Poolhouse Group, the family behind Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup and The Green Woodpecker, is bringing its next big idea to life with the debut of Poolboy Taco. Known for long lines at Aspen Food & Wine and buzzy pop-ups in Hollywood, Poolboy will finally have a home of its own this December in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood, taking over the former Gadzooks space at 40th Street & Camelback Road.
The new restaurant reimagines the 1950’s-era quick-service experience with a cheeky, design-forward vibe that blends festival energy with midcentury, poolside nostalgia. With interiors conceived in collaboration with local design firm House of Form, Poolboy is best described as a refined, escapist taco lounge where indulgence meets irony, where Slim Aarons meets Palm Springs.
The result is an environment that Poolboy has coined as ‘Quality Quick Service,’ with deliberately over-the-top yet tasteful energy: pastel neons, terrazzo flooring, brass accents, and sculptural banquettes that channel both retro diners and poolside cabanas. Guests will enter beneath striped awnings into a dining room filled with cushy red vinyl banquettes, terrazzo tables, playful murals, and a PHX heart wall installation. A golden seal sculpture serves as a tongue-in-cheek mascot, while outside, a cabana-style patio lined with hedges and striped seating creates a breezy extension of the dining room.
At just over 2,100 square feet, the space will seat around 45 to 55 guests, split between the interior lounge and dining areas and the outdoor patio. The kitchen has been enclosed in glass, giving diners a glimpse of the action. Ordering takes place at a bold new counter, accented with brass rails, striped fronts, and a retro “ORDER HERE” marquee. Drinks, including frozen cocktails, margaritas, and draft beer, are picked up at the counter and enjoyed in branded 32-ounce Poolboy cups, designed as collectibles.
The menu builds from the taco that started it all: the Poolboy Taco, also known as the “festival taco,” which has won multiple awards and built the brand’s cult following. Offered in both soft and crunchy versions, the Poolboy Taco will be joined by options including a beef taco, a breakfast taco, nachos, a composed enchilada, a salad, and even a bowl option. To keep things fresh, Poolboy will also feature a Taco of the Month program, designed to showcase collaborations with other local chefs, and limited-time creations. A salsa bar, featuring five house salsas ranging from pico de gallo to habanero, reinforces Poolboy’s laid-back approach while offering guests freedom to explore and experiment.For dessert, the restaurant will rotate cake varieties including carrot and German chocolate, alongside seasonal specialties that build on the Pool family’s tradition of craveable sweets.
For Pool, Poolboy fills a gap in the Arcadia dining landscape. “People here want a place that’s fun, social, and not overly expensive, but still feels special,” he says. “Poolboy is built to be that third space and a spot where you can grab a margarita, hang out on the patio, and feel like you’re somewhere completely different.”
Construction on Poolboy is scheduled to begin immediately, with the Arcadia Gadzooks last day of service being Saturday, November 8. Gadzooks staff will all remain with the company and shift to other locations.
