Desert Ridge Marketplace Welcomes New Restaurants

Dining at Desert Ridge just got a whole lot more interesting.

Thanks in part to an ongoing $15 million renovation, this summer will see the shopping center play host to an increasing variety of new culinary destinations.

First up: Barrio Queen. Purveyors of “Mexico City Soul Food,” Barrio Queen will be bringing their stylish take on Mexican cuisine to a new, 5,700 square-foot location. With a shaded outdoor patio, private tequila tasting room, and open kitchen, BQ is looking to build on the momentum from their successful locations in Scottsdale and Gilbert in their first Phoenix location.


Joining BQ in breaking into the area is MidiCi – The Neapolitan Pizza Company, serving up its wood-fired oven-baked pizzas, fresh artisanal burrata cheeses, as well as an assortment of Naples-style salads and desserts, and a decidedly international selection of drinks. Prepared in full view, and incorporating MidiCi’s signature “functional art”—where Athena the espresso machine and Vittoria the prosciutto slicer are equal parts functional sculpture and food preparation tool—MidiCi aims to excite senses beyond taste.

This pair of impending arrivals looks to join Sizzle Korean Barbecue—another recent addition to the shopping center—in successfully blending aesthetic performance and cuisine. The brainchild of founder and executive chef Hyunwook Lee, Sizzle carries on the Korean BBQ tradition with a selection of locally-sourced meats, seasoned with a variety of spices, and grilled right at the table.

These three restaurants are rounded out by two more recent additions; the smoothies, açaí bowls, and (of course) fresh juices of Nékter Juice Bar are contrasted by the addition of enduring burrito haven Chipotle. Thanks in large part to the ongoing renovations—which aim to revitalize Desert Ridge through a combination of renovations, additions, and enhancements—the future is looking decidedly tasty.