Nick Buchholz is living most workers’ dream: He and three other former Maloney’s on Campus staffers have joined forces to reopen the Tempe bar and restaurant.

“We’re running it the way we thought it should have been run,” says Buchholz, who worked there while attending Arizona State University several years ago.

Maloney’s, located just off the ASU campus on University Drive east of Rural Road, closed the day after St. Patrick’s Day. Buchholz and friends reopened it earlier this month with a new name, Devil’s Advocate.

Longtime Maloney’s patrons, many of whom took advantage of the bar’s popular 2-for-1 specials Thursday nights, will see lots of familiar faces. The four friends have hired at least eight other former Maloney’s staffers, Buchholz says.

“Our idea is you can come, eat and everyone knows you,” he says. “We’re hoping to get more of the 25-to-35-year-old crowd, people that are the age we are now. The students will always be here.”

The décor hasn’t changed much since the doors closed in March, but the new owners have added nearly three dozen flat-screen TVs to lend more of a sports-bar appeal.

And Buchholz, whose resume includes time at Cartwright’s restaurant in Cave Creek, has created a small but affordable menu of what he refers to as “gourmet bar food” to set Devil’s Advocate apart from other ASU-area hangouts.

There are six types of $2 sliders (American wagyu, prime rib, carnitas, chicken, hot dog and quesadilla), as well as three varieties of $2 tacos (steak, carnitas and steak, pictured above) on house-made tortillas.

Buffalo wings (50 cents apiece) come with a choice of eight sauces, including pineapple-habanero and locally produced Yashi Asian.

There’s only one full-sized burger — wagyu ($6) — and three sandwiches — grilled ribeye, Philly and pulled pork. Twelve-inch brick-oven pizzas start at $6.

“I think we are going to make a statement here in
Tempe,” Buchholz says.

“Even though 99 percent of the items are made in-house, we still are able to
offer screaming deals on the food.”

Devil’s Advocate, 955 E. University Drive, Tempe, is open for lunch and dinner daily. Info: (480) 921-2585 or devilstempe.com.