Restaurant offers an alternative to Tex-Mex

San Pedro Limon Tortilleria y Taqueria has an unassuming exterior, but owner Yuri Paz said the walls and tables inside the restaurant are decorated in the bright colors of many of the houses in her hometown in Mexico.

Paz moved to Texas in 2000 and has run San Pedro Limon with her husband for two years.

English is not Pazs native language, but through her sons translation she said she is proud to offer authentic Mexican food and share the flavors of her hometown, San Pedro Limon, Mexico, with the people of Georgetown.

Its not Tex-Mex, she said. What I serve here is prepared like it is in Mexico.

From the homemade corn tortillas made on-site at the restaurant to the popular Beef Fajita Ranchera dish, Paz said the ingredients she uses in her food are true to those used in Mexico.

Her enchiladas, for example, feature chile or tomatillo sauces prepared in-house and no liquid cheese sauces used in many Tex-Mex restaurants. Paz said she only uses real cheese on her dishes.

I couldnt find anything here [in Georgetown] that wasnt Tex-Mex, said Irma Melwani, a regular at San Pedro Limon and a native of Mexico. From the tacos to the menudo to the breakfast, its very authentic here.

Melwani said the restaurant is popular with the staff at the Williamson County Jail, where she is a correctional officer.

This is where we come, she said. The tortillas are to die for.

Stacks of fresh-made corn tortillas are available for purchase at San Pedro Limon, as are Mexican queso fresco and sour cream. An assortment of Mexican candies and ice cream is also available.

Paz said she likes to hear when customers like her food, but she also likes to hear when they do not.

It helps me make sure I serve the best food I can, she said.

The restaurant closes by 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday because Paz is the only employee there from open to close. Four other employees, including a cook and waitstaff, help her keep serving customers throughout the day.

My goal is to have a big restaurant, Paz said. I want to be recognized [apart] from the other restaurants here.

San Pedro Limon Tortilleria y Taqueria, 905 N. Austin Ave., 512-948-7537

Hours: Mon.Sat. 7 a.m.6 p.m., Sun. 7:30 a.m.4 p.m.