Category: pizza

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries, and wineries.

National Gyro Day deals at Pita Jungle and Feta Cowboy

Next Monday, September 1st (Labor Day) celebrates the meat filled pita and tziki sauce and these two valley favorites are celebrating. Pita Jungle is serving up $5 Gyros all day for dine-in and with a 2 gyro limit. Feta Cowboy is offering Buy One Gyro, Get One Free from 2 – 4 p.m.

“Dinner on Us” back for Labor Day at Roaring Fork

This promotion for the Scottsdale restaurant returns on September 1st from 4 – 9 p.m. Buy One Entree, Get the 2nd Free with over 10 entrees to choose from. Reservations are recommended for this popular promotion.

1/2 price pancakes at Scramble this weekend

You have until August 31st to score 1/2 off all full orders of any pancakes on the menu. The dine-in only special is a “Thank you” to customers as the restaurant has been named Best Breakfast for the sixth year in a row.

Quiche & Pies named “One of the Best Places for Pie in the West”

AAA’s Via magazine just awarded the Chandler bakery this prestigious accolade earning national attention. The bakery joins 8 other bakeries from California to Alaska for their buttery French-style crusts and decadent fillings. The bakery is owned by Chef Fabrice Buschetz and his wife and business partner Mairead who also owns Cuisine Wine Bistro in Chandler.

Prince Street Pizza now open

The long-awaited opening of the iconic NYC pizzeria is now open on Mill Ave. in Tempe. It was announced almost a year ago about the location and more details are in this previous post.

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries, and wineries.

Celebrating over 50 years of pizza and pipes at Organ Stop Pizza

The Mesa pizza restaurant hasn’t always been at its current location, but it has been since 1975 after three years at 7th St. & Missouri in Phoenix. Now in 2025 they’re celebrating both 50 years in Mesa and 53 years of pizzas and pipe organ music. To celebrate they are offering guests a $60 Meal Deal for “Cheers to 50 Years in Mesa” through September 30th.

Get Two large pizzas with unlimited toppings (extra cheese not included), Two appetizers (combo basket excluded), Two pitchers of soft drink. Mention this deal when ordering
Dine-in only. No substitutions. MUST mention deal when ordering. 

J&G Steakhouse named to Top 100 Hotel Restaurants

Kayak and OpenTable have named the Scottsdale restaurant to their list of Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America. It’s one of only two Arizona restaurants on the list and only one in Scottsdale to make it. The signature restaurant at The Phoenician Resort & Spa is run by Executive Chef Jacques Qualin who says, “We aim for all our guests to have an extraordinary, sophisticated evening out, with every detail executed to the highest level,” said Qualin. “J&G Steakhouse is not only a destination for guests of The Phoenician; it has also become a spot for locals to enjoy a consistently unrivaled dining experience.”

New seasonal dishes on the menu at Pizzeria Virtu

James Beard Award nominee Gio Osso has added 4 new appetizers and 4 pizzas using seasonal ingredients at his Downtown Scottsdale pizzeria.

  • Appetizers:
    • Olive – Warm mixed olives, lemon, chile, oregano, flatbread
    • Pezzetti – Chopped salad, salame, formaggi, tomato, cucumber, fregola sarda olives, onion, pinenuts, pepperoncini sott’olio, raisins, basil buttermilk dressing
    • Montata – Lemon whipped ricotta, honey drizzle, pistachio crumble
  • Pizzas:
    • L’Estate – Fior di latte, fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic, oregano, basil, evoo
    • Vongole – Garlic butter clams, bacon, lemon, oregano, pecorino
    • Spilinga Bianca – Fior di latte, n’duja, torpedo onion, crema di pecorino picante
    • Campania – Sugo cotto, mozzarella di bufala, basil, prosciutto crudo

Tracy Dempsey Originals and ODV Wines back open after summer break

She’s back in her kitchen getting ready to roll into cooler temps with cooking classes, fun lunch & dinner menus for the family, Spontaneous Sip Saturday and more at her Tempe bakery, kitchen and wine shop.

ATL Wings now sells grab & go ZOYO Neighborhood Yogurt

Nothing like cooling off the mouth after some hot & spicy wings, now you can do so at the 16 ATL Wings locations around Arizona. They’ve collaborated with the yogurt shop to offer customers several frozen yogurt favors including the popular Kool Aid, Dole Whip, Tropical Punch, Chocolate Vanilla Swirl and others.

