Felipe’s Taqueria offers Mexican cuisine to Gainesville

A new Mexican restaurant in Gainesville served burritos to its first 20 customers at about 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria, a Mexican food chain, held the grand opening of its sixth location at 1209 W. University Ave. It’s the second location in Florida.

Felipe’s likes opening restaurants in college towns, said Justin Crooks, the vice president of operations, who spent the day making burritos and filling orders.

“Gainesville is a neat college town that has great, diverse people that are smart and savvy — that know value and quality,” Crooks said.

The menu includes burritos, tacos and taco bowls, as well as frozen and top-shelf margaritas. Entree prices range from about $4 to about $8.

Customers can add toppings and sauces to their meals.

The new location will be open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight.

Crooks said the recipes originate from Oaxaca, Mexico, in the southern part of the country, where the founders, the Herrera family, are from.

Leticia Sanchez, a 40-year-old Miami native, said she was visiting Gainesville when she tried the queso con carne paired with two top-shelf margaritas.

She said it was phenomenal.

“The ambiance is laid-back and makes you feel at home,” Sanchez said.

“Customer service is super friendly,” she said. “And the margaritas are strong.”