Photo by Mirelle Inglefield
If you’ve fallen in love with Chula Seafood and its many-splendored oceanic options — the poke bowls, the confit tuna sandwich, the Hatch chile tuna melt, the CA burrito, the chowder, the oysters, the daily specials — then you’ll be thrilled to know there’s a third location in the works. The new Chula will be in the former Hi-Health space in Hayden Peak Crossing at Hayden and Thompson Peak Parkway.
Because an extensive buildout will be necessary, Mandy Heflin, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband Jon Heflin and Hogan Jamison, predicts that although they’re aiming for a January 2022 opening, the North Scottsdale location may not realistically be ready to roll until April. She also notes that while each location will offer the same menus, each will also have its own food features.
Meanwhile, Heflin says, Chula Uptown (in Uptown Plaza) has taken over the garage door-furnished space next door with the intent of adding a full bar and an expanded, enclosed patio. Going forward, she says, all the Chula locations will have the same look: market/restaurant/bar/patio. Ever-evolving menus will offer more raw bar items as well. If all goes well, Chula Uptown’s refresh will be completed by the end of October.
Heflin also says the Chula team is looking for a larger space for the original restaurant at Hayden and Roosevelt so that it will be consistent with the other two. There’s no timeline on that one. She adds, “We’re in a growth mode,” which seems like an understatement!
