Eric Mendoza
On April 11, 2023, Juarez Mexican Restaurant closed its doors at 2545 Gessner 27 years to the day that it opened. But as the saying goes, “Out with the old, in with the new:” The Spring Branch institution is serving up its famous fajitas and margaritas at its new location just a mile away at 4145 Gessner.
When Jose Mendoza and his wife opened their family restaurant on April 11, 1996, son Eric was a child. After graduating from the University of Houston Bauer College of Business with a degree in accounting, Eric is using his business sense and drive to bring his vision for the family business into reality.
“I spent 15 years waiting tables. I was a busser, cook, dishwasher, all while trying to learn the business at every level,” he said.
The old location had a capacity of 90; the new location can hold 200+ customers.
“We tried to buy the building twice. I had a vision but it was not going to be able to happen at that location. Spring Branch was always our first choice when we were looking. Really this has been in the making for six years,” said Eric, now a co-owner with his father.
They signed a contract for the new location in November 2019. But COVID pushed back the build-out and opening. There were times he wanted to give up altogether but he drew inspiration from his staff.
“I almost gave up several times, but I knew my employees needed jobs. I care about them, they are the ones that make our business run,” he said.
“I knew we had great food; what I wanted to create was a brand and a place with ambiance. My wife (Janet) helped with the design and here we are.”
The restaurant features a full bar in the center of the restaurant. Bar patrons can enjoy their favorite specialty drinks, including the Juarez Beer margarita, or the Mystery Margarita – Eric Special while watching their favorite sports team on video screens. And unlike the original location, this place has an outdoor patio area.
Kitchen staff prepare Tex-Mex favorites as customers look on through a large picture window in the main dining area. The dinner menu features a grilled mix of beef, chicken fajitas, jumbo shrimp and half rack of pork ribs. The Juarez Specialties menu has carne guisada, flautas, chile relleno and tilapia. There are Tex-Mex traditional favorites like enchiladas, tacos and mole. The menu includes vegetarian plates with versions of enchiladas, quesadillas and fajitas.
The new location is adjacent to a commercial area aside Beltway and edge of the Spring Shadows neighborhood. So area workers have a new place to gather for lunch and happy hour.
The menu has lunch-size versions of selected dinner items at a discounted price.
Residents have flocked to support the new location.
“This is my first time here. I never went to the other location but my daughter did. We ordered the lunch fajitas. They were tender and the charro beans were really good, We will be back,” said Mary Ortega, a Spring Shadows resident.
Said Eric: “We wanted to do a really quiet opening while we worked out any issues but our customers have been so supportive. I really haven’t advertised, but through social media the local area has found out we were open. It has been overwhelming. We are so grateful.”
A neon sign in the restaurant says “Vive la Vida”— live the life— and Eric said he is doing so. His plans include opening three more restaurants in the next five years.
But for now, he is already considering expanding the new restaurant.
And there are still plans for the official grand opening in the coming weeks.
Juarez Mexican Restaurant
4145 Gessner
Houston 77043
713.690.1790
www.juarezmexicanrestaurant.com
