By admin 
These popular restaurant chains started in metro Phoenix
See which restaurant chains got their start in the Phoenix area and the stories behind them.
The Republic
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 Valley chef, an old barbecue joint in the Old Town and an award-winning brewery and distillery.
Most of the closures occurred quietly and all were permanent. Two restaurants still have locations that remain open.
Some restaurants didn’t make it past their first year, while another closed after eight years. The rest fell somewhere in between.
Here’s a look at restaurants, bars and breweries that recently closed in metro Phoenix.
Arboleda
The upscale Mediterranean restaurant in Scottsdale Quarter quietly closed after 18 months. Although the restaurant has not publicly announced the closure, The restaurant brokerswho represents the owners, confirmed that the restaurant had closed in October. Arbodela served dishes from Spain, Morocco, Greece and Italy.
Arizona Distillation Co.
Award-winning Arizona Distillation 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 the closure, production moved to the larger Mesa location.
Belly
Belly in Phoenix closed on October 30 after four years.
The restaurant announced its closure within a week Instagram post on October 16. “It is with heavy hearts 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 2020 in Phoenix’s Melrose neighborhood. A second location was added in 2022 Epicenter in Gilbert.
The Gilbert location remains open.
Buqui Bichi
Buqui Bichian award-winning craft brewery based in Hermosillo, closed its Chandler location at the corner of Arizona Avenue and Fry Road after 15 months. It was the brewery’s first American location. A sign on the door said ‘space is available’. Both Instagram and Facebook accounts have been deactivated.
The downtown Phoenix location remains open.
Federal American Grill
Texas-based restaurant Federal American Grill quietly closed its only Phoenix metro location on Mayo Boulevard. The restaurant has been removed from the location list on the website. In a statement to The Republic, Jenna Jackson of PR Creative Group said the restaurant closed because it did not have enough business to sustain it.
&Juliet Neapolitana
This restaurant was owned by Ryan Moreno of SnapBack Pizzeria, who started 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 was coming to an end. “We want to make one thing ABSOLUTELY clear: ZERO BAD BLOOD AND WE ABSOLUTELY THANK YOU @azdistilling for the opportunity to work with them at the Tempe location to kick off this concept. Big things are on the horizon for both companies,” Moreno wrote.
La Cocina Economica
La Cocina Economica, a casual Mexican restaurant near the corner of McDowell Road and 16th Street, has closed. A note about them Instagram account announced their closure after 20 years and asked fans to follow them on various social media platforms under @eltiranteshow to find out what’s next. At the time of writing, no new location has been announced.
Lou Malnati
Lou Malnati closed his Gilbert location at the corner of Pecos Road and Val Vista Drive after three years. The location was removed from the website, but no reason was given for the closure.
Mr. Zeke’s
Mr. Zeke is closed at the corner of McQueen and Warner roads in Gilbert. The lake location remains open.
From 87
Off 87, a sports bar on the corner of Ocotillo Road and Route 87, formerly known as Ginger Monkeyclosed after 11 months. Mike and Tami Butcher of The Pizza Butcher took over in November 2023. The restaurant now has a sign saying “Sorry! We are closed”. Instagram profile photo.
Pokitrition
After eight years, the local poke bowl and sushi burrito chain closed its first store in Chandler. The owners announced it on October 30 Instagram post. “We reach out 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 dine and share it with this amazing community. You have trusted us, supported our journey and encouraged us to explore new flavors and creative concepts.
The Phoenix and Scottsdale locations remain open.
Pubblico Italian eatery
Pubblico closed its Phoenix location at the corner of Seventh Street and Bethany Home Road. The Scottsdale restaurant remains open.
Rosticceria
Chef Joey Maggiore’s Italian grill concept, The Rosticceriaofficially Closed after nine months.
Located near the intersection of Tatum Boulevard and Cactus Road, the restaurant opened in December 2023 as part of a rollout of two concepts by Maggiore.
The Mexicano, which was closed due to a kitchen fire, reopened at The Rosticceria on October 15. Once the reconstruction of The Mexicano is complete, Maggiore plans to move the concept back to its original location and open something new at The Rosticceria, he hopes. by January 2025.
Serafina coffee
Serafina Coffee closed its downtown Phoenix location after six years. According to one Instagram postthe coffee shop opened another location on the sixth floor of the ASU Law School. The coffee shop offers fair trade and locally roasted Arabica beans. The north Phoenix location on Seventh Street also remains open.
Starlite BBQ and whisky
Starlite barbecue in Old Town Scottsdale closed abruptly after six years. The restaurant was an upscale barbecue restaurant from the owners of Ocotillo. The restaurant’s social media and website no longer exist. Earlier this year, Chantico, another restaurant under the same owner, closed in a similarly quiet manner.
Emily K., a reviewer of Yelpposted about the closure on October 8th. “Just wanted to leave a review saying this was probably our favorite place to eat and we are SO sad it closed so abruptly. We loved supporting this place, really lovely people who worked there, best ribs EVER and I hope you come back.”
The whining pig
The Whining Pig closed its Ahwatukee location on October 26. The bar announced its closure Instagram. “It is with heavy hearts that our last day of service will be this Saturday, October 26. It has been eight wonderful years of serving this community and we appreciate all of you who have supported us along this journey!”
The bar’s Gilbert, downtown Phoenix and Desert Ridge locations remain open.
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