Meet Salvador and Fran Barcenas, owners of El Tepache Mexican Grill, a Mexican restaurant on Thompson Bridge Road in Gainesville. It was Salvador’s dream over 15 years ago to open a restaurant. El Tepache specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine, Tex-Mex favorites like Chimichangas, Acapulco Cheese Steak, Tacos and margaritas. AND NOW the couple owns a food truck that can be booked for private and public events. “We are so excited to bring El Tepache favorites to the community, it has been a two year process, but so worth it,” Fran said.
We want to thank Salvador and Fran for spending time with us recently and telling us more about their restaurant, food truck, life and why they love Hall County.
El Tepache Mexican Grill
1210 Thompson Bridge Rd., Suite F
Gainesville, Ga 30501
For booking call: 678-936-1245
For the full menu: www.eltepachemexicangrill.com
Q: What made you want to open a restaurant? Was there anything from your background that influenced you?
A: Salvador: “I’ve been doing this for a long time, ever since I moved to the United States. Even in Mexico, since I was the only boy in my family and the oldest one, I used to cook for my siblings. I would make basic things for them like scrambled eggs; cooking in the kitchen has always been in my background. So, when I moved to the United States, my background was cooking and making food for people, and it makes me feel good to provide for people and to see them enjoy my food. And that’s our goal, making sure everyone is enjoying their meal, they are happy and come back for more.”
Q: Tell us about your restaurant and the menu. What makes it unique?
A: Salvador: “The only difference between our restaurant and other restaurants is that we want our customers to feel like they are at home. You know, good food that we make for them. If you come here, you will get Mexican rice or refried beans, and you will get the real stuff, authentic food. But there’s not too much difference between other restaurants and us, but we are here to take care of you.”
Fran: “We aren’t trying to rush you. We are trying to give you the hospitality welcome feel.”
Q: Tell me about the special pineapple drink you will be offering?
A: Salvador: “Tepache– which is a drink that you make with the pineapple that has been fermented to drink. In Mexico, they ferment the fruit juice and it gives it a smoky flavor taste. We make it with tequila, fresh lime, margarita mix, and Tepache; it’s delicious.”
Q: How long have you both lived in Hall County?
A: Fran: “I’ve lived here for almost 20 years. I’m originally born and raised up in Cleveland and moved down here in 2000. I attended Brenau and graduated from there, so I moved down here after that.”
Salvador: “I’ve been here since I was 16 years old, so basically half my life. I love this place; I love Gainesville. When I moved from Mexico to the United States, this was the first place I went to, and I stayed here; this is home.”
Q: What are your favorite restaurants in Hall County?
A: Salvador: “I would name the Mexican restaurants where I used to work. I used to work at Pueblos, I had such a great time there, and I learned a lot; they are great people. Now, they are my neighbors. We try to take care of each other and learn a lot from each other, so we have a relationship. El Sombrero is another one; I used to work there and am still good friends with them; such humble and hardworking people.”
Fran: “Not really any favorites… but I frequently visit some. At Johnny’s BBQ, they are good friendly people, like I’m pulling in there at 8:30 at night and they are ready to serve you, they’re amazing like that. We don’t go out that much, but I can’t get any better or fresher food than Salvador. I’ve learned a lot from being married to him. It’s amazing what he can come up with and create with fresh produce; I mean the flavor he puts into it– it’s amazing the creative mind he has for food.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: Salvador: “I would say the people, the people here are great people. Everywhere you go: a Mexican restaurant, a store, shops or anywhere like that you see friendly people and I think that’s what makes this a beautiful town. The people are very friendly, and at this restaurant, we are here to take care of everyone and welcome the people.”
Fran: “I would say the same, not just that we’ve got the beautiful lake, mountains and all of that, but there’s a small-town feel even though we are getting bigger. I work for a local bank, and in customer service, I see all the faces coming in and out, and the people of Hall County are good people and are fantastic.”
Q: What is your favorite or first movie you remember seeing in the theater?
A: Fran: “Probably ‘Annie.’”
Salvador: “I come from a small town in Mexico, and our TV was in black and white, so we didn’t really see movies. My favorite movie is ‘In Time’ it’s such a great movie, and I really like it because it’s about time. I’ve watched it about three or four times…You have to know how you want to spend it because life can be short.”
Q: What’s something on your bucket list, or where is your ideal travel location?
A: Salvador: “What we want to do right now is work and take care of the business and people that come here, and whenever we have more time in the future, we can travel more.”
Fran: “The Maldives, I feel like it’s a beautiful place.”
Q: What are three words or phrases that come to your mind when you think of the word ‘HOME’?
A: Salvador & Fran: “Warmth, Welcome, and Hospitality.”
Salvador: “If you come to my house, you want to feel welcome that we are happy to see you, you want to make people feel like they are at home.”
Q: Salvador what’s your favorite thing to make on the menu, and Fran, what’s your favorite thing on the menu?
Salvador: “Everything on the menu is truly my favorite thing to make. We make everything with a lot of passion and make sure everything on the menu is unique. Some great meals are the Tacos Al Pastor with pineapple. We grill the pineapple and mix it with the Al Pastor Pork, it’s delicious.”
Fran: “Some of my favorite things are the Acapulco Cheese Steak, the Chimichangas, the Molcajete it’s fresh cactus, and a piece of queso fresco that’s burned a little bit to add flavor.”
