Meet David Johnson of Ocotillo Restaurant and Bar in Midtown Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Johnson.

David, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The story is that Walter Sterling, our Executive Chef and I worked together in multiple restaurants and dreamed of opening up our own space here in Phoenix. Through long contracted negotiations we were able to secure a property at 3rd Street and Flower in Midtown Phoenix, where we built Ocotillo Restaurant. It was our dream to be a part of the emerging Phoenix Market. We built a [New American] Full Service Restaurant on the location that is focused on a three part business plan, which includes a vibrant business lunch, weekday and weekend dinners, as well as an incredible a la carte brunch on the weekends. With an incredible amount of creative individuals playing key roles in the development of the said goal to create an all-encompassing two meal a day property. Another interesting attribute to the business is that we are able to accomplish an incredible amount of Private Event Dining to include business functions, holiday dinners, weddings, showers and family parties. We are well known for our ample patio space and extensive beverage program.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like any new business, the struggles have been to acquire new guests in an established market. We have been fortunate to garner so much support from the community and that word of mouth has been beneficial to us.

Please tell us about Ocotillo Restaurant and Bar.
We are proud to personally curate the guest’s experience when at Ocotillo and offer extensive menus and beverages to meet many divergent tastes and requirements.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If we could have done anything differently, we probably would have closed our Ocotillo Coffee Bar down earlier than we did. We attempted to open a dynamic midtown morning craft coffee and pastry bar on Flower Street, featuring the amazing Sightglass coffee beans out of San Francisco. Unfortunately, we were ahead of the development curve in our neighborhood and never had the urban density to make that venture a viable success.

Pricing:

• We offer an extenve selection of $5.00 wine glasses at Happy Hour that is always evolving

Contact Info:

• Address: 3243 N. 3rd Street
  (Between Thomas and Osborn, on SE corner of Flower Street & 3rd Street)
  Phoenix, AZ 85012
• Website: www.ocotillophx.com
• Phone: 602-687-9080
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocotillophx/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ocotillophx
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ocotillophx
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ocotillo-phoenix
• Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g31310-d8755537-Reviews-Ocotillo-Phoenix_Arizona.html

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