This Phoenix restaurant is closing after 18 years. What to order if you go one last time

Fuego Bistro at the Clarendon Hotel in Phoenix is closing its doors on Dec. 16 after 18 years.

The Latin American restaurant announced its intent to close in a Dec. 9 Facebook post.

“All good things must come to an end. After 18 years, we are sad to say Fuego will be no longer Saturday, December 16th. It has been a pleasure to serve everyone. Phoenix and beyond, because we know so many people have traveled across the valley to visit us.”

Husband-and-wife team Jeff and Amanda Ward first opened Fuego Bistro in 2006 at Seventh Street and Palo Verde Road. Jeff had a Cubano sandwich at the then-Cafe del Sol, fell in love with it and purchased the restaurant 30 days later.
The Wards changed the menu into a Latin and Southwest fusion. But their most popular dish remained the cornbread.

In 2020, the couple moved into the Clarendon to replace Tranquilo.
“Possibly one of the best meals of my life was had at your restaurant in December of 2019,” Michelle Missi commented on the Facebook post. “I’m from Indiana and was working in Phoenix for the 2020 Census.”