Popular Closed Restaurant Replaced with New Burger, Pizza, and Brunch Spot

Pizza and burgers are on the menu.Photo byRajasekhar RonUnsplash

Restaurant concept groups are on a continual search for what is trendy. They invest in one space, design it to look and feel like a popular spot, and then, when traffic begins to slow, the plug on the restaurant is instantly pulled for a newer idea. There’s a reason why the longest-lasting restaurants around greater Phoenix are all family-owned and not restaurant group-owned. Those at most will last a few years before being flipped. Between trying to stay ahead of the curve and the tax incentives with terminating a business, there are a number of reasons why restaurant groups in Phoenix do this. And now, one group is back at it, as it has officially replaced its own restaurant in Gilbert. 

A few months ago Sandbar Mexican Grill called it quits. However, at the time it was evident this was the classic restaurant group move to revamp a location that was starting to bleed resources. With such a large space it’s often best to not let it linger in its demise but instead make it quick. Especially when the property is already owned. Unlike a family restaurant, where there are various ups and downs, in the restaurant group space, there are only ups. Sandbar Mexican Grill began slipping, and as such, it was discontinued. 

The restaurant, which had over 9,500 square feet of both indoor and outdoor seating, has been revamped and now goes by the name of Backyard. Of course, there are plenty of new tweaks and updates to the space, so if you were a fan of the location (1975 South Williams Field Road) and have been hoping for a new restaurant to return, you are in luck. 

Backyard, which has another Valley location at Desert Ridge (a well as two Texas locations), is open Monday through Friday from 4 PM until 10 PM, on Saturday from 9 AM until 2 AM, and on Sunday from 9 AM until 10 PM. 

The menu features starters that include nachos, crispy wings, Backyard tenders, and carne asada fries. There are a few taco options (though it is a minimal part of the menu), a rather large Sunday brunch menu, which includes everything from chicken and waffles, cinnamon french toast, and biscuits and gravy. You will also find a number of handheld options to choose from, including chicken biscuit, a breakfast burger, breakfast burritos, turkey melt, a Backyard burger, tuna melt, and sausage, egg, and cheese served on a potato roll.