‘It’s something he’s always wanted to do.’ Family opens new Mexican restaurant in Macon

Juan Alaniz, a native of Mexico, has worked in restaurants his entire life.

He’s a chef, and he’s helped open several of the Margaritas restaurants in Macon and Warner Robins.

Recently, the Alaniz family opened their own restaurant, Chevo’s Mexican Restaurant at 4921 Riverside Drive, Suite 2, in Macon.

“It means a lot,” Alaniz said.

Eldest daughter Evelin Alaniz added, “It’s been his dream … He loves to cook … He wanted to show everybody how good his food is.”

Evelin, 23, waits tables, working alongside her 16-year-old sister Kimberly Alaniz, who is a hostess. Their mom, Imelda Maldonado, also waits tables, while their dad is cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

The restaurant’s name pays homage to his father, the late Eusevio “Chevo” Alaniz. Chevo was his dad’s nickname.

The food

The restaurant offers a mix of authentic Mexican cuisine as well Tex-Mex dishes.

Juan and Evelin recommended trying one of these dishes:

• Molcajete Mexicano — Marinated and seasoned grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, chorizo, Mexican cheese, corn quesadilla, banana pepper and nopal served in a molcajete.
• Mojarra Frita a la Diabla — Whole fried Mojarra fish with six peel and eat shrimp cooked with hot sauce and served with salad and rice and beans.

• Alaniz steak — A 12-ounce grilled steak marinated with spices and soy sauce with broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, pineapple and shrimp with choice of two sides from rice and beans, guacamole salad, tossed salad, baked potato or fries.
• Birria nachos — Birria meat covered with melted cheese, cilantro, onion, guacamole and sour cream.

More menu options

The restaurant offers an extensive menu featuring appetizers, nachos, soups and salads, specialties of the house, meatless options, fajitas, quesadillas, steaks and seafood.

One of the specialties is Evelin’s Pasta, which is made with marinated and seasoned grilled chicken, steak or shrimp or a mix of the meats on a bed of spaghetti noodles, topped with creamy poblano sauce and served with garlic toast and a salad.

This is a dish that Evelin makes at home all the time and one that her dad added to the menu because it’s “really good,” she said.

Among the meatless options are fajitas with fresh grilled bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, carrots and broccoli served with rice and beans, lettuce, sour cream, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and tortillas.

To drink, the restaurant offers soft-drinks, aguas frescas (refreshing fruit drinks) and non-alcoholic daiquiris. Alcoholic beverages include a variety of domestic and import draft and bottled beer and wine as well as margaritas and daiquiris.

The restaurant is nestled in the Shoppes at Riverside Center along with four other restaurants, including Pig on a Pie which recently relocated to the news space. Other restaurants include Firehouse Subs and Teriyaki House. The small shopping strip is across from The Shoppes at River Crossing.

Chevo’s Mexican Restaurant, which offers dine-in and takeout, is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. The number is 478-254-3476.