Phoenix already has a strong case for best Mexican food in the Southwest, and it is about to get even stronger. Rene Andrade, the 2024 James Beard Award-winning chef behind Bacanora and Huarachis Taqueria, is bringing a third restaurant to the city.
Lupe, currently under construction at one of Phoenix’s most recognized dining addresses, is already turning heads across the Valley before a single dish has been served.
Whether you are a longtime local or visiting Phoenix for the first time, this opening is worth tracking.
The Block That Never Stops Giving
Lupe will take over the space at the southwest corner of 16th Street and Thomas Road in Phoenix, the same building that once housed the legendary Barrio Cafe. Launched in 2002 by chef Silvana Salcido Esparza and Wendy Gruber, Barrio Cafe spent 22 years earning national recognition and a fiercely loyal community following before closing its doors in May 2024.
Esparza was a seven-time James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Southwest and helped bring regional Mexican food into fine dining in the Valley. She called Andrade “the son I never knew I had,” signaling that whoever took this address next would carry its spirit forward. For Phoenix diners, that endorsement says everything.
From Nogales to the National Stage
Rene Andrade was born and raised in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, where he foraged chiltepin with his grandmother and learned the elemental, wood-fired cooking traditions that now define his work.
He arrived in Phoenix with a clear vision and built his reputation through years in fine dining kitchens before opening his own restaurants.
Here is what he has already created in the Valley:
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Bacanora on Grand Avenue: A wood-fired Sonoran comfort food restaurant that opened in 2021. Monthly reservations sell out within minutes. Named Best Restaurant in Phoenix by Phoenix New Times in 2023 and a James Beard Best New Restaurant nominee in 2022.
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Huarachis Taqueria in downtown Phoenix: A casual, more accessible companion to Bacanora. Opened in December 2023 and ranked one of the 39 best restaurants in the United States by TODAY earlier this year.
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Lupe (coming soon): His third Phoenix concept, stepping into the address that shaped over two decades of Phoenix food culture.
In his James Beard acceptance speech, Andrade thanked his mom and grandmother, saying, “As a little kid from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, I had this dream of being my grandma. She’s the representation of magic to me.” That is the spirit behind every plate he puts out.
What We Know About Lupe
Andrade has not released menu details yet, but here is everything confirmed so far:
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Address: Southwest corner of 16th Street and Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ (former Barrio Cafe space)
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Restaurant size: Approximately 2,000 square feet
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Indoor seating: 46 guests plus 6 seats at the bar
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Patio seating: 26 outdoor seats
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Total capacity: 78 guests
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Opening date and hours: To be announced
That patio is already exciting. A warm Phoenix evening, 26 outdoor seats, and a new restaurant from one of the most respected chefs in the Southwest? Plan ahead once reservations open.
16th and Thomas Has a New Chapter
This corner carried Phoenix Mexican dining forward for over two decades. Barrio Cafe was not just a restaurant. It was a statement that Phoenix cuisine belonged in the national conversation, and Esparza made that case loudly for 22 years. Andrade stepping into that same space, with her blessing, means this block is far from done.
Add Lupe to Your Phoenix List Now
Keep an eye on updates from Rene Andrade’s team and get this address on your radar. Once Lupe opens at 16th and Thomas, book early, because if Bacanora and Huarachis are any indication, tables will not last long.
Location: Southwest corner of 16th Street and Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ (former Barrio Cafe space)
Hours: To be announced
Lupe is just one of the restaurants putting Phoenix on the map right now. For more stories on local businesses, food, and what is happening across the Valley, browse more features on Greater Phoenix Living and find your next favorite spot before everyone else does.
Sources: mouthbysouthwest.com, azcentral.com, phoenixnewtimes.com
Header Image Source: Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash
