PHOENIX – Move over, water tower, downtown Gilbert has a new icon.

A giant gopher in a hat, staring out over Gilbert Road with illuminated eyes, was installed this week atop a new snack shack.

The eatery, called Topo, is scheduled to open March 14.

The gopher’s arrival, and subsequent announcements on social media, ended the months-long mystery of what was being built outside Joe’s Real BBQ.

Topo Arrives! Thank you to our friends at Rainstorm Video & Film for creating this amazing time lapse of Topo's arrival. Posted by Topo on Wednesday, March 6, 2019

As construction took shape, social media accounts teased the coming of what was called only Black Box Gilbert.

But the accounts switched over to the Topo branding Wednesday morning after the gopher’s overnight arrival.

The critter’s hat resembles something that might be seen on the head of owner Joe Johnston – the Gilbert entrepreneur behind Joe’s Real BBQ, Liberty Market, Joe’s Farm Grill and more.

Topo’s website calls the building’s design “iconic roadside architecture in the spirit of the great American road trip.”

With no indoor seating at the snack bar, its limited menu was designed with takeaway in mind. And bring your credit card, because it’s a cashless business.

Topo will offer chicken or pork burritos, elote (Mexican street corn), vanilla or prickly pear soft-serve ice cream and bottled Mexi Coke and Topo Chico beverages.

The window will be open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday.

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