 

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Only Michelin one star taco stand coming to Dbacks game tonight

Tonight’s baseball game will have a pop-up taco stand from Mario Hernandez Alonso, son of the founder of Taquería El Califa de León. The Dbacks are kicking off Mexican Heritage Weekend with tacos on Chase Field’s Plaza with the famous Gaonera tacos which debuted back in 1968.

Craft 64 celebrates Cinco de Mayo all month long

Both the Scottsdale and Chandler pizza & beer restaurants is exploring Arizona’s Mexican heritage and how its ingredients work with traditional pizza. All month long get the house-made 64 Al Pastor, Tha’ Taco and 64 Fajita pizzas along with a Jicama Fresca salad and a Cinco De Pollo sope special. 3 Mexican style beers were made by co-owner James Swann are on tap and 4 seasonal cocktails including the Watermelon Margarita were created for the month-long event.

Chula Seafood Uptown offers new Tuna Tataki Salad

For a limited time, guests visiting the Central Phoenix location can enjoy a new salad. The seared tuna tataki comes served alongside a crispy medley of Napa and red cabbage, fresh cucumber, cherry tomatoes, snap peas and julienned carrots all tossed in a vibrant soy-ginger dressing and paired with chilled Udon noodles and enoki mushrooms.

Famous 48 closes its doors

The Scottsdale restaurant served its last meal on Sunday, May 4th and wanted to thank their customers that supported them over the years.

 

 

Weekly specials at newly remodeled Streets of New York

A Glendale location of Streets of New York recently debuted its new modern industrial look at its grand reopening. To celebrate four weekly specials are available to new and returning guests.

“We’re thrilled to welcome our guests back to our newly remodeled 91st Avenue and Northern location,” says Ryan Glaeser, director of operations at Streets of New York. “The fresh look brings even more of the Streets of New York experience you love—same great food, brand-new vibe.”

The now look includes red exposed ductwork, whitewashed brick columns and sleek black accents create a contemporary yet comfortable atmosphere. The same award-winning pizzas, pasta and more have not changed with the remodel. The new weekly specials include…..

  • Mondays: Buy one pizza, get a second for half price
  • Wednesdays: $9.99 Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Thursdays: Half-price bottles of wine
  • Daily, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Lunch specials starting at $5.75

For more information visit Streets of New York’s website.

State Forty Eight collaborates with Spinato’s

Locally owned Spintato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen and the State Forty Eight Foundation are collaborating on a new pizza and margarita to support local entrepreneurs until May 31st at all six Spinato’s locations. The State Forty Eight Pizza is the first specialty pizza at Spinato’s using Hayden Flour Mills flour. In late 2024 Spinato’s decided to offer a healthier and locally grown & milled flour and made the switch to Hayden Flour Mills, which is one of Arizona’s oldest companies.

“We are big fans of State Forty Eight and we jumped at the chance to collaborate with them on a pizza to raise funds for their foundation,” said Anthony Spinato, CEO of Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen. “Mike Spangenberg and his State Forty Eight team do tremendous work supporting small businesses and startups. We admire their innovation and commitment to strengthening our community, and we’re excited that our guests can help support their efforts as well.”

The State Forty Eight Pizza is a zesty Southwest Margarita pizza made with olive oil, mozzarella, Pico de Gallo, feta, lime crema, cotija, and cilantro. The Phoenix is an orange blossom margarita paying tribute to valley’s once thriving citrus industry.

Celebrate State Forty Eight on April 9th

The celebratory launch is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9th at Spinato’s Gilbert location at Epicenter at Agritopia from 6 -8 p.m. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended where guests can win prizes, fun surprises and enjoy live music from Hayley Green. A portion of the proceeds from pizza, margarita, t-shirts and stickers will be donated to the SFE Foundation.

“Arizona is full of incredible, talented entrepreneurs with diverse business challenges. Our goal is to lift them up with support and guidance. Ultimately, we want to build a thriving ecosystem of local businesses committed to creating a stronger economy for all who call Arizona home,” Mike Spangenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of State Forty Eight and Chairman of the Board for the State Forty Eight Foundation said. He is also grateful to collaborate with Spinato’s to support local business’.

