Ketzal Mexican Grill in Phoenix Arizona

Finally, after almost 18 months of living in North Scottsdale, we have found a great Mexican restaurant. But, it's not in Scottsdale; it's in Phoenix. And it is worth the trip.

First, let me explain about me and my love for good Mexican food. I moved here to Scottsdale 18 months ago from Southern California, Los Angeles County. After having lived there for 20 years, I had the Mexican restaurants scoped out, and I knew where to find the best taco, the best rice and the best beans. I mean, face it, the rice and beans are the real test of any Mexican food restaurant. I prefer the flavors and textures of Mexican food over any other type of food, except maybe watermelon.

But since moving to Arizona, we've not found those kinds of places. At least not in Scottsdale. Go into Phoenix and yes, they are there. I think Scottsdale is too new to have those little hole in the wall places that have been there for a couple of decades. And when you dine in Scottsdale, you rarely get just "regular food". Most places here have that "posh" factor added. We call it "Scottsdaled".

We found Ketzal by taking the road less traveled, so to speak. From where we live, north of North Scottsdale, out in the foothills of Rio Verde, instead of heading south to take the 101 and go west towards California (or Glendale, or Avondale), we go out Carefree Highway through Wickenburg and connect with Interstate 10 out there in the middle of nowhere just east of the boarder.

On the east side of the 17 there is a lot of new development happening. They've been doing lots of construction to the interchange, and put in new homes and shopping centers. On the south side of Carefree, about a mile east of the 17 is where Ketzal is located.

We'd driven by it a few times before they opened, and saw the sign. It was the "Mexican Grill" part that intrigued me. When it finally opened, we stopped in to try it.

The menu is simple. Appetizers, salads, soups, burritos and main dishes along with a very interesting drink menu. However, simple is not the word I'd use to describe anything else. When the server greets you, it's with a cone of corn chips and a platter of 7 different salsas and some chopped red onion. Yes, there is the Pico de Gallo, but also a creamy salsa, a dark green and light green - I'm not sure what they're called, other than "fabulous". There are red and a green roasted pepper salsas and a chipotle flavored one. All of them are very tasty, and not too spicy. Just right for a pre-meal snack.

I highly recommend anything with steak. Our first time there I had the Carne Asada tacos with rice and beans, with a small pile of chopped lettuce and tomato. The tacos are very simple, just the steak on top of fresh, thin and again, fabulous, tortillas. Our waitress told us that the family who owns Ketzal, also owns a flour factory on Sonora Mexico, and that's why the tortillas are so good. They know what they are doing. And, you can even buy tortillas to take home.

The rice is simple but tasty. The beans are good; they taste fresh with no lard flavor. But the steak! Moist, and cooked to perfection, the pieces just melt in your mouth. Even my daughter loved the steak, and she knows what she's talking about.

On our second visit, we just stopped in for takeout. I again ordered the carne asada tacos, and took the Burro Ketzal, with steak of course, home to my husband. I also order a "big thing" of their Pico de Gallo, which was a pint sized container.

He loved it. The tortilla is large, but since it's so stuffed with steak and a fantastic sauce, lettuce and tomato, it didn't wasn't over powering. He devoured it without sharing.

For our third visit, I decided to try something else. I ordered the Crème de Chili Pablano soup thinking I would share this with my husband since it was a pretty big serving. It was so good he'll have to order himself some next time we go. Thick, creamy and taste exactly as it should, like a Pablano chili. I'm going to say it again, fabulous.

Then I tried the Molcajete. Because I'm sold on the steak, I of course had it with steak. Maybe next time I'll try it with chicken but I'm not making any promises.

Again, perfection. Just as the menu description states, succulent strips of Marinated Grilled Steak with roasted peppers and onion with just the right amount of their Special Molcajete sauce, and sides of rice and beans and three warm tortillas. I couldn't share it, it was so good.

Each time we've been, ordering at least 3 menu items and drinks, plus the salsa and one time a dozen burrito sized tortillas, the bill came to around $50.

The restaurant itself is just the right size with about 15 tables and a good sized bar. Sit at the bar and enjoy the big screen TV's and the drink specials. Decorated in warm and inviting colors with lots of windows, the place seems bigger than it is.

My only disappointment? Is that it's a 25 mile drive from my house in Rio Verde. I asked the hostess if that was their only location and she answered that yes, it was their first try and if things went well, they'd consider opening another one.

To the owners of Ketzal - there is a new little commercial center that's just been built on Dynamite east of Pima in the Troon area. I highly recommend checking out the north-east spot, about the same sized as the one on Carefree with lots of windows and even some outside space for your guests to enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather.

In the meantime, if you live in the Scottsdale or north Phoenix area, I highly recommend taking the drive up the 17 to Ketzal.