A handful of restaurants opened their doors around metro Phoenix in recent weeks, bringing new offerings for Jamaican food, cereal desserts, teppanyaki and craft beer.
Gov. Doug Ducey now allows restaurants to operate at full dine-in capacity and mask wearing is not required by the state, though businesses may choose to require them.But some health experts say relaxing COVID-19 restrictions in Arizona is premature and risky. Experts estimate at least 70% of the population will need to be vaccinated in order to reach herd immunity, but it's still unclear when or whether Arizona will reach that.
It's best to check abusiness' website or call ahead to see what takeout services are available or safety precautions are being implemented at the following new restaurants, food trucks and bars:
5 Star Dive Bar and Grill
This Tempe bar offers 32 beers on draft and 22 bottled beers. Happy hour runs daily from 3-7 p.m., with $6 fried foods and house co*cktails.
Details: 1807 E. Baseline Road, Suite 101, Tempe. 480-597-3067, fivestardivebar.com.
The Boyer Bakery
Opening April 1, the Boyer family turns their home bakery into a west Valley storefront. The bakery makes cakes, cinnamon rolls, cookie sandwiches and more.
Details: 13681 N. Litchfield Road, Surprise. 623-518-2432, theboyerbakery.com.
Carousel Arcade Bar
Expect colossal milkshakes, carnival-inspired food and throwback arcade games at this new bar in Westgate Entertainment District.
Details:6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Suite G207, Glendale.carouselarcadebar.com.
Chef J Asian Kitchen Phoenix
This casual spot offers American Chinese food and other Asian fare, from dim sum to Korean barbecue. Lunch combos include anegg roll, cheese puff and fried rice.
Details: 4316 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix. 602-354-8830, chefjphoenix.com.
The Cereal Killerz
Pick from shelves of cereal, including rarities and seasonal specials such as Peeps marshmallow cereal, that can be used for toppings on waffles, ice cream and milkshakes.
Details: 13778 W. McDowell Road, Suite 301, Goodyear. 623-440-4030, thecerealkillerz.com.
Crumbl Cookies
This popular cookie chain is known for its rotating menu of soft cookies. Recent options included sea salt toffee, carrot cake, iced oatmeal and milk chocolate chip.
Details: 1911 E. Brown Road, Suite 3, Mesa. 480-530-0185, crumblcookies.com.
Dave Jamaican Kitchen
Take home a combo of Jamaican foods, from ackee and saltfish to curry goat, served with rice and beans. Plantains and steamed vegetables are also available as extras.
Details: 4802 N. 59th Ave., Phoenix. 602-583-0661, instagram.com/davekitchenaz.
Desert Bloom Coffee
This mobile coffee bar serves a variety of hot and cold drinks to wake you up. Sign up for the lifetime VIP keychain for a 15% discount and free beverage every month.
Details: Mondays at 5830 W. Greenway Ave., Glendale. For other locations, visit facebook.com/desertbloomcoffeeco.
Los Cerritos
This late-night burrito and nacho spot closed in June 2020, but fans were excited to learn Los Cerritos is back in a new location in a Safeway plaza near Arcadia.
Details: 4730 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix.
Christopher's at Wrigley Mansion
Chef Christopher Gross runs an intimate restaurant with an eight-course tasting menu, 180-degree view of the Valley, and cooks who double as servers.
Details: 2501 E.Telawa Trail, Phoenix.602-522-2344,wrigleymansion.com.
Dremt
This west Valley taco stand offers barbacoa tacos, quesatacos cooked with melted cheese and, occasionally, nachos.
Details: Fridays and Saturdays at 12345 W. Indian School Road, Avondale. instagram.com/_dremt_.
Humble Bistro
Chef and owner Jorge Gomez gives the Humble Pie brand a reboot. Expect a mix of influences on the menu, from Korean chicken pizza to moules frites to steak chimichurri.
Details: 5415 E. High St., Suite 127, Phoenix. 480-502-2121,humblepieusa.com.
Farmer Boys
This southern California chain made its Arizona debut, serving burgers, all-day and cooked-to-order breakfast, hand-chopped salads and sandwiches.
Details:1535 N. Higley Road, Gilbert. 480-648-1264, farmerboys.com.
