Poquitos
1000 E Pike St, Seattle, WA, 98122
Poquitos Menu
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Address :
1000 E Pike St
Seattle, WA, 98122 - Phone (206) 453-4216
- Website https://www.vivapoquitos.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Antonious W.
The place has a nice vibe. The outside patio/bar is really nice and still gives a bit of an indoor feel. All the food we ordered was off the happy hour menu and was all very tasty, delicious and satisfying. The items we ordered and I highly recommend are the mole fries, grilled corn and totada ceviche. Unfortunately, the "agua fresca" horchata was almost tasteless and watered down. This was quite possibly the worst horchata I've ever had and would therefore advise that you steer clear of their other "aguas frescas." The customer service could also use some improvement. Upon seating ourselves and waiting a few minutes, we were only acknowledged after I got up and grabbed us some menus.
(4)Andrea J.
I'm not quite sure of the appeal of this place but then cactus has a fan following too. What you get here is bland food masquerading as Mexican. We ordered the ceviche, chicken and fish tacos with some beer. I really can't say much besides it was disappointing in flavor, in freshness and in just being Mexican.
(2)Rachael M.
Came in here when Barrio's had too long of a wait. We were seated right away and our food came out within minutes of ordering - so definitely no problem on the waiting side of things! But on the food side of things... it is no Barrio's. My chicken tacos were okay. My husband felt the same about his al pastor tacos. The rice and beans on the side were pretty good. It's a good deal for happy hour, but at full price the tacos did not feel worth $12. We also got the trio of salsa ($4), but didn't really love any of the salsa. So, it does okay for tacos but definitely don't need to come out of your way to try it.
(3)Cornelis S.
We just returned from Mexico, it was late we were hungry. The food was great as good as any we had down south. Even the taco soup was a hit.
(4)Cait V.
From Pittsburgh, always try to visit Poquitos when we're in town! Last time we were there we ordered an amazing amount of food and EVERYTHING was delicious! One of my favorite qualities about this place is the ambience! I love the decor, it just adds a something extra to the experience. Thought the drink prices were a little high, I'm not sure what happy hour prices they have, we were there later. I like how they don't have too many extra frills, good traditional Mexican food!
(4)Brittney J.
This place is a must if you're looking for good mexican in Seattle. Being from LA were spoiled with mexican on every corner and my boyfriend and i had been on a long trip and were craving home away home. The building itself is immaculate. Iron accents and steel all throughout give it a very tequila cantina feel. The indoor/outdoor patio outside has a full bar you'd think it was a different restaurant! We went for happy hour and everything was $5 bucks! The margarita which are normally $8 were $6. They were HUGE and hand made. I don't know if it's just an LA thing but normally happy hour house margaritas are out the on tap premixed baby versions. The taquitos are a must. We ordered a round of everything and one more of those. The mole fries were little tooooo chocolate-y for my taste but still amazing.
(5)Michael P.
Oh wow how have I not reviewed Poquito's yet?! This Cap Hill staple has a top notch margarita and great late night happy hour. The atmosphere is pretty dark but casual, it's always jammed on the weekends. I've had patchy service here on multiple occasions, but I have never been here outside of a crazy weekend afternoon/evening. The food is great--this is NOT Azteca or your standard suburban joint. Fresh ceviche. Great guac. Creative takes on traditional dishes... My favorite all-around spot for Mexican in Seattle.
(4)Crystal S.
Had a layover here in Seattle from California. It's great to have friends here to meet and catch up with. This place was simple and pleasant. Sat out in the patio area because Seattke was having an amazing gorgeous sunny day. Ordered off the lunch menu. The food tasted good and came out quickly. The food portion was good for the price. And a must have with chips and 3 different kinds of salsas. Didn't have any drinks just water, which they gave us plenty, never had to ask for our pitcher to be refilled. So when I am back in Seattle I will definitely visit this place again.
(4)Andrew N.
Went here for the first time today for lunch excellent food and service would come back here again
(5)Vanessa A.
Such a lovely experience. Came during a busy dinner hour with 3 guests and a baby. Hostess gladly seated us in a booth accommodating to a carseat. We were instantly greeted by our friendly and wonderful server Rachel. We had chips and salsa that were delicious and our server suggested excellent drinks. My friends had a strawberry and the ginger peach Margherita and I had the best coconut mojito I have ever had. Dinner was perfect as well. The pork belly tacos were cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. I would say to anyone... come try this place!
(5)Phil L.
So I can't really comment on the food here hence the "A-ok" rating. I came in here to have a drink and they have a decent selection of tequila, beer, cocktails, etc. I'm not a big fan of tequila but I was able to have a nice tequila that was aged in buffalo trace barrels and it was friggen fantastic. That might be due to the fact that I am a huge whisky fan but instead of tasting like tequila (vomit) it tasted exactly like a whisky. Amazing. The cool thing about this restaurant is they do have a sunroom area that includes a large bar and ample seating.
(3)Shandiin G.
The few times ive been to this place I will say that the ambience is incredible. In the summer time I must say that the bar is the best place to be. they open the windows and its like being in a patio. Its a very beautiful place. The drinks are very good as well. Extremely diverse selections of cocktails. I am a fan of the margaritas. My friend had the jalapeno pineapple drink and she said it was one spicy drink with a refreshing feel to it, You can clearly tell they pit a lot of love into the drink choices. Now for the food. I don't really know what to say about the food but meh? Im not quite sure what approach they were going for with the Mexican cuisine but I wasn't really impressed. The latest food Item I had there was the fish tacos. They were good, but maybe I expected more? I really don't know? Now would I go back to this place... sure! Its in a really good location and the happy hour is not too shabby. As for going there for a full on dinner, I'm not too sure.
(3)Scott S.
They should really try to advertise the chopped salad more because it's the best chopped salad in this whole city. I've had it like 10 times now. With both chicken and steak.
(5)Wenn C.
Best beet salad I've ever had, hands down. It was a huge serving and soo many different flavors incorporated (pumpkin seeds, jicama, etc.). The elotes were also phenomenal. I tried several drinks, wish I could remember which ones, but I don't remember that I liked every single one! Will definitely be back soon:)
(4)Deena L.
One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in cap hill. I always order their tacos! Can't go wrong fish or pork. I always sit in the bar area because I love the booths and lighting. The atmosphere is fun! Make sure to sit on a marg!
(4)Olivia M.
Poquitos is always a solid bet. I actually love this place for brunch - they have so many options. It's a great place to catch a game, grab a margarita with a friend, or have some beers to end the night. I love the outdoor seating area in both summer and winter - note that it's 21 and over, so underage friends can't sit there, they will make you leave. I've never had a bad experience at Poquitos, and I always try to recommend it to people who are visiting from out of town!
(3)Amanda C.
I will gladly do the honors of writing Poquitos a 5-star review. I go to this fantastic place about once every other week, sometimes as much as once a week. I wish I could work here, but alas, Veterinary Medicine and Mexican food don't really go together. Darn it! Anyway, enough about me...on to the reasons Poquitos is epic-ally amazing! 1. The decor & ambiance - A perfect marriage of Gothic, fun, romantic and inviting. 2. The bartenders - they are some of the best on Capitol Hill, not to mention the nicest! Matt makes the most amazing jalapeno margaritas. 3. The grilled fish tacos. A-M-AAAAAAAzing! These are seriously the best fish tacos I have ever eaten. So fresh and yummy. 4. The fire pits and atrium - Badass. 5. Homemade popsicles - Who makes homemade popsicles?! Poquitos does! And they are good.
(5)Candi K.
Service at this place is a hit or miss. If you come when it's busy then it'll take a while but if it's empty then service is great. They make great margaritas. We usually come here just to drink and eat some guacamole. I had the micholadas and it was okay, I had to ask for more bloody mary mix with they were happy to provide but I want my drink ready to go when I order it. They had decent food, nothing too bad but nothing outstanding. They have a big bar section which is nice and never had a problem finding table.
(4)Joel A.
As a latino I can tell you that most if not all foods served on the menu were overpriced for the quality and quantity. The tacos were decent if you have no taste buds. Why? The salsa was lacking in flavor, it was bland and watery. Most of the meats seemed over salted to overcompensate for a lack of flavor. The saving grace was the freshness of the tortilla itself. The drinks at Poquitos are expensive and they lacked a good amount of alcohol. The margaritas were not at all worth the price. The staff was super friendly, especially the people waiters. Those at bar keep seemed irritated and did not at all want to deal with you. In sum: go to another place for overpriced Latin dishes
(2)Travis J.
We love this place. No it's not the best Mexican food but it's done well and consistently. What I really love is the service. It's 1pm on Pi day and our bartender is outstanding. As always we are looking forward to our next trip to Poquitos!
(5)Nicholas G.
Poquitos and Doritos--two habits of mine that I find equally embarrassing. If you ever catch me eating Doritos at Poquitos I think it's safe to say I've hit rock bottom and that I deserve a bullet to the back of the head or at least a swift kick to my taquito. Poquitos was all the rage a couple years ago--couldn't get a reservation and you had to fellate a bus hop just to get on the wait list. That said, this fusion Mexican yuppy trap has gone down hill faster than a fat kid on a Queen Anne avenue snow day. I'd describe the food as mediocre at best. I recently tried their version of chicken and waffles which proved to be a couple of dry, flaccidly seasoned deep fried chicken strips paired with a couple balls of fried dough creatively rolled in cinnamon and sugar. If a male churro and a female churro had unprotected sex, got knocked up and smoked crack during every day of their pregnancy, their illegitimate down-syndrome child would have more redeemable qualities then these cinnamon balls toted on the menu as "Mexican donuts." Adding insult to injury the service has been absolutely uninspiring and even offensive at times. On one occasion a ladyfriend and I ducked in and had the audacity to order an ice water at the bar (we had EVERY intention of ordering drinks right after if not an order of chips and guac). The shedevil bartender ignored countless requests for ice water and then refused to take our drink order. Mind you the bar was more or less empty on this occasion. Absolutely infuriating. Needless to say, I find myself here often because of its location. The back patio bar has redeemable qualities and it's hard for them to mess up certain things ie a bottle of modelo. Hence, I'm not happy about it, don't recommend this place but by the same token I know I'll probably eat Doritos again, and I'll probably be at Poquitos again.
(2)Dana T.
Let me start by emphasizing that I do not like Mexican food... and my friend that took me here doesn't either! I get that this place isn't exactly authentic but it was really modern and still yummy. We both enjoyed our chicken enchiladas and grilled chicken salad (I forget the name) very much! The only downside is that this place is pretty overpriced. My salad alone was 16-18 dollars, I can't remember. Our server was very kind and considerate. She had great recommendations. I would love to come back here and see what Mexican food has to offer. Recommend to anyone.
(3)Holli M.
Great food! Good drinks! Excellent service and a fun atmosphere! Happy they take reservations otherwise the wait was 45 minutes. Patio area is always the first to go.
(4)Ruby M.
Place was super cute! I loved the inside and outside. The food was delish. You must.... Absolutely must get the mole fries!!!!! The grilled corn was amazing as well. The service was not great at all (& we went during a very quiet time). My boyfriend had to go get us our menus. Waitress finally took out order. If I was a local I would go back for the food again.
(4)Kim K.
Met a group of friends here on a recent trip up to Seattle! Great ambiance and people watching. The mocktail I ordered was delicious as were the cocktails ordered by friends. The waitress was attentive and friendly. The food tasted fresh and the portions were generous. I had enough left over for a second meal! The only thing I didn't like about the experience was when I accidentally left my to-go box on the table, but that was 100% my fault. Great spot and I'd come back on my next visit!
(3)Lauren R.
This place is wonderful. I've been here more times than I can count and each and every time I am happy. My go to is always the house margarita, the peppers, and tacos. The side bar is a great spot to sit and watch a game. Just get there early to get a good spot with a view. As I am writing this I am now craving this restaurant. Need to visit soon!
(5)R M.
When we walked in there were not many people in the restaurant. Our intention was dinner, however their primary suggestion was to sit at the bar they have the full menu too or we "could" get a table if we needed. So we took initiative to go to bar, since the impression was their preference was that. When our serval finally arrived, we were talking as couples do when they are together, she asked if we needed anything to start off with, but we didn't get the menus until she arrived, besides water, no I've no clue what's on the menu. She came back a few more times and once while we were deep in conversation, she did not hide how annoyed she was with us. Sorry toots, some people do actually have important things to discuss. Our service was very mediocre. She was pretty stand offish from the get go. I know it's Capital Hill but good service is what everyone wants. The food was, ok. We probably won't ever go back 2 stars for decent micheladas
(2)Alice X.
Came here one Saturday night while clubbing at the Q and they have a bouncer right out front to check your ID! The place looks like an awesome place to hold a get together with friends. I wasn't hungry that night and the only thing I ate here was ONE cricket. It was salty and sour at the same time. Not my favorite but HEYYY where else can you get crickets???
(3)Jasmine G.
This place is great for almost any social group. I've gone here for date night, girls night, drinks with mom, lunch - you get the point. During the day it's your normal Mexican joint but towards the night it transforms into a fun bar. If you're hoping to enjoy date night here, it's great but the noise level is a bit higher than average if you're hoping to have a more quiet evening. If suggest hitting this place before 9-10 ish because at that point the Hill's finest begin to go out. Overall I like it - great food and awesome service every time I've been here. Huge portions and great drinks await you!
(4)Anne B.
I love Poquitos. I live in walking distance and have been eating and drinking there since it opened. They are almost always busy, yet they still give amazing service, which is hard to find on Cap Hill these days. The food is delicious! I usually drink wine, but typically have a margarita when I go because they are so tasty!!! I also love the décor. The only negative, it is almost always hot in there and I am a person that is almost always cold.
(5)Andy Z.
happy hour food: quesadillas. i had the plain cheese and it comes with cream cheese and salsa. its loaded with cheese. gooey but doesnt spill out everywhere. nothing special but a solid dish. ***3/5 service: server was great. got our orders fairly quick and knows the menu pretty well when a friend asked for recommendations. ***4/5 ambiance: the patio area is awesome. there are two fire place spots you can sit around. there are booths by the windows that can look out into the streets. very nice. ***4/5 value: not bad for happy hour. chips and salsa arent free, but it's not expensive to order. menu is pretty broad and have some of everything. ***4/5
(4)Valery J.
UPDATE: Liz from Poquitos contacted me. She apologized for the service I received. I really appreciate the initial email and follow up. 5 STARS to management for being on top of things and reading all the reviews. This place is not recommended for dinner. The bartender had an attitude the entire time, and he left his shift to someone else without notifying us. Also, the menu is not gluten free friendly (or have gluten free alternatives). How is it that Mexican food is not gluten free?! Side note...the watermelon guacamole highly recommended by bartender is simply horrid.
(1)Ryan B.
The first thing I learned at poquitos- if you're just coming for dinner, then go early. We arrived at 6pm for dinner and it was just in time before the evening party rush. Food is great, the strawberry guacamole was the special that night which was an excellent mix of light sweets and spices. Chicken tacos, fish tacos, and mile were all amazing choices. Service was ok - a couple missed drink orders (order a mannys get an IPA, or a modelo instead of a pacifico). I'll be back but after I try a few other places ...
(4)Ron M.
Meh. Had better. Server couldn't understand what mole sauce was. Our order was wrong, not once but twice and round #3, the food was cold and tasteless. I called over the manager who removed the items from our ticket. I must say one good thing - the margarita's were delish!
(1)Dan B.
Really BAD SERVICE 30 minutes between checks by our waiter. Please #Yelp STOP with the "your review is currently Shorter Than Most". Because I'm not a loser writing a book No One Cares to read! Short and to the point.
(2)Dan S.
* I had a misunderstanding with the server, yelped my frustration and the GM got back to me and made it right *It is good to know that operators care and get back to customers, so thank you Liz
(5)Austin J.
Amazing. Simply amazing. They don't bring you chips and salsa automatically, so ask for it! (it's $4 for a tray with the 3 salsas, but totally worth it!)
(5)Daniel K T.
Amazing! Good drinks and food!
(5)Greta G.
My friend and I came in for a late lunch on a Sunday, right before they were about to stop brunch, but the hostess was kind enough to seat and serve us. The interior was beautiful with dark wood seats and booths, blue and white tiles, and iron chandeliers. I ordered the huevos rancheros which were really good, but a lot spicier than I was expecting. Overall it was a good meal and a very accommodating staff.
(4)Forrest R.
The giant tostada is huge and delicious. The guacamole was also top notch. Happy hour is 4-6
(4)Daniel W.
Chips were good, salsa was bland and flavorless as were the chicken enchiladas. I'm actually impressed at how this place could make a crappy enchilada, but using bottom shelf frozen chicken and frozen tortillas will probably do it. The house margarita, well, was what I would expect from a college dive bar. Don't bother going, end d story. Also, they don't have AC so in the summer it's pretty unbearable.
(1)Bridget M.
I've been here 3 times in the last year and a half. The first two was pretty awesome and realizing its been a year since I last visited I was eager to go again. Bad idea. It was crazy hot inside, patio seating was full and I totally see why. The hostess was super pleasant. Our server was a tad slow, I had an empty cocktail glass more often than a full one. We decided to order a queso fundido to start. The cheese was bland and a play-doh-like consistency. No joke, 2 minutes later they brought out our entrees. I appreciate fast service, but hate when the kitchen doesn't give you time to finish a starter before bringing your entree because inevitably either the appetizer or entree get cold and gross. The entree was the 3 chicken tacos which was bland and forgettable. The rice was hard and unappetizing and the beans were lukewarm and bland. Maybe I went on an off night? Maybe the kitchen staff has changed since I was last there?These are questions I'll probably not be able to answer because I don't see myself coming back anytime soon.
(2)John Mack M.
This is a fun environment to enjoy with a group friends, I highly recommend enjoying the huge happy hour menu while sitting under the covered patio. With an open fire-pit at your table, coupled with Seattle's mild winters, the patio is great year 'round. The happy hour menu is huge! No one hour happy hour here, HH is from 11:30- 6pm. That's awesome! You may want to try something off the HH menu, I had the beef tongue tacos, which left me tongue tied for more! So good! Others at my table wanted to give it a good after my serious display of delight! Although some were weary, all enjoyed. Poquitos offers a full bar, both inside the main part of the restaurant and outside on the patio. The margaritas are freashly made per order, not premixed.
(5)Gabriel G.
I have found another favorite spot to eat in seattle! This place is awesome and Happy hour is great! The waiter was very attentive and very up to making sure that we were taken care of! Los Tacos were delicious and the Margaritas were very generously strong. I will come back again and tell my friends to come here.
(5)I-Wei F.
After my last review, Poquitos contacted me and made things right by offering me a gift card. My boyfriend and I finally went back last night and had a really enjoyable night. We sat at the bar and received excellent service from everyone. We got the toasted grasshoppers, chicharrones, and guacamole to start. All were delicious, the chicharrones were the best I've ever had, and I've had a lot of chicharrones. For main course, I got the al pastor tacos and my boyfriend got the Yucatan chicken. The tortillas are fluffy and fresh and delicious, the al pastor was on the dry side and not especially flavorful. The Yucatan chicken was pretty good. Rice and beans were pretty good. We really enjoyed ourselves and I'm still telling people about the fluffy crunchy chicharrones and grasshoppers. I'd definitely go back now to try other things on their menu.
(4)Aaron E.
Poquitos has quickly become one of my go-to spots on the hill. Pretty much every time I'm in the area I end up here for a drink or snack and I have very few complaints. Most of my visits I sit at the bar, and I have to say the bartenders are all very fast and friendly. Even during a busy, packed nights you usually won't have to wait very long for service. Speaking of drinks, they've all been delicious. Their El Dude is awesome: horchata, vanilla tequila, and kailua and they have a strong selection of flavored margaritas. Their selection of on-tap beer is a bit limited compared to other restaurants, but I can always find something I want. Their food has all been quite good as well. They have exceptional ceviche and their queso is deliciously unhealthy. The tacos have all been tasty but I cannot recommend the al pastor enough! By far my favorite. Now all I can think about is when I'll go again!
(5)Mary K.
I like Poquitos even if it's not authentic Mexican food. I frequent their happy hour because it's one of the only restaurants whose kitchen stays open the latest in Cap Hill. And their happy hour tacos (2 for $5) are always the perfect combo of juicy, sweet and spicy (that is after I squeeze out the hot sauce on top). We ordered the Grande Tostada, Ahogada Torta, Lamb Colorado, and the Yam tacos last time I went. I wish I had gotten the Al Pastor tacos because they are still-to-this day my favorite. I honestly thought the Tostada was a Mexican salad when it came out because there was so much lettuce on it. It tasted better than it looked but the ratio of ingredients seemed really off. Their drink menu is extensive and they have a nice selection of tequila, which they pour with a heavy hand. I recommend their happy hour food menu and their drinks. I don't think I can stand behind their food to call it a go-to dinner place. Treating it like a tapas bar seem to suit it better.
(4)Chris R.
My favorite Mexican cuisine in the Seattle area. I loved the ambience, the staff and the overall vibe. It has reminders of other major cities but makes a name for itself here in Seattle. Great apps and entrees. Definitely won't regret it.
(5)Veronica S.
DELICIOUS EMPANADAS! I've had these more than a couple of times and they've always satisfied my belly. Pair it with a jalapiña margarita and you are set.
(5)Brett J.
Always tasty tacos, mouth-watering margaritas, and splendid service. It's also got a nice atmosphere, in the middle of everything on capitol hill and is typically got a good crowd on weekend nights til bar close. Also a great option for lunch midweek - especially having the covered patio seating for most of the year when you wanna feel like you're outdoors but you really don't wanna sit there. A bonus is that on the nice days the oversized windows will open up and you get that al fresco dining experience.
(4)Dana R.
Hit and miss. Decent service. I'd skip the "churros" on the brunch menu, little flavor to them ... although the chicken and gravy is very good. The tostada on the lunch menu is the size of a large pizza - and you can take it home in a pizza box. I found the queso fundido to be nothing more than a small dish of melted cheese that coagulated as it cooled. Not the best I've had. The pork chili rellanos were flavorful but serving them in tomato broth rendered them quite mushy on the exterior.
(3)Deborah D.
