Staff Reports | Business & Commerce
A new culinary destination is preparing to ignite the Downtown Phoenix food scene this fall with the opening of Golden Oak Barbecue & Taproom, a full-service barbecue and craft beer taproom concept from two beloved East Valley culinary destinations.
Golden Oak Barbecue & Taproom is a collaboration between Chris Figueroa, owner of the popular Nicky’s Barbecue pop-up; and Dave Valencia, founder of Oro Brewing Company.
Valencia opened Oro Brewing in 2016 in downtown Mesa, steadily building a cult following and a collection of gold medals at the Arizona Craft Beer Awards.
Mr. Figueroa brings nearly a decade of experience in barbecue, having honed his craft in St. Louis before launching Nicky’s Barbecue. Together, they will transform the former Throne Brewing space into a vibrant, community-driven concept that blends globally influenced barbecue, award-winning beer and intentional hospitality.
The launch of Golden Oak marks a natural evolution for Nicky’s, which captured local attention with its bold, regionally inspired barbecue served at pop-ups around the East Valley. In just eight months, Mr. Figueroa’s culinary vision, rooted in St. Louis-style smokehouse traditions and influenced by his Peruvian heritage, grew beyond what a temporary setup could support.
“This is a place for people who love food with soul, beer with character and spaces that bring people together,” Mr. Figueroa said in a press release. “We want guests to walk in and feel at ease, like this place was built with them in mind.”
Mr. Figueroa and Mr. Valencia are committed to creating a welcoming, hands-on dining experience where hospitality feels genuine.
“Barbecue and beer are a classic pair, but we want the experience to feel more elevated and intentional,” Mr. Valencia said. “We are trying to build something that feels like home. Golden Oak will be the kind of place where you know the owners and they know your order.”
Inspired by barbecue regions all across the globe and layered with Mr. Figueroa’s Peruvian heritage, the menu focuses on quality, consistency and flavor. Guests can expect traditional barbecue plates like Texas Brisket and St. Louis Cut Ribs, and dishes with Hispanic and South American influences like Papa a la Huancaina from Peru.
Sides include a rotating mix of comfort classics with a creative flair, including mac and cheese and coleslaw. Products that are not made in-house will be sourced from local vendors, including Gold Canyon Meat Co. and Venezia Bakery.
Director of Operations and Executive Chef Grant McLennon brings years of experience from his tenure at The Beer Research Institute in Mesa, where he elevated the local brewery’s operations and guest experience.
TJ Osborne, Operations Manager, plays an integral role in day-to-day execution and customer service strategy. Leading the brewery department is Head Brewer Jesse Kortepeter, who joined Oro Brewing Company in 2017 and is known for his inventive approach to craft brewing.
Golden Oak will feature a curated tap list of Oro’s most popular brews, including Trigo Suave and Hopiphany. A variety of lagers, sours, seasonal releases, wine and craft cocktails will also be available.
Golden Oak Barbecue & Taproom will be located at 1326 N. Central Avenue
