Fresh perspective
Your guide to some of the new things to do, see and eat in Gilbert
Though scores of businesses have closed since the pandemic, whether due to the impact of the virus on the economy or nonpandemic-related reasons, the good news is that cities across metro Phoenix have seen some newcomers on the scene.
SanTan Village and downtown Gilbert have gained some new must-try restaurants in recent months along with some tried-and-true favorites such as Shack Shack and State 48 Tap House. New addition City Gate Marketplace has also attracted some well-known food destinations to the East Valley.
Some other new things to try in Gilbert include funnel cake fries, “premier haircare,” Northern Indian food and Hong Kongstyle desserts.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing a face covering when social distancing is not feasible in public. “Masks should still be worn in addition to staying at least 6 feet apart, especially when indoors around people who don’t live in your household,” the CDC’s website reads.
The CDC says that the safest way to eat out while COVID-19 spread is still prevalent in the community is to order food to-go. However, for those who choose to dine out, ways to reduce your risk of exposure include
sitting socially distanced from other parties outdoors, wearing a mask while not actively eating or drinking and avoiding busy times.
Most businesses have safety measures listed on their websites. Consider calling ahead of your visit to confirm.
Soon, Gilbert residents can look forward to the opening of Epicenter in Agritopia, which will be home to some of the Valley’s favorite bars, restaurants and places for self care. Businesses such as Bunky Boutique, UnderTow, barre3, Belly Kitchen and Bar and Matt’s Big Breakfast are expected to open later this year and into 2022.
Here are 20 stores, eateries and dessert shops that have opened in the past several months.
New bars and restaurants
Sotol Modern Cocktail Kitchen
The rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar in downtown Gilbert has a menu that features locally-sourced ingredients that focus “on the spectacular highlights of the state of Arizona and Sonoran Desert.”
Details: 4-11 p.m. Sundays, TuesdaysThursdays; 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays; closed Mondays. 313 N. Gilbert Road Suite 301, Gilbert. 480-550-6300, https://sotolmck.com.
Farmer Boys
The 40-year-old California-based fastcasual burger chain “purchases the freshest ingredients directly from local farmers and purveyors, whenever possible,” and it has made its Arizona debut at City Gate Market
place.
Details: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. 1535 N. Higley Road, Gilbert. 480-648-1264, https://www.farmerboys.com.
Thai Chili 2 Go
This Arizona-based Thai food chain with locations across the Valley serves curries, rice and noodles bowls and vegetarian options. Its latest location is at City Gate Marketplace.
Details: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 12-9 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. 1495 N. Higley Road, Suite 108, Gilbert. 480-219-8330, https://tc2go.com.
Bourbon & Bones
The Scottsdale chophouse, which claims to be a “departure from the traditional chain steakhouse,” opened its second location at SanTan Village in February. The menu features seafood, steaks and prime rib — and a casual ZD Abacus Dinner for up to 12 guests that will set you back $20,000.
Details: 3-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 3-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. 2150 E. Williams Field Road, Building 16, Suite 123, Gilbert. 480-597-9459, https://www.bourbonandbones az.com.
Hair of the Dog
Dog lovers Randy and Marleen Duren, seeing “a lack of options for dog enthusiasts to happy hour with their pets,” opened Hair of the Dog. The bar focuses on locally made draft beers, ciders and meads that represent breweries such as Gilbert’s own Flying Basset Brewing, Wren House Brewing Company, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. and Pedal Haus Brewery.
Details: 2-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 2-10 p.m. Fridays, 12-10 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays. 3133 S. Lindsay Road, #107, Gilbert. 480-2195489, https://hairofthedoggilbert.com.
Flavors of India
For years, Flavors of India was located on 16th Street in Phoenix. The familyowned restaurant has relocated to Gilbert, bringing “the flavors of Northern India” with a selection of tandoori, paneer, masala and curry dishes.
Details: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 4:30-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; closed Sundays. 857 E. Warner Road, Suite 101, Gilbert.
602-277-5546, https://flavors ofindia.shopsettings.com.
The Porch
The Porch, which has locations in Tempe and Phoenix, opened in Gilbert with a menu of cocktails, draft beers, tacos, sandwiches, rice bowls and more.
Details: 11 a.m.-12 a.m. MondaysThursdays, 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12 a.m. Sundays. 312 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. 480-572-1298, https://www.porchrestaurants.com.
State 48 Tap House
State 48 has expanded its brewing business with a tap house at SanTan Village that opened this spring. The menu includes sandwiches, burgers and salads, and you can expect to see their selection of ales, lagers, stouts, porters and IPAs on draft.
Details: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. MondaysThursdays, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays. 2218 W. Williams Field Road, Gilbert. 480-5304190, https://www.state48 brewery.com/state-48-tap-house.
