‘George Lopez’s Chingon Kitchen’ coming to Vee Quiva
November 16, 2018
Christopher Lomahquahu
Gila River Indian News
A special visitor with a distinguished career in entertainment is bringing his love of food and family to the Gila River Indian Community.
Chingon Kitchen, a Mexican restaurant started by comedian George Lopez, will open at Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino early next year. The partnership was announced at a special engagement at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino Shula’s Steakhouse on Nov. 3.
Gila River Hotels & Casinos Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Manuel said in a press release, “We are proud to partner with a beloved comedian and personality like George Lopez and introduce his exciting dining concept to Arizona.”
This is the second restaurant Lopez will be opening at a tribal gaming entity. Last year, Lopez opened his first restaurant with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ casino located in California.
Lopez said, “When people come to you with ideas, usually they go away as fast they come, but the idea of creating [this] restaurant was probably from my grandmother, who raised me and cooked for me.”
He said when people pass away, they don’t write down their recipes, and ventures like the restaurant are about remembering his grandmother, because everything is all connected through food.
Lopez, said, “If there’s one thing that connects us all is the food and the hands that make the food to all our family and those that gone-on before, this restaurant that I’ve created is a tribute to all of that.”
The restaurant will introduce a Day of the Dead theme and offer a variety of Mexican dishes. They will serve wood-fired carne asada, herb crusted rotisserie chicken and spit-fire al pastor, said the press release.
Lopez said, “With my other restaurants and the one here, it’s things people can clearly understand when ordering, like burrito and churros…but with Chingon, it’s Chingon, so I am really excited about expanding the brand.”
As a very hands-on individual, Lopez sees himself visiting and observing the operation of each of his restaurants.
Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis thanked the casino leadership for making the partnership possible. He also commended Community Council representatives for working with the Gila River Hotels & Casinos, to make the partnership possible in bringing Chingon Kitchen to the Community.
“We are welcoming a friend of our Community, Mr. Lopez and the opening of Chingon Kitchen,” said Lewis, “It’s going to be a great addition that will be added to the line-up of restaurants [here].
In the press release, Manuel said, “We are constantly working to give our guests the best in dining, entertainment and gaming, and George Lopez’s Chingon Kitchen will fit in perfectly with that goal at Vee Quiva.”
“It’s very Chicano, and the price point is very incredible as well,” said Lopez, “You have a tremendous partner with me and I am very excited with the opening of [the] restaurant and as the times goes on with the restaurants.”
