Got Matta's?

Happy New Year!

2012-01-05T10:50:00.003-07:00

We don't need to have a 2 for $20 special like all the chain restaurants, 2 One Item Combos + Chips & Salsa + 2 Desserts always equals $20 here!!

Scan the QR code with your cellphone here for a FREE Cheese Crisp coupon and add to the value.

As always, we appreciate and want to say thanks to our customers for supporting our local family business!

Also, our Saturday night car shows will start back up again this Saturday, January 7th. Fun for the whole family!

Happy Holidays

2011-12-24T18:44:00.001-07:00

From all of us at Matta's, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest New Year!

Saturday evenings with classic cars & Matta's

2011-09-02T17:34:00.000-07:00

Get ready for the upcoming car event at Mesa Riverview begining September 17th!

Guess who got a face lift?

2011-07-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

Our website just got a face lift and we want to show it off! Take a look around at the changes and let us know what you think. You can always email us or send your comments on our facebook page. There are still things we are working on and adding so you'll have to check back to see what's been added. Getting a website face lift is a good way to celebrate being open for one year, don't you think?

mattas.com

Something Special

2011-06-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

We have some NEW specials starting tomorrow we think you're going to like! Take a peek:

the Class of 2011

2011-05-25T15:09:00.000-07:00

We would like to congratulate the graduating class of 2011 and wish them well as they start a new chapter of their lives. We hope you all continue to make good choices and be the best that you can be!

Cruise Night

2011-04-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

Since fridays Bike Nights are going well and everyone is having fun, we've been working on a Cruise Night for saturdays.

If you are in a car club, contact chrisgresko@mattas.com to see if your club can join in the fun.

Mesa Riverview Bike Night

2011-04-13T14:37:00.000-07:00

We made it through our first Bike Night last friday and it was awesome!

Senor Rio tequila was there giving away prizes, including a bottle of their premium tequila and a humidor filled with cigars infused with Senor Rio tequila.

If you're in our Cantina or out on the patio having a margarita then you can get a raffle ticket and have a chance at winning a prize!

Take a look at the video that George from Main Event Imaging put together:

Bike Night video

Bike Night at Mesa Riverview

2011-03-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

It's official! The Cyclerides.com Mesa Riverview Bike Night will begin on Friday, April 8th and run until June 24th. Mesa Riverview is the perfect location for this event, the main street by our front doors will be blocked for motorcycles only with a band in the middle.

They have a facebook page where more details are posted and you can look at photos from the other bike events they have to see whats in store for us at Mesa Riverview...this will be a great event!

Eating for a good cause March 22nd

2011-03-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

Tuesday March 22nd both Matta's Grill & Cantina and Matta's Mexican Grill locations will be hosting a benefit for Rick Mendoza, who grew up in Mesa. Rick has Polycystic Kidney Disease and is in need of a kidney transplant. A portion of the proceeds will go towards Ricks medical bills not covered by insurance.

Rick is the grandson of longtime former Mesa Police Chief Ramon Mendoza.

Please keep Rick & his family in your prayers and mark your calendars to eat Matta's on March 22nd!

Best of East Valley 2011

2011-03-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

The votes are in! We've been voted the BEST Mexican Food Restaurant in the East valley tribune and came in second for the Best Restaurant for a special occasion.

How AWESOME is that?!!! We are so happy and would like to thank all of you that voted for us!

Here's the link to the article:

http://bestof.eastvalleytribune.com/2011/winners/food_and_drink

Valentine's Dinner Special

2011-02-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

We Love... Love. So we're offering a Valentine's special you're going to Love!

You won't want to miss this. Click here to see it

Be our Valentine!

2011-02-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

Valentine's Day is approaching, do you have your plans for your sweetheart? We are accepting reservations for Valentine's Day, monday February 14th.

Give us a call: 480-964-7881

Whatever your plans may be...have a wonderful day!

It's SUPERBOWL time!

2011-02-03T17:23:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the Superbowl we are having happy hour prices all day! So come cheer on your favorite team and watch them win in HD, on our Cantina tv's or on our NEW patio tv.

