Cocina Madrigal, a renowned Mexican restaurant in South Phoenix, has reopened as a food truck after a kitchen fire broke out at its location at 4044 S. 16th Street.
The fire was swiftly contained by the Phoenix Fire Department, with no injuries reported. However, it forced the restaurant to close in March 2024. In response to the fire, Chef Leo Madrigal and his team, which includes Leo’s sons, Brian and Edson, launched the Cocina Madrigal food truck, now operating just a short walk from the original restaurant at 1523 E. Wood Street. This move allows the team to continue serving their beloved community while the central location undergoes repairs.
While the news of the closure saddened some of its loyal patrons, the team behind Cocina Madrigal is committed to reopening the restaurant later this year. When the restaurant reopens, its current parking lot home will return to its former purpose: overflow parking, according to Phoenix New Times. The family is also thinking about how they’ll celebrate over multiple days to thank their longtime customers, friends, and family. Leo is also working on a few new dishes for the menu when the restaurant reopens.
Known for its scratch-made dishes like wild mushroom enchiladas and Oaxaca fundido, Cocina Madrigal earned national recognition, topping Yelp’s 2022 list of the Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. and being named a “Hidden Gem” in TripAdvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards. When the restaurant reopens later this year, customers can expect a return of its popular, flavor-focused menu. Dishes will include staples like pork belly tacos, carne asada, and shrimp and chorizo empanadas. The team also plans to offer seasonal specials and vegetarian options.
“Chef Leo Madrigal first developed his culinary background in Mexico as a teenager and has been building kitchens and menus in the valley for the past 30 years,” according to the company’s website. “He served as a corporate chef at Z’tejas Grill, a big player in the Phoenix dining scene until recently. He also helped develop menus at Taco Guild, Hopdaddy Burger Bar, and Salty Sow. Cocina Madrigal specializes in handcrafted tacos, homemade enchiladas, fresh, bold salads, and made-from-scratch specialties. Come check out South Phoenix’s newest Chef-Owned Restaurant.”
