Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill

Used to be one of the most consistent restaurants but time & finances must have finally caught up. Food recently was only ok but took too long to get & service in bar not good. No more complimentary signature corn bread?!

Steff has been super amazing she makes it fun to come here big shout out to her. Food was bomb as usual catfish was good margaritas were excellent I love this place!!!

The place is nice and the anturaj feels great. What I love the most about this place is the service. All the workers are polite and very nice. The place is very clean and feels home.

We use to love coming here for their happy hour, appetizers and their cornbread. Something has changed at the restaurant it is like they are desperate to increase revenue which seems to reflect in the level of service and increase prices. Their signature corn bread is no longer free… which is understandable; but it is just not the same restaurant we use to visit at least 2x a week.

This used to be a great place for happy hour– Not anymore. The prices rose considerably, almost to the point of ridiculous. The food is still decent but not worth it without the great happy hour pricing they used to have.
We also ordered the cornbread (no longer free, but they now donate the proceeds to chairty), which is made to order. We were told it was taking a little longer because it was in the oven. After about 30 minutes AFTER we finished our dinner, the cornbread came out cold. I asked the server to throw it in the microwave but she did end up replacing it. Must have been a screaming hot oven.
Also, after reading some of the reviews citing similar complaints as mine and getting harrassed by the business owner is incredibly disappointing. That fact alone motivated me to write this review about my recent experience there. Sorry Z, you just lost a customer.
UPDATE — I too got the harrassing email from Greg C regarding this review. I also got an email from Z Tejas directly confirming they have no affiliation with Greg C (thank god! That guy has issues to harass people giving their opinion about a restaurant). The email from Z Tejas offered his apology regarding my experience and offer to come in and discuss what they are doing and why. Appreciated, but not necessary. He also said he just dropped off a check of $ 25,000 to the Pheonix Children’s hospital, which is a wonderful thing. I would gladly pay $ 3 for cornbread to continue the donations.

Not saying this is an elegant Latin Fusion Restaurant with a high end atmosphere and ambiance. But for the price, amazing waiter service, quality food and cleanliness, this place is a legit Tex-​Mex Restaurant.
Great Strawberry Mojito, Green Chile Chicken Barboa Enchiladas, Chips and Salsa…
Ask for Bradley… Great waiter!

This place is always a great stop! The food is consistency good, love the pan of piping hot corn bread, the shrimp, guacamole appetizers are so yummy! The staff here is also what makes it a regular spot for us. Friendly, prompt and pretty funny as well! Also, the Saturday and Sunday bloody Mary and mimosa bar is awesome. They start you off with either vodka or champagne and you get to add all of the accoutrements !

Wow so ok… From the words of our server, «In order to „class up“ the same menu z Tejas has adjusted the menu.»
Don’t be fooled– it’s the SAME menu, they want you to drink for cheap at $ 5 per drink but they want you to pay more for the same food as before in order to earn a star or put some cash in the CEO’s pocket book. Oh…
NO MORE COMPLEMENTARY CORNBREAD.
They’re masking it with «we donate proceeds to …» And next they’ll give 50% of the proceeds somewhere else…
This is not a fine dining restaurant. It’s a happy hour with a bar. If you want to attract a crowd or earn a star, change the menu and your style of serving.
Wow. Disappointed returning customers and Won’t be back.
How’s that for your pocket book.

No more complimentary cornbread — raised happy hour prices and didn’t raise quality or change menu. Server have a bs answer that they are trying to «class it up» and be «more of a fine dining restaurant».
I had to have our server take 3 kids drinks for $ 2.95 a piece off of our check that should’ve come with the meal. We were also charged for our brothers birthday dessert which we just paid for, not knowing if a birthday dessert is usually comped or not.
We ordered an additional dessert too. Promise we aren’t cheap… just disappointed.

I’ve been eating at Z Tejas since ’96 at Fashion Square (Tatum is closer to us now.). Normally always good. Awesome table side quac! Wish they would bring back the original orange peel, spicy fajitas!
****Don’t try to run in 15 minutes before they close and order food — They tell you on the phone they are still serving, but at least 3 times we’ve gotten there and they say it’s too late to order:-(. Very annoying, especially as a long time customer.

Nice ambiance and staff is usually friendly. I’ve enjoyed happy hours at the bar as well countless meals (lunch and dinner) over the years inside (cozy) and both sides of the patios. Friends, family, work, dates… all works here. Do not expect «mexican» fyi — stick to tex-​mex definition (blend of Mexican and Southern American). Great cornbread that comes out pre dinner. I’ve never been disappointed. It can be pretty busy on the weekends. Enjoy.

My wife introduced me to this place when we first started dating, she worked here when she was in high school and bragged how great it was. I was immediately obsessed, margaritas are my drinks of choice and the Frusions taste amazing and pack a punch as well. As far as the appetizers I enjoy the Tejas trio and the tostada bites. When it comes to entrees go you can’t go wrong with the Jerk Salad, my wife taught me to substitute the Chicken with Ahi. She also got me hooked on the fajitas as well, I’m a chicken guy but the steak ones are tasty as well.
We stopped here on Sunday with my wife’s family and my best friend, «Bubba» waited on us and was super attentive and accommodating. We were very impressed with his personalized service.
I’m a little disappointed to hear that the one in south coast plaza closed but despite the new ownership, it’s still one of my favorite restaurants to visit when I’m in Arizona.

Wonderful Happy Hour. It’s a bit expensive otherwise but the quality of the food is always outstanding. They also serve fresh corn bread when you arrive and on Sundays have build your own Mimosa or Bloody Mary bar!

Friend and myself had lunch today at Z Tejas. It was a very nice lunch, nice décor, very good service, endless refills on our ice teas. I had the Z Chicken Salad (cilantro pesto chicken, mixed greens, bell peppers, Roma tomatoes, Jack & Cheddar cheese with a sundried tomato basil vinaigrette) at $ 12.75 and my friend had the Achiote Chicken chopped salad (iceberg lettuce, avocado, bacon, black beans, Cotija cheese, roasted corn, pepitas, Roma Tomatoes,
red cabbage and Ranch vinaigrette at $ 13.00. It came with a hot cornbread served in a hot skillet with honey butter on the side. The portions were very generous and I would definitely return again.

I stop in this location frequently. I have been going to Z’Tejas since the 90’s in Las Vegas and happy I can still go to this restaurant. Their Jerk Chicken salad always hits the spot.
What really keeps me coming back to this location is the service. The general manager Mike is amazing! He comes out to your table to make sure everything is as you’d expect. It seems no matter when I go there, Mike is working and looking over the place like he owns it.
Ask for him when you dine in.

With our recent relocation to Scottsdale we were referred to Z’Tejas Grill.
The service was sub par at best and the food was marginal. We tried the Table side Guacamole with great disappointment.
The salsa is very average as well.
Overall it was a disappointment and we will keep looking.

We have been here numerous times over the years and the food and service have always been excellent. Over the last few months, however, we have noticed a decline. Servers who had been there a long time are gone — replaced by some very incompetent ones. The food does not seem to be as fresh as it used to be. The famous corn bread is dry anymore. There always were highly visible managers wandering around but haven’t seen them in a while, even when we were there on a recent Saturday night. On that visit I think the server started several hours prior to our arriving. He did not know the menu and service was painfully slow. All we wanted to do was get out of there. Our son’s hamburger was not cooked as requested and the dressing on my Caesar salad was too spicy to eat. Shame on the server for not giving me a warning.
This restaurant had a lot going for it especially with it’s happy hour anywhere in the restaurant and was always crowded. I hope they get things turned around before it is too late.
Yesterday the local newspaper ran an article that this chain had filed bankruptcy.

