When it opens this month, Poolboy Taco will serve up soft and crunchy versions of its namesake taco, along with other taco varieties, nachos, enchiladas and more (photo courtesy of Poolhouse Group).
Poolhouse Group, the family behind Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup and The Green Woodpecker, will give their popup and food festival favorite a brick-and-mortar home of its own this December, when Poolboy Taco opens in the former Camelback Gadzooks, which closed Nov. 8.
Born from a chalkboard brainstorming session in 2014, the Poolboy Taco was created by brothers Aaron and Jared Pool. The new restaurant, located at 4031 E. Camelback Road, reimagines the 1950’s-era quick-service experience with a “cheeky, design-forward vibe that blends festival energy with midcentury, poolside nostalgia.” With interiors conceived in collaboration with local design firm House of Form, owners describe the space as “a refined, escapist taco lounge where indulgence meets irony, where Slim Aarons meets Palm Springs.”
Guests will be met with pastel neons, terrazzo flooring, brass accents, and sculptural banquettes that channel both retro diners and poolside cabanas. Expect cushy red vinyl banquettes, terrazzo tables, playful murals, and a PHX heart wall installation. A golden seal sculpture serves as a tongue-in-cheek mascot, while outside, a cabana-style patio lined with hedges and striped seating creates a breezy extension of the dining room.
At just over 2,100 square feet, the space will seat 45 to 55 guests, split between the interior lounge and dining areas and the outdoor patio. The kitchen has been enclosed in glass, giving diners a glimpse of the action. Ordering takes place at a new counter, accented with brass rails, striped fronts, and a retro marquee. Drinks, including frozen cocktails, margaritas and draft beer, are picked up at the counter and enjoyed in branded 32-ounce cups, designed to be collectible.
The menu builds from the taco that started it all: the Poolboy Taco, also known as the “festival taco,” which has won multiple awards. Offered in both soft and crunchy versions, it will be joined by options including a beef taco, a breakfast taco, nachos, a composed enchilada, a salad and a bowl option. The eatery will also feature a Taco of the Month program, designed to showcase collaborations with other local chefs, and limited-time creations. A salsa bar, featuring five house salsas ranging from pico de gallo to habanero, offers exploration. For dessert, the restaurant will rotate cake varieties including carrot and German chocolate, alongside seasonal specialties that build on the Pool family’s tradition of craveable sweets.
For Aaron Pool, this new permanent location fills a gap in the area dining landscape.
“People here want a place that’s fun, social, and not overly expensive, but still feels special,” he said. “Poolboy is built to be that third space and a spot where you can grab a margarita, hang out on the patio and feel like you’re somewhere completely different.”
Poolboy Taco is expected to open this month. Guests can follow @poolboytaco on Instagram or visit www.poolboytaco.com for updates and information.
