Chico Malo - Phoenix

Name: Chico Malo - Phoenix
Address: 50 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ, United States, 85003
Telephone: (602) 603-9363
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.6

4.6 (1991)

$30 and under

Mexican

50 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85003

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 30, 2025

7:30 PM

Booked 9 times today

About this restaurant

Lively
Good for groups
Great for creative cocktails

Chico Malo, a lively take on Mexican cooking, is located in the middle of it all at CityScape. These rebels are bringing the heat to DTPHX during lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with an array of flavor combinations from all over Mexico. Expect highlights including USDA Prime Carne Asada, Street Corn, Smoked Duck Breast Al Pastor and authentic favorites like Pozole and Green Chile Chicken. Diners can also enjoy fresh made guacamole to accompany a craft cocktail at the indoor/outdoor bar while soaking in the downtown views.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican, South American, Contemporary Mexican
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 3:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–12:00 am
Phone number
(602) 603-9363
Website
http://chicomalo.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Catering
Let Chico Malo bring the party to you with customizable options for every occasion. We have accommodated parties from 20 to 3,500 people.
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate event, Chico Malo can accommodate all your special event needs.
Private party contact
Private Event Coordinator : (602) 603-9363

Location
50 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Neighborhood
Central Phoenix
Cross street
Central and Jefferson
Parking details
2 Hour Parking Validation included for guests who park in the CityScape Parking Garage
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Private dining

Guacamole Tradicional$12.00
1st place at az taco festival; avocado + lime + onion + cilantro + jalapeño
Salsa Roja$3.00
tomato + onion + jalapeño + cilantro + garlic + guajillo + chipotle
Salsa Verde$3.00
tomatillo + onion + poblano + jalapeño + cilantro + garlic
Hummus$10.00
salsa yucateca + pistachio tahini + epazote + hominy
Blue Crab Tostadas$15.00
chile negro aioli + nopalito + corn + avocado
Shrimp Ceviche*$16.00
white shrimp + avocado + lime + "michelada" + cucumber + onion + jicama + tostadas
Trio$14.00
hummus + salsa roja + guacamole tradicional

Entrada

Add Protein: grass-fed steak* $8 | red bird farms chicken $6 | mexican white shrimp* $8

Pozole$12.00
traditional pork & hominy stew + guajillo + pasilla + arbol + chipotle + cumin + garlic + oregano + tortilla
Tijuana Caesar$11.00
romaine salad + heirloom cherry tomato + red onion + cotija chimi + bonito aji panca caesar
Verde$12.00
spinach & kale salad + daikon sprouts + fennel + pear + cucumber + charred broccolini + tajin glazed pistachios & pepitas + sesame sticks + roasted poblano buttermilk
Chico Chopped Salad$13.00
baby kale + quinoa + smoked marcona almonds + roasted corn + hibiscus watermelon + queso fresco + heirloom tomato + jicama + black barley + guanabana vinaigrette

Para la Mesa

Queso Fundido$10.00
oaxaca + jalapeño + fresno + chili oil
Dorados de Papa$15.00
fried potato tacos + asadero + oaxaca + roja + fondue de queso + verde + escabeche + chorizo jam + crema
Elote$7.00
poached corn + tajin butter + aji mayo + cotija + corn nut + chili oil + lime
Quesadilla$11.00
house made hayden mills flour tortilla + monterey jack + menonita + oaxaca + birria + salsa roja

Asadero

Grilled, served with hand pressed blue corn tortillas. Add surf & turf: mexican white shrimp* $8 | diver scallop* $6 ea

Charred Cauliflower$19.00
cauliflower "steak" + chimichurri + black bean & avocado puree + burnt lime + jicama + cabbage + naranja agria
Carne Asada*$28.00
smoke show; steak "al carbon" + puerco beans + guacamole + salsa quemada + onion + charred tomato + roasted anaheim
16oz Bone-In Ribeye*$42.00
mushroom + chimichurri + roasted corn + smashed fingerling potato

