Over two dozen new restaurants are now open in metro Phoenix, from sushi and ramen to enchiladas and ice cream. The Mexican food scene in particular is growing, with new restaurants like Tulum Modern Mexican and the return of Casa Ramos, plus additional locations of Mesquite Street Mex and Caliente Mexican Grill.
In downtown Phoenix, Latha and The Diaspora Collective provide not just delicious food representing the Black diaspora, but an introduction to African culture through taste and sound. And a new bar, Quartz, gives serious Star Wars vibes, with drinks and decor meant to make guests feel as if they've transported to the fictional desert planet Tatooine.
Here are 23 restaurants that are now open in metro Phoenix.
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Brekky Brunch
The former Biscuits Cafe on the southwest corner of Alma School and Germann in south Chandler is now home to Brekky Brunch. The menu includes burgers and sandwiches like a bacon cheeseburger and a Reuben, plus benedicts, omelets, waffles and breakfast burritos. There are also many gluten-free options.
Details: 2040 S. Alma School Road, Suite 3, Chandler. 480-899-0758, facebook.com/people/Brekky-Brunch.
BYOV
BYOV, which stands for Bring Your Own Veggies, opened recently in Chandler. The menu is 100% vegan and offers Mexican and sushi dishes such as Cali and Philly rolls, birria tacos, loaded nachos and wings tossed in honey hot, BBQ, buffalo, lemon pepper, Korean BBQ or Jerk sauce.
Details: 777 N. Arizona Ave., Suite 3, Chandler. azbyov.square.site.
Caliente Mexican Grill
A second location of Caliente Mexican Grill is now open in north Phoenix. Lunch and dinner favorites include the Plato Caliente with steak, chicken, chorizo and carnitas, the steak fajita quesadilla, the tender carnitas plate and the poblano enchiladas. The restaurant also serves chicken, lobster, fried fish and ground beef tacos.
Details: 1855 W. Deer Valley Road, Suite 107, Phoenix. 623-234-8713, calienteaz.com.
Casa Ramos
After being closed for six years, Casa Ramos has finally returned to Mesa. The restaurant is a completely new version built on the same space as the old Casa Ramos. Menu highlights include tacos al carbon, fajitas del mar, shrimp and mole enchiladas, green chile pork burritos and tacos de pescado.
Details: 1526 E. Main St., Mesa. 480-272-7220, facebook.com/CasaRamosRedux, @casaramosredux on Instagram.
Chipotle
If you have ever wished that Chipotle had a drive thru, you're in luck. Mesa's first "Chipotlane" debuted on April 12 at the corner of Ray and Power roads. However, the drive thru is only for those picking up online orders. So if you want to see the workers make your burrito in front of you, you'll still have to go inside and wait in line.
Details: 9259 E. Ray Road, Mesa. chipotle.com.
Daily Drip Coffee & Desserts
A second location of Daily Drip Coffee & Desserts is now open in Scottsdale. The coffee shop provides cozy vibes for studying and working or meeting up with friends. Daily Drip offers traditional coffee drinks as well as a berry blend latte, blue lavender latte and tropicana blend latte. Food options include crepes, chimney cakes and Romanian food like tripe soup, cabbage rolls and Transylvanian sausages.
Details: 6430 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale. @dailydripcoffeedesserts on Instagram.
Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup
A fifth location of Valley favorite Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup is now open in Gilbert. The first Gadzooks was opened in 2013 by thePool brothers, Aaron and Jared, who also ownThe Green Woodpecker with Drew Pool. The restaurant offers award-winning build-your-own tacos, enchiladas and soups with Modelo braised bison, sweet and spicy cornbread, honey vinegar slaw, pickled onions and house-made guacamole.
Details: 3150 E. Ray Road, Suite 144, Gilbert. gadzooksaz.com.
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Handel's Homemade Ice Cream
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream opened its fifth Arizona location at Park West shopping center in Peoria. The Ohio-based ice cream shop offers over 45 flavors, like chocolate raspberry truffle, black cherry, cinnamon graham cracker, peppermint bark and cheesecake with Oreo.
Details:9784 W. Northern Ave., Suite 1235, Peoria. 623-872-5401,handelsicecream.com.
Hornbill Sushi & Asian Fusion
A mouthwatering new sushi spot is now open in north Phoenix. The namesake Hornbill roll is made with spicy tuna, cucumber and avocado topped with tuna, salmon, yellowtail, shrimp and tobiko. The menu also includes options like kung pao chicken, kimchi fried rice and tonkotsu ramen.
Details: 1618 E. Bell Road, Phoenix. 602-975-6220, @hornbill_sushi on Instagram.
Latha
Latha and The Diaspora Collective is now open in Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix. The restaurant's decor is largely influenced by the diaspora, including pieces shipped directly from Africa. The menu includes a range of dishes representing the flavors of Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and the southern United States, with many vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
"I do think that food, music, all of those things are ways for people to travel in a sense without buying a plane ticket," said owner Evelia Davis.
Details: 628 E. Adams St., Phoenix.thediasporacollective.com.
