Cowboy Seafood Will Open in Phoenix This Friday

Chef Christopher Collins is debuting a new barbecue and seafood restaurant at Park Central.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Barbecue

Bold vector illustration of a barbecue grill and a serving board with shellfish and ribs, evoking a new restaurant opening. — Chef Christopher Collins will open Cowboy Seafood, a new barbecue and seafood restaurant, at Park Central in Phoenix this Friday. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you visit a new restaurant in your community that blends seafood and barbecue themes?

Chef Christopher Collins will open Cowboy Seafood at 3112 N. Central Ave in Phoenix this Friday. The restaurant features a diverse menu combining barbecue staples with a raw bar and sushi.

Why it matters

The opening marks the culmination of two years of development for Collins, who is leveraging 17 years of industry experience to launch the new concept.

Cowboy Seafood occupies a 5,000-square-foot space at Park Central. The kitchen utilizes specialized equipment including a smoker imported from Mesquite, Texas, a custom Santa Maria grill, and two rotisserie spits.

The players

Christopher Collins

He is the chef and owner who developed the restaurant concept based on 17 years of experience in the industry.

Common Ground Culinary

This organization acts as the operator for the new Cowboy Seafood restaurant in Phoenix.

The details

Common Ground Culinary operates the new venue, which offers a unique fusion of slow-smoked meats and fresh seafood dishes. The kitchen is equipped with professional-grade barbecue tools designed to execute a wide variety of cooking styles.

The restaurant will open for service on Friday, October 9, 2026.

Culture Shift

Cowboy Seafood reflects the growing trend of high-end barbecue venues diversifying their offerings to include fresh seafood and raw bar options. This shift positions the restaurant within a broader movement of culinary fusion that prioritizes versatile cooking techniques over singular traditional menus.

Residents in the Park Central neighborhood will have a new dining option starting this weekend. Visitors can expect a unique menu that spans from traditional slow-smoked meats to sushi and cocktails.

The takeaway

Diners interested in trying the new menu should note the diversity of cooking methods used, including specialized rotisserie and Santa Maria grilling. This venue highlights how modern restaurateurs are increasingly combining heavy barbecue profiles with lighter seafood ingredients.