16 Phoenix restaurants recently closed, one after 9 months

In October, metro Phoenix said goodbye to several bars and restaurants, including an upscale Mediterranean restaurant, a sports bar, a famous pizzeria, a popular Southeast Asian-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar, an Italian restaurant from a popular chef from Valea, for a long time. barbeque in Old Town and an award-winning brewery and distillery.

Most of the closures happened quietly and all were permanent. Two restaurants have another location that remains open.

Some restaurants didn’t make it through the first year, while others closed after eight. The rest was somewhere in the middle.

Here’s a look at the restaurants, bars and brewpubs that have recently closed in metro Phoenix.

The grove

The upscale Mediterranean restaurant located at Scottsdale Quarter has quietly closed after 18 months. Although the restaurant did not publicly announce its closure, Restaurant brokerswho represents the owners, confirmed that the restaurant closed in October. Arbodela served food from Spain, Morocco, Greece and Italy.

Arizona Distilling Co.

Awards Arizona Distilling Co. closed its Tempe location near the corner of Roosevelt Street and University Drive after six years. Arizona Distilling Co. expanded into this space in 2018. After closing, production moved to the larger Mesa location.

Belly

Belly in Phoenix closed Oct. 30 after four years.

The restaurant announced its closure in a Instagram post on October 16. “It is with a heavy heart that we must let you all know that we have made the difficult decision to close Belly in Phoenix.”

Instrumental Hospitality’s Southeast Asian-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar opened in Phoenix’s Melrose neighborhood in 2020. In 2022, it added a second location at Epicenter in Gilbert.

The Gilbert location remains open.

Buqui Bichi

Buqui Bichian award-winning craft brewery based in Hermosillo, has closed its Chandler location at the corner of Arizona Avenue and Fry Road after 15 months. It was the brewery’s first US location. A sign on the door said “space available”. Both Instagram and Facebook accounts have been deactivated.

The downtown Phoenix location remains open.

Federal American Grill

Texas-based Federal American Grill has quietly closed its only metro Phoenix location, which was on Mayo Blvd. The restaurant has been removed from the list of locations on the website. In a statement to The Republic, Jenna Jackson of PR Creative Group said the restaurant closed because it didn’t have enough business to sustain it.

&Juliet Neapolitana

This restaurant belonged to SnapBack Pizzeria’s Ryan Moreno, who got his start making pizza at Arizona Distilling Co. in May. When the distillery closed, so did the pizza pop-up. In an October 17 Instagram postMoreno announced that the pizzeria is nearing completion. “We just want to make one thing ABSOLUTELY clear, ZERO BAD BLOOD AND THANK YOU ABSOLUTELY @azdistilling for the opportunity to partner with them in the Tempe location to start this concept. Big things are on the horizon for both businesses,” Moreno wrote.

La Cocina Economica

La Cocina Economica, a casual Mexican restaurant at the corner of McDowell Road and 16th Street, has closed. A note about them Instagram the account announced its closure after 20 years and asked fans to follow them on various social media platforms under @eltiranteshow to find out what’s next. No new locations have been announced at the time of writing.

Lou Malnati

Lou Malnati has closed its Gilbert location at the corner of Pecos Road and Val Vista Drive after three years. The location has been removed from the site, but no reason has been given for the closure.

Mr. Zeke’s

Mr. Zeke at the corner of McQueen and Warner roads in Gilbert has closed. The Lakeside location remains open.

Off 87

Off 87, a sports bar at the corner of Ocotillo Road and Route 87, formerly known as Ginger Monkeyclosed after 11 months. Mike and Tami Butcher of Pizza Butcher took it over in November 2023. The restaurant now has a sign “Sorry! We are closed” so to speak Instagram profile picture.

Pokitrization

After eight years, the local poke bowl and sushi burrito chain has closed its first shop in Chandler. The owners announced it on October 30 Instagram post. “We come to you with immense gratitude, love and appreciation for the incredible support you have shown us over the past eight years. Your loyalty to Pokitrition has been our greatest source of inspiration and joy, allowing us to pursue our passion. for innovative meals and share it with this wonderful community. You trusted us, supported our journey and encouraged us to explore new flavors and creative concepts. For that, we are deeply grateful.

The Phoenix and Scottsdale locations remain open.

Publico Italian restaurant

Pubblico has closed its Phoenix location at the corner of Seventh Street and Bethany Home Road. The Scottsdale restaurant remains open.

Snack shop

Chef Joey Maggiore’s Italian BBQ concept, Snack shopofficial closed after nine months.

Located near the intersection of Tatum Boulevard and Cactus Road, the restaurant opened in December 2023 as part of a launch of two concepts by Maggiore.

Mexicano, which had closed due to a kitchen fire, reopened in The Rosticceria space on October 15. Once the Mexicano rebuild is complete, Maggiore plans to move the concept back to its original location and open something new in Rosticceria, he hopes. until January 2025.

Serafina coffee

Serafina Coffee has closed its downtown Phoenix location after six years. According to one Instagram postthe cafe has opened another location on the sixth floor of the ASU Law School. The cafe offers fair trade and locally roasted Arabica beans. Its north Phoenix location on Seventh Street also remains open.

Starlite BBQ and whiskey

Starlite BBQ in Old Town Scottsdale abruptly closed after six years. The restaurant was an upscale barbecue place by the owners of Ocotillo. The restaurant’s social media and website no longer exist. Earlier this year, Chantico, another restaurant by the same owner, closed in similarly quiet fashion.

Emily K., a reviewer on Yappingposted about the closure on October 8th. “Just wanted to leave a review that this was probably our favorite place to eat and we are so sad that it is closing and so suddenly. We loved supporting this place, really nice people who worked there, the best. ribs EVER and I hope you come back.”

The crying pig

The Whining Pig closed its Ahwatukee location on October 26th. The bar announced its closure on Instagram. “It is with a heavy heart that our last day of service will be Saturday, October 26th. It’s been an amazing 8 years serving this community and we appreciate each and every one of you who has supported this journey!”

The bar’s Gilbert, downtown Phoenix and Desert Ridge locations remain open.

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