September restaurant openings and closings in Phoenix

• Closures include: Amy's Baking Company in Scottsdale; Toby Keith's in northeast Phoenix.
• El Guero Canelo, Okra and Citrine are among those opening.

Phoenix's restaurant season is about to hit the busy season, so it's no surprise that we saw an increase in the number of restaurant openings: 22 in September. And it looks like there's quality with the high quantity. Last month, we welcomed El Guero Canelo, Okra and Citrine to the Valley. We said farewell to at least seven restaurants, including controversial kitchens such as Amy's Baking Company in Scottsdale and Toby Keith's in northeast Phoenix.

Editor's Note: Desktop users can see an interactive map of the restaurant openings and closings here. The map also displays on mobile. Users should scroll or swipe down for restaurant details. 

NOW OPEN

El Guero Canelo

This restaurant has been a Tucson institution for more than 20 years, serving some of the best Sonoran hot dogs (sausage wrapped in bacon, topped with beans, tomatoes, onions, mustard, mayo and jalapeños and served inside a Mexican bolillo roll). Owner Daniel Contreras opened the first metro-Phoenix location near 51st Avenue and McDowell Road. El Guero Canelo, which also offers tacos, tortas and burritos, has been featured in "Man v. Food" and other TV shows.

Details: 5131 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix. 602-278-8560, elguerocanelo.com.

Okra

The sophomore venture from the crew behind Crudo in Arcadia, Okra is an ode to Southern cooking — with a bit of Italian flare. Fried chicken is served two ways: Umbrian-style and Tennessee hot. Country ham with pimento cheese aioli and hoe cakes, grilled okra with quark and pig cheek pot pie grace the menu. The cocktail menu is anchored by bourbon and gin drinks such as the French 75 and Sazerac.

Details: 5813 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-296-4147, okraaz.com.

Ocotillo

This dining and entertainment complex — complete with restaurant, beer garden and coffee bar — opened near Third and Flower streets in central Phoenix. Co-chefs Walter Sterling and Sacha Levine have created an intriguing menu featuring local citrus pound cake, roasted vanilla-poached pear, black truffle quiche, petite herb salad with sumac-citrus vinaigrette, iron skillet roasted fennel and crispy chicken dumplings. The kitchen is currently serving lunch and brunch. Dinner service will start in the coming weeks.

Details: 3243 N. Third St., Phoenix. 480-390-7794, ocotillophx.com.

Pedal Haus Brewery

Just in time for local Oktoberfest celebrations, restaurateur Julian Wright debuted his massive restaurant and beer garden in downtown Tempe. Derek Osborne, formerly of BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, is brewmaster, and cicerone Zach Fowle trained staff to showcase European styles such as Belgian dubbel and English bitter. From the kitchen, expect such dishes as Kaiserschmarrn, an Austrian pancake; and Belgian croquettes from chef Matt McLinn. Wright owns several popular Valley spots, including La Bocca Urban Pizzeria + Wine Bar, Modern Margarita and the Handlebar Tempe.

Details: 730 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. 480-314-2337, pedalhausbrewery.com.

The Coronado

Liam Murtagh, of Bragg's Factory Diner, opened this restaurant in the space that most recently housed Urban Vine and was previously home to Coronado Cafe in central Phoenix. Look for vegan and vegetarian dishes such as jalapeño waffles with agave butter, calabacitas burritos and jackfruit sliders. Murtagh’s Bragg's Factory Diner, a Grand Avenue favorite, is scheduled to close Sunday, Oct. 4.

Details: 2201 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-252-1322, thecoronadophx.com.

Waffle Love AZ

This popular Gilbert food truck — popular for selling decadent liege waffles with such toppings as Nutella, cream, strawberries, Biscoff and bananas — opened a brick-and-mortar store near Santan Village Parkway and Loop 202 in Gilbert.

Details: 2743 S. Market St., Gilbert. waffluv.com/az.

