Twin Locos Kitchen: Tempe’s Late-Night Flavor Haven
Hello Flavor Chasers,
If your cravings come alive after dark, Tempe’s newest culinary rebel has your back. Twin Locos Kitchen, which opened in July 2025, is already making waves with its bold, soulful Southern comfort food served until 4 AM. Located on the northwest corner of Mill and Southern, this fresh face on the Tempe food scene is turning heads and filling bellies.
The Twin Locos Kitchen Experience
One of the things we love to do as foodies is explore new restaurants and support small, locally owned gems. So when we discovered Twin Locos Kitchen, we were instantly curious. We stopped in on a Sunday afternoon for what we like to call our “Sunday late lunch, early dinner.” Since the restaurant is new, it was not busy, just two other patrons quietly enjoying their meals. We were greeted and seated right away by one of the twins, who, by the way, looks almost exactly like their logo. Kudos to whoever designed it!. Once we got settled with our drinks, the second twin came from the kitchen to greet us, too, which was a lovely touch. While perusing the menu (and honestly struggling to choose, because everything sounded tempting), we finally landed on the 2-piece catfish combo with fries and collard greens.
While waiting for our food, the twins’ dad came over. He introduced himself and mentioned he’s a part-owner. As a former Midwesterner, he shared their vision for the restaurant, and let’s say…we were all in. We understood the assignment. Both the twins were attentive to us and gave us status on our food, which was greatly appreciated.
Once the food arrived, we were ready to dig in….
Okay, are you ready for it?! Here it goes…
What you get in the 2-piece Catfish order: your protein, your side, and 2 pieces of what looks like those King Hawaiian rolls, with tartar and hot sauce on the side. First bite, collard greens. It was like Grandma snuck into the kitchen. They had a subtle heat but nothing overpowering. Seasoned to perfection, tender with a rich olive hue that whispers hours of slow simmering. Earthy, soulful, and just the right texture. Not mushy, not tough. Just... love in a bowl.
Next up, catfish. That first bite had us shouting: IT’S REAL CATFISH! Well-seasoned, delightfully flaky, with that unmistakable earthy depth. And yes, we’re making a fuss about the “real” part, because we learned a few years back that some restaurants were actually selling Swai in place of catfish, but still selling it as catfish on the menu.
Not to get off track, but this is an educational moment. Let’s break it down. What is the difference between Swai and Catfish?
Species & Origin
According to an article found on medicinenet.com, “Is Swai Fish the Same as Catfish”, catfish is native to North America, especially the channel and blue catfish varieties. They’re regulated by the U.S. FDA and typically farmed in clean, controlled environments.
According to that same article and a blog post found on a-z-animals.com, “Swai Fish vs Catfish: 3 Key Differences Explained”, Swai: Native to Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand). It’s part of the Pangasiidae family and often marketed as “Vietnamese catfish,” though it’s technically a different species.
Taste & Texture
As for taste and texture. A post made on reptileknowledge.com titled, “How Can You Tell the Difference Between A Catfish and a Swai Fish;
Catfish: Mild, slightly sweet flavor with a firm, flaky texture. It’s fluffier and has ridges when fried.
Swai: Also mild and flaky, but the texture is softer and can be mushier. It may curl at the ends when cooked.
Swai is generally cheaper and widely available in frozen fillets, while catfish tends to be slightly pricier but more trustworthy when it comes to sourcing and flavor. So yes, Swai may be in the catfish family, but it’s not real catfish. And unfortunately, some restaurants haven’t been completely transparent with what they’re serving. That’s false advertising. You’re welcome. 😏
Now, back to the real reason we came, eating. We enjoyed our food so much that we did what any self-respecting foodie would do: placed a to-go order for one more 2-piece catfish. You know… to make it a fair split. Three pieces for you, three for me. FYI, their menu offers both a 2-piece and 3-piece catfish combo. But we were trying not to overeat. Yep, we failed. Gloriously. Overall, everything was so flavorful and soul-satisfying that you already know: we’ll be back soon.
What Else is on the Menu?
Twin Locos Kitchen in Tempe is serving up bold Southern comfort food, and their menu shows it. Here’s what else is on the menu:
Chicken & Waffles – A sweet-savory classic with a modern spin
Fried Shrimp – Juicy and seasoned to perfection
Wings – Flavor-packed and perfect for late-night cravings
Sloppy Joe – savory ground beef, simmered in a tangy-sweet sauce
Old Detroit Hot Dog – 100% beef, mustard, ketchup, relish, onion
Mac & Cheese – Creamy, cheesy, and soul-warming
Soul Food Got Jokes
Why didn’t the mac and cheese share its feelings?