Doesn't taste like authentic Mexican place it's way over-priced. I ordered short rib and it was ok though the waiters kept saying its the best. My friend ordered chocolate cookie with Kalua ice cream. It turns out no Kalua taste and cookie was frozen hard. She asked for Flan instead, never seen Flan was made in 2mm height... Won't go back again
(2)AK C.
Best tomatillo salsa! Try the cranberry margarita! Yam tacos! Aaaaamazing everything!
(5)Joanne L.
Food is bland!!!!! I should have listen to the yelp reviews. The food taste flat there is nothing there. Yes it looks pretty but didn't make my mouth water. I went during happy hour. I saw the bill and it made me unhappy pretty expensive stuff for meh food. I ordered the ceviche, fries with mole, chips and salsa. The only thing that was good was the churros. Save your money and go to forgon they got better food. But the service was great!!!!!! The waitress knew what she was doing. Helpful, provide lots of information, and attentive. She wasn't annoying.
(2)Allison D.
Poquitos has always solved Mexican crazing. Whether I'm here after a night out or just stopping by for happy hour, I am always happy to have a meal or drink at Poquitos! The vibe is chill during the early hours but can get pretty busy and loud later on a Friday or Saturday night.
(5)Nathan D.
Food was very good. Ordered tacos and tacquitos. Guacamole was really good. Service was very quick.
(4)Akshay S.
I loved this place for their food, ambience and warmth in service! I was here on a weekday night so it was lightly crowded. The place has a brewery kind of feel that sets your mood for perfect evening date. We started off with their house margarita which was awesome. Making a correct cocktail is an art and poquitos bar tenders know what they are doing. We wanted to try something new for appetizers so we asked our server to suggest us something. She suggested us a nice tangy dish called ceviche. Its fish salad with veggies marinated in citrus sauce. Later on we ordered chicken enchiladas which were ok but let me tell you there rice and beans are by far the most tasty ones I have had! We ended our dinner with a vanilla custard which was a delight too, thin creamy silky custard with just enough caramel sauce ummm... I left this place as their fan!
(5)Miguel V.
First time here and I'll be back. We got here in the middle of dinner rush, got seated right away. Our waiter Dav was funny, cool, and knew the menu really well. Did I mention the food was awesome?!
(5)Kat in the House s.
Be still my heart... Fabulous craft made food in a funky atmosphere! Two of us ordered the Purist Margarita- probably the best margarita I have had in my life. I really think I could have consumed a bathtub quantity of them. The third member of our party, realizing his mistake after sampling mine, promptly ordered himself one. The menu is quirky and vibrant with several choices. We sampled the salsas, chicken enchiladas, pork tacos, and grilled corn. Yes, a dish of fried corn... The most tasty thing I have eaten in a long time. It is a must go to place when in Capitol Hill!
(5)Martha N.
I am not a huge Mexican food fan but yay to Daniel (our server), I will leave a review. I came here on a Monday for two of my colleague's birthday celebration and it was a great time. We got seated right away and our hostess had a sweet smile. It was pretty busy for a Monday but our Daniel was on top of his game. He continuously kept our chips and dipped filled and our drinks topped off. My colleaues really enjoyed the food. What made me extra happy was he listened when I gave him my credit card and instructions on payment. I know that's every server's worse nightmare..."special payment instructions". Overall he had a big smile the whole time and interacted with us while he was multi-tasking and that is GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. My crew and I are in the hospitality industry and we just wanted to say DOUBLE THUMBS UP DANIEL! We will definitely back!
(5)Ozan U.
Decent Mexican Food, that gets 3 stars. The extra one is from that delicious red chili sweet and spicy sauce, that stuff is amazing.
(4)Leland B.
Went here with my friend and her boyfriend. Ordered a round of drinks, I had the drink that was infused with Habanero 'La Fiona" so it was suppose to be the SPCIEST DRINK they offered, it was mildly spicy...Plus it looked like a girl drink which I didn't know #fail. I have had much better else where. I would not order that again. However my friend Ordered Their version of a sangria "Sayulite Punch", I enjoyed this ALOT!! That drink was VERY TASTY! You must try it! YUM!! Then we ordered a few different types of tacos (for 3 tacos it ranged from $9-$16 which is a bit much I think...) The fish tacos were the most expensive and I tried one of those and was not impressed. Don't get the fish tacos! I ordered the pork tacos they call them "AL Pastor" Them things where INCREDIBLE! had a nice sweet taste to them which I complimented with tossing some habanero sauce . DIZAMN!! After we ordered I asked one of the server what she like best about this place, and she suggested the "Tortilla Soup" SO when I come back here I will be trying that. Overall I would recommend this place for the Vibe /Atmosphere if you want to chill and be around a large amount of people. Good Social setting. PROS: -Great place to take a date -Nice Ambiance -Large area with many places to seat (assuming its not packed) -Their version of a sangria (forgot the name) -Pork Tacos -Lunch Happy Hour 11.30a-6p -Weekend happy hour 4p-6p CONS: -A bit pricey -Weak drinks (from my 2 experiences)
(4)Izzy G.
Not bad, but not good, either. Very over priced. Doesn't taste authentic. Awful crowd and bad service. I've been here at least 5 times. I've never left wanting to come back again. Walk a few extra blocks and check out Fogon on Pine Street. You'll find much better food and prices.
(2)Mary N.
One of my spot to get Margarita and guacamole! Every time I go it is busy so the noise makes it difficult to catch up with friends. Once I get get my food and drink, I remember why I pick this place to meet friends. Plus, I can pop over to a bar in the area after dinner.
(4)Shauna K.
Happy hour anyone?! I'm from across the water (ferry ride over) and would most definitely make a trek out to Seattle to hit this spot up again. The bartenders were attentive, the staff was nice, food was good and drinks were delicious! Its located in a good spot of Capital Hill, next to lots of other joints to hit up too so you can easily bar hop of you WANT... But honestly, I don't see why you would want to after coming here! Beef taquitos were yummy, especially with their guac-- check them out!
(4)Aliaa Z.
Was wandering around alone in Seattle and hungry. Stumbled upon this place and I am glad i took a chance. Good price beer and good tacos.
(4)Naomi B.
Can only comment on late night snacking... Open late, fresh guacamole, plenty of late night seating...my friends ordered tacos and they brought out their food really quickly. Chips tasted like they were fried to order, which I liked. Staff were polite and attentive. I'll definitely be back to try more off the menu and update my review.
(3)Teresa C.
I have to say that I was impressed by how good the food was here.... the chicken mole enchiladas remind me of.my mom home mole!.... it was the best!.... strongly recommend!
(5)Kristin P.
Sat outside in their awesome patio area - delicios chips/salsa/guac & brunch menu is so good. Chorizo made in-house...a must!
(4)Gary S.
I heart this place and used to frequent anytime I traveled up from San Francisco to Seattle for work. Now that I live here full time, I'm there about once a week. The food is great and I love the special guacamole they change up every day on the menu. I always ask to be seated in Dan's section, probably my favorite server ever from any place I've gone on the hill. He knows everything about the menu and is funny too, part of the reason my friends and I love this place so much.
(5)Jeremy H.
We've been coming here for years, and we love it. The food here is great--I almost always order the torta or the chipotle shrimp, but I've never had anything that I haven't liked. The menu is varied and does a good job of combining Oaxacan-style Mexican food with New American cuisine The cocktails are creative and strong, and 99.9% of the staff is super friendly and efficient. Minus 1 star for a bizarre incident that happened tonight, where one of the employees (short, heavyset Hispanic guy with an earring) accosted my husband outside of the restaurant, and I nearly had to kick his ass to get him to back away from us. I'm pretty sure he was off the clock at the time, but he was in his work uniform and I've seen him many times in the restaurant. Take some anger management classes, dude.
(4)Gabrielle M.
The chips and guacamole are really good. I had a margarita also which was yummy. I like sitting in the tented outside area or the bar. The ambiance is nice. Very friendly staff and pretty decent prices. :)
(4)John O.
God awful tacos. Nice service and nice setting. Would not ever go back because of the food
(2)Joriah A.
Came here for drinks. They were excellent! Bartenders and staff were really friendly.
(5)Jojo S.
So fitted for its name. They serve tiny amounts, I don't recommend this place to anyone. The guacamole they claim to add on dishes is a green water, They charge for salsa and chips, the agua fresca is serve in a shot glass and 100% of it is ice, customer service is terrible. I'd rather drive to mill creek and have a one of a kind food and experience at Azul.
(1)Leonardo R.
Delicious tacos Al pastor! Poquitos offers more than their name meaning! I've been to Poquitos several times by now. The food and drinks are great and the atmosphere is just perfect! I love their tacos al pastor,so juicy,messy and yet delicious! Their stuff is really attentive and nice. It only took us like 10 minutes to get a table for 10 people on a Saturday night. Oh I almost forgot about cheap Tecate beer :)
(4)N H.
Killer food in a very noisy and upbeat environment. I had a great margarita and the food coming out of the kitchen was delicious!
(5)Jennifer B.
Ive been before and loved it. Came in today at 3 pm its only taco hour, and that's ok if they're great tacos. They were probably the worst ive ever had. Everyone I was with agreed we couldn't finish the beef. The tortilla was soggy, beef dry . If you only do one thing make sure its the best and I would suggest adding in steak tacos to accommodate people's taste. But if you're going for different that's fine. Probably won't go back bec the schedule of when they sell food changes throughout the day. I just wanted the carne asada and im not sure when the full menu will be available. Management did comp the 5 orders of beef tacos that weren't eaten. A huge waste but they weren't edible
(1)Dominic A.
cool ambiance, great bartenders, nice open space with dining, bar, and "outdoor" style seating options. They are also always ready for the busy days... I like this spot, its a staple- and right in the middle of everything.
(5)Lars L.
I'm a regular customer because the food is delicious! And service is always informative and accommodating! Vegetarian options keep me coming back, fresh Guacamole, chips, salsas, Margaritas are all done to order, ya get whatcha pay for people! Btw: music, Ambience, (window seats are best at night, atrium is always a buzz, open windows in summer, heated seats&fireplaces on rainy days) -with sweet-fun staff makes everything always a wonderful experience! Weekly drink and dinner specials! Strawberry infused margarita=hello!
(5)Kristian F.
Horrible service. Waited more than 10 minutes for any service. Still nothing. Then just left.
(1)Ashley D.
Always busy, I like coming here before the dinner rush. Their enchiladas are delicious! The service is always super friendly. I don't suggest ordering the chili and lime crickets... just imagine what a bug would taste like... then add "spicy"... that's it. What you see is what you get. No need to get curious. Though, it did make for an interesting food fight, flinging bugs at each other and then ended in making friends with our neighboring table, daring them to give it a try.
(4)Heather V.
Four of us went to visit Poquitos on a busy Friday night, we were definitely happy that we got reservations, or we could've been waiting a long time. Of the four of us, we had 2 meat eaters, 1 veggie & 1 pescetarian. No one was thrilled with their food. The starter of a novelty pineapple/ pepper guacamole was really nice, and their tortilla chips were DELISH (some of the best chips I've had in a while!). The margaritas were tasty, but pricey, considering that they were very small glasses filled mostly with ice. The main dishes is where everyone wasn't thrilled. The veggie had a vegetarian mole with tortillas, but the mole was like a soup -- so you couldn't even wrap anything. The meat eater also had a mole (I can't remember if it was chicken?) and it was so hot/ spicy, she had a tough time eating it. This is coming from a girl who lives for spicy Asian food too. The two moles looked NOTHING alike -- one was light brown and soupy, the other dry as a bone and blackened. They were both confused. The halibut fish special was probably the best thing there, our friend did seem to enjoy that. The fish tacos left much to be desired -- not really flavorful, not really interesting. We had a couple of friends recommend Poquito's to us, one of them is a vegetarian. Being that we have veggies in our family, I was confused as what the heck this guy eats -- there is ONE veggie dish on the entire menu (which was that soupy mole). Maybe the food has changed over time? Who knows. I'm still on the hunt for that great, authentic Mexican. NEXT!
(2)Yoda B.
Beautiful decor, quality ingredients, creative vegetarian options, attention to texture profile in cuisine, and awesome margaritas are by far the highlights of Poquitos in my experience. I'm not sure why there are bad reviews of the service, because it has always been really good when I have come here at peak hours and busy dinner service, when service seems to falter in most restaurants. I do usually prefer a service style that checks on you occasionally but doesn't hassle you. I hate it when servers ask me 100 times if everything is OK and interrupt conversations with friends or rush me out of the restaurant, and I feel like the staff here tactfully avoid doing that. This place is a very relaxing environment for me and they treat their clientele like intelligent humans, which I appreciate. Poquitos is pricey, but if you are broke and hungry, they have some snacky sides for less, and their rice and beans is amazingly well-flavored and filling. If you are going there with a group of friends, I would recommend splitting a main course or the giant tostada to tide you over/save money. Good vegetarian options and I have only had one thing that I didn't like here, which I wanted to love. Once I embarrassingly told my server she was quick to take it out of my sight and offer me something in exchange, so I got to switch up my palette and feel well-taken care of. My favorite thing about this place would have to be the margaritas, which are by far the highest quality I have found in Seattle. I have never gone during Happy Hour, but it is a fairly pricey margarita. However, moving here from a place where this level of drink was the norm, I will get a craving and splurge after a payday every few months. My least favorite thing about Poquitos is that I can't afford to go here more often, but paying for parking plus splurging on drinks and dinner is something I have to plan ahead for.
(4)Aley M.
Never go to Capitol Hill because I stay clear of the city, but my daughter and her friend invited me to come with them for lunch on a Sunday and was I happy I did! Was going to have the Chicken Tortilla Soup, but it was shredded chicken, which I abhor, so had the chicken quesadillas. WOW, were they great! Excellent cheese and great chicken breast made for some delightful fare. Honestly, the flavor was delish and I so enjoyed them and the price was right! The other two had some margaritas and were obviously happy but I nearly shit at the prices for those little glasses of booze! Been a lot of years since I drank and I know I could never afford to go to restaurants if I did! Waiters must hate seeing me because my typical bill is about $20 when the hubs and I go out to eat...LMAO Great meal though even though the damn sports shit was on that day!
(4)Melanie R.
Food was great and you have to try the jalapeña margarita. Spicy and sweet from pineapple.
(3)John F.
Had an awesome Sunday meal on a Seahawks game day. This is the spot if you want to learn about Tequila and the food is excellent.
(5)Berk E.
Worst chicken enchiladas ever. I think they microwave their chicken, tastes super gamey. I almost wanna vomit.
(1)Megan R.
This review has been in my mind for quite a while. I don't know why I didn't write it sooner b/c it's going to be so short and simple. Anywho, I came here with the bee-friend one weekend. We sat down in the dining area in the back, with the glass windows looking out to the street. And we sat, and we sat and we sat with no one ever coming around to talk to us. The bartender looked at us but never came to talk to us, maybe that's "not his job" but who's job is it then??? Because I never saw a server walking around. The closest thing to that was a bus boy, which we talked to for a min but that wasn't his job either. I guess it was the ghost servers job to greet us and take our orders ;) Sooo I guess you get the picture. We left all irritated and no one seemed to notice because they have no staff to help their customers. So disappointing :( Especaily, b/c it wasn't even that busy...just serve this girl a drink and eventually food and she's a happy camper. Thankfully, we went to Barrio and were served just fine there. So Poquitos you DID NOT RUIN my day :) :) :) But please work on your customer service..SHEESH!!
(1)Crystal E.
Awesome place, we have been going here for date nights on the hill for three years. Always good, great tequila! Highly recommended!
(5)Raissa L.
One of my favorite spots in the summer. Excellent margaritas and great for happy hour.
(4)Gina K.
Came in for dinner after a show nearby. Service was pretty slow. In fact, our waitress came back to re-take our orders about 15 minutes after initially taking them. To be fair, we were a party of 8 and people arrived in staggered timing. No one was waiting for anyone else to order food though so I'm not sure why the orders weren't put through as they were ordered. Beyond that initial mess up everything was fairly good. One thing that annoyed me - after my only refill of Diet Coke my glass was taken away. Like I was cut off from aspartame. So sad. And it took forever for our chips and salsa to come out. I had the Chicken Enchiladas Verde. I loved the sauce. So tangy and good. A friend of mine had the enchiladas mole. No one at the table liked them. At all. Like my friend was making faces as she was chewing. I might give Poquitos another chance in the future, but not if I'm in a big group.
(3)Abigail T.
I love this place! Their menu is constantly changing and I often opt for whatever is on the special that day. Of the many times that I've been here, I've yet to have a bad dining experience. Definitely an awesome place to check out for the adventurous eater who isn't afraid to sample something more than your usual cut of meat. Is there beef tongue or cheek on the menu? Try it! You probably won't be disappointed since it's usually been braised for 24+ hours... Other than the food, service and ambience are pretty great too. Staff is knowledgeable about the menu and do a great job of breaking down the menu of you need help deciding what to get.
(5)Erin S.
I've only been here for lunch and brunch. I Love the chill atmosphere in the atrium and authentic Mexican cuisine with fresh ingredients.
(5)Cheryl H.
Poquitos is great for a group or party; the food is what I'd call so-so. I'd eat it if someone wanted to go, and enjoy the food, but probably wouldn't suggest it as a first choice. One exception: they have this appetizer that is literally melted cheese, bread, salsa, and guacamole. So delicious. Sometimes I just order that, because I could eat it all day long. Obviously, I get stomach aches after since I'm a bit lactose-intolerant but COMPLETELY worth it. Noise level can be terrible on Fridays and Saturdays, so keep that in mind if you're planning a date.
(4)Kathleen C.
Came here for Cinco de mayo. The decor is pretty cool/new. Not gross/old feeling. This review doesn't cover much food wise since I didn't really have much. I had "The dude" which had vanilla bean infused tequila, kahlua and horchata, maybe more can't remember. I love horchata so thought Id try this out. It was not bad at all. Some friends got margaritas and said it was good as well. Pretty good guacamole, but pricey at $9. One thing to note though, our waitress was very cool/nice/patient especially for a busy night and we had a group of 8. Yay for her! I was a little disappointed that there was no swag for cinco de mayo though :/ I wanted a cool bracelet or something! Overall, I would come back for drinks/snacks in the future.
(4)Michael B.
We had a truly bad experience at Poquitos on a recent Sunday. We (me, my wife, and 2 daughters) show up around 12:30 and get a table. We get settled and place our order, and so far so good (except that they don't bring out the chips until well after we've ordered -- what's that about? Shouldn't they be on the table right away?) Then the problems start. We wait, and we wait, and we wait. We finish our chips. Still no food. The place was well under half full, so I have no idea what took so long. The food finally came. Brunch Torta for me, fish tacos for my wife, kids quesadilla for one daughter, and kids taco plate for the other daughter. The food was, at best, mediocre. My torta, which cost $11, was nowhere near as good as the Torta at El Camion, but cost almost double. The quesadilla was a supermarket quality tortilla loaded with supermarket quality cheese. The tacos were OK. Here was the real cap on the meal, though. When the check came, we were charged for the adult quesadilla ($12) rather than the kids quesadilla ($6). I called it to our server's attention, and she said "Oh, our system makes that mistake all the time. I'll fix it." WTF? It makes that mistake ALL THE TIME, and you didn't check to see if it made it this time? At this point, we were running quite late, since everything had taken so long, and it took our server and the manager well over 5 minutes to fix it. We ended up in this place because we walked by and it looked good. Given the combination of high prices (for Mexican food, anyway), mediocre food, and careless service, we definitely will not be back.
(1)Howard R.
Authentic tasting Mexican food, served with a smile, in a beautiful restaurant. This place instantly became one of my favorites in the city. Really great.
(5)Nico D.
Nice Spanish/Mexican decor, in dark tones, with black cast iron fixtures and ceramic tiles. Service was OK, food was very slow to come, even when the restaurant was not super busy (and it obviously got worse once crowds arrived). The guac' was decent, the tortilla chips were barely OK. The non-spicy grilled fish tacos are actually pretty spicy. The flavor was decent but at $8 for two tiny tacos (should be called taquitos and be listed as an app dish, really), it's not great value.
(3)Allison A.
One of my absolute favorite places to eat on any occasion. They have a terrific happy hour and their brunch on the weekends are by far the best options for breakfast style food with a kick. I have tried almost everything on their brunch menu and have been pleasantly surprised with every bite of every meal. My favorites and most recommended would be their chilaquiles and their biscuits and gravy. The atmosphere is great too! The wait staff is always very friendly and knowledgable of their specials, which brings me to another really unique point, they continuously change up their guacamole and that's always great for finding new tastes to love. All in all, this place is absolutely worth every one of the five stars I'm giving it. If you make it out to the area it's a must for any foodie who loves A little spice!
(5)Kristen K.
This was the second time we tried this place for dinner, and it only confirmed our first impressions. Let's start with the noise level: the restaurant lists it as average, and maybe it is...on a slow lunch crowd day. Dinner time on both weekday and weekend evenings (6, 7, 8pm) was epic dolby surround sound levels. Conversation was impossible without yelling, and even then...so frustrating! We couldn't even hear the waitress, who seemed to make no effort to make herself heard. Service (including kitchen) was slow, and half of our party of 9 waited over 30min for their food. The rest of us were almost done eating by the time they began. And when one of us found a hair in our meal, the waitress reacted by wondering aloud, "who in the kitchen has grey hair?" and wandering off to investigate. There was no apology or reassurance they'd make things right. When eventually she returned, she offered a free dessert to go and a $15 gift card, which of course, our friend will have to return to use. And the dessert? Greasy churros soaking their way through a single paper bag. The guac was heavenly. The food was ok. But you couldn't pay any of us $15 in gift cards to ever go back.
(1)Kevin S.
I really like this restaurant. I'm a big fan of Mexican cuisine so I'm very picky where I choose to eat it. Chips and salsa are pretty good here....and you have to pay three dollars for them. They aren't as spicy as I like a salsa to be but the flavor is there. Most recently I had the shrimp and grits for brunch. I wasn't blown away by this dish but it was tasty and filled me up. I'm more of a fan of their dinner menu.....and their cocktails are tasty too.....I'd skip brunch and come for lunch or dinner.
(4)Heather C.