If breakfast is your thing, remember you can have our delicious breakfast burrito or our NEW breakfast tacos all day!

Here's a list of our Fiesta Happy Hour specials:

Domestic Drafts $2

Import Drafts and Coronas $3

Matta's House Margarita $4.50

Well Margaritas $3.50

All Appetizers $3 off

Combination Plates 1-5 $1 off

Matta's Chimichanga $1 off

Who's going to win the Superbowl this year?

Is Matta's your favorite?

2011-01-29T12:26:00.004-07:00

Is Matta's Grill & Cantina your favorite restaurant? If so, vote for us on the East Valley Tribune website! They are having a 'Best of East Valley 2011' voting until February 13th. There are many categories (Best Breakfast Restaurant...have you had one of our breakfast burritos?!mmm, Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion, Best Mexican Food Restaurant...oh yea!, Best Restaurant with Arizona Vibe for out of towners, Best Family friendly, Best New Restaurant opened in the past 12 months, Best Bar food, Best Happy Hour, etc) And you can vote in as many as you like, so if we're a favorite of yours...then please share your LOVE of

Matta's Grill & Cantina.

Many thanks in advance, we appreciate all of you!!!

Here's a link: http://bestof.eastvalleytribune.com/2011/vote/food_and_drink

Open Christmas Eve

2010-12-10T12:39:00.007-07:00

Are you cooking dinner Christmas Eve? We are! Give yourself a break from the kitchen and come relax. We will be open from

11am to 8pm Friday, December 24th

and

Noon to 8pm Sunday, December 26th

Good times!

2010-11-24T13:59:00.007-07:00

We would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Matta's Grill & Cantina will sponsor poker games with the Independent Poker League starting monday November 29th at 6:30pm. If you wish to participate in the games, please visit

their website to sign up. Have fun!

We appreciate our Veterans!

2010-11-08T16:48:00.006-07:00

We would like to honor the veterans out there on Veterans Day by giving them a FREE 2 Item Combo meal! There are many possibilities...enchiladas, tamales, tacos, beef, chicken, you get the idea.

Bring in your Armed Forces Service card thursday November 11th to Matta's Grill & Cantina, show your server and enjoy your free meal!

Boo Bash Dash

2010-10-29T14:42:00.007-07:00

Join us Saturday, October 30th at Mesa Riverview for the Boo Bash Dash! The event supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley. There will be a 10K & a 2 mile Family Fun walk. Afterwards there will be lots happening! Matta's Grill & Cantina will have a table set up and participants can have a spin on our 'Wheel ' and earn Matta's bucks good towards free food!

Please visit their website for details

New Specials

2010-09-01T11:01:00.010-07:00

It's been a month since we opened and we would like to thank all of you for coming and experiencing our new Matta's Grill & Cantina!

We have an ad/coupon going out in the Money Mailer on September 7th to several zip codes; 85201, 85203, 85210 & 85204. If you do not see the ad in your envelope please go to moneymailer.com and get your coupon!
Starting today we have new lunch specials from 11am-2pm, monday-friday and happy hour specials from 2-6pm, 7 days a week! Occasionally we suprise our twitter followers with a special, so if you are not following us yet...click on the Matta's twitter bird to sign up!

The wait is over!

2010-07-23T07:21:00.002-07:00

Yes, it's true, the long wait is over! Our soft opening last night went well, thanks to everyone for coming and thanks to all involved.

We will be open today from

11am and close at 10pm

Large groups

2010-06-30T09:52:00.006-07:00

We have had many inquire about Matta's accepting large groups, so we thought you should know: Our new Matta's Restaurant is half the size of the old Matta's on Main Street and we do not have a banquet room. We are still bringing in and arranging the new tables, so we can not give party sizes yet. We will let you know as soon as we can.
Thanks everyone for your excitement and wonderful stories that you send us!!

