Arcadia’s acclaimed Latin-inspired restaurant Vecina is packing up its mesquite magic for a second act in Scottsdale, owners James and Raenee Fox say. The couple plans to open a new outpost in McCormick Ranch in late August, taking over the former Z’Tejas space. The Scottsdale location will be substantially larger than the Arcadia original, with room for private dining and a lakeside patio that should make sunset reservations a hot commodity.
According to Phoenix New Times, the Foxes aim to carry Vecina’s modern, minimal aesthetic into the new space while adding a glass wine room, wood accents above the bar and a mural by Phoenix artist Tato Caraveo. James Fox will run the kitchen in Scottsdale, and the owners say the bigger footprint means more room for wood-fire cooking and additional raw-bar bites. Phoenix New Times reports that the dining room will blend cozy date-night tables with oversized community seating so the space can handle everything from quiet dinners to big group celebrations.
What To Expect
As reported by the Arizona Republic, the McCormick Ranch restaurant will span roughly two to two-and-a-half times the size of the Arcadia location and will feature private dining rooms, a mezzanine and that lakeside patio. Fox told the paper the kitchen will be three to four times larger, which opens the door for lunch and brunch service in addition to dinner and happy hour. He also teased a frozen cocktail that nods to the building’s former life, a small bridge for longtime Z’Tejas regulars who might be curious about Vecina’s style.
Local Roots And Recognition
Vecina opened in Arcadia in 2019 and quickly drew attention beyond the neighborhood. It appears on the James Beard Foundation 2020 semifinalist list for Best New Restaurant. That same year, it picked up Best New Restaurant honors from Phoenix New Times, a local nod that helped build the loyal following now set to spill into Scottsdale. The Foxes say that track record is a big reason they feel comfortable growing into a larger, more flexible space.
How It Fits McCormick Ranch
The Foxes say McCormick Ranch’s lakeside setting and steady mix of daytime and evening activity made the site particularly appealing. Vecina’s website is already accepting applications for the second location as the team hires staff and finishes the buildout. The expansion will keep Vecina’s seasonal, mesquite-fired cooking at the center of the menu while using the extra room to experiment with daytime service and an expanded bar program.
From Z’Tejas To Vecina
The space opened up after the Z’Tejas chain announced it had closed its remaining Arizona and Texas locations as of June 30, 2025, citing market challenges, AZFamily reported. That decision freed up a large footprint in McCormick Ranch and gave the Foxes room for a substantial renovation to turn the former chain restaurant into something that feels distinctly Vecina.
Vecina is still finishing the buildout and hiring for the new restaurant, and the owners are targeting a late August opening. They expect to phase in lunch and brunch after rolling out dinner, happy hour and private-dining service. The team says it wants the Scottsdale outpost to function as a true neighborhood spot while still offering the extras that the bigger space allows, including the lakeside patio, glass wine room and expanded grill. Vecina is posting hiring information and updates on its site as opening day approaches.
