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What Arizona families should know about cyclospora

Here's what doctors say about produce, pools and reducing your risk.

Tomatoes displayed in the produce section of a grocery store in Washington, D.C.

Tomatoes at a grocery store in Washington, D.C.. Photo: Al Drago/Getty Images

Investigators still haven&#x27;t identified a common contamination source for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/cyclosporiasis-stomach-bug-cases-symptoms-outbreak" data-vars-content-id="2875ce56-deda-4865-96f8-58eced1c70a4" data-vars-headline="What Arizona families should know about cyclospora" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/cyclosporiasis-stomach-bug-cases-symptoms-outbreak" target="_self">cyclosporiasis outbreak</a> gripping the nation, limiting the guidance health officials can give consumers.The big picture: Fresh produce remains the focus of investigators, with lettuce and other ingredients pulled from some Taco Bell restaurants also under scrutiny.

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It&#x27;s that time again! See how well you absorbed this week&#x27;s news with our quiz.🥳 Congratulations to last week&#x27;s perfect scorers: Chris M., Peter W., Tish B., Steven H. and Craig F.

Chandler Fashion Center thinks it's got the bones to become the East Valley's premier dining destination — and it's launching a massive remodel to pull it off. 

Why it matters: Several Valley malls have closed in recent years as retailers scaled back their brick-and-mortar operations. 

Chandler, which celebrates its 25th anniversary later this year, is bucking the trend.

Sunny outdoor shopping plaza with a circular fountain, kids playing in jets, red umbrellas, modern storefronts, greenery, and a bright blue sky.

A new splash pad is coming. Rendering: Courtesy of Chandler Fashion Center

State of play: Construction starts next month on a re-imagined entertainment and dining district near the Harkins Theatres on the property's south end, the center's general manager, Monica Greenman, tells Axios.

A new restaurant row will include the Valley's second Din Tai Fung and first Wagyu House (an all-you-can-eat Japanese steakhouse), both slated to open next year.

More dining announcement are imminent, Greenman says.

The porte-cochère outside the food court will be closed to traffic to create a covered gathering place with lawn games, and the space between the food court and movie theater will become a park with an expanded splash pad and space for music performances. 

Catch up quick: Chandler Fashion Center opened in 2001, replacing 320 acres of farm land on Chandler Boulevard near Loop 101 with high-end retailers and department stores.

The project delivered Arizona's first Apple Store and second Nordstrom, a Cheesecake Factory, 20-screen Harkins Theatres, California Pizza Kitchen, Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn.

It was a signal that the southeast Valley was growing and deserving of luxury investment. 

A historical photo of a Nordstrom under construction.

Nordstrom under construction at Chandler Fashion Center in 2001. Photo: Courtesy of Chandler Fashion Center

Reality check: There have been some speed bumps since then. 

Two of the center's anchors — Sears and Nordstrom — closed in 2019 and 2020 and many of the original restaurants and storefronts have turned over many times in the past 25 years. 

I was among the skeptics who doubted the mall would survive after Nordstrom bounced. But it may have been the best thing that could've happened. 

In 2023, Scheels took over the space with its first Arizona location, igniting a resurgence of interest in the mall. 

Then last year, Round 1, an arcade and bowling alley, moved into the downstairs of the former Sears.

The latest: The state's first Seafood City, North America's largest Filipino
supermarket chain, opened July 30 in the upstairs of the former Sears.

It includes a live seafood wall and a 300-seat food hall, the Phoenix Business Journal reported.

The bottom line: "It's about taking the risk," Greenman says, noting that bowling alleys and grocery stores aren't normal mall tenants. "But guests want this, so why not give it to them?"

Seafood City opens July 30. Photo: Jessica Boehm/Axios

Chandler Fashion Center bets big on dining and entertainment

The mall is adding restaurants, entertainment and gathering space.

Evening scene at a modern outdoor shopping plaza: wood-and-metal building, string lights in trees, people at outdoor tables, a central fire pit, and landscaped planters.