LOVE this place. Outstanding service and management. First off, the margaritas. Oh, the margaritas. Nothing better than a frozen Chambord margarita on a warm day. Or a cold day. Any day! Their food is so consistent, and the salsa & guac are divine. I love the seared peppered ahi appetizer, with its blackberry wasabi sauce. The wild mushroom enchiladas are so delicious; there’s something about their tortillas that makes them awesome. The corn they make them from must be extra sweet. I have also enjoyed a steak here and it was delectable. So juicy, tender, and the gorgonzola sauce was just perfect.
Now for service: even though this is one of several Z’Tejas’s, the service I’ve experienced is that of a smaller neighborhood place. I almost always sit at the bar, so this is a shout out to them specifically. Marty – awesome. He’s been there for almost two decades I think and he is as friendly and upbeat as though it were his first day. Yet you can tell he’s a veteran since his style is a perfect combination of attentive and unobtrusive. He’ll gladly chat with you but won’t interrupt if he can tell you’re not in that mood. Rebecca and Julie – two beautiful sisters who both work behind the bar, both very personable and attentive. And Carla – pretty blonde with a wonderful smile, is delightful as well. Michael, the GM is always present, speaking with guests and he pays attention… I know this bc he remembers me and even who I came in with last time. Excellent neighborhood spot!

I usually don’t write a lot about chain restaurants, but this particular Z’Tejas deserves one from me!
I think over Z’Tejas serves up some good eats in general. I particularly love their cheese dip in their nacho cheese and chip appetizer. Warm, creamy, and cheesy along with some guacamole pop; great start to the night and I would totally recommend. They’re known for their margaritas, but I felt like a beer so didn’t have a chance, but definitely next time!
For entrees my friend and I shot for the Salmon salad, fajitas, and for myself I ordered the Smothered Chicken Burrito. I rather enjoyed my burrito filled with rice, chicken, cheese, and doused with warm red chile sauce.
However, the love I give here is because of their service. We had a party of 11 and they did their best to accommodate us on a busy night; even having a server come out to the front of the building taking our drink orders. Service did not slack all night and that’s what I appreciate; plus they were knowledgeable about their food. I’ve worked in the food industry all my life and in the end there’s never excuses just get it right and Z’Tejas Paradise Valley did! — Enjoy!

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Z’Tejas. Use to go there quite often when it was a new concept, but fickle I am. I’m delighted to say we had a great meal there tonight.
I had forgotten how much I liked the oven fresh cornbread that leads off the meal. I ordered the smothered chicken burrito. It carried some serious heat, which I loved, but I suspect it was more than the kitchen intended. Others in my party opted to share three happy hour appetizer specials. They enjoyed all three.
Our table was located within earshot of the bar. Tuesday?!? night and happy hour was in full swing. Volume increased as the night progressed and drinks multiplied, gradually making conversation at our table a bit challenging. Didn’t ruin the meal, but surely didn’t add to it either. Obviously, they still have a great happy hour at Z’Tejas. I’d recommend a table well away from that area. Or perhaps just join in the drinking.

HAPPY HOUR REVIEW:
The Happy Hour here is outstanding! I’ve come here a few times after work with friends on Friday nights and the place is packed and lively. I highly recommend you give it a try.
Yes, I know it’s a chain; but you’re in for a treat when you come here. And people just don’t leave because it’s 7pm and HH is over, some stay till closing. LOL
AMBIANCE/​MOOD:
The buzz and atmosphere on a Friday night is great. It’s mostly standing room only, but there are a few bar stools that open from time to time.
Somewhat modern, somewhat eclectic (see photo of the mounted Cadillac bumper), but very relaxed and friendly. The first thing you’ll noticed are the three flat screen, but no one is watching. LOL.
Everyone is just enjoying each other’s conversation, whether they’re with your group or not. Nice.
MENU:
I’ve taken several photos of the HH menu, but it’s $ 5 and $ 6 for most items. The standouts are the Mexican Street Tacos (addicting and a must) and the $ 5.00 Chambord Margaritas (they’re tasty and strong). I’ve also developed a craving for their Roasted Salsa and cheese Queso.
SERVICE:
If the service wasn’t good… well… you would still would come for the food, but it’s very good with all the servers working together.
The bar staff also seems to just stand in front of their frozen slushy/​Margarita machine all night. LOL They keep making one drink after another. There’s a fluidness to how everyone is just hustling. Nice!
FOOD:
I’ve mentioned the Chambord Margaritas, Street Tacos and Queso, are each good starting points.
PRICES:
Very inexpensive. Expect to pay $ 20 – 25 depending on how hungry you are and how addictive you become to their Margaritas. LOL!
So Four Stars and «yes, we’re a Fan.»
Enjoy!