Magdalena’s Tex Mex

ADDRESS: 16140 N. Arrowhead Fountain Center Drive, Peoria, off 83rd Avenue by the Harley-Davidson shop.

PHONE NUMBER: 623-412-7644.

HOURS: 11 a.m. until close Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays.

OWNER: Dan Hinojosa.

CUISINE: Authentic Tex-Mex.

SEATS: 26.

OPEN SINCE: June 17.

SPECIALTY OF THE HOUSE: Margaritas - "They're unique and special," Hinojosa said. "You taste the kick, but they're delicious." Chimichangas; deluxe burrito.

POPULAR APPETIZER: Super nachos with refried beans, taco meat, melted cheese, guacamole, sour cream and jalepeños.

POPULAR LUNCH ENTRÉE: Tacos with beans and rice.

POPULAR DINNER ENTRÉE: Two chicken enchiladas, and side of rice, with bean dip as starter.

POPULAR DESSERT: Homemade cherry or apple sopapillas.

AVAILABLE FOR: Dine in and take out.

PRICE RANGE: $2 for a bean taco to $11 for dinner plate.

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW: The family-owned restaurant took the place of AZ BBQ. It has a juke box and flat-screen television. "It's new and beautiful," Hinojosa said.

UNIQUE TIDBITS: Hinojosa's family is from Texas, "where the recipes come from," he said. The family owns 10 restaurants, including locations in Ohio and Michigan. The first location opened in 1955. "Back home, people know our family, and there was waiting list the first day we opened," he said. Hinojosa said he imports many of his products to get the same flavors for which his family recipes are known. The restaurant is named for Hinojosa's mother, who used to wait tables at his grandmother's restaurant and learned her recipes.

FUTURE PLANS: Have people come back and tell their friends. "We're ready to rock and roll," Hinojosa said.

SLOGAN: "Magdalena's Tex Mex: AZ's best margarita."

Do you know of a great restaurant in the West Valley you'd like to see in our Dining Out feature? Call Brittany Woodruff, 623-876-2527, or e-mail bwoodruff@yourwestvalley.com.