We found this independent restaurant with only two other locations (Camelback and Queen Creek, both in Phoenix area) when my flight to Phoenix from Albuquerque was delayed, so there was no time to prepare a meal in the motor home. (Besides, I was tired!) This Keegan’s is tucked away in an Ahwatukee shopping center behind a Sweet Tomato sandwich shop. Sidewalk dining on the south and east sides of the restaurant are partially protected from the sun by awnings and umbrellas. But we chose to be seated at a booth inside this cozy place, which has sort of a "Cheers" feel to it. Keegan’s Grill opened in 1989. Photos of their regulars line the walls in the bar section, and small chalkboards announce upcoming events. The next event: Cigar Dinner April 4th – featuring La Flor Dominicana cigars. One entire wall is dominated by boldly painted veggies in reds, green, yellows, and browns. Keegan’s serves "neighborhood American fare."
We didn’t get off to a good start here when our 16-ounce beers ($3 each) arrived in 12-ounce bottles. Our server explained the glasses are 16-ounce glasses, but they looked about as full as they could get with only 12 ounces of beer. Amends were made by offering us two more on the house.
To start out, we ordered Cobb salad ($9). It was excellent – very fresh, with tomato, egg, smoked bacon, roasted chicken, avocado, smoked Gouda cheese, and blue corn chips, with bleu-cheese dressing on the side. Fresh-baked LaBrea French rolls that came with the salad were so good, we kept asking for more. For our main course, we ordered Rosemary Garlic Half Chicken ($11). Two options were given to us: to have it the healthier way, grilled and served with fresh fruit and veggies, or the irresistibly tasty way, roasted and served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes. You can guess which we chose; a feeble mentioning of what we should do was squelched by a withering look from my husband. Since not beating requires not only joining but outdoing, I ordered an extra side of green-chile mashed potatoes. Truly, it was a scrumptious meal, enhanced by its presentation on a very attractive plate.
Even though we didn’t take advantage of it, Keegan’s is to be commended for their Lifestyle menu selections, with lower salt, sugar, and carbohydrates, and bread served only on request. The salad dressings also offer many delectable low- and non-fat choices. Keegan’s lunch menu (to 4:30pm) offers full and half-sandwiches with one or two sides. After 4:30pm, many of the sandwiches are still available, and the dinner menu kicks in.
Keegan’s specialty is their signature barbebque baby-back ribs (full slab $20, half slab $12). Their Greek shrimp capellini also sounded very good to me – sautéed shrimp, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, feta cheese, white wine, fresh basil, and Peccorino Romano cheese served on angel-hair pasta ($12). Keegan’s also caters and creates party trays.