Chandler Fashion Center is working on a new dining district. Rendering: Courtesy of Chandler Fashion Center

Chandler Fashion Center thinks it&#x27;s got the bones to become the East Valley&#x27;s premier dining destination — and it&#x27;s launching a massive remodel to pull it off. Why it matters: Several Valley malls have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closed in recent years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/07/phoenix-area-malls-survive-adapt-despite-industry-decline" data-vars-content-id="9675d4ac-09d8-4956-ad48-3f2bf272ca8d" data-vars-headline="Chandler Fashion Center bets big on dining and entertainment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/07/phoenix-area-malls-survive-adapt-despite-industry-decline" target="_self">closed in recent years</a> as retailers scaled back their brick-and-mortar operations.

Things to Do

The iconic old-school Taco Bell building in south Scottsdale, which served its final crunchwraps more than a year ago, is getting a new purpose. And dare we say it feels a little kismet?

State of play: Local Mexican chain Filiberto's appears to be taking over the mission-style restaurant. It's been painted bright red and a sign announcing the new tenant hangs where Taco Bell's did for more than 50 years, 12 News reported.

What they're saying: "Like the Roman Catholic Church taking over old Rome ruins," one fan posted on Instagram.

Why it matters: The restaurant, which first opened in the 1960s, was the nation's 31st Taco Bell location and was among the oldest still operating in the U.S when it closed last April.

It's one of very few that had maintained the original brick cantina design.

The intrigue: When franchise owner Desert de Oro Foods decided to decommission the vintage building and redirect taco traffic to a new modern drive-thru next door, we feared the structure would become a pile of rubble.

So we're among the Mexican food and historic preservation fans applauding Filiberto's takeover of the space.

A man in a white t-shirt and a broad-brimmed hat paints a picture of a mission-style Taco Bell from across the street. 

Edward Ward painting the mission-style Taco Bell on McDowell Road. Photo: Jeremy Duda/Axios

Catch up quick: Fliberto's has become a cultural institution in the Valley since its first shop opened in Mesa in 1993.

Today, there are dozens of Valley locations, and plenty of copycat "-berto's," though as Filiberto's says on its to-go cups:  "Don't be fooled!! There is 1… only 1!"

The other side: Not everyone's cheering the switcheroo.

"Filiberto's is the Spirit Halloween of washed up restaurant buildings," reads one social post.

Yes, but: "Could be a parking lot or unaffordable luxury apartments. I'll take Filiberto's over those," an astute observer of south Scottsdale development reminded the haters.

What we're watching: The new restaurant hasn't announced an opening date.

Historic Scottsdale Taco Bell gets second life as Filiberto's

A Valley landmark won't be demolished after all. It will become a Filiberto's.

The closed old-school Taco Bell in south Scottsdale will be replaced by a Filiberto's. Photo: Jessica Boehm/Axios

The iconic old-school Taco Bell building in south Scottsdale, which served its final crunchwraps more than a year ago, is getting a new purpose. And dare we say it feels a little kismet?State of play: Local Mexican chain Filiberto&#x27;s appears to be taking over the mission-style restaurant. It&#x27;s been painted bright red and a sign announcing the new tenant hangs where Taco Bell&#x27;s did for more than 50 years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="12 News reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/old-taco-bell-in-scottsdale-arizona-mission-style-location/75-14cb2bff-23fd-4c15-99aa-55f2698ea532" data-vars-content-id="af75878f-cf33-4f76-9d77-5077cf050449" data-vars-headline="Historic Scottsdale Taco Bell gets second life as Filiberto&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/old-taco-bell-in-scottsdale-arizona-mission-style-location/75-14cb2bff-23fd-4c15-99aa-55f2698ea532" target="_blank">12 News reported</a>.

Food and Drink

A chopped salad concocted in an Old Town Scottsdale kitchen has kept the Valley in a stomach-hold for nearly three decades — and become part of our cultural identity along the way.

Why it matters: "The original chopped salad," now on the menu at The Gladly, Citizen Public House and Beginner's Luck, is so beloved that the state Legislature gave it its own day last year.

The big picture: The recipe is surprisingly straightforward (the restaurants will give it to you if you ask nicely), and yet it's the most popular item at each of the spots operated by In Good Spirits Hospitality.