Whiskey Row

Country music star and hometown boy Dierks Bentley opened his second Whiskey Row, at Mill Avenue and Sixth Street in Tempe, joining the original in Scottsdale. The All-American comfort food menu features such dishes as wings, whiskey burger, fried chicken, mac and cheese and meatball sliders. The bar selection boasts more than 50 craft beers on tap, including local brewhouses Huss and San Tan Brewing, and more than 60 kinds of whiskey.

Details: 640 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. 480-794-1477. Also, 4420 N. Saddlebag Trail, Scottsdale. 480-945-4200, dierkswhiskeyrow.com.

Citrine

Look for wood-fired baked pasta, charcuterie boards and fresh oysters at this much-anticipated Italian restaurant from chef Peter DeRuvo, of Evo in Scottsdale, and restaurateur Nick Neuman. The spot opened at Fifth Street and Forest Avenue, in the former Revo Pizzabar space next to the Tempe Transportation Center.

Details: 200 E. Fifth St., Tempe. 480-907-6721, citrinetempe.com.

Duza's Kitchen

Chef Mensur Duzic opened this breakfast and lunch spot in the former Astor House space in central Phoenix’s Coronado neighborhood. Prime beef hash and eggs, pumpkin quinoa porridge, savory crepe, beet salad with creamy dressing, eggplant caviar sandwich, cinnamon rolls and tea bread are among the globally inspired menu items.

Details: 2243 N. 12th St., Phoenix. 480-252-3787, search “Duza's Kitchen” on Facebook.

Sauce Pizza & Wine

Order one of the signature handmade pizzas, such as the spicy chicken sausage or rosemary potato, or build your own. Salads, bruschetta, pasta, paninis, soups, dessert, beer and wine round out the menu. The Sauce restaurant was developed by Fox Restaurant Concepts, but was taken over by local restaurateur Scott Kilpatrick earlier this year.

Details: 25 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-845-7007. Other locations at saucepizzaandwine.com.

Mad Greens

The Colorado-based chain opened branches in Tempe and Scottsdale in June. The healthful, fast-casual eatery lets diners customize salads by choosing among three leafy green bases such as spinach, kale or field greens and then adding toppings such apples, black beans, edamame, egg and toasted almonds. There are more than 20 dressing options. There are also signature salads, wraps, sandwiches and soups — many named after famously eccentric people and literary characters. The Annie Oakley has chicken, avocado, bacon and Swiss cheese.

Details: 6137 N. Scottsdale, Scottsdale. 602-314-8386. Also, 1515 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix. 602-314-8470, madgreens.com.

Mod Pizza

Seattle-based Mod Pizza opened its fourth and fifth stores in the Phoenix area in September. Now available in Tempe and Mesa, the fast-casual eatery lets customers create their own pizzas, choosing from among 30 toppings. Pies are baked in an 800-degree oven in less than three minutes. Draft beers, wine, garlic bread, cinnamon bread and milkshakes are served.

Details: 1084 S. Signal Butte Road, Mesa. 602-283-9836. Also, 2020 E. Elliot Road, Tempe. 602-314-8166. Other locations at modpizza.com.

Kneaders Bakery and Cafe

Two new Kneaders, in Chandler and Glendale, opened in September. The Utah-based franchise specializes in breakfast, sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries and breakfast items. The bread is made from scratch daily. Among the menu items are the turkey bacon avocado sandwich on focaccia, the chicken raspberry nut salad and, for dessert, cannoli. There are now 13 stores in Arizona.

Details: 1090 W. Queen Creek Road, Chandler. 480-355-0533. Also, 20630 75th Ave., Glendale. 623-223-1636. Other locations at kneadersbakery.com.

No Que No! Mexican Grill

You’ll find a mix of Mexican and American dishes on the menu at this new spot, which took over La Taverna Mexican Grill and Cantina on Scottsdale Road south of Thomas Road in south Scottsdale. Look for strawberry salmon salad, Mayan cochinita pibil, enchiladas, apple pancakes and menudo.

