Craving Sweetgreen? We are too. Here's 10 national chain restaurants we want in Phoenix
In 2023, the metro Phoenix dining scene gained hundreds of exciting new restaurants, from upscale establishments led by James Beard award-nominated chefs to homey family-owned restaurants. In fast food news, Phoenix welcomed back Fazoli's, the Italian chain that closed all Arizona locations in 2008, as well as a second location of White Castle, while Sweet Tomatoes made its comeback with a location in Tucson.
With a new year just around the corner, we're looking forward to 2024, full of even more restaurant openings in the Phoenix area. While metro Phoenix is home to all kinds of outposts for regional chains, there are a few we're missing that have not announced any plans for expansion into the Grand Canyon State.
Of all the chain restaurants we'd love to see debut in Arizona, these 10 are at the top of The Arizona Republic staff's 2024 restaurant wish list.
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Bojangles
Bojangles is a Southern fast-food chain that serves Cajun-style fried chicken and biscuits. The company was founded in North Carolina and has locations in 17 states.
"The chicken is good, the sweet tea better. The biscuits are best of all," said media critic Bill Goodykoontz. "One quibble — decades ago they had a better, more unique coleslaw, but now it’s just KFC-like mayo-based."
Chopt
Chopt was founded in New York City in 2001 and has since expanded nationally with locations in 11 states. The salad chain is known for its Mexican Caesar salad topped with cotija cheese, jalapeno peppers and tortilla chips.
"Salad and Go is awesome, but more healthy, fast, affordable options are always welcome," said sports reporter Theo Mackie. "And the salads at Chopt seem a bit more refined so they provide a slightly different type of option."
Chronic Tacos
Phoenix used to be home to two Chronic Tacos locations, but both are now permanently closed. The SoCal taco shop has locations in 7 states, plus Canada and Japan.
"I'd love it if Chronic Tacos would reopen because they have the dankest flavor and sauce and a great variety," said breaking news editor Lilian Boyd.
Cook Out
Cook Out was founded in North Carolina in 1989 and now has over 300 locations. The chain serves char-grilled hamburgers, chicken, barbecue trays and over 30 milkshakes.
"Think quantity, not quality," said media critic Bill Goodykoontz. "A ton of choices, entire dishes are considered sides and the milkshakes are ridiculously good. Plus there are tons of milkshake flavors."
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Earl of Sandwich
Florida-based Earl of Sandwich serves 15 unique flavors of hot sandwiches including chipotle chicken avocado, holiday turkey and caprese.
"I wish Phoenix had an Earl of Sandwich!" said city reporter Maritza Dominguez. "They have amazing hot sandwiches. They have one in downtown Disney in Anaheim and another in Vegas at one of the casinos."
Maid-Rite
Maid-Rite opened its first location nearly 100 years ago in Iowa as a walk-up sandwich restaurant. They specialize in seasoned loose meat sandwiches.
"I once called corporate long ago and about fell over after being transferred to Bradley Burt himself, president and CEO of Maid-Rite," said digital producer Wendy Kileen. "There WERE Maid-Rite locations long ago, but alas, all left. I guess I must have sounded like I knew my east Mesa neighborhood of Midwest folks when I said Maid-Rite was missing a huge audience. He sent me a FedEx with franchise details, bless his heart."
Salt & Straw
The Portland, Oregon-based ice cream chain Salt & Straw has started expanding in recent years after earning a cult following for elaborate flavors like cinnamon snickerdoodle and pear and blue cheese.
"A scoop with the mouthful-of-a-name salted, malted chocolate chip cookie dough was enough to make me a fan," said travel reporter Michael Salerno. "But the last time I was able to make it out to Salt & Straw was during a trip to San Diego. Phoenix would feel like a natural progression following expansions to California, Washington state and Las Vegas, and it would be in good company with another beloved Portland sweets chain: Voodoo Doughnut, which recently opened its first Arizona location in Tempe."
Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen is a fast-casual salad chain based in Washington, D.C., that offers protein plates, bowls and salads. The idea was originally crafted in 2007 by a group of college students who wanted healthier meals at affordable prices. The chain has since expanded to 20 states.
"Arizona is a perfect place to have a fast casual salad bar with great ingredients. It’s such a great reliable lunchtime spot for other large cities and with similar places like Cava popping up around the Valley, it would make sense to put a few Sweetgreen in popular working areas of metro Phoenix," said podcast producer Amanda Luberto. "Last year, they even did a collaboration with Suns star Devin Booker for a 'Devin Booker’s Bowl' but Phoenix residents had to travel to try it."
Wawa
Wawa is a gas station convenience store, not a traditional restaurant, but East Coast fans know and love it for the food, especially the hoagies. Wawa has locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Florida.
"Wawa still remains at the top of my list," said politics intern Morgan Fischer. "Their hoagies, especially the Italian hoagie, are very good, plus it's never very expensive and they always have good deals going on. I wish we had one here."
4 Rivers Smokehouse
4 Rivers Smokehouse is a Texas-style barbecue restaurant born out of a suburb of Orlando, Florida. After growing in popularity in the early 2010s, 4 Rivers moved its original location to a larger building and opened an additional 14 locations. However, the restaurant has yet to expand west of the Mississippi River.
"It might seem like a lot to wish for it to come to Arizona — especially when the Valley already has its own barbecue institutions like Little Miss BBQ and JL Smokehouse — but for someone who moved here after 20 years in Florida, it would feel like a taste of home," said travel reporter Michael Salerno.
Reach the reporter at [email protected]. Follow @EndiaFontanez on X, formerly Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 10 national restaurant chains that should have a Phoenix location