Cranberry margueritas are in with cranberries from their own not which I find amazing!! Way to celebrate fall for sure!! What's better than that with some great guacamole and chips for happy hour!!
(5)TA H.
Their handmade chips and salsa are done perfect! Lightly salted, crispy house tortilla chips. Great ambiance for a group or intimate dinner. Nice location in the heart of Capitol Hill.
(4)Paws C.
I ate here several times a couple years ago. Last week, my husband thought we'd just pop in for dinner with our daughter. We ordered, and no sooner than 2 minutes later our food appeared. Although not the guacamole we ordered-- that came like 15 minutes later. It was THE WORST food I've eaten in years. In fact, I didn't eat it. My husband was trying not to puke looking at his food. It was like someone took a soft shell taco, put some pre-fried chicken in it and poured some gross sauce on it and called it an enchilada. We both fell ill afterwards and will NEVER eat there again. It has a nice ambience in the bar, but that's about it. No no no!
(1)Nicole H.
Expect Capitol Hill prices, fresh ingredients, and lots of tequila to choose from. This place is great for meeting friends for dinner before going out on the hill or for sneaking in for Thursday night bingo. Yes, BINGO! Staff are friendly but can be a little absent minded (I had to remind them what I ordered twice) and drink service can be a little slow (expect 20 minutes for a margarita on a slow night). There are a lot of healthy choices on the menu and your vegetarian friends will have plenty of choices on the menu!
(3)Tim M.
First off, I'm pissed with Yelp for not offering a "Zero Stars" option. If that were available, it's exactly what Poquitos would receive from me. I'm so very, very disappointed. :( I took my best friend to Poquitos for lunch. Neither of us had ever been, and we've both been saying we need to try it, being the self-appointed Grand Dames of mexican cuisine we often pretend to be. So ... in we go, appetites whetted and ready for a fantastic experience. Needing to answer a call of nature, I went immediately to the restroom. The one and only urinal is hung so low, I may as well have pissed on my own damned feet! What the hell is up with how Seattle hangs urinal anyway? Being the only urinal in the joint must be tough later in the evening - just saying. While perusing the menu, I noted that the chef actually put his name on it! To me, that has always meant that great things will be coming out of that kitchen. So, in eager anticipation, I ordered the Chilaquiles, and paid an additional $3.00 for chicken. My bestie ordered some sort of drowned torta. I also ordered a bowl of chips and quacamole for us to share. Here's the lowdown: Chips & Guacamole - easily the best thing I ate for lunch. The chips tasted only a little stale (I later noticed that there is a GIANT stack of bowls with chips in them over by the kitchen, arranged in some sort of pyramid). The guacamole, while not the best I've ever had, was kinda okay (could have used some seasoning - maybe just a hair more salt or lime juice?). Chilaquiles - Let's get this straight, i absolutely adore chilaquiles! Think of them like huevos rancheros with green salsa instead of red. YUMMO. Not so the Poquitos chilaquile, poor thing. The tortilla chips were unpalatably soggy when the dish arrived. The green salsa tasted EXACTLY like that Herdez green chile salsa you can get at the grocery store (ICK) - I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest it may have actually come from Sysco. The egg had absolutely no seasoning. Oddly enough, the chicken tasted as if it hadn't been introduced to salt and pepper, let alone any other spice. Also, the chicken tasted like it'd been pre-cooked, left uncovered in a refrigerator, reheated and then served. I ate less than half of the foul thing before disdainfully pushing it to the side in favor of the mediocre Chips & Guacamole. My bestie's "drowned" torta - He said it tasted good and that the sauce was "yummy". I didn't have any of it, so couldn't tell ya. I did notice that there was exactly enough sauce for one-half of his sandwich to be dipped in/sopped around. All I can say is I would've been pissed had that food been mine. The chef putting his name on the damned menu indicates a level of "the buck stops here"ness not really seen in restaurants of this type. So, Chef I Forgot Your Name, what in hells the deal? I could've spent $33 at Taco Bell and eaten better food!
(1)Naren P.
Went here last night. Bit of a wait - 20 mins as it was Friday night. The whole area is packed with bars, lounges and restaurants that check IDs . They were considerate to let us sit with kids. I have to commend the great & attentive service. V good chips and tomatillo salsa (green). Red salsa was average. Chicken tacos were tasty. Cheese enchiladas were v good said my youngest. Veggie soup was excellent. Assorted taco platter (pork, beef, chicken) was tangy/ slightly sweet, tasty and quite filling. I had the yam taco and it was v tasty indeed, tangy and yam cubes were cooked right.
(4)Sarah S.
Never a letdown.
(5)Vik M.
Yeah.... No. This place seemed to he perfect! Everyone raves on and on about it. Everyone knows what you're talking about when you mention Poquitos, so it obviously has to be really really good! It was OK. The guacamole was pretty tasty but not anything I would spend a whole lot of time talking about since there were very unripe, hard chunks of avocado in mine. The tortilla soup was not good at all. I made the mistake of ordering this as my meal. Why would I do that to myself? Obviously because i don't want to be happy. There were raw onions in it (um, soup should have been COOKED with the onions in it- duh). There was shredded chicken in it but good luck eating it without getting soup all over the table since the pieces were huge... Also, the spoon fell in the bowl (twice, the second time was my fault since I'm a fool). Why the heck is the spoon so much smaller than the bowl?! Another complaint I have is over the service, our waitress seemed like a great person but was obviously giving zero considerance to us all night. A booth opened up right after we sat down and we asked her if we could move and she told us it was held for a reservation, yet an hour and 15 minutes later the booth is still open. Yes this matters, we were sitting at a random table by the kitchen that caused me to get hit by THREE waiters on their way to or from the kitchen. Maybe I will try it again, but you know, maybe not.
(2)Lydia G.
Really nice atmosphere, friendly staff and so yummy! We shared the chicken mole enchilada, which was plenty for both of us. Decided to splurge a little and get the churros, which were amazing too.
(5)Chris L.
The drinks were good (I had the jalapeno/pineapple margarita) but the food was bland and needed seasoning. The cevieche tostada was fishy smelling and tasting, so much so that I could not eat it. The tostada shell was stale and I think they bought it at Safeway. The waiter was also very bad. His attitude was poor and seemed as if he was bothered by taking orders from customers. I will never eat here again but I would join friends for drinks before going somewhere much better to eat.
(2)Amanda M.
Great place for groups. They once accommodated our group of 30 girls. We got to sit in their back patio at one big table and it was amazing. The grilled corn is a must try as an app or side.
(5)Hayley S.
It's not the most adventurous dining experience in Seattle, but it certainly satisfies a good hankering for fantastic drinks and decent Mexican food. They have some herb infused cocktails and always fresh chips that will keep me coming back. I once went around 7pm with a group of 6 without a reservation and had no problem finding space at the bar (it becomes a problem after 8). We had a really sweet and accommodating waitress who was sure to keep the drinks coming. Food came fast and was well prepared. Will definitely be returning.
(4)Ana H.
I love this place. The ambiance, the food, the location. Feel free to be adventurous here, you really can't go wrong. Wait staff is friendly and helpful when deciding what to order. They have this awesome little outdoor(covered) eating area that has a bar too. You won't regret coming here!
(5)Shanelle S.
Terrible service. Sat for an hour waiting for our food to learn the server did not even place our order.
(1)Tracy I.
This place is awesome for happy hour. To be honest, I've never been here when it's not happy hour. Why? Because I don't think the food is worth it if not on happy hour prices.
(4)Jake L.
The thing about being at this corner in this neighborhood is that you can completely suck as a restaurant and still do extremely well. Granted, I was 1300 miles north of the border, but the lack of kick in the salsa was a major turnoff. While I'm caucasian, I'm not a fan of the mexican food that's targeted at caucasians. Yelp's about opinions, and opinions are based on personal preferences. My preference would be to go elsewhere. However; if you are just looking for a drink and people watching, it's great.
(2)Gigi B.
I had the chicken mole and I have to say as a native Californian I've been exposed to a lot of authentic delicious Mexican food but this was hands down the best mole sauce I have ever tasted! Seriously, go try it right now. I also would like the recommend their just-tangy-enough margaritas and guacamole! The ambiance is a slightly upscale industrial vibe with a heavy dose of quirky Latin decor. Bring a date, bring your mom, this place is guaranteed to satisfy!
(5)Terry S.
Great food... Great happy hour.. The mini sopes are great... Marguerite, not so much, just didn't taste like a Texas marguerita!
(4)Steve B.
Great service felt like we live there Apps chips salsa guacamole great Tacos @ carna asada great
(4)Warren T.
Everything looked so promising. The smells, the crowds, the waiter, even the guacamole. But the ceviche was too sour, the mole was off, and the tacos were mediocre. The place is busy, and they good the food out fast---but the quality suffers. It's also super-noisy.
(2)Karen L.
A last minute decision to go here. A friend and I sat at the bar. Let me first say that the bartender was great! He was friendly and accommodating but not intrusive. I ordered the guac and chips and the grilled corn. Both items were very tasty. Perhaps they hit their stride since my last visit or I just ordered the right things this time!
(3)Jessica G.
I think I'm a little biased coming from CA, but Seattle just doesn't have very good Mexican food! :( Having said that, I do like Poquitos because they offer a nice atmosphere with a shaded outdoor patio with firepits, endless chips, and tasty beverages. On occasion, I will order the taco plate. It's pretty hit or miss. The first time I had it, I remember liking it. The second time I had it, I remember the beef being very fatty and lacking in flavor. The rice is to-die-for, though. The service here is really spotty. The last time I visited, the waitress "forgot" many things...drinks, chips, salsa refills, checking in with us, etc. I felt like I had to light myself on fire to get her attention. The restaurant was busy that night, but it's always busy. It's a good place to stop in and try if you're walking the streets of Capitol Hill and want to sit down for drinks. It's a very hip spot with lots of hipsters and beautiful people sipping margaritas or taking shots. But as I mentioned, the food leaves much to be desired.
(3)Theresa D.
I've been to Poquitos for dinner and happy hour many times and it is always jam packed with happy customers. Saturday me and a friend went for brunch and were pleasantly surprised! The brunch menu is fantastic and inexpensive. I went for the Chilaquiles with chicken and absolutely loved it! My friend had the "Gringo breakfast" of eggs, potatoes, and tortillas and really enjoyed it. There were so many items on the menu that made me drool just reading the descriptions, we are sure to return to Poquitos for brunch again soon!
(5)DeAnne E.
We haven't had a rainstorm in weeks and luckily Poquitos was my savior from the downpour. My colleague and I made the decision to make it up to Capitol Hill after work. We bussed it from downtown then we got soaked walking up Broadway all the way to the restaurant. We sat down and ordered a smorgasbord: Guacamole, Mole Fries, Brisket Taquitos, Beef Tacos, and Chicken Tacos. Everything tasted great except for the beef tacos. The beef was chunky, hard, and chewy. The atmosphere was very relaxing and uncrowded. Our server was very friendly. It was a great experience.
(4)Charity A.
Excellent service first and foremost. The host and the server were kind, personable and attentive. Food was good but not great. We had the Al Pastor Tacos. I love Al Pastor! Huge Fan. The meat was super tender and flavorful. Not too fatty. The pineapple seemed fresh but didn't shine in the dish as it should. Great picked onions and bright cilantro to top it off. We couldn't resist the Chapulines - toasted grasshoppers with chili lime seasonings. I was SUPER grossed out by the idea and had to work up to it. Everyone said they tasted like things I like - sunflower seeds, pepitas, etc. I disagree completely. I thought they tasted like fish sauce. Salty, fishy and still super gross. Not holding that against the restaurant or rating, however. It was a super fun experience to try something new. New respect-o-meter for "Andrew Zimmern" from Bizarre Foods. Couldn't do what he does.... We had the mini chicken sopes. I love sopes, but I don't think these were made fresh. The "chicken mixture" inside tasted a heck of a lot more like canned tuna than chicken. I seriously wonder if they messed up or mislabeled something. Again, not bad, but not what I was expecting. We also had a black bean tostada which was delicious. Drinks were GREAT. I had the Jala-Pina margarita. Pineapple / Jalapeno infused delight. SO GOOD. I love spicy drinks and this one was perfect. Just the right amount of sweetness (no high fructose corn syrup here folks), just the right amount of spice and even some leftover muddle lime and pineapple chunks in my glass. I love FRESH drinks. Delicious. They've also partnered with local micro-breweries to make Mexican-style lagers just for them. Totally love that! Huge A+ on drinks here. Bottom line - Great service and an excellent place to get started with drinks in your evening, then go somewhere else to satiate your hunger.
(3)Valerie S.
It wasn't my intention, and it's never happened before, but when I found myself sitting down to the second Tuesday in as many weeks at the same establishment, I thought there must be something special about Poquitos. It could be the huge bowls of tortilla chips they bring, or the house salsa and guacamole made fresh in the kitchen-I was watching the guy making the endless stream of guac with various funky ingredients like almonds and sun-dried tomatoes, so I know it was fresh. It could be the little bottles of hot sauce on every table, tempting a taste and making one reach for a glass of cooling liquid. Then again, it could be what's in the glass itself, La Fiona that's spicy enough to make you wish for the hot sauce again. Or the Son of a Ditch, a pseudo martini with an olive and tons of fresh herby flavors like cilantro and coriander. Maybe it's the El Dude, with house-made vanilla bean infused tequila. It could even be the Fresa, with strawberry-infused tequila. Do you get it yet, that Poquitos loves their artisan cocktails? Because they definitely do, and the prices they charge are perfectly reasonable for the works of tequila art that arrive at the table. As a place for cocktails, and a good dinner, this is a great option. In the heart of Capitol Hill, with plenty of easy access, it's the kind of place you wander back into repeatedly because it's just good enough. Bites, sips, it's all going to be enjoyable at Poquitos, and I say that without having even sat down to have a good long look at the sipping tequila menu (which includes both "unique flights" of single aged tequilas in different styles, and "vertical flights" of different aged tequilas from the same distiller). One could easily get lost in that list alone, and I would gladly do so again soon.
(5)Erica R.
Went for dinner with friends one night during my recent visit to Seattle. Seated quickly, and asked for some chips upon sitting down. Our waiter seemed...disinterested in being there/working though. He didn't really pay attention to the table much, and, when asked by one of our fellow diners at the table where the prawns were from, his answer was simply "uhh...the ocean?" The place was pretty packed for dinner, and everything was pretty loud. The acoustics of the place are okay, considering I didn't really have to talk SUPER loudly in order to converse with friends over dinner...but there was definitely a lot going on inside this restaurant and it felt a bit zoo-ish. I enjoy two glasses of the "Cava - Vega Meridian" throughout the night, which was a nice complement to the "Al Pastor - Marinated pork, pineapple, pickled onion & cilantro. Cooked on the vertical rotisserie" that I had ordered for dinner. While the Al Pastor that I had was pretty good, some friends tried the ceviche and were less than thrilled with it...saying it was "overly smoky" tasting. They asked me to take a bite and I could definitely agree with their reaction, as I certainly didn't eat any more of the dish...even though it was an appetizer they had wanted to share with our entire table. I wouldn't return here unless it was someone else's decision - i.e. somewhere they wanted to visit or try. My Al Pastor was good, but it's a hard dish to mess up...and there are plenty of other options for Mexican food that I'd prefer to try before considering a return here.
(2)Jennifer N.
We got here for dinner tonight on a Saturday at about 6:30pm. SUPER crowded! They were already on a 1 hour long wait! Thankfully, we sat at a table we shared with some other people in the bar area. It worked out just fine. We started off with the guacamole. It definitely left a lot to be desired. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't anything special, and guacamole is definitely a dish that can be made special and amazing! We both actually had the chicken quesadillas for our meal. I was pleasantly surprised - they were actually really delicious! They were just chicken and cheese, which is perfect, and they were a great blend. I'm so happy they didn't douse them in red sauce as many Seattle mexican restaurants do! Overall - I enjoyed it! I think we'll be back for the quesadillas.
(4)Michelangelo S.
Delicious Mexican Break on Capitol Hill SITREP Before hitting the ROCK BOX this fine Saturday evening, I took a stop here with my friend Thrill for some pre-Karaoke munchies. SETUP Lots of space for Happy Hour all throughout the restaurant main dining hall AND in the back happy hour lounge area. Beautiful Iron-works stand-alone Fire Place where I enjoyed huddling and getting warm. A nice crowd with a great vibe. MENU I had a couple of their items: *Mini Sopes - corn masa boats, filled with chicken tinga & topped with salsa verde , diced onions, cotija cheese & cilantro *Ceviche Tostado - Marinated rock fish & calamari in lime, garlic, onion & Serrano chiles, with tomatillo, avocado & tomato. If you refer to the snapshots that I took of each item, you can see what the food set-up for was for each item. The Mini Sopes were OUTSTANDING. Substantial (there were THREE), delicious and hearty. I really enjoyed the tasty spiced chicken and with the enhancements of the cheese, onions and salsa verde. This was without a doubt a TOTAL WIN for me. However, I have to admit that I got the Ceviche Tostado as per the recommendation of the server, but was disappointed in that recommendation. At $5 a pop - and during happy hour no less - it was not a substantial food item (only ONE small item) with little food substance and on a very small tostada shell. And it may just be a personal taste, but I found the lime to be way too overpowering. This second item was indeed overshadowed in taste & substance by just one of the Mini Sopes - in which instance, I probably should have stuck with another round of the Mini Sopes which at least provided much more substance and heartiness. NOTE: I am not an "ART-eater". I don't particularly give a rat's ass about presentation, or at least, that is only a secondary consideration to the primary considerations which are, "Was it substantial, delicious, and filling?" This was not. It reminded me too much of the kind of French cuisine that I despise that puts more attention on the "look" (with it's pretty frakkin garnishments). So if you like that? Then for go this. ;^D However, that was only a minor annoyance when compared to the rest of the wonderful environment and the general overall positive chill mood of the place, and the quality of the menu and drinks. MARGARITAS I stuck to diet Coke, but my Happy Hour-partner Thrill raved about his two standard margaritas for only $5 a pop. For him, they were a TOTAL WIN. THE LOWDOWN A delicious happy hour stop on any day of the week. If unfamiliar with the offerings, take a look around at what other people are getting and you'll do a pretty good job of seeing something you like. I would definitely go back, but would be much more discriminating in what new items I would consider, and definitely know what item to NOT get for myself again.
(4)Ni C.
Pros: Layout is nice, overall great setup. Foods reasonably priced and good. Yam tacos were delicious. Service was great. Cons: The rice and beans were't all that great They charge for salsa.
(4)Sarah L.
This place has a super modern, sort of romantic interior. I really like it. There is even a little fire pit on one of the tables and you can sit around it if you get there first, which we didn't. The menu is pretty modern & health conscious which I did not appreciate, they do not feature refried beans or many items with tons of cheese. I settled on the chicken enchilada and was pleasantly surprised. It was good sized portions and delicious. The pulled pork tacos my boyfriend ordered were satisfyingly tasty as well. Overall, Poquitos is a nice addition to the Mexican food scene.
(4)E S.
Reservation was botched. Guac was tasty. La Fiona drink was tasty. Carne Asada was disgusting. Came ultra rare (asked for med.) and was basically a filet cut into 4 slabs with zero seasoning, zero char, on a bed of lame bland beans mixed with green peppers and topped with... wait for it... Italian parsley. And served with CORN tortillas. Rice was overcooked and had an odd flavor. Not enough habanero sauce in the world to make this a decent entrée. And it was loud. Nice napkins.
(1)Nina H.
This place reminds me a little bit of Toulouse Petit/Peso's... and my review is just about the drinks. I was completely thrown off guard by the rude bartender last Saturday night when we stopped by before Grim's. We had come here before as our first stop for barhopping, and it's always pretty packed but not enough to make you feel like sardines. The atmosphere is pretty fun and the lighting is cool but the service was meh. This time, I asked for a mojito and the guy told me that they didn't serve it.... what? What kind of Mexican joint is this? No Mojitos? I was SO confused and disappointed. Anyway - I ordered the Poquitos Punch instead which was really sweet but OK... I hate to admit it but I'll probably come back - this place is in such a prime location on Pike.
(3)Matt M.
Well their hot sauces are pretty good... They took my favorite thing off the menu (the tamales) so now I just go with friends... Its a cool atmosphere and service staff is always really friendly and that's actually the only reason I rate as high as I am. The food doesn't move me but they sell you when you're there.
(3)Crysta S.
The chips and guac are definitely worth it - incredibly delicious. The bar area of this restaurant takes up at least half, which means that it's often quite loud, no matter where you are sitting. Ideal scenario is if you can score one of the tables on the tented patio. They are technically bar tables, though, so they are seat-yourself and no kiddos. The bartender was exceptionally nice.
(3)RJ H.
Interesting...now I preface my review and rating because this was a daytime weekend lunch visit...but I was surprised to see the overall rating below 4 stars. We really enjoyed the space...eclectic rod iron lighting and decorations...the indoor outdoor central fire pits....and the general happy attitude of the patrons...honestly this could have been slightly influenced by the visit of a slightly inebriated nutcracker and his equally tipsy female reindeer companion...but heck...it is the holidays. I focused as usual on the beers...typical Mexican fare with some IPAs thrown in but what I was really impressed with one of their craft drinks...the Ditchweed. A cilantro and coriander infused tequila...complete with jalapeño stuffed olive agave and lime juice...this was awesome and a must try. We decided on sharing the pork as well as the chicken tacos...what I liked about the options is that you could substitute the rice and beans for an additional taco... they had a nice mixture of medium spicy sauces as well. Now they were understaffed , there was one bartender working the entire bar and she acted in some cases as a server as well... But we were in great spirits...having fun and hanging with the reindeer and nutcracker so all was well. Ratings are about a personal experience and ours were more than satisfactory...we'll be back to sample more the next time in Cap Hill.
(4)Drew W.
Ok so at this point I have been here well over 50 times... well over... My wife is a life long vegetarian and every place we frequent messes up at some point and she finds meat in her food, every place but this one. She has never once had an accidental woopsie-doo from the kitchen of something finding its way into her food. This is a new record for us. We absolutely love the food here and I have had almost everything on the menu and loved every single one of them. And one major recommendation is try to special quacs that they have! Some sound a bit odd like Grapefruit and Almond Guacamole. Sounds really odd but holy hell that was the best guacamole I have ever had! EVER! Stellar service and food!
