Chef Christopher Collins always has something new and delicious hidden away under his chef’s jacket. Now, he’s reeled in a prime location in Midtown Phoenix for his latest endeavor. Cowboy Seafood has opened, and the unorthodox culinary concept is both smokin’ hot and deep-blue cool.
The Cowboy Seafood theme is somehow apropos for Collins, who remarkably still holds a competitive swimming record at Phoenix Swim Club for the 9-10-year-old age group. He later received a swimming scholarship to Boston University before earning his degree in hospitality management.
Getting Cowboy Seafood out of the gate for its mid-2026 opening came with a few hitches.
“The biggest challenge was time and how long everything took,” says Brittany Marycz, front-of-house operations manager for Common Ground Culinary, the group behind Cowboy Seafood. A plumbing issue forced a tear-out and rebuild of the new restaurant’s flooring, but after the delay and installation of the perfectly themed fixtures and décor, Cowboy Seafood was back in the saddle for its grand opening on October 9.
Where Surf Meets Smoke & Nobody Plays Nice
Boasting one of the more unusual restaurant menus in the Valley, Cowboy Seafood combines signature barbecue and seafood dishes. From raw bar selections, sashimi on a salt block and Norwegian salmon to brisket, center-cut filet mignon and a collection of burgers, there’s something on this menu for just about any appetite.
The shared-plates superstar is the signature bacon-cheddar drop biscuits, with chives and sharp cheddar baked right in and served with mouthwatering maple butter. These biscuits are insanely addictive and should probably be declared illegal. Somebody call the sheriff!
The center-cut filet mignon is impossibly tender and a stellar-quality cut of meat. Side dishes are called “side hustles” and include selections like cowboy cheddar mac, sweet cream corn crème brûlée, pecan-fired asparagus with herb butter and Chef Collins’ famous charred Brussels sprouts with candied bacon, garlic and balsamic. The onion rings come with crack sauce, which proved to be an extra little flavor boost for the filet mignon, as if it needed any help.
The Saltwater Saint raw bar menu is updated and reprinted at least every other day to reflect the latest availability of East and West Coast oysters, snow crab, Alaskan king crab, shrimp and fresh-catch seafood.
The Misfit BBQ section of the menu includes spit-fired rotisserie chicken, insanely tasty and smoky prime brisket, St. Louis ribs, whole-hog smoked pork and more. Burgers, shared plates, crab cakes and a jumbo crispy shrimp platter round out the menu. Sundays feature “$2 Buck Shuck,” with all oysters going for just $2 apiece. Outrageously huge desserts include a coconut cream pie as big as the state of Texas, sticky toffee pudding featuring Arizona dates and more.
Must-try cocktails include the Sweet Home Arizona, Save a Horse and The Devil Went Down to Georgia, made with Volcan Blanco tequila, hot honey, peach syrup, lime juice and a Tajín rim.
Western Swagger With A Splash Of Seaside
The Cowboy Seafood aesthetic is every bit as surprising and fun as the menu, yet somehow perfectly suited to the space. Inviting tan-and-blue upholstery and leather seating combinations dot the restaurant, with whimsical visual pops that tie the Western and marine themes together with an upscale lasso. Don’t miss a chance to mosey into the bathrooms and check out the playful wallpaper and hardware. It’s worth the trip.
Custom-created, community-sized tables inside and on the spacious outdoor patio give large groups plenty of elbow room as they ride the range of this exciting menu. A fun overhead marquee framing the bar gives Cowboy Seafood a unique way to highlight anything and everything happening at its new digs.
Cowboy Seafood is conveniently located in Midtown Phoenix at Park Central.
Insider Takeaways
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Surf meets smoke in a wild culinary showdown. Chef Christopher Collins’ latest venture combines signature barbecue, fresh seafood and a whole lot of Western swagger in Midtown Phoenix.
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These biscuits are downright criminal. Bacon-cheddar drop biscuits with maple butter are so ridiculously addictive, somebody ought to call the sheriff.
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From deep blue to slow-smoked. The Saltwater Saint raw bar serves rotating coastal seafood selections, while Misfit BBQ brings the heat with smoky prime brisket, St. Louis ribs and whole-hog smoked pork.
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Side hustles worth the detour. Cowboy cheddar mac, sweet cream corn crème brûlée, pecan-fired asparagus and charred Brussels sprouts with candied bacon give the supporting cast some serious devour power.
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Cocktails with a little outlaw attitude. Saddle up for creative libations like Sweet Home Arizona, Save a Horse and The Devil Went Down to Georgia.
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A Western-meets-nautical fever dream. Upscale leather seating, playful marine-and-cowboy décor, quirky bathrooms, a marquee framing the bar, spacious communal tables and a lively patio make this Park Central hot spot anything but your average surf-and-turf joint.
To learn more, visit cowboyseafoodaz.com.
