Pepe's Tacos are Very Good Tacos

It had been a long week, and it was only Tuesday. Sore (due to a new fitness class), tired (due to manning the fort by myself while Joel was away), and desperate for some adult conversation (due to obvious reasons), I was ready for a girls' night out. Visions of little black dresses and prosseco in fancy flutes dances through my head. But only for a moment. I was a mom, it was a school night, and I was just too tired to entertain the thought of traveling more than 5 minutes from my home. I'd rounded up some mom-friends, and we agreed on T-shirts and jeans, and good-stiff margaritas. I knew just the place. Pepe's. 

I know, I know. Pepe's?!? I thought just the same on my first visit or two to Pepe's in downtown Batavia. All I knew about Pepe's was that the commercial jingle from the '80s could still pop in my head and drive me crazy at any given moment. Why would anyone go to Pepe's?  

Joel and I began our love affair with Pepe's about 17 years ago. We were barely out of college and living in a less-than-luxurious apartment in Downers Grove. Neither of us were cooks, and we were tired of sandwiches and fast food. We noticed that the coupons on the back of our Jewel receipt almost always displayed a free meal at Pepe's. Then we noticed that Pepe's offered half-price margaritas on Tuesdays. You didn't have to twist our arms. We were there the following Tuesday, and have been back many a Tuesday since. 

I'll admit that the food at Pepe's is marginal. In fact, there are some items I would probably just plain avoid, the regular chicken tacos being one of them. But the fajitas are pretty decent, as are the steak tacos and the quesadillas. And the margaritas? They are in a league of their own.  

On this night, I had one doubtful friend along, who planned to eat dinner first, then meet us for margaritas. I convinced her to give it a try and crossed my fingers, ordering a guacamole and a "medium" margarita to start. Mariachi music playing in the background mingled with conversation from several other diners. We were, as usual, not the only patrons on a Tuesday night at Pepe's.  

Service on this night was fast, and our munchies and margs arrived moments later. I don't know what it is about these margaritas. They are not made with fresh ingredients, and they look a little "off" in color. But one sip and the imbiber is hooked. These, alone, may be the reason that a line often forms out the door on Tuesday nights.  

My reluctant friend decided on fajitas, which she shared with another companion at our table. I ordered the same, but didn't feel like sharing mine. Also with us was another "regular" who ordered her standard cheese quesadilla.

While we waited for our entrees, I sang the merits of Pepe's, reminding these moms that this was a great place to bring the kids. Cade loves the grilled cheese and fries, and I have to confess that I often eat half of his plate. This grilled cheese is seriously delicious—gooey and crisp at the same time. And the fries are light and perfectly salted. Elise, having become a less adventurous eater in her almost-6 years, has gone from tacos and rice to a hot dog and fries. I can't vouch for Pepe's hot dog, as it never held much appeal to me. After the kids eat their dinner, they are rewarded with a free dessert—usually an oreo, though sometimes we spring for the fried ice cream, if they've eaten and behaved especially well.  

As we sipped on our second margaritas, two servers came out, carrying sizzling-hot trays filled with seasoned chicken, tender steak, and colorful vegetables. Another server followed with the accoutrements and the quesadilla. We assembled our fajitas, adding spoonfuls of cheese and dollops of sour cream on top, and dug in. Beans came on the side, as well, and I ordered a plate of rice. I waited, anxiously, to hear what my friend would think. "Pretty good," she thought, surprising herself. I relaxed and enjoyed my heaping portion of well-cooked meat and veggies, relishing in the comfort and coziness of another night at Pepe's.

"Pretty good," indeed, Pepe's.