Mr Mesquite Taqueria
Brothers Ahmad and Naser Alatrash expanded their local taqueria chain that specializes in Mexican street food with a drive-thru location in Gilbert. The menu spans tacos, burritos, quesadillas and protein bowls.
Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, closed Saturdays-Sundays. 2425 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 101, Gilbert. 480687-3303, https://eatmrmesquite.com.
Top Cup
Top Cup, a “community-centric coffee
house,” serves breakfast foods all day as well as sandwiches, paninis and wraps, alongside a selection of coffees and teas.
Details: 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays. 7115 S. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert. 480-729-1375, https://topcup.coffee.
Nurdberger
Six years ago, Taylor Harrison opened Nurdberger — a burger joint for comic book and video game fans — in Globe. In September, its second location opened in Gilbert with a menu of quarter-pound hamburgers, Beyond Burgers, funnel cake fries and other desserts.
Details: Temporary hours as of April 21 are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays-Saturdays; closed Tuesdays and Sundays. 235 E. Warner Road, Suite 107, Gilbert. 480-306-6485, https://www .instagram.com/nurdbergergilbert.
Morning Kick
The beloved breakfast food truck at Gilbert Farmers Market opened its first restaurant, whose menu consists of locally roasted cold brew, breakfast burritos, tater tot nachos, waffles and keto bowls.
Details: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. WednesdaysThursdays, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays; closed Mondays and Tuesdays. 3076 E. Chandler Heights Road, #101, Gilbert. 480980-215, http://morningkickaz.com.
Shake Shack
The popular East Coast fast-food chain is now open at SanTan Village with its menu of ShackBurgers, custards, crinkle-cut fries and flat-top dogs.
Details: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. 2024 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert. 480-5614875,
https://www.shakeshack.com.
Cracker Barrel
The 50-year-old “old country store” chain Cracker Barrel is now serving homestyle breakfast, lunch and dinner in Gilbert.
Details: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. SundaysThursdays, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. 1799 N. Higley Road, Gilbert. 480-830-5800, https://www.cracker barrel.com.
Eatalio Pasta & Wine
Italian restaurant Eatalio has expanded quickly, first opening a location at South Higley Road and East Chandler Heights Road in late 2020, then a second at East Williams Field Road and South Val Vista Drive earlier this year. The menu includes pizzas, pastas, wines and cocktails.
Details: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. 6348 S. Higley Road Suite 106, Gilbert. 480-6253860, https://eatalioaz.com.
Details: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. 2540 S. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert. 480-398-8529, https://eatalioaz.com.
New shops
Madison Reed Color Bar
Arizona’s first Madison Reed Color Bar, a “premier haircare retail space,” opened in SanTan Village. The store began with a soft opening, with a grand opening planned for April 29. Customers can book various styling services or talk hair goals with a consultant to create a personalized color kit.
Details: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. TuesdaysSaturdays; closed Sundays-Mondays. 2218 E. Williams Field Road, Space 636, Gilbert. 480-613-3273, https://www.madison-reed.com.
Aldi
Grocery store chain Aldi, which was founded in Germany, has been expanding in the Valley, and Gilbert is home to its fourth location in Arizona. The other stores are in Peoria, Chandler and Goodyear.
Details: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. 1801 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert. 855-955-2534. https://www.aldi.us.
New dessert shops
Miss Dessert
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Kong-style desserts and boba tea in Mesa, opened a second location in Gilbert. Their menu includes milk teas, fruit refreshers, cheese teas, “snow” shave ice, sago dishes and cream-filled pancakes.
Details: 12-10 p.m. daily. 2484 S. Santan Village Parkway, #107, Gilbert. https://www.missdessertus.com.
Boba Cutea
Pick up some boba tea, popcorn chicken, mochi ice cream and other East Asian desserts at the flagship store for this photogenic boba shop. Drink flavors include milk, cheese and fruit teas; milk bubbles (which don’t contain tea); and crème tornadoes.
Order ahead online or pass the time waiting for your order in store with their playlist of K-pop music.
Details: 12-8 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 12-8:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. 694 S. Cooper Road, Suite A1, Gilbert. 480-366-4692, http://www.boba cutea.com.
Twisted Sugar
Utah-based cookie and soda shop Twisted Sugar has opened two Arizona locations — both in Gilbert — in the past year. Most recently, their shop in Agritopia opened in November.
Details: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. MondaysThursdays, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, closed Sundays. Agritopia, 1440 S.
Higley Road, Ste. 104, Gilbert. 480-7584515, https://twistedsugar.com.
Details: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, closed Sundays. 884 W. Warner Rd., Suite B9, Gilbert. 623-250-6144, https://twisted sugar.com.