Teakwoods Tavern & Grill coming to town in ’08

A familiar face on the Phoenix neighborhood tavern scene is coming to Maricopa in early 2008.

Teakwoods Tavern & Grill will be occupying the building that once housed Ramsey’s American Grill at 21141 N. John Wayne Parkway.

According to Tommy Celluro, who will be a partner in the new Maricopa venture, Teakwoods will most likely open sometime next February as it awaits approval for a liquor license.

“We were looking for a new area, and a lot of people having been talking about the move to Maricopa,” Celluro said. “Our concept is that of a neighborhood tavern. We’re not a corporate operation. We plan to employ 50 to 60 people and we expect the majority of those jobs to be open to Maricopa residents.” Celluro said that some employees will come from the current Teakwoods operations, but that there will be a number of openings available for local residents.

According to Celluro, management signed a five-year lease for the Maricopa location in the Fry’s Shopping Center. Celluro said Teakwoods will have around 5,000 square feet to work with at the former Ramsey’s location.

“We’re known for our food and we make everything from scratch,” Celluro remarked. “We have 10 different burgers and a number of other available items.”

Oh, and don’t forget those peanuts.

Smashing a floor full of peanut shells as you walk in is part of a Teakwoods tradition, as patrons are encouraged to throw shells on the floor.

Celluro said he expects the establishment to be open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. during the week and until 2 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Teakwoods, which first opened its doors in the greater Phoenix area in 1995, currently has locations in Gilbert, Chandler, Ahwatukee and Scottsdale.

This may not be the last venture for Teakwoods.

According to Celluro, the establishment is looking at possibly opening a location in Queen Creek.

File photo