Chula Seafood is now open in Phoenix. Here's a first look at the menu
Lauren Saria
Looking for a hot new restaurant to try in Phoenix? Go fish.
More specifically, go for fish at Chula Seafood in Uptown Plaza at the intersection of Camelback Road and Central Avenue.
The casual seafood restaurant and fish market, one of the year's most anticipated new restaurants, officially opened its doors this week.
The restaurant and market's second location serves prepared meals including clam chowder and Hawaiian poke bowls as well as raw seafood to be cooked and enjoyed at home.
Here's why Chula Seafood is a big deal
The company only began selling its signature harpoon-caught swordfish in Arizona in 2015, but Chula Seafood has become synonymous with the freshest fish in the state, thanks to its strong ties to California.
Based in San Diego, Chula got its start as a commercial fishing boat specializing in harpoon-caught swordfish.
When Chula Seafood co-owner Jon Heflin, whose father Jim started the fishery in 2009, noticed a dearth of fresh fish in the desert, he recruited longtime friend Hogan Jamison to expand the company's wholesale distribution to Arizona.
The duo opened Chula Seafood's first Phoenix outpost, a small market and restaurant, in a south Scottsdale strip mall in 2017. In addition to serving as the home base for the company's fast-growing wholesale business, the owners recruited chef Juan Zamora to stuff the restaurant's case with prepared items such as smoked salmon and serve meals including simple but pristine platters of sashimi.
It didn't take long for Chula to outgrow the original space and begin the hunt for a second location.
Take a look at the expanded Phoenix menu
Heflin and Jamison decided to drop anchor at Uptown Plaza, situated at one of the buzziest intersections in metro Phoenix. At the new location, Chula can seat some 60 diners in a brightly lit, casual dining room.
With more space to maneuver in the kitchen as well, diners can expect a much longer list of entrees than is offered at the south Scottsdale market. The Uptown Plaza menu includes:
- Grilled oysters with chiptole butter and grilled Noble bread.
- Brown rice bowl with masala braised chick peas, brown rice, tofu dressing, tomatillo pico and chile crema.
- FV Chula swordfish served with your choice of two sides.
- Steamed clams with creamed leeks, house lardons, Frites Street fries and queso fresco.
- Hatch burger topped with New Mexico green chiles, American cheese, tomatillo pickles and onions, served on a Noble buttermilk bun.
Beers and wines are available, including local brews from Wren House, Four Peaks and Huss Brewing. Wines cost $10-$16 and come in single-, 1.5- and two-glass pours.
The refrigerated case will be stocked with fresh seafood including the namesake FV Chula swordfish. Other take-away options range from Faroe Island salmon and yellowfin tuna to smoked trout and the restaurant's pastrami swordfish, which has earned a cult-like following.
Chula Seafood at Uptown Plaza
Open for lunch and dinner from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Details: 100 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-354-3599, chulaseafood.com.
Reach the reporter at lauren.saria@azcentral.com. Follow her on Instagram at laurensaria, on Twitter at lhsaria and on Facebook at facebook.com/lsaria.
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