Texaz Grill sold to new owners after 33 years
Since opening in 1985, Texaz Grill has been a popular destination in Phoenix for down-home favorites like chicken fried steak, smoked prime rib and bowls of Texas chili.
Now, after 33 years under the same ownership, a new family is taking over the reins of the Texas-style steakhouse at 16th Street and Bethany Home Road.
Steve Freidkin has sold Texaz to Long Nguyen, who will run the local landmark with his family and the existing management team. Freidkin founded the restaurant with original co-owner Jim Mitchell, who retired several years ago.
Nguyen recently purchased St. Francis restaurant in Phoenix from Aaron Chamberlin. He also owns Clubhouse Grill in Goodyear and Gus’s New York Pizza near 91st Avenue and Thomas Road in Phoenix.
“Steve has done a great job for the past 33 years. The customers love everything, so everything will stay exactly the same. We want to continue with tradition,” Nguyen told The Republic on Tuesday.
Initially called Lone Star Steaks, the restaurant was renamed Texaz because of a trademark conflict. Today, it remains one of the most authentic restaurants in the Valley. Walls are covered with music posters, road maps, a mounted deer head, Texas license plates, armadillo art and neon beer signs.
David Spade, Nick Nolte, Suzanne Somers, Alice Cooper and Waylon Jennings are among the scores of celebrities who have dined at Texaz over the years, along with local TV personalities and politicians, including the late Sen. John McCain.
“After three-plus decades as owner, chief cook and bottle washer at Texaz Grill, I’m ready to ride off into the sunset,” Freidkin said in a statement.
Freidkin will assist the Nguyen family during the transition through November. The menu and laid-back neighborhood ambiance will not change, the Texas native said, adding, “It was very important to me that Texaz remains a family-run restaurant.
“I know that they will have the same friendly service and use the same recipes that we’ve had for the past 33 years,” Freidkin said, “including chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, Texaz red chili, pecan pie, and more.”
A signature dish is the Frito Pie, a dish that dates back to the 1930s and the State Fair of Texas. It features homemade chili served in a small bag of corn chips, topped with onions and cheese, and served with fried potatoes.
The Nguyen family, who moved to Arizona in 2007 from Houston, have been longtime fans of the restaurant.
In a statement, Long Nguyen assured longtime customers that “their restaurant is in good hands, and we look forward to serving up Phoenix’s best steaks, chicken fried steaks and more for another 33 years.”