(5)Inna B.
I really like Poquitos as a place to drink Margaritas and eat chips and dip with friends. I'm particular to salsa because I love tomatoes and dislike avocado, but the guacamole looks like it may be good. I've tried their ceviche and brisket tacos, and while I love that they care about their meat source, the food wasn't very flavorful or interesting. I tried squeezing a lime over the ceviche to give it more flavor, and still wasn't satisfied after that. It probably didn't help that the ceviche had avocado bits and I dislike avocados, but I made the mistake of not telling then that, so I didn't ask them to re-do it. In the future, I'll probably just stick to drinks, salsa, and chips. Seems safer and cheaper.
(3)Katherine N.
I have been to Poquito's a handful of times and each time I try it gets worse. I've sat in the bar and been ignored by the bartenders. It seems like unless I'm with someone who is much older then me I don't get service. Our drink orders come out fast, and the food is all really good; but it's hard to enjoy a night out when you are trying to flag someone down for your bill and sit waiting for about 20 minutes for it :( On top of that, a bartender clocking out had the audacity to ask my friend and I to move over so his guest and him could enjoy dinner next to us when the entire bar is empty.. I don't know Poquito's..
(2)Charlene I.
This place is wack lol...first off, it's a struggle already to find parking in the Capitol Hill area (which I shouldn't take out on them haha) so when you visit a restaurant you want it to be worth all the stress of finding a spot for your car after 20 minutes. Aside from that bitterness....lol - Atmosphere: Good ol' hella packed capitol hill for you...loud and great for drunk people lol...the "outdoor" bar is nice - Service: Very nice staff...I'll keep this review at 2 stars because of that -Food: Expensive for small portions...taste is ok...nothing spectacular... Every mexican restaurant I've EVER been to serves you chips + salsa for free...this place apparently does not which I don't understand when everything on the menu is overpriced....the only thing reasonably priced were the grasshoppers for $1.95 lmao Walk down the street to Rancho Bravo and go get you a meal that's actually worth what you pay for. Or even hit up Barrio which is just as expensive but at least their food tastes better HAHA P.S. the ceviche here is not good
(2)Hello G.
I'm new to this city and have been ready to dive into all of the amazing restaurants Seattle has to offer. (We're from so.Cal-sorry we didn't bring the forever sun with us) Poquitos was fantastic! Our server took care of us and we enjoyed everything from the house made chicharones (pork rinds), guac and house salsa were super tasty. For dinner I highly recommend the Carne Asada, al pastor tacos!!!! And the yucatan chicken. So great we shared everything. We ended this with the Pot de creme- which if you ever tasted anything close to heaven this was it and a great way to end a delicious meal. Thank you poquitos for a great evening-can not wait to try your new spring/Summer menu. We'll be back!
(5)Caitlyn L.
Excellent Baja Fish Tacos (We had Rockfish but it's seasonal) and great drinks! Also the volcano guacamole hits the spot. The bartender makes a great melon ball. Great service and great beards. No not a typo, fantastic facial hair.
(4)Isy E.
Black tea caipirinhas. Try one. Try several. I have hundreds of favourite drinks cos I'm a sucker for a boozy cocktail. This is one of them. Perfect mix of astringent, tangy, and sweet. Update: They no longer serve the black tea. Maybe if I whine enough at them they will capitulate and make them special for me. The barstaff is especially nice, and I have to pay special thanks to Angela, one of the waitresses, who was so sweet and serene when I came around in the summer. I don't know if she still works here though. I love the patio in the back, in both warm and cold weather. I like how the rain sounds on the ceiling, how the open fires warm up the place, and especially how nice it is when the windows are open in the summer. Great space. The food is consistently good too! My go-tos are the yam tacos, ceviche, and chipotle prawns. They are pretty good with the spice. I like my food to be spicy when the menu says it's going to be spicy. The yam tacos are sweet and the crema is delicious. I'm sad I can't eat much of it, so I usually ask for them to skip it, which hasn't been a problem. I love the addition of cotija to the tacos too, because it ads a mild salty, crumbly texture to the taco. Yummy! I'll leave the review at my favourite dish so I don't ramble. They serve food pretty late, which is an enormous plus. The bouncer (?) outside is always friendly, and this is in a perfect spot for a night out.
(4)Kai T.
Poquitos is solid. I've been here a handful of times and can count on this place for solid drinks, food, and atmosphere. Although the guacamole comes at a premium a visit to Poquitos isn't complete without it. I have only ordered the chicken mole enchiladas here because it's amazing! They will always interrogate you about your mole experience because it's not for those with a delicate palate. The mole is potent, rich, and has a strong bite without being spicy-hot. Those who I've eaten this with agree that you need something to cut it with - that's where tortilla chips come into play. Although the plate comes with three enchiladas I can only remember eating all three on one occasion. I can usually only force two of them down my food hole before throwing in the towel. The food and atmosphere are great but I'm knocking them one star for spotty service. Sometimes it's on point and other times the service makes me want to yank out my hair (although the servers have always been nice). The servers can sometimes disappear for long stretches of time but since I'm not ever trying to go out and be sexy after eating Mexican food, I'm usually not in a rush after a visit here. Lucky them. The slow service can be annoying but it's not a deal breaker. I'm glad there's at least one Mexican place I can count as a go-to here in Seattle.
(4)Valeria C.
Yummy Mexican food and great atmosphere, but.... "Where the heck are my chips and salsa????" The scallop ceviche appetizer was absolutely delicious.... Thinly cut and smothered in a nice citrusy juice with jalapenos and avocados, yet not too spicy. Served with warm tostada chips. So tasty!!!!! Chicken Enchilada Verde was the best I have had in Seattle, and the accompanying black beans and rice were delicious as well. The red salsa was also fantastic, great, thick consistency and just perfectly seasoned. The atmosphere is loud and bustling and yet quite trendy when compared to most Mexican restaurants. The Margaritas were really good as well, even though they were on-the-rocks and personally favor blended Rita's. The Purest Margarita is smaller but much tastier than the Poquito's Rita. Only reason I am not giving Poquito's a 4 is because salsa and chips are not complimentary, and although I do believe that is actually a good idea, I would prefer to have a bigger portion of chips and salsa if I am paying 2.99 for it, when it is generally free at most Mexican restaurants. The portion was only enough for 1 hungry person, and the salsa bowls were not even half way full. There are no refills either. It is a nice place for a happy hour and fantastic for a group of friends. Will have to definitely try it again and taste some other dishes.
(3)Tyler G.
Bland food. Their salsa tastes like canned tomato sauce. 3 &1/2 stars is a very generous rating for this place! People in this area do not know what good (or even decent) Mexican food should taste like I guess. Over priced and unsatisfying. Don't bother here.
(1)Alexa C.
I visited on a Saturday with a party of five, and it was pretty packed as you can imagine. The wait time was about half an hour, not too bad, and our waitress was friendly and attentive the whole time we were there. We ordered guacamole and the queso fundido as appetizers. The guacamole was fresh and tasted good, but it wasn't something out of this world, as alot of people on here have commented. I thought overall the food tasted pretty good, but my parents, who are Mexican, didn't agree with me. They said the food was all right, but not authentic mexican food. Various dishes had ingredients not traditionally used, the flavors weren't quite right, etc. Overall I'd be willing to go back and try again though.
(3)Lisa B.
I was looking forward to finally trying Poquitos after walking by it so many times. I had tried Bastille in Ballard (by the same folks that run Poquitos) and was underwhelmed, but I had looked at the menu for Poquitos and it looked promising. I started with the "purist" Margarita and thought it was very good - not overly sweet. Next was chips and salsa, which you have to pay for and were nothing special. Then came the main course - I got the goat birria and my date got the Yucatan chicken. I thought the chicken was too sweet, and the goat was too stringy. Overall, I'm not impressed. The decor is too trendy, the food isn't good enough, and the whole experience just feels phony to me. There is better Mexican food to be had (even in Seattle).
(2)Kat F.
Yum!! I was in Seattle for the weekend with some friends. By the time we stumbled across Poquitos, we were ravenous. Everybody ordered a soup and some tacos (starting with chips and guacamole) Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, but we put in a good effort. The food was amazingly flavorful and they had a wide variety of Margaritas (traditional and non). The restaurant was big but cozy, which is often hard to pull off. Service was excellent!
(5)Rachel P.
Finally time for Dinner!! We had a 6:30 reservation for 10, 1 girl was sick and missed dinner. 1 was leaving early and only had a drink. I am not sure if we met our $250 food/drink minimum but no-body brought it up. I called about 10 days before event and was able to make reservation. Thank goodness, very friendly and helpful. We were seated promptly and the table was nice, not overly crowded. I am primarily giving 4 stars as the service was fantastic. Very attentive and I was happy to pay the 18% sales tax attached to the tab. the horchata (non alcoholic) was delish and helped my chicken mole from burning my tastebuds. We had the chiccarones, which I was excited about but hardly anyone else ate them. We also had the roasted corn - delish and two orders of guac and salsa and chips. If we hadn't been starving we should have stuck just to appetizers, I see why they have the food/drink minimum for large groups. I could have just eaten the guac/chips. Is that a meal? We found amazing parking near-by and overall it was an enjoyable dinner. Very authentic (seems to me) mexican food.
(4)Carrie S.
Food-amazing but a little pricey. Tacos are great. Rice and beans also. Loved it. Service- not too shabby. We ate at the bar though and they weren't excessively busy. Overall great.
(4)Alden C.
Slowly...ever so slowly am I getting a handful of Mexican restaurants that I can see myself becoming a regular at. Poquito's happens to pass my rigorous tests for good Mexican food. I was in here about a week or so ago. It was during midday. Steve and I tried to eat here one night...a weeknight but it was so full we left. However this time I took the opportunity to dine here while there was few customers here. I looked at the menu and saw that they do brunch everyday of the week until early to mid afternoon. On the brunch menu it stated that they had Huevos Rancheros. That sounded good so I ordered it. I also got some of their ginger beer which was something they made there. I don't think I have had Huevos Rancheros this good for a considerable amount of time. The tortilla was a crisp, flaky shell with Chile Verde on it and the eggs placed on top of that. The meal was hearty but not too filling. It was just right. The ginger beer was excellent too! I would like to try and see what their supper menu has but it always seems so busy here at night whenever we go by here. Perhaps midday is my best one on one time with Poquitos!
(4)Mimi L.
Mini Sopes, and the ceviche = fabulous. Happy Hour prices are pretty decent. Service was A-Ok. I really like the decor, it's cozy.
(4)Tracy T.
Mediocre food, horrible service. Bartenders act like they're doing you a favor by making you a drink. Go to Fogon instead.
(1)Jason A.
Friday night dinner with 6 of my friends last weekend. We all had different items from the menu and all were good but nothing was jaw dropping good. The tortilla's are house make and were very tasty. I ordered the carnitas and it was good but a little on the dry side. As a joke we ordered a side of grasshoppers and several of us tried them. They were very seasoned but I think that was a good thing. lol
(3)Tom S.
I had the huevos rancheros. Very good . Well prepared and did not stay on my plate for very long. I will go back.
(5)Ben G.
Kick ass bar, great place to get drunk with the team. The food is fresh and authentic, you can get crickets here! Overall one of the better spots on the hill.
(5)Eliana S.
Everything was absolutely delicious. Very fun atmosphere and the chicken tacos on the brunch menu were very tasty. Also try the cotija cheesecake, it's sheer perfection
(5)Glenn P.
Went in for lunch. The waitress let us order WAY too much food (it's very easy to do) Make sure you ask about items that are un-clear. The ceviche is gross; it's pureed! The Guacamole is good, but it is expensive. Our waitress just brought it to the table, being somewhat deceptive like it came with our meals :( Less than authentic food, but they have an expensive place to pay for, so there you go.
(2)Melody F.
I'm pretty particular about my Mexican food. Schmancy Mexican food does not particularly get me going, but Poquitos does it well. The salsas are fresh and savory, the service is phenomenal, the margaritas are strong and heavily salted. Did I mention the service is great? Anthony had me and my date smiling every time he stopped by our table. Only complaint was that the rice and beans were pretty mediocre. Not bad, just not good either. Oh well, everything else made up for it!
(5)Latham F.
Perfection. Try a beer "Michaelado". The decor is pleasing. The fish tacos are great. The guac is so fresh and tasty.
(5)Allison P.
Came here with a girlfriend on a Tuesday night, we sat in the bar. Our server was very nice and helpful. And always made sure we had a drink! I highly recommend getting a margarita, Jala-piña(jalapeño & pineapple), Ditchweed(Cilantro & coriander) and Fresa(strawberry) were our favorites. We got the chips and salsa and quesadilla with chicken. The salsas were good and flavorful and the chips were crispy and not greasy. The quesadilla was simple but in a good way. I will definitely be coming back to try more!
(5)Jen L.
Positives: cool atmosphere. Love the decor and outdoor patio. Happy hour is decent. Chips and salsa are standard (definitely you need to add hot sauce). I would recommend, the carnitas. Tender pieces of pork that have a crispy crust. They are delicious. Homemade tortillas are good. Margaritas are average. This is where the positives end. Negatives: 1) The mole enchiladas were terrible. I've had multiple mind blowing mole sauces in Mexico (including Oaxaca) and multiple other countries having travel the majority of Northern, Central and South America. We didn't even eat half of it and there were 3 of us. Of course the waiter didnt do anything about it when we complained (considering he recommended it). It's think that if you are going to serve Mole, it better be damn good. So I am offended that this was disgusting. Take it off the menu. 2) It's bizarre that this place managed to make a flavorless, spiceless salsa. Thank god they put some bottled hot sauce on the table. 3) Very Americanized, very inauthetic. Priced more than expected 4) Drinks were watery and uninspired. We had intended to eat a full dinner here, but couldn't stomach it and went somewhere else. If you have an inexperience palate, you'll love it here. Good luck.
(2)Beth E.
Late-night happy hour food is to die for. I ate ceviche for the first time there, and every other restaurant I've ordered it at since can't compare. The only thing I've ever ordered there for dinner or happy hour that I didn't love was the mole fries. There are some Mexican restaurants that serve the same food as cheap restaurants but jack up the price due to a more upscale ambience. This is not one of them. You can tell that someone who really knows food planned the menu and selected great ingredients. Vibe is foodie living on Capitol Hill. It can be intimidating to go there on a Friday or Saturday night if you're not dressed to go out.
(4)Kelly B.
Get a Fiona (or two... or ten). Best drink EVAR.
(5)Stephen W.
Poquitos is not bad and the patio is pretty alright. But do yourself a favor and walk down to twelfth and go to Barrio. Better food and better salsa.
(3)Vicki L.
Given the spotty reviews, I was admittedly a little apprehensive about choosing Poquitos as the venue for my boyfriend's birthday dinner, but I am so glad I did! On a Tuesday night, our party of 6 had no wait/trouble getting a reservation and were given excellent service for the entire time we were there (about 2.5 hours?) Our waiter was attentive and friendly without smothering us, and the food was excellent. When I asked him for wine recommendations, he was honest in admitting he had little knowledge about the house offerings, and instead had a bartender come table side with a few complementary tastings so I could make an informed selection (awesome!). Without further delay, here's the breakdown on what we ordered: - chips and salsa: the chips are excellent here, not overly salted or greasy, and just the right amount of crisp. the salsa is flavourful, but lacks heat (could use a little more "oomph") - guacamole: undeniably FRESH. chunky, with a made-to-order taste. I would say it lacked salt/garlic/something, but the quality of the ingredients certainly helped. - I went with the evening's special, rainbow chard tacos. A bit risky, but in the end totally worth it! You wouldn't expect something like chard to taste good in a taco, but somehow all the ingredients worked. I appreciated the waiter bringing me some extra anchote salsa to turn up the heat on my dish since I am a heat-seeking machine! the rice and beans were also excellent, simply done without fussy extra ingredients. The entire plate had a clean finish on the palate. - The boyfriend ordered carnitas, which were by and large the "fanciest" presentation of carnitas I'd ever seen. Given the speed with which he inhaled his entree, I'm assuming it was all good. - A friend ordered the goat which he raved about as well, and two others ordered the enchiladas which looked lovely and not overly-smothered in sauce (a pet peeve of mine when it comes to dining at mexican restaurants). - fried grasshoppers!!! For just $1, you gotta do it, at least once. FYI they taste mostly salty/limey, and go great with beer. - Aside from a smattering of beers and wine, we also ordered the "El Dude" cocktail, which, unless you've been living under a rock your entire life, should sound familiar (ahem, Jeff Bridges fans unite!). Somehow, the tequila and horchata work marvelously together, so if you're a fan of classic white russians I'd say you'd definitely want to give this a try. Some people have complained about portion size, but to everyone at our table the portions seemed just right. I honestly couldn't even eat all 3 of my tacos and finish my sides, but I also don't usually eat huge quantities of food. If you're the type to go for third and fourth plates at buffets, or be able to finish an entire plate at say, Claimjumper, then yes, the portions will feel small to you. Given the choice though, I'd rather have a smaller portion of something that tastes great versus a huge plate of bland/gross food. What I appreciate the most about this restaurant is the creativity of vegetarian dishes (something other than bean and cheese burritos? amazing!) and the marvelous decor. The impecable service doesn't hurt either. Our waiter even offered to split our tab FIVE ways and divide up my boyfriend's entree and drinks among the five of us so he wouldn't have to pay a tab, and we didn't even have to ask him to do so (he offered once he knew it was a birthday gathering). In terms of ambience, I would say it's a bit more social/buzzy than Barrio, and less intimate/romantic. A great place for a small party/gathering, and you'd better believe I'll be back many many times!
(4)Seattleite K.
Wow. What a fantastic dinner! I'd been here before, but this time I was really flabbergasted! Our server was extremely helpful and friendly*. On his recommendation we received a truly delicious meal- the mole enchiladas were spectacular, and I doused my remaining rice&beans in the mole sauce. I didn't lick the dish, but I considered it. My friend's margarita was great, and my beer (brewed for Poquitos by Elysian- w00t!) was also spot-on. The ambiance was lively yet intimate- a cozy booth in a dimly lit restaurant right in the heart of the hill, with windows out onto the action of Pike & 10th. Yes. 5/5 for a great date spot with delicious food and drinks plus outstanding service. All of that on a reasonably priced menu! *I think his name was Anthony. Thanks Anthony!
(5)Samantha E.
Good Mexican food in Seattle makes me excited. I went here last night for a friend's birthday dinner and liked everything about it. The food was great. I had the chicken mole enchiladas, and while it wasn't the best mole I've ever had-- that prize will always go to Red Iguana in Salt Lake-- it was pretty delicious. The chicken had great flavor too. I'm going to have my leftovers for lunch in a bit and I'm pretty excited about it. The carne asada got rave reviews at the table, as did a couple types of tacos and the goat. The chips and salsa were great; two flavors of salsa and distinctly non-greasy chips. The guacamole was super fresh and chunky, but could have used a little more salt or something. Presentation for all dishes was pretty fancy and better than you'd expect from a Mexican place. The waiter was attentive, friendly, and super helpful. I arrived before the rest of the group, and we chatted for a bit about Mexican beer (apparently they're the first place in the Pacific Northwest to have Pacifico on tap?!) and how 1986 was a good birth year. He sent the bartender over to help with a friend's wine recommendation. He also managed to split up the check between five people so that the birthday boy didn't have to pay. Definitely above and beyond. (One tip: parking is kind of tricky in this neighborhood, but if you're lazy like me, there's $5 parking under the QFC a block away. They definitely don't have valet parking like their profile says. I'm pretty sure valet parking doesn't exist in Cap Hill.) Good food, good service, good atmosphere-- definitely a fan!
(4)Kelly M.
Went for happy hour and really enjoyed the food especially the brisket tacos - probably 4 stars. The space is beautiful and the patio is amazing. My issue is with the server we had - Jina. It was like she took an instant dislike to us as soon as we said we didn't want the warm tap water they give you, we wanted sparkling water. It was like we had told her we'd just killed her favorite pet. She was surly and short with us for the entire time we were there. We ate quickly and left. We would have loved to sit and hang out but her frosty attitude ensured we ate and left quickly! She is not cut out for any job that she has to work with the public - she should quit or be fired. We'd love to go back but we don't want to be served by her again so I doubt we will.
(2)Gary W.
This review is basically on the ambiance of Poquitos as it was more of a drop by for a beer than for the food. I had just left one of the best Italian restaurants in Seattle after a great Rubicon cabernet and a full tummy. But, we drove by heading back to downtown and Poquitos caught my eye as a happening place, the streets of Capital Hill were filled with Saturday night revelers. Heck, let's get a beer and appetizers and check it out? ... after circling around the block in my parking approach pattern .... another couple of wider circles ... finally, some street parking. Strolled in and I loved the open high ceilings and the ambiance was very positive and inviting. Luckily, there was a booth open in the bar area and got a great view of people coming and going. Very relaxing and got great service and never needed to wait for service even with the restaurant was filled to capacity. We shared the ceviche, chips and salsa while we ordered a Pacifico and a margarita. Surprisingly, I expected to get a bottle and they have Pacifico on tap.
(4)Randi P.
I love Mexican food. I love the food here, although the menu needs to be more accurate. I thought my entree came with a side, as the menu indicated, turns out it no longer did, when I asked for the side I was charged. Poor form, fix your menu. The Purist Margarita is the Perfect Margarita in my opinion. Too bad the service was slow and the waitress rude, otherwise I'd have ordered another. I'll be back, hopefully the service will be better.
(3)Howard C.
Poquitos has gone WAY downhill. They were good at first but now they are obviously complacent. The service (particularly from the server named ANTHONY) is surly, slow, neglectful, and downright weird. He is a bizarre (in a bad way) personality. He spends all his time talking to his friends, at the table where they are seated, and avoiding eye contact with the rest of his customers. I must say, he is quite skillful at the eye contact avoidance part of his job. So, congratulations on that one.
(1)John W.
Food and cocktails are good, however the service sucks here. It doesn't seem to matter if we come here on a weeknight or a weekend, we wait and wait to just place an order. The staff just don't seem to care. Pass.
