These 7 metro Phoenix restaurants and bars closed in August — one after 3 decades
August closings subsumed restaurants that had served the Valley for less than a year to those with histories spanning more than three decades.
While most said goodbye forever, one closed to resume operating as a food truck, which is how the business first started.
A popular barbecue restaurant closed after more than three decades, a family-owned Mexican restaurant shuttered after five years and a Native fine dining concept is no more. A few relative newcomers, from a vegetarian restaurant owned by a well-known restaurateur to a wing shop and a "Chopped" contestant's diner, closed their doors.
Here's a look at all the metro Phoenix restaurants, bars and cafes that closed recently.
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El Charro Hipster Bar & Cafe
El Charro opened in 2018 on Grand Avenue. The restaurant and bar owners announced in a July 28 Instagram post that they planned to close the restaurant at the end of August.
"We are so honored to have been in your hearts for these incredible five years. We will miss and treasure each and every regular or passerby who confided in our safe space."
Ghett Yo Wings
Ghett Yo Wings in Ahwatukee closed less than a month after opening, citing in a social media post the inability to come to an agreement with their landlord.
The same post, dated Aug. 21, also said, "In addition to our locations in Phoenix and San Tan Valley, we are bringing the Wings concept to Ghett Yo Taco in downtown Chandler on Saturday, September 9. Will be two concepts in one location - Tacos and Wings."
Little Chef Diner
Chef Mike Beltran announced in a social media post dated Aug. 26 that he intended to close Little Chef Diner.
"From the moment you stepped into our diner, you became more than just customers – you became part of our extended family. It was an honor to serve you, to see your smiles, and to create lasting memories with each visit. The joy we witnessed as you savored our creations will forever hold a special place in our hearts."
After the restaurant closes, Beltran and his wife plan to resurrect their food truck, Culinary Theory.
Sin Muerte
The brainchild of Michael Babcock and Instrumental Hospitality Group, Sin Muerte opened inside one of Phoenix's first funeral homes in November 2022. The name was a nod to the history of the space and a reference to their menu of vegetarian dishes.
In an Instagram post dated Aug. 19, the restaurant thanked its supporters and announced plans to close on Aug. 25.
"At the end of the day though, it just didn't work. The good news is that we are in development on a new concept for this historic, funky space that'll be totally different. Who knows, perhaps Sin will pop back up somewhere in due time as well."
Tom's BBQ
Tom's BBQ, located at the corner of Country Club Drive and Southern Avenue in Mesa, closed on Friday, Aug. 11.
The family-owned restaurant first opened this location in 1988, serving barbecue, hot dogs and Italian beef. On Aug. 10, owner Rick Pawlak posted a video on Facebook announcing his intent to consolidate this location with their East Mesa restaurant on McKellips Road. He thanked customers and cited the economy and labor shortage as reasons for his decision, then he gave a final video tour of his historic, tchotchke-filled restaurant.
Wild Arizona Cuisine
Chefs Bret Vibber and Jaren Bates transitioned their Native fine dining concept from Wild Arizona Cuisine pop-ups to regular dinner services at a Sedona resort in 2022. The pair have now decided to part ways with both the resort and one another. Vibber is now the culinary director at Mortimer Farms, a family farm in Dewey, and Bates is aiding with the resort restaurant's transition before taking a well-earned break.
Vibber told The Republic that he was leaving the restaurant to pursue teaching, and he already has a new partnership lined up with an Arizona farm, a well-deserved break after helping with the restaurant's transition.
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Temporary closures
Trapp Haus BBQ
A notice from the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department dated Aug. 28 stated that the business is closed for failure to pay their permit fee. According to the Department, the restaurant needs to reapply for a permit. Once it does, it would take three to four weeks to reissue the permit. The owner was unavailable for comment at the time of writing.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix restaurants that closed in August included BBQ joint and diner