Prices for the pizza are $18.25 (small); $24.25 (medium), and $30.25 (large). The Phoenix Margarita is $16. Special pricing packages are also available that include the pizza, margaritas, stickers, and the special collaborative T-shirt.

Don Guerra opening Barrio Bagel & Slice in March

James Beard award-winning baker Don Guerra broke ground recently at a former Sonic Drive-In in Gilbert where he plans to open his Barrio Bagel & Slice drive-thru next month. The “drive-thru worth driving through” will bake his popular artisan Barrio bagels, Barrio breads and slices of pizza on site using Arizona grown and milled Heritage grains. Guerra is committed to supporting the “grain chain” throughout Arizona and is partnering with restaurateur, farmer, developer and contractor Oren Molonvinsky.

“We want our wholesome high-quality, healthy foods to be accessible to our entire community,” said Guerra. “Barrio Bagel & Slice is the next step in the evolution of our mission to be community supported and customer centered while redefining the concept of fast casual dining”.

Scratch made ingredients will top pizzas and bagels which will be available in a variety of flavors for breakfast bagel sandwiches and Sicilian style focaccia dough pizzas will be available during lunch and dinner hours. Signature sandwiches will be made with a choice of a Sonora bagel, torta roll or sourdough focaccia panini. Loafs of bread will be available all day daily at 9 a.m. until they’re sold out. Salads, sweets, coffee, tea and cold brews will also be available.

The fast casual drive-thru will keep the covered parking and will be designed with nostalgia and murals. Take-out, drive-thru and third-party delivery will be available. A second location in Tucson is already in the planning stages.

Don Guerra is looking to mentor and hire new bakers

With his Barrio Bread expanding and the opening of Barrio Bagel & Slice, Guerra is looking to hire enthusiastic new bread bakers who are looking to be ambassadors to his mission. Those food service professionals with prior baking experience and those looking to learn to make artisan breads using quality ingredients and Arizona Heritage grains from centuries old recipes should apply. Bakers will be involved in all aspects of the baking business from production to logistics & operations to customer service. For complete job descriptions and to apply, visit http://indeed.com/job/lead-baker (lead baker) and http://indeed.com/job/baker (baker).

Barrio Bagel & Slice will be at 689 N. Arizona Ave. and will be open 7 days a week at 7 a.m. and stay open until 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and until 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information about the new drive-thru visit their website.

 

 

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Hask Kitchen raising money for Habitat LA with new Has# Pancake Trio

February is National Pancake Month and all seven valley locations celebrate with a new trio of Red Velvet, Pineapple and S’mores stacks. $2 of every trio sold in February will be donated to Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) and its disaster relief efforts.

Chula Seafood celebrates 6 years in Uptown Phx

The local seafood monger & restaurant celebrates the anniversary of its 2nd Phoenix area restaurant on tomorrow, February 1st with specials at all 3 locations. All locations will have “Two Buck Shucks” and each location will offer specials as follow….

Uptown

  • Tuna Katsu Sando featuring a fried panko-crusted ground tuna patty on wondrous white with cabbage and tonkatsu sauce, $16.
  • Polenta Shrimp App featuring 13 to 15 shrimp, guajillo-marinated, sauteed and served on top of polenta cakes with a lime gastrique, $14.
  • Whole Fried Thai Snapper—Crispy fried snapper with Thai basil salsa verde, herb salad and coconut rice, MP.

Rosie

  • Coconut Shrimp with fries, choice of sauce and lemon, $17 for a 3-piece/$20 for a 6-piece
  • Fried Shrimp with fries, choice of sauce and lemon, $15 for a 3-piece/$18 for a 6-piece – Sauce choices include sweet chili, spicy Kewpie, masago ranch and cocktail sauce
  • French Fries, $8
  • Green Chile Cheese Fries with cheddar cheese sauce, green chilies and cilantro, $14
  • A la Carte Coconut Shrimp Taco—A flour tortilla filled with spicy Kewpie, coconut shrimp, purple cabbage, pineapple serrano salsa and avocado, $12

Grayhawk

  • Filet O Fish—White fish brandade patty breaded in panko then deep fried and served with American cheese, malt vinegar tartar sauce, shredded iceberg and house-made pickles on a Noble slider bun. Served with a side of chips, $15
  • Lobster Grilled Cheese— Butter-poached lobster with a white cheddar mornay on toasted Noble sourdough and served with a side of tomato soup, $25
  • Tuna Bulgogi Kimchi Fries—Crispy French fries topped off with seasoned ground yellowfin tuna, caramelized onions, kimchi, American cheese and sesame mayo, $15

Let’s do lunch at…….

