If you are looking for an inexpensive Mothers Day meal, and your Mom likes Mexican, we have some help.
Eric Shangraw goes to Gran Azteca in this week's You Gotta Eat.

Gran Azteca is in an unassuming building on North University in Peoria. Inside is simple Mexican décor. The real beauty is the reasonable prices for authentic Mexican cuisine.

"We make our sauces for enchiladas from scratch. We make our burrito sauces from scratch. Our hot sauces, too. Our Meat is cut fresh everyday," said waiter Pascual Garcia.

"The food is good. The prices are reasonable and the service is great. It is very quick. I can get in here and back out just about as quickly as I can eating at a fast food restaurant for usually even less than I would spend there," said frequent customer Josh Freid.

Guest Eater Bill Heren came along for our Mexican meal after making a donation to a Lutheran Grade School in Pekin. The retired Caterpillar worker ordered the Chimichanga.

"It was great. I don't eat a lot of Mexican food, but it was good," said Bill.

What really caught our attention was the Mexican Ranch sauce that is complimentary with salsa and chips when you walk in the door. It is creamy and a little spicy. The owners insist there is no Ranch Dressing in it. We couldn't keep our hands off of the white sauce.

Photographer Leon Hendricks had a five–dollar lunch special; The number–nine Burrito, enchilada and rice and beans. He inhaled his about as quickly as I downed the grilled half chicken breast and Mexican sausage. They are prepared together on the grill and work well together on your taste buds. With drinks, our bill for our trio: 24–dollars plus tip. If you crave south of the boarder flavor... head north on University in Peoria.

Gran Azteca is at North University and Pioneer Parkway.
They are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
(309)693-0066.