Popular Phoenix Taco Spot Closing As New Restaurant Moves In

PHOENIX, AZ — A popular Uptown Phoenix taco spot is closing its doors next month, with a new Sonoran-inspired restaurant expected to take over the space.

Joyride Taco House near Central Avenue and Colter Street will close on Aug. 2, the restaurant announced. The location is one of two Joyride Taco House restaurants in the Valley. The Gilbert location will remain open.

Before closing, Joyride is offering Taco Tuesday specials every day from 2 p.m. until close through Aug. 2. The promotion includes select tacos for $2.50 to $3.50 and select margaritas for $6.

In a social media announcement, the restaurant thanked its employees and customers who helped make the location a community gathering spot, encouraging regulars to stop by before the final day.

Joyride Taco House became known for its casual taco-and-margarita concept, serving items including slow-roasted chicken tacos, braised carnitas, vegetarian options and signature burritos.

The restaurant is part of Upward Projects, the Phoenix-based hospitality group behind concepts including Postino, Windsor, Churn and Federal Pizza.

The Central Phoenix space is expected to become home to Lado A Lado, a new wood-fired Mexican restaurant inspired by Sonoran cuisine, in a move first reported by the Phoenix New Times.

The concept is a collaboration between the teams behind Tacos Chiwas, Espiritu and Upward Projects.

The name Lado A Lado means "side by side" in Spanish, reflecting the partnership between the two restaurant groups.

The new restaurant is being led by Chiwas Hospitality Group, the team behind Cocina Chiwas, Tortillas Chiwas, Main Burger and Aruma Cafe. The group has also earned national recognition for its regional Mexican cuisine, including multiple James Beard Award nominations.

No opening date has been announced for Lado A Lado.