proposal is that only the historic property would be moved, but I have no specific knowledge about current plans.

Edit: this article has interesting information about the other structure, called 'Manley House' based on its original owner. To my knowledge it is not registered as historic, despite also being quite old:

https://www.phoenixmag.com/2017/09/01/tricky-business/

TJPHXskyscraperfan · #**1548** Posted **Jul 19, 2025, 5:40 PM**

There are signs on the windows for a STK Steak House next to Tom’s Watch Bar downtown. Looks like the Scottsdale location closed, nice to see downtown getting some steak houses!

ASU Diablo · #**1549** Posted **Jul 19, 2025, 5:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJPHXskyscraperfan

There are signs on the windows for a STK Steak House next to Tom’s Watch Bar downtown. Looks like the Scottsdale location closed, nice to see downtown getting some steak houses!

What’s Tom’s Watch Bar? Is that the old The Ainsworth location? I’m out of the loop.

Also, are you referring to the spot directly north of it? I think it was occupied by The Park last?

Phxguy · #**1550** Posted **Jul 21, 2025, 6:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASU Diablo

What’s Tom’s Watch Bar? Is that the old The Ainsworth location? I’m out of the loop.

Also, are you referring to the spot directly north of it? I think it was occupied by The Park last?

Correct, Tom's Watch Bar replaced the Ainsworth and STK will replace the suite previously occupied by the Park. Humble Bistro is also moving into the corner suite of the Adeline.

MiEncanto · #**1551** Posted **Jul 21, 2025, 9:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJPHXskyscraperfan

There are signs on the windows for a STK Steak House next to Tom’s Watch Bar downtown. Looks like the Scottsdale location closed, nice to see downtown getting some steak houses!

On the one hand, I'm happy to see more fine dining downtown. But STK seems like another bland, corporate chain steakhouse that is an overpriced attraction for tourists with decent-not-excellent food and inconsistent service. Like outback steakhouse but expensive and has a DJ.

exit2lef · #**1552** Posted **Jul 21, 2025, 9:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiEncanto

On the one hand, I'm happy to see more fine dining downtown. But STK seems like another bland, corporate chain steakhouse that is an overpriced attraction for tourists with decent-not-excellent food and inconsistent service. Like outback steakhouse but expensive and has a DJ.

That's why it will fit in with a location right by the sports venues and the convention center. Visitors with money to spend will see a brand they know and go there for expense account meals. A few blocks away at the Arizona Center, Cleaverman will hopefully be more distinctive. And Durant's is being renovated and reopened under new ownership up in Midtown.

TJPHXskyscraperfan · #**1553** Posted **Jul 22, 2025, 12:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASU Diablo

What’s Tom’s Watch Bar? Is that the old The Ainsworth location? I’m out of the loop.

Also, are you referring to the spot directly north of it? I think it was occupied by The Park last?

Yep, Tom’s Watch Bar seems better run and they added lots of TVs! My wife had STK in Vegas, she told me it was real good. Either way, good to see a balance of restaurants and bars downtown! Next up will be Central Station and Sol to fill up some retail. I’m really surprised there hasn’t been any announcement of stuff there!

Obadno · #**1554** Posted **Jul 24, 2025, 2:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiEncanto

On the one hand, I'm happy to see more fine dining downtown. But STK seems like another bland, corporate chain steakhouse that is an overpriced attraction for tourists with decent-not-excellent food and inconsistent service. Like outback steakhouse but expensive and has a DJ.

Yea I would say STK fits better with downtown over Scottsdale especially in that High Profile location they need to have a way better steak house there.

But downtown as a steak house for the young and business types and tourists i think STK is perfect.

muertecaza · #**1555** Posted **Jul 30, 2025, 4:22 AM**

This group in LA:

https://www.woodandwaterla.com/menu

Is building out a restaurant in the showcase space in the Watermark in Tempe that faces the lake. Should be cool!

https://www.instagram.com/woodandwaterrestaurant/

Phxguy · #**1556** Posted **Aug 1, 2025, 6:00 PM**

Both interior and exterior work has been ramping up the last two weeks at 818 N 1st Street, soon to be a new bar. Can't wait to see the energy this little area will have once this bar, the old Sin Muerte space, and the Churchill will bring when all are popping off!

Phxguy · #**1557** Posted **Aug 18, 2025, 6:32 PM**

Chambers on 1st Street has closed. Noticed it looked shuttered this past Friday night and sure enough there was a notice on the window from the County about its immediate closure as of last week. What a shame...I've enjoyed their wings and cajun fries for years.

MiEncanto · #**1558** Posted **Aug 18, 2025, 11:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phxguy

Chambers on 1st Street has closed. Noticed it looked shuttered this past Friday night and sure enough there was a notice on the window from the County about its immediate closure as of last week. What a shame...I've enjoyed their wings and cajun fries for years.

I used to go there a bunch. Used to is the operative phrase I suppose. There's too many better alternatives. It was always dead at lunch. So they went the way of Carly's and so many others. It's hard out there for restaurants.

muertecaza · #**1559** Posted **Oct 22, 2025, 5:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by muertecaza

This group in LA:

https://www.woodandwaterla.com/menu

Is building out a restaurant in the showcase space in the Watermark in Tempe that faces the lake. Should be cool!

https://www.instagram.com/woodandwaterrestaurant/

Article on Wood and Water as well as a sushi restaurant coming to Watermark. I may have been mistaken about this Wood and Water being associated with the LA restaurant, they seem to not be connected from the article.

https://archive.is/hpwEC

Phxguy · #**1560** Posted **Oct 28, 2025, 5:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phxguy

Both interior and exterior work has been ramping up the last two weeks at 818 N 1st Street, soon to be a new bar. Can't wait to see the energy this little area will have once this bar, the old Sin Muerte space, and the Churchill will bring when all are popping off!

818 N 1st Street has opened as Crybaby, a sport's bar. The Sin Muerte building now looks to be the main Matt's Big Breakfast dining area, not sure what will happen to the former space on the corner but I imagine it will take overflow dining and be used for storage.

New concept in the works for the former Chamber's space.

Oyster bar/restaurant opening in early November in a portion of the Breakfast Bitch space on Roosevelt.

A wine bar in the works for the NEC of Central/Roosevelt in the former Now or Never space.