ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — There’s a new place to find birria, fajitas and a margarita on Perdido Beach Boulevard. Pedro’s Tacos Fresh Mex has opened in Orange Beach, adding another Mexican restaurant to the island’s dining lineup.
The restaurant sits at 25775 Perdido Beach Blvd. in The Shoppes at Palm Pointe, in the space that Carver’s Steakhouse previously occupied.
A warm welcome from locals
Manager Roberto Reyes said the early response has exceeded expectations, especially from year-round residents.
“We are all excited,” Reyes said. “Very excited because we’ve been having a lot of people coming in. A lot of locals that come two or three times a week already, so that’s good for us. We feel welcomed in this city.”
Repeat local business matters for any restaurant on Pleasure Island, the barrier island shared by Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Summer brings heavy tourist traffic, but restaurants that build a loyal base of residents are better positioned to weather the slower months between the end of the summer season and the arrival of spring visitors.
What’s on the menu
Pedro’s menu covers the Mexican standards along with a few dishes that have surged in popularity in recent years:
- Tacos, the restaurant’s namesake
- Burritos and enchiladas
- Quesadillas
- Fajitas
- Seafood dishes, a natural fit for a restaurant a short walk from the Gulf
- Birria, a slow-cooked beef
Birria has become one of the most talked-about Mexican dishes in the United States over the past several years. The dish traces its roots to the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, where it has traditionally been made with goat and slow-braised in a broth seasoned with dried chiles and spices. North of the border, beef versions have become common, and birria tacos are often served with a cup of the rich cooking broth, called consommé, for dipping.
Margaritas, martinis and churros
The bar offers a wide range of margaritas and martinis. For dessert, Pedro’s serves churros, the fried, sugar-dusted pastry sticks popular in Spain and Mexico, topped with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate.
A familiar address with a new tenant
The Shoppes at Palm Pointe is a shopping center along Perdido Beach Boulevard, the main east-west road through Orange Beach that runs parallel to the beach. The corridor is lined with condominiums, hotels, shops and restaurants, making it one of the busiest dining stretches on the Alabama coast, particularly during the summer tourist season.
The space Pedro’s now occupies was previously home to Carver’s Steakhouse. Reusing restaurant space is common along the coast, where existing kitchens, ventilation systems and dining rooms can make it faster and less expensive for a new operator to open than building from the ground up.
Orange Beach’s growing dining scene
Orange Beach has evolved from a small fishing community into one of Alabama’s leading tourist destinations, drawing visitors to its beaches, marinas, charter fishing fleet and attractions such as The Wharf. That growth has brought a steady stream of new restaurants, with Mexican and Tex-Mex spots among the most popular options for both visitors and residents.
The city’s year-round population has also grown, as retirees and remote workers have moved to the coast. That steady local customer base, the kind Reyes says is already returning two and three times a week, has become an increasingly important part of the restaurant economy on the island.
Hours
- Sunday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
If you go
- What: Pedro’s Tacos Fresh Mex
- Where: 25775 Perdido Beach Blvd., The Shoppes at Palm Pointe, Orange Beach
- Menu highlights: Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, seafood dishes, birria, margaritas, martinis and churros
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday