Bad Jimmy’s, a rapidly growing smashburger and cocktail bar concept, is opening a new location soon at 505 W. University Drive in Tempe.
The new site will move into the space previously home to Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup, which closed earlier this year, according to Phoenix New Times. The upcoming Tempe spot marks Bad Jimmy’s fourth restaurant and occupies a 1,972-square-foot space with an additional 370-square-foot patio for outdoor seating. Owner and chef James Piazza will serve his signature flat-top griddled burgers made with Arizona-raised K4 Ranch beef, along with waffle fries, wings, soft serve, and Mexican Coke.
The restaurant blends a casual burger joint with a cocktail bar atmosphere and has gained recognition for its approachable menu and vibe. Bad Jimmy’s is regularly featured on the Phoenix New Times’ Top 100 restaurants list, reflecting its growing popularity. The Tempe location will continue this momentum by providing a spacious venue for both indoor and outdoor dining.
Bad Jimmy’s began in 2021 as a pop-up around the Phoenix metropolitan area before opening its first permanent location in downtown Phoenix in 2023, taking over the former Breadfruit & Rum Bar space. Since then, the brand has expanded rapidly, with a second location opening in March 2025 on Indian School Road and Miller Road in Scottsdale, and a third launching in early July 2025 in north Phoenix, near Bethany Home Road.
This will be an excellent spot for the new Bad Jimmy’s location. Situated on University Drive near the busy Mill Avenue area, it’s right in the heart of a vibrant neighborhood full of locals and students. With nearly 2,000 square feet of indoor space plus a patio, there’s plenty of room for customers to relax and enjoy their smashburgers and wings. The mix of steady foot traffic and outdoor seating fits perfectly with Bad Jimmy’s casual, social atmosphere.
