Florida Mexican Restaurant Chain Opens Port St. Lucie Grill

Pepe's Cantina brings its first Treasure Coast location to the community.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:07am

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration of a Mexican food item such as a taco or margarita glass, repeated in a grid pattern with bold, neon colors and heavy black outlines, conceptually representing the lively new Pepe's Cantina restaurant in Port St. Lucie.The vibrant new Pepe's Cantina location in Port St. Lucie brings a personal touch to the popular Mexican restaurant franchise.Port St. Lucie Today

Pepe's Cantina Mexican Grill, a Florida-based restaurant franchise, has opened its first Treasure Coast location in Port St. Lucie. The new grill and cantina offers a personal touch, with owner Hector Alarcon emphasizing a sense of ease and community at the family-friendly establishment.

Why it matters

The opening of Pepe's Cantina in Port St. Lucie represents the continued growth and popularity of Mexican cuisine in Florida, as well as the ability of local entrepreneurs to bring a personal, community-focused approach to a national franchise model.

The details

Pepe's Cantina is a Mexican restaurant franchise with locations throughout Florida. The new Port St. Lucie restaurant is the first Treasure Coast location for the chain, offering a menu of traditional Mexican dishes as well as a full-service cantina bar. Owner Hector Alarcon has emphasized creating a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere at the new establishment.

  • Pepe's Cantina opened its Port St. Lucie location on April 13, 2026.

The players

Pepe's Cantina Mexican Grill

A Florida-based Mexican restaurant franchise with locations across the state.

Hector Alarcon

The owner of the new Pepe's Cantina location in Port St. Lucie, who has emphasized creating a personal, community-focused atmosphere at the establishment.

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What they’re saying

“There's ease here. The Port St. Lucie family restaurant's owner, Hector Alarcon, summed up the vibe perfectly.”

— Hector Alarcon, Owner, Pepe's Cantina Port St. Lucie

The takeaway

The opening of Pepe's Cantina in Port St. Lucie demonstrates the continued demand for authentic Mexican cuisine in Florida, as well as the ability of local entrepreneurs to put a personal stamp on a national franchise model and create a welcoming, community-focused dining experience.