As of Thursday, October 31, the Serial Grillers crew will be relocating from its current location at 5975 E. Speedway Blvd. to its original spot at 5737 E. Speedway Blvd. The current spot, which is just a couple of blocks away from where the restaurant is moving to, will be closed beginning Monday, October 28.
In fewer words: Serial Grillers on 5975 E. Speedway Blvd. is moving to 5737 E. Speedway Blvd. and opening on Halloween — very fitting for a horror film-themed restaurant.
The original location is special to Travis Miller, co-owner of Serial Grillers — a place where countless memories were made.
“We’re beyond thrilled to be back in this space that means so much to us, and we can’t wait to create new memories with all of you,” said Miller. “Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or joined us along the way, we can’t wait to welcome you to our OG spot.”
In May 2019, Lotus Garden — a Tucson restaurant that was open for more than 50 years — closed its doors and Serial Grillers moved in. During that time, Miller and the team opened a couple of different concepts in the original Serial Grillers space (Boulevard BBQ and Toro Loco Tacos), but now they’re excited to return to the “OG spot.”
“For the last six months or so, we’ve been planning on moving back to our original location on 5737 E. Speedway Blvd. That day is finally coming,” said Miller. “As you know, COVID hit people in a lot of different ways. Pre-COVID, we had just moved over to a larger location to accommodate all the business we had — we had grown too big for our original location. Since COVID, obviously, things have been a lot less busy for us. So, we made the decision to come back to where it all started. We’re really happy to be back in our original location and we hope you guys will come visit us!”
For those familiar with the last concept in the space, Toro Loco, the restaurant will look very similar to that but with new logos on the walls, the classic Serial Grillers menu, and even some of the same staff from the last location.
“I think you guys will love it if you were one of our original customers who came in for the old bar,” said Miller. “That was something people loved about the original Serial Grillers. We have two of the three bartenders coming back, so we’ll have full bar service like we previously had. We’ll have kegged cocktails for you guys! 28 beers on tap! Also, bringing in the Mosaic Brewing beers that we make.”
Mosaic Brewing opened in December 2023, taking over the former Dillinger Brewing location at 895 N. Oracle Rd.
Serial Grillers, which began as a food truck, has three other locations in the city at 970 E. River Rd. #100, 7585 S. Houghton Rd., and 5660 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. #100. Plus, the group owns Transplant Pizza and Craft, A Modern Drinkery on 4603 E. Speedway Blvd. — they’re a great presence in Tucson’s food scene.
“Thank you for all the support over the years,” Miller added. “We look forward to this new chapter in our lives.”
Recap:
- Serial Grillers’s last day at 5975 E. Speedway Blvd. is October 28
- The restaurant is moving to 5737 E. Speedway Blvd. (the original location)
- The new spot is opening on Halloween
For more information, visit serialgrillersaz.com.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