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What Locals are saying about Twin Locos Kitchen
In the few months Twin Locos Kitchen has been open, they’re already receiving rave reviews. Check out some of what the locals are saying:
Community Buzz
“Best spot for late-night food and good vibes.” One reviewer swears by the catfish and wings, calling them top-tier for Arizona.
“Fairly priced and filled me up perfectly for lunch.” Another fan praised the catfish and the owner’s passion for the place.
“Great food followed by great service.” A newcomer to the area said the catfish was the best they’ve had since moving from the South.
What Stands Out
Fried catfish is getting rave reviews for flavor and texture.
The vibe is described as spacious, modern, and welcoming.
Open until 4 a.m. daily, making it a go-to for night owls and post-party cravings.
On platforms like Yelp, Twin Locos Kitchen is currently averaging 5.0 stars from early reviewers.
Why We Love Twin Locos Kitchen
We love Twin Locos Kitchen because it’s not just about food; one of the things we appreciate the most about this establishment is that they stay open late. That is something we were used to back in Chicago, but since living out here in Phoenix, there aren’t too many places besides clubs that stay open this late. To have an actual restaurant that we can dine at between the hours of 11 am – 4 am is a plus in our book. When crispy catfish and buttery collard greens taste like someone cooked just for you. It’s the kind of place where the mac & cheese has emotional depth, the wings come with attitude, and the vibe is equal parts modern and soulful.
Locals say it’s the best catfish in Arizona, and we believe them. The space is spacious, welcoming, and full of flavor, with a menu that hits every comfort note. Whether you’re winding down after a night out or chasing a midday craving, Twin Locos delivers Southern hospitality with a Tempe twist.
Southern Bites & Soulful Trivia
What staple soul food side dish combines cornmeal, flour, and buttermilk before hitting hot oil?
You’ve got the ingredients: cornmeal, flour, and buttermilk. Now all that’s missing is the crispy punchline.
Subscribe to the newsletter to reveal which soul food favorite sizzles its way to the top—and get more flavor-packed trivia delivered fresh every month
Vibes & Community
The space is modern, spacious, and buzzing with good energy. The owner’s passion is palpable, and the service? Warm and welcoming. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to linger, whether you’re solo or rolling deep with friends.
Best Time to Visit
For the tastiest experience at Twin Locos Kitchen in Tempe, here’s when to roll in:
Late-night cravings? Hit it between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. when the vibe is lively and the comfort food hits harder, locals love it as a post-party go-to.
Weekday lunch (11 a.m.–2 p.m.) is ideal for a quieter visit and quicker service. Great if you want to savor the catfish without the crowd.
Weekend evenings (6 p.m.–9 p.m.) bring more energy and foot traffic—perfect for soaking in the full Southern comfort vibe.
Whether you're chasing crispy wings or waffle dreams, Twin Locos serves them hot till 4 a.m.
📍 Find It Here
3224 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ
Open daily from 11 AM to 4 AM
Twin Locos isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a mood. A flavorful, late-night, Southern-fried mood. Pull up and taste what the hypes' about.
Final Thoughts
Tucked into Tempe’s late-night scene, Twin Locos Kitchen is the kind of place that doesn’t just serve food, it serves mood. From the crispy catfish that locals swear by to collard greens that taste like someone’s grandma snuck into the kitchen, every bite feels like a Southern love letter.
Whether you’re rolling in at noon or 2 a.m., the vibe is welcoming, modern, and full of flavor. It’s where fried shrimp meets golden waffles, and mac and cheese gets emotional (literally, ask the joke corner). With rave reviews and a menu that hits all the comfort notes, Twin Locos is quickly becoming Tempe’s go-to for soul food with soul.
How does Chasing Flavors with E&J rate Twin Locos Kitchen
7 out of 10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CATFISH TIP: While the fish is cooked to perfection, if you’re someone who likes your catfish a bit on the crisper side, we recommend asking for the fish to be fried hard
When was the last time comfort food saved your night? Tell us what dish you’d dive into at 2 AM—and don’t hold back on the sauce.