It's another sign

2010-06-28T15:57:00.004-07:00

YEA!! We have 2 more signs, our curb side pick up & our sign just above the pick up entrance are going up today. There has been lots going on in the kitchen, cleaning all the equipment from the old Matta's that's been in storage, unpacking & putting together new equipment, putting together many shelves and much much more! As I am writing this our bar top is being installed also. Let's not forget about the bathrooms, counter tops & sinks are in and we have doors on the bathrooms now too. Many other details are being addressed by so many great guys that are on the job making sure everything is just right.

I know many of you are waiting patiently and are leaving us some wonderful comments on here and on facebook. We thank you so much for the stories and emails received as well, it's so nice to share in the excitement of our new Matta's.

It's a sign!

2010-06-09T18:05:00.013-07:00

Well there it is...finally, a sign! The first one on the front of the building went up today. Can't open without a sign, huh? We still have a few to go. Hopefully they will be up soon.

Wonder what's going on inside? Well the beautiful cabinetry is being installed behind the bar and at the server stations by Burdette Cabinets. The patio wall has stucco now & will be painted soon, the roof tiles are there and ready to get put into place and the outside will soon be painted. We just got our flooring put down in our office so we can soon start putting it together. Okay it's still a detail...we have some toilets too!

I'm still working on restoring decorative things, it's been very time consuming, but I like it. Heck, I will probably still be working on some of it after we open, so don't be surprised if some of our walls are bare. It will all go up sometime, the most important thing is getting open so we can all eat!

I heard a rumor last week, someone told one of our servers at the place she is currently working, that the reason for the hold up of our restaurant opening is that the divorce has to finalize first. They claimed to 'know' someone in the family (Ha!). Well let me be the first to say that any kind of rumor like that is a total LIE. This is the ONLY place...well and Matta's on twitter & facebook or speak to Peter & myself in person, that you will hear about what is happening with Matta's Grill & Cantina. I have to say, Peter and I thought it was a little funny that someone would make that up, although it's not so nice for our children to hear. So whoever makes this stuff up, stop.
Ending on a good note, we are sooo excited that we will open soon. I will keep you all posted here as to when things will happen...so stay tuned!

It's all in the detail

2010-05-16T09:14:00.019-07:00

Ok, so we missed out on Cinco de Mayo, we'll catch up. It's hopping at Matta's Grill & Cantina! There are so many different things going on, all the details are being addressed now. Let me start by saying that we finally have front doors and they are BEAUTIFUL! The tile work is nearing completion, those guys are knee deep into detail and they are very talented. Al from Tanner Materials is overseeing all the flooring, look them up if you are looking for some fabulous tile work!

Allen from Web Plastering has done the most beautiful job on the stucco, inside and out! We wanted the stucco on the inside to match what the old Matta's looked like inside and he has done exactly what we wished for. Call Allen at 602-376-3829.

Our painter Neil needs some recognition too, he is the man to call when you need a painter. I bugged him to get a website up to show off his great work, but says he's not ready for modern technology so call Neil at: 480-227-6852

We would like to also tell you that you can get a taste of Senor Rio tequila at one of their many tequila tastings, check their website for info on locations. (Their Anjeo is my favorite) Ask for Senor Rio when we open!

If you follow us on twitter then you get to see photos minutes after I take them with my phone. I have been instructed by the big boss, my husband Peter, to not put many more pictures up on here, sorry. We want you all to be surprised by the attention to detail that we've put into our new Matta's! He has been the mastermind behind the design of the dining room, kitchen & bar. I do take credit for coming up with the 2nd floor, restoring all of the old Matta's light fixtures and restoring all of the old decorative pieces & repainting them. I am working on some artistic collages of old photos of the history of the Matta's restaurants so you'll have something to look at in our new waiting area.

Almost forgot, we now have 2 signs up on Bass Pro Drive! Our building sign should be going up soon. Also, our patio walls went up today.Enjoy the pictures!

Mattas.com

2010-04-24T16:53:00.003-07:00

Just wanted everyone to know that I published our NEW Matta's website today. Go take a look around, there's lots to read...family history, history of Matta's food, menus, customer stories on why they love Matta's and see old photos too!
I will still be working on the website adding info & photos so you will see some changes. Keep checking back. If you come across a link that does not work, please let me know by emailing this blog.
Hope you all enjoy & have a great weekend!

