Chef Rich Hinojosa Teams Up with Classic Valley Grill for New Tex-Mex Tacos

Phoenix (PRESS RELEASE) – What happens when two Valley culinary institutions join forces? In the case of TEXAZ Grill and Rich Hinojosa, sheer taco satisfaction. This October, Hinojosa (chef-owner of CRUjiente Tacos) and TEXAZ Grill (a classic Valley roadhouse celebrating its 40th anniversary) will jointly unveil San Antonio-style “puffy tacos” on the TEXAZ menu.   

Long before he set the standard for Valley taco artistry at CRUjiente, Hinojosa, a San Antonio native, grew up enjoying the succulent texture and comforting crisp of classic puffy tacos. As such, he was eager to help TEXAZ Grill – known for its award-winning chicken-fried steak – bring the staple of his childhood to Greater Phoenix. Featuring a choice of picadillo (homestyle ground beef), green chile pork, carne guisada (Tex-Mex beef braise) and refried beans and cheese, the unique tacos are a staple of South Texas cooking and will anchor an all-new Tex-Mex pocket menu at the restaurant.  

According to Hinojosa, the secret to a superior puffy taco is the same as any taco: “You start with a great shell or tortilla and let the flavors speak for themselves.” Cooking with nixtamalized corn dough – i.e. masa, a richer, more rustic cousin of modern corn-flour tortillas – Hinojosa uses a deep-frier to arrest the “puffed-up” phase of tortilla-making familiar to any home cook, creating a satisfying crispy-chewy texture.  

Local owners at TEXAZ Grill are dedicated to honoring its legacy while bringing fresh, true-to-Texas flavors. Looking to spice up the restaurant’s menu for its 40th anniversary, TEXAZ Grill Managing Partner Greg Linaman reached out to Hinojosa last summer after learning of the chef’s Texas heritage and struck up the consulting partnership.   

"We were already huge fans of Rich – CRUjiente was a staple for us,” Linaman said. “But I have to say, the puffy tacos are incredible, beyond even what we imagined. Having them on our milestone menu alongside all the TEXAZ Grill standards that our regulars have come to love over the past 40 years is pretty special.”  

TEXAZ Grill Unveils All-New Menu to Celebrate 40th Anniversary: TEXAZ Grill will debut its all-new menu with Chef Hinojosa’s new creations joining longtime customer favorites on Friday, October 24. To celebrate 40 years as the neighborhood’s beloved steakhouse, anniversary specials will run throughout the year.  

ABOUT TEXAZ GRILL: Established in 1985 by Co-founders Steve Freidkin and Jim Mitchell as the Valley’s first proper Texas steakhouse, TEXAZ Grill has been serving hearty, made-from-scratch meals with authentic Texas flavor and hospitality for four decades. Best known for its legendary chicken fried steak, the Phoenix institution also features hand-cut ribeyes, comfort classics, and remains one of the Valley’s top steakhouses and a local favorite.  

For more information, visit www.texazgrill.com and follow @TEXAZGrill on social media.