Poolboy Taco brings Palm Springs vibes to Arcadia
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Jessica Boehm/Axios
Arcadia's long-awaited Poolboy Taco is worth a visit for the ambiance alone, but the Southwest-inspired fare packs a punch, too.
Zoom in: Poolboy is more cabana than restaurant, with Palm Springs resort vibes that begin with the bright yellow exterior and striped patio umbrellas.
- Inside, you'll find loud splashes of baby blue, orange and red and enough natural light to make you think you may actually be poolside.
Catch up quick: Poolboy is the latest from Gadzooks Enchiladas & Soup co-owner Aaron Pool. It took over the former Gadzooks location at 40th Street and Camelback Road.
Best bites: Tacos can come in a crunchy corn tortilla or a soft half-corn, half-flour tortilla (my personal favorite).
- The Poolboy taco: Tomatillo chicken, jalapeno ranch and honey slaw combine with a custardy sweet-and-spicy cornbread (also available as a side) for an unexpected but delightful flavor explosion.
- The Aspen: I doused this taco — Wagyu ground beef, egg and cheddar — in a spicy green salsa from the impressive serve-yourself salsa bar.
Hear me out: The cornbread is the star of the menu.
- Is cornbread a weird side with tacos? Yes. Is it an even weirder thing to include inside a taco? Also yes.
- But don't knock it till you try it.
Pro tip: Poolboy is popular, but you can go around their 11am opening for a quieter vibe.
- When I arrived at 11:30am, I was the only guest. By noon, the line was out the door.