Aimee Pimentel 
There’s nothing like a laid-back night catching up with friends over a basket full of tortilla chips and a salty margarita. A new Tex-Mex spot in Fairfax will be our new go-to for fajitas, nachos, and other classics. Doña Mesa, located at 10621 Braddock Road, Suite C, opened on June 11th, 2026, and is the newest addition to University Mall in Fairfax. Read on for more about Doña Mesa, a new Tex-Mex restaurant in Fairfax.
Behind the Scenes
Owner Aaron McDade is a longtime Fairfax resident who got involved in the restaurant scene in 2015 when he became an investor in restaurant Oh George!, which is also in the University Mall. “I didn’t have any experience in restaurants, but I knew a lot about entrepreneurship,” he said.
He went on to purchase the former Fairfax Surf Shop location in Old Town Fairfax and opened another restaurant. Draper’s Steak + Seafood opened in 2022 at 3936 Blenheim Boulevard. “It was a full tear-down and rebuild,” he said. “I liked the business enough to do it again.”
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In 2024, Aaron brought on Born Hospitality to help operate the restaurant. “Working with [principal] Donna [Shore] has been great,” he said. Aaron still works full-time as a consultant and owns a vending machine business with 40 machines throughout the area. “I guess you could say I got caught by the entrepreneurship bug,” he said.
In early 2026, he saw that a space would be opening up in the University Mall and started thinking about expansion. “There are a lot of fast casual places around,” he said. “But I wanted to do something that was sit-down and still casual.”
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Aaron said that the name Doña Mesa has a few layers of meaning. “Doña” is a respectful or elevated way to refer to a woman, while “Mesa” is both a common surname and the Spanish word for “table.” The name also connects to Donna, who was instrumental in putting the concept together. “Dona Mesa is meant to feel like a family table, a place where people can gather, eat, drink, and enjoy a meal together,” Aaron said.
What to Expect
The menu features a variety of Tex-Mex favorites, including tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, and more. Guests can also enjoy traditional Mexican desserts like tres leches and flan. The Fairfax Girl’s favorite item so far is the fajitas, which, of course, arrived on a sizzling plate.
In addition to food, Doña Mesa serves popular Mexican-inspired beverages, such as margaritas, mojitos, and palomas. There are 15 different types of margaritas alone. Doña Mesa also offers alcohol-free versions of several popular drinks. The restaurant accommodates a variety of dietary restrictions, allergies, and sensitivities, ensuring there are options for a wide range of guests.
Doña Mesa is open from 11AM to 10PM Monday through Saturday, and 11AM to 9PM on Sundays.
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