Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza is no longer a part of Barrio Queen, but that doesn't mean the restaurant's owners don't have big plans for the Mexican restaurant concept.
Barrio Culinary Concepts, parent company to Barrio Queen restaurant in Scottsdale, has solidified plans to open a second Barrio Queen in Gilbert -- and is already in negotiations for even more Barrio Queen locations.
See also: Arizona Mills' New Food Hall: Burritos By Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza and Sad Noodle Soup
The Gilbert location of Barrio Queen is expected to open for lunch and dinner in early 2015. The restaurant will be overseen by chef Elena Moreno, who was "a student of Chef Silvana's cooking for more than 11 years." Moreno is currently the lead at Barrio Queen in Scottsdale.
The restaurant's menu will include Barrio Queen favorites such as Chiles en Nogada, Pollo Coco, and Cochinita Pibil, which will be complemented by a selection of light appetizers and salads. The menu will also offer some fish and seafood dishes such as Camarones con Barrio Arroz.
As at the Scottsdale restaurant, Barrio Queen in Gilbert will offer a a grab-and-go style take-out window.
The restaurant will be located in the new Heritage Marketplace. The building's design includes features such as finished concrete floors, open ceilings, and colorful booths and tables. The focal point of the e 4,500-square foot space will be the restaurant's main bar. A large, wrap-around shaded patio will feature a stone fire pit.
Last month, Barrio Culinary Concepts split from James Beard Award-nominated chef Silvana Salcido Esparza, who opened Barrio Queen in Scottsdale in 2012. Esparza's Barrio Cafe in Phoenix remains open and independent from Barrio Culinary Concepts.
Steve Rosenfield, co-owner of Barrio Queen Culinary Concepts, along with his wife, Linda Nash, plans to open a third location of Barrio Queen in late 2015 and are in negotiations for additional Barrio Queen locations.
Editor's Note: This post has been altered from its original version.
