Scottsdale, February 3, 2026
Dana Dumas, the culinary innovator and founder of SugarJam The Southern Kitchen, introduces Soul Fire Tacos in Scottsdale Airpark. This fast-casual dining concept aims to blend soulful flavors with Latin-inspired dishes, enriching the local culinary scene. Dumas’s entrepreneurial journey highlights the resilience and creativity that drive Arizona’s economy, further enhanced by favorable business conditions in the greater Phoenix area. The restaurant promises a unique fusion menu and significant contributions to the area’s vibrant small business ecosystem.
Scottsdale
Soul Fire Tacos Ignites Scottsdale Airpark
Culinary Innovator Dana Dumas Expands Horizon with New Fast-Casual Concept in Dynamic Business Hub.
The entrepreneurial spirit thrives in Arizona, with visionaries consistently launching new ventures that enrich the local economy and community fabric. In Scottsdale, a hub of innovation and growth, Dana Dumas, the founder behind the popular SugarJam The Southern Kitchen, is embarking on a new culinary journey. Her latest concept, Soul Fire Tacos, is set to open its doors in the bustling Scottsdale Airpark, marking another chapter in her impactful local business journey. This expansion highlights the resilience and determination of Arizona’s entrepreneurs, who continue to drive economic growth and job creation through creative business models and strategic investments.
This venture also underscores the favorable business climate in the greater Phoenix area, where an expanding population and supportive infrastructure create fertile ground for small businesses to flourish. Such environments, characterized by a focus on private investment and limited regulatory hurdles, empower innovators like Dumas to bring their ideas to market, fostering a dynamic commercial landscape that benefits residents and visitors alike.
A New Flame in Scottsdale’s Culinary Scene
Soul Fire Tacos, under the umbrella of Dumas’s restaurant group, SJ Concepts, LLC., is designed as a bold, culture-driven taco house, offering a fast-casual dining experience. The new establishment is located in the Scottsdale Airpark, just a short distance from SugarJam The Southern Kitchen. It aims to blend soulful flavors with Latin-inspired dishes, celebrating the synergy between diverse culinary traditions.
The Entrepreneurial Journey of Dana Dumas
Dana Dumas’s path to culinary entrepreneurship began with baking sugar cookies for friends and co-workers. This initial passion evolved into selling her cookies at local farmers markets after she moved to the Valley over a decade ago. In 2011, she opened her first bake shop near Scottsdale Airpark, which later expanded into SugarJam The Southern Kitchen. During a global pandemic, Dumas successfully relocated SugarJam to a larger, 5,000-square-foot space in the Scottsdale Airpark, transforming it into a full-service brunch restaurant, bar, and bakery. This move proved highly successful, exceeding her previous business metrics. Her dedication to Southern cuisine, inspired by her family’s culinary history, has made SugarJam a renowned brunch destination in North Scottsdale.
Soul Fire Tacos: A Fusion of Flavors
The menu at Soul Fire Tacos is crafted to offer a unique fusion, bringing together soulful favorites and Latin-inspired dishes. Offerings include beer-battered catfish tacos, short rib birria tacos, and crispy Japanese panko shrimp. The restaurant also features tequila lime wings and a signature item known as the Soul Roll, which combines golden-fried mac and cheese, candied yams, and greens. Daily rotating specials will also be available. Leading the kitchen operations is Chef Johnnie Dixon, a former NFL wide receiver, whose journey from professional sports to culinary arts imbues the brand with a spirit of resilience and authenticity.
Scottsdale Airpark: A Hub for Business Growth
The Scottsdale Airpark continues to be a vital economic engine for the region, attracting diverse businesses and fostering an environment conducive to commercial expansion. The Scottsdale Airport itself is undergoing a master plan update to accommodate projected growth, anticipating over 200,000 takeoffs and landings annually by 2044, underscoring its significant economic role. This area’s infrastructure and accessibility make it an attractive location for new ventures, benefiting from a thriving commercial ecosystem.
Phoenix’s Economic Landscape and Small Business Resilience
The greater Phoenix area is recognized for its robust economic growth, attracting substantial new investment and a growing population. This expansion creates an optimal environment for startup proliferation, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, real estate, and technology. The influx of young professionals and reinvestment by successful founders contribute to a self-sustaining entrepreneurial ecosystem. Arizona’s supportive policies and resources, including initiatives like the Arizona Small Business Growth Coalition, actively promote small business expansion and job creation (State-level). Organizations such as the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI) in Phoenix provide crucial support, including incubation space and resources, helping over 75 startups since 2013 to create 872 jobs, secure $135 million in capital, and generate over $177 million in gross revenue (State-level). Furthermore, 73% of American small businesses reported growth in the past year, with Phoenix-area small businesses also showing strong growth, despite facing challenges such as competition, supply chain disruptions, and inflation (Nationwide, State-level).
Looking Ahead: Supporting Local Innovation
The introduction of Soul Fire Tacos by Dana Dumas exemplifies the dynamism of Arizona’s entrepreneurial community. Her continuous innovation and expansion are a testament to the opportunities available when local leaders champion business development. The growth of small businesses, fueled by private investment and a streamlined regulatory environment, remains crucial for sustaining the economic vitality of Phoenix and Scottsdale. Supporting these local ventures is not just about patronizing new restaurants; it is about investing in the future prosperity and diverse character of our communities.
We encourage our readers to explore and support local businesses like Soul Fire Tacos and SugarJam The Southern Kitchen. Your engagement helps foster a vibrant economy and encourages continued entrepreneurial innovation throughout Phoenix and Scottsdale.
FAQ
What is Soul Fire Tacos?
Soul Fire Tacos is a new bold, culture-driven taco house concept by Dana Dumas, founder of SugarJam The Southern Kitchen, offering a fusionary fast-casual dining experience.
Where is Soul Fire Tacos located?
Soul Fire Tacos is set to open in the Scottsdale Airpark, near SugarJam The Southern Kitchen at N. Hayden Road and N. 82nd St.
Who is Dana Dumas?
Dana Dumas is the founder and CEO of SJ Concepts, LLC., and the entrepreneur behind SugarJam The Southern Kitchen and the new Soul Fire Tacos concept. She started her culinary journey by selling sugar cookies at farmers markets.
What kind of food will Soul Fire Tacos serve?
Soul Fire Tacos will serve a menu that combines soulful favorites and Latin-inspired dishes, including beer-battered catfish tacos, short rib birria tacos, crispy Japanese panko shrimp, tequila lime wings, and the signature Soul Roll, which features golden-fried mac and cheese, candied yams, and greens.
Who is the chef at Soul Fire Tacos?
Chef Johnnie Dixon, a former NFL wide receiver, leads the kitchen at Soul Fire Tacos.
How is the Scottsdale Airpark contributing to economic growth?
The Scottsdale Airpark is a significant business hub, with the Scottsdale Airport undergoing a master plan update to accommodate projected growth, forecasting over 200,000 takeoffs and landings annually by 2044.
Key Features of Soul Fire Tacos
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Concept | Bold, culture-driven taco house | Local |
| Location | Scottsdale Airpark (near SugarJam The Southern Kitchen) | Local |
| Founder | Dana Dumas (CEO of SJ Concepts, LLC.) | Local |
| Cuisine Style | Fusion of soulful and Latin-inspired dishes | Local |
| Signature Items | Beer-battered catfish tacos, short rib birria tacos, Soul Roll (mac and cheese, yams, greens) | Local |
| Head Chef | Johnnie Dixon (former NFL wide receiver) | Local |
| Business Group | SJ Concepts, LLC. | Local |
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