Making Georgetown customers happy

Growing up in Mexico, Guillermo "Memo" Plata always had a dream of coming to America to start a restaurant—a dream he realized 13 years ago when Dos Salsas opened at 1104 S. Main St. in Georgetown.

After looking for a place to start a restaurant, Plata found the perfect location in Georgetown, he said.

"I used to have a partner who lived [in Georgetown], and I lived in Austin. We came to see the place, and I said, 'I think we can make it here,'" Plata said.

A family-owned and -operated Tex-Mex restaurant, Plata relies on 26 years of experience in the food industry to bring together good food and service to make customers happy, he said.

"I like to have fun and make the customers happy," Plata said. "That's the point—to make the customers happy."

Plata said he hopes to bring that same level of satisfaction to Cedar Park by the end of the year. The restaurant's second location could open in December at 1600 Whitestone Blvd., just east of Toll 183A.

"We started with a small restaurant," Plata said. "We started with 12 employees, and now we have about 60."

The second location is the first major expansion for the restaurant.

The growth of Dos Salsas comes as no surprise to Plata, who worked his way up through the food industry since arriving alone in the United States from Toluca, Mexico, at the age of 17.

Plata began his career as a dishwasher, busboy and cook in Austin restaurants. After many years of work Plata became the quality control director for 10 Austin and 17 Houston restaurants, but left that business for a chance to own and operate his own restaurant.

Plata used his experience to put together a menu featuring a wide variety of Tex-Mex options, he said, adding that there is something for everyone on the menu.

All of the food is prepared fresh each morning, and the number of customers coming through the door helps keep those ingredients fresh, Plata said.

Dos Salsas has found success, he said, in everything from fresh food to catering and has received recognition from the city's "Best of Georgetown" awards. Dos Salsas was awarded best Tex-Mex and margarita in 2011 with silver awards for best overall restaurant.

While Plata is proud of the awards his restaurant has received—they adorn the hallway separating the original restaurant from the addition—he readily admits none of it would be possible without the support of the people of Georgetown.

"The Georgetown people made this restaurant successful," Plata said. "It's impossible to be successful without the support of the town, and they made it successful."

Memo Special

The Memo Special is Dos Salsas owner Guillermo Plata's favorite dish. A plate of fajitas sauted with onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and jalapeos and topped with Monterey Jack cheese for $1 extra. ($9.99, $10.99 with Monterey Jack cheese topping.)

The House of the Mexican Martini

Made with tequila, Grand Marnier or Cointreau, fresh lime, sweet and sour, a dash of olive juice and a splash of orange juice, the drink is served with three olives a salted rim and with the shaker. ($8.99–$9.99)

Dos Salsas, 1104 S. Main St., 930-2343, www.dossalsas.com

Mon.–Sat. 7 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.–9 p.m.