Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila is doubling down on Arizona with a second location in Chandler.
The locally owned Scottsdale favorite will open its newest outpost Aug. 5 at 900 N. 54th St., Suite 1, near 54th Street and Ray Road. A 4 p.m. ribbon cutting will officially welcome the restaurant to the East Valley, nearly two decades after Cien Agaves first started pouring margaritas and serving tacos in Old Town Scottsdale.
The new 5,000-square-foot space is built for a crowd. It will seat up to 300 guests, with 250 spots inside and room for another 50 across two outdoor patios. Translation: plenty of space for taco runs, tequila flights and a happy hour that turns into dinner.
Backbar Hospitality Management, the local group behind Cien Agaves, Nello’s Pizzeria and Italian Kitchen, and Ghost Ranch Modern Southwest Cuisine, is leading the expansion. Executive Chef Memo Bracamonte will bring over the scratch-made menu, handcrafted cocktails and deep bench of tequilas and mezcals that helped turn the original location into an Old Town staple.
The Chandler restaurant is also bringing some serious visual heat. Colorful contemporary pieces by Mexican artist El Moises will fill the space, giving the new location a bold sense of personality while celebrating Mexico’s artistic heritage.
That energy traces back to co-founders Roque Jimenez and Bob Schulken’s travels through Tequila, Jalisco, where visits to local distilleries helped shape the restaurant’s approach to agave culture, hospitality and design.
“As long-time residents of the Ahwatukee and Chandler communities, we could not be more excited to bring an elevated Cien Agaves experience to Chandler and share our passion for authentic Mexican food, tequila, and genuine hospitality with the entire East Valley community,” Jimenez says.
The bar is ready to back up that promise. More than 100 premium tequilas and mezcals will line the shelves, spanning iconic heritage distilleries and small-batch producers. It is a collection made for sipping, sampling and finding out there is much more to agave than the house margarita.
The menu is getting a few fresh additions, too. The Tampiqueña arrives loaded with grilled arrachera steak, poblano rajas, a cheese enchilada, fresh guacamole, Mexican rice and refried beans. The Sea Bass Tacos take a brighter coastal route with pan-seared Mexican sea bass, crisp citrus slaw, avocado salsa and pickled red onions. Both dishes will be available in Chandler and Scottsdale.
Happy hour lands daily from 3 to 6 p.m. with $7 Cien-A-Ritas, half-off appetizers, $3 Tinga Tacos, $5 Modelo Especial and Negra Modelo beers, and $2 off wines by the glass. Taco Tuesday keeps the deals rolling all day with $3 Chicken Tinga, Barbacoa and Diabla Shrimp tacos, plus $4 Tecate beers and $7 pineapple-infused tequila shots.
The Chandler location will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight.
Insider Takeaways
- Old Town’s taco-and-tequila energy is officially making its East Valley debut.
- The 5,000-square-foot restaurant has room for 300 guests, including two patios made for lingering over margaritas.
- More than 100 tequilas and mezcals give the bar serious sipping power.
- The new Tampiqueña is a full-plate flex, while the Sea Bass Tacos bring a fresh coastal bite.
- Happy hour hits daily from 3 to 6 p.m. with discounted drinks, appetizers and $3 Tinga Tacos.
- Taco Tuesday goes all day with $3 tacos, $4 Tecates and pineapple-infused tequila shots.
Explore more at cienagaves.com.
