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Margaritas & Mexican Food: Carlos O’Brien’s Opens in NoPho

Karen Goveia
For 15 years, In&Out Magazine has been the definitive source of “Everything that’s going on” in and out of the community. We thank you, our readers, as well as the businesses that support the magazine through advertising, for that opportunity. But with little going on, and many businesses suspending or canceling their ads during the Covid-19 crisis, we are suspending publication of the magazine and web sites for the month of May. 

UPDATE AUG. 2, 2017: Carlos O’Brien’s is now open.

TGI Fridays in North Phoenix closed June 11, but the building won’t be vacant long. Carlos O’Brien’s Mexican Restaurant & Pub plans to open in the space by late July. It’ll be the fourth Valley location for the chain, under the same family ownership since 1978.

Expect Arizona-style Mexican cuisine—tacos, fajitas and chimichangas—along with house favorites like “pollo fundido,” a chicken chimichanga covered with jalapeño cream cheese and cheddar cheese. A few other dishes reflect the founder’s Irish heritage.

And, of course, many choices of margaritas.

Owner Sean O’Brien said he’s working to retain many of the displaced TGI Friday’s employees—several are in training now at other O’Brien’s locations.

“We’re real excited about that location,” O’Brien said. “One of our managers [at another location] lives in Fireside [Norterra] and told us this is a terrific area.” The restaurant offers catering and take-out.

Carlos O’Brien’s Mexican Restaurant & Pub
 Happy Valley Towne Center
 2501 W. Happy Valley Rd.
 www.carlosobriens.com

Image courtesy Carlos O’Brien’s
Karen Goveia
NoPho resident Karen Goveia joined In&Out Publications in 2009 and is managing editor. Goveia is a Chicagoland native with two decades of experience in the news industry, starting as a reporter for a chain of weekly papers serving Chicago’s suburbs and later serving as managing editor within the chain.

Karen Goveia

NoPho resident Karen Goveia joined In&Out Publications in 2009 and is managing editor. Goveia is a Chicagoland native with two decades of experience in the news industry, starting as a reporter for a chain of weekly papers serving Chicago’s suburbs and later serving as managing editor within the chain.

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