Velvet Taco, a well-known national restaurant brand celebrated for its innovative tacos and vibrant atmosphere, is set to open its first Arizona location in Scottsdale on November 4. Taking over the space formerly occupied by Second Story Restaurant & Liquor Bar, the two-story flagship is ready to deliver a unique dining experience blending global flavors and local flair.
Located in Old Town, the new Velvet Taco spans 3,081 square feet and features an inviting 88-seat dining room alongside a 20-seat outdoor patio. The restaurant’s design reflects the brand’s industrial yet creative aesthetic, enhanced by bright colors, neon lighting, natural wood textures, and playful murals that resonate with Scottsdale’s vibrant spirit.
Old Town Scottsdale is known for its eclectic dining and nightlife scene, making it the perfect neighborhood for Velvet Taco’s debut. Open until 3 a.m. on weekends, Velvet Taco is poised to offer a fresh take on Scottsdale’s evolving taco culture.
“At Velvet Taco, we have set out to reimagine what a taco can be, drawing inspiration from cultures worldwide and delivering them to our guests with the tortilla as the vessel,” CEO Clay Dover said. “The Scottsdale community is rich in art and culture, which makes it a natural fit for Phoenix. We are excited to introduce Arizonans to our globe-trotting flavors.”
Velvet Taco’s menu features over 20 tacos crafted from scratch with seasonal, fresh ingredients. Offerings include the spicy tikka chicken, featuring crispy chicken tenders and buttered cilantro basmati rice; the beer-battered cauliflower, topped with queso blanco and corn pico de gallo; and the Cuban Pig with pulled pork. The kids will have their own menu of chicken, steak, quesadillas, tacos, tenders, and tots.
Complementing the food is a selection of Boozy Libations, including margaritas, Palomas, and the inventive Sangrita Swirl, a delightful blend of red wine and frozen margarita. The restaurant features several unique offerings:
- Weekly Taco Feature (WTF): Each week, a new taco is introduced based on seasonal ingredients, local flavors and special occasions.
- Say What?! Combo: For $14.50, guests can create a combo by selecting two tacos, a side, and a fountain drink, with the option to upgrade to a Boozy Libation.
- Backdoor Chicken: Available on Mondays, this special features a whole rotisserie chicken, marinated for 48 hours and roasted over an open flame, served with tortillas and sides for just $15 (cash only).
- The Velvet Room: An exclusive loyalty program offering VIP experiences, personalized rewards and limited-time offerings.
The eatery also has a few opening day promos available, including hats and t-shirts for the first 100 guests, a chance to win one of three $100 gift cards when you follow both @velvettaco and @BlondesWhoEat, a chance to win a Party Pack for your office or group when you share your business card at the opening, and any Phoenix resident can register to win free tacos for a year.
Since its inception in Dallas in 2011, Velvet Taco has expanded to nearly 50 locations across the United States. The brand has garnered numerous accolades, including a Nation’s Restaurant News “Hot Concept” designation in 2016 and a MenuMasters Award in 2020. Learn more at velvettaco.com.