Entrees

Green Chile Chicken$16.00
braised chicken + anaheim + poblano + omission gluten free lager + fresno + asadero + crema + blue corn tortilla
Relleno$16.00
poblano + zucchini + squash + onion + oaxaca + crema + tinga + red onion + queso fresco + rice
Enchiladas en Moladas$16.00
queso menonita + avocado + lime onion + crema + blue corn tortilla
Chili Colorado$17.00
shredded beef + guajillo + garlic + oregano + crema + queso fresco + local flour tortilla
Chimichanga$17.00
chicken + tinga + asadero + monterey jack + chorizo + roja + verde + criolla + aji amarillo + cotija
Achiote Brick Chicken$23.00
red bird farms boneless half chicken + achiote + guajillo + farro + roasted corn
Shrimp de Macha$24.00
wild caught mexican white shrimp + polenta + oaxaca + corn & tomato calabacitas + peanut + salsa macha
Pork Verde$26.00
Award Winning! Niman ranch pork shank + tomatillo + blistered chile + blue corn tortilla
Duck Breast al Pastor*$28.00
fo sizzle; guajillo & mesquite smoked duck + fresno + jalapeño + onion + raw salsa verde + cotija + pineapple + habanero tortilla
Seared Scallops$32.00
cauliflower & oaxacan chile mole + cocoa + bacon + sultana + peanut + charred broccolini

Extras

Yerba Buena Rice$6.00
rice + mint + jalapeño + cilantro
Vegetable Skewers$6.00
seasonal vegetables + roasted poblano buttermilk
Puerco Beans$6.00
pinto beans + bacon + pork belly + poblano
Frijoles Negro$6.00
black beans + garlic + coriander + pimento

Bebidas Alcoholicas

Sangria

Red Sangria$11.00
chicha morada + bourbon + fresh squeezed juice
White Sangria$11.00
prickly pear cordial + rum

Wine by the Glass

Sparkling Cava
White Blend
Red Blend

Sparkling by the Bottle

Campo Viejo | Cava | Rioja$28.00

White by the Bottle

Concannon | Chardonnay | California$28.00
Custard | Chardonnay | California$35.00
St Huberts "The Stag" | Chardonnay | California$38.00
Decoy by Duckhorn | Sauvignon Blanc | California$32.00
King Estate | Sauvignon Blanc | Oregon$42.00

Red by the Bottle

Pike Road | Pinot Noir | Willamette Valley$42.00
Dona Paula "Los Cardos" | Malbec | Mendoza$28.00
BV | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa, California$65.00
Orin Swift "8 Years in the Desert" | Red Blend | Napa, California$85.00

Cocktails

Margarita$12.00
milagro reposado tequila + fresh squeezed lime + rich simple
Gran Jefe Margarita$14.00
choice of: jaja tequila or mezcal naran; organic agave + fresh squeezed lime + cointreau + smoked salt
Alebrije$12.00
mezcal + hibiscus + ginger + lemon + mint
Mango y Chile$13.00
jaja blanco tequila + mango + ancho reyes verde + tajin
Padre Piña$13.00
ancho reyes chile + pineapple & tamarind agua fresca
La Sirena Borracha$13.00
overproof pineapple infused tequila + spiced rum + citrus + coconut cream + curaçao
Palabra$13.00
mezcal naran + maraschino + aperol + lime + strawberry & buzz button dust
Loma Bonita$12.00
tequila + lime + lillet rouge + house grapefruit soda
Paraíso Tropical$12.00
sparkling cava + strawberry + pineapple
Conde Payaso$13.00
paranubes oaxacan rum & mezcal negroni + punt e mes + granada vallett + nixta

Frozen

Gran Jefe Margarita$14.00
jaja tequila + organic agave + fresh squeezed lime; choice of float: cointreau, passion fruit, tamarind or guava
Bolo de Coco$13.00
cachaça + coconut + banana + orange

