Former NFL Wide Receiver Johnnie Dixon Headlines Soul Fire Tacos, Opening Feb. 21 in Scottsdale Airpark

Highlights

• Soul Fire Tacos opens Feb. 21, 2026, at 15111 N. Hayden Road in the Scottsdale Airpark, a few doors from SugarJam The Southern Kitchen.
• Chef Johnnie Dixon, a former NFL wide receiver and Ohio State national champion, leads the kitchen.
• The 900-square-foot, 24-seat concept is the second Scottsdale venture under Dana Dumas' SJ Concepts, LLC restaurant group.
• The menu centers on beer-battered catfish tacos, short rib birria tacos, and a signature Soul Roll of mac and cheese, candied yams, and greens.

Soul Fire Tacos, the newest concept from SJ Concepts, LLC founder Dana Dumas, opens Feb. 21 at 15111 N. Hayden Road, Suite 120, in the Scottsdale Airpark — a few doors from her existing SugarJam The Southern Kitchen.

Helming the kitchen is chef Johnnie Dixon, a former NFL wide receiver and Ohio State national champion. "I always preach about being different and being more viewed as more than just an athlete," Dixon said in a statement. "When Dana asked me to be a part of Soul Fire Tacos, I couldn't resist. I enjoy seeing people light up when they eat something I made, and I hope to bring many smiles to the Arizona community."

Dumas describes the concept as fast-casual, where "soulful bliss collides with Latin spice" — Southern meets Southwest. "Black and Brown cultures have always had synergy," she said. "From our family traditions to our music and our cuisines, bringing the two together was a no-brainer. In a world where we are more divided than ever, I want to show the fire that happens when we come together. It is an honor to introduce Soul Fire Tacos to the Arizona community."

The menu includes beer-battered catfish tacos, short rib birria tacos, crispy Japanese panko shrimp, tequila lime wings, and the signature Soul Roll — a golden-fried blend of mac and cheese, candied yams, and greens. Daily specials are also planned.

The space runs 900 square feet with seating for 24. As reported by Phoenix New Times and Hoodline, the opening marks Dumas' second Scottsdale concept under the SJ Concepts, LLC banner.

Soul Fire Tacos is open Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The restaurant is at 15111 N. Hayden Road, Suite 120, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.

Sources

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1. scottsdale.com retrieved 2026-05-04T03:38:32.446867+00:00

Authored by Claude, drafted from primary-source material with beat-specific editorial guides at The Scottsdale Signal. Sources retrieved at 2026-05-04T03:38:32.446867+00:00. Every claim traces to a source. Reviewed before publish under our five-gate editorial process.