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Pepe’s Cantina serves up tableside guac in new Oviedo location

Restaurant officially opens at 3100 Alafaya Trail

Pepe's Cantina opens its first Seminole County restaurant along Alafaya Trail near UCF on Friday, July 21st 2023. (Katrina Scales, Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

OVIEDO, Fla. – Central Florida-based Mexican chain Pepe’s Cantina welcomed customers over the weekend at its first restaurant in Seminole County.

The restaurant’s parking lot along Alafaya Trail and Econ River Place was packed Friday and Saturday evenings, with short wait times for indoor tables.

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The new Oviedo location, located less than 2 miles from the UCF campus, celebrated its grand opening on Friday.

“I’d say in one word: success,” co-owner Frank Chavez told News 6.

[STORY CONTINUES AFTER PHOTO]

Pepe's Cantina opens its first Seminole County restaurant along Alafaya Trail near UCF on Friday, July 21st 2023. (Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

The restaurant becomes the chain’s fourth location since Chavez and Jose “Pepe” Baranenko opened their first cantina in Winter Park’s Hannibal Square in 2016.

The local chain’s International Drive and Church Street locations closed in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

The menu at Pepe’s Cantina boasts a variety of authentic Mexican ingredients, including salsa made with fresh tomatoes and tableside guacamole, as well as specialty margaritas.

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Chavez says obtaining licenses and renovating the space of the former La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant was a long process.

“We were blessed to be able to have hired a bunch of people... and we’re thankful for the Oviedo community for the support that we’ve got.”

[STORY CONTINUES AFTER PHOTO]

Pepe's Cantina opens its first Seminole County restaurant along Alafaya Trail near UCF on Friday, July 21st 2023. (Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

When it comes to expanding to more Florida neighborhoods and beyond, Chavez says they’re taking baby steps.

“I do want to eventually get out of the state, but I have to start local and focus on Central Florida and towards Tampa, towards South Florida little by little,” he said.


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About the Author
Katrina Scales headshot

Katrina Scales is a producer for the News 6+ Takeover at 3:30 p.m. She also writes and voices the podcast Your Florida Daily. Katrina was born and raised in Brevard County and started her journalism career in radio before joining News 6 in June 2021.

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