If you have spent any time in central Phoenix, you probably know Pa'La Wood-Fired Kitchen and the Tortas Paquimé shops. The restaurant group behind both, TPQ Foods, is now bringing two new concepts to the West Valley this spring. One is headed to Goodyear and the other to Glendale, and both are worth putting on your radar if you live out this way or are thinking about a move to the area.
Magdaleña in Goodyear's GSQ
The Goodyear restaurant is called Magdaleña, named after a rose variety, and it is opening in late May at 1900 North Civic Square. It will feature live-fire cooking with culinary inspiration from across Latin America. Diners at the chef's bar will have a front-row view of a wood-fired parrilla, which is essentially an open-flame grill used throughout South America.
What makes this interesting from a neighborhood standpoint is the location. GSQ is Goodyear's growing downtown hub at McDowell Road and 150th Drive. It already has more than a dozen restaurants and stores, including Copper & Sage and the newly opened Kura Revolving Sushi Bar. For years, the West Valley had a reputation for being mostly chain restaurants, and that reputation is finally shifting. GSQ is one of the clearest examples of that shift, and it is one of the reasons I have seen more buyers looking at single-family homes in Goodyear over the past couple of years.
Paquimex in Glendale
The Glendale restaurant is called Paquimex, opening this spring at 5149 W. Olive Ave, Suite 120. It is the more casual of the two concepts and builds on the Tortas Paquimé brand that has been quietly growing across the Valley. If you have had their tortas, you know the appeal. If you have not, this is a good chance to check it out without driving into central Phoenix. The Olive Avenue location puts it within easy reach of several established Glendale neighborhoods, including Marshall Ranch, which continues to be a solid option for move up and relocation buyers looking in this part of the city.
Why this matters if you live or are moving to the West Valley
When I talk with clients who are relocating to the Phoenix area, one of the first questions I hear is some version of, "What is there to do out there?" Food and retail are a big part of that answer, and the West Valley dining scene has come a long way in the last five years. Downtown Goodyear in particular is starting to feel like its own destination rather than just a place you drive through on the way somewhere else.
A quick honest note. New restaurants do not always stick, and opening dates in this industry slip all the time. If you are buying in Goodyear or Glendale specifically because of the dining scene, I would still make your decision based on the home, the community, and the location. Restaurants are a nice bonus, but they come and go. The good news is the trend in the West Valley is clearly pointing toward more local options rather than fewer.
If you are thinking about a home in the area
Goodyear and Glendale are two very different markets with different price points, commute considerations, and community feels. If you are looking at new construction in Goodyear or an established Glendale community, the decision usually comes down to more than just the house itself. I have been helping buyers in the West Valley for more than 20 years and am happy to walk you through the practical differences. You can reach me at 623-206-9936 or [email protected].