Draft Beer

Pacífico, Mexican Pilsner, Mexico$6.00
Dos Equis Lager, Golden Pilsner, Mexico$6.00
Dos Equis Ambar, Amber Lager, Mexico$6.00
Greenwood Warrior, Hazy IPA, Dtphx, AZ$6.50
La Cumbre Elevated, IPA, Albuquerque, NM$6.50
Grand Canyon Prickly Pear Wheat, Wheat Ale, Flagstaff, AZ$6.50

Bottle & Cans

$5.50

Estrella Jalisco, Mexican Pilsner, Mexico
Firetruck Brewing "Salida del Sol", Vienna Lager, Tucson, AZ
Baja Brewing Co. "EscorpióN Negro", Black Ale, Mexico
Stone Buenaveza, Salt and Lime Lager, San Diego, CA
Mamitas Tequila & Soda, Hard Seltzer, Mango or Pineapple

Chico Café

Coffee de la Casa$3.00
Cold Brew by Cartel$4.00
Bad Boy Brew$5.00
cold brew + horchata

Agave Flights

three 1oz pours

Mezcal

Carreño$27.00
ensamble 7 + tobasiche + tepeztate
Espadín$22.00
mezcal naran + del maguey "chichicapa" + illegal reposado
Del Maguey$26.00
vida + minero + tobala

Tequila

Jaja$20.00
blanco + reposado + añejo
Milagro Select Barrel$27.00
blanco + reposado + añejo
Don Julio$30.00
blanco + reposado + "1942" añejo
Cincoro$32.00
blanco + reposado + añejo

What 1,991 people are saying

Chico Malo - Phoenix reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Phoenix / Arizona
Mexican
Phoenix
Mexican

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Chico Malo in Phoenix offers a lively dining experience with its "fantastic atmosphere" and "great vibe." Guests rave about the "outstanding food" and "genuine and friendly" customer service. While the menu may be a bit pricey, the "delicious food" and "attentive" staff make it a "must-try" spot for both locals and visitors.

1,991 Reviews

J
John
Phoenix / Arizona1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very good food - helpful wait staff - I would recommend
Is this helpful?
B
Beth VIP
Indiana1 review
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We choose Chico Malo for dinner before the concert since it’s an easy walk to Footprint Center. The restaurant has a cool vibe. We had great service! We were a group of 8 and all tried different things. Overall the food was good. The pork verde was a hit! The only complaint I have is the margaritas are mainly ice. You don’t get a lot of drink in your glass. That was the overall consensus of our group. They are very tasty though!
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S
Shirley
Washington, D.C. Area1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Upon first entry, felt very welcomed. The ambience was very relaxing and at the same time provides good vibes. The waitress was attentive, gave her honest recommendations on drinks and food. She even recommended places to visit during our visit. The customer service at Chico Malo is genuine and friendly! Keep it up please. Definitely recommending this restaurant to my friends who plan to visit Phoenix. Thank you for the great food and service!
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j
jonathan
Hawaii4 reviews
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Easy access, and a comfortable atmosphere. We had made reservations as my wife was in a wheelchair. No problem getting to the table or situated, which was appreciated. Food was good, but not exceptional. Nothing said I need to come back and eat that again, or figure out how to make it. Having said that, we were happy with the items we chose. Food was very good, albeit a bit pricey but expected given the location. Only reason 4 as opposed to 5 stars was due to the server (1) not alerting us to items not available (2) directing suggestions to his taste and likely suggested by mgmt (3) having to be reminded to bring chips, etc. All in all, this sounds worse than it should. If you are in the mood for “Mexican” food and in the area, this is a no-brainer.
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A
A . VIP
Phoenix / Arizona9 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 23, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Perfect location close to the concert venue. Delicious food , Will be back soon..
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S
Sara
New Mexico2 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 23, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Everything was good, food was excellent. The only issue is that the food came out at completely different times for everyone. Two dishes came out much much later. We had to check with the server a few times to ask about the status of some plates.
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K
Kristen VIP
Phoenix / Arizona13 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 23, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic experience. Loved the decor and the vibe of Chico Malo; but more importantly, the food was outstanding. We had a hard time narrowing down our meal choices, but all 4 of us were SO satisfied w/the taste, presentation and portions. Our waiter was great... attentive and chatty without being overly so. Will absolutely return.
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J
Jessie
Phoenix / Arizona1 review
5.0
Dined on June 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food and drinks were delicious. Great date night!!
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I
Isabel
Phoenix / Arizona1 review
5.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Food was great server was not so great never brought us plates when appetizers were served
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M
Mandie
New York City3 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Chico Malo was a fun dining experience. I wouldn’t highly recommend for children however- the children’s chicken tacos were pretty bland, and boring. My kids were not impressed. We had the shrimp and grits and pozole. Both were very good. The Paloma’s were also delicious. This spot is a great date night or date brunch spot in downtown. For that I highly recommend it.
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FAQs

