Frank & Lupe’s, the New Mexican restaurant Old Town regulars still talk about like an old friend, is officially staging a Scottsdale comeback. The longtime favorite is set to reopen in Gainey Ranch under local operator Piero Aviles, with service slated to begin in spring 2026. The revival will keep the Bernal family’s scratch-made recipes front and center, this time in a smaller, modern Southwest dining room built around an intimate bar. Fans can look for the restaurant’s hallmark enchiladas, fajitas and green-chile plates, plus a rotating lineup of seasonal features.
“Frank & Lupe’s has always been about heart, hospitality, and honest food,” new owner Piero Aviles told AZ Big Media, adding that he intends to keep the Bernal family standards intact. The outlet notes that the Gainey Ranch restaurant will feature a compact bar and a tighter dining footprint than the Old Town flagship, designed to encourage cocktails, conversation and a more intimate feel.
Family recipes remain the through line
According to the restaurant’s own site, the Bernal family recipes will continue to be made from scratch daily and will guide the menu at the new location. Frank & Lupe’s official site highlights the core dishes longtime fans expect and lays out reservation and catering options tied to the Scottsdale reopening.
From Old Town to a new neighborhood
Frank & Lupe’s Old Town location closed quietly in September 2025 after roughly three decades in business, a change documented by the Arizona Republic. Phoenix New Times reported that the Old Town building is slated for a new concept called The Ponderosa House, making the Gainey Ranch opening a way for the Bernal family’s recipes to stay in Scottsdale’s dining mix even as the original home is reimagined…