It’s been a while since the gates closed at 114 East 7th Street, but honestly, people are still talking about it. If you ever spent an afternoon under the sprawling canopy of those majestic trees, you know exactly why. House of Tricks restaurant Tempe Arizona wasn't just a place to grab a expensive ribeye or a glass of crisp Chardonnay; it was essentially the soul of downtown Tempe for over thirty years.
Finding a spot that balances high-end culinary execution with a vibe that feels like your cool aunt’s backyard is rare. Like, lightning-strike rare. Most upscale joints in the Valley of the Sun lean into the "see and be seen" aesthetic—lots of glass, loud music, and chrome. House of Tricks went the opposite way. It was a pair of renovated 1920s cottages connected by a patio that felt like a secret garden. It was quiet. It was lush.
The Bittersweet Reality of the Closure
Let’s get the elephant out of the room first: House of Tricks is closed.
Robert and Robin Trick, the husband-and-wife duo behind the magic, decided to retire in 2022. It wasn't because of a lack of business. Far from it. People were practically banging down the doors until the very last service in June of that year. They just wanted to move on to their next chapter after thirty-four years of grueling restaurant hours. You can't really blame them, but man, it stung for the regulars.
When a place like this shuts down, a city loses more than a tax-paying business. It loses a landmark. The land itself was sold to developers, which is a story we’ve heard a thousand times in Tempe as the skyline grows taller and the old brick-and-mortar history gets overshadowed by luxury apartments.
What Made the Menu So Different?
The food wasn't just "good." It was thoughtful. While other places were chasing trends like deconstructed foams or whatever TikTok food craze was happening, the kitchen here focused on French-inspired New American cuisine that actually tasted like something.
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Take their duck breast, for example. It was legendary. They’d often pair it with something seasonal—maybe a stone fruit reduction in the summer or a parsnip puree in the winter. The flavors were layered. Not complicated for the sake of being complicated, but complex in a way that made you slow down and actually chew.
They also understood the Arizona climate. You can’t serve heavy, cream-laden sauces when it’s 110 degrees outside. Their salads were masterpieces of texture, often featuring local goat cheese, toasted nuts, and vinaigrettes that had just enough acidity to wake up your palate without being abrasive.
The Backyard That Defined Tempe
If you didn't sit on the patio, did you even go to House of Tricks?
The outdoor bar was the centerpiece. It was shaded by massive trees that dropped the temperature by at least ten degrees—a literal lifesaver in July. There was something about the way the light filtered through the leaves at sunset. It turned the whole place gold. It was the go-to spot for first dates, graduation dinners from ASU, and even low-key weddings.
You’d see professors in tweed jackets sitting next to tech founders in t-shirts. It was egalitarian. No one cared if you were a millionaire or a grad student as long as you appreciated the atmosphere.
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Why We Won't See Another Place Like It
The economics of modern dining make a place like House of Tricks restaurant Tempe Arizona almost impossible to recreate today.
- Land Value: In 1987, buying a couple of old houses near Mill Avenue was a gamble. Today, that dirt is worth millions. A new restaurant starting today would have to charge $80 for a chicken breast just to cover the mortgage.
- The "Slow" Factor: House of Tricks encouraged lingering. Modern restaurant design is all about "turning tables." They want you in and out in 90 minutes. At Tricks, you could sit for three hours and the staff would just keep the water glasses full and leave you to your conversation.
- Owner-Operated Grit: Robert and Robin were there. This wasn't a corporate concept owned by a private equity firm in Chicago. That personal touch is what created the loyalty.
The Impact on the Local Business Ecosystem
Tempe’s dining scene has shifted. It’s become very "fast-casual" and "concept-heavy." While spots like Postino or Culinary Dropout provide a great experience, they feel like products. House of Tricks felt like a home.
The loss of the restaurant also meant the loss of a major supporter of local farms. They were pioneers in the farm-to-table movement before it was a marketing buzzword. They worked with local growers to ensure the produce was as fresh as humanly possible. When a high-volume buyer like that disappears, the small farmers feel it.
What Most People Got Wrong About "The Tricks"
Some people thought it was too "stuffy."
That’s a total misconception. Sure, it was expensive compared to a burrito shop on University Drive, but the "stuffiness" was non-existent. The service was professional but warm. It was "fine dining" without the white tablecloth pretension. You could wear a sundress or a suit and feel equally at home.
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There’s also a rumor that it was just a "special occasion" place. While it was great for birthdays, the happiest people there were the ones who showed up on a random Tuesday at 4:00 PM for a glass of wine and some appetizers at the outdoor bar. That was the secret way to experience the magic without the Saturday night crowd.
Actionable Insights for the Post-House of Tricks Era
If you’re looking for that same feeling in the Tempe or Phoenix area now that the original is gone, you have to look for specific traits. You won't find a carbon copy, but you can find the spirit.
- Seek out Adaptive Reuse: Look for restaurants built into old houses or historical buildings. Places like The Farm at South Mountain or Cibo in downtown Phoenix capture that "residential-turned-culinary" vibe.
- Prioritize Independent Ownership: Avoid the big chains if you want a curated experience. Look for places where the owners are actually on-site.
- Don't Ignore the "Old Guard": While everyone is rushing to the newest opening in Scottsdale, spots like Quiessence at the Farm still offer that slow, garden-focused experience that defined House of Tricks.
- Value the Patio Architecture: In Arizona, a patio isn't just a place with tables. It needs shade, greenery, and airflow. If a place doesn't invest in its outdoor landscape, it's just a sidewalk with a chair.
House of Tricks restaurant Tempe Arizona proved that you could build a multi-decade legacy by simply being consistent, kind, and incredibly good at cooking duck. It’s a blueprint for what local business should be. While the physical buildings might be gone or repurposed, the standard they set for Tempe hospitality remains the high-water mark for every new chef moving into the neighborhood.
To honor that legacy, the best thing you can do is go find a small, family-owned gem in your neighborhood and become a regular. Don't wait for a special occasion. Go on a Tuesday. Sit outside. Order the weirdest thing on the menu. Support the people who are trying to keep the soul of your city alive.