The award-winning Elote Café has opened its new Sedona location and, for the first time, will accept reservations.
Located at 350 Jordan Road and tucked off Sedona’s busiest stretch of Highway 89, the freestanding, 4,800-square-foot building underwent a $2.5 million renovation to achieve the authentic Elote Café look and feel. The new location is just 1.5 miles from the original Elote Café location.
Because of the pandemic and guidelines from the CDC and local and state officials, the new Elote Café offers take-out service and limited dine-in and patio seating via reservation only to start, before expanding to its 130-seat capacity when it’s safe to do so.
Chef/owner Jeff Smedstad has had a big 2020 already, including being a finalist for the James Beard Award Best Chef Southwest and releasing Volume 2 of his Elote Café Cookbook, available now at elotecafe.com/cookbook.
With the opening of his new location, Smedstad builds on his bold, nationally-noted cuisine featuring authentic regional ingredients and traditional Mexican recipes. Fan favorite dishes returning to the menu include Smoked Pork Cheeks, Elote and Pastel de Elote, plus Smedstad will continue to offer innovative nightly specials using the freshest seasonal ingredients.
The new Elote Café brings many opportunities for Smedstad, including potentially opening a margarita garden and curbside service.
Materials for the new Elote Café have been customized with imported, well-worn and thoughtful touches such as hand-hammered copper tables handcrafted in Mexico, handstitched leather seating, a 60-year-old hand-carved eucalyptus bar top, a 40-year-old eucalyptus community table and a live edge bar back.
“This is the dream of my life,” said Smedstad. “I’m excited for a new chapter for Elote Café . I hope that the new location will be a positive light and something to celebrate for the people of Sedona during these difficult times.” QCBN
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