GetOut Magazine

Recently opened East Valley restaurants
Get Out
April 17, 2003

Looking for a new place to eat? Check out one of these East Valley restaurants, all of which have opened in the past six months.

Alaska Bistro (1925 S. Sossaman Road, Mesa, ). This east Mesa seafood joint serves up Aleutian salmon harvested in environmentally friendly fisheries, and such under-the-sea faves as shrimp scampi, roasted halibut and clam chowder. Entrees $6.95-$18.95.

Aurora Espresso (825 W. Baseline Road, Suite 3, Tempe, ). In addition to espresso and iced coffee drinks, this minimalist cafe also offers a vast assortment of tea and boba beverages. $1.40-$4.90.

Blue Iguana (1849 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe, ). Located in the space formerly occupied by Los Sombreros, Blue Iguana offers a warm, hacienda feel and a menu packed with spicy favorites like shrimp fajitas and steak taquitos. $1.25-$28.50.

Brasa Roja (1835 E. Guadalupe Road, Tempe, ). Bringing some South American flair to south Tempe, this Colombian eatery serves up such spicy dishes as charcoal ribs and Spanish broiled chicken, along with an array of exotic imported beers. Entrees $3.95 to $15.95.

Brionis Copa Room (15445 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, ). Brian Ruggiero the man behind Scottsdale Italian restaurant Pasta Brioni takes diners back to the glamorous 40s with his new north Scottsdale eatery. The menu features a fusion of Italian and American favorites. $5-$38.

Brooklyn Italian Ices (11 E. Sixth St., Suite 101, Tempe, ). This Mill Avenue sweet spot offers more than 100 flavors of Italian ices, gelato and ice cream. Choose from such varieties as tiramisu, peaches and cream, Creamsicle and coffee chunk. $2-$9.50.

Carvel (1155 S. Power Road, Mesa, ). Featuring 50 flavors of ice cream from peanut butter crunch to Swiss almond chocolate this East Coast favorite is sure to be a hit with East Valley residents. The store also offers a variety of Carvels famous ice cream cakes. $1.85-$5.25.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (4513 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 107, Scottsdale, ). This Los Angeles-based chain is best known for its frosty Ice Blendeds, sweet coffee drinks that have hooked Brad Pitt and Britney Spears, among other celebs. The store also offers a variety of tea. $1.40-$4.95.

Coffee Works (4910 W. Ray Road, Suite 1, Chandler, ). Located in the space formerly occupied by Coffee Plantation, this java spot offers all the usual suspects lattes, mochas and the like. If you prefer something blended, try a Frozen Work in your choice of mocha, vanilla, caramel or white mocha. $1.25-$4.

Cyclo (1919 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite 2, Chandler, ). Boasting a feel far more fashionable than its strip mall location might indicate, this Vietnamese eatery serves such traditional dishes as yellow curry beef and glazed pork short ribs. Entrees $3-$10.

Damons Grill (155 S. Power Road, Mesa, ). This sports grill features the best homemade onion rings in the West, along with four giant-screen TVs, which are always tuned to the days hottest matchups. Seafood, chicken, steak and sandwiches comprise the bulk of Damons menu. Entrees $9-$17.

Daves Dog House East Coast Gourmet Hot Dogs (122 E. University Drive, Tempe, ). Whether youre up late studying or partying, this tiny eatery will cure the late-night munchies. Dave's, which is open until 3 a.m. on weekends, offers just two menu items the Boston dog and the chili dog. $2.50-$7.40.

E-Joy Cafe (11 E. Seventh St., Tempe, ). Featuring more than 40 top-of-the-line PCs, this Internet cafe also offers a variety of sandwiches, salads and espresso drinks. Entrees $2.25-$4.75; drinks $4.50 and under.

Extreme Pizza (1561 N. Cooper Road, Gilbert, ). Offering such imaginative creations as the Canadian bacon and mandarin orange-topped Paia Pie, patrons are sure to find this pizza parlor far more extreme than Dominos. $3.55-$24.95.

EZ Sushi (37 W. Baseline Road, Tempe, ). In addition to 50 varieties of sushi such as the Fishermans Roll (fresh water eel, avocado, cucumber and crab) this casual eatery also offers tasty teriyaki lunch specials, priced from $5.50 to $7.95. $1-$17.95.

Filibertos (1845 E. Guadalupe Road, Tempe, ). A longtime drive-through favorite, this sit-down location serves up chimichangas, enchiladas and menudo 24/7. $1.89-$7.49.

