Corrugated steel wall coverings, quirky orange and green paint along with giant metal chandeliers and hanging star lamps accent a dozen plasma screen televisions strategically placed throughout Maricopa’s newest place to sit down and enjoy a meal.
Just don’t expect to find the restaurant’s signature moose head hanging on the wall when Teakwoods Tavern & Grill opens in Maricopa at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at 21141 N. John Wayne Parkway, Building D.
“We’re the only Teakwoods that doesn’t have a moose head,” said Karissa Warren, a Maricopa resident who lives in Homestead who will begin waiting tables at the restaurant tomorrow.
What customers can expect to find is a large barrel of peanuts in the shell near the front entrance and buckets of the same on each table.
“It’s definitely something we’re known for,” said Owner Tommy Celluro.
In this location, the moose has been replaced with a large, colorful duck which overlooks the main dining area, Warren said as she made moose antlers along with fellow server Julie Buturla by wiggling their fingers at each side of their heads.
Buturla, also of Maricopa, has lived in Rancho El Dorado for two-and-a-half years. She and Warren said the mock moose antlers are what they use to explain their message shirts which each say “nice rack.”
The atmosphere is a comfortable blend of modern and western with cowboys and cattle featured atop booth dividers.
Authentic cow hides drape the west walls. Peanut shells on the floor seem to mimic sawdust strewn in other similar-themed eateries. A soft XM radio station plays in the background unless someone decides to cue up the juke box.
But the food is definitely the main attraction – that and the service, Celluro said.
So, what is its specialty?
Celluro said he personally recommends the candlestick carver: a sandwich filled with slow roasted beef, grilled green chiles, grilled tomatoes, horse radish, mayonnaise and provolone cheese on sourdough.
Today, the restaurant treated a few guests who happened by to the chance to sample anything from the menu.
Brianna Mohrbacker, 13, who attends Maricopa Wells Middle School, and stopped in today with Donna Jennings and Craig Butler to sample the menu said she liked “everything.”
“I’m very picky too,” she emphasized with a smile.
Brianna’s meal of choice was the mushroom Swiss burger; while Butler focused his attention mostly on the bacon cheeseburger and Jennings seemed to be most impressed with the nachos which she said were “excellent.”
“The burger was cooked correctly with a fair amount of cheese,” Butler added.
“They have been very attentive, I must say,” Jennings said. “Everyone has come over to see how we are doing.”
Teakwoods Tavern & Grill will be open 10:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The entire menu will be available all day, every day.
“We’re very excited to be open,” Celluro said.
Photo by RuthAnn Hogue
