In August 2004, Mariachis de Jalisco opened its first location in Georgetown. More than a decade later, it continues to be influenced by Fernandez’s family recipes and Mexican heritage.
The backstory
Fernandez opened the restaurant shortly after he moved to Georgetown. He said he scouted various locations to find the perfect fit for the new business as well as a community where his children could grow up.
While in college, Fernandez visited his cousins who owned a business in Houston, and eventually began working at his family’s restaurant in Corpus Christi, which is what introduced him to the restaurant business.
“There’s a lot of restaurants in the family,” Fernandez said. “They have different names but we all do Jalisco style.”
Fernandez said each part of Mexico has its own distinct cuisine. Jalisco cuisine is typically spicier and focuses on tacos, fajitas and enchiladas.
“Because we’re from there we try to bring our culture and our food to the United States,” Fernandez said.
Filled with family recipes, the restaurant’s menu offers authentic Mexican dishes, including carne asada, fajitas, parrilladas and molcajete.
Diners have the option of ordering breakfast from 6-11 a.m. and can enjoy lunch specials from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on weekdays.
Fernandez said the top-selling items at the restaurant are its enchiladas, which can be ordered with various fillings such as cheese, green chicken, beef, shrimp, sour cream and mushrooms.
The restaurant fosters relationships with the local community by catering for churches, local businesses and schools.
“We receive a lot of business from them and we support each other so we are very blessed with that,” Fernandez said.
The business has longtime ties with regular customers and employees who have been part of the team since the restaurant’s first day. Fernandez said family reunions, birthday parties and celebrations are commonly held at the restaurant.
“We’ve seen all kinds of events here,” Fernandez said. “Weddings, quinceñeras, funerals ... people are thinking of us on all occasions so we feel part of the community with that.”
The Georgetown restaurant is the founding location followed by three additional restaurants in Taylor, Round Rock and Hutto. Fernandez said the restaurant is looking to add a larger, upscale location on Williams Drive in the next few years.
Fernandez hopes his five children will carry on the family business, and said his oldest children are already helping where they can.
- 2803 Williams Drive, Ste. 110, Georgetown
- www.mariachidejaliscotx.com
