\u201cIt\u2019s a very unique place,\u201d said Gomez. \u201cIf you ever go to Mexico, you\u2019re going to see a lot of street vendors. I decided to put that in one place. We make a lot of different ingredient recipes and you can customize a lot of things. I wanted that place where if you had a craving, you know where to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gomez opened the restaurant in 2018. Tucked in a shopping center in Huber Heights, Pepe\u2019s was named after Gomez\u2019 father, who owns several restaurants and stores in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had great role models. I\u2019m from a family of entrepreneurs,\u201d said Gomez.\u201d \u201cI grew up in that type of environment. I was working when I was very young.\u201d<\/p>\n
After helping at her father\u2019s business and building up her savings, Gomez decided to open her own restaurant.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2020\/10\/Jazline-Gomez-55358_005-508x285.jpg\")
<\/a>Jazline Gomez, who majors in psychology and Spanish at Wright State, named her restaurant, Pepe\u2019s Mexican Flavors, after her father.<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cIt was hard work, but I\u2019ve had a lot of support from the community,\u201d she said. \u201cTheir support is making an enormous impact on us. We\u2019re doing pretty well.\u201d<\/p>\n
The menu features unusual and fun items such as Doriliocos \u2014 Doritos served with pickled skin pork, cucumber, jicama, pico de gallo, lemon and peanuts; Chicharrones \u2014 fried wheat crisps served with sour cream, cabbage, pico de gallo, lemon and cheese; and Pinas Locas \u2014 “Krazy” pineapples served with chili, lemon, peanuts and tamarind candy.<\/p>\n
Gomez is originally from Chicago and grew up in the Dayton area. After graduating from Wayne High School in 2016, she became a first-generation college student, enrolling at Sinclair Community College.<\/p>\n
After earning her associate degree in psychology, she transferred to Wright State, where she is majoring in psychology and Spanish.<\/p>\n
Gomez had considering going away to college and had visited other campuses. But many of her classmates had transferred to Wright State.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had heard a lot of things about Wright State and they were good things,\u201d she said. \u201cThey always tell you that when you go to a university you\u2019re going to have that feeling like this is home. Wright State gave me that feeling of like this is where I belong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gomez said the support of counselors and faculty made for a smooth transition. She felt also very welcomed by the Office of Latinx, Asian and Native American Affairs.<\/p>\n
Gomez wants to eventually pursue a master\u2019s degree in counseling after earning her bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology.<\/p>\n
\u201cI work with people every single day and it has made a difference in how I relate to my staff and how I relate to my customers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Gomez said it has been a difficult year for her business dealing with restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we\u2019re making it work,\u201d she said, adding that she hopes to open more locations soon. \u201cIt\u2019s a family environment, but it\u2019s also a place where you can go and study. It can be someplace where you feel at home.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jazline Gomez, who majors in psychology and Spanish at Wright State, named her restaurant, Pepe\u2019s Mexican Flavors, after her father. Continue reading