Fire at Will starting Monday, February 3rd from 11 a.m. – 4p.m. The Scottsdale restaurant will offer a daily menu with more than 20 Small Plates, Burgers and Sandwiches, Salads, Big Plates, Sides and Desserts to choose from. Highlights such as French Onion Dip, Italian Chopped salad, Bacon BBQ Burger and Shrimp & Grits will impress the lunchtime crowd with its locally sourced ingredients like the way the dinner menu has since it opened.

Cider Corps offers new late night hours February 3rd

The downtown Mesa cidery will be staying open later as we get into the Phoenix area’s busy season arriving. The new taproom hours will begin 7 days a week from 11 a.m. -until 10 p.m. Monday – Friday, until 12 a.m. Friday & Saturday and 8 p.m. on Sundays. Myke’s Pizza will be serving NY-style slices of Cheese, Pepperoni and Vodka Sauce with Jalapenos Friday & Saturday nights from 8 – 10 p.m.

Bourbon & Bones reschedule Rickhouse event to March, 1st

With Parada Del Sol taking over Old Town Scottsdale tomorrow the scheduled Rickhouse Bourbon event will take the day off so those can attend the western celebration. The event returns the first Saturday in March.

 

Harry Potter inspired pizza and beer collaboration at Spinato’s

Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen is ending 2024 with the last of its collaboration with Steve Larson a.k.a The Wizard of Za with its Rose Au Gratin Pizza available at all locations until December 31st. The Harry Potter inspired pizza was co-created with Jaime Spinato the restaurant’s director of community outreach and brand manager. Like its other collaborations, a local brewer is chosen to create a special beer for the occasion and Phoenix’s Roses By The Stairs brewery created a Belgian style witbier, The Witty Wizard.

Jaime, who embodies the spirit of a true Ravenclaw says “We had a lot of fun creating this pizza, and I’m grateful for Steve’s guidance as we experimented with different ingredients,”. “The rosemary-dressed potatoes lend a savory elegance to the pizza and the delicate borage blossom flowers add a visual and culinary flourish. We added a sprinkle of edible blue glitter to give the dish a magical, almost otherworldly charm.”

The pizza features an Alfredo base with layered sliced potatoes dressed in olive oil and rosemary, garlic, caramelized onions, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, edible borage flower blossoms and it is topped with a sprinkle of edible blue glitter. The Witty Wizard offers hints of lemon, grapefruit, and thyme. The witbier captures a touch of magical whimsy with its enchanting blend of flavors. The zesty lemon and grapefruit bring a burst of sunshine, while the aromatic thyme adds a hint of herbal charm.

The Rose Au Gratin is $11.75 for a personal pizza and $29.75 for a large. A 16 oz. can of The Witty Wizard is $8 and is only available at the restaurant. Local artist Aaron Thomason created the harry Potter like design for the can. For more information visit the pizzeria’s website.

 

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Good news! The Phoenix Pizza Festival is this weekend

The weather is looking good for this weekend’s festival at Margaret T. Hansen Park in downtown Phoenix. Tickets are still available, and details can be found at a recent post.

Third Tuesday dinner at Romeo’s Euro Cafe

The popular downtown Gilbert cafe serves up its monthly dinner next Tuesday, November 24th. Dinner starts with a tomato cucumber salad followed by a slow cooked beef shank and ends with mixed berry cobbler. Wines from around the world will be paired with each course and the dinner is $48++ per person and reservations can be made by calling 480-962-4224.

Seats available for champagne dinner at Christopher’s Wrigley Mansion

This Tuesday, November 19th the famed restaurant overlooking the Biltmore neighborhood welcomes Champagne Lelarge Puegot for multi-course pairing dinner. A reception starts the evening at 6 p.m. and is $250++ per person with reservations being made at OpenTable.

