By Mara Minsberg
If you are looking for fresh Mexican food at reasonable prices, Papa Perez delivers delicious Tex-Mex style food in a friendly, family-owned restaurant environment. Located in Downtown Bryan, Papa Perez wins over patrons with its welcoming atmosphere, attentive service, and flavorful homemade Mexican dishes.
Papa Perez offers an upscale atmosphere with minimalistic interior design, featuring dark wood decor, brick walls and exposed ceiling pipes and duct work. We visited Papa Perez on a weeknight and were greeted by several very welcoming staff members. The hostess was very friendly and seated us immediately. All of the waitstaff we came in contact with were helpful and attentive. Servers quickly brought us complimentary homemade chips with salsa and checked in on us several times throughout our visit. Our party asked for a few accommodations to menu items and we received all of the changes we requested. While the restaurant was only half full during our visit, our group was extremely impressed at the speed with which our food arrived.
The menu includes Tex-Mex favorites, like fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, chalupas, and quesadillas. Papa Perez’s menu also features a number of dinner entrees for varying tastes and palates, including barbacoa, empanadas, flautas, and gorditas. Among Papa Perez’s speciality entrees is their fan favorite, the fried avocado stuffed with grilled chicken or beef and cheddar cheese. For variety with a group, Papa Perez offers Fiesta Grilled Platters–combo meals meant to serve larger groups of four or six. The restaurant also offers several traditional Mexican desserts, such as flan, pastel de tres leches, and sopapillas.
Papa Perez features lunch and weekly specials at reduced prices. Their “Time-Off Tuesdays” offer free in-house dining for children under 12. On “Tasty Thursdays,” fajitas and tea for two comes in at just $13.49. The restaurant’s “Freaky Friday” promotion includes low-priced drink specials, with $1.25 12 ounce draft beers and $1.50 domestic long neck beers.
Prices at Papa Perez are extremely reasonable and considerably lower than many other Tex-Mex restaurants in the Bryan-College Station area. Most single serve entree-sized portions range from $6-$8. Portion sizes are ample but not overwhelming; everyone in our group was satisfied with the quantity of food, but no one had leftovers to take home. Everyone enjoyed their selections and felt that the value of the food was excellent for the price.
Overall, Papa Perez offers well-priced Tex-Mex dishes and a variety of drink options. Service is delivered with a smile, and the staff and decor create a welcoming family-owned atmosphere. The restaurant is located at 200 South Main Street in Downtown Bryan. For more information, call Papa Perez at (979)-775-7272 or search “Papa Perez Mexican Cuisine” on Facebook.