Five Restaurants Coming Soon to Metro Phoenix

Though information is light, here are some quick hits on 5 restaurants soon to open in the Phoenix Metro area:

1. When in Rome - Brought to you by the folks from Tomaso's, When in Rome will be located at 23655 N Scottsdale Road # 120 Scottsdale, AZ 85255.  A specific opening date is not yet known, however North Scottsdale Lifestyle magazine has more on Tomaso himself and gives some hints as to what ingredients we can expect to find on the menu.

2. Casa Anejo - Planning for a May opening at 5602 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014 next to The Colony, Casa Anejo makes it clear tacos and tequila will be on the menu.  Though at this this time, the venture by the same folks who opened Stock & Stable last year, Evening Entertainment Group, details are still limited.

3. Panera Bread - A new location is coming to the Paradise Valley Mall area.  Located at 4512 E. Cactus Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85032, this will only add to Panera's increasing presence in the valley after having recently converted several Paradise Bakery locations into Panera Bread locations.

4. Artezania Kitchen & Cantina - Not much is yet known about this upcoming restaurant attached to the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Hotel in North Scottsdale at 7677 E Princess Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 next to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort. According to the purveyors, Artezania Kitchen & Cantina, "is a fresh ingredient concept incorporating a modern twist on southwest cuisine with a specialty craft beverage program focusing on Tequila and Mezcal."

5. Döner Dudes - To open near the Tempe ASU campus, right between the Vista Del Sol student housing and the Adelphi Commons at 681 E. Apache Blvd. #107 Tempe, AZ 85281, Döner Dudes, "is a fast-casual restaurant serving authentic Turkish Mediterranean food to our guests. Our atmosphere is casual yet professional at all times." Wondering what a döner is? It is a Turkish kebab, "cooked on a vertical rotisserie are the Arab shawarma, Greek gyros, and Mexican Al pastor."

MAD Greens Coming to Peoria

Ready for restaurant #8 in Arizona, Colorado-based MAD Greens is close to opening in Peoria at 16955 N. 75th Ave. #105 Peoria, AZ 85382.  Hopeful for an opening within the next couple of weeks, this will be MAD Greens' first spot in the west valley.  Known for salads with names like Crazy Ivan or Ty Cobb, they also offer paninis, wraps, soups, and juices.  Here are some quick hits:

Photo by: MAD Greens

• Crazy Ivan - Baby Greens, Roasted Beets, Pumpkin Seeds, House-made Croutons, Goat Cheese, Grilled Citrus Chicken
• Dionysos - Romaine, Avocado, Tomatoes, Bacon, Red Onions, Eggs, Grilled Southwestern Chicken
• Don Quixote - Baby Greens, Mango, Avocado, Roasted Corn, Jack Cheese, Grilled Piri Piri Shrimp
• Mad Cuban Panini - Sourdough Bread, Dijon Mustard, Swiss Cheese, Slow Roasted Chicken, Ham, Dill Pickles
• Bollywood Wrap - Romaine, Slow Roasted Chicken, Grilled Sweet Onions, Celery, Whole Wheat Tortilla
• Green Detox Juice - Kale, Celery, Ginger Root , Cucumbers, Cayenne Pepper

Check out the rest of the menu along with nutrition information. 

Opening Soon: Modern Market in Old Town Scottsdale

Roman Salad - Photo by: Modern Market

Modern Market will be opening their first Arizona location on Monday, February 27th with more to come later this year. Located at 4821 N. Scottsdale Rd. #109 Scottsdale, AZ 85251, according to Modern Market, they have created a menu with something for everyone:

"We cook using simple, whole ingredients that come from farms, not factories. We make most things from scratch, even down to our salad dressings and pizza dough. This has led to a menu that satisfies virtually any dietary requirement – vegan, celiac, paleo, raw, south beach, high carb, low carb, and also low GCI."