Details: 2515 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-941-6966, search "No Que No Mexican Grill" on Facebook.

Eklectic Pie

Top your pizza with as many ingredients as you desire at no extra cost at this locally owned fast-casual restaurant at Baseline Road and Stapley Drive in Mesa. If you’d rather trust your pie to the experts, pick a signature pizza such as the Meaty Italiano, Cowboy BBQ, Besto Pesto Chicken and Loaded Potato Skin.

Details: 1859 S. Stapley Drive, Mesa. 480-207-1613, eklecticpie.com.

Spoonz Cafe

This cafe knows how to cater to the downtown crowd. Watch out for breakfast specials, such as a medium drip coffee and your choice of fresh-made strudel for $2.75. For lunch, try a soup, salad or sandwich with sweet potato fries or made-to-order potato chips. The newest location at the Collier Center in downtown Phoenix joins one at the US Bank Center and another at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix.

Details: 2 S. Second St., Phoenix. 602-252-2042. Other locations at spoonzcafe.com.

Menchie’s

Make your own dessert at this self-serve yogurt shop near Power Road and Loop 202 in Gilbert. Choose a flavor such as Irish mint, salted caramel, chocolate, pumpkin, cookie dough and peach mango. Then top with such treats as banana, lychee, strawberry, frosted animal cookies, marshmallows and Reese’s.

Details: 5022 S. Power Road, Gilbert. 480-783-2441. Other locations at menchies.com.

Rick's Pub & Grub

Grab a pizza and watch NFL Sunday Ticket at this sports bar, which took over the former Duke’s on Ray and Rural roads in Chandler. Happy hour features $1 off beer and mixed drinks from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays.

Details: 4910 W. Ray Road, Chandler. 480-404-9407, search “Rick's Pub & Grub” on Facebook.

The Wild Vine Uncorked

This wine bar, near Gilbert and Chandler Heights roads in Chandler, serves small bites such as sliders, ceviche and bruschetta along with main dishes such as Chilean sea bass, garlic-roasted shrimp and rib eye.

Details: 4920 S. Gilbert Road, Chandler. 480-883-3492, thewildvineuncorked.com.

Pieology Pizzeria

This national build-your-own-pizza brand opened its third Arizona store in Chandler, in the former Baja Fresh space near Chandler Boulevard and Loop 101. Diners can select toppings or choose from one of the signatures, such as the rustic veggie, Alfredo’s Alfredo or classic margherita. Salads and cinnamon sugar strips are also served.

Details: 3450 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. 480-963-3499. Other locations at pieology.com.

Jamba Juice

Fruit smoothies, juices, tea and energy bowls are sold at the newest Jamba Juice, located inside the Chandler Fashion Center mall. Pumpkin almond milk, banana berry, strawberries wild and carrot-orange are among the smoothie flavors offered.

Details: Chandler Fashion Center, Loop 101 and Chandler Boulevard in Chandler. 480-722-1427, jamba.com.

Denny’s

This ubiquitous American diner opened a branch in northeast Phoenix, near Scottsdale Road and Loop 101. The menu features breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, dinner main dishes and desserts.

Details: 7000 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-513-7417, dennys.com.

NOW CLOSED

Amy’s Baking Company, notorious Scottsdale bistro that made international headlines in 2013 after a disastrous appearance on "Kitchen Nightmares."

Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill, country music venue and restaurant on High Street in northeast Phoenix.

Coach and Willie’s, sports bar and restaurant in downtown Chandler.

Urban Vine, neighborhood restaurant from chef Michael O'Dowd.

The Revival, Mexican restaurant in downtown Tempe that was in the former Mucho Gusto space.

The Spot, fast-casual salad and sandwich spot in Gilbert.

La Calabria, an Italian restaurant in Gilbert. Owners plan to reopen soon.