Restaurant coming to Maricopa garners national award

The buzz for a new restaurant heading for Maricopa will only intensify after Cocina Madrigal, which is in the process of closing on land at City Center for a second location, was announced as number one on Yelp’s national “Top Places to Eat in 2022” list.

The announcement was made on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” Wednesday, where chef and owner Leo Madrigal was a guest. Cocina Madrigal is one of five Valley restaurants that made the Yelp’s Top 100 in 2022 list. The restaurant first made the list in 2019, coming in at No. 5 before rising to the top position this year. They also are No. 2 on Trip Advisor’s list of the 10 Best Mexican Restaurants in Phoenix as well as lists from Travel and Leisure, Food and Wine, The List, and others, according to their website.

According to Nathan Steele, the city’s Chief Economic Development Officer, this is a great sign for Maricopa.

“Maricopa an attractive place for the best and brightest,” Steele said. “(Madrigal) wants to be in Maricopa, and we want him to be here. We value community, and so does he – that’s why he wants to be in City Center by the library and city hall. He wants to be where people are congregating and getting together. He knows he will be a destination spot, so he doesn’t need to be on 347, because people will find him. And when they do, they’ll have a great dining experience.”

Steele said the restaurant will be located at the northeast corner of Bowlin and White and Parker roads, where he expects the development of several mixed-use projects over the next few years. That part of town is a target for development by the city as it will lie in the geographic center of the city as residential growth moves south and east.

Cocina Madrigal’s menu boasts items including Oaxaca Fundido, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Chocolate Chipotle Pie, and a selection of salads, enchiladas, tacos, burgers, and more.