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Pepe's Veggie Mix Bistro

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By JEFF KORBELIK / GZO

Friday, Sep 05, 2008 - 01:04:42 am CDT

People ask me — including new restaurant owners — how I find out about places.

This time it was a phone call.

The gentleman on the line could not stop raving about the enchiladas at Pepe’s, a small eatery that opened July 24 above the art gallery Against the Wall in Havelock.

Story Photo
Pepe Fierro of Pepe's Bistro, with black bean tomatillo tacos with peach salsa (clockwise from left), cactus tomato quesadilla with guacamole salsa and tres queso enchilada with avocado cilantro sauce. (William Lauer)
Pepe’s Veggie Mix Bistro, 6220 Havelock Avenue
  • Atmsophere: Casual
  • Specialty: Mexican
  • Payment: Cash or check; no credit cards
  • Cost: Entrees, $5 to $7
  • Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; closed Sunday
  • Phone: (402) 466-9774
  • Notes: On-street parking, walk-up ordering, takeout, no alcohol, accessible by stairs only
  • Food: 4 stars
  • Service: 2 stars
  • Atmosphere: 2 stars
  • Vegetarian friendly: 4 stars
  • The Last Bite: Pepe’s is a little treasure in Havelock where diners can enjoy vegetarian-themed Mexican dishes made from local produce.
Rating system: Excellent - 4 stars; Good - 3 stars; Fair or uneven - 2 stars; Poor 1 star

He also mentioned the black beans and side salad that came with the enchiladas, noting it was worth checking out.

He was right.

Pepe’s Veggie Mix Bistro is a small treasure, where diners can enjoy veggie-themed, nonfried Mexican entrees made from local produce.

The restaurant is run by Pepe Fierro, who has waited tables for more than 30 years (and still does). His dream, he said, is to one day own a wind-powered, straw-built eatery.

Pepe’s is primarily open for lunch, with evening hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Fierro hopes to expand those soon.

His space — accessed by stairs off Havelock Avenue — is small, with seating for around a dozen people. Many customers order takeout.

His menu, too, is small, with four choices that change daily, depending on what fresh produce he decides to use.    

Tuesday, for instance, featured two kinds of enchiladas — three cheese (mozzarella, provolone and Swiss for $5.99) and spinach and cream cheese ($6.99) — black bean tacos and cactus tomato quesadillas.

Wednesday he planned to make chile rellenos from either Hungarian sweet, anaheim or sweet red peppers. Fierro also changes his salsas regularly as well, featuring fruits (plums, peaches, tomatoes, etc.) or veggies (cucumbers) in them.

On my Tuesday visit, my co-worker and I enjoyed Pepe’s enchiladas. She accompanied hers with homemade guacamole and a spring mix with cilantro sauce. I had black beans and the spring mix with my enchiladas.

This is not fast food, so diners should be prepared to wait. Fierro often is a one-man operation, taking the orders, filling drinks and preparing the food.

We took our seats, listened to music coming from the CD player and enjoyed his homemade cucumber lemonade ($1.50) while he prepared our food.

Fierro’s food is excellent. His enchilada sauce was sweet, which was a nice contrast to the cilantro sauce on the spring mix, which, by the way, featured fresh heirloom tomatoes.

The aforementioned caller was right. Pepe’s is worth checking out. It’s a little gem of a place.

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.


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Carrie wrote on September 5, 2008 9:38 am:
" Pepe's is Awesome! The cucumber lemonade is excellent, I have never tasted anything like it. This place is also very kid friendly, my daughter (who is 3) loved the cucumber lemonade as well and the special cheese quesadilla he made for her. My family loved the atmosphere, it was very inviting and felt like we were getting a meal made at home. The black bean tacos were amazing! It's a meal that makes you feel good after you finish and was filling at the same time. It is a must for anyone who wants to support local and fresh food! "

 n wrote on September 5, 2008 10:15 am:
" this place sounds like something i need to try out. there are a lot of mexican restaurants in lincoln and most of them have the same thing, some dishes just made better than others. but this is a whole new (and great) idea. "

 wow wrote on September 5, 2008 11:24 am:
" my mouth actually started watering while reading this! I will be making a stop here this weekend. I had no idea it was there. Altought it worries me with the location. Just because Havelock isn't he most health concious neighborhood (I live there so I can say that). "

 meat wrote on September 5, 2008 4:34 pm:
" bite your tounge wow havelock is very health concious just ask mr. green jeans. as far as pepes had a great cuban sandwich there. "

 Chris wrote on September 5, 2008 5:59 pm:
" How can the City of Lincoln allow a new business to open up that is not wheelchair accessible? This seems to be a violation of the ADA. I use a wheelchair and wonder if they will be able to provide me with a meal that is not takeout? "

 Pepe wrote on September 5, 2008 10:27 pm:
" Hi Chris.
Prior to Pepe's.The location had been two different coffee shops in the last 5 years.They both had some type of food.From sandwiches to pastries.This I believe would catagorize them as restaurants as well.The only difference is they had a much bigger menus.
Chris.I take your concern serious.Please let me know what I can do as far as getting some of my food to you.BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL.
-Pepe-
466-9774 "

 Freddy wrote on September 6, 2008 12:20 pm:
" Finally a Mexican place that is not dominated by dead animals! It is a total shame when a perfectly good dish is ruined by the unnecessary addition of meat. A place like this sounds like it has great potential for Lincolnites looking for vegetarian, kosher, or halal Mexican-style foods. "

 tryyourself wrote on September 8, 2008 2:05 pm:
" just ate there, 20 min ago, Fresh, reasonably priced, and TASTEY!!!!
Friendly service, 7 min from order to eating. This article rated the atmosphere a 2, i disagree. Its nice to go into a place that is not overwhelmed with decor and ethnic nicknaks. SImple is the best way to start. GOOD LUCK PEPES!!!
I will see you again soon. "

 Melissa wrote on September 17, 2008 8:55 pm:
" Just ate there tonight, everything was delicious! Didn't have to wait too long ~15 minutes. I totally disagree with the atmosphere statements, it was very nice and simple.

Try it! "

 Starving wrote on September 21, 2008 11:37 am:
" I really, really want to eat at this bistro, but the past 2 times my friends and I have tried to eat there, they've been closed during the hours they're supposed to be open! We may give it one more shot, because the idea of this place sounds great, but we'll be sure to call ahead first to make sure they're open. "

 Pepe wrote on September 27, 2008 8:02 am:
" Hello Starving
The hours posted on the second line of Ground Zero read:
Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Which is a little confusing as some folks are not reading the hours all the way through.I am open as posted and waiting to serve you.
Pepe 466-9774 "

 Good food wrote on September 30, 2008 9:15 am:
" You have to check this place out. The food is fresh and tasty, almost like the vegetables were picked out of the garden right before we came. Pepe was also very helpful creating a dish for my wife since she is avoiding dairy now while nursing our daughter. Go support Pepe! "

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