Seven days a week, Alfredo Gonzalez makes the trip from Dallas to Colleyville to see what he calls the love of his life: his restaurant, Anna’s Mexican Grill.

After more than 20 years of working in the food industry, Gonzalez said he decided a year and a half ago to open a restaurant in an area that has a plethora of Mexican restaurant chains.

“Although I live in Dallas, I really like Colleyville,” he said. “I wanted to give them a family-owned restaurant that has affordable prices.”

To signify the importance of family, Gonzalez said he named the restaurant after his mother, Anna, who died when he was 15. His friends’ names are also included at Anna’s with menu items such as Betty’s Ribs, which is named after the friend that helped him create his menu.

Although Gonzalez said he has the support of his family and friends, he said starting the restaurant was tough.

“It was very hard when I first opened because I didn’t have a following, and nobody knew we were here,” he said. “Also, when we first opened we didn’t have a liquor license so we couldn’t sell alcohol, and everyone likes to pair their Mexican food with a beer or a margarita.”

Once Gonzalez obtained the liquor license, he said business picked up, and he now has repeat customers.

“I now have customers who come in three or four times a week,” he said.

He said his favorite drink is the Diablo Margarita, a “fiery” margarita that includes jalapenos and lime juice.

On top of daily drink specials, the restaurant has a happy hour each day from noon to 6:30 p.m., which includes specials on house margaritas and Mexican and domestic beers.

Gonzalez also started a Sunday brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in January that he said is popular among customers.

A popular dish for dinner is the Chepas Tacos ($10.99) that is made with slow-cooked brisket and seasoned with Mexican spices. Gonzalez also recommends the Pollo a la Crema ($11.49), which is chicken breast topped with sour cream, cheese and chives.

Anna’s Mexican Grill
1009 Cheek Sparger Road, Ste. 122 A, Colleyville, 817-281-0747,www.annasmexicangrill.com
Hours: Sun.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.