Our Story - A Family Dream Since 1990
In November 1990, Jose learned that the owner of a neighborhood ice cream shop was closing up for good — the kids had grown, retirement was calling, and it was time to move on.
Most people would have heard that and thought nothing of it. Jose saw an opportunity.
A conversation with the retiring owner stirred something he'd carried for years — a quiet dream of building a place where families could gather over real Mexican food, the kind he grew up eating.
With his family behind him and recipes rooted in tradition, Jose transformed that modest storefront into Don Pepe's Rancho.
That was over three decades ago.
Since day one, the mission hasn't changed. Every dish — from sizzling fajitas to handmade tortillas — is prepared with the same care and authenticity that started it all. No shortcuts. No
compromises. Just honest food made the way it's supposed to be made.
Over the years, Don Pepe's Rancho has become more than a restaurant to the North Dallas community. It's where birthdays are celebrated, where Friday nights become family traditions, and where three generations can sit at the same table and feel at home.
We're proud to be family-owned, community-rooted, and just getting started.
To every guest who has walked through our doors: you're part of this story too. Thank you for thirty-four years — and counting.
Our History Timeline
November 1990
Location: Coit/Arapaho Richardson, TX
Time in Business: 1990 to 1993
Mexi-go Restaurant, our very first location and humble beginnings. It was a small restaurant (converted from a previous ice cream shop), with only 5 tables in the quaint dining area. Our name indicated food to go, our target audience was primarily directed at the surrounding businesses and residences who would often frequent the area during lunch hours. Our menu was designed for quick service and great quality food.
November 1993
Location: Coit/Arapaho Richardson, TX
Time in Business: 1993 to 2019
This location is what many of you know us as -- it became such a beloved location with an homelike feel to it. It had a beautiful coutyard patio, a lovely and quaint bar area, and several dining areas with modular seating to accomodate any sized group. This move was to continue to accommodate our growing crowds that we continued experiencing month over month. At this time we felt that we had also outgrown our origianl name, "Mexigo Restaurant". We decided to change our name to reflect a full service full bar restaurant, and thus Don Pepe's Rancho Mexican Grill was created!
October 1998
Location: McDermott/Hwy 75 Allen, TX
Timeline: 1998 to Present
After 8 years in business it was time for Mexi-Go Restaurant to expand it's concept, and as fate would have it, we found a wonderful home in the community of Allen, TX. The restaurant was a lot larger than our original location, with a maximum capacity of 125 patrons. We have found a true connection with this community pver the past 30+ years!