(2)Josh B.
Came here because we have heard good things. I have to say the general vibe I get from the staff and the menu is that they think their food is better than it really is. Started off with chips and salsa, which tasted great and I proceeded to nosh, but I would probably display similiar crack-fiend like behavior with chips and salsa at an Azteca. For dinner I ordered the Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos. The fish itself had a slight slimy texture and wasn't that flavorful, and the cabbage slaw/pico de gallo didn't offer enough flavor to make me go "MMmmm". To get the level of flavor I was looking for I had to add both types of hot sauces available on the table, to which I will say are each pretty tasty in their own right. Speaking of "MMmmm's", there were none at our table, so I don't think I'll be going back.
(2)Alice C.
Dear Poquitos: I'm sorry I judged you. I thought you were going to be a for gringos by gringos Mexican joint with overpriced mediocre food and watery margaritas. While the gringo part is certainly a bit true due to the location, I'm sorry for being a pretentious judging hipster douchette. The first time I stopped by was for a late lunch with the padre- we sat in the bar and munched on tacos, receiving warm, albeit a bit spacey, service. Tonight, though, you were fully redeemed. I made a reservation for 6 for my birthday dinner, and half of my dining partners in crime showed up about 20 minutes after we did. Our server, Lindsay, was awesome: she brought out chips and salsa (which are delicious, order them), took alcoholic/non alcoholic drink orders, and gave us plenty of time to figure out what everyone wanted once the last stragglers showed up without giving us any rush or pressure to order before everyone got there/knew what they wanted. The food: I got the carnitas, which come with black beans and a very hefty serving of crack laced guacamole.* It's pretty much the most delicious pork product other than lechon you'll every eat. For bacon heads, its better than bacon. There. I said it (if you want to contest this statement, feel free to contact me so we can hug it out later). Get it. Others ordered the mole and verde enchiladas, which were a hit, and the various taco combinations- the carne asada and carnitas were both really good, and the pickled onions a nice touch. Lindsay surprised me with an order of churros on the house and got my family to sing me happy birthday (sans bad sombreros!), and these churros are pretty much amazing. The flan and house made popsicles are also really awesome. Tonights popsicle flavors were watermelon and a cucumber avocado, we wound up with the watermelon. Although cucumber avocado is something I'd really like to try. Poquitos, I salute you. *The guacamole does not contain any legally controlled and/or illegal substances. It's just really good and you'll find yourself licking the bowl and looking like you're tweaking.
(4)Andy T.
This is a quick account of one of many horrible customer service experiences I've had a Poquitos. The bartender ignored us for 20 minutes. We were sitting right in front of her. I raised a finger and said 'excuse me' several times. Nothing. Finally I asked the back of her head for some help, "can we have a couple Dos Equis and some water, please?" She put the beers in front of us without response, eye contact, or aknowledgement. Beside them, the bill. Behind them, two glasses of HOT water. I asked about the hot water and my beer was promptly seized and I was told not to return. "Right," you must be thinking, "this guy must've been rabble-rousing. He must've deserved it." I have four witnesses who say otherwise. No TP in the bathroom. Ditto on paper towels. Well, I guess there was plenty of paper on the floor for us unwashed peons to work with. PROs: The bouncer is amazing. A true character who is interested in hosting a fun time for all. The chips and salsa are a treat, along with many of their dishes. That's about it.
(1)Tiffany N.
My friend and I had dinner here one weekend because it didn't seem packed and we found parking nearby. The restaurant is dark and kind of smelled old. We were seated quickly and ordered drinks. I had the Fresa (purist margarita with strawberry-infused vodka) and the waitress raved about how good the drink is but I thought it was just decent. It didn't really have a strawberry flavor at all, the margarita flavors overpowered it. For food, I ordered the grilled Baja Fish Tacos and wasn't very impressed with it either. The tacos didn't have much flavor so I was pretty disappointed. We ended up ordering dessert anyway and I had the Lime Tart. This was their saving grace. If not for this tart, I would've given Poquitos 2 stars. The dessert was exactly what I wanted, the crust of the tart was good and the filling was the right balance of sweet and sour. I would consider coming back for drinks and dessert.
(3)Shawna S.
Thank you Poquitos. I was lucky enough to be invited to this stunning restaurant by a fellow foodie and friend, she had the inside scoop on the opening date and I'm always ready to try something new. I love when my adventurous tongue doesn't lead me to dining disappointment. The restaurant is perfectly dark and sexy, however the open windows and high celling's create a feeling of open community instead of claustrophobic containment. I love the open kitchen, I think it's great when restaurants know they have nothing to hide and make all their staff behave as front of house. We got a great table near one of the huge windows and enjoyed the jealous look directed out our dinner and drinks as people walked by intrigued. That's right, you want some of this. Guacamole. I make a mean one and I very rarely order it out because I feel most places overwhelm the wonderful taste of avocado with too many other flavors. I don't know how they do it, but they nailed it here. It tasted of perfectly ripe avocado, oh that buttery richness. While perfectly paired with their warm, crisp chips I would have had NO problem just going to town with a spoon. PLEASE try the Hongos tacos. Roasted mushrooms and grilled onions perfectly seasoned with smoky chipotle. I even dare you carnivores; these flavorful tacos pack a flavorful, meaty punch. I also thoroughly impressed with my friends Al Pastor, I tend to avoid fruit in my tacos but the pineapple added a lovely brightness to the moist pork. Not to mention that these tasty fillings come in house made tortillas! Nothing stale here, the corn tortillas warm your taste buds up for the impending deliciousness. I never can keep my eyes to myself and caught my tongue wagging at our neighboring table's ceviche, carnitas platter, and the lamb shank. Next time? We we're too full for desert. Okay, that's a lie. We had another margarita instead. Oh, I didn't even mention how killer their margaritas are. We started out with the classic house margarita, everything you could from tequila and lime! I chose the La Fiano, perfectly sweet and spicy, for my liquid desert! My friend selected the Luchadore. An interesting, yet delightful, classic tequila flip! I have already strongly recommended this place to several friends, as well as my fellow Canadians who are planning an impending visit. Oh yes, I will be back.
(5)Jamie J.
LUCKY ME! I was acquainted with Poquito on Opening Day - cool right? Check this, by a new employee who is also a friend of mine. I got sort of the inside scoop on the décor, and the process that this not so little joint went through to present Capitol Hill with its existence. Now, I feel like Poquito and I are really tight. I really like this place! I do! I love that they have two separate services for lunch and dinner. The casual vibe of lunch service makes this place fun and lively from noon, on. They menu is short and sweet, yet has something to offer for people of many tastes. I can't wait to go back for dinner! I had a nice satisfying lunch with: The Yam Tacos, and a Chicken Mole Tamale. The tacos were spot on in terms of spice, flavor, balance, and over all "mhhmmness." Where I was left a little disappointed was in my tamale. I found only two very narrow slices of pulled chicken in the heart of the grand tamale. I was a little bit confused like - "Did I order all corn tamale by accident?!" Nope, 'twas the chicken. The mole was wonderful; I just needed a little more meat in mine! The décor speaks for itself. The place is gorgeous with hand bent rods, imported chandeliers - if you will, and beautiful tile work. The space is simply stellar and there really is no other spot on or around the hill that is like this. League of its own? Yes... but, that means expectations are high! No more chicken-less tamales; tough love, Poquito! Welcome to Capitol Hill, and you will be seeing much more of me there, so say hi if you see me! There's some new Kids on the Block, folks. Name?... [pause]...Poquito!
(4)Tami H.
Best Mexican food I've had in Seattle. Chips were outstanding... home-made tortillas to die for. Loved the guac/crab dip and the carnitas. Jalapeno margarita was spicy goodness. Outstanding service and ambience rounded out the experience!
(5)Sharon F.
If you haven't considered coming here for a brunch, I highly recommend it! It's just the right amount of darkness for tired morning eyes but enough light to see the beautiful tile and iron work inside. Our group tried all the tacos on the menu (Baja Fish, Al Pastor & Chicken Tinga) and I had an amazing plate of the Huevos Machucados. The eggs were the PERFECT consistency between gooey and cooked. The portions are just enough, especially if you start with the incredible guacamole to share. And I also discovered that Margaritas are a surprising hair of the dog. Must be the salted rim! Service was friendly, prompt and our incredibly dehydrated crew was replenished plenty of times. Come here for a date, with a group, when you are hankering for some thoughtful Mexican food and tasty concoctions!
(4)Rory L.
Happening place. Visited on a loud fun Friday night. My group started with some excellent Purists Margaritas and then went on to graze through the menu. Good salsas and guacamole, tasty al pastor and chicken tinga tacos, but the stand outs were the chipotle prawns and the ahogada tortas. Sometimes it was hard to hear the person across the table, but we just ordered another round and all was good.
(3)Shawn B.
I was recommended Poquitos by a couple of friends, who had heard from other friends that Poquitos was a great restaurant for Mexican food. I went during Happy Hour from 4PM-6PM, and the HH menu for food was decent in the amount of items available, but the variation in food wasn't that impressive. The very first thing that annoyed me was that their chips and salsa were not complimentary. Name me another Mexican restaurant that doesn't provide chips and salsa for free. You can't. That's what I thought. I ordered off the regular menu because the prices weren't that bad, and ended up going with the chicken verde enchiladas. There was a slight kick to them, but overall I felt that the dish was just overwhelmed by cheese, and the chicken was cooked in too much oil. Not the best enchiladas to say the least. As for the atmosphere, the outside patio is pretty nice. It's nice and open and it's located in a great place on Capitol Hill. Overall, if you're in the neighborhood I would say go ahead and check out Poquitos for some standard Mexican food fare, however if you're wanting something a little more authentic or higher in quality, look elsewhere.
(2)Marybeth C.
Went for the afternoon happy hour, enjoyed the $5 margaritas and the yummy Al Pastor tacos (pork, pickled red onion, pineapple, and cilantro) 2 for $5. They were tasty fancy tacos, and the drinks tasted fresh, not like syrup and tequila. Nice atmosphere, great menu. The chips & salsa were delicious, tip: if you check in on Foursquare and it's your first time there, you get 'em for free. I've walked past the place on busy weekend nights and the place is packed, glad I went for early happy hour!
(4)No N.
Food was inedible. Got the chicken sopes -- came plated three mini-muffin sized discs that were obviously pre made days before and microwaved with some salty, bland old smelling chicken mash stuffed on top. The sopes were not crisp on the outside nor tender on the inside -- just so leathery from nuking that they could not be cut with a fork. And no presentation at all. Just three of these things thrown on the plate. No garnish , no lettuce, tomatoes or sauce -- just nothing. Took two bites and couldn't finish. You have been warned.
(1)Ryan N.
Nice little trendy spot in Capitol Hill. Good happy hour type crowd/ambience. Extensive tequila menu. Decent tasting food. Emphasis on free-range chicken. Nothing too spectacular about their menu; no must-try food dishes (something I always look for!). Overpriced Mexican food IMO. Might have to give them another shot...maybe for Happy Hour.
(3)JB M.
We've been here for dinner several times, with several different parties. Each time everyone was super pleased with the food, service, and ambiance. You have to try the Queso Fundido, and if you pair it with chicharrones, it's darn near carb-free! Friendly wait staff, good drinks, and good location make Poquito's a fave!
(4)Kristin C.
First off, who the hell has Pacifico on tap? Well, apparently Poquitos does. I obviously had to order it, and I totally wouldn't do that again. Pacifico should only be served in a bottle, on a warm summer day. But, I can say I've had it on tap. After wandering around the hill, aimlessly, trying to decide where to eat for dinner, we *finally* ended up at Poquitos. I was with my boyfriend and his sister, and she is a really picky eater. So Poquitos worked for her so she could have a margarita and a quesadilla, which she loved, so that's cool. She was the one visiting from out of town. I ordered the chicken mole enchiladas with beans and rice and was pleasantly surprised at how tasty they were for overpriced-Seattle- fusion-Mexican food. The mole was much spicier, rather than sweet, but good. I also really liked the rice and beans, I would have liked them even more if the rice wasn't burnt. My boyfriend enjoyed his tacos, but agreed that the enchiladas were better. For $13 for 3 enchiladas, rice and beans, it actually is a really good deal. The star of this restaurant though is the ambiance. As soon as you walk in you can tell it's from the same people who brought us Bastille over in Ballard. We sat out on the patio near the fire pit. The inside looked really fantastic too. This isn't somewhere I was particularly interested in trying, and I doubt it will become a regular haunt on the hill for me, but I was honestly surprised at how delicious the food was.
(4)Matt B.
For our office holiday party, the staff chose a salsa theme: Mexican for dinner and then salsa dancing. Our CEO suggested Poquito's and I coordinated the event. Liz was a huge help. She responded quickly to my email and gave us all of our options. The chef put together an outstanding menu that the staff loved. Best of all, they were able to work with us when our numbers changed the week before the event. When I arrived, everything was already set up for us: tables laid out; chips, salsa, and guacamole; and water ready. As our group slowly arrived over the course of 30 minutes, the staff kept pace with everyone and delivered the food right when we were ready. We were on a tight, two hour time frame and Liz made sure we got to enjoy ourselves and still have all of the courses of our meal- without feeling rushed. Specific comments from the staff were that the guacamole was light, fluffy, and delicious. The salad with black beans and chicken surprised everyone with the flavorful dressing. Adobo chicken was the big winner of the evening; lightly spicy, juicy, and tender. The grilled corn with cheese for the appetizer was rich and had a surprising amount of heat that everyone liked. The carnitas were amazing: crunchy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside. Not only did we have a lot of fun and enjoy incredible food, but the price was more than fair. Poquito's delivered on what they promised and then some. We'll definitely be using them for some of our lunches in the future and I'll definitely be back for dinners!
(5)Vincent C.
My partner and I had lunch here today. It's not our first time coming in but the service this time was EXCEPTIONAL. Daniela was our hostess and she was PHENOMINAL! Beautiful Spanish accent and she provided a fantastic experience. Our food was wonderful and when we asked for tequila shots she consorted with management to not only give us shots but the perfect palate chasers to go with. The bill was pricey for lunch but worth every penny. Thank you Daniela!
(5)Suzy F.
Poquitos is in a beautiful space with atmosphere aplenty. The fixtures and tile work are unique and whoever built the interior of this restaurant knows what they're doing. It's a fun place to grab a drink with friends and is very hip in a capitol hill kind of way. The poquito punch is a good sweet girly beverage that I enjoy. The food itself is pretty yummy, and most everything I've had here (during my four different visits) I have enjoyed. It's not mind-blowingly delicious, but definitely above par. They have some stuff that seems a little pricey (the guacamole was more expensive than it was worth) and other dishes that are appropriately priced for the kind of restaurant it is. My three star review is for the poor service that I've received here. The first time I was here the waitress took our order and let probably 15 minutes pass before coming back to tell us that they were out of what we had ordered. I also asked her for a napkin twice before just getting up and grabbing one from the bartender. Then I had decent service on the next couple of visits (was waited on and served quickly) and fairly poor service this last time. Our waitress pretty much ignored us and when I gave her my card she forgot to run it and we had to flag her down and ask what was up. It seems like for what they are charging per plate they could hire more wait staff, as they appear to be spread a little thin.
(3)Nicholas G.
Excellent food and service. No complaints here. I got the mixed tacos plate and it was super good. Also I recommend trying the La Diabla cocktail. It was mucho excellente.
(5)Libby C.
Nothing bad to say. Great ambiance, food was yum. We got a seat next to an open fire at the bar - that was nice b/c...well...it was raining and cold out. Go figure. Not the best margarita I've ever had, but it's a high bar:)
(4)Doug B.
We have been here twice. The first time, we were ignored when we walked in, so we left. The second time, we tried the brunch. The meat and eggs were very undercooked. The service was ok. Get it together people!
(1)Elizabeth L.
Was a bit disappointed with Poquitos, given the hype it's received. Not particularly authentic - would prefer a taco stand over here. Fun atmosphere and large bar area - would come here for drinks rather than dinner. Atmosphere similar to Peso's, rowdy / good for crowds.
(3)Joyce J.
Friendly service but a little slow. My friend and I sat in the sun room during happy hour and had to waited quite a bit of time for a waitress to show up. The salsa was a bit weak but the tortilla chips were nice a fresh tasting. I had the lamb taco which was interesting but the combination did not add anything to the taste. Overall, I thought this was a nice and classy place for some Mexican food.
(3)Rheanna F.
Omigosh, YUM!! I was in Seattle to with a friend to meet up with our boyfriends who were playing at a show at Neumos across the street, and we came here since it seemed like a great spot to have a nice double-date dinner (and a margarita!) before the venue opened. Our server, Anthony, was totally awesome. (The coolest, nicest server ever!) He had spied our boys across the street at the venue when they were loading in, so he had figured out that we probably weren't from Seattle. When he confirmed this, he warned us that the portions were huge so we should probably all split dishes so we didn't end up with leftovers. I totally appreciated his observation and honesty cause boy was he right! None of us even managed to finish one plate between two people!! The food was sooooooo damn good though! They bring you chips and salsa to snack on, and holy shit, if i could have bought a jug of their red salsa to take home with me i probably would have. I had a yum yum yummy margarita to drink and split the fish tacos with my boyfriend. Everything tasted super fresh and it was definitely with deep regret that we couldn't finish our entire meal! We also had a shot of their house tequila, which was SO SMOOTH! I was a bit nervous since i'd been out drinking the night before and wasn't too eager to have a tequila shot at 7pm, but it went down like nothing! My friend was pretty hungover that day and wasn't going to do one, but our server promised it would make her feel better... 15 minutes after she did the shot she confirmed that she felt incredibly better and that her stomach wasn't queasy anymore! Thanks Anthony!! All in all, it was totally one of the best dining experiences i've had in awhile! I'll totally be back next time i'm South of the border!! (See, i'm from Canada, so i can totally make a bad South of the border pun when referring to a Mexican restaurant in the US. Pretty good huh?)
(5)J K.
Hip Mexi restaurant owned by the Bastille people. Great place to get late night chips and tacos. Super yummy.
(4)Clarissa O.
Why aren't the chips and salsa at my table and free yet. 1 star added for their chopped salad.
(3)Solisco G.
At first glance it appears like any other Mexican bar with crappy 'Mexican' bar food. But I was surprised. The food is pretty darn good. It's not your 'traditional' Mexican food but it's Mexican food with a good twist. I've tried the tacos al pastor and mini sopes (Mmm). I usually come in and sit at the bar. I enjoy drinking my beer with a cup of Chapulines. They are de-li-ciosos! I have been holding off ordering from their dinner menu since I have been disappointed at other Mexican restaurants but from what I have tried so far I can't wait to try their tortas ahogadas and birria.
(4)Saoirse O.
Great setting, very good food outweighs the inconsistent service for me. Poquitos just has that ingredient that makes it feel good. The decor is stylish and authentic-ish Mexican with gorgeous tile work and wrought iron. The open kitchen is entertaining with abuela making tortillas by hand. Everything is fresh, delicious and boldly flavored. Love the chicken tinga tacos, fish tacos, chips and salsas. Fun, upbeat place to go with girlfriends, boyfriends or family, think this will be around for a long time.
(5)David P.
At first, I was ready to write off Poquito's as just another place with the "it location" at 10th and Pike that was just "too trendy" to make it through the long haul. I was told there would be an hour and a half wait to get in when we stopped by Friday night. This is generally code for "try again another night", but the hostess was very kind and offered to take down our name and number and call us if a table became available. She did exactly that not 20 minutes later. Now that's service! Mole enchiladas and carne asada were both derrrricious! I had never seen mole sauce paired with the cotija cheese before, but somehow it worked amazing well. Their house margaritas were some of the best I've ever had! If you're a tequila fan, try the Tres Generaciones label - it's smooth with a sweet aftertaste, perfecto! The coolest thing about this place is the physical space. Poquito's is in the same building as Havana, and it is not so named by accident. Stepping into this place feels like stepping into another era, vaguely Hemingway-ish? Safari chic, perhaps? You be the judge. Poquito's, you are a winner in my book!
(4)Erika W.
Poquitos...is...underwhelming. The food is nothing special but what irks me more is that this place parades around as if it's the most authentic Mexican restaurant in town. Gimme a break, just because you don't serve nachos (and by the way, I REALLY WANTED SOME G-D NACHOS) doesn't mean you're authentic. The interior is fancy-douche which, to be fair, I can appreciate. Overall this place isn't so bad but when you are so close to so many fantastic restaurants, why waste your time here? Go to Barrio instead.
(2)Chira V.
I like the back bar and the ambiance. Especially when they open up all the windows in the summer, should that ever happen again in Seattle. I dig the ceviche, everything else I sampled is solid, but nothing that I have cravings to come back for. It's a great place to hang out with friends and chat, drink and grab a bite to eat.
(3)Yumiko K.
My boyfriend and I drove by this place on Friday, and we actually went in on Saturday with a small group of friends. This place looked and was pretty packed on both nights! Poquito's reminded me of Barrio/Peso's/The Matador (aka fancy Mexican restaurants). It was dimly lit and full of Capital Hill crowd. The menu wasn't too big and rather meat-heavy (*sigh*), but I like that they serve tamales and tortas. We ordered a veggie tamale and veggie torta. Unfortunately, they served us a tamale with meat in it. (The masa part was yummy.) The torta, however, was pretty delicious. The drinks were STRONG! I had La Fiona, which had hibiscus nectar and habanero-infused tequila. It was tasty and had a serious kick to it. It was sweet and spicy at the same time and made my taste buds go wild. El Dude (horchata and home-made Kahlua) sounded delicious, but apparently, it was too strong, which may not be a bad thing. Our server was friendly and helpful. I'd like to see more veggie/seafood/non-alcoholic options on the menu.
(3)Koa M.
