Restaurants in Tempe (What's new and what survived) (Tucson, Green Valley: closing, military)

[elcajones]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Ra Sushi on Mill Avenue also closed a few years ago, which is sad because it was one of my favorite places to get Asian styled take outs. Thankfully, they still have other locations, but the one on Mill was really convenient for lunch since my office is close by.

I remember the obnoxious as hell commercials, I didn't realize they were gone now. Bummer

[MuncherBier]

Are most of the restaurants in the Tempe, Chandler, and Gilbert areas chains? Or are they local spots (including the coffee shops and breweries)? We're headed out to visit as a possible relocation option and it looks like these areas have some decent food choices but I don't know if these are west coast chains or local.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by MuncherBier

Are most of the restaurants in the Tempe, Chandler, and Gilbert areas chains? Or are they local spots (including the coffee shops and breweries)? We're headed out to visit as a possible relocation option and it looks like these areas have some decent food choices but I don't know if these are west coast chains or local.

A lot of both. Google will tell you if they are local or chains.

[KurtAZ]

Update: Sadly, House of Tricks closed.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

Update: Sadly, House of Tricks closed.

It has not closed yet. The owners have announced an intention to retire in June. There's still plenty of time to enjoy the restaurant between now and then.

[KO Stradivarius]

Originally Posted by MuncherBier

Are most of the restaurants in the Tempe, Chandler, and Gilbert areas chains? Or are they local spots (including the coffee shops and breweries)? We're headed out to visit as a possible relocation option and it looks like these areas have some decent food choices but I don't know if these are west coast chains or local.

I did some quick research for a post from 4 months ago about the restaurants in downtown Gilbert (Gilbert Rd - not every single place). Here you go:

Sotol Modern Cocktail Kitchen, Joe's Real BBQ, SoCal Fish Taco Company, The Farmhouse Restaurant, Champions Sports Saloon, The White Rabbit, Liberty Market, Romeo's Euro Café, Topo -- these all have only one location in Gilbert as far as I can tell.

Clever Koi - locations in Phoenix and Gilbert - two locations
Joyride Taco House - two locations
Sushi Brokers - three locations
Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row - three locations
The Porch - three locations
OHSO - four upscale valley locations

Oreganos, Lo-Lo's, Snooze, Zinburger, Postino, Culinary Dropout are indeed large chains.

There are also other businesses in the area such as coffee shops, a huge candy store, ice cream, a street taco stand (Midnight Taco - 2 locations), Level 1 Arcade Bar (one location), the Hale Theatre, the park by the water tower.

[locolife]

Originally Posted by MuncherBier

Are most of the restaurants in the Tempe, Chandler, and Gilbert areas chains? Or are they local spots (including the coffee shops and breweries)? We're headed out to visit as a possible relocation option and it looks like these areas have some decent food choices but I don't know if these are west coast chains or local.

I'd say it depends on the areas of each of those cities you're in but personally I live in Tempe and almost never eat at chains, with the exception being local chains like Press Coffee. In Tempe I'd recommend Casey Moore's, House of Tricks, Cornish Pasty, The Chuckbox, Vincintarios (south Tempe), Postino, Chompies, The Dhaba, Caffe Boa, Spinatos, Harlows Cafe, Med Fresh Turkish, Thai Basil, Matts Big Breakfast, Snooze (is a small chain but I do like their food).

That's kind of scratching the surface and depending on what you're looking for there's endless options in metro Phoenix of course. I don't find it very hard to eat at non-major chains, if you go to a major strip mall like Tempe marketplace you're mainly going to see chains but go down towards Mill and you'll find all kinds of non-chain choices.

[MuncherBier]

Thanks everyone for the info. We visited Scottsdale and today are visiting Gilbert, Chandler, and maybe Tempe.



We don't mind local chains but we avoid national franchises. We were excited to see one of our old Denver favorites for breakfast, Snooze. This was a single restaurant in Denver back when we lived there.

[Voebe]

I don't know why anyone would have a conference in Tempe in August, but as long as you're using the word "new," I just thought I'd mention that a lot of well-reviewed places have opened in Mesa and Chandler, and there's also Scottsdale, if you have a car.

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/rest...t-now-11394057

[xxmagex]

Originally Posted by Voebe

I don't know why anyone would have a conference in Tempe in August, but as long as you're using the word "new," I just thought I'd mention that a lot of well-reviewed places have opened in Mesa and Chandler, and there's also Scottsdale, if you have a car.

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/rest...t-now-11394057

Well, when the convention started many years ago, it was generally in May or June. The last couple of years to moved to the August date due to reduced cost from the hotel. I prefer the May date for a variety of reasons, but I don't set the date.

We did drive down to Tucson last year to visit some museums and I remember we ate at a restaurant there that the driver said was rated the best in Tucson. It was called the Arizona Family Restaurant. It was nice enough, but it didn't knock my socks off.