Is it the satisfying way the colorful ingredients are plated in perfect lines? The table-side tossing with the buttermilk herb dressing? The crunch of the dried corn or the buttery notes of the smoked salmon? 

"I think you can stick about anything into a bowl and mix it up and it will be good," chef Bernie Kantak, creator of the salad tells us.

That's very humble, but we're not buyin' it, Bernie.

The intrigue: The Valley's dining scene is thriving and finally getting the acclaim it deserves. But what Kantak has accomplished is much more rare.

He reached culinary consensus with an unfussy dish that Arizonans happily evangelize.

Case in point: Six months after it debuted in 1997, a diner told Kantak she'd made a picture of the salad her computer screensaver. Also, these reviews:

"It's life changing. I'm serious. I wouldn't blame you for driving 45 minutes just to get that one dish." 

"If I could only eat one salad forever, it would be this one."

How it happened: Kantak tells us he was fresh out of culinary school when the owner of Cowboy Ciao (now closed, except for an outpost at Sky Harbor) tasked him with re-inventing the eatery's chopped salad. 

He borrowed the smoked salmon and dried corn combo from a soup at Cowboy Ciao. From there, it was about creating a flavor and texture balance that looked pretty in the bowl, he says.

The result: Pepitas for crunch, currants for sweetness, pepper notes from the arugula, salty asiago and acidic tomatoes combine with the salmon, corn, couscous and dressing for a bold and satisfying bite.

Pro tips: You can add any ingredients you'd like — avocado, chicken, steak and shrimp are popular additions.

Yes, but: Kantak doesn't recommend taking anything out. The flavors are all designed to work off of each other. 

He encourages you to try it as is, even if you're not usually a fan of one of the ingredients. After all, he doesn't even like smoked salmon, he tells us.

If you go: The chopped salad is just $15 (normally $23) at The Gladly on Mondays through August as part of the restaurant's "Summer of Salad" promo. 

They sell about 150-200 of them every summer Monday.

The story behind Arizona's famous chopped salad

This colorful classic has inspired devoted fans for nearly three decades.

Large bowl of colorful mixed salad on a wooden table, featuring corn, diced tomatoes, greens, salmon chunks, and pearl couscous, with a metal pitcher of creamy dressing and a serving spoon.

The legendary salad. Photo: Courtesy of In Good Spirits Hospitality

A chopped salad concocted in an Old Town Scottsdale kitchen has kept the Valley in a stomach-hold for nearly three decades — and become part of our cultural identity along the way.Why it matters: &quot;The original chopped salad,&quot; now on the menu at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Gladly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thegladly.com/" data-vars-content-id="dd20d645-297f-4a35-b810-b71948ecaca6" data-vars-headline="The story behind Arizona&#x27;s famous chopped salad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thegladly.com/" target="_blank">The Gladly</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Citizen Public House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.citizenpublichouse.com/" data-vars-content-id="dd20d645-297f-4a35-b810-b71948ecaca6" data-vars-headline="The story behind Arizona&#x27;s famous chopped salad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.citizenpublichouse.com/" target="_blank">Citizen Public House</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Beginner&#x27;s Luck" data-vars-click-url="https://www.beginnersluckaz.com/" data-vars-content-id="dd20d645-297f-4a35-b810-b71948ecaca6" data-vars-headline="The story behind Arizona&#x27;s famous chopped salad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.beginnersluckaz.com/" target="_blank">Beginner&#x27;s Luck</a>, is so beloved that the state Legislature <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gave it its own day last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/food-drink/arizona-recognizes-iconic-dish-creates-original-chopped-salad-day-21678980/" data-vars-content-id="dd20d645-297f-4a35-b810-b71948ecaca6" data-vars-headline="The story behind Arizona&#x27;s famous chopped salad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/food-drink/arizona-recognizes-iconic-dish-creates-original-chopped-salad-day-21678980/" target="_blank">gave it its own day last year</a>.

Jessica Boehm

Featured stories

Chandler Fashion Center bets big on dining and entertainment

Historic Scottsdale Taco Bell gets second life as Filiberto's

Take the Axios Phoenix news quiz!

What Arizona families should know about cyclospora

The story behind Arizona's famous chopped salad