Ixcateco Grill

Ixcateco Grill's chef/owner Anselmo Ramirez worked through the ranks in Frontera Grill’s kitchen for seven years, and then was promoted to Bayless’ famed four-star Topolobampo restaurant, where he worked closely with executive chef Tracey Vowell. “Working in Chef Bayless’ restaurants was like going to culinary school, and I am very grateful for the opportunity he gave me,” Ramirez said. He remembers that he once cooked for Senator Obama and his wife when they dined at Topolobampo. “That was definitely a thrill.”

Later, Ramirez had the opportunity to work with Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris, with whom he worked for two years. “I learned a lot from them, particularly the importance of using fresh local, organic ingredients,” he said. “They are healthy and taste best. Using this type of ingredients means I need to keep evolving my menu to stay seasonal. This is an exciting challenge and it has become my personal philosophy as a chef.”

Ramirez’ cooks with a well-honed feel for great flavor combinations, and this is readily apparent in Ixcateco Grill’s menu of delicious Mexican street food. His greatest joy is when guests tell him he takes Mexican cuisine to a whole new level.

As he puts it, “Cooking is my number one love. Watching people enjoy it is number two.”