Valley taqueria Taco Chelo is set to open its highly anticipated second location in downtown Tempe on Thursday, May 30.
Marking the first expansion for Taco Chelo, which has been a hotspot in downtown Phoenix since 2018, the new 1,600-square-foot location features a lively 36-seat outdoor patio ideal for people-watching, according to a press release.
Exuding Mexican charm encircled with artistic ambiance, the Tempe restaurant offers the same beloved menu Taco Chelo is known for with a selection of tacos wrapped in hand-pressed, made-to-order tortillas, signature entrees and handcrafted cocktails.
Drawing inspiration from a 200-year-old Mexican cantina, Taco Chelo Tempe is intricately designed to resemble a traditional Mexican pueblo, the release explained.
At the heart of the restaurant sits a custom-made communal table, built by Lion Craft in Phoenix, which is available to reserve for curated experiences and tasting menus personally crafted by Chef Suny.
The pièce de résistance is the “retablo,” an elaborate structure with pops of neon serving as an altarpiece and displaying artwork, sculptures and more, according to the release.
The artwork features a skull adorned with the letter “A” on the forehead, a nod to ASU’s treasured A Mountain, along with the quote “Hecho en Tempe” that promises to make Taco Chelo Tempe a notable landmark all its own.
“I consider Taco Chelo Tempe to be among my most beautiful work and it’s one of the projects I’m most proud of in my career,” Gennaro Garcia, designer and co-owner of Taco Chelo, stated in the release. “My goal is to make people feel like they’re walking into one of my paintings. From the custom tile with colors that are a continuation of what I typically reserve for my murals to the textures inspired by my homeland, this restaurant is my love letter to Mexico.”
A collaboration by restaurateur Aaron Chamberlin, Chef Suny Santana and Garcia, Taco Chelo features family recipes and traditional cooking methods to deliver the genuine taste of Mexico while being backdropped by artistic splendor, the release detailed.
“Bringing Taco Chelo to Tempe is a culmination of our team’s hard work and deep-rooted passion for true Mexican cooking,” Suny stated in the release. “We can’t wait for a new audience to discover the soulful flavors and vibrant culture that define Taco Chelo and know they will enjoy the exploration of Mexico's culinary heritage.”
Additionally, the new Tempe location will feature the launch of Taco Chelo merchandise, including T-shirts, tote bags, stickers, keychains and more. The merchandise, all designed by Garcia, will also be available to purchase at the downtown Phoenix location.
“Expanding our footprint with this second location strengthens our commitment to bringing classic Mexican fare to the community,” Chamberlin stated in the release. “With our team’s incredible service, Suny’s phenomenal recipes and Gennaro’s exceptional design, there simply isn’t anything else like this in the area. We look forward to introducing Tempe to Taco Chelo.”
Taco Chelo Tempe is located at 521 S. College Avenue, Suite 112, and is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday for dine-in or takeout.
For more, visit TacoChelo.com.
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