What’s new in Scottsdale this week?
Scottsdale is about to get two new places to eat. Smiling Moose Sandwich Grill opens its first Arizona location at Scottsdale Crossing on Monday, August 17, 2026, backed by an ownership group that includes NBA star and ASU alum James Harden. Right behind it, the acclaimed Latin American spot Vecina brings a second, much bigger location to McCormick Ranch in August. Here’s what you need to know.
By Dr. Kevin Shufford | August 4, 2026
Smiling Moose Sandwich Grill hits Scottsdale on August 17
If you like a stacked sandwich, mark your calendar. Smiling Moose Sandwich Grill, the Colorado-born chain known for its build-your-own sandwiches, wraps, salads, and burgers, opens its very first Valley storefront in Scottsdale on Monday, August 17. You’ll find it at Scottsdale Crossing, 2765 N. Scottsdale Road, Unit 103, near Scottsdale and Thomas Roads.
The backstory is part of the fun. The group bringing it here includes ASU alum and NBA star James Harden, along with Brian Padilla, Carlos Muñoz, and former ASU basketball players Troy Payne and Nico Fricchione. As ABC15 reported, this is the first of several Valley locations the group is planning.
Opening day runs from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and it starts with a ribbon-cutting. Here’s the part worth showing up early for: the first 100 guests get a free six-inch Original Mo sandwich plus a $50 Adidas gift card, courtesy of Harden. Arizona Foothills Magazine and KTAR both confirm the date and the details. If you’ve been in this pocket of Scottsdale, you know lunch options near Scottsdale and Thomas can fill up fast, so a fresh, fast, sit-down sandwich spot is a real add.
Vecina brings big-flavor Latin dining to McCormick Ranch
The other big one is Vecina. The Arcadia favorite from chef James Fox is opening a second location this August in the former Z’Tejas space at McCormick Ranch, at 8300 N. Hayden Road, Suite D-101. This is not a copy-and-paste of the original. The new spot is roughly two and a half times the size, with private dining rooms, a mezzanine, and a lakeside patio that’s built for Scottsdale evenings.
Vecina earned a strong following in Arcadia for its Latin American cooking, so a larger McCormick Ranch home with lake views is a genuinely exciting upgrade. The exact opening day hasn’t been announced yet, but Phoenix New Times and Scottsdale Patch both peg the debut for this August. Keep an eye on their announcements if you want to be there in the opening week.
Why this matters if you love this part of the Valley
New spots like these are one more reason Scottsdale keeps drawing people in. Walkable lunch near Scottsdale Crossing, a lakeside dinner at McCormick Ranch: this is the everyday texture that makes a neighborhood feel like home. If you’re ever curious what it’s actually like to live near here, or what these pockets of Scottsdale cost to buy into, that’s my world. You can always work with me when you’re ready to look. No pressure, just a neighbor who pays attention to what’s opening first.
Sources: ABC15, Arizona Foothills Magazine, and KTAR for Smiling Moose; Phoenix New Times and Scottsdale Patch for Vecina.
Dr. Kevin Shufford holds a PhD in Communication and is a professor who teaches how to have healthy relationships, skills he brings to his real estate practice. As a licensed real estate agent and mortgage loan officer serving the Phoenix metro and Southern California, Kevin operates as The Property Professor under Real Broker and One Real Mortgage. Work with Kevin at thepropertyprofessor.blog or call 480-725-4658.
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