The Visalia Police Department and South Valley business community are remembering Pedro Mendez, a husband, father and restaurateur who died of cancer Sept. 19 after more than two decades serving the Visalia community.
His services are being held Oct. 9-10.
Visalia restaurant owner Pedro Mendez dies at 52
Mendez died Sept. 19, after a battle with cancer. The 52-year-old is survived by his wife of 25 years, Maria Fernanda, and three children, according to his obituary.
Maria Fernanda Mendez wrote in a social media post that her husband fought cancer for almost a year and kept his faith in God until the end. She wrote that he died peacefully with a smile on his face.
Chapala Grill stays open after owner’s death
Chapala Grill will remain open, Maria Fernanda Mendez wrote, with her and the restaurant’s crew continuing to serve customers the way her husband would have.
The restaurant will keep its regular business hours except Saturday, Oct. 10, when it will be closed so employees can attend the funeral. She wrote that Chapala Grill was her husband’s “second home” and that the crew was his family.
Chapala Grill is at 5113 W. Goshen Ave. in Visalia. The Times-Delta previously described the restaurant as a place where families and friends have long gathered to celebrate.
Visalia police and local leaders honor Chapala Grill owner
The Visalia Police Department shared a statement on social media on Sept. 21 saying Mendez was a longtime supporter and friend of law enforcement who welcomed officers and their families with “a hug that made you feel like family.”
Tulare County Supervisor Eddie Valero spoke about Mendez at a recent Board of Supervisors meeting, saying Mendez “cared deeply about his community.”
Pete’s Place restaurant wrote on Facebook that Mendez was one of Tulare County’s most cherished community members and put others before himself.
Community raises more than $110,000 during Pedro Mendez’s cancer treatment
The Mendez family launched a GoFundMe campaign in January to help with Mendez’s cancer treatment. Organized by his brother Jose Mendez, the campaign raised more than $110,000 for medical bills.
The community and local law enforcement agencies also held fundraisers for the family, including a car show in front of Chapala Grill.
In a February message, Mendez thanked supporters for their texts, phone calls, donations and visits, writing that he would “forever carry you in my heart.”
Maria Fernanda Mendez also thanked the community for the messages, flowers, meals, cards, fundraisers and prayers her family received during her husband’s illness.
Who was Pedro Mendez?
Jose Mendez described his brother as his best friend. “He was everybody’s friend,” he told the Times-Delta, adding that his brother checked in on people and was quick to help.
Pedro Mendez officiated his nephew’s wedding in April, according to the Times-Delta. His wife called him the “selfie king” in her post, which included a photo of him taking a selfie.
Mendez’s family is originally from Michoacan, Mexico, and moved to Watsonville more than five decades ago, according to The Fresno Bee. The family started in the food industry with a small taqueria and has owned restaurants in several places over the years, including Las Vegas.
How Pedro Mendez gave back to Visalia and Tulare County
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office said in February that Mendez supported boys and girls in the community through donations to its PAL program, according to the Bee.
In an interview with Visit Visalia, Mendez said he gave back by sponsoring a kids’ baseball team, bringing supplies to first responders and promoting other businesses on social media. “Nobody reaches their goals alone,” he said.
In April 2020, Chapala Grill and other local businesses teamed up to provide food to Central Valley farmworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The restaurants prepared and delivered hundreds of burritos and other food to workers in Dinuba and Hanford. Mendez told ABC30 that customer donations helped pay for the meals and that he wanted to give “a little back to all the hardworking people” who keep his restaurant open.
Pedro Mendez’s legacy in Visalia
Maria Fernanda Mendez wrote that her husband was “a rare and unique human being who loved big.”
The Visalia Police Department wrote that “Pedro meant so much to the Visalia community” and that he meant just as much to the department.
Funeral services begin Friday, Oct. 9, at St. Charles Hall with a private viewing at 3 p.m., a public viewing at 4 p.m. and a rosary at 6 p.m. Mass is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Visalia. A reception follows at noon at St. Charles Hall, according to the family.
