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Watch out, the city’s newest bad boy is here.
Chico Malo, the much-anticipated Mexican eatery from Culture Shock Hospitality, is set to officially open its doors Friday, April 14. The restaurant will serve double-duty as a fast-casual, quick in-and-out spot for breakfast, and transform mid-day into a lively, sit-down style restaurant with standout lunch and dinner menus.
A Menu That Packs a Punch
Chico’s South American-influenced menu comes compliments of Culture Shock Hospitality’s experienced, talented culinary team currently led by Executive Chef Steve Smith and contributing chef Patricio Alvite. Serving a round-the-clock dining experience for downtowners, morning guests can choose from an array of traditional and contemporary Mexican breakfast dishes, from Chilaquiles ($9), made with tortilla chips, scrambled eggs, salsa verde, and Oaxaca, to a Hongos and Rajas Burro ($9), packed with peppers, onions, mushrooms, fried egg, Oaxaca and asadero, among other mixings.
Chico Malo’s extensive midday menu boasts a broad variety of salsas, tacos, ceviches, salads and more, from the Pastor Torta ($12), packed with al pastor, slaw, black garlic crema, cola-braised onion and cotijo, to Pork Belly Tacos ($5), made with pineapple-poblano-braised pork belly, charred broccolini, kimchi, salsa roja and pistachio.
Evening sit-down diners can also enjoy many of Chico Malo’s salsas, starters and salads, and the dinner menu also offers a number of heartier entrée options, among them a Layered Pollo Fundido ($26) featuring harissa-braised chicken, black bean spread, cheese fondue, rice, corn mouse, rajas and salsa criolla with tortillas. Authentic Mexican dessert options are also up for grabs, among them a Horchata Panna Cotta ($8) and a Tres Leches Rice Pudding ($8).
Regardless of time of day, Chico Malo diners can also delight in the eatery’s carefully designed cocktail offerings, among them the Bolo De Coco, made with cachaça, coconut and yerba mate, and the Cordoba Café, created using fernet, coffee liqueur, cold-brew and Coca-Cola crème.
Bad Boy Feel, Downtown Vibes
Bold, modern and inviting, Chico Malo’s 7,078 square-foot interior offers industrial accents, ample bar seating and a dramatic, eye-catching mural collaboration designed by local artists JB Snyder and Tato Caraveo. Offering seating for up to 180 people, Chico Malo boasts the largest book wall mural in DTPHX and promises lively music, keeping the energy up during brunch or late night.
Giveaways + Grand Opening Celebration
In addition to $5 margarita specials all evening, Chico Malo’s Grand Opening celebration, set to start at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, will also name the winners of the restaurant’s “Dinner for Dos” promotion, where guests can win dinner and drinks for two via Facebook. Entries are now being accepted at bit.ly/ChicoMaloGiveaway. For more about Chico Malo, check out ChicoMalo.com.
Hours: Breakfast Mon-Fri 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | Lunch Mon-Sun 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Happy Hour Mon-Sun 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Dinner Mon-Thurs 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Fri-Sat 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Sun 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. | Brunch Sat-Sun, Coming Soon
Photos courtesy of Chico Malo.
