East Valley’s 2nd Firebirds Wood Fired Grill opens today near Gilbert’s SanTan Village

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, a North Carolina-based chain of American grills, officially opens to the public today on the northeast corner of Val Vista and Williams Field in Gilbert.

Firebirds’ menu features hand-cut aged steaks, fresh seafood, chicken, and ribs grilled over locally sourced hickory, oak, or pecan wood.

House specialties include the aged ribeye, filet mignon, wood-grilled salmon, Durango Burger, grilled shrimp and strawberry salad, lobster spinach queso, and creme brulée cheesecake.

The Firebar, the focus of an enclosable patio,  serves craft beers, specialty cocktails, and a large wine list, including two private Firebirds labels.

The 7,026-square-foot restaurant is only the second in the nation to showcase the chain’s contemporary update to its longtime ‘‘upscale lodge’’ decor, but the exhibition kitchen remains.

The Gilbert location is the chain’s second in the East Valley. The first opened near Chandler Fashion Center in 2007.

Firebirds is open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Happy hour is 4-7 p.m. weekdays. Wine Down Mondays offer half-priced glasses and select bottles of wine all day.