A Noe’s Mexican Cafe plate of carne guisada with Spanish rice, refried beans and garnish salad is pictured. Also seen are employees Pedro and Gloria Beltran, Rocio Muciño, and owner Noe Martin Lima and Karla Lima. (Staff photos by Heather Cathleen Cox)
By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
In October of 2011, a fire which started in the attic of a next door business ultimately closed the doors of what was once the original Noe’s Mexican Café. In January of 2012, however, Noe Martin Lima, nephew of the original owner, reopened the family establishment in a new location.
Noe’s restaurant had been in the family over 12 years, and Noe said, “I saw this property, where we are now, and we asked about it. The owner made us an offer which we took. It was new construction, but we gutted everything and added a kitchen.”
Noe’s is almost an unexpected surprise in its area, and if you’re someone who doesn’t know the city well, you could even pass it by. Currently, Noe is in the process of creating an addition to the restaurant which could seat an additional 70 people.
Young Mr. Lima, 25-years-old and in pursuit of his MBA, lives in San Antonio, but he opened this restaurant out of loyalty to his family. He said, “I couldn’t let the family business close for good. The restaurant was for my family. Our loyal customers have been with us over a decade. I wanted to bring something nice to the city and also keep the family legacy.”
His mother, Karla Lima of Honduras, came to the States when she was only 7. She manages the front of the restaurant, which is open for breakfast and lunch daily.
Of his menu, Noe advises new customers, “Noe’s breakfast tacos are where it’s at.” Noe says many customers dine during breakfast hours and enjoy the wide array of tacos the establishment offers. “And one will fill you up. They’re huge,” he said grandly motioning with his hands at the large size of their home-made flour tortillas.
Karla, however, noted that, “Carne guisada is a big hit here. So is the fajita plate.”
Noe elaborated on the restaurant’s carne guisada legacy, stating, “In January, I was allowed to be the only food vendor at a chess tournament in Harlingen. We ran out of carne guisada tacos almost immediately.”
Naturally, I had to taste the delicious “meat treat” I had heard so much about, and perhaps, if you can believe it, the rave reviews hardly do justice to the dish. There are flavors in the sauce that burst open in your mouth, landing on every taste bud as you savor the delectable and tender pieces of beef. Served with one of Noe’s staple “huge” flour tortillas and a side of traditional Spanish rice, refried beans and a side salad, even the carne guisada aficionado is sure to walk away from the meal completely satisfied.
Noe, a businessman, said he is also an entrepreneur. He wanted to be sure to “remind people to shop San Benito first.” He said, “When I had my ribbon cutting for the café, I said I wanted people to think of this as San Bonito,” making the play on words.
Noting the variety of Mexican restaurants in not only San Benito but also the Rio Grande Valley, Noe noted, “There are nothing but Mexican restaurants in San Benito, but our food is homemade. Everything,” he stretched out the word, “is made from scratch. When you’re here, you feel like you’re [dining] at your grandma’s house.”
In celebration of the season, the restaurant will begin selling tamales and bunuelos through the holiday. Open Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, Noe’s is open 365 days a year, rain or shine. The restaurant’s new location is 148 S. Travis St. in San Benito. The restaurant can also be reached at (956) 399-3661. For the Mexican food experience you have been missing, take the short drive to Noe’s. Tell them Heather sent you! Until next time, let’s keep it in good taste.
Read this story in the Nov. 14 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
1 comment
I love Noe’s. Always the best.