I came here on memorial day and got a booth in the bar with some friends. Took about 15mins to get our first order of drinks. My girlfriend tried the purist margarita and did not like it when she asked to change her drink to a tequila tonic and the bartender girl was rude about it. When we asked what was good here she just looked at us like we were stupid. And told us "try anything" I mean really what a bad way to make a guest feel welcome. The staff is not very "peppy" or happy at all the atmosphere seems far to "hipster" and less about service and quality. Also the fact that chips are not free! WTF kind of restaurant does that? I ordered the guacamole and got cold chips with it instead of warmed and toasty like many other Mexican spots in Seattle. I asked for fish tacos which was on there menu and was told they don't have them currently. I really am not a fan of any Mexican food except fish tacos so that was a negative as well. The waitress had told us chips n salsa and guacamole were free refills but then the waitress took the guacamole which was not empty said it was not free refills on that. She either was having a bad day or sucks at her job. Either way as a customer it is not my problem. We get our orders in and the rice and beans for the carne asada look like they sat for at least an hour they were completely hardened over. However our friends were nice and warm and steaming. Complete inconsistency when it comes to quality and service. Total bill was 65.00 I wish I would have went to taco bell and grabbed food there and a half rack of dos equis at the store would have been better use of my time and money. And now I just got home and am making myself some dinner because the 16.95 Carne Asada was a joke in terms of size portion.
(1)Shawn A.
The chorizo is amazing and the Bloody Maria's they serve during brunch are not to be missed. The waitress informed me that they will be selling the hot suces soon... can't wait!!! So far this is hands down the best Mexican food I've had in Seattle.
(4)Shekinah S.
UPGRADE ALERT My friend had her bday dinner at Poquitos last night and I must say I was impressed. Everyone had a good time and a great meal and I really couldn't wait to update my review! First off, they handled our group of 11 very well. They even held the cake in the back while we were eating and turned down the fire pit when we got too toasty. Secondly, everyone enjoyed their food (at least everyone sitting near me sure did). I went with the Ahogada Torta ($9.95), which is basically a sandwich (torta) drowned in sauce. I was hesitant because I don't like wet burritos and it's carnitas (I usually go for chicken), but boy oh boy was it good! A little bit spicy and a whole lotta yummy! My friend next to me polished off her Ceviche ($11.95), and they also made a vegan dish just for the bday girl. The foodie across from me absolutely raved about his Goat Birria ($16.95), even stopping the waiter to thank him for the recommendation. The salty homemade chips were a hit (and necessary since it took awhile to have our orders taken and then arrive) and I heard several people exclaim over the salsas. I asked for a side of the costeno chili hot sauce (served with the tacos I had last time and identified by the owner that kindly responded to my review) and ate it with both the chips and my torta. That stuff is taaaaaasty. Buen trabajo Poquitos! Gracias!!
(4)Sarah H.
Went here on a Friday afternoon as my fella and I had been eyeballing it for a while. I'm glad we got over our Pike-and-Pine-corridor terror for an hour, as the food and margaritas were delicious. I ordered the yam tacos and a side of beans and rice; he had chicken enchiladas with the same side. We shared some chips and salsa (came with red and green) -- I couldn't stop myself from scarfing those down. The yam tacos were smoky and mouth-watering. I thought the beans and rice could use a little something, maybe just more salt, but they were still good. I got a strawberry margarita which disappeared faster than it should have. I believe the margaritas were $7 during happy hour (a buck or two off the regular price), which I felt was a little expensive for the small glasses we received. But hey, it wasn't bottom shelf tequila in there. The happy hour food options were surprisingly affordable. Our server Chris was very friendly and checked in with us a few times throughout our meal. I LOVE the wrought iron and tile decor throughout the restaurant. Overall a great experience, if you beat the looming wave of Friday night hipsters and bridge-and-tunnel crowd.
(4)Mary M.
I have been here twice now. Once with a group of 6 on a busy Friday around 930pm..and once just me and my fiance on a saturday evening early at 530pm. We had to wait for a table (not surprising) with the larger group. The second time I had made a reservation because I had to share the guac experience with my better half. Both times we had wonderful service..attentive, knowledgable, and friendly. Both times the home made guac was to die for! Con: The enchilada dish is swimming in sooo much cheese it waaaay too rich. Con: SO loud in there. PRO: The pulled pork would almost be mind blowing if they gave you more tortillas...Over all though it is VERY tasty. In my bigger group it seemed the food was hit and miss..luckily for me pork is my favorite and seems to be something they do well. worth trying out if you are in the neighborhood.
(3)Cassie T.
Go eat the tortilla soup. Cold and rainy day in Seattle - this soup will make you forget our weather sucks! I also spilt the beef torta which was good, but I'll be going back for the soup.
(4)Ryan D.
Chips & Salsa isn't free, and it costs $2.00 but it is worth it. My favorite item out of their menu is their brisket taco, very tender and flavorful. It's $5.00 for two during their happy hour special. Great margaritas here too! Happy hours run from 4PM to 6PM and its only on the patio or bar.
(4)Chris P.
Poquitos has a great environment, a great outdoor patio, and the food is good too. The problem is, you can't get the food because nobody will serve you. A group of 5 of us sat at a table for 20 minutes without even being greeted with a 'hello, sorry I'm busy right now, can you wait?', which would have made it a bit more tolerable. The waitress had an uncanny ability of not seeing us sit there trying to get somebody's attention. We finally got up and left, completely invisible to anybody working at the restaurant. I had to believe the employees didn't want to be there and wanted everyone to leave. Every empty table was full of left over plates from the previous group, and they all sat that way for the full 20 minutes, and probably much longer. Nobody in the restaurant attempted to clean up or help, and it wasn't even very busy (probably because everyone was walking out like we did). So do them a favor, and don't go.
(2)Chenda N.
ill drink as much as i can of the purist margarita and im not a tequila fan, its that fresh and good. the first thing i ask when i sit down is for a few orders of the chicharrones, fried pork skin, YUM! this is not your typical order of pig skin that you find in the chip aisle, this is something from a different planet that melts in your mouth, YUM! the quesadilla is delicioso and tortilla soup is like a southwestern poem that came to life. anything "taco" is a good and i can't wait to go back and try the ceviche and one of their platters.
(5)Kelly T.
Love the crab guacamole and cilantro cocktail. Simply delicious!
(4)Lisa C.
I am very sad to write this review as I had high hopes. This is my second visit to Poquitos and my last. The Jopra show was live from Poquitos on Friday. I do appreciate that this made them busier than usual. If it were simply the slowness of the service I could easily overlook that, especially on the weekend of Cinco de Mayo. What caused me to especially dislike this place was the complete and absolute poor response I got when I returned my ceviche because the fish was rotten. When I told the waitress she informed me that the ceviche was made "traditionally" and that I didn't understand what it was supposed to taste like. I assured her that as a Mexican I know what traditional ceviche tastes like and rotten ceviche tastes nothing like traditional ceviche. Then my friend ordered fish tacos to have one tasty one and two rotten ones. The fish was so bad the entire table smelled like rotten fish. At this point I called over the manager. Our waitress disappeared and although she promised to take the dishes off the tab she offered us nothing else to eat. I was starving. When the manager came over and removed my friends stinking fish I told him that it was imperative he tell the kitchen they were serving rotten fish. He asked me, I kid you not...."What do you mean by rotten." I politely smiled and said that rotten meant something, in this case fish, that had gone bad and was no longer fit for consumption. He said, "are you sure?" I said yes, I am certain the fish is bad. If you don't believe me taste it yourself. He, of course, refused. I finally ordered some tacos and those were fine but nothing to write home about. The guacamole was also not very good. I was not impressed with the salsa selection and their margaritas tasted like straight margarita mix with alcohol. Hubby did like the selection of Tequila and I appreciated that they served Dos XX.
(1)Joshua H.
I like Poquitos.. Food is always good, tasty margaritas as well. Happy hour is the best time to go. I find it a bit over priced for 2 small tacos for $10, when you can get the same tacos in Mexico for $0.50 a piece.. But then again we aren't in Mexico.. The waitstaff can be a bit slow and neglectful. Don't expect rapid service, even when it is slow. All and all will always come back here, but for happy hour specials and bar service..
(3)L G.
Good food and great atmosphere. Came here on a business meeting and had a good time.
(4)Todd W.
I have no idea what all these other reviews are talking about. 1. The wait staff has always been friendly! 2. AMAZING atmosphere! Its perfect for a date, football games, or group night out. 3. We live in seattle- who doesnt want to forget the gloomy weather with any one of their specialty margs. 4. If you want food out in 6 minutes go to tgi friday- enjoy yourself people! And the friends you are with 5. Food is good, not great but everything else prior makes up for it. All in all wonderful place and I would recommend it to anyone!
(5)Ali B.
SERVICE IS TERRIBLE! We were unlucky enough to have tried the carnitas... they actually made me gag and tasted nothing like carnitas. I mentioned to our waitress that we were unhappy with the carnitas and something tasted "off". She said "hm, well i'm sorry" and walked away... never to return to our table. We had to go to the hostess to get and pay our bill. And we left a full plate of overpriced crap sitting on the table while receiving no service. shameful. What they do have down: atmosphere, alcoholic drinks, queso. it is too bad that their poor customer service will make me never return for their good qualities.
(2)Qui K.
bougie nom noms. you can't go wrong with mexican food ingredients unless you burn the stuff and even then g'money aka abuela always knew how to make that taste amazing. well, what we ate here was not burnt, it was not bad, but it didn't tickle my fancy. i love saying that; tickle my fancy. i am glad we got to experience this place and i don't have anything bad to say about it, i just don't have anything wow to say about iti either.
(3)Shelby W.
I showed up here around midnight with some friends. When we came in the restaurant the restaurant side was closing down. This place definitely has that Capital Hill bar vibe to it. I ordered the Chicken Tacos and a Long Island. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to finish it both tacos because I wasn't that hungry. When they came out I had nothing to worry about. The tacos were about 3 inches in diameter. I thought they were a good value for the money ($5) until I saw how little they were. Just a note that you'll get way more for your money anywhere else for happy hour as far as food is concerned. The Long Island was only $8 so that was good.
(3)Katrina D.
Poquitos is a popular place located across from Caffe Vita in Cap Hill. It has an open spacious floor plan that is very aesthetically appealing. All of the three times I have been to Poquitos were for lunch, so I can only speak for that. It has been easy to get a table but there always is a solid lunch crowd. With that said, the service is pretty crappy. It has taken forever for me to get a Dry Soda here as the bartender seems to be the one even giving the non alcoholic drinks. Furthermore, the menu is pretty limited, especially for someone who is pescatarian and often times vegetarian such as myself. It costs a few bucks for chips and salsa but obviously that is a no brainer... Who wouldn't want them at a Mexican-like place?! Lastly, the portions are pretty small and the food takes a good while for lunch. With all this said, however, I seem to find myself going back to Poquitos for lunch appointments. I suppose it goes back to the spaciousness of the place and allure of the way it looks opposed to the actual food... It'd be nice if Poquitos added a few more lunch items to their menu but, for now at least, I will continue frequenting there.
(3)Danielle F.
Methinks not is right. A group of friends trickled in within a half hour of each other. When I ordered my first drink I asked to order from the bar and leave my tab open to reduce confusion. I was told this would not be a problem. As the group grew we moved to the middle section to seat everyone,with permission from our server. We all ordered drinks and food. At one point we did ask to have the fire to be turned down. Which to our original server was no problem. Our bartender on the other hand was the rudest. She was sincerely pissed every time we asked for anything. I went to close out my bill and she explained to me that since we had moved that we had messed everything up. Cue the dramatics. A friend repeated her order which was followed by a rude comeback which left the rest of the party jaw dropped. Group fell quiet and everyone decided to leave. Bartender came over, placed both hands on the table and said "whats up" to the next person closing out. I closed out and left "cash" as tip on my receipt, signed and returned.. Cash in which I was heading to the bar with. My bill was returned and placed in front of me. I have never in my life had such rude service in my life. Nasty looks/expressions and flat out rude service. I will never return. I went out of my way to tip the first server that was amazing, friendly and accommodating.
(2)Liz M.
Yesterday was the first time I ventured into Poquitos. I'm a sucker for Mexican food, but the mixed reviews for this place kept me away, plus I usually have another dining destination already in mind when I'm in the Pike/Pine corridor. But a friend's birthday celebration finally provided me a reason to come here. From the reviews, the best feature of Poquitos is the (completely) covered patio and it's true. It was a nice, but cold, November day and we were as toasty as could be, despite being nominally 'outside'. The long communal table in the middle is perfect for a large (and growing) group, although it's a little close to the seats at bar which makes it awkward for people trying to squeeze through. The happy hour pricing is pretty good, even if the hours (4-6) are a bit pinched. I had a $5 poquitos margarita which was excellent in taste and strong enough to make me a little woozled, as I hadn't eaten much that day. I ordered the chicken tinga empanadas to counter the alcohol and found them pleasantly spicy, perfectly-sized to be picked up and held, and not at all greasy. I also had a few of the chips and liked the salsa but thought neither chips nor dip were worth paying for. Finally, I had half of a warmed churro which was quite tasty, especially with its caramel? dipping sauce. I thought our waiter did a great job of adapting to the ever-increasing group (while still taking care of other tables!) and making sure everyone had food and drinks. He forgot to bring me silverware and a napkin & I couldn't catch his eye long enough to request one, but since the empanadas as mentioned above are well-sized for holding, this wasn't a big problem. Overall: good food, reasonable (happy hour) prices, good service, lovely patio, cramped space. I don't know that I would bother coming here for dinner, but sign me up for that $5 poquitos margarita!
(4)Melissa P.
My best friend wanted to take me to this place because she had come here twice in the last two weeks and was thinking of having her bachelorette dinner with 30 plus people here in September. That won't be happening now! We have been at the Swedish hospital for days because her dad was dying and the last thing we needed was to deal with this none-sense. I ordered the tostada off the brunch menu. It says it's 11.95 & comes with my choice of chorizo, corn... so I picked corn and the waitress told me it was an extra $1 to have corn. I pointed out the fact that it doesn't say that on the menu and she argued that "at least she told me in advanced". I stated that wasn't the point and that I was pretty sure there is a law about things like this (which I researched and there is!). She got the manager and the manager stated the same thing but in a snoty attitude " The menu is incorrect and we should probably change it to reflect correctly. If you would have received the bill and we didn't tell you then I'd take the $1 off, but we warned you so you will need to pay the extra $1 if you want corn." I told them to remove my item from our lunch order and decided to go to chipotle instead. Terrible shady service! I can afford the extra dollar but to be rude about it is another thing! And to say what she said was ridiculous. We will never go there again. In addition they don't give you free salsa with your free chips. The food is expensive for the portions you get. This place only gets 2 stars for good food and nice decor.
(2)Dae Y.
standing table: good. i like to stand when i can. it's better for your health. chips: not warm, but still very good. gave us 2 bowls of them. red salsa: good. could have more burn, but good flavor. green salsa: again, more burn, but good flavor for green salsa even though i typically don't go for the green. Al Pastor: 3 lovelies on the plate. comes with red and orange sauce. beware the orange! one tortilla holds each one together just fine. 2 dos equis amber: can't go wrong with my dos equis!
(4)Yolanda Y.
My enthusiastic five star experience had a lot to do with the amazing happy hour specials. I came here because I asked someone on the street where they would go for drinks and food at that late hour and this is the place the guy recommended (thanks, anonymous guy!). I was with a decently sized group, we got seats pretty quickly in the outdoor patio with HEATED SEATS. YES! Actually, this was never confirmed by the staff, but I could have sworn our booth seat was being warmed from the inside, so I hope I was right and not hallucinating. We got a round of drinks on the special and then the food! I loved the pork empanadas. At least that's what it reminded me of. And then the tacos too. Everything off the menu that I got was consistently good (and I ordered some things more than once). It was one of those times when everyone says they're not hungry, you order apps, and then everyone digs in. The waitress was great. We also got the guacamole and chips. For a late night meal this was just out of this world good, and not even that expensive! You just have to time your visit right to be there when all the food and drinks are on sale!
(5)Stefanie S.
Love the staff here! Pretty much all the drinks are delicious, my favorites being the El Dude, Poquitos Punch and Horchata. My favorite dishes are the El Pastor tacos, Queso Fundido with chorizo, and Carne Asada. The guacamole is delicious, especially when they added the pomegranate! I spend most of my time in the outdoor patio, which is amazing. Also Happy Hour empanadas are crave worthy! See you there every 2nd Tuesday for BINGO!!!
(5)Ryan S.
Poquitos is always a special treat when we get to sit in Anthony's section! He treats us like kings, his recommendations are always top drawer and his service is always impeccable! We never want for a thing and I always feel like I've been completely spoiled when we finally leave the restaurant - that is why we always request to sit in Anthony's section. It may mean that sometimes we have to wait a little bit to be seated but between Anthony's service, the food and the atmosphere, it's well worth the wait!
(5)Frankie O.
This review is based off of the fact that I come here to enjoy great margaritas and happy hour snacks. I have not actually enjoyed a full dinner here. With that, their margaritas are fantastic! $5 for a strong, not too sweet, perfectly tart margarita. They do not serve pitchers. Of the happy hour snacks I have enjoyed, the guacamole is actually the best. It's simply perfectly seasoned. Served with a huge bowl of warm tortilla chips, there's really nothing better to go with your margarita except some salsa too. The service is...well kind of slow. Mostly on behalf of the lacking sense of urgency, but sit back and relax. It's happy hour, after all.
(4)Mindy T.
3 stars for the happy hour. This is a solid happy hour joint, because of one drink: GET THE PUNCH. Just do it. It's a spin on sangria, with a little more liquor. You get a nice tall glass and it is super refreshing on a hot day. The food isn't bad, but it is pretty overpriced IMO (even during HH). I've had the ceviche and yam tacos, both tasty but not sometime I would order again just cause the portions are pretty small and nothing to be blown away by. Maybe I'm just cheap.
(3)Janine D.
Since moving here last year, we have been looking for a good, authentic, fresh Mexican food. Poquito's definitely fit the bill. Service was enjoyable, and the food was reasonably priced and absolutely delicious. Highly recommend the yam tacos. The salsas and sauces were out of this world! Restaurant is located on a busy corner of Capitol Hill so we enjoyed the people watching. There was a 45 minute wait for a party of 2 on a Saturday night, but we really liked that they took our phone number and called us when our table was ready. Gave us a bit of time to explore the neighborhood in search of a post dinner drink spot (Auto Battery is a good pic). The drinks were inventive and fairly priced for what you get. And I appreciate that you could actually taste what went into them!
(5)Angel S.
Love this place. I always come here to order my favorite drink: JALA-PENA drink...Yum Yum... By far, you guys make the best spicy margarita ever...:-) Kudos. Can't wait to come here again to order the drink. :-)
(5)Brandon M.
Solid salsas but my tacos weren't noticeably better than the far cheaper Rancho bravo up the road, especially at over twice the price. Nice decor though which I think is what sells this place. Guacamole was pretty good but again, very spendy. You can easily spend $10 on just chips, guacamole and salsa here. I'd probably return based on the decor alone but there isn't anything about the food that resonated with me. Seattle still starves for good Mexican food. I'm open to suggestions..
(3)Charles J.
After a friend read through all the positive reviews here, she convinced me to join her and her friends here for a celebratory dinner. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. He did his best to make us all comfortable. The food was another story, though. On my waiter's enthusiastic recommendation, I ordered the Torta Ahogada ("drowned sandwich" -- a Mexican sandwich that is served partially submerged in a sauce.) While I expect an Ahogada to have crusty bread -- I received something more resembling biscotti. (I needed a knife and fork to cut through it --even after it had soaked awhile in the sauce.) This prompted one of my friends to quip, "So I guess "Torta Ahogada" means "Stale Bread!" The person next to me ordered the Mole. She knows I'm a big Mole fan -- I love the way a good Mole will release a variety of flavors as it rests on your tongue, so I got a taste. We were both disappointed -- the mole was dry and almost crumbly. On a positive note, though, the people-watching was quite a bit of fun. But next time I go (if ever), I'm bringing food from home.
(1)Michael C.
Really enjoyed the atmosphere. Great spot to have a good time, great FRESH food and some drinks. (Mahi-mahi tacos are great when they have them) The staff seem to know their stuff which makes things easy. Be prepared to make a reservation or wait if you go between 6-7PM
(4)Liz H.
I'd like to give this place 2.5 stars. I've been here for lunch, brunch, happy hour, and dinner. It's not a bad place for happy hour drinking and light eating (chips, salsa, etc), and the space is nice. I don't think the food is terrible, but I think it's far from great. Food: Poquitos is a place where you read the description of a dish on the menu, and it sounds fantastic and flavorful (garlic lime dressing! tomato chipotle marinade!). Then you get the actual food and it just... isn't what you read about on the menu. Not to say it's bad so much as just not that special. Oh, but the corn tortillas are pretty damn good. I'm no sure if they're made in house, but they're fluffy, spongey, and yummy. As for authenticity, if you're walking into a place that looks like Poquitos and expecting to eat food like you'd get in Mexico, well... good luck to you. For not-very-authentic high end Mexican style food, you could do better at Peso's or Cactus. Service: I think the service is good. I've had no issues with the numerous bartenders and servers I've encountered here. Price: I think Poquitos is over-priced. They do use some high quality ingredients here - see: Mad Hatcher's chickens - so I think that can account for some of it. However, there is no reason why half a cup of guacamole should cost $9.00 or eggs Mexicana (which consist of eggs, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and jalapeno, with a side black beans) should cost $10. You can find this exact same dish at other local spots for $7.00 and it'll taste the same. So, when you eat here, you're paying more for the upscale atmosphere and prime location rather than for a great meal. This is my biggest gripe with Poqitos.
(2)Phil C.
They have an awesome chicken mole and guac, but the prices are far too inflated for what you get. Good atmosphere/decor/bar area, however.
(3)Hayley D.
Went there Friday night, it was packed but we had a reservation for 8 and were placed in the private dining area just off the kitchen. Worked out well! I had the mexican sangria (poquitos punch)-it was ok, not my fav, wouldn't get it again BUT I have the most amazing yam tacos! yummy! Would recommend to anyone!
(4)Howard C.
The bar gets 3 stars for well poured drinks and a good chips/salsa. The restaurant gets -1 star for ceviche with 5% seafood and 95% cabbage and filler, and tacos that are put to shame by any taco bus in the area. The space is pretty nice though. Skip the food here and spend your money elsewhere.
(2)Emily S.
