Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza No Longer a Partner at Barrio Queen in Scottsdale

Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza of Barrio Cafe in Phoenix has a lot going on right now, including plans for a new restaurant in Gilbert and a fast-casual concept on the west side of town. What she doesn't have to worry about anymore is Barrio Queen, the Scottsdale restaurant she opened...

By Lauren Saria

August 15, 2014

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Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza of Barrio Cafe in Phoenix has a lot going on right now, including plans for a new restaurant in Gilbert and a fast-casual concept on the west side of town.

What she doesn't have to worry about anymore is Barrio Queen, the Scottsdale restaurant she opened in 2012.

"All I'm free to say is I'm gone," Esparza tells us. "I'm no longer involved in the restaurant."

Esparza posted a formal statement about the news on her Facebook page. You can read it in its entirety on the next page. The chef says she's not able to comment further on the details regarding her departure from the restaurant at this time.

Barrio Queen opened in Old Town Scottsdale in 2012, though it was originally one of two concepts that chef opened in the former Metro Brasserie space. In what's now the Barrio Queen dining room, Esparza tried to start a fancier sister restaurant called Silvana Bistro. She closed that restaurant after about a month to focus on the Barrio Queen.

And the bump didn't stop the restaurant from achieving early success. That year it was named one of the 20 best new restaurants of the year by Esquire magazine.

For now, Esparza says she's headed to Mexico for some rest and relaxation.

Esparza's official statement:

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