HISTORY
Maricopa
A taste of history This historic Mexican seafood spot was once a recognizable landmark for people driving across the railroad tracks at John Wayne Parkway and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway. Mariscos El Pulpo Loco — The Crazy Octopus, in English — was owned by Maricopa resident Eliva Coronado. It sat where the North John Wayne Parkway overpass is now, right next to the demolished NAPA Auto Parts. “The name came from my husband and cousin. They walked in one day and decided they had thought of the greatest name: The Crazy Octopus,” Coronado said in 2010. “I found it hilarious and said, ‘Hey, why not? It will make people laugh.’ And who will forget that name?” The storefront featured a bright sign with — who would have guessed — an octopus. It is unknown exactly when the restaurant closed, but we know it was still serving seafood in 2010. By December 2015, Spoons Chi Town Café had opened in its place. In 2018, the building was demolished to make way for the John Wayne Parkway overpass. Coronado shared the recipe for Bistek Ranchero, her specialty dish, with InMaricopa before the restaurant closed:
BISTEK RANCHERO Ingredients Steak Half an onion Tomato Jalapeños Cup of cooked rice Can of beans Flour or corn tortillas Directions
To make this dish, cut the steak into chunks and dice the onion half and the tomato. Then sizzle and grill the steak, onions and tomatoes until they’re browned together. Add jalapeños to taste. Add the cup of rice and can of beans and sizzle for 10 to 15 minutes. Spoon the contents into a corn or flour tortilla and enjoy.
NOW AT KARSTEN’S ACE HARDWARE
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY For these and other historical stories, visit InMaricopa.com.
AUGUST IS THE TIME TO PREP FOR FLU SEASON
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The first public outdoor pickleball courts opened at Copper Sky Recreational Complex. The city budgeted $400,000 for the six courts, which are pro standard with shaded walkways in between. Before the courts opened, pickleball players played on makeshift courts in the gymnasium.
The city’s first RadioShack store closed its doors at Maricopa Professional Village and reopened down the street at Maricopa Market Place. “Commercial taxes have risen every year since I’ve been in Maricopa,” franchisee Ronald Beasley said. “The rent for this space has gone up each year by 3.5% and it doesn’t make sense for me to have this big of a space for my store. I don’t need it.” Barro’s Pizza immediately announced it would take over the suite.
Five teenagers were arrested for stealing thousands of dollars of video game discs from DVD & Game Depot. The teens used a large rock to break into the bygone entertainment store, 44400 W. Honeycutt Road, grabbed the merchandise and fled. Police later arrested all five kids age 15 through 17 and collected $1,800 in stolen merchandise. Because they were minors, court records are not available to the public.
Representatives from two Phoenix firms, Gilleland and Brubaker Architects and D. L. Withers Construction, presented site plans for Pima Butte Elementary School to the Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board. The 40,500-square-foot school would go on to open 11 months later.
Cheryl & Dave Karsten
21542 N John Wayne Pkwy, Maricopa (520) 494-7805 • www.KarstensAce.com
InMaricopa.com | August 2024
August 2024 | InMaricopa.com
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