The restaurant was busy and has good decor so from the outside enticed us in. We were shown to a nice booth and our server was polite, if not a little young and shy. We got a round of drinks and weren't too keen on one of them which she immediately offered to swap which was good. However, we then got to the food which was very bland and lacked the fresh vibrant flavours you'd expect from Mexican food. The best thing we had was the starter corn, but after that it was over sauced and under flavoured. Although not expensive I think there are much better places near by and wouldn't eat there again or recommend it to a friend.
(2)Bruce R.
Really enjoyed the food. Tasty and a great menu, not the usual plate of refried beans and goopy cheese. Service was friendly but a bit amateurish; some attention is needed to polishing up their wait staff to support these prices. The problem at our visit was the draft beer -- we tried three different drafts and all three were a bit flat. We sent one back and it was replaced with another that was flat. Both were local brews that we drink often. Amazing to me that the bartender would let these go out and not notice the lack of a decent head or carbonization. Too bad. I hope the management notices this and is able to rectify; kind of a shame to let something so basic ruin an otherwise decent place with a lot of potential.
(2)Elisabeth B.
Salsa, Guac, and chips were very good! I ordered chicken enchiladas verdes. It was a bit too spicy and bland for me...I'm sensitive to spicy food though.
(3)Michelle F.
FYI - the server's name IS Matt, and he's still awesome. I went back and had the shrimp, and it was positively delightful. I also tried a bite of the chicken enchiladas, and they were delicious! For the life of me, I can't understand how this place gets anything less than 5 stars. And to compare it to Azteca? Fool, you're trippin' - Poquitos is awesome, and they've made a serious fan of me!
(5)Elaine K.
Happy hour, 7 days a week. Fire pit for those damp, Seattle nights. Friendly service. It truly doesn't get much better than this!
(4)Cynthia L.
The atmosphere is lovely. I sat in the covered patio space, and enjoyed the high ceilings with sun streaming in as well as the fire pits which took off some of the chill of the October afternoon. But the service and food were both quite poor. There was no sweetener on my table (or any of the ones around me), and I was not brought any sweetener with my iced tea. It took forever to flag the waitress down and get some sweetener (though it was not busy AT ALL at the time, she was one of those servers who consciously seems to avoid ever looking in your direction). I had finished my first glass of iced tea for quite a while before she came to check on me. Since I had no iced tea for a good part of the meal, I had to resort to drinking the warm (no ice?!) water on the table, blech. The food was laughably bad. I ordered a "torta" which ended up just being a regular sandwich in between two pieces of bread. The menu described it as having tomato sauce on it. In actual fact, the sandwich was cut in half and served cut-sides down in a pool of CAMPBELL's TOMATO SOUP. I know that taste, it's distinctive and impossible to miss. And VERY much not mexican! The pork was overcooked and would have been dry if it weren't drowning in tomato soup. The flavors of the sandwich just didn't combine well, and there was no discernible cheese even though the menu claimed it came with cheese. I like cilantro but the flavor of cilantro overpowered the other ingredients. I actually laughed while eating this sandwich, the kind of half-hearted laugh that you sometimes can't avoid when someone has done something really stupid and you feel embarrassed for them. Campbell's Freaking Soup masquerading as tomato sauce?? I am embarrassed for Poquitos. I will probably avert my eyes the next time I see it while walking down the street.
(2)Kamie K.
I am giving this restaurant 2 stars for the very good service that I received and the nice atmosphere. But, restaurants are about the food they make and what I had was inedible. I checked with others who had been to Poquitos before and they said the same. Looking at the other positive reviews, it looks like even some of those yelpers had the identical issue- bad or mediocre food. Hopefully, this restaurant will consistently serve better food that meets the higher standard of their great staff and ambience.
(2)Jordan B.
Amazing - great ambiance, interesting metal work, and some nice booths. Drinks - awesome spicey cocktails! Food - so so so tasty - everything I have had or my friends have tried has been awesome It can be a bit crowded on a weekend but you can usually find a table if you hang around for a bit. Price is very reasonable for what you get.
(5)Winnie F.
Happy hour for the win! Cheap(er) food and drinks. They are very generous when it comes to their house special margarita. Decor is pretty as well. They have a patio-ish setting that's technically indoor, also a dimmer and romantic setting that you can dine in. Servers are super nice and the fireplace is just a plus!
(4)Kip A.
I've been here several times and the food quality varies with each visit. On my most recent visit we had a great waiter and the recommended bacon guacamole was awesome! But the entrees were lukewarm and didn't have a whole lot of flavor. It's a nice atmosphere and great location. But from now on I'll reserve my visits for drinks and nibbles rather than a full dinner.
(3)D O.
Passed by this place dozens of times before finally going in on a whim. Glad I did, as two weeks and three visits later, it's a neighbourhood staple. Inside is big and crowded and somehow still inviting. The outside/atrium seating is top-notch in the city. Decor is mild and vaguely in theme with the food. Staff have all been very prompt and helpful and generally friendly. Everything is cap-hill spendy, but not more than average. Drinks (especially the ditchweed, the house marga, and whatever the barman has on special) are balanced, boozy, tasty, and food-friendly. Food is great for interpreted-mex. Chips are plentiful and solid, salsas and guac are top-notch. Guac sometimes comes with bacon! 5 out of 6 main dishes I've had were savoury and filling and seem to have a great deal of care put into them. Lots of lovingly slow-cooked meat here. The shrimp, however, were expensive, overcooked, poorly shelled, and fishy. For an in-town mex joint that is unabashedly not Oaxaca-hardcore-traditional, I couldnt' ask for more.
(4)Jacqui E.
The environment is hectic, the food not so good, the service really sub-standard, even for Capitol Hill. I brought four out-of-town friends to Poquitos for dinner last night. Never again. After a wait of 20 minutes or so (ok, not unexpected as it was a PACKED Saturday night) they seated the five of us in a booth designed for ..maybe 3?. Too chaotic and noisy to talk, table too cramped for chips and salsa bowls, we ordered and braced to make the best of it. Our server delivered orders to two of us, then disappeared. We had no silverware, no napkins and it took a concerted effort to find some. We caught periodic glimpses of our "server" chatting up some hot guys a few tables away, the rest of our dinner arrived 20 minutes or so later by others, who were never seen again. And the food was not so good. Chopped salad was the worst, Mole like mud. And we waited.... and we endured weird apologies and excuses which made us wonder if this was not really a waiter but an impostor - somebody's cousin filing-in temporarily. Check-time was the by now not surprising last challenge. In the end were offered a "discount" on our check and a sardonic last word from our waiter as we prepared to leave "I'm truly sorry you feel that I should be fired, but I hope you will come back again for a better experience." Be advised, this is not a restaurant but a noisy bar with bad food.
(1)Kate S.
Alright Poquitos -- I gave you another shot and I have to say this time around things were a lot better. I didn't fall asleep waiting for my food. It actually came out in a rather speedy manner. The waitress was nice and didn't try to force me to leave earlier than I wanted to. The outdoor patio seating was nice, but the cement benches made my butt hurt. My drink (a margarita) was tasty, sweet, and def worth the $5 happy hour price I paid for it. The food, which was all happy hour offerings, was good! Nothing was super incredible but it was all tasty nonetheless. I think the nibble I had of my company's empanadas was my favorite, and the churros were piping hot and yummy. Your Spanish chocolate though? It was spicy frosting in a jar and I wasn't that impressed with it. Im also not impressed that you charge for chips and salsa where every other Mexican restaurant on the planet offers these things pro-bono. I'll come back for cheap HH eats, certainly. But, im sorry Poquitos -- you still don't top my list for most desirable Mexican noshing.
(3)Andy K.
Kinda get the sense that there's a bit of Hipster Hate going on in the reviews. I keep reading poor reviews where they say "the food was bad" but never list what they ate. The food is really good, the atmosphere is really good. Chips fried in rice oil are awesome. Homemade salsas. Elotes, really nice marinated pork. Great mole! A restaurant this large that stays this consistently busy can't be 2 stars. Seriously kids, go pick on the Taco Del Mar. They're a chain.
(4)Adrian L.
Disappointingly not good! ... hip vibe and nice ambiance, but food was not authentic-mediocre at best. Who ever has to pay $3 for salsa!!?? Really!!?? Because "its made fresh everyday"? Well, fresh or not, it wasn't tasty or hot. The red salsa tasted seriously like sweet tomato sauce. The capper was queso fundido con chorizo. When i informed them that there was no chorizo, they said it was green/hamburger chorizo- chorizo is deep red! - but i coild live with ANY color if it tasted anything like chorizo, but it didnt- super bland. The enchiladas Verde were bad!- dry tortillas, dry, tasteless chicken. For a place owned and created by gringos who know Mexico well and brought all the beautiful lights, etc., its too bad they don't even offer corn tortillas and have totally watered down the spices that make Mexican food! If you're looking for good Mexican fusion- try Barrio up the street. For really authentic, try El Rinconsito with locations in S. King County- closest in Tukwila. Too bad that the food doesnt come close to matching the decor and atmosphere. If you want a lively fun place and youre not too concerned about authenticity or "tastiness", then this place is for you!
(2)Dominic A.
I definitely enjoy Poquitos! The Poquitos Margarita is hands down the best Margarita Ive ever had. The decor and environment is fantastic... the food is awesome. There was just one thing that trips this place up each time I've been here... the wait staff always warns you about something being really hot; almost to the point where youre second guessing yourself. There is a heat rating next to the dish... so I know its hot. AND when the food arrives everything taste amazing but nothing is as hot as the wait staff seems to think it is. Other than that... Amazing!
(4)Madhumitha N.
Finally found favorite Mexican food in my neighborhood! The food is awesome, vegetarian and meat lovers go nuts. I loved the Yam tacos which was the best and can explore different flavors. And my friends mentioned there seafood orders we great (specially the shrimp). From the table, I can see the kitchen and can see the chef's cooking skill he is grt. I did not get a chance to talk to him but mentioned to my waiter to thank the chef for the awesome food. I really enjoyed the service, waiter Anthony was good and he was in good in giving recommendations and he was making sure the orders were not messed up. I am sure fan and looking forward to go here again. Only recommendation will be the salt quantity, I think I don't eat too much salt, I felt the orders were salty for me. TIPS: Make reservation and go and hangout in coffee shop in Capitol Hill, it's going to take at least 25- 30 mins during weekends. There are open tables, but mostly filled by early in the evening.
(4)Isabella O.
Came here late-ish on a weeknight and admittedly had mostly only drinks. Not a huge fan of tequila in general (it's below any sort of whiskey or gin on my list of preferences, anyway), but I was pretty impressed with the selection of crafty, tequila infused cocktails. I had a Ditchweed, which I would definitely drink again (and apparently, a lot of you aren't brave(?) enough to try this) and some sort of margarita, I don't know which - not a huge fan of margaritas, as they are usually too sweet, but this one was totally acceptable in my book. I think my husband had a "Jala-Pena" which wouldn't be for me all on my own, but I enjoyed a single taste of it anyway. I'd totally try some more of the wacky tequila concoctions on their menu. They also have regular old drinks, I think our friend had a vodka cran or something, and seemed to think it was just fine. Sadly, as it was late, and we'd already eaten, we only ordered the guacamole (which, YES, comes with chips). Sure, it was an astonishing $9, but DAYUM, was that ever some good guacamole and THREE of us couldn't finish that mountain of green goodness (SADFACE!) I would love to go back and try some more of the food, and yes, also some more of those crafty cocktails. P.S. The space is lovely and large, and has ample space both indoors and OUT. Also, the service was fantastic. Beats the pants off of Carta La Oaxaca, if only because there is a private table for everyone!
(4)Blaine R.
After dinner, I summed up my initial impression of this place by tweeting, "Mexican food by gringos, for gringos." Yes, that's a moderately unfair assessment (and, incidentally, inaccurate, or at least the "by gringos" part is), but what else can I say about a place that looks like Epcot Center: Mexico and serves food that tastes so bland that it should probably be salted first, let alone spiced. This place will stay in business because the tequila section of the drinks menu is one half of the drinks menu, and the bar and patio are two-thirds of the total restaurant. They should rebrand themselves as a tequila bar and be done with it.
(2)Rachel G.
I know that Poquitos has some restauranteur powerhouses behind it (namely the guys behind Bastille and Pesos among others), but I don't really get what the big deal is. I was super disappointed in the late night happy hour food. No flavor and SO TINY! Maybe that's how they picked the name Poquitos? I'll have to go back and try a proper dinner but it's not that high on the priority list.
(2)Tony G.
I am a little mixed on this place. I come here a lot, but usually it is because I am with friends. The bartenders are nice and their drinks are alright and if I don't want to drink hard alcohol I can always rely on Stone IPA. I really like the layout of the bar and its nice that we can drink indoors or outdoors. Their food could use some work. I had a bite of their chicken taco which I thought was alright and their chips and guac which...well. It was $9 for the chips and guac and it wasn't really anything to write home about. How can it be that expensive? Anyways, I know I will be here again but I think I will stick with the drinks. Zipzap Zubidy Bop!
(3)Keriche C.
This place has a pretty good happy hour selection. I had a margarita that was A-OK but not fantastic. Our server was friendly but not present a lot. I had to go up to her at the bar to order another drink for my friend and myself after waiting a while with empty glasses. We ordered chips and guac which were standard fare and my friend had some rolled tacos which she thoroughly enjoyed. I'll be back for happy hour to give this place another shot.
(3)Jermey E.
Went this morning to attend the Bloody Sunday event sponsored by the Met. Unfortunately I wish the chose a better venue. Poquitos is way too over priced for the terrible quality of food. Their "best" Bloody Mary tasted like water with a hint of pepper. I have never tasted a shrimp that tasted like pure water before, but they managed to succeed. After the event we decided to actually stay here and eat to give the restaurant a try. The waiter's were great and fast which is why I give them the two stars. Our waiter was amazing and attentive. We ordered off of their Brunch menu. I ordered the Chicken Tinga Tacos. It was $9 for two tortillas the size of half dollars with what I imagine cat food tastes like piled on top. I feel I gave this place a chance with food and drink and it unfortunately came up short. As I said the staff were great, but I will not be able to make use of the $20 gift cards given to me from the event. I recommend they revamp their menu, and up the portion sizes for what they charge.
(2)Allie F.
As far as Mexican food goes on Capitol Hill, Poquitos is a place to go to. There's lots of room, whether you're in the main dining room, at the bar, or on the patio. You can get standard fare like tacos, or Mexican-style sashimi (so good!). They have icy cocktails like margaritas and sangria, perfect for a hot summer afternoon. And I've always found their staff to be super attentive.
(4)Regina D.
Definitely easy to get a cozy table in the large bar area. Amazing decor. The HH menu is equally amazing - recommendations: Chicken Tinga Empanadas, Mini Sopes, Poquitos Punch, and the Chicken Tinga Tacos. Never felt rushed, great service (even the busers were attentive)! Fills up fast from 6pm onwards.
(4)Sovannary S.
YUM! I'm pretty sure my two friends and I were beyond drunk when we strolled into this place on christmas eve. Regardless of that, the servers were still very helpful and nice to us! The food was great and priced well. I loved the ambience of this place. Would totally come here again.
(4)Andy F.
Poquitos? I just walked past on my way to Rancho Bravo. I've had lunch at Poquitos a few times for work purposes. At this it excels; the service is quick and the food is well conceived and tasty. But when I have fifteen minutes to grab some take-out, and I'm thinking Mexican, this isn't the place I think of first. The block is saturated with Mexican. Really saturated. Barrio, Bimbos, Poquitos, and Ranch Bravo are all within a three minute walk. Poquitos is somewhere in the middle; I think Barrio is slightly nicer with the beautiful shimmering candle wall (and most appropriate for dinner). And I think Rancho Bravo is the best option at the low-end when you need to dash and have a scrunched up five dollar bill in your hand.
(3)Andrea J.
I tried this spot again with a group of friends. We just went for drinks. I wanted a margarita. Apparently they are unable to make margaritas. They have two drinks which are called margaritas, but they both have the incorrect ingredients in them. I asked to have a correctly made margarita, but the waitress was unable to accommodate me. You would think that Poquitos would have tequila, lime, and triple-sec, but you would be wrong.
(1)Suzy K.
Went back. Mediocre food and service. Killer atmosphere - not worth a third return for me. And why are both of their in-house hot sauces sweet tasting? Blech.
(2)Leslie G.
Last night my boyfriend, best friend and her fiance ventured over to this newish Cap Hill spot as I was dying for Mexican food. Our evening started off just OK as it took at least 15 minutes to order drinks. When we did order drinks, myself and my boyfriend ordered a bottle of wine that is also served by the glass. My friend and her fiance did the same. It took forever to get our wine but I just got back from Paris two days earlier so I had more patience than normal at the time. Our wine finally came along with our chips and quacamole. We had to ask for salsa (even though we had asked for it when asking for the chips.) I ordered the Tacos Al Pastor, my boyfriend and friend's fiance ordered the Brisket Tacos and my friend ordered the shrimp. Our food took nearly an hour to get. My boyfriend and I traded a taco. Let's just say that was all I ate. The Tacos Al Pastor were SMOTHERED in grease. Inedible. Go to Barrio for decent tacos al pastor, not here. BUT, that is NOT why I give this restaurant one star. (The terrible service and hour waits for food, bad greasy food.... that could happen anywhere on a bad night.) When we asked for our bills, ours was 71.00. My friend's bill was 123. Um? They charged her for a 68 dollar bottle of wine. I called over the waitress who proceeded to tell us that we "got a deal" and that was what we ordered. Um, not a chance in hell did my friend order a 68 dollar bottle of wine with tacos and we were all at the table when she ordered. So then the waitress brings the manager out who proceeds to argue with us. When my friend says "I ordered the one that you sell by the glass" the waitress interrupts and says, and this is a direct quote "No you didn't hun." This manager person continued to yell and interrupt what we were saying. After this "manager" goes to take my friend's card back to credit her, they send some other guy out and the first words out of his mouth are telling us how to order a bottle of wine in a restaurant. Excuse me? At this point we were FURIOUS. We told him we didn't need his lecture, we eat at restaurants all around the world and are capable of ordering bottles of wine. If your servers screws up it is HER FAULT, not ours. Why would we order that bottle when we specifically asked for the bottles that were sold by the glass????? And then to say "no you didn't hun." Beyond uncalled for. If I could give this restaurant zero starts I would. I have eaten in restaurants all over the world and never had such a horrible experience. I will never go back here after how we were treated by not one, but three of the staff. *****UPDATE***** I received a very professional email from the owner, Rich, which, while doesn't necessarily excuse the level of service we received, was very courteous and respectful. I greatly appreciate hearing directly from the owner and understand the growing pains of a new business. Given this, I'm changing the stars from one to two.
(2)Pat M.
Rhubarb dry soda and chips and salsa. All good. I totally respect a company that carries the dry soda brand! It is a lighter than the usual cola, but it is very light. I ordered the huevos huachacados, and my friend the lunch tortas. The huevos huchacados eggs were nicely done and dressed with great spices, but the beef was a bit bland. I had to put on some salt to bring out some of the flavors. I was also underwhelmed at the tortillas that came with my meal. It is obvious they are store bought, contrary to their claim they are hand-made in the store. #1, don't make a claim like that you make something and then have the audacity to say it is hand made. I can taste the difference and the PERFECT ROUNDNESS gives it away. They aren't that hard to make. Hell even I can do it! So the huevos huachacados were two stars. I could forgive the tortillas if the beef was awesome, but it wasn't. And tortas all good, and I wish I had ordered this. The torta bread went well with the chicken and guacamole sauce on the inside. Very homestyle and very comfort food goodness. This was 4 stars. Averaged out with good service and nice touches on the interior, this is a solid establishment, but not worth the money in my opinion. Your average street vendor is more authentic than this place.
(3)N-P H.
The service is outstanding. The food is fair..not much to choose from for lunch and dinner wasn't anything to write home about. The tacos are tiny. I've had much better Mexican fare at many other local joints. A good stop for a quick snack, some chips and salsa, but if I were to go out for Mexican again, this would not be my first choice. See my review for a place in Ballard instead.
(2)Sonali R.
I definately do not come here for a 'high dining' experience. But it's a great weekend lunch place-- the tacos el pastor is delicious! the chips and guac can be improved. But, I come back for the margaritas--delicious. Great margaritas for when I have a craving for a San Antonio style mexican place.
(4)Seb R.
Let me start by saying that I hate yelp and almost everyone who uses it. You need to understand that your shitty review crushes the hearts of local business and the neighbor hood you live in. Your verbal diarrhea doesn't help new restaurants get a leg up - why don't you wait a few months, go to the place twice and then I'll read your piss in a bag review where you pretend to be a food critic and that people care about your opinion. I went to Poquitos knowing, THIS IS A NEW PLACE TO EAT ON CAPITOL HILL. I knew there'd be hang ups as they try to smooth the kinks out. And ya know what? I still had pretty good food at a fair price served by a halfway decent server. And then guess what happened?! I CAME BACK A FEW WEEKS LATER! Holy shit! Oh my God!! The food was even better and the service was fucking incredible! Blow it out your ass Seattle - I wish people would just get the fuck over themselves.
(4)Shawn A.
I had the brisket tacos and they were nothing to really cry home about. To be honest, for the $11+ you will spend, you might as well get some grub at another establishment. The beans and rice were dry and tasteless like they came from the bottom of the bin. At least I have some food in my stomach.....not that I feel satisfied though.
(2)Andrew W.
Not a bad place with a fun environment. The food is typical not authentic mexican but was tasty none the less. The service on the other hand was not up to my standard: Slow, useless, and not considerate. It was also extremely loud so if you are going to make a business deal I would take it elsewhere.
(4)Roy M.
This isn't really a Mexican restaurant. It feels like a business that decided to be a Mexican restaurant. What I mean is the place looks good, the idea makes sense, but they forgot that real Mexican food is a really delicious soulful cuisine. The stuff they serve tastes like a nicer Mexican themed restaurant at an airport. In other words the bar is low because they have a captive clientele. So I say go there if you are in the neighborhood to have a drink and pay 3 bucks for some chips, but don't expect much else.
(2)V V.
Pretty okay food. I'd go again, hoping the service will get better, and they are still 'new'.
(3)Carolyn I.
I like it! I like the ambience and the decor. The guacamole was great and the chips were warm and fresh and salty.
