The Vig to Open Fifth Restaurant in the Valley

The Vig, already with three Phoenix locations in Arcadia, Fillmore, and Uptown, as well as one in Scottsdale at McCormick Ranch, is preparing for an April opening of their fifth restaurant in the McDowell Mountain Ranch area of Scottsdale, near the corner of Bell Rd. & Thompson Peak Pkwy.

The mountain views are going to be a draw for this location and The Vig has already planned for those that love the trails nearby.  According to Jessie Palm, director of PR & Marketing for Genuine Concepts via ABC15:

"Because it is relatively close to the mountains, the restaurant will have lockers and a locker room for guests to change, get cleaned up and have lunch or dinner, she said."

The photos shown here by The Vig highlight the Pozole and the Cheeseburger with Fries.  Check out menus for each location, which include sandwiches, salads, pasta, tacos, and seafood, at the main Vig website.

Uberrito to Open in Phoenix Arcadia Neighborhood

Headquartered in Texas, Uberrito is set to expand with their second spot outside of the Lone Star State, which just so happens to be their second spot in Arizona.  To be located in the Arcadia Gateway Shopping Center on the southwest corner of Indian School Rd. & 44th St. near the soon to be opening Smashburger and Doughbird, Uberrito hopes to make their mark on the fresh-Mex market and beyond:

"Über is a German word that means “above” or “beyond.” Burrito is a Spanish word that means, well, “burrito.” Überrito stands for who we are and where we go—above and beyond burritos. In this land of fresh ingredients, we defy the predictable preconceptions of beans and tortillas to create bold new flavor inspirations. Cuban to Cajun, Mexican to American—we offer taste combinations you won’t find anywhere else."

At Uberrito you can create your own burritos, bowls, salads, and nachos and for those who want something pre-designed, they have their "Ten Tasty Tacos" available as well.

Wondering where that first Arizona Uberrito is? You will find it at 4912 E. Shea Blvd. #108 Phoenix, AZ 85028.

Related: Four More Restaurants Coming to Same Arcadia Shopping Center

Update 3-9-17: Along with the specials happening on opening day, Uberrito is having a free "Sneak Eat" event two days prior to the March 23rd grand opening of their new Arcadia location at 4325 E Indian School Road, #150 Phoenix, AZ 85018.  If you register here, on Tuesday, March 21st you and one other person, if you so choose, will be able to enjoy "one free burrito, bowl, salad, or nachos combo per person" between the hours of 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm.  Again, you must be registered at the link in order to participate.  See additional details at the registration page.

Update 3-19-17: According to Uberrito the location of the "Sneak Eat" event mentioned in the previous update has been moved,"due to outside complications."  The event will now take place for anybody who signed up at the same time you signed up for, but at the existing Phoenix location at the northeast corner of Tatum Blvd. & Shea Blvd. - 4912 E. Shea Blvd. #108 Phoenix, AZ 85028. 

Garcia's Mexican Restaurant Opens New Tempe Location

Garcia's Mexican Restaurant has opened up their 8th Arizona location in Tempe at 1706 E. Warner Rd. Tempe, AZ 85284.  The location features favorites people have come to expect from the Garcia's menu, including everything from nachos, chimichangas, burritos, and tacos to fajitas, quesadillas, and tamales.  Additionally, this particular location has a patio for outdoor dining.

Since 1956, Garcia's has been cooking up Mexican dishes in the Valley, opening up their first restaurant in Phoenix.  Check here for other Garcia's locations around the state. 

Five New Chipotle Restaurants in Arizona

AZCentral recently reported that there are five new Chipotle restaurants that have opened or are opening very soon in the state, four in the Phoenix Metro area and one in Prescott.  Below is a list of opening dates and addresses:

• November 9 - 3440 E. Baseline Rd. Mesa, AZ 85204
• November 22 - 3395 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85226
• December 2 - 351 N. Montezuma St. Prescott, AZ 86301
• December 6 - 1 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85004
• December 14 - 1515 N. 7th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85003

Chipotle Mexican Grill first opened in Denver, CO in 1993 and now has over 1,100 restaurants worldwide, with nearly 50 of those being in Arizona once all the above mentioned stores are open.

Scottsdale/Paradise Valley Chipotle Restaurants Opening at End of June

Previously reported by the AZFoodDude here and here, Chipotle is about to open at the Scottsdale Pavilions at Talking Stick. Not only is Chipotle set to open there on June 27th, which is ahead of the rumored July opening, but the Paradise Valley Mall location is set to open just a few days later.  From the press release:

"Scottsdale and Phoenix, Ariz., residents will soon each have a new Chipotle (Chi-POAT-lay) Mexican Grill to call their own, bringing the total number of Chipotle locations in Arizona to 45. Chipotle, the burrito restaurant known for serving Food With Integrity, will open at The Pavilions at Talking Stick on Monday, June 27...and at the Paradise Valley Mall in Phoenix on Thursday, June 30..."