Chico Malo - Phoenix does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Chico Malo - Phoenix also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (602) 603-9363.

Chico Malo - Phoenix is rated 4.6 stars by 1991 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 30, 2025

7:30 PM

Booked 9 times today

50 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85003

Additional information

Cross street
Central and Jefferson
Neighborhood
Central Phoenix
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Happy Hour Daily 3:00 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 3:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–12:00 am
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Mexican, South American, Contemporary Mexican
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
2 Hour Parking Validation included for guests who park in the CityScape Parking Garage
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Website
http://chicomalo.com/
Phone number
(602) 603-9363
Catering
Let Chico Malo bring the party to you with customizable options for every occasion. We have accommodated parties from 20 to 3,500 people.
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate event, Chico Malo can accommodate all your special event needs.
Private party contact
Private Event Coordinator : (602) 603-9363

Chico Malo - Phoenix

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Living Room Lounge

The Library

Patio

Custom inquiry

Chips

Guacamole Tradicional$12.00

Salsa Roja$3.00

Salsa Verde$3.00

Hummus$10.00

Blue Crab Tostadas$15.00

Shrimp Ceviche*$16.00

Trio$14.00

Entrada

Pozole$12.00

Tijuana Caesar$11.00

Verde$12.00

Chico Chopped Salad$13.00

Para la Mesa

Queso Fundido$10.00

Dorados de Papa$15.00

Elote$7.00

Quesadilla$11.00

Asadero

Charred Cauliflower$19.00

Carne Asada*$28.00

16oz Bone-In Ribeye*$42.00

Entrees

Green Chile Chicken$16.00

Relleno$16.00

Enchiladas en Moladas$16.00

Chili Colorado$17.00

Chimichanga$17.00

Achiote Brick Chicken$23.00

Shrimp de Macha$24.00

Pork Verde$26.00

Duck Breast al Pastor*$28.00

Seared Scallops$32.00

Extras

Yerba Buena Rice$6.00

Vegetable Skewers$6.00

Puerco Beans$6.00

Frijoles Negro$6.00

Bebidas Alcoholicas

Sangria

Red Sangria$11.00

White Sangria$11.00

Wine by the Glass

Sparkling Cava

White Blend

Red Blend

Sparkling by the Bottle

Campo Viejo | Cava | Rioja$28.00

White by the Bottle

Concannon | Chardonnay | California$28.00

Custard | Chardonnay | California$35.00

St Huberts "The Stag" | Chardonnay | California$38.00

Decoy by Duckhorn | Sauvignon Blanc | California$32.00

King Estate | Sauvignon Blanc | Oregon$42.00

Red by the Bottle

Pike Road | Pinot Noir | Willamette Valley$42.00

Dona Paula "Los Cardos" | Malbec | Mendoza$28.00

BV | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa, California$65.00

Orin Swift "8 Years in the Desert" | Red Blend | Napa, California$85.00

Cocktails

Margarita$12.00

Gran Jefe Margarita$14.00

Alebrije$12.00

Mango y Chile$13.00

Padre Piña$13.00

La Sirena Borracha$13.00

Palabra$13.00

Loma Bonita$12.00

Paraíso Tropical$12.00

Conde Payaso$13.00

Frozen

Gran Jefe Margarita$14.00