Metro Phoenix Dining Thread

[halicem]

Angel's Trumpet downtown just announced they're closing. Last day is 10/31. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQXA_CLiQ-j/

Interesting cause I didn't think they were struggling -- did the owners sell?

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by halicem

Angel's Trumpet downtown just announced they're closing. Last day is 10/31. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQXA_CLiQ-j/

Interesting cause I didn't think they were struggling -- did the owners sell?

I don’t know for sure, but I think the value of the land has exceeded the value of the business for a long time.

[exit2lef]

Matt's Big Breakfast has moved one door down to the space that was formerly home to Sin Muerte then Hugo's. This is the third location for Matt's on the same block.

[N830MH]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Matt's Big Breakfast has moved one door down to the space that was formerly home to Sin Muerte then Hugo's. This is the third location for Matt's on the same block.

No. Where is it?? What streets is it??

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by N830MH

No. Where is it?? What streets is it??

On First Street between Garfield and McKinley. It has always been on that block, but in three different buildings over two decades.

[exit2lef]

I received this email confirming Chula Seafood's forthcoming Arizona Center location:

Chula Seafood is set to make a splash in Downtown Phoenix next year! The brand, which brings fresh seafood to the desert with its three valley locations, has announced a fourth location. Chula Seafood Downtown is set to open in the second quarter of 2026.

The new location will anchor down in the Arizona Center at 455 N. 3rd St., #1180. Chula Seafood Downtown will feature a full bar, fresh and unique seafood selections and scrumptious specials, much like its sister locations in Uptown Phoenix, South Scottsdale and North Scottsdale.

Additional information, including grand opening details, is forthcoming.

[ASU Diablo]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

I received this email confirming Chula Seafood's forthcoming Arizona Center location:

Chula Seafood is set to make a splash in Downtown Phoenix next year! The brand, which brings fresh seafood to the desert with its three valley locations, has announced a fourth location. Chula Seafood Downtown is set to open in the second quarter of 2026.

The new location will anchor down in the Arizona Center at 455 N. 3rd St., #1180. Chula Seafood Downtown will feature a full bar, fresh and unique seafood selections and scrumptious specials, much like its sister locations in Uptown Phoenix, South Scottsdale and North Scottsdale.

Additional information, including grand opening details, is forthcoming.

Cleaverman and Filthy Martini Bar is set to open next Friday, Nov 21st, as well!

[azliam]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

I received this email confirming Chula Seafood's forthcoming Arizona Center location:

Chula Seafood is set to make a splash in Downtown Phoenix next year! The brand, which brings fresh seafood to the desert with its three valley locations, has announced a fourth location. Chula Seafood Downtown is set to open in the second quarter of 2026.

The new location will anchor down in the Arizona Center at 455 N. 3rd St., #1180. Chula Seafood Downtown will feature a full bar, fresh and unique seafood selections and scrumptious specials, much like its sister locations in Uptown Phoenix, South Scottsdale and North Scottsdale.

Additional information, including grand opening details, is forthcoming.

Nice! Will be great for downtown.

[builder03]

Here's a good article that highlights all of the recently opened and coming soon restaurants in Tempe.

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/food-dri...nts-coming-soon-to-mill-avenue-40620380/

Here's the list.

Recently opened:
- Bad Jimmy's
- Prince St. Pizza
- Proof Bread

Coming Soon:
- Night Owl Pizza and Drinks
- Wild Barbecue
- Novel Ice Cream
- Carmen
- Roman God of Fire
- "Unamed Glai Baan Concept"

[phoenixwillrise]

We had a party of seven. Solid food great ambiance and the genre of music is great BUT WAY TOO LOUD! So go there if you have a party of 4 or less but avoid it if you don't. I politely asked the manager to turn down the music after I complemented him on the food etc and basically he said he would then did nothing. I explained to him that trying to talk to someone at the other end of the table was like an NFL QB yelling an audible at the line of scrimmage but I guess to no avail.

[Phxguy]

Originally Posted by builder03

Here's a good article that highlights all of the recently opened and coming soon restaurants in Tempe.

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/food-dri...nts-coming-soon-to-mill-avenue-40620380/

Here's the list.

Recently opened:
- Bad Jimmy's
- Prince St. Pizza
- Proof Bread

Coming Soon:
- Night Owl Pizza and Drinks
- Wild Barbecue
- Novel Ice Cream
- Carmen
- Roman God of Fire
- "Unamed Glai Baan Concept"

In addition to these spots, soon to open on Mill Ave are:

Culinary Gangster (SEC of Mill/5th St, ground floor suite along 5th St)
Phantom Fox Brewery + Goat and Ram Pizza (Previously Illegal Pete's)
Republic Tempe (Replacing Mill Ave Cue Club/Zuma's Grill)

[Phxguy]

Some new spots coming Downtown Phx:

