For some reason, I've always ragged on J. Pepe's (in the privacy of my own car) for being an SMU hangout. There is nothing wrong with this in theory. But sometimes you just want to go have Tex-Mex and a margarita without worrying that you left your Jackie-O sunglasses and pearls at home. Two of my fave Tex-Mex places are La Calle Doce and Sol's, both laid-back neighborhood spots.
I had never actually visited J. Pepe's until last weekend -- and I ended up loving the place! (God, Lesley, sometimes you are so wrong.)
The back patio was awesome. They've got a big pool, plants, trickling water. Most of the other people there were college-aged, but they weren't obnoxious. It was actually a good mix of trendy girls and people in jeans and T-shirts. We had beers ($3 domestic bottles) and margs and queso, the latter of which was yummy in that Velveeta kind of way. The music was even surprising: Frank Zappa, The Doors, Journey. I was like.... where am I? Why didn't I go here sooner?
We might have gone on an off night, because the patio cleared out by 11 or so. (We left at about midnight.) Maybe it was the slightly chilly weather. I'm sure it'll get more crowded as the temps heat up and it's freaking 95 degrees at two in the morning.
But it's definitely worth adding to your chips/queso/patio circuit.
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