The Ponderosa House, a new restaurant concept blending American and Mexican cuisine, is getting ready to open in Scottsdale at 4121 N. Marshall Way.
The new restaurant is set to move into the former home of Frank & Lupe’s Old Mexico, which quietly closed after 30 years in business, according to Phoenix New Times. While an exact opening date has not yet been announced, city records show remodeling plans were approved in July 2025. Owner Jacob Finley, who also owns nearby Karsen’s Grill, says guests can expect an elevated yet casual dining experience with separate American and Mexican offerings, rather than fusion dishes.
Frank & Lupe’s originally opened in Scottsdale in 1995 and became a staple of Old Town’s dining scene. Known for its hearty New Mexican dishes topped with red and green chile sauces, the restaurant had deep roots; its first location, Frank & Lupe’s El Sombrero, opened in Socorro, New Mexico, in 1980. A second Arizona location opened in Ahwatukee in 2017 but closed in 2020.
The Scottsdale location experienced a series of challenges beginning in 2020. The business filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March of that year, listing nearly $300,000 in debt. In July, co-owner Teddy Bernal died from COVID-19, and his brother Eddie Bernal passed away two months later from a brain aneurysm. The business later exited bankruptcy in July 2021, with operator Piero Aviles taking over, but the restaurant ultimately shuttered sometime before September 2025.
Located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, the space offers high foot traffic, strong tourist appeal, and deep neighborhood roots. Its visibility, walkability, and longstanding association with dining make it an ideal spot for a new local concept. The Ponderosa House will feature a fully renovated interior and an updated menu designed to appeal to both longtime locals and new visitors to Old Town Scottsdale.