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Forefathers Cheesesteaks
Build your own cheesesteak sandwich or salad, and add a order of fries. Sandwich sauces include a drizzle of traditional Cheez Whiz or other options.
Details: 1075 W. Queen Creek Road, Chandler. forefatherssteaks.com.
Gadzooks
Diamondback fans can now find this Valley chain, known for enchiladas, at Chase Field.
Details: Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix.
I Heart Mac & Cheese
Build your own macaroni and cheese or order one of the "chef's specials," such as the lobster and white truffle mac and baked buffalo chicken.
Details: 1342 W. Warner Road, Tempe. 480-940-2314, iheartmacandcheese.com.
KC's Cluck Kitchen
It's all about fried chicken here — sandwiches, wraps and strips. The family bundle for four comes with a box of crinkle fries and pint of coleslaw.
Details: 1900 E. Fifth St, Tempe. 480-708-3881, kcscluckkitchen.com.
Kwench Juice Cafe
This raw juice and smoothie bar also offers pitaya and açaí bowls, plus plant-based grab-and-go meals and protein bars.
Details: 949 W. Ray Road, Suite 27, Chandler. 480-219-9753, kwenchchandler.com.
Lola Coffee
This popular Phoenix cafe opened a new location, bringing its fair trade coffee, pastries and breakfast bites to Glendale.
Details: 20280 N. 59th Ave., Suite 119, Glendale. lolacoffeebarphx.com.
El Mexibachi
This food truck specializes in teppanyaki, with foods available a la carte or as an entree with vegetables and fried rice. Options include lobster, scallops and filet mignon.
Details: 1902 N. 99th Ave., Phoenix. facebook.com/elmexibachi.
Nacho Xpress
Located inside Central Station, a recording studio, Nacho Xpress serves nachos with grilled chicken, beef or all vegetable option with a variety of toppings.
Details: Saturdays and Sundays at Central Station Studios, 8841 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-753-8848,facebook.com/NachoXpress.
Novel Ice Cream
This photogenic Phoenix ice cream shop opened a new location in Mesa. Novel is known for its doughnut and waffle ice cream sandwiches, plus creative flavors.
Details: 40 N. Macdonald, Suite 2, Mesa. 602-784-4729, instagram.com/Novel_PHX.
Ono Hawaiian BBQ
This fast-casual chain continues to expand. Plate lunches, such as Hawaiian BBQ chicken and kalua pork, come with rice, macaroni salad and vegetables.
Details: 3135 S. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert. 480-426-1383, onohawaiianbbq.com.
Pinkberry
This Scottsdale-based frozen yogurt and ice cream shop opened its latest location at Scottsdale Fashion Square, with a wide selection of tart, sweet and dairy-free options.
Details: Scottsdale Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite K132. 480- 702-0198, pinkberry.com.
Los Pinos Surf and Turf
The menu at this steak and mariscos restaurant includes coconut seafood co*cktail and Mesquite-grilled sirloin.
Details: 3618 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-368-9830, lospinossurfandturf.com.
State 48 Tap House
This local brewery has both seasonaland year-round offerings at its newest location, such as the Van Buren Belgian Blonde and Javelina Hefeweizen.
Details: SanTan Village, 2218 E Williams Field Road, Suite 101, Gilbert. 480-530-4190, state48brewery.com.
Trapper's Sushi Co.
This Washington-based chain opened its first Arizona location. The restaurant serves sushi, nigiri, vegetarian rolls, teriyaki and tempura.
Details: 10321 W. McDowell Road, Suite A-101, Avondale. 623-248-1726, trapperssushi.com.
Uncle Ten's Pho
Pick from different Vietnamese dishes here, such as cha hio hai san (seafood rolls), bun bo hue with brisket and Vietnamese pork roll, and banh mi.
Details: 602 W. Union Hills Drive, Suite 10, Phoenix. 623-248-0247, facebook.com/uncletenspho.
Wow Bao
Operating exclusively for takeout from Fired Pie locations, Wow Bao offers mix-and-match buns, pan-seared and steamed potstickers, and rice bowls.
Details: Scottsdale Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road. For additional locations, visit wowbao.com.
Reach the reporter at Priscilla.Totiya@azcentral.com. Follow @priscillatotiya on Twitter and Instagram.
