La Playa Mexican Restaurant achieved a loyal following for its weekly specials and seafood offerings. The local stop offers a clean and open space with a fresh, modern look and menu, owner Chris Bombarger said.

Guests will also often hear Bombarger mentioning that his queso is now a Georgetown staple. But he said it’s his attention to culinary trends that makes his menu unique.

“La Playa means ‘the beach’ in Spanish, so we offer traditional Tex-Mex dishes,” Bombarger said. “But we also have some seafood components that are different than some restaurants.”

La Playa serves a mango ceviche and fish poblano, choices not normally found on the menu at a Tex-Mex restaurant.

Bombarger said one of his most popular dishes is the Enchiladas Tarascas, consisting of red onions, sautéed mushrooms and a poblano cream sauce over chicken fajita enchiladas.

Within the past year, La Playa also began offering a weekend brunch menu. It has been a hit, he said, but the most popular special is still Tuesday house margaritas for $2.22 from open until close.

Bombarger purchased La Playa more than five years ago. He said it was previously owned by a family who operated it for about a year before moving to Colorado.

Bombarger said he’s enjoying his continued success after a lucky relocation in November 2015.

La Playa moved from Williams Drive to its current location inside a converted Albertsons grocery store. The new location is more open, has higher ceilings and allows La Playa to utilize space better, Bombarger said.

The city is lucky to have an array of good local restaurants, Bombarger said, but he still encourages residents to continue to shop and eat local.

“It’s a lot tougher for a local restaurant than a chain in this climate,” Bombarger said. “So I just always say support the local guys. We live here and work here and spend our dollars here, so we appreciate the camaraderie with the other Georgetown restaurants.”