New Mexican restaurant on Apalachee Parkway touts 'something for everyone'

Pedro’s Tacos and Tequila Bar, which opened on May 1, is working to fulfill its promise of satisfying the capital city's food cravings with its authentic Mexican-American cuisine.

“There’s something for everyone,” General Manager Raquel Vasquez said in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat.

The restaurant has the design of a modern Spanish Colonial style home which pushes their family friendly theme, with its bright orange trimming, red tile roof and soft arches. Inside are long dining tables, booths and a full-service bar. The open patio includes what they describe as their "mezquite grill' which allows space for the dish to be prepped right next to your table.

Vasquez, who’s been with Pedro’s Tacos and Tequila restaurant for six years, has worked her way up from food runner to general manager, starting in Alabama, to Pensacola, to Louisiana and now Tallahassee.

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The young mother of one and manager carries on the legacy of her late stepfather, Richard Taylor, who had a vision of opening his own restaurant before getting sick a year after leaving Honduras in 2014 to come to the United States.

Shortly after, Vasquez was taken in by two brothers, Pedro’s owners Fernando and Ruben Chavez, who Vasquez said have treated her like family, which she feels is expressed to their guests when they visit the restaurant.

“It’s a team effort,” Vasquez said on her admiration for the work culture they have curated for the rest of the staff.

What is the food like at Pedro's?

One item that has people coming for more is their freshly made salsas made with grilled and roasted tomatoes combined with cilantro, onions, and “secret things” which Vasquez said sets their restaurant apart. They offer a range of salsas from creamy homemade salsa verde, their original table salsa, and tomatillo salsa.

Vasquez explained that although they have the same meals as other Mexican food chains like “tacos and burritos, we want to make the difference in quality.”

Outside of their prized salsas, their four-page menu offers plenty of options to choose from to curve those cravings from bowls, to seafood, to vegetarian dishes.

One popular item is the quesabirria — shredded beef folded into a tortilla with cheese with a side of broth used for dipping. Another is their designated family favorite, fajitas- served with a protein, onions, bell peppers, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and guacamole with a side of rice and beans - which are prepped fresh every day. Their fajitas come in three different styles- fajita, fajita burrito, or fajita al pastor. Prices start at $11.99 for entrees.

Co-owner, Fernando Chavez feels that the restaurant is “something different for people,” because of its versatility, ranging as a place to visit for either casual lunch and dinner or a special event.

One reviewer on the page’s Facebook page noted: “Wonderful dining experience on Mother's Day.  No waiting, comfortable seating, great wait staff and service.  Food came quickly and was so flavorful and delicious.”

This is the chain's fifth national location, with the first opening in Alabama in 2013. Other locations reside in Florida cities including Pensacola, Destin and Fort Walton Beach, co-owner, Fernando Chavez told the Tallahassee Democrat.

The name stems from the award-winning film, “Napoleon Dynamite” with its “Vote for Pedro” reference for Pedro Sánchez, Napolean Dynamite’s best friend.

The restaurant, located at 750 Apalachee Parkway, is nearby several restaurants featuring Mexican food as it sits directly across from a location of the Panhandle’s largest Mexican food chain, El Jalisco, which opened in mid-March. Just four minutes down the road at 1170 Apalachee Parkway is El Patron.

Pedro’s Tacos and Tequila operates on Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Democrat writer Kyla Sanford can be reached at ksanford@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Pedro’s Tacos and Tequila Bar in Tallahassee now open