New restaurants in Glendale serve hot pot, BBQ, Indian, tacos and more

Glendale is having a new restaurant boom, particularly at Westgate Entertainment District. Within the past year, the West Valley suburb that’s home to more than 247,000 Arizonans welcomed a diverse range of new dining options, from trendy Taiwanese hot pot to St. Louis-style barbecue to a torta restaurant that, according to our dining critic, makes the perfect Mexican sandwich.

New vegan options range from loaded mac and cheese to traditional Indian dishes. And for those looking for a drink or dessert, a whimsical new bar offers both, serving cocktails and over-the-top milkshakes.

Here are a dozen new restaurants and bars to try now in Glendale.

Tasty Pot

Taiwanese hot pot restaurants have exploded in popularity over the last few years and when this California chain first arrived in Mesa, The Republic’s then-dining critic declared it among the best in town. A second spot has since opened in Glendale, offering generous portions of pre-assembled hot pots served over a small flame. Choose from menu items like cheesy milk hot pot or seafood lobster hot pot and order additional ingredients to cook in your pot.

Details: 6645 W. Bell Road, #101-103, Glendale. 623-230-2048, tastypotusa.com.

Naked Q

The Arizona Republic named this restaurant one of the best barbecue spots in metro Phoenix. At its new location at Westgate, you can expect slow-smoked brisket, jalapeño hot links, St. Louis-style ribs and hand-pulled pork on a brioche-style bun. The meats here come unadorned, so you can dress them up yourself using a selection of housemade sauces.

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, 9405 W. Glendale Ave., #120, Glendale. 623-230-2199, nakedq.com.

Crab n Spice

This California seafood boil restaurant joins the ranks of Hot N Juicy, LA Crab Shack and Angry Crab Shack. The menu features baskets of fried calamari and crab n’ fries, which are Cajun-spiced fries with chunks of crab meat. The Captain’s Choice combo comes with a half-pound of shrimp or crawfish, lobster tail, half-pound of snow crab, two pieces of corn or potato and half-pound of sausage.

Details: Arrowhead Towne Center, 17275 N. 79th Ave., Glendale. 623-328-9615, crabnspiceaz.com.

Carousel Arcade Bar

Adult beverages and childhood entertainment collide at this fair-themed bar at Westgate. Along with video games, pinball machines and air hockey tables, visitors can grab a burger and cocktail. Dessert options include a basket of fried candy bars and a confetti milkshake topped with a slice of cake and a sprinkle rim.

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., #G207, Glendale. 623-877-9777, carouselarcadebar.com.

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Cupbop

This fast-food restaurant chain, now open in Westgate, is known for Korean-style barbecue served in a cup with white rice, cabbage mix and japchae sweet potato noodles. Toppings include fried chicken, mandoo dumplings and tofu, with kimchi available as a side. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available.

Details: Westgate Entertainment District, 9410 W. Hanna Lane, #A101, Glendale. 602-860-2713, cupbop.com.

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Mac Shack

Located in a Walmart strip mall, this restaurant focuses mainly on — you guessed it — mac and cheese. The restaurant serves dishes like the Northeastern Mac, featuring shell pasta with cheese sauce, lobster, gouda, gruyere and Ritz crumbs. Build-your-own and vegan options are also on the menu.

Details: 6530 W. Happy Valley Road, #116B, Glendale. 623-248-0719, macshackaz.com.

Tortas CM

Republic dining critic Andi Berlin described her Norteña — a torta of carne asada topped with grilled onions, melted mozzarella cheese, chipotle salsa and ripe avocado — as “a perfect sandwich, a titan of the telera roll.” And then went on to name this torta shop one of the best new restaurants in metro Phoenix. From the corner of a Glendale parking lot, Renato De La Torre serves a streamlined menu of Mexico City-style tortas, following in the footsteps of his family, who run the popular Los Reyes de la Torta in Phoenix.