Amelia’s chef Jose Contreras to expand with nixtamal-focused Carrizal Molino + Cocina

James Beard Award semifinalist chef and Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen owner Jose Contreras will open Carrizal Molino + Cocina at 119 E. Speedway Blvd., bringing a deeply personal take on regional Mexican cuisine to Midtown. They will announce a date soon.

The 75-seat restaurant, which includes a patio, takes over the former spaces of Girls Kitchen and Zemam’s Too. The project required nine months of development before opening, according to Contreras.

A Concept Rooted in Heritage

At Carrizal, Contreras builds the concept around his upbringing in Santa Rosa de Yécora. The restaurant centers on nixtamalization, the traditional process of preparing corn for masa.

According to the concept note:

“Carrizal Molino + Cocina is a refined yet deeply personal exploration of regional Mexican cuisine, anchored in the ancient craft of nixtamalization and the ritual of the molino. Helmed by Chef Jose Contreras, the restaurant draws its soul from Carrizal, the mountain town in Santa Rosa de Yécora where he was raised, and where wood-fire kitchens and hand-pressed tortillas shaped his earliest understanding of food as heritage.”

Additionally, the kitchen will grind heirloom corn daily and press masa to order. The menu will highlight corn tortillas, tamales, and antojitos that reflect both technique and terroir.

Regional Influences Shape the Menu

Carrizal blends influences from northern and southern Mexico. The menu pulls from Sonora and desert traditions while incorporating techniques from Oaxaca.

Furthermore, the restaurant will source local ingredients and host pop-ups with chefs from outside Arizona, including James Beard-nominated talent.

The concept note continues:

“At the core of the menu is heirloom corn, transformed daily in-house through the disciplined practice of nixtamalization. Each masa is ground and pressed to order, elevating tortillas, tamales, and antojitos into expressions of terroir and technique.”

Design Reflects the Desert and Craft

The exterior presents a desert-modern aesthetic with reed grass wrapping the building.

Inside, the design leans heavily into organic materials. A courtyard features woven pendant lights suspended above communal tables, with a blooming tree.

Additionally, the dining room pairs light wood furniture with textured wall elements and hand-crafted lighting fixtures. The bar anchors the space with a mosaic front and backlit shelving, showcasing spirits in a warm, amber glow.

Vince Catalano of VVC Design handled architecture, while Luis Vega of VM Design led interiors.

A Culinary Thesis on Corn

Ultimately, Carrizal aims to explore the cultural and technical depth of Mexican cuisine through a focused lens.

The concept note concludes:

“The result is a sophisticated dialogue between mountain and valley, north and south, rustic memory and contemporary precision. Expect wood smoke, stone-ground textures, heritage ingredients, and nuanced sauces presented with restraint and modern polish.”

Carrizal Molino + Cocina will open at 119 E. Speedway Blvd. The restaurant will tentatively open for dinner service from Wednesday through Sunday. Keep up with Carrizal Molino + Cocina on Instagram. For updates, visit carrizaltucson.com.