Restaurant Guide
Restaurant Guide
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LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
building located at 19395 N. John Wayne Parkway, just north of Exceptional Community Hospital. “I knew that spot from
for the trains there [recalling the days long before the current overpass].” Taking advantage of his construction past, Kovach and others “made all the tables and doors at Duke’s. We built it ourselves.” Summarizing the journey that has resulted in Duke’s Roadhouse, he said: “I’m having a blast!”
Amanda Atler took several years to find the right location in
Maricopa for her wine bar — in the office and shopping plaza at the corner of Smith-Enke and Porter Roads. Steve Kovach had prior experience with the location of Duke’s, which is the former A1 Pawn
the 1970s,” he remembered.
“I was going to school at Arizona State, but for three months in the summer I worked underground in the mines in Casa Grande. I used to sit and wait
Matt Farris, a Casa Grande country solo artist with a social media following of more than 60,000 on Facebook and Instagram, is a popular performer. “He will bring big crowds in,” Kovach confirmed, “and we’re getting people from Chandler, especially ones who follow the bands they like. We’ve had some really good Friday and Saturday nights.” In addition to the live sounds, Duke’s streams music videos. Kovah describes a “lot of moving parts” with video screens, lighting and sound systems. The capacity of 280 people is supplemented by two patios holding 70 people each and three bars. Kovach envisions opportunities to work closely with others in the city, including Mandy’s. For example, on June 11, Phoenix country solo artist Franklin Smith serenated dinner guests at Mandy’s ‘til 8 p.m., then set up on stage at Duke’s for a nightcap. “Farmers and people from the city here came to The Stillery and wanted us to come to Maricopa,” Kovach recalled. “There were a lot of corporate (restaurants) here, but no mom- and-pops and no live music to speak of. We had requests for it. I think we can have some real synergy between some of the other places and Duke’s.” Atler already sees some of that in play. “I like to think that our place is where people come to start their evening — and then we find them going over to Duke’s. I love that,” she said. “We’ve got an amazing set of customers, people who come in here daily, weekly, monthly. Then multiple tables I spoke with [the day of the interview] were trying us for the first time. “This is all consistent with my goal of if people are going out, they don’t have to go to Chandler or elsewhere. They can do it right here in Maricopa.”
Where Community Gathers
MANDY’S WINE BAR MandysWineBar.com Wednesday-Friday: Noon-9 p.m. Saturday:9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Brunch Saturday-Sunday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
41600 W. Smith-Enke Road, Suite 120 (next to Adobe Blinds and More) 520-728-4248 MandysWineBar.com
Live Music Thursday: 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
86 New Resident & Visitor Guide 2026 • InMaricopa.com/NewResidentGuide
InMaricopa.com/NewResidentGuide • New Resident & Visitor Guide 2026 87
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