Flavors of Nature (48 San Marcos Place, Chandler, ). The new lunch spot of choice for many Chandler police officers and firefighters, this healthy cafe serves up vegetarian fare along with low-fat versions of noontime favorites, like ham and Swiss and the traditional club. The menu also features breakfast items, homemade soups and salads. Entrees $4.25 to $6.25.

Fox Sports Grill (16203 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, ). Ribs, steaks, salmon and salads are the centerpieces of the menu at Scottsdales newest see-and-be-seen spot, the first in a string of Fox eateries planned across the country. Entrees $9.75-$25.

Fusion Restaurant & Lounge (4441 N. Buckboard Trail, Scottsdale, ). This Old Town eatery is all about quality over quantity. Though the menu is small, it packs a flavorful punch with such dishes as chili-seared ahi tuna and crab cake salad. $6.95-$23.95.

Garduños (3155 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, ). This newest addition to the Chandler Fashion Center dining scene serves up an industrial ambience along with grape, watermelon and blueberry margaritas. Entrees $8.95-$17.50.

Guedos Taco Shop (603 W. University Drive, Tempe, ). This longtime East Valley favorite brings affordability and authentic Mexican cuisine including stuffed meat cheese crisps, burritos and tacos to downtown Tempe. $1.60-$5.25.

Hungry Howies Pizza & Subs (1909 E. Ray Road, Chandler, ). This delivery and takeout operation serves up tasty calzone-style subs and a variety of pizzas. Diners can opt for one of eight different crusts, including rye, poppy seed and garlic. Entrees $5.99 and up.

In the Raw (8320 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, ). Located off the McCormick Ranch bike path, this dog-friendly juice and coffee bar might just be Rovers new best friend. In addition to healthy smoothies, this place also serves up hearty mutt muffins specially made for its four-legged customers. Smoothies start at $3.95.

Iron Grill (4939 W. Ray Road, Chandler, ). Whether you opt to create your own stir-fry masterpiece from Iron Grills selection of fresh veggies, noodles, lean meats and fish, or you leave the cooking to the pros, your meal is sure to be tasty and heart- healthy. Specialties include spicy chicken and teriyaki chicken. Entrees $8.50 to $12.75.

Iron Wok (3233 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, ). This popular lunch spot proves fine Pacific Rim fare doesnt have to be pricey. The no-frills eatery offers all the standards (sweet-and-sour chicken and the like), and $3 lunch specials daily. Entrees $2.99 to $7.25.

Itzels Mexican Restaurant (2081 N. Arizona Ave., Suite 125, Chandler, ). Substance not style is king at this no-frills Mexican restaurant. Specials include shrimp chili relleno and chorizo tacos. Itzels also offers a breakfast menu. $2.95-$10.50.

The Keg Steakhouse (21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, ). A meat lovers paradise, this upscale Vancouver-based chain features a menu full of steaks and a few chicken and seafood entrees to boot. Entrees $14-$28.

Little Nitas (3300 S. Price Road, Tempe, ). If you like a side of onion rings with your live music, you wont want to miss this tiny restaurant tucked inside Nitas Hideaway. The small menu includes sandwiches, salads and burgers. $3.95-$7.95.

Marcias 3-D Diner (205 N. Country Club Drive, Mesa, ). Formerly Marcias Long Wongs, this diner offers lunch specials priced under $5, a variety of breakfast plates and, of course, those famous wings. $1.25-$28.50.

Mexi-Kennys (2015 N. Power Road, Mesa, ). Featuring the same fare as another Mesa Mexican eatery, Rosas, this casual, contemporary eatery offers such specialties as salmon enchiladas and 13-inch chimichangas all served on fine china. Entrees $5.79-$9.49.

Monsoon Bay (140 W. Warner Road, Chandler, ). This neighborhood cafe serves up American favorites with a south-of-the-border twist. Specialties include the Margarita Chicken Dinner, featuring chicken marinated in tequila and topped with green chili. Entrees $6.95-$10.95.

My Big Fat Greek Restaurant (525 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, ). Featuring such authentic Greek fare as baklava, lamb chops and gyros, this new downtown Tempe eatery is as fun n festive as last years sleeper hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Entrees $4.75-$28.95.

Niros Gyros (10826 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee Foothills, ). Serving both the traditional (gyros and veggie pitas) and the nontraditional (hot dogs and burgers), this casual Greek eatery is sure to have something to please all palates. Entrees $1.95-$11.39.