 A finalized menu is not listed for the Old Town location, however, Modern Market is known for soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizza as well as a breakfast selection, beer, and wine. The menus across the country, including Texas, D.C., Maryland, and Colorado are all very similar so it would be fair to say what we see on those menus should closely reflect what we see here.  Check out a menu from one of the Denver locations.

Additionally, Modern Market plans to open 2 more Phoenix area spots this year.  They will be located at 4901 E Ray Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85044 and 16203 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.  Stay tuned for more updates as the AZFoodDude gets them.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop Coming to Arizona

A hit in other cities across the country, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Potbelly Sandwich Works, or Potbelly's as it is affectionately known by regulars, is finally making the move to Arizona.  Slated to open three locations in the upcoming months, Potbelly's has no plans of stopping there, hoping to "...be all over the Valley" and expand into Tucson, according to the company's market manager for Arizona.

The one Potbelly's location being reported by multiple outlets is the future CityScape spot, set to open in the fall.  However, there are also reports of two other locations, looking to open before labor day.   These spots include one at 7th Ave & McDowell Rd. and one near 20th St. & Camelback Rd. 

The Chicago-based Potbelly Sandwich Shop began in 1977 as an antique store and has grown to over 240 locations.  Potbelly's has a menu that includes sandwiches, salads, soups, chili, sides such as macaroni salad and potato salad, shakes, malts, smoothies, baked goods, and even offers breakfast at many of its locations.  Check out Potbelly's menu and see for yourself.

Stay tuned to the AZFoodDude for updates on exact opening dates and future locations.

Togo's Returns to Arizona

The official grand opening is set for Saturday, August 18, but Togo's in Gilbert is now ready for business.  The AZFoodDude reported on the second coming of Togo's to the Valley back in January and now with the first location having opened at 1520 W. Guadalupe Rd. #101 Gilbert, AZ 85233, the franchisee has his sights set on opening two more Togo's restaurants in the Valley.  The hours for the restaurant are:

• Monday - Friday: 10am - 9pm
• Saturday: 10:30am - 7pm
• Sunday: 11am - 5pm

According to the press release, "To celebrate Togo's arrival in Arizona, two lucky Gilbert customers will win free sandwiches for one-year. Additionally, the local community is invited to attend the official Grand Opening all-day celebration, taking place on Saturday, August 18, 2012 with music, prizes, local fundraiser event and more!"

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/06/12/4556141/togos-arrives-in-arizona-with.html#storylink=cpy"

To celebrate Togo's arrival in Arizona, two lucky Gilbert customers will win free sandwiches for one-year. Additionally, the local community is invited to attend the official Grand Opening all-day celebration, taking place on Saturday, August 18, 2012 with music, prizes, local fundraiser event and more!

Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1ecq1)

To celebrate Togo's arrival in Arizona, two lucky Gilbert customers will win free sandwiches for one-year. Additionally, the local community is invited to attend the official Grand Opening all-day celebration, taking place on Saturday, August 18, 2012 with music, prizes, local fundraiser event and more!

Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1ecq1)

To celebrate Togo's arrival in Arizona, two lucky Gilbert customers will win free sandwiches for one-year. Additionally, the local community is invited to attend the official Grand Opening all-day celebration, taking place on Saturday, August 18, 2012 with music, prizes, local fundraiser event and more!

Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1ecq1)

Togo's, which is based in San Jose, CA and first opened in 1967, is known for their "West Coast" hot or cold sandwiches, but also offers up soups, salads, chips, cookies, and brownies.  You can check out the full Togo's menu here.

Saladworks Coming to Arizona

Photo by Saladworks - BLT Salad

With over 100 locations in 11 states, Saladworks is hoping to open 5 restaurants in Maricopa County by 2016 with the first location opening by the end of this year.  The location set to open this year isn't known just yet, but Scottsdale looks to be a safe bet since the franchisee mentioned in the QSR article is a Scottsdale resident. 

First opening in Cherry Hill, NJ in 1986, Saladworks specializes in salads, including the ability to create your own, but also has focaccia sandwiches, paninis, wraps, and soups.  View the full Saladworks menu here.

