NILES — Every weekend, Jose Mendoza gets up before 4 a.m. and arrives at Taqueria Don Chepe to begin braising and simmering pork for carnitas.

To assure that the approximately 60-pound batch of meat is tender, juicy and seasoned to tantalize the taste buds, before it hits a customer’s plate, this early morning process, which takes about four hours, is necessary.

It’s just one testament to dedication that has continued to spur the Niles restaurant’s business and
customer following.

On Thursday, Taqueria Don Chepe celebrated two years of business in The City of Four Flages. Several menu specials were offered for the occasion.

For the Mendoza family, of Eau Claire, the milestone marked a success and a chance to reflect on their start.

“It means a great accomplishment for me and my family, because we never knew what we were getting into,” said Peter Mendoza, Jose’s son. “It’s great to be able to continue. Two years going strong means a lot to us.”

Peter and his sister, Magnolia, help to operate the restaurant, alongside their mom and dad, Juana and Jose, who cook up the authentic Mexican food that draws customers from as far as Chicago to their doors.

The family got their start operating Don Chepe after El Amigo Pepe business owner Jose Mendez, who knows the family and their love for cooking, offered to sell them the property at 1140 S. 11th St. He used to operate the restaurant before moving the business to a food truck. Mendez recent opened a store front downtown.

At first, the Mendoza family declined Mendez’s offer to buy the property. But when Mendez offered them the chance later in the year, the family knew this was their opportunity, Peter said.

“We all got together as a family and said ‘we are going to quit our jobs and put our effort into this family-owned restaurant,’” Peter said, “We decided to go for it. Now, here we are.”

In Hispanic culture, those with the name “Jose” are nicknamed either “Chepe” or “Pepe,” so the family named the restaurant after Jose’s nickname “Don Chepe.”

No matter what customers choose from the menu, they can expect authentic Mexican food created from family recipes and fresh ingredients. Everything is made fresh and in-house, right down to the salsa and beans. 

“We don’t use any canned salsa or beans, and the chips are homemade” Peter said. “We try to make everything homemade. People tell us right away, ‘this [tastes] homemade.’”

On the menu, customers can find housemade tortas, tacos, enchiladas and fajitas. Any item that features steak is a customer favorite, Peter said. 

“It’s a topseller,” he said. “People say they can’t find the same seasoning [flavors] anywhere else.”

Magnolia also credited her father’s hard work for making the restaurant what it is today. Through Jose’s dedication, she said the restaurant has earned the respect of customers.

She said it is not out of character to hear customer compliments about the quality and flavor of food. On Thursday, she said she had received such a compliment from a person who said they traveled a lot, and that Taqueria Don Chepe was their favorite Mexican restaurant yet.

“That is a really good indication that we are doing well,” she said. “Those little comments, we get them often and it brightens our day.”

Among those who praise the restaurant is customer Marcia Marker, who has patronized the business since its opening.

On Thursday, Marker ate some tostadas topped with avocado and a side of housemade salsa with her friend, Kathy Forcier.

“It’s very authentic,” Marker said. “[Don Chepe] is my favorite spot in Niles, and I love the wait staff, too.”

Marker said she visits the restaurant every Taco Tuesday to get her taco fix. She also works to spread the word about her beloved restaurant to friends and family.

“I think she is addicted,” Forcier joked.

It is customers such as these, combined with the family’s hard work , who have been quintessential to reaching the two-year milestone, the family said.

“We are very grateful for their business and loyalty and the love they show us,” Magnolia said. “When you see a customer with a smile and they are happy, it encourages you to keep going.”