End NEW IN TOWN
SAY HELLO TO TACO CHELO Roosevelt Row’s new Mexican eatery brings art, food and drinks to the area
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
Taco Chelo, the newest addition to Roosevelt Row’s food and arts scene, is now open. The concept comes from the dream team of chef Suny Satana of St. Francis; Aaron Chamberlin, who founded Phoenix Public Market as well as St. Francis; and Gennaro Garcia, an acclaimed artist who is also one of co-founders of the Calle 16 mural project in Phoenix. This is the group’s second project after the successful opening of Tempe Public Market Café in January. The cozy space is 1,000 square feet plus an additional 300-square-foot wraparound patio with great views of Downtown Phoenix. “Our lively, colorful restaurant and bar serves up flame-cooked tacos wrapped in hand-pressed tortillas, hearty sides, refreshing tequila and mezcal cocktails and more,” says Chamberlin, whose family history in the restaurant business dates back to the 1930s. “While tacos are the undeniable focus of Taco Chelo’s menu, chef Suny – a native of Mexico – will also serve up a revolving list of carefully crafted sides inspired from his own mother’s recipes.” According to Chamberlin, these delicacies include chicharrones, chips and
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guacamole, and frijoles a la charra, which are pinto beans stewed with bacon and pico de gallo. The straightforward menu also boasts equally straightforward pricing with tacos under $5, salad for just $6 and most other items a la cart for less than $6. As for the cocktail side of the menu, standouts include the Mezcal Paloma ($8) featuring Agave de Cortez Mezcal, lime, ginger, Peychauds Bitters and grapefruit soda as well as Sangria ($7), which is red wine-based and has brandy, seasonal fruits and an infusion of fresh-squeezed fruit juices. There are also nearly a dozen Mexican, local and regional beers as well as red, white and rosé wines by the bottle and glass, including Arizona’s own Provisioner brand out of Camp Verde. Emphasizing art as well as fine Mexican food, the works adorning the space, including custom-made installations from Mexico as well as hand-designed tile and brick accents, come directly from Garcia. In addition to his work with Calle 16, he has participated in more than 60 exhibits in the last four years, including six solo shows. In 2015, Garcia was the Heard Museum’s Signature Artist at the annual El Mercado de las Artistes, and he was also named as a finalist in Martha Stewart’s Made in America contest for his Made by Hand ceramic collection. “What we worked to create here is an experience that caters to all senses,” Garcia explains. “I see this restaurant project as an ongoing art installation and a collaboration of the visual and culinary arts.” And for those wondering about the name, Taco Chelo is an homage Satana’s own mother Consuelo, whose nickname is “Chelo.” Taco Chelo is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Taco Chelo, 501 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix; 602.368.5316; www.tacochelo.com.