Lil’ Robert’s Place plans to close by September 1 after 16 years in downtown Concord. The eclectic bar’s owner called it “one hell of a ride.”

Philz Coffee is coming to Concord’s Willows Shopping Center, where a major redevelopment is adding new restaurants and retail. The café has no opening date yet, but hiring is underway.

The Sexton’s Pizza team has put a fresh name near Ohio State. Uncle Frico’s is now part of Rambler’s student-focused food lineup.

Panda Express is opening its sixth Columbus restaurant on the South Side with nearly 40 jobs, a double drive-thru and a $1,000 food-bank donation.

Live roaches, unsafe temperatures and weak sanitizer helped drive an Alpharetta-area Mexican restaurant’s score down to 63.

Two longtime downtown Portland food cart pods could close in September over costly sewer and grease-control upgrades. Nineteen carts may be forced to find new homes.

Goodboybob has opened a specialty coffee counter inside Venice’s Deus Ex Machina shop, pairing rare beans with motorcycles, apparel and pastries.

A Melrose city councilor has opened Shawbak, a family-run Lebanese kitchen serving shawarma, shakshuka, falafel and handmade pastries.

A USF graduate lost more than 100 pounds before opening a new vegan restaurant. His personal reset is now becoming a Tampa Bay food story.

Williamsburg’s original Barcade has fewer than 1,000 days left before its lease expires and the pioneering arcade bar closes for good.

Houston’s Barbecue Inn is expected to close Saturday after 80 years, ending a four-generation family restaurant legacy.

Tempe’s Roman God of Fire is preparing to open Aug. 7 with wood-fired Italian cooking, Roman-inspired design, and a menu from chef Scott Conant.

The Pub Rookwood has closed after 25 years, but Tavern Restaurant Group is keeping its fish-and-chips tradition alive at several nearby locations.