Every now and then I think you might like to hear something from us
Nice and easy.
But there's just one thing, you see …
We never ever do nothin'
Nice and easy.
While the one-and-only Tina Turner famously said these words before launching into one of the greatest renditions of Proud Mary ever performed, the iconic quote could just as easily have been said by Joey Maggiore.
The larger-than-life chef and cookbook author has made his culinary presence known in the Valley in a way few have before. He and wife Cristina, a visionary designer, have developed some of the most over-the-top culinary concepts ever born out of Arizona. Hash Kitchen? That would be Joey. The Italiano? Also Joey. And then there is The Mexicano.
First opened in Phoenix in late 2021, The Mexicano debuted in Chandler earlier this year to great fanfare. The vision for the eatery was to create a fiesta of food and drink that blends authentic Mexican recipes with Maggiore’s signature flair for outrageous and unexpected.
As a result, the menu is a celebration of Latin culture at its core, including Oaxaca’s famous tlayudas—commonly called Mexican pizzas—and Jalisco’s slow-braised birria, a flavorful Mexican broth with protein. Some dishes are even served in molcajetes, which are traditional Mexican mortars made of volcanic rock that enhance flavors, keep food warm, and add an element of authenticity to the dining experience.
In true “Chef Joey” fashion, every visit to The Mexicano offers more than just a meal. There is a build-your-own margarita bar with more than 30 toppings from which to choose, and both DJs and stilt-walking dancers several nights a week, plus a new fall menu that boasts guacamole topped with caviar, gold flakes, and mini sopas, as well as chile verde pork empanadas, and zesty ceviche.
TheMexicano.com
Curated by Cristina
The Mexicano is as much as feast for the eyes as the appetite thanks to Cristina Maggiore. Her inspiration for the bold interior was inspired by some of her favorite aspects of the Phoenix location, which she re-imagined after a fire last year. Maggiore worked to make each of the walls inside the eatery come to life. On one wall, there are over-the-top flower and greenery installations that feel as it they are moving thanks to a light projector. On another wall are the skeleton faces that have movement, creating what feels like an optical illusion. Creative lighting, crystals, feather-like tiles, fuchsia and burnt orange accents, and palm leaves add to the ambiance, as does a rich exterior design where bougainvillea line the patio.