10 restaurant chains we wish were in Phoenix
When it comes to popular chain restaurants, Arizona has a lot to offer.
In the last few years, we’ve seen an influx of Midwestern-based, deep-dish pizza joints — these days pizza lovers can choose from Chicago favorites Lou Malnati’s, Gino’s East and Giordano’s. Plus, metro Phoenix now boasts not one but three locations of Shake Shack, the New York-based burger shop with a devoted following. In the upcoming year, Scottsdale will even get the state’s first White Castle.
But even with this abundance of options, there are still chains we can’t enjoy without a serious commute to a different state.
Check out these 10 restaurant chains we don’t have in Arizona but wish we did.
Sweetgreen
Headquartered in southern California, this quick-service chain serves salads and bowls at more than 100 locations in the Bay area, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. But it’s far from your average salad bar. The company was founded by a trio of Georgetown University business school graduates in 2007 and has since become a leader in the healthy fast-food movement known for setting new standards for local sourcing and seasonal menu changes. Named one of the country’s most innovative companies by Fast Company, Sweetgreen has also demonstrated a dedication to technology by launching its own ordering app in 2016 and going cash-free at all its stores in 2017.
Chuy’s Tex-Mex
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, this casual-dining chain operates more than 90 locations in 19 states throughout the southern and eastern regions of the country. And even if you haven’t heard of Chuy’s, the chain ranks 107 on Restaurant Business’ list of top 500 restaurant chains in 2017. Founded in 1982 in Austin, Chuy’s eventually began expansion throughout Texas and racked up 15 locations around the state by the late 2000s. In 2009, the company opened its first out-ofstate restaurant in Tennessee and went public in 2013. Fans in Texas and beyond praise the chain for serving authentic Tex-Mex cuisine, including “Big as yo’ face” burritos, fajitas, crunchy tacos and, of course, chile con queso.
Tim Hortons
Not familiar with Tim Hortons? Think Dunkin’ Donuts gone Canadian. The eponymous doughnut and coffee chain got its start Hamilton, Ontario, in 1964 and was founded by professional hockey legend Miles G. “Tim” Horton. The first franchised location opened in 1967 not long after the company’s start. Tim Hortons has since become the largest quick-service restaurant chain in Canada, with 4,590 restaurants systemwide, including 3,665 in Canada and 869 in the United States as of 2014, according to the company. In the mid-1990s, the company merged with U.S.-based fast-food chain Wendy’s but is currently owned by Restaurant Brands International, a group that also includes Burger King and Popeyes.
Barcelona Wine Bar
Phoenix-area oenophiles may point to Postino, owned by homegrown restaurant group Upward Projects, as a go-to for interesting and affordable wines. But the existence of a well-loved five-before-five (that’s Postino’s daily $5 glasses of wine before 5 p.m.) doesn’t mean there’s no room in town for Barcelona Wine Bar, a national chain of Wine Spectator awardwinning bars with a critically acclaimed selection of Spanish tapas to boot. Originally started in Connecticut more than two decades ago by Sasa Mahr-Batuz and Andy Pforzheimer, the chain has since grown to include locations in Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Fazoli’s
Longtime Phoenix residents may remember Italian-restaurant chain Fazoli’s, which at one time had a dozen locations around the Valley. But it’s been a decade since diners could gorge themselves on the restaurant’s signature unlimited breadsticks — and that’s despite the fact that in 2008, CEO Carl Howard identified the Phoenix market as a potential expansion opportunity. (Arizona is no longer listed on the company’s franchising website as an “open market” even though no stores are in the state.) Founded by multibrand restaurant group Jerrico, Inc., in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1988, Fazoli’s positions itself in between fast-casual brands like Chipotle and fast-food chains like McDonald’s, aiming to deliver food that’s highquality and affordable, with price points around $7 for many entrees.
By Chloe
Often hailed as the “vegan Shake Shack,” this Instaworthy restaurant chain is one of the hottest brands in fast-casual dining. Founded by vegan chef Chloe Coscarelli, who entered into stardom after winning Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” but is no longer with the company, and Samantha Wasser of E Squared Hospitality, the group also behind all BLT restaurant brands, by Chloe has since expanded to 11 locations in the United States and two London outposts in less than five years. And with 119,000 Instagram followers and store designs that often include cheeky neon signs and basket-chair swings, it’s clearly captured the attention of the aesthetically minded. Menu options range from salads and tempeh-lentil-chia-walnut burgers to sweet potato-based mac and cheese and coldpressed juice.
The Hickory Tavern
Phoenix fans have Zipp’s to represent their homegrown sports bar chain, but there’s got to be a good reason why ESPN named the Hickory Tavern a finalist for Best Sports Bar in America, not once, but twice. With 27 restaurants all located in the southeastern United States, the Hickory Tavern hasn’t become a nationally recognized name quite yet, but the company’s blend of casual-dining restaurant and lively bar atmosphere fills a niche. The expansive menu, with burgers, tacos and wings served alongside elevated entrees and a build-your-own salad option, also gives the company an edge.
Jollibee
The late Anthony Bourdain called this Filipino multinational chain “the wackiest, jolliest place on Earth” in the season 7 premiere of his travel and documentary show “Parts Unknown.” And with approximately 1,200 locations in southeast Asia, the Middle East, Hong Kong, North America and Italy, he was far from the only fan. The chain dates back to 1975 in Quezon City and opened its first U.S. branch in 1998 in Daly City, California. Today, parent company Jollibee Foods Corporation and franchise partners operate 34 locations in California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants
At a time when restaurants can struggle to retain their uniqueness, Cooper’s Hawk sets itself apart as a hybrid restaurant and winery. Each location offers a full-service eatery, a wine-tasting room and a retail wine store. Based in Countryside, Illinois, the company was named one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in America this year by Nation’s Restaurant News and currently operates more than 30 establishments in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin and Virginia.
Bareburger
The Bareburger chain traces its roots back to Queens circa 2009 and now operates more than 40 locations all over the world, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio, California, Dubai, Tokyo and Frankfurt. Healthier meat options such as bison and turkey set this casual burger chain apart from the pack, as does the fact that all of its beef burgers are made with a 100 percent organic blend of brisket, chuck and short rib from Vermont Country Farms, according to the company’s website. In addition to being named one of the hottest chains in America by Nation’s Restaurant News in 2015, the burger joint made headlines for partnering with Impossible Foods to offer the meat-free Impossible Burger, a burger patty the company swear is so meat-like that it “bleeds.”