Culinary Gangster, the family-run burger shop that grew from a Chicago food truck into a Valley favorite, says it is gearing up to open a Tempe outpost on Mill Avenue beneath Varsity Tavern. The move comes on the heels of the brand opening a second downtown Phoenix location, and the owners are calling the Mill Avenue space a key next step in their Arizona expansion. Officials and the restaurant have not announced an exact opening date.
Announcement and location
The chain rolled out the Mill Avenue news on Instagram with a "Tempe, it's official" message, according to WhatNow. The outlet reports the new spot will sit directly under Varsity Tavern on Mill Avenue, although Culinary Gangster has yet to set a firm opening date.
When it might open
Owner Ricky Raschillo told Phoenix New Times he hopes to open as soon as March, but said the team is prepared to wait until the summer if renovations or permitting stretch out. Raschillo said Mill Avenue has matured into a place that attracts family-friendly concepts and added, "it's not just a drinking college town anymore."
Menu and deals to expect
WhatNow notes that Culinary Gangster's menu leans on specialty burgers, scratch-made sides and all-day breakfast. Signature items include the Spicy Gangster, stacked with jalapeños, fried onions and spicy sauces, and a Baja Breakfast Burrito packed with eggs, avocado and fries. The outlet also lists a sharable Burger Box, which includes four burgers, four orders of fries and four drinks, priced around $67 and aimed at groups.
From food truck to Mill Avenue
The brand launched as a Chicago food truck and has been steadily building a Valley presence. The Roosevelt Row location, opened in mid-2025, was led by Raschillo's son Rocco as partner and operator. Local coverage shows the Phoenix outpost was used to test expanded bar service and menu tweaks before the Tempe move, suggesting the Mill Avenue shop will follow a similar all-day model, according to Mouth By Southwest. The brand's locations page also details the downtown opening and Rocco Raschillo's operator role.
What to watch next
Renovations, landlord approvals and the city's efforts to attract full-service restaurants will shape the timetable for the new location. Landlords and officials have been active in lining up tenants on Mill Avenue, according to Phoenix New Times. For now, Culinary Gangster's social channels and local permitting records are the best places to watch for a firm opening date and any soft-opening details.
