Written by Lily Ofcarcik
My family has been enjoying the warm hospitality of both Don Pedro’s Mexican restaurants, located in Green Valley and Washington, for a number of years, and when I was asked to review this restaurant, I chose the latter, although both offer the same menu. The building has a sunny yellow interior with Mexican decor and comfortable booths. Pop music in Spanish welcomes guests as they walk in.
As soon as I sat down for dinner with my friend Monte, our waiter came to the table bringing a warm bean dip, fresh salsa, and chips. They were delicious, and we enjoyed them while reading the menu and sipping our margaritas. The salsa was fresh and tasty, and the bean dip just spicy enough without too much heat. The chips tasted better than most, warm and crispy.
Each day, the restaurant offers a specialty platter. Today’s special was chicken enchiladas, which was tempting, but remembering how much I enjoyed their seafood dinners on other occasions, I ordered the arroz con mariscos, made with shrimp, scallops, mushrooms, and mixed veggies over rice and topped with a creamy tomato/cheese sauce. Monte had the Chicken and Shrimp Monterey (grilled chicken breast and shrimp topped with grilled onions, green peppers, melted Monterey jack cheese, and pico de gallo, served with rice, beans, and tortillas).
While we waited for our entrées, I reread the ample dinner menu and noted that they have a good selection of appetizers (chicken taquitos, homemade guacamole dip, and Super Nachos). For fresh fare, the chicken Caesar salad or shrimp and avocado salad are always good.
There is the “Mexican Favorites” section of the menu, where one might choose a sizzling fajita, soft grilled tacos, or mole enchiladas, and the “Los Burritos” section offers the Burrito Especial (loaded with ground beef, rice, and beans and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cotija cheese, and sour cream) or the Colorado (with chunks of flank steak cooked in red chile sauce with onions and spices). Meat eaters will enjoy the “Las Carnes” menu, featuring many authentic Mexican specialty dishes, and vegetarians will swoon over veggie fajitas, enchiladas, and burritos. For egg lovers, there are huevos rancheros, machada (shredded beef with scrambled eggs), and the Chorizo Burrito, made from Mexican sausage and scrambled eggs with ranchera sauce and melted cheese — hola!
If you like variety, sample one of the combination platters. Prices in this section range from $7.95 to $12.75, and you will not leave hungry. You can pick a combination of two or three items for your platter, such as a chimichanga, chalupa, burrito, or chile relleno. Combo plates are served with beans and rice that you wish your mama made at home.
Undoubtedly, my favorite selections on this menu are from the seafood section. As an East coaster, I really miss eating fresh fish, scallops, and shrimp, and if you feel the same, you can satisfy your longing with a great selection of seafood à la Don Pedro, including their 7 Mares Seafood Soup, which has it all: Crab, shrimp, muscles, and scallops, not to mention all the other fish entrées — enchiladas, burritos, and camarones, delicious as well.
There is a selection of Mexican and American dishes for kids on the Little Amigos Menu, and most items cost just $4.75. The restaurant stayed with tradition for the drink menu, offering Mexican sodas, Sangria, Horchata, and virgin piña coladas and margaritas. For the grown-ups, there is also a full beer, wine, and spirits menu.
Our dinners arrived, and the enormous plates of food were very hot. Monte’s dinner was hearty, tender, and perfectly seasoned. Mine was very satisfying and flavorful, and the shrimp and scallops were cooked to perfection. The refried beans and rice were tasty and comforting. By the way, if you are a black bean lover, you may substitute them for the refried pintos. Our waiter was attentive and checked back many times to make sure we had everything we needed.
After eating the very large and delicious entrées, we left a little space for a sweet dessert. My friend and I shared the flan, a soft custard delicacy that is molded and served on a little plate with whipped cream. It was a sweet finish to our tasty dinner.
Don Pedro’s offers a special luncheon menu, featuring many of the same items on the dinner menu. Prices for lunch are slightly lower than dinner. Ask about their daily specials. They offer call-ahead take-out dining, catering, and party service (reservations requested).
Through the years, Don Pedro’s has maintained a high standard of quality ingredients, authentic Mexican cuisine, and consistently good service. In fact, during this visit I felt that they have exceeded their own record on these counts, and Mr. Monte concurs.
Don Pedro’s Family Mexican Restaurant
Price range: $$
1004 W. Red Cliffs Dr., Washington (435) 251-8094
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday: 11a.m. to 8 p.m.
567 S. Valley View Dr., St. George (435) 673-0131
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Sundays
