Restaurant Guide
20 24
Next on the menu
LIKELY
HOT SEAT
BY MONICA D. SPENCER
Paletas, Dorilocos and fresas con crema may be headed to Maricopa. La Michoacana Cristeros submitted paperwork in November to establish a Mexican snacks and ice cream shop.
The clock is ticking for this well- known Mexican restaurant to serve its first meals to Maricopa residents. City emails obtained by InMaricopa showed the restaurant has until March to get the restaurant “up and running,” but the restaurant cut off contact in April. In July, the iconic Tucson diner pulled the plug on plans to set up shop in Maricopa, only to reignite hope for locals a couple of months later by admitting the project was “on hold, but we’ll pick it up again.” Excitement over fresh lobster rolls in the drive-thru lasted a mere month. In November, the city announced the much- anticipated Angie’s Lobster won't come to town after all. “Unfortunately, Angie’s Lobster has withdrawn their application for now,” he said. But in early December, cor- porate told InMaricopa it might float a new concept here instead — Angie’s Prime, featuring a menu of lobsters and steaks. Plans to open a second Dutch Bros Coffee in Maricopa might be over-roasted after the com- pany iced out city developers in recent months. The city’s records department confirmed discussion between the city and Dutch Bros stopped in July. “The communication dropped off, and no new documents were submitted to Development Services,” according to a city records clerk.
If there’s anything that gets Maricopans going, it’s talk of traffic on State Route 347 — or new restaurants arriving in town. In 2023, InMaricopa reported on nearly two dozen new restaurants looking to set up shop in town. Here’s a look at what’s next up on the local menu.
Nothing is set in stone for this Arizona fast food staple. While a suite has been earmarked for Filiberto’s at the Sonoran Creek Marketplace on John Wayne Parkway, the restaurant has not submitted any paperwork suggesting the project is moving forward. Two years on and Burger King’s second location still has yet to break ground. Franchise owner Lucas Barnett said the project hit delays with construction and labor costs, but still hopes to open this year.
DEFINITELY
“Arizona’s favorite donut shop” made slow progress through December with signs of interior construction and a “coming soon” sign posted. Located in The Wells shopping center near Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway and Porter Road, it will bring a third stand-alone donut option to Maricopa. Sitting just two doors down from BoSa Donuts, Cold Stone Creamery also made steady progress on its newest location in The Wells shopping center. A company spokesperson told InMaricopa in November the business does not have an opening date.
Construction delays pushed Nando’s much-anticipated opening back a couple of months. However, a company spokesperson said the restaurant’s owners hoped to open by February.
News of a second Taco Bell emerged in May and the company broke ground on its newest location near Maricopa- Casa Grande Highway and Stonegate Road several months later. In October, developers predicted an opening in April. In October, construction crews broke ground on a new Carl’s Jr. restaurant at John Wayne Parkway and Hathaway Avenue. While a construction timeline was not available, developers anticipate opening this year.
Duke’s Roadhouse
In April, InMaricopa reported the former pawn shop on Maricopa and Edwards Roads may eventually become a new restaurant-bar concept. While pre-application paperwork was submitted in August, developers have yet to confirm any movement forward — but they added new signage sporting the company name last month.
This well-known chocolatier will share space with Cold Stone
Creamery, offering a small selection of chocolates and caramel apples.
128 New Resident & Visitor Guide 2024 • InMaricopa.com/NewResidentGuide
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