Food & Beverage
20 26
SIMMERING
Next on the menu BY RYAN TAFOYA Maricopa’s restaurant pipeline keeps growing. Here’s what’s confirmed under construction, what’s still working through permitting and what may never make it to a plate.
The cafe is taking shape at South Bridge Marketplace, on the northeast corner of John Wayne Parkway and Honeycutt Avenue. Updated site plans show a 2,400-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru, outdoor seating and a brick facade.
Fresh bagels are getting closer for Maricopa, with a location under construction at South Bridge Marketplace on John Wayne Parkway and Honeycutt Avenue.
Black Rock filed sign permits in May for its drive-thru at 20265 N. John Wayne Parkway, immediately south of Sherwin Williams. Construction has not started.
Mandy’s Wine Bar & Restaurant serves Mediterranean inspired entrées and shareable plates, from charcuterie and bruschetta to fresh salads, paninis, and pizza. All from our scratch kitchen. Sip craft cocktails, beer on tap, and thoughtfully sourced wines hand-selected by local owner and wine lover Mandy Atler.
The Tempe-based chain is on track for a fall opening with a soft and grand opening planned at its location on 42618 W. Maricopa- Casa Grande Highway, President Tim Vasquez told InMaricopa in July.
The Texas-based tea chain known for its wall of flavor mix-ins, is confirmed for Legacy on Porter and construction is underway.
Not much progress has occurred since the Riverside, Calif.-based burger chain first submitted paperwork for a Maricopa location last year. Its location along Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway is still listed as “under review” on the city’s website.
ON DECK
Construction is underway at the Legacy on Porter retail center, 17571 N. Porter Road. Shell construction should be completed by the start of 2027.
Maricopa’s fourth Starbucks, and only its second freestanding location, is under construction at Stonegate Plaza, next door to the future Someburros. It will be the first Starbucks off the city’s main commercial strip. Contractors earlier this year estimated the coffee chain will open by the end of the year.
BDubs is finally rising at 17819 N. Stonegate Road after the Atlanta-based sports bar broke ground this spring. The 7,644-square-foot restaurant will seat up to 280 patrons indoors, plus a shaded patio built for gameday crowds.
Filiberto’s Mexican Food: After years of false starts, the Mesa-based chain submitted plans last fall for a 2,000-square-foot drive-thru restaurant at Honeycutt and Whisker Roads.
This long-awaited craft beer bar cleared a big hurdle in May when crews broke ground at Legacy on Portert. The 1,500-square-foot taproom will feature indoor and outdoor seating and a garage door opening onto the patio. An opening is planned for mid-2027.
Tempe-based Burrito Express plans to open a third Maricopa location at 18141 N. John Wayne Parkway. Owner Angel Marin said the made-to-order concept, with hand-shredded meats and made-from-scratch salsa, is part of a plan to expand into 31 Circle Ks statewide by May 2027.
Swig: Maricopa is getting its first Swig, the Utah-based drive-thru chain known for dirty sodas, cookies and energy drinks. The soda shop is currently under construction at Legacy on Porter.
The Ahwatukee-based pizzeria had a rocky start but returned in June with a new site plan after the city adopted a cost-sharing ordinance. A construction timeline has not been confirmed.
Online Ordering Catering & Events Live Music
PROBABLY 86’D
Construction finally began on the Asian fusion’s new location off Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway and Stonegate Road. The 2,700-square-foot drive-thru will sport a modernized pagoda roof with LED lighting.
Mandy’s Coffee Bar NOW OPEN Tues.-Fri. 6-11 a.m. 41600 W. Smith-Enke Road (520) 728-4248
Maricopa’s next smoothie hot spot, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, is currently under construction at South Bridge Marketplace. An opening has not been announced.
Maricopa’s second location broke ground in late May at Legacy on Porter, the new retail center rising east of Walmart on Porter Road. Shell construction should be completed by the start of 2027 with locals digging into burrito bowls by mid-2027.
The Baconator’s second Maricopa location, 41980 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, hasn’t shown public movement since it submitted a pre-application package last spring and the location is not listed on the City’s development page.
InMaricopa.com | September 2026
24
September 2026 | InMaricopa.com
25
Powered by FlippingBook