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Lucky Lou's American Kitchen
Lucky Lou's American Kitchen is a Las Vegas-themed modern diner from the owners of Lucky Lou's American Grill. Much of the menu is the same as the Grill, with the addition of breakfast items such as chicken and waffles, omelets and benedicts. Lunch and dinner options include a "High Roller" burger with BBQ sauce, bacon, cheddar cheese and onion rings; a fried shrimp platter; chicken fettucine alfredo and a French dip sandwich.
Details: 1850 S. Val Vista Dr., Mesa. 480-500-5565, luckylouskitchen.com.
Mesquite Fresh Street Mex
Speedy Street Tacos in Phoenix rebranded as the ninth location of Mesquite Fresh Street Mex. The restaurant is open 24 hours and features a revamped drive thru and outdoor seating. Mesquite Fresh Street Mex offers customizable tacos, burritos, bowls and quesadillas.
Details: 4002 E Washington St., Phoenix. eatmesquite.com.
Mug N' Shot
Mug N' Shot is a new gastropub and sports bar in Gilbert with plenty of beers on tap. Menu highlights include a bacon and brie burger, a BOLT sandwich (bacon, lettuce, onion, tomato) and a lobster roll. A huge patio and plenty of TVs make it a great spot to watch a game with friends.
Details: 100 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. 480-741-1030, @mug.n.shot on Instagram.
Paradise Valley Burger Company
Paradise Valley Burger Company has opened a second location, this time in Tempe. Signature burgers include the "cinco diablo" with beer battered poblano, Fresno chili pesto, serrano chili pickled in tequila, avocado, jalapeno ranch and chipotle bacon, and the "booze burger," a beer battered patty smothered in green chili, bacon and vodka cream sauce and topped with chilies pickled in whiskey.
Details: 815 East Baseline Road, Tempe. pvburgercompany.com.
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Pasta Joint
Pasta Joint, which calls itself "your local pasta dealer," is now open in Gilbert. The takeout-only restaurant offers a small but efficient menu of spaghetti, alfredo, a meatball sub and two types of cheesecake for dessert.
Details: 3050 E. Queen Creek Road, Suite 101, Gilbert. pastajointaz.com.
Pocha 54
Pocha 54 is a new Korean tapas bar in Phoenix. Menu options include Korean spicy ramen, spam musubi, bulgogi and bean sprout, gochujang pork, kimbap and hot pot, plus plenty of soju and wine. Happy hour is 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Details: 5415 E. High St., Suite 101, Phoenix. @pocha54az on Instagram.
Princess Pita
To celebrate 20 years of Princess Market and Deli, siblings and owners Noor and Deena Alsadi have opened Princess Pita in Tempe. The restaurant serves many of the same fan favorites from Princess Market and Deli, including lamb shank, shawarma, hummus and baklava. Unlike the original location, Princess Pita does not include a grocery store.
Details: 1158 West Washington St., Suite 105, Tempe. 623-286-9860, princesspitas.com.
Quartz
A new co*cktail bar is now open in downtown Phoenix near Gus’s Fried Chicken and State 48 Brewery. The owners wanted to have a bar influenced by Mos Eisley Cantina from Star Wars, a place in the middle of the desert where people get away from it all and meet on neutral ground for fun.
The bar is divided into two sections. The front bar is inspired by tangible components of the desert, like rocks, with the drinks inspired by gemstones. Back bar drinks are based on the histories, cultures and animals of the desert.
Details: 341 W. Van Buren, Phoenix.quartzphx.com.
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Tap N Tikka
Tap N Tikka is a new Indian scratch kitchen and bar in Gilbert in the space that formerly housed TC's Pub & Grub. The menu includes chicken cheese tikka, chicken biryani, shahi paneer and Malai goat. Pair them with a beer and stay for live music every Friday.
Details: 25 E. Ray Road, Gilbert. 480-590-2317, tapntikka.net.
Tulum Modern Mexican
Tulum Modern Mexican is now open on the second level at Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale. Described by Westgate as a "swanky jungle getaway," Tulum offers an array of seafood, grilled meats and artisan co*cktails.
Details: 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Suite G207, Glendale. 623-335-2613, westgateaz.com.
Twin Peaks
Dallas-based sports bar chain Twin Peaks opened its fifth Valley location in Deer Valley. The sports bar offers a Billionaire's Bacon Burger, crispy mini beef tacos, a spicy meatball parmesan sandwich, the "Hottie" jalapeno popper flatbread, boneless wings and plenty of beer.
Details: 3063 W. Agua Fria Freeway, Phoenix. 623-248-7771, twinpeaksrestaurant.com.
W&Z Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar
W&Z Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar, a chain with restaurants in Arizona and New Mexico, recently opened its sixth Arizona location in Tempe. The menu offers Mongolian beef, orange chicken, lo mein, and sushi platters.
Details: 9880 S. Rural Road, Suite B105, Tempe. wztempe.bobog.com.
805 Wine Boutique
A cozy new bottle shop is now open at the Historic Grand Avenue Arts District's Desert Sun Plaza. The wine boutique is located in a former motel room and specializes in wines from California. It is not a bar, but customers can try one-ounce samples of wines before buying a bottle.
Details: 1325 Grand Avenue, Suite 114, Phoenix. 805wineboutique.com.
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Reach the reporter atendia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow@EndiaFontanezon Twitter.