Plastered

2010-04-20T07:21:00.021-07:00

Hi everyone! There's a lot of construction debris flying around at Matta's Grill & Cantina. Here are the photos to prove it!

This is the north side of the dining room with windows at every booth. The arches will be covered in smooth plaster.

This is a view of our curb side pick-up area. It has it's own entrance on the south side of the building, so there's no more going up to the front of the restaurant to pick up your order. When we are up and running, the phone# for take out is: (480)964-TOGO
(Write that down!)

This is a view from our kitchen. To the left is a stack of walls that make up the huge fridge with a freezer inside. To the right is where the servers pick up your orders. Beyond that is the stairway to go up to our office.

All those wall pieces stacked up...well they're all put together now.

You think a 10 foot high refrigerator is big enough?

This is our waiting area. We had our carved wood benches and chairs restored that will once again be used in the Matta's waiting area.
There will be one beautiful ceiling in this area, so be sure to look up!

This is part of the dining room. Styrofoam and chicken wire wrapping the arches and some of the walls to prepare for plaster.

This is the other side of the dining room. To the right, the booths will be covered with a tiled roof and wood corbels. Straight ahead under where the Mariachi's will be a beautiful carved wall fountain.

And finally the smooth plaster that will resemble the old Matta's on Main Street. The guys are doing a superb job! The man in the photo working on the plaster said he had grown up eating at Matta's and can't wait till we open.

We hope you all enjoy the pictures!

New pictures

2010-03-18T18:26:00.015-07:00

Here's the latest photos of our construction zone.

1.The dining room just insulated. 2. Booths that just had drywall.

3.A drywall mess in the dining room. 4.Kitchen wall

5.Bar area 6.Bar wall getting ready for stained glass.

Hope you all are getting excited! We sure are!!!

"When are you going to open?"

2010-03-04T17:02:00.006-07:00

I know it's been a while, but there's lots going on behind the scenes here and it's more time consuming than anyone realizes. If you are following us on twitter then you know that we passed our inspections for electrical, framing and plumbing. And we did our walk through today with TAP electric, they have done an awesome job! So next week the drywall should be going up (this is where you are supposed to cheer). So...that means it's getting closer and closer, but still we have no dates set yet. That seems to be the biggest question everyone has, "When are you going to open?" As soon as we know, you'll know.
Some of the staff members from Main Street are anxious to come back and we will be glad to have them!
Also, had another meeting today with Tanya from Burdette (so many details), just wait till you all see the amazing furniture and cabinetry this fine company is making for us! They are building the chairs, benches, tables, all the cabinets at the server stations and the most beautiful bar!
I also have to brag about Senor Rio tequila. We met with Debbie & Jon the owners, and we couldn't be happier with having not only a terrific tasting tequila, but them, their story and the fact that they are a local business is a great thing.

Detail, details, details

2010-01-28T08:07:00.005-07:00

We are really into the details now, there is way more to building a restaurant than people realize. Whew! Sorry for the delay between posting here, the holidays slowed things down for a couple weeks, so there wasn't much to show. Although having Christmas fresh in my mind helped me realize that we needed lots of extra outlets in places for next years Christmas lights. Got to think ahead! Also, putting lots of hours in working on the new menu, it's kind of tough sometimes because it makes me hungry typing the descriptions.

It can be hard to get a visual in your head from looking at the construction photos, so below is a small picture of both levels of the floor plan.

lower level

upper level

kitchen- looks like an alien ship is landing! / kitchen stairs going up to our office

entrance - dome ceiling / dining side looking at entrance

dining room stairs / booth arches

kitchen hoods, pretty huge! / installing the ceiling...way too much detail!

electrical panels / you think we have enough light switches here?

We're being framed!

2009-12-09T08:41:00.019-07:00

Busy, busy, busy! All the guys are working hard and things are looking good. The framers have just about finished their job, so if you have good imagination you can visualize what it might look like from the photos below.

