05/20/09

Best nachos and salsa in town

by kman

I've been going to this place since the 80's and some things never change, still the best salsa in town. If you've never been to Pepitos, you got to try their nacho lupitas. Im addicted!

• Pros: solid food and service
• Cons: hard to find parking

04/06/09

Always pay too much at Pepitos

by MusikLVR

Every time I go here and meet friends for dinner I kick myself, I totally love the 48th and Chicago area, I just think that Pepitos stinks The food is super average, the drinks are expensive and just ick.... However the movie theater that the same guy owns next store is SUPER cool, great real popcorn, they have leather couches down front and they always play great offbeat flicks

My thoughts

Bruce

• Pros: Good chips and salsa
• Cons: pricey, average mexican food

04/03/09

2 bad experiences in a row

by jmmp

They now make you pay for soda refills and salsa. Seriously, just raise your prices 25 cents. It feels like you are being nickled and dimed and the manager does not really take constructive criticism well, even from neighborhoodies like us. About a month later, we ordered take out. Specifically asked for hot and mild salsa. we picked it up, brought it home and No Salsa. Called back and they said that the hostess who took the order does not make mistakes, so we were free to drive back there, pay 50cents and purchase more salsa. No apology. Bad customer experience all around, dissappointing because we love the idea of local neighborhhod places.

• Pros: inexpensive
• Cons: cheap in every other way too.

03/12/09

Don't believe the stars!

by cyclecat

Pepito's: average

Citysearch star rating: ZERO stars

If you look at the heading, Pepito's gets an "average" of four and a half stars. I was immediately suspicious after seeing ELEVEN one-star reviews out of a total of 54, so I did the math, which revealed that Pepito's rated a REAL average of less than 3.3 stars, about what it deserves. Why the huge discrepancy? Just realize if you're looking for authentic Tex-Mex, you're not going to find it here. And like other reviewers said, steer clear of the overpriced, watery margaritas.

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Charge for chips and salsa, margaritas are poor

03/12/09

Great atmossphere (3 1/2 stars rating)

by woodtick57

It's been over a decade since I've been to Pepito's, so I was worried about some of the reviews I read here. We decided to give it a try and were glad we did! We weren't on a budget, but there was a good choice of prices on the menu. The two tacos could feed a small family for $7.50. The enchilada was so stuffed with chicken it was a meal in itself, but I had to also finish the relleno as it was EXCELLENT! My vegetarian daughter loved her choices.

The margaritas were marvelously mediocre and WAY overpriced.

We could have been more frugal with our menu choices and drinks but it was still only $23.00/plate with generous tip for server ( great service at 9pm sat.) and valet.( definite bonus on a sub-zero night!)

• Pros: good choice of dishes/prices
• Cons: Expensive margaritas

01/30/09

If I could give it less than one star, I would.

by ajbellis

I have been to the place twice. On both occasions, I have walked away with the distinct feeling I paid too mush for too little. I am not absolutely sure, but the liquor was left out of my Margaritas BOTH times. I drink approximately twice a year and I felt NOTHING after drinking two of the largest one. As for the food, it stinks. The salsa is runny tomato sauce with spices...no onion, peppers or tomatoes. The say they have large enchiladas and this is NOT true at all. They are not tiny, but I would not call them large. The first round of chips and salsa is free. If you want more, you pay and pay too much. The title says they are "Tex-Mex." I do not believe the understand the phrase or they would not call themselves this. Atmosphere is ok if you sit in the resturant area. The bar area stinks if you want to sit down and eat dinner. The ONLY thing good about this place is that someone will park your car for free.

Furthermore, the food here is NOT spicy. I have no idea where the person who wrote the review for this place has been or is from. But, THAT is NOT spicy food...especially if you are going to call yourself "Tex-Mex." The food was basically bland for Tex-Mex. Do not waster your time going here if you are seeking good Tex-Mex or Mexican food. They will not serve it to you.

• Pros: Someone will park your car for free
• Cons: list is too long to type in this space

01/16/09

Worst. Margaritas. Ever.

by Wahoowah

I don't understand why this place is so popular because I'm not going back. I might as well start with the low point of the evening. We went to the bar after being told we'd have to wait 20 minutes for a table (it took over an hour), and paid $8.25 each for margaritas. What we got was a pint glass with crushed ice, no alcohol, and nothing resembling margarita flavor. It wasn't even the right color, just ice with some non-descript liquid in it.