Togo's Looking to Expand Into Arizona, Again

Headquartered in San Jose, CA, Togo's Eateries is set to open 28 new restaurants (26 franchised and 2 corporate), some of which are planned for Arizona.  At this point, no more information is available on proposed locations or opening dates.  However, it should be noted that as of a couple years ago, there were three Togo's locations in Arizona, with one each in Scottsdale, Chandler, and in the Phoenix Biltmore area.  Will this expansion workout better? I'm sure there's some stomachs around here that hope so.

Togo's, which first opened in 1967, is known for their "West Coast" hot or cold sandwiches, but also offers up soups, salads, chips, cookies, and brownies.  You can check out the full Togo's menu here.

Chicken Tortilla Soup Coming to Chick-Fil-A

Starting on January 2, 2012, Chick-fil-A will begin offering their version of Chicken Tortilla Soup.  Chick-fil-A describes the Chicken Tortilla Soup as,

...made with shredded boneless breast of chicken and navy, northern, and black beans in a white creamy base with a blend of vegetables and a variety of spices (and) topped with seasoned corn tortilla strips...

Available until March 31, the Chicken Tortilla Soup will come in a medium size for $2.69 and large for $4.99.

6th Annual Dine Out With The Chefs Coming to Scottsdale in October

On October 2, The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will host the 6th annual Dine Out with the Chefs. The event brings together over 25 chefs from some of the top restaurants in the valley.

Guests have the opportunity to mingle with renowned culinary masters and to sample their mouth-watering creations, from delicious soups, salads and appetizers to some of their signature dishes and most decadent desserts. To complement the brilliant cuisine, the event also features live entertainment, tastings of fine wines and tequilas, cooking demonstrations and a book signing, among other surprises.

Advance purchase tickets are $60 and tickets at the door will cost $70. More information can be found at the above links.

Corner Bakery to Open This Month in Downtown Phoenix

Corner Bakery Cafe already has a location in the Arrowhead area of Peoria, but they are getting ready to open  their second location it the state later this month. Corner Bakery will be opening in the Arizona Center at 454 N. 3rd St. #1065 Phoenix, AZ 85004, where Fat Tuesday used to be, according to AZCentral.

Texas-based Corner Bakery began as a small bakery but has become a fast casual chain of over 110 restaurants nationwide. The menu consists of sandwiches, breakfast, sweets, panini, soups, salads and pasta.

Paradise Bakery Opening in Old Town Scottsdale, Tempe & Tucson

Paradise Bakery & Café, the Scottsdale-based restaurant, is planning to open in the old building at 7145 E. Indian School Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 that housed Fuddruckers as recently as last fall. Looking at a November opening, the location will be one of over 70 locations that the growing company has throughout the country.

In addition, Paradise Bakery will be opening two other locations in the state later this fall. One in Tempe at 1825 E. Guadalupe Rd. Tempe, AZ 85283 and Tucson's second location at 4362 N. Oracle Rd. Tucson, AZ 85705.

Check out other Paradise Bakery locations and have a look at the menu of baked goods, sandwiches, paninis, soups, pasta, salads as well as breakfast goods, espresso and smoothies.

Postino Winecafé Coming to Gilbert

Postino Winecafé already has two locations in Phoenix and come October, they will have a third. To be located at 302 N. Gilbert Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85233, Postino Winecafé will be taking over a spot that has had five different restaurants in the past 14 years. For those of you trying to remember what restaurants have been in the building, the East Valley Tribune has the past tenants:

Original tenant Mohogany Run lasted the longest, three years. Hearthrob Cafe, Rock City Bar & Grill and GrainBelt GrillHouse failed quickly. Even a place named for Arizona Diamondbacks legend Luis Gonzalez — Gonzo’s All-American Grill — was open for only 11 months.

Other businesses in the area have high hopes for Postino due to its reputation at the other two locations at 3939 E. Campbell Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85018 and 5144 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85012.

In addition to the wine, Postino has soup, salad, paninis and desserts. You can check out the menu here and have a look at the Saturday and Sunday Brunch menu.