This popular Mexican restaurant chain is expanding in metro Phoenix. Everything to know

Barrio Queen, a popular Phoenix-based Mexican restaurant chain, opened a new West Valley location this week at Village at Prasada in Surprise. It is the restaurant's 8th location in metro Phoenix.

Village at Prasada is a new development near Loop 303 and Waddell Road which comprises 700,000 square feet of shopping, restaurants and entertainment.

Barrio Queen debuted in Old Town Scottsdale in 2011 and offers tacos, tortas, enchiladas, fajitas and burritos using traditional recipes from Mexican barrios, or neighborhoods.

Barrio Queen is not to be confused with the similarly named Barrio Cafe in Phoenix. The two were once sister restaurants, opened by award-winning chef Silvana Salcido Esparza, but Esparza left Barrio Queen in 2014 after a falling out with business partners Steve Rosenfield and his wife, Linda Nash.

The restaurant, which has continued to operate under its original name and serve Esparza's recipes, was acquired by BBQ Holdings in 2022. BBQ Holdings' portfolio also includes Famous Dave's BBQ restaurant, Village Inn and Sauce Pizza and Wine.

How to visit Barrio Queen at Village at Prasada

The restaurant held a ribbon-cutting event for the Surprise location on Dec. 5, followed by a public grand opening on Dec. 6.

The new location is 7,863 square feet in total, with 5,621 square feet of indoor space and 2,242 square feet of patio space. The building also features custom artwork from local artist Gennaro Garcia.

Details: 13434 N. Prasada Parkway, Surprise. 623-352-2481, barrioqueen.com.

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Reach the reporter at endia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow @EndiaFontanez on X, formerly Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mexican restaurant Barrio Queen expands in metro Phoenix