Mike from TAP & Sons Electric (480-507-2900) is installing all of our electrical needs. And Steve from Maricopa AC (480-941-3945) is making sure that we will keep cool in those hot summer months! Lets not forget Ron from Allen Co. Construction (480-2892722) who is making sure that all the jobs are done perfectly. Thanks to all the guys, you're doing a terrific job!!

Our first construction photos

2009-11-09T15:11:00.018-07:00

It was loud and dirty but who cares! Our NEW Matta's is under construction!

A few words from MaryLou...

2009-11-09T08:33:00.001-07:00

"WOW! Gretchen, what a wonderful slide show video you have produced,including our song,"Mucho Corozon".
I Mary Lou Matta, the Matriarch, tip my sombrero to you and Peter for all the work and promotion you have undertaking. I do declare,you and Peter are the epitome of success and Mattas Grill and Cantina will be a great place to go visit and enjoy great food and nice and friendly atmosphere when it opens. Congratulations and many thanks to all groundbreaking participants, our special Dignitaries, family members, friends, customers, employees and new prospective customers. Thank you all for your presence and support.
Lets not forget the Matta Teens, who were so gracious passing out Mattas T-shirts with Mattas Logo and Mattas hot sauce to everyone. What a wonderful gesture. I am looking forward to the Grand Opening!"

Groundbreaking Video

2009-10-21T10:56:00.011-07:00

A big thank you to all of our friends for joining us at the much awaited groundbreaking ceremony of Matta’s Grill & Cantina!

Below is a list of family, employees, friends and customers that celebrated with us. Some customers had been eating at Matta's 50 years, some 30 years, some their whole lives and some 2 years! Employees that were there ranged from 27 to 5 years working at Matta's...and we truly care about and appreciate all of them!

Our thanks to: MaryLou Matta-Garza, David & Carlotta Matta, Stan Sanchez, Marty Derito, Mayor Scott Smith, Kyle Jones, Bill Jabjiniak, Sylvia & Harry Saffell, Jeremy, Ted, HC, Jeff, Andrew, Dominic, Joseph, Sandy, Chris, Kim, Shelby, Elliot, Todd, Emma, Sean, Steve, Beth, Joe, Amy, Miranda, Jennifer, Michael, Thom, Johnny, Helen, Milena, Carol, Reuben & Ofelia Lopez & Family, Monique, Marin, Raquel & Quirino, Sandra, Josie, Michelle, Linda, Debbie & Mike, Vicki, Sally Harrison, Leigh White, Frank & Marge Tau, Helen & Lee Degroff, Gloria & Don Traicoff, Edward & Larry Schwab, Doreane and Geiselhart, Rita Faulstick, Irma and Les Wagoner Sr.,Tonya Collins, Judd Borrmann, Allen,Connie & Darin Chisholm, JoAnn and Les Wagner Jr., Patsy Johnson, Cynthia Brummett, Jan and Jonathan Johnson, Kathy McDonald, Gary Gaines, Jessica Wilson, Sue & Alex Brown, Heather Gearns, Patsy Johnson, Ruth & Guy Buckley, Ken & Kathy White, Stephanie Wright, TJ, Jean & Bob Szeman and our Mariachis: Mario & Heriberto.

Matta's on channel 5 news

2009-10-16T12:28:00.004-07:00

Wanted to share the news clip from channel 5 KPHO of Matta's Groundbreaking.

We have lots of people to thank for supporting us and I will do that as soon as I get the photos sorted through so you can see what a great time it was!

Matta's Article

2009-10-09T10:43:00.005-07:00

We are so excited about our groundbreaking ceremony this tuesday, October 13th at 9am, that we decided to give the first 100 people that show up something special to remember the occasion. Our supply is limited, so when we run out then we're out. So show up at Mesa Riverview at 9am! If you're not sure where we are, we are on the corner across from Toby Keith's place.

Also, I wanted to give everyone the link to an article about the new Matta's on the City of Mesa Website.
Click here to read it

Special event

2009-09-26T15:42:00.007-07:00

Great news everyone, very soon we will be having our GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY and we would love for you to join us!

