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Utah provides a wide variety of ethnic dining options. Whether you're hunting for Thai, Italian, Brazilian or Greek, you're likely to find it. And let's not forget about Mexican. Today I want to highlight a specific Mexican restaurant: Pistol Pete's Mexican Grill.
Owner Luis Zamudio was the kitchen manager and chef for the original Pistol Pete's when it opened some years ago. The restaurant featured his own recipes, as well as those from his mother and grandmother, that were prepared in a style native to the city of Nogales in Sonora, Mexico. Flavors distinct to that region feature roasted peppers and slow-roasted barbecue.
The original owner had to close the eatery just over a year ago for personal reasons. Luis had worked closely enough with the owner that he felt he could continue running the business on his own. With help from the Pete Suazo Business Center, he formatted a business plan and established marketing contacts to re-open Pistol Pete's in 2009.
Pistol Pete's is a true southwestern Mexican grill. It has burritos, tacos and standard Mexican cuisine but also boasts its famous Nogales baby back sharp-shooter ribs, fish tacos and chimichangas. Patrons can order salads or soups, full dinners or a la carte foods. During the fast service lunch, patrons order at the counter and their food is brought to them. Dinner is full service, and meals are served on china plates with silverware.
Luis says Pistol Pete's Mexican Grill consistently receives high rankings from various Internet dining and travel sites. He watches customer comments carefully in an effort to constantly improve service and products. All food is made fresh to the customer's specifications. One of the restaurant's highlights is the fresh salsa bar, where customers pile on a variety of salsas made with slow-roasted peppers, onions, cilantro and tomatoes.
Future plans for the Cottonwood Heights eatery include unique promotions as well as live Mariachi music and Spanish dancers to celebrate special occasions.
