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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – A new Mexican restaurant has opened in Montevallo, adding another dining option for the city’s residents and visitors.

Xcaret Grill Mexican Restaurant, owned by Saray and Daniel Jimenez, offers authentic cuisine to the Montevallo community. The couple also owns Cozumel Grill in Pelham, adding another culinary presence in Shelby County. The restaurant held a grand opening on Thursday, April 24 and is located at 1032 Main Street Montevallo.

Saray discussed how the opening of the restaurant initially wasn’t planned, as she went to cosmetology school and was looking for a location to open a hair salon.

“I was looking for a location to open my hair salon, so I went on Google and this location in Montevallo appeared,” Saray said. “It was originally planned for a hair salon, but my husband suggested we open a new restaurant, and that’s how everything started.”

The name’s meaning, according to Saray, comes from the Mayan language, with the word “Xcaret” meaning “small inlet.” Xcaret is also a Maya civilization archaeological site located in Mexico on the Caribbean coastline of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Saray shared that she believes that the quality of food service is what sets Xcaret Grill apart from other restaurants in the area.

“Through the years, we have kept the same (high) quality,” Saray said. “Our prices are fair, but what customers like is our meat quality, our cheese quality and our (overall) food quality.”

The restaurant also has an extensive menu, offering diners plenty of choices. Highlights according to Saray include a grilled chicken bowl and a make-your-own burrito option. Beverages include a variety of margarita options and mixed drinks, as well as the Mexican iterations of Coca-Cola products and Jarritos products.

Xcaret Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Sunday, a point Saray emphasized.

“A restaurant (takes) so much work, and I feel that it was fair for the employees to have a family day,” Saray said. “The best things are things that money can’t buy, like time with family or at church.”

For more information on Xcaret Grill Mexican Restaurant, call the restaurant at 205-476-8901.