Dining Guide: Zarate's

Jorge Zarate grew up in Peru and spent much of his childhood cooking with his mother in their Peruvian kitchen.

Although Jorge has worked in many restaurants around the city and in all positions, his favorite place to cook has always been in his home kitchen with the recipes his mother taught him as a young boy. Nearly all the Latin meals served at Zarate’s Latin Mexican Grill have come from his home fare.

“I worked 10 years in the food industry and I paid close attention to everything,” said Jorge. “I worked hard to learn the kitchen, serving, managing and running of a restaurant. I knew my passion was to cook and I would someday open my own restaurant.”

When Zarate’s first opened its doors, their menu was entirely Mexican. Through popular demand and a strong family desire to present their true Latin culture and cuisine, Jorge added his favorite Peruvian dish to the menu; the Lomo Saltado. As Latin lunches and dinners become more popular, he continued to add unique dishes. The restaurant now boasts 25 different Latin entrees.

Zarate’s most popular dish is still the Lomo Saltado with grilled steak, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, Peruvian spices and yellow peppers. It’s sautéed over an open flame with red wine and served with white rice, sweet plantains and yucca fries. 

Other popular dishes include their Cuban pork chops, mango salsa tilapia, Jamaican jerk chicken, Brazilian chicken and shrimp BBQ, Peruvian ceviche and Honduran beef tamales.

“We are planning to add new dishes because of our customer’s requests,” said Jorge. “Customers are always asking us to cook something from their home town in Central or South America, or because they went on vacation and ate something really delicious. We listen to every customer and the menu will reflect that.”

Zarate’s also offers a rare variety of International soft drinks from Puerto Rico, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and more.

The Edmond restaurant is a unique cultural experience and offers diverse live music every Wednesday with specials, like $1.99 margaritas. They also treat birthday guests to a free meal as a thank you to their Edmond patrons for their support. Additionally, students and teachers can take 10 percent off their meal with ID.

“We have met such nice people and in return we will do everything to keep the best quality, service and delicious flavors of all the Latin countries,” says Jorge.

Zarate's Latin Mexican Grill proudly creates homemade flavors and prepares their dishes from scratch. Stop in for lunch or dinner at 706 S. Broadway.