Ocean Club Fish House (15045 N. Kierland Blvd., Scottsdale, ). Chilean sea bass and swordfish chop are on the menu at this seafood restaurant, which also boasts a hip lounge, piano bar and upscale flair. Entrees $19.95-$54.95.

Old Chicago (1656 S. Alma School Road, Mesa, ). This chains menu features Windy City favorites such as deep-dish pizza, calzones, pasta and 110 types of beer. Entrees $5.79-$18.99.

Patsy Grimaldis Pizzeria (4000 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 105, Scottsdale, ). This East Coast favorite named New Yorks best pizzeria for the last seven years by Zagat features thin-crust pies, calzones and such Big Apple-style desserts as cheesecake, cannolis and Brooklyn ices in seven flavors. $5-$17.

Perucho's Grill (5118 S. Rural Road, Tempe, ). Spicy rotisserie chicken, burritos and other South American favorites are on the menu at this small, no-frills Peruvian cafe. Entrees $4.99-$12.95.

Pita Pit (120 E. University Drive, Suite C, Tempe, ). From hummus to chicken breast to baba ghanouj, this Ontario-based chains pitas are sure to please. Open until 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 a.m. every other night, the Pit also offers a variety of salads. $3.50-$5.25.

Pizzeria Uno (4801 E. Cactus Road, Paradise Valley, ). If you prefer pizza with a deep-dish, Chicago-style twist, check out this chain, which also offers a variety of sandwiches, salads and pasta. Unos also boasts killer $5.99-$6.99 lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Entrees $5.99-$14.99.

Roys Pacific Rim Cuisine (5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix, ). In addition to extensive sushi and wine menus, this Hawaiian fusion favorite also offers such exotic delights as crispy ginger lobster spring rolls and a sinful chocolate soufflé. Entrees $18-$29.

SA Sushi & TV Bar (848 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, ). Sushis on the menu and sports are on the tube at this Gilbert sports bar with an Asian twist. Menu highlights include more than 40 kinds of sushi, sandwiches and salads. Entrees $5-$15.

sN Pacific Rim Asian Kitchen (1236 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa, ). Featuring favorites from China, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, this hip Asian eatery is adding fashion n flavor to east Mesa. House specials include spicy drunken shrimp and chicken with peanuts. $6.50-$12.50.

Soma Cafe (10810 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 136, Paradise Valley, ). Dieting doesnt have to be a drag at this nutritionally focused eatery. Specialties include veggie burgers, seafood plates and other low-carb offerings. Entrees $5.95-$12.95.

Sunflower Cafe (7704 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 190, Scottsdale, ). Boasting a menu packed with Mediterranean and Chinese favorites, this Gainey Ranch cafe serves up a variety of stir-fry dishes and gourmet pizzas. Entrees $6.50-$10.

Sushi N Rock (15111 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, ). This restaurant and karaoke bar features rock n roll memorabilia and such dishes as the Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight salmon roll and the Ozzy Crazy Train eel roll. Entrees $7-$21.

Taco Nazo (204 E. First Ave., Mesa, ). Serving up tongue tostadas, menudo and other south-of-the-border favorites, Taco Nazo offers 20 different combo plates and several breakfast items. $1.15-$8.50.

Tao Garden (2050 N. Alma School Road, Suite 36, Chandler, ). This Cantonese and Mandarin restaurant is far classier than its fellow strip-mall Asian eateries. Specialties all of which are available for takeout include braised duck and sautéed squid. $4.95-$19.

Ticos Tacos (1850 W. Southern Ave., Mesa, ). Located across the street from Mesa Community College, this no-frills Mexican eatery offers 14 different combo plates, from chili relleno to taquitos. Entrees $1.45-$7.90.

Tom's BBQ & Deli (5005 E. McKellips Road, Mesa, ). Boasting a new and improved menu, the new sit-down version of Tom's offers items such as the pulled pork sandwich, Salami Mommy sub and Bacon Cheesey Spud. Entrees $3.50-$13.

Uinoteca (717 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, ). Owned by the folks behind Cafe Boa, this wine boutique and grocery offers a selection of gourmet salads and sandwiches, fresh bread and homemade sweet treats. Menu changes often; most items are $7 or less.

Whiskey Creek Steakhouse (636 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, ). This Nebraska- based chain serves up such cowboy favorites as pulled pork, baby-back ribs and steaks grilled over oak logs and ash. Other signature dishes include Rattlesnake Pasta and the bacon-wrapped shrimp appetizer. Entrees $6.99-$42.49.

If you know of a new East Valley restaurant, please fill us in by e-mailing .