The Mission brings elevated Latin cuisine to Epicenter in Gilbert

🥑 After a few ‘‘friends and family’’ sessions over the weekend, The Mission‘s third Valley location officially opens today in Gilbert.

It takes over the former Belly space at Epicenter at Agritopia on the northwest corner of Higley and Ray. The Southeast Asian-inspired concept closed in December 2024 after two years.

The Mission serves modern Latin cuisine. Menu highlights include house-made tortillas, tableside guacamole, and standout dishes such as duck carnitas empanadas, Corona Jidori chicken thighs, jalapeño crab tacos, and Iberico pork pluma.

The Gilbert restaurant features two distinct spaces – a lighter front dining area with the airy feel of an enclosed patio, and a darker rear area with wood accents, a 20-seat bar, high-top community tables, and a Himalayan salt brick wall.

The Mission is open for breakfast and lunch, with weekend brunch to come soon.

Chef Matt Carter and partner Brian Rabb debuted the Mission in Old Town Scottsdale in 2008 and expanded to Kierland Commons in Scottsdale in 2017.

The duo’s other concepts are Italian restaurant Fat Ox and French eatery Zinc Bistro, both in Scottsdale.