The date is set for Tuesday, October 13th at 9am. I will post more details here as I get them.

Busy, busy, busy

2009-08-24T15:57:00.006-07:00

There are so many details involved in planning a restaurant, but we are doing it all! Meeting after meeting, details gone over and over, all to make sure everything is done just right. The floor plans are almost out of engineering and will be in the hands of the city next. In the meantime we are working closely with the fine people at Burdette's to create our new tables, chairs, benches and cabinets. They will also refurbish some of the original Matta's wood pieces that we will be using. Brought home a sample chair today...so awesome!

There have been many people asking about when they can buy hot sauce and salsa online...not ready yet, we are working with a bottling company and I am still working on the new website.

We are also working on a fun new Matta's t-shirt that should turn a few heads.

Here's a picture of Peter, Jeremy (Allen Co.) and Gary (Burdette Cabinets) at a recent meeting. (sorry for the poor quality photo, I took it with my phone)

A little info

2009-08-11T12:18:00.005-07:00

Hi everyone! Sorry we have not posted any information lately, but things were moving like a snail for a while and there was really no news to tell.

Before I continue, let my introduce ourselves. We are Peter and Gretchen Matta. MaryLou and Manuel Matta (founders of Matta's Restaurant) are Peter's grandparents. If any of you know Peter then you know he was running the Main street location for many years, but mostly loved working in the kitchen. So if you don't recognize his face when we open it's because he was either in the office being the mastermind or in the kitchen cooking your dinner.

Now on to business. We have a great design for the new restaurant and think everyone will be very pleased! Our architect, Ted, has worked hard to put our ideas on paper. Not to mention some of his own great ideas!(thanks also to Jeremy!) If anyone out there is thinking of building a home or business I highly recommend Allen Homes for architecture and construction.

Our new Matta's will be 5000 square feet, including the kitchen. We will be using some of the old fixtures from the original Matta's. Our wishes are to keep the same Spanish /Mediterranean atmosphere. We will be a full service restaurant with a Cantina, an outside patio and a separate take out area. Things are running full steam ahead now!

Matta's new home

2009-05-11T09:43:00.008-07:00

The temporary sign is up at Mesa Riverview! Thought we would share a few photos of the exact location. The 1st photo shows how close we will be to the Cinemark theater, the 2nd, the corner where our doors will be, the 3rd, our sign along with our contractor Allen Company, the 4th is a view of our future outside patio. We are so excited about this!

2009-05-10T12:49:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day !!!!

Getting closer

2009-05-06T17:50:00.003-07:00

...I've been hearing Pete talking on the phone and making arrangements to get moving. I think it's about to start.

A BIG thank you!

2009-04-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

Thanks for being so patient. I know it has been a while since anything has been written here.
To everyone that has emailed or left comments here, your stories and concerns are greatly appreciated!

Now to answer the big question that everyone has been asking,"When will the new Matta's open?"

We do not have our projected opening date yet, but as soon as I have more information I will write it here. The wheels are in motion and sometimes things take longer than we expect. Heck even our new neighbor Toby Keith is months behind his projected opening date!

Just a reminder, when you sign up on our mailing list you MUST open the welcome email and click on the confirmation link in order to receive our emails.

Don't forget to visit Matta's Grill located at 1105 N. Higley Road ( SE corner of Brown & Higley)

Hello friends of Matta's!

2008-12-03T10:00:00.003-07:00

Welcome to our Matta's blog! The purpose of this blog is to keep you informed about the building of our NEW Matta's Restaurant. We are so excited about this venture.

Let us assure you that no one was as sadly affected than we were about the closing of our beloved Matta's Restaurant on Main Street; however, we hope you will join us while we create memories in our new location at Mesa Riverview. This new location is a wonderful opportunity to be close to the convenient 202 and be a part of the Mesa Riverview community. By all means, hold on to your fond memories of the old Matta's and contact us with any fun stories you would like to share. We can't wait to hear why you love Matta's. And don't be surprised if your story shows up on our website.