DINING FEATURE
THREE DISHES TO TRY
Asadero Tex-Mex Del Rio native brings South Texas avors to Conroe P eter Tovar said customers at his Conroe restaurant, Asadero Tex-Mex, often tell him, “This tastes like home.” Tovar said maintaining his concept of Tex-Mex food stems from his childhood in Del Rio. Tovar’s family worked on a ranch, and he said he learned how to cook from his father out in the elds. “The Tex-Mex food is similar to Austin or San Antonio but di erent from here in Houston,” Tovar said. “People who come in and who are familiar go, ‘Wow, we miss this.’” Tovar incorporates his family’s style of meat preparation, peppers and spices. He travels to restaurants across the state to sample their styles of Tex-Mex, he said. Sometimes he adapts recipes he tastes—and sometimes, he brings in a concept he likes, such as the cold salsa fresca, he said. “All those towns [in South and West Texas], I’ve eaten at every restaurant,” Tovar said. The eatery o ers more than Tex-Mex, however. Burgers, hot dogs and a Philly cheesesteak are on the menu. Tovar’s business partner, Tracy Dellzell, contributed a noodle bowl with brisket broth. “If customers want it, I’ll sell it—doesn’t have to be Tex-Mex,” Tovar said. Asadero opened in February 2021 during the pandemic and winter storm. While the restaurant celebrated its rst anniversary, Tovar said customer tra c has uctuated, and nearby businesses have closed. However, Tovar said he and Dellzell are working to bring new customers through events such as business networking mixers. Asadero also has a bar and stage with hopes to host local musicians. “We were doing really well from the beginning [until] about December; then it was dead; then it became really busy again,” Tovar said. “We’ve gotten busy again, but we’ve got to see how long that lasts.” BY JISHNU NAIR
Huevos rancheros ($8.95): Tovar said one of the recent additions Asadero has made to its menu is breakfast o erings, such as huevos rancheros.
COURTESY PETER TOVAR
Asadero Tampiqueña ($12.50 for lunch, $14.50 for dinner): A skirt steak is served with a cheese, beef or chicken enchilada alongside guacamole and pico de gallo.
Peter Tovar and Tracy Dellzell opened Asadero in February 2021 in Conroe.
COURTESY PETER TOVAR
JISHNU NAIR COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Asadero Tex-Mex 721 W. Davis St., Conroe 936-622-1100 www.facebook.com/asaderotxmx Hours: Tue.-Thu. 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-2 a.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
W. PHILLIPS ST.
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Brisket ramen ($10.99): The dish involves a fusion of Tex-Mex and Vietnamese cuisine, ramen noodles served with broth from Asadero’s brisket meat.
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CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION • MARCH 2022
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