38 years after founding the world-famous Mi Tierra Café & Bakery, Pedro and Cruz Cortez opened their second restaurant, La Carreta Mexican Steak House, on South Leona Street — just two blocks away from Historic Market Square.
In 1991, their sons, Jorge and David Cortez, remodeled and rebranded it as Restaurante Pico de Gallo, which became a popular spot for locals, famed for its savory parrilladas (barbecued meats). The two were subsequently recognized by the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for their efforts to preserve and enrich the city’s historic and culinary culture.