Meet Emmnauell Maldonado | Owner, mariscos playa hermosa, sabor a playa, and cielo rojo

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emmnauell Maldonado and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emmnauell, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
We already had a successful restaurant in phoenix, arizona. I was enjoying myself, my daily routine and things were great, we were very blessed in that location. But, something was always inside of myself, i don’t really know what it was or how to describe it, but i felt i could do more, creatively. I guess I knew what it was because I would try new things, new dishes, drinks, types of events – but they would not that work at that restaurant (mariscos playa hermosa). I think what I really wanted was a new outlet to explore that creativity more. The opportunity then presented itself when a building my family and I were renting out too ( a former taco shop) became vacant and subsequently destroyed by that tenant – as I was renovating it for rent again… I thought to myself, why don’t I try and open a new restaurant. The worst thing that can happen is that it fails and I just rent it out again to someone else. With the support and backing of my family/business partners… I jumped on it. I didnt actively seek out to open a new restaurant but I believe when life gives you opportunity, and you have ability, you should not ignore the signs. Thanks to god, we will complete one year open in march.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Well, at mariscos playa hermosa we are a mexican seafood/mariscos restaurant. We specialize in that of course, and we strive to create not only delicious food and drinks but in the creation of a memorable experience. We are known as the best mexican seafood in arizona and some say, the southwest. Since 2002 we have created dishes that are unique to us and the valley; we try to constantly evolve and re-establish ourselves within the local community.

At Cielo Rojo, I felt there was an absence in authentic home-cooked meals, like how I had growing up as a young boy in a mexican family and when we would travel home to visit in salvatierra, guanajuato, mexico. But doing so, in a more casually elevated environment. Things like mole, largas (xl tacos), cuts of steak presented in a mexican way, steak tartare done ceviche style…. all these things dont exist in the so-called “new mexican restaurant” trend that seems to be popping up everywhere lately. I thought to myself, If im going to take on this risk I want to do it exactly how I want to do it and not do what every new restaurant seems to be doing. I believe we have accomplished that goal and are still working hard to create the perfect menu – for us.

Was it easy? No. 2020 was not easy. Coming back from 2020 was not easy. Then putting all of our eggs into a new basket has not been easy. But what is easy is family. We are a family-run business and everything we do we do it together and work hard together and by the grace of god we are still here, trying our best, overcoming anything that life throws at us. We dont have investors, we don’t have large celebrity backing, or viral trending things… we are just a small family business that want to make great food, delicious drinks, create a wholesome-family friendly environment that can stand the test of time. We love being on 16th st in phoenix – we hope to be here forever.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If you’re visiting phoenix… you have to come have lunch at mariscos playa hermosa, on 16th st and garfield. Then, have dinner at cielo rojo and have a few cocktails and maybe our “jefe” porterhouse with some delicious zarandeado shrimp appetizer. After youve done that… please support the many local, amazing, food trucks and small latino-owned restaurants in the valley. From sushi to burritos, to even mexican pizza – you can find it all. And you should!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Every single person in my life deserves a shoutout. A very special shoutout to a few individuals, however. My wife, first and foremost, for always pushing me to be more – to be greater. My children, Axel and Luna, everything I do is for them… I work very hard for them to be proud of what their dad does and is doing. I would not be where I am if it were not for my dad, Jose Alfredo. I had graduated law school, studying for the bar, already working… when I took a leave to come help my dad out at his restaurant after a pretty big health scare in 2016. Thanks to him, my eyes and my heart opened up to a world where for the first time in my life I was excited to work. I was always a creative person, but I knew my parents wanted me to become a lawyer so I just shut that part of myself off. When I started working with my dad… I don’t know, I awakened. I would not be where I am, who I am, and would not have built what I have with Cielo Rojo, Sabor a Playa, and Mariscos Playa Hermosa without him being my inspiration and first opening that door for me. Lastly, my sister Yesica. For absolutely everything she does in all of our businesses and for always keeping me grounded but allowing me to explore, create and dream big. And of course, the many many families who work with us to accomplish our goals and dreams. We would be nothing without the support and care that our teams give us and to our clients. They are the best.

Website: mariscosplayahermosa.com and www.cielorojo.restaurant

Instagram: @mariscosplayahermosa @cielorojophx