A brand new full-service restaurant and brewpub called Golden Oak Barbecue & Taproom is getting ready to make its debut, located at 1326 N. Central Avenue in Downtown Phoenix.
The new venture is a collaboration between Chris Figueroa of Nicky’s Barbecue and Dave Valencia of Oro Brewing Co. Golden Oak Barbecue & Taproom will move into the former home of Throne Brewing Co. The restaurant is set to open in early August 2025, according to Zach Oden from Phoenix New Times. Nicky’s Barbecue started as a popular Mesa pop-up, gaining local attention in just eight months with appearances at various venues.
Figueroa, who has nearly a decade of barbecue experience beginning in St. Louis, aims to bring authentic barbecue styles to the Valley. As demand grew, he decided to close the pop-up and pursue a permanent restaurant in downtown Phoenix. Oro Brewing Co., founded in 2016 in Mesa, is an award-winning brewery with six gold medals from the Arizona Craft Beer Awards and was named Brewery of the Year in 2022.
Oro Brewing Co. will provide a rotating selection of craft beers, including favorites like the Trigo Suave tangerine wheat ale and Hopiphany American IPA. The taproom will also offer English ales, lagers, sours, seasonal brews, wines, cocktails, and to-go options in cans and growlers. The partnership aims to bring Oro’s award-winning beers to a wider Phoenix audience through this new location.