While still waiting for a table, we wanted to order beers to experience some form of flavor. At one point there were five staff members talking at the bar, but nobody would acknowledge us to take our order. After we finally sat down, the only positive was that we had a respectable server. However, the food was bland, and didn't even come with side dishes. The salsa was the only thing that had anything resembling spices in it.

Anybody who thinks this is good Mexican food should just go back to enjoying their hot dish.

• Pros: I didn't get sick....yet.
• Cons: Food, drink

10/24/08

On the way back up, both cuisine and service

by averageMinneapolitan

I've been coming to Pepito's off and on since they opened, decades ago, and have lived in the neighborhood since 1999. I loved Pepito's in the '80s, but by the early '00s they had slipped badly. Read some of the reviews below for a sample. Filthy floors and booths, poor food, slow service, etc. I am happy to say that in the past year or two there has been a marked improvement and pepito's is back on its game again. Not yet perfect but not coasting on their reputation anymore. Prices aren't bad, they're similar to other South Mpls Mexican restaurants. The service is markedly better. I had almost given up on Pepito's but now will happily return.

• Pros: They bought the Parkway Theater next door, and show good movies
• Cons: Can still be very crowded at dinner rush, try lunch

09/27/08

Please Do Not Eat Here If You Care About Our Neighborhood!!

by sj701

Two years ago, I moved to the block next to Chicago Ave. where Pepitos is located. All summer, I have watched cars zoom down the alley at not only an unsafe speed, like 20mph, but like 30mph. After a while, I recognized these young guys as the valet drivers of Pepitos. When I called to speak with the manager, I told him, and he said you should've called earlier if you've been seeing this happen all summer. When, I said that if they don't slow down, I will spread negative publicity. His response, was "Oh really, well, you do what you need to do." Then he hung up on me. Trust me, I was not disrespectful during our phone conversation, I am a young hard working born and raised Minnesotan proud of the Twin Cities, and go out of my way to support local businesses. I have neighbors that have gone over to Pepitos to let them know about the speeding valet drivers driving YOUR cars so this is not news to them. They do not care about members of their own community! Please let this business know that you won't tolerate disrespect toward hard working community members just trying to keep their children and dogs safe. Now I know why I never see any of my neighbors up there. If you are new to this restaurant, my opinion is that the food is greasy. When I moved here, I honestly was surprised at how busy it can be for 1. The food, 2. The service - I have tried time after time to give them chances, I mean, how convenient to walk my alley across the street to a restaurant, right? Each time, I walk away thinking the service is sub par at most. 3. Once while in the bar, I saw a m***se. Granted, this can happen at any restaurant. If you decide to go try this restaurant, I would ask that you pay attention to the level of service and consider what I've said about their repeated attitude toward people that really want to support local businesses. Please put yourself in our shoes, and think about how you would feel in a similar circumstance.

• Pros: Fairly Inexpensive
• Cons: Rude Management, Waitstaff is not as good as the restaurant's current 4.5 rating

09/27/08

Rather go to the suburbs for good Mexican

by sj701

If you are new to this restaurant, my opinion is that the ambience of the neighborhood is unbeatable. If you decide to wait for a table, put your name in and walk around to the shops. Even grab a beer at the neighborhood pub. However, I think the people that wait outside for a table on weekends are crazy. Growing up this was a destination spot for me. They used to have a quaint patio, good service and I loved the food. Now I live in the neighborhood and I honestly am surprised at how busy it can be for 1. The food, 2. The service - I have tried time after time to give them another chance. Each time, I walk away thinking the service is sub par at most. Maybe it's because I've traveled as an adult and my taste is more discriminating, but the food just tastes greasy and fried. Oh and did I mention the stories I've heard and experienced myself about the chips and salsa? Sometimes you get chips and salsa, sometimes you're charged, sometimes you're charged for the second basket. It isn't the worst service I've ever had, but it is the most consistently poor service. Do not expect a dining experience. Yes, the food comes out reasonably fast, but that's just it, they're slinging food. You will not have proactive service or service with a smile. It often feels chaotic. Now, when I am in the mood for good Mexican food, I go out of my way to El Loro or Teresa's. Much better quality, value, and service.

• Pros: Fairly Inexpensive
• Cons: Rude Management, Waitstaff is not as good as the restaurant's current 4.5 rating