Tamales Don Pepe marks the reemergence of Rene Hidalgo, who served Mexican food and margaritas at Maria Selma for 14 years, closing the restaurant in 2016 after, he said, the area had become too expensive. He took a little time off, and then, in May of last year, opened Don Pepe. Ever since he’s been quietly serving up homespun Tex-Mex for breakfast and lunch in his spartan dining room with a couple of TVs.