I'm a little biased because I've loved Gecko Grill for years, and as I understand, they're owned by the same family.
My life was ruined, RUINED I tell you, when they closed the Gecko on Gilbert road and Guadalupe. They did open it up later on, up at baseline and greenfield but I live on the SE border of Gilbert, it was so far away that I rarely got to go.
So I tried the Moreno's in Queen Creek, (which... Queen creek is irritating to me in general), and having some of the same food kind of gave me my fix, but that place was always slammed and not quite the same, and it just didn't quite fill the void in my life. Or maybe my heartbreak was still too fresh. IT WAS TOO SOON.
But then, oh happy day, they built this Moreno's and opened it and made me the happiest of women.
I didn't want to go during opening week. You CANNOT judge any establishment by opening week, and I didn't want to start the relationship out on rocky footing.
We waited until tonight, and oh how glorious! How poignant and sweet! The food' to die for! The chips so warm and light and crisp! The cheese crisp so gooey on top and crunchy on bottom! The salsa and bean dip! Oh glory!
I had the Pollo Fundido- piping hot, golden crisp on the outside, steamy soft and tender on the inside with hot steamy white chicken breast and some delectable sauce. Other dishes had at our table were the fried shrimp platter... mini beef chimis... the special chimi with spinach queso sauce... the spinach enchiladas, and a steak-topped taco salad...
it was all so good.
The manager stopped by to chat and I got a little twitterpated and verklempt. I told her how deeply I'd been hurt by the Gilbert/Guad Gecko closure... and she sent out a complimentary queso and chips... the angel.
I love this place. My new home-away-from-home.