Both locations will be open from 11am to 10pm daily, but you may want to make it a late lunch on opening day:

"To say thank you for welcoming additional Chipotle locations to each neighborhood, the new restaurants will hold promotions on their respective opening days. The first 100 customers who purchase a burrito after 3 p.m. will receive a free biodegradable, BPA-free water bottle and a free burrito card they can bring back to use anytime following opening day (fax and online orders are not eligible)."

The address for each location is as follows:

9010 E. Indian Bend Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85256 - Google Maps has this shown incorrectly on the map, it is actually just east of Pima Road on Indian Bend, right next to Lamps Plus.

4622 E. Cactus Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85032

New Biltmore Restaurant: Black Chile Mexican Grill

The same folks who opened up the Kona Grill are opening a new restaurant in the biltmore area at 2502 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85016 called Black Chile Mexican Grill.  Slated to open later this month, the menu includes tacos, enchiladas, cheese crisps and multiple entrees as well as 125 brands of tequila. You can find the article here and the restaurant website here.

Update (5-22-11): Black Chile Mexican Grill is now open

A Few Cinco de Mayo Deals & Ideas

As I write this, Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow. Before you get to the list of some places to eat, the AZFoodDude felt like sharing with you what Cinco de Mayo is.  Cinco de Mayo, as commonly thought, is not the celebration of Mexico's independence, which is actually in September.  Rather, it is the celebration of the "Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862."

Now for some food, not a comprehensive list, but a few ideas:

Del Taco
69 Cent Chicken Soft Tacos
29 Cent Regular Tacos - 3pm to 8pm UNCONFIRMED - I am not sure of the reliability of the reports describing this promotion.  It is not a nationwide promotion but some reports indicate it is happening in Arizona. Please call ahead if you are going specifically for this. Check here for locations and numbers.

Macayo's
Beginning earlier this week and ending on the 5th, their 'Mex & Match' promotion is $5.55 for 1 entree and 2 sides. The entree choices include tacos, burros, tostadas, tamales, enchiladas and chile rellenos. Check here for locations.

- The Arizona Republic has listed 18 restaurants they recommend for Cinco de Mayo, some of which have specials and others which do not seem to, according to the descriptions by the Republic.  Some notables include:

Gallo Blanco Cafe & Bar - 401 W. Clarendon Phoenix. 602-274-4774 - This Southwestern restaurant inside the Clarendon Hotel celebrates Cinco de Mayo on May 2-6. Events include happy hour all week on the Skydeck; Taco Tuesday - buy two tacos and get a third one free; $1 discounts on tacos in the hotel's new lounge; a variety of live entertainment including flamenco dancers; and introduction of the new tamarind margarita, the Agua Mexicana, poolside

La Hacienda - 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale. 480-585-4848 - The Scottsdale Fairmont's Southwestern dining room puts the "fun" in fundido with its queso fundido, a melting pot of Oaxaca, Chihuahua and Gouda cheeses, with salsa and flour tortillas ($12). On Cinco de Mayo, enjoy a pig roast on the patio ($40 per person) and red, white and green margaritas. 5:30-10 p.m.

Rancho de Tia Rosa - Multiple Locations - On May 5, this longtime Mesa spot will offer $1 Tijuana tacos in chicken, beef and pork. If you want more than a taco, try Tia's Plato de Carne Asada, 12-spice-marinated beef or pork that's been slow-cooked for 12 hours and lightly charbroiled. It's served with rice, beans, grilled vegetables and flour tortillas. Other best bets are the seafood tacos: a sauteed shrimp taco with a pineapple salsa and grilled salmon taco with an orange mango salsa.

Serrano's Mexican Restaurants - Multiple Locations - The family-owned business will celebrate Cinco de Mayo from Monday to Thursday, May 2-5. On Monday, tacos are $2.75 each, Tuesday enchiladas are $3.75 each, Wednesday burros are $4.75. On Thursday there will be two specials: the Serrano special combination ($5.95) includes a beef taco, a cheese enchilada and a bean tostada. The Southwest broiled chicken ($8.95) is topped with a fundido sauce and served with rice, beans and tortillas.

The AZFoodDude hopes this is a helpful list.  Please be safe!