Meet Marcus Heckman | Head Chef & Owner

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

Hi Marcus, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Fries are such a staple here in Arizona and we have all have grown to love them from childhood and even now as adults. My concept with Fry-Aholics is to keep those nostalgic flavors we all know and love and elevate them with fresh ingredients, surprising people with flavors they wouldn’t expect to find in loaded fries. Putting a spin on such a classic dish allows customers to view fries as not just a late-night comfort food, but as a high-quality dish option. My ultimate goal is to open my own restaurant in Tucson, then to take these concepts and flavors into Phoenix and all over Arizona.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I will simply put it like this, the moment I began working in a kitchen I have never left it. I have been blessed enough to experience cooking at many different types of restaurants. From casual dining all the way to gourmet & fine dining. There is nothing like being able to use your innovation and creative side in every dish you execute. I find myself getting inspired by certain smells and flavor profiles that I am surrounded by throughout my day. I plan to bring these very different cuisines and ideas to Fry-Aholics, years of mental and physical notes finally coming to life. Over these years I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with very talented individuals. The cooking styles, techniques and practices you witness in such a high-stressed and high heat environment is a type of motivation you can’t find anywhere else. Who would give that up?

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am actually from Phoenix Arizona and frequently have family and friends visiting me here in Tucson. I have noticed since moving here back in 2013 that Tucson is mostly known for their Sonoran-style Mexican food. Native American and Hispanic cultures are easily identified in so many local restaurants. However, there are a few places that I tend to always mention or visit when loved ones are in town. To begin, A great local breakfast spot we would go is to “Prep & Pastry.” Then head to Mount lemmon to get away from that Tucson sun and catch some beautiful views. Depending on the weather we maybe even end up getting some history lessons as the Pima Air museum. Once an appetite is worked up, we would need to end their visit with dinner at “The Hub” in downtown Tucson or “Flora’s Market Run”.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I cannot end this interview without giving recognition to my wife Marisela Encinas-Heckman. She is the reason I moved to Tucson in the first place, this is where her and her family are from and have stayed in for generations. She has supported me through everything and still does. She has always expressed to me that if I am all in then so is she. The support alone is amazing to have by my side, but she continually supports me in ways most cannot. She’s actually very talented in the arts and design. Luckily for me, she was the one that created my logo, all my flyers & menu designs. Mari is my rock, she is my other half I wouldn’t be where I am without her. I will always strive to be the best I can to support my wife and son Legend. These two are everything to me.

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