News Summary
Arizona’s culinary landscape continues to evolve with several new restaurant openings, including Stella’s Ice Cream in Gilbert and a new deli pop-up becoming permanent. Various dining concepts are also set to transform Gilbert’s downtown with ambitious projects. Renowned chains like Portillo’s and Arby’s introduce new items, while local favorites like Joe’s Farm Grill gain national recognition. As the dining scene flourishes, residents can expect a rich variety of culinary options across the state.
Arizona’s culinary landscape is set to undergo significant transformations as multiple new restaurants expand and enter the state’s vibrant dining scene. Various establishments, ranging from ice cream parlors to full-service restaurants, are opening their doors to residents and visitors alike, promising diverse culinary options across the region.
Among the updates, Idaho-based Stella’s Ice Cream has launched a new location in Gilbert at Verde at Cooley Station. This shop features a dozen core “classic” ice cream flavors alongside baked goods. The Gilbert location operates from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and extends hours until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Stella’s Ice Cream began its journey in 2018 in Nampa, Idaho, and has successfully expanded to eight locations throughout the state. A second franchise is expected to debut in Ahwatukee this June.
In addition, Portillo’s, a well-known chain, is rolling out a limited-time Italian beef sandwich known as The Leo until the end of May, in celebration of new Pope Leo XIV. Meanwhile, Arby’s has introduced two new barbecue sandwich options—brisket or pulled pork—collaborating with celebrities Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer, with this offer available through June.
Subway is also making headlines by reintroducing its popular $6.99 footlong deal at participating locations. Customers can take advantage of this promotion using the code “699FL,” limited to one use per order.
In a noteworthy development, Krispy Kreme has decided to pause its plans to supply donuts to all McDonald’s locations across the United States; however, the partnership will continue in 2,400 select locations.
Transitioning from sweets to savory, Little Pickle, a New York-style deli pop-up, is set to become a permanent fixture in Phoenix after a successful initial six-month run. Additionally, Bojangles, a North Carolina chain famous for its chicken and biscuits, is expanding into Gilbert, AZ. The company has acquired land on Val Vista and Melrose to establish its new location as part of a multi-unit development commitment, which includes the introduction of 20 new restaurants in Arizona.
Further enhancing Gilbert’s dining prospects, Flagship Restaurant Group plans to open three popular dining concepts in Heritage Park in Downtown Gilbert, which will encompass 14,000 square feet. This ambitious project aims to create a vibrant community space that includes a total of 47,000 square feet dedicated to restaurant and retail space, residential apartments, and additional amenities. Construction for this development is set to commence in early 2025.
On a national scale, Joe’s Farm Grill located in Gilbert has received accolades for its family-friendly atmosphere, ranking No. 2 on Yelp’s list of the top 100 family-friendly restaurants in the U.S. The establishment combines indoor and outdoor seating and is celebrated for its commitment to local and organic ingredients. Along with Joe’s Farm Grill, Joe’s Real BBQ and a number of other Arizona-based eateries have also made their mark on the Yelp list.
As Arizona looks to the future of its dining sector, additional new restaurants are on the horizon. Among them is Vybe, which is set to offer a sensory-rich dining experience, as well as The Shiv Supper Club located in Scottsdale. Lastly, Chubby Skewers will be introducing a unique northeastern Chinese barbecue culinary option with a new location slated to open in Mesa.
With these expansions and new entries, Arizona residents can look forward to an even more diverse array of dining options, inviting everyone to experience the state’s evolving gastronomic scene.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- ABC15: Bojangles to Open a Location in Gilbert
- Wikipedia: Food and Drink
- Fabulous Arizona: Flagship Restaurant Group
- Google Search: Arizona Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times: New Restaurants in Gilbert
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant Industry
- AZFamily: Restaurant Violations in Gilbert
- Google News: Restaurant News
