True Story: A Restaurant + Nursery Concept is Still Blooming in Queen Creek

You know that feeling when a great idea gets announced, then kind of… disappears?
Well, I just had a conversation with the team behind that restaurant-nursery collab you might’ve heard about — and guess what? It’s still in the works. Not just talk. Still happening.

And if you missed the original announcement or forgot what the buzz was about, here’s the scoop:

A new spot called True Story is coming to Queen Creek — and it’s not your average restaurant. This concept is rooted (literally) inside Desert Horizon Nursery, located at Ellsworth and Ryan roads. Picture this: a full-service restaurant and bakery built into a family-owned plant nursery. Surrounded by greenery. Farm-fresh herbs. Citrus trees. And good food? Yes, please.

From Chicago to the Desert

This all started when Michael LaPidus, a Chicago-based restaurateur with some serious accolades (like the Michelin Bib Gourmand), moved to Arizona during the pandemic and became close friends with the nursery’s owners, Billy and Kerry Stevenson.

“It was like meditation to walk around the nursery,” LaPidus told me. That peace — that connection to the land — sparked an idea. What if they built something special on-site that the community could enjoy?

Queen Creek doesn’t exactly have a shortage of chain restaurants. But if you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I wish there was something more unique here,” this is it.

What to Expect at True Story

This isn’t just a restaurant with a few plants in the corner. True Story is being built inside the nursery experience. The goal? A garden-style dining room where you feel like you're eating in the middle of a living landscape.

Expect:

• A menu that rotates based on what’s in season

• Citrus and herbs picked from just a few feet away

• Wood-fired cooking methods and playful weekly specials

• Food that tells a story (hence the name)

• An environment welcoming to everyone: families, date nights, casual drop-ins after work

Oh—and don’t forget the bakery, too. Because what’s a good meal without dessert or a fresh-baked loaf to take home?

Local Roots, Real Flavor

What really sets True Story apart is the vision behind it. It’s not just about food. It’s about community. LaPidus, who built multiple restaurant brands in Chicago (including one with five locations), wants this to feel like a local gem — not a corporate copy-paste.

“We want to be sure we are telling stories in everything we do,” he said. That means creating a space that reflects Queen Creek—its people, its lifestyle, and its natural beauty.

And with 66–91 employees expected (depending on season), it’s going to bring a meaningful amount of local jobs, too.

So… When’s It Opening?

There’s no hard opening date yet. But the plans are submitted, conversations are happening, and momentum is building. This is a long game — and it’s one worth waiting for.

So keep your eyes on Desert Horizon Nursery. Something beautiful (and delicious) is growing right there.

In Case You Forgot the Location:

Desert Horizon Nursery
Ellsworth & Ryan Roads, Queen Creek, AZ

Final Thought:
True Story isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a fresh chapter for Queen Creek. It’s the kind of place that reminds us growth isn’t just about building more—it’s about building better.
A space to gather. To eat. To connect. And to feel proud of the town we call home.

I'll keep you updated as this moves along—because this is one True Story worth following.