Gold medal winning tacos now available at Chula Seafood’s Grayhawk location

Every Taco Tuesday guests at the North Scottsdale location can taste the award-winning taco(s) from the 2024 Taco Fest. The Shrimp Tacos Dorados are crispy shrimp-and-potato-filled tacos topped with crema, salsa roja shrimp coctel, creamy avocado, crisp cabbage and zesty pickled onions. The tacos are also gluten-free.

Phoenix City Grille offers new daily specials

The Uptown Phoenix restaurant announced new weekly specials that include….

Martini Mondays- What makes Mondays a little better? Cocktails! Every Monday, guests can enjoy martinis and Manhattans all day long for just $10 each!

Take-Out Tuesdays- Too busy to dine in? No problem — on Tuesdays, guests that make a phone-ahead take-out order after 4 p.m. will receive 15% off their order! (Don’t forget to mention this promo when calling in the order.)

Wine Down Wednesdays- Every Wednesday after 4 p.m., guests can enjoy 25% off their favorite bottle featured on PCG’s Under $100 list.

Happy Hour- Enjoy special pricing on food and beverages every day from 3-6 p.m.

Brunch Happy Hour- During brunch, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays, specialty cocktails are just $10 each and bottles of sparkling wine are half price — perfect for “build your own” mimosas!

 

 

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

Ember Lounge holiday experience kicks off tonight in North Phoenix

The popular pop-up at Desert Ridge Marketplace starts its 2024 season tonight through January 12th, 2025. Inside the District Dome guests can enjoy shareable plates and themed cocktails from Copper Blues Live that include Open Fire Meatball Skillet, Harvest Bread Boule, Smoked Campfire S’mores, The Ice Hotel & The Northern Light.

Ember Lounge will be open Wednesday through Sunday and the new Dome After Dark starts at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday’s. Guests will enjoy live entertainment nightly that will include live music and DJs for late night fun. The Ember Lounge sold out last year so be sure to get your tickets at this link.

Tis the season for tamales at Diego Pops

A staple in the southwest during the holidays are tamales and the downtown Scottsdale restaurant has them for dine-in guests and packaged to-go. Options include…

  • Tia’s Tamale Plate – Tamale lovers can dine in at Diego Pops this holiday season and choose from the classic tamale flavors of red beef machaca or green chili chicken! The tamale plate includes two tamales topped with black beans, corn queso, pickled onion, fresno pepper and cabbage. Served with a side of rice and beans of your choice. Limited availability.
  • Take Home Tia’s Tamales (1 dozen to-go) – Take the flavors of Diego Pops to your friends and family and pick up a dozen to take home with your choice of red beef machaca or green chili chicken. Take-out tamales include your choice of rice and beans. Limited availability.

Diego’s sister restaurant, Arcadia’s (Phoenix) Eat Up, Drive In is offering a dozen red or green tamales available for pick-up throughout the holidays.

Macayo’s to offer weekly tamale tutorial and lunch

Looking to learn how to make tamales yourself well Macayo’s has your back. Starting next Saturday, November 16th, through Saturday, December 21st you can learn how to make them. Classes start at 3 p.m. at locations below and include a Top Shelf Margarita, a 3-course lunch and tamale making tutorial for $60 per person and you can take home the tamales you make. A maximum of 4 people per group and a class of 40 people will offer an intimate and enjoyable experience. Tickets can be purchased at Macayo’s website.

Saturday, Nov. 16 at Macayo’s Scottsdale

Saturday, Nov. 23 at Macayo’s Mesa Dobson

Saturday, Dec. 7 at Macayo’s Goodyear

Saturday, Dec. 14 at Macayo’s Chandler

Saturday, Dec. 21 at Macayo’s Scottsdale

New seasonal pizza available at Myke’s Pizza

The downtown Mesa artisan pizza maker is now making a Butternut Squash pizza through December 1st. Made with locally sourced butternut squash, mozzarella, buttered pecans, pickled red onions then finished with a drizzle of citrus-chile puree is $21. It’s one of his seasonal pizzas and allows Myke and his team to support local farmers and vendors.

STK Steakhouse offer steak tailgate from

With football season in full swing the Downtown Scottsdale is offering USDA Prime steaks for home grilling. The STK Meat Market will cut your steak to order then flash freeze the deliver them to your home ready to be prepared. Cuts include Wagyu and STK’s signature cuts and can be ordered at their website.