1) New convenience store at ground floor of the Derby (NEC of 2nd St/McKinley)
2) Supply & Sip - Liquor Store coming to the last retail suite in the Broadstone Roosevelt (330 E. Roosevelt Street, Ste. #146)
3) 3 New concepts (Hero, Pizzanista!, and Bar Saint Bruno) are planned for Rainbow Rd Apts and the old Sutra Yoga Studio building at the intersection of 1st/Portland
4) East Bite to replace the former Balsamic Vietnamese spot on McDowell and 2nd St
5) Matilda's, cafe opening soon in the bungalow at 822 N 6th Ave
6) Off the Record - New bar coming into the Knights of Pythias building at 825 N 1st Ave
7) Unnamed new pub to replace the old Lacuna Kava space at 811 N 3rd St
8) PoNy’s Miches Michelada Bar & Grill to replace Fez at SWC of Portland/Central
9) Moka & Co, coffee shop planned for Sol Modern (SEC of McKinley and 1st St)
10) A sushi spot is replacing the Mifon Hot Pot space on Central Ave just north of Forno 301
11) Cowboy Seafood will open in the vacant retail space next to Starbucks at Park Central along Central Ave

[muertecaza]

Phoenix to join Michelin Guide:

https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertai...042d00----v116042&gca-ft=55&gca-ds=sophi

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Phxguy

In addition to these spots, soon to open on Mill Ave are:

Culinary Gangster (SEC of Mill/5th St, ground floor suite along 5th St)
Phantom Fox Brewery + Goat and Ram Pizza (Previously Illegal Pete's)
Republic Tempe (Replacing Mill Ave Cue Club/Zuma's Grill)

Has anyone been to the Culinary Gangster on Roosevelt? I just tried it, and it seemed like a Sysco truck trying to act cool or edgy. The menu is generic, full of items seen everywhere else, and a lot of what's served seems to come from the freezer. Admittedly, I'm biased because the previous occupant (Full Speed Chicken & Ribs) was so much better, but this place seems out of place on Roosevelt.

[MiEncanto]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Has anyone been to the Culinary Gangster on Roosevelt? I just tried it, and it seemed like a Sysco truck trying to act cool or edgy. The menu is generic, full of items seen everywhere else, and a lot of what's served seems to come from the freezer. Admittedly, I'm biased because the previous occupant (Full Speed Chicken & Ribs) was so much better, but this place seems out of place on Roosevelt.

A Sysco truck trying to act cool is the story of our time. How many restaurants are out there trying to pretend to be scratch but are just trying to prepare corporate food with their own spin on it? Don't get me wrong- there's a market for that and it keeps costs low for the customer, but it also can be bait and switch. You're selling custom but delivering prefab.

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by builder03

Here's a good article that highlights all of the recently opened and coming soon restaurants in Tempe.

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/food-dri...nts-coming-soon-to-mill-avenue-40620380/

Here's the list.

Recently opened:
- Bad Jimmy's
- Prince St. Pizza
- Proof Bread

Coming Soon:
- Night Owl Pizza and Drinks
- Wild Barbecue
- Novel Ice Cream
- Carmen
- Roman God of Fire
- "Unamed Glai Baan Concept"

Originally Posted by Phxguy

In addition to these spots, soon to open on Mill Ave are:

Culinary Gangster (SEC of Mill/5th St, ground floor suite along 5th St)
Phantom Fox Brewery + Goat and Ram Pizza (Previously Illegal Pete's)
Republic Tempe (Replacing Mill Ave Cue Club/Zuma's Grill)

I'm glad there does not seem to be any shortage of people willing to give new concepts on Mill a shot. Hopefully some of these stick around. Proof and Phantom Fox in Mesa are awesome, I'm rooting for them in particular.

[azliam]

Not a good look:

Arizona sushi chain operators accused of stash houses, trafficking workers

By Amy Cutler and Cody Lillich
Published: Dec. 19, 2025 at 6:18 PM MST

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The owner and two managers of an Arizona sushi chain have been arrested on federal charges of harboring illegal immigrants and operating what investigators describe as a human trafficking operation across the East Valley.

Court documents alleged Yung Lau, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from China, along with two managers, including his brother, kept dozens of undocumented immigrants in four “stash houses” and forced them to work at restaurants seven days a week with no days off. The restaurants involved were Sakura Sushi in Gilbert, Mesa and Phoenix and Akita Sushi in Scottsdale.

https://www.azfamily.com/2025/12/20/ariz...ccused-stash-houses-trafficking-workers/

[phoenixwillrise]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Matt's Big Breakfast has moved one door down to the space that was formerly home to Sin Muerte then Hugo's. This is the third location for Matt's on the same block.

Which location I would guess downtown but not familiar with those other places you list.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by phoenixwillrise

Which location I would guess downtown but not familiar with those other places you list.

Matt's new location is at 817 N 1st St, between Garfield and McKinley.

[phoenixwillrise]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Matt's new location is at 817 N 1st St, between Garfield and McKinley.

Thanks.