(3)Suzann P.
Meh, serviceable food and well priced, but expected more. The Savichy was odd. Good sangria. We showed up just at the right time and didn't have to wait for a table, but people started stacking up. I'm glad I didn't have to wait. Service was good, but they were very busy, so not very personal or welcoming. More hip than pleasing experience.
(2)Bill N.
Stopped by for drinks and appetizers last night and sat at the bar with my wife. They were really busy for a Wednesday night and it was fun to watch them make drinks at full blast. Had tortillas and guac and chips and salsa. Homemade tortillas were awesome. Drinks were great. I wanted to stay for some mole enchiladas but my wife had Italian food in mind. We will be back.
(5)Amanda M.
Nice staff, great location
(5)Kathy W.
Friendly bartenders, try the sangria, great food, fun place! Make a reservation for big groups, they do a great job with service, for fun try the fried grasshoppers!
(5)Fran W.
Came by on a sunny afternoon. Tempted by their patio, we snuck to the patio for a quick lunch. The service was prompt and friendly but the food... We ordered: 1.) The watermelon salad - on a warm afternoon, this sounded awesome. It wasn't. The watermelon, said to be "compressed", had the same mushy texture as if you had left it on the counter for an afternoon. It was void of any of the original watermelon flavor, nor any savory flavor that could have been imparted. The cheese added was flavorless and would have benefited from even some salt. The strands of watermelon rind pickle was only redeeming part. 2.) Mixed plate. The pork tacos look so great when it came out, flavorful and colorful. It could not have had less flavor. The beef was drowned in some sort of sauce but had not much going for it otherwise. The chicken, well my dining partner said it tasted like fish, and not in a good way. The patio was great, perhaps we will come back for drinks but the food....unlikely ever again.
(2)David E.
I was surprised with how large the restaurant is, deceiving from outside and the area. We were able to get seated right away, always a good thing. The meal and drinks were very good and I like the atmosphere.
(4)beeniegirl g.
Went there on Monday the 10th of June and sat in the patio bar. We got there five minutes before HH ended and our bartender let us know right away and we got in a pretty massive selection of snacks and beer. We also ordered the special. It was pork belly and it was amazing. I am giving 5 stars not just because the food was amazing, but our bartender was the model of what a bartender should be. I forgot at ask his name, but he was a red headed young dude in a plaid shirt. That guy was awesome. Funny charming and informative. Just all around pro. That's what I love about sitting at rails. You might get that one guy who knows his shit. I'll be back for sure.
(5)Beatrice L.
awesome happy hour menu. Have only gone during happy hr. Have tried their tacos (baja fish & grilled chicken) , guac/ salsa, and chipotle prawns. I have not been disappointed w this place. just that it gets busy really quickly on weekends.
(4)Janson L.
The short version: Great cozy place to take your date. The lighting and the mood is right. The food is okay, but nothing extraordinary. Price is a bit high for their speciality dishes, but otherwise avg meal will cost you around $15/person. The long version: Came here Thursday evening around 8:30. The place was a little half full. We sat at the bar and service was a bit slow. By slow, I mean it was a good 5-10mins before being acknownledged. I ordered the rabbit and my friend had the chilli renello. It came about 15mins-20mins. I don't remember getting chips and salsa during the wait, maybe its not one of those restaurants that do. If that bothers you then its not for you. The rabbit was a bit gamey and had this pepper corn in the sauce that was not broken down enough. Sadly to say, it wasn't very tasty. However I didn't try their traditional dishes like tacos, enchiladas, or burritos. With that said, I am willing to give them another try.
(3)Brie D.
Amazing!! One of our favorite Mexican restaurants in Seattle!! Wonderful food and delicious, strong drinks. We will definitely come back.
(5)Steve K.
Nice place, convenient to my home, and I go here a lot with friends and clients alike. Why only Four stars? Because we recently asked for nachos, and they informed us they don't make nachos. We asked if they would make us a special order at any cost since all the ingredients are undoubtedly at hand, they said emphatically no. My client and I politely stood up and left. Poquitos-- why no nachos? Your competitors around the neighborhood all offer delicious nachos, and they're eating into your business.
(4)Farand V.
Good food, good service but the price to portion ratio is a little heavy on the price side and you might end up parking four blocks away only to have to wait forever for a table. That being said they have an incredible brunch so if you aren't phased by the typical issues that plague Cap Hill restaurants give this place a try.
(3)Elibe E.
Poquito's is a great place to catch some Mexican food before a night out in CapHill. I was there last year for my birthday - pre-gaming w/ the crew. I won't lie - I had NO idea that fried grasshoppers were served here. The tacos here are pretty tasty. Most dishes can be had with the standard beans + rice. Guacomole here is pretty solid - great for sharing with your greedy-ass friends.
(3)Sarah G.
If you're thirsty, this is a great place to enjoy cocktails and beer. If you're hungry, go elsewhere. We ordered the chips with salsa and guac - unimpressive and unflavorful; the chicken mole enchiladas - again, unflavorful and cold; and the chicken tortilla soup - or was it? I just couldn't tell. I had heard very mixed reviews from friends and wanted to give it a try but was so turned off by the lousy food and crappy service. I'll never come here again for food. Drinks? Maybe...
(1)Robb M.
Visited this tex-mex place the other night. First thing I'll say: loud. Don't know if it was the acoustics or what, but we were shouting to each other across the table to be heard. Loud. Keep that in mind. That said, we started with the famed guacamole, made to order and demanding a fairly high price of $8.95. It was good - really good - and the serving was generous. Still, nine bucks for guacamole...I wouldn't get it again. Glad we tried it, and again, it was quite good, but not nine bucks good. We also tried a special as an app, the albacore tuna ceviche. Damn. THIS was worth it. Not a huge serving, but this is a "less is more" situation. This was one of the best, if not the best, ceviches I've ever had. I can only assume this translates fairly well to their house ceviche. Oh, did I mention that this place was loud? For entrees, I had the drowned torta, a delightful pork torta served in a rich tomato sauce that resembled a tomato bisque. The sauce was the best part, and I admit the spice level fell a bit flat for me, but overall, a wonderful sammich. My wife had enchiladas verdes, which might be a bit spicy for some, but which were perfect for us. They were phenomenal. Loaded with chicken and with a good balance of flavors, I would highly recommend this dish. This one came served with a side of seasoned black beans and rice. The beans got a serious thumbs up, while the rice got a "it's good." Drink (and especially tequila) selection was astounding, and our waitress was knowledgeable on the products. I'd like to go back and try some other dishes, but I think I'll go on a non-peak time, as Saturday night was LOUD. A note to the fellas: Lots of sundresses. If you truly appreciate sundresses, you'll understand.
(4)Matt R.
I had the Chile Relleno and it was damn tasty! The La Fiona drink with Habanero and Passionfruit was killer too. The black tea/lychee drink was just Meh... It's a little spendy for what you get (Cocktails $9 & $10, Relleno was like $17- smallish portions.....)- but the quality of the food, the service, & the ambiance were all great. Poquitos is a solid 3 star joint.
(3)Chelsy C.
WOW! Amazingsauce awesome food and drinks here! The tortilla soup rocks it! Unreal flavors going on in this dish, so hearty and intense! The bloody Maria's with jalapeno infused tequila got my attention. Probably the best Maria I've had! The restaurant was very stylish, and our server was friendly and attentive. Big score!
(5)Ray L.
This is a fun place with a nice "indoor patio" type space. I came here with a group, just for some drinks and light appetizers. The chips and salsa were pretty good, but nothing special. I could've used more heat and flavor in the salsa. But at least you get two kinds: green and red. We also ordered the guacamole with the jalapenos and mangos on top. Again, good but nothing special. The mango was a nice touch, but there were only a few bits. I did find my cocktail special, however. The La Fiona's got a refreshing kick. The rim is dusted with chipotle sugar, which ignites your tastebeds even before getting to the habanero-infused tequila, passion fruit puree and agave nectar. The heat really heightens your senses and the sweetness is like a refreshing explosion. It leaves a bit of a kick in the back of your throat as well, just enough to let you know this isn't your average cocktail. One guy in our party did get the chicken verde enchiladas, which he recommended. Despite the lesser reviews I'm seeing, I'd say this is a good place to meet for drinks.
(4)Adam M.
Jeez.
(5)Andres C.
I went there with my husband and some friends and we liked the place. The waiter was excellent, friendly, fun and fast. Food was very good. If you like the greasy-cheesy-fatty mexican dishes you find in any regular mexican restaurant this is not your place. I m not a fan of mexican food. Actually I don t know how people can notice the difference between a burrito and enchilada when they come under a layer of 1 lb of cheese. But I have to say that I like Poquitos since they ve good alternatives. I tried the goat and it was excellent. I was also surprised by the fact that they have grasshopers in the menu as a side dish. As I m very open to try new things I ordered them and they were good. Too limey for my taste but the experience was worth it. If someone asks me for a good mexican restaurant in Seattle I would reccomend Poquitos.
(4)Cyndi C.
A Brunch Review! Great Mex Breakfast items and Bloody Maria's! But the true brunch\lunch star was the Tortilla Soup. Funny thing was we were actually heading out to get Pho and then suddenly changed our mind and headed into Poquitos for a Brunch time soup. Glad we checked this out! For a measly 6 bucks you can get a excellent Chicken tortilla soup with a decent spice level. The Bloody Maria's came with Jalapeno Pepper infused vodka and prickled treats! Friendly service and a fun bright atmosphere on the fire pit open seating side of the restaurant, this may very well be my new wintertime hang out!
(4)caroline c.
The food is not Mexican, but that doesn't mean it's not good. But I have to admit its not great. Will I go back and try something else? Yes. Will I have faith I will change my mind and give Poquitos"s 5 stars? No. I went in on a Tuesday night, more because my friend had just started working there and had made me excited about trying it out because if his takes in the kitchen. I arrived almost around 10pm, it was not slow but also not packed. I took a seat at the bar. 9:46pm. 2 bartenders, not a full bar but still bustling. Both bartenders walk back and forth. Once. Twice. Three... I check my phone to see its 9:51. No acknowledgment that I'm sitting there with no water, no menu, no notice that "hey, this girl may wanna drink" I look around, watch the bartenders, not even eye contact. Finally at 9:56 I get a "darling, ill be right with you" and 2 minutes later I get a water and a menu. At this point, the only reason I am still there is to share this with others that may want to check it out to know what to expect. I order the carne asada, as I was told its preparation is sous vide. And... The chupalines because, well, I want to try their grasshoppers. Dinner takes 20 mins and... No chupalines. I wait fr the bartender to come by and I ask where they are. He forgot to place the order and told me ("darling") that it would be on him. Whopty... A whole buck fifty! I asked for a box, paid and left. Sadly, because my sister is a bartender and I know that patrons can be horrendous, I still tipped him, but if I ever encounter him again, I will ask for another bartender or just leave. Your pretty boy looks and superfluous use of "darling" don't work when your service sucks that bad.
(2)Chelsea J.
We came for dinner and the food was tasty. I had the tortilla soup and he had the chicken tacos with rice and beans. We shared the chips and guacamole and each had a margarita. The guacamole was good but needed more salt and lime in my opinion. Very good though and obviously fresh. $8.95 is a bit high for the guacamole but I understand why fresh guacamole is kind of expensive. My boyfriend liked the chicken tacos. I had a bite and thought they were good. I liked the black beans and rice a lot! They were served in a small cast iron which was a nice touch. The only negative of the dinner was that my tortilla soup was lukewarm by the time it got to the table. My question is why?!? Soup should be warm in the pot until it's served. If the taco plate was ready, the cook should have scooped the soup out of the hot pot and the food should have been on its way to the table. Getting lukewarm soup is very puzzling as it seems this would be the easiest dish to serve hot. Service was friendly. We had the Poquitos margarita (sweeter and fruitier) and the from scratch margarita and they were both good. I preferred the from scratch one which was simpler and not so sweet. They were both $7.50. The menu notes that the Poquitos margarita is on the sweeter side which I think is a good thing to note. The bill came to $46 with tax. Not bad for what we ordered. I would definitely return. The restaurant was vibrant and busy. Looks like they're doing some things right! My only gripe is getting not-hot soup. I'll try them next time and maybe the timing will be a bit better.
(4)Michelle B.
Ok. Ew. I'm having lunch at the bar, and you know the lids for juices? I just saw a guy drop them all over the bar floor. Pick them up and put them on the containers. Also bar service is really slow (even though I'm one of five in the whole bar section). Soup came out first Because my waitress forgot about my chips and salsa. She also only checked on me once, and that was to get my order (but I had to flag her down). Annoyed and over it.
(2)Randy B.
Love this place!! Best guacamole (with bacon) ever. Staff is friendly, helpful and funny.
(5)Clover A.
Yum! I liked the patio, and the interior wasn't too shabby either, but on a hot day, head straight out that door beyond the bar and park yourself at one of the many tables outside for a real treat even in middlin' weather as it's covered. Food: I ordered Chicken Tinga Empanadas, Chorizo/Potato Taquitos, and Chips/Salsa. The Tinga Empanadas (2 small turnovers to an order) were the perfect bites of spicy-ish chicken with not much more needed to be delicious. The Chorizo Potato Taquitos however, won my taste buds and my heart was soon to follow. DAMN those were good. I want more now. NOW. They forgot our chips at first but the handsome- if a bit busy- bartender came by to check on us and I asked for them after, he brought them post haste. The salsas served included one red that was almost like a Mexican marinara and a green that was a perfect combination of hot and spicy, which I like more than you know. Drinks: Since it was happy hour, I went for one of the few options listed and got their version of Sangria in Poquitos Punch... it was better than most Sangrias but just okay for me. I wanted the El Dude but was being a cheapy-cheapskate with myself so next time, I'm getting 2 of the Chorizo and Potato Taquitos, one of the Tinga Empanadas and all of the El Dude's I want. Why? Because I'm worth it!
(4)Shanna S.
Just went in to Poquitos at about 11pm on a recent Saturday and oh boy, bad timing! We made the mistake of sitting in the back bar which is like being on spring break in Mexico! Good for the newly turned 21 crowd but not for us! We just wanted a drink and a small bite to eat. I asked for some kind of chocolate or nutty martini and received a small glass with a "meh" martini. Got the bill - $10!! I couldn't believe it! At $10 for the drink I got - I would never order a drink here again (although this is not a drink they specialize in so I guess I could cut them a little slack...but still, it's a bar.) The small plate order of mini sopes was really good and I would order these again. The guacamole was ok, nothing special. The chips were cold, which, if I'm paying for chips and guac...warm the chips. The waitress was nice but the clientele was literally out of control (leaning into our booth to take cell phone pics). The music was blaring so loud you had to yell to be heard which didn't help. Lesson learned - no Poquitos on Saturday night (and honestly, not really in a hurry to go back at all).
(2)Rebecca S.
Tacos? too greasy. Homemade tortillas? Mmm, but flimsy. Salsa? wtf, where's the spice and flavor and what's with the price? Beans and rice? Flavorless mush. Guacamole? Deeeeelish, but too expensive. Horchata? Wow, they have it here, even spiked! The real moneymaker here? The tortilla soup! Huuuge bowl of savory soup with chicken and avocado chunks topped with crunchy tortilla strips. This is my new hangover and/or sick remedy, plus it's only $6.95.
(3)Sunil G.
Poquitos has a lot of potential, but I think they can do better. The atmosphere is great, but the food left a lot to be desired. I ordered one of the two vegetarian entrees on their dinner menu: veggie enchiladas. The enchiladas were good, but nothing special. In a town where the bar for deliciousness is set by places like Cactus and La Carta de Oaxaca, there's a lot of room for improvement, especially considering that the prices at all of these places are comparable.
(2)Ryan M.
I went out here with some friends last weekend. I liked the location and it was a fun spot to get drinks with friends. However, the food was mediocre and way overpriced. The worst part about the experience was the service. Our waitress was rarely around to ask us if we needed anything. Instead, we saw her standing around by the bar chatting with one of her coworkers. Overall, I'd likely come here again if I was just getting drinks with friends, but I wouldn't bother spending any money on their food.
(2)Yen D.
I liked the food. Came here for happy hour and got-- 1) beef taquitos--was good especially with the fresh tortilla crispy shell unlike any other I've had. Guac on the side was also good too 2) seafood ceviche--had the right amount of lime juice and seafood and salt wasn't a fan of the customer service, they were kinda rude when I asked them if there was any b-day specials of any sort.
(3)Micah A.
At Safeco Field during Mariner games they show fact sheets for the players during each at bat. On the bottom of the fact sheets are the player's favorite food, most of which are basic and unremarkable, but make sense as someone's favorite food. But back at a game in 2008, I remember having the following reactions: - Ichiro Suzuki: Pizza Sure, why not. Ichiro loves pizza. I love pizza. Pizza is delicious. It's not really that interesting, but pizza is good, so pizza makes a lot of sense as an answer. - Jose Lopez: Tacos Okay! I mean, that's kind of broad, but sure. Tacos are tasty. There are a billion different types of tacos, but I'm willing to accept that tacos could be someone's favorite food. Hey, the tacos at Poquitos were great. Tacos are an acceptable favorite food. - Yuniesky Betancourt: Rice and Beans ...Rice and beans? Are you for real? That's what you eat when you're broke, or as a side dish with the rest of your meal. No one says "I'd like the tacos, but hold the tacos and just give me the rice and beans." No one, because that's stupid. That would be like me saying my favorite food is the bean sprouts they give with pho, but not the pho itself. This was a bad answer. I went to Poquitos. I had probably the best rice and beans with my meal since I started eating Mexican food. And now that I have, I can say without a doubt that Yuniesky Betancourt is a tool. Rice and beans is no one's favorite food. ~~~~~~~ Poquito means small, but this place was large and crowded. It was tough to hear anyone else speaking, and while it's not necessarily their fault that they're popular, Yelp is about rating the experience as much as it is the food, and the experience was brought down a bit by the loud noise. I noticed multiple tables where people had simply given up talking to other people because no one was able to hear anyone else unless they yelled. I ordered the mushroom tacos, which were great, and the chips and salsa which was above average. Some of my friends ordered the vegetarian enchiladas which they liked, and another friend ordered the yam tacos which she described thusly: "It tastes like barf, but in a really good way." Good news for all you barf lovers (?). I know lots of times after recovering from a night of drinking I'm like "Wow! That tasted even better the second time!" Somehow you should take her comments as a compliment to the taste of the food, since she consumed it all. Anyway, overall it's not a bad place. Above average food, decent prices, and a lot of space. I'd go again.
(4)John E.
More evidence that Seattle does NOT know how to do Mexican food. This place is a typical yuppie-trendy-unoriginal clientele magnet. Mexican food should NEVER be this expensive, any no one who knows anything about REAL Mexican food would ever go here. Everyone eating here is a trend-seeking yuppie getting suckered into a brilliant marketing scheme: "ARTISINAL MEXICAN FOOD" (what a joke). As someone with Central American heritage, I've gotta laugh at Seattleites for buying into this. Go to California or the Southwest, (or even Mexicantown in Detroit) and have some REAL Mexican food at the right price. Better yet, go up Broadway to Taco Chuki's for authentic Mexican served at an authentic price.
(1)Marc M.
After visiting a few times now, I will definitely say I am a fan of Poquitos! I have read a few reviews where people had bad experiences so I wanted to wait until I had a chance to dine here on more than a couple occasions so I could be as fair as possible. The food is good, the atmosphere is fun and upbeat and each of my experiences have been top notch as far as the service goes. My favorite dish so far is the carnitas which is so delicious, very filling, and definitely a great value. The combination of the pork, guacamole, salsa, and cilantro all wrapped up in fresh made tortillas is quite the treat. I want to try more items on the menu, but it will be hard to break away from this one. The tacos during happy hour are really good and perfect for sharing if you are in a group. You can choose from several different meat options and each of the ones I have tried have been pretty tasty. A friend of mine tried the albacore tuna which was a daily special and he is still raving about them! My favorite so far is the Al Pastor which is marinated pork with pineapple, cilantro, and onion. Poquitos has a really good happy hour and especially now that the covered patio area has been added which is perfect for any type of weather. Large roll up windows can be up or down depending on the weather and during the colder times, they will have the fire pits going to heat things up. So far so good at Poquitos and definitely looking forward to trying more selections from the menu and a lot of fun times out on the patio for happy hour!
(4)Maddie J.
Let me preface by saying I'm pretty easy to please. feed me decent alcohol and food and I will at least leave satisfied. also, unfortunatley for poquitos, i LOVE la carta de oaxaca. After going to poquitos for happy hour I was really turned off. Heres why: the maragitas tasted awful. Actually, undrinkable- which is a first for me. Sooooo sickly sweet!!! The guacamole was VERY expensive and pretty small. My boyfriend liked his tacos just fine, but they were more expensive than other authentic mexican places and smaller and of lesser quality. The service was fine, not bad not great. Basically, horrible magaritas and below average and pricy guac just did not work for me. I really love both tex mex and authentic mexican and tried to see this place from both ends and just didn't get it. I need good authentic mexican food besides rancho bravo on the hill, HELP!
(2)Kira A.
I'd give Poquitos 3.5 stars if I could, because I feel like ranking it as a 4 is doing a disservice to the other business I've given a 4. But if I give it a 3, I'm not sure if I'd be giving enough credit for all of it's goodness. The location, layout and atmosphere get a 4. Poquitos has a prime location in the heart of Capitol Hill. The interior is huge and spacious, and you can walk through the isles and get around easily even on it's busiest nights. The windows are huge and let in a lot of light and allow for a lot of spectating and the indoor-esq patio is the best use of the parking lot. The food I'd give a 3. I've had the Yam Tacos, the salsas and gauc, and the tamales. Each i felt were under seasoned and cooked much to quickly so they lacked flavor and the tamales were pretty dry. Another mediocre American-Mexican restaurant is not something that the northwest necessarily wants. I wish they would just kick it up a notch.
(4)Anne M.
Next time I'll go straight to Barrio. Barrio and Poquitos can't escape being compared to each other since they're so close and almost the same menu. I had read the iffy reviews for Poquitos but figured I'd check it out myself. We went about 4pm so it wasn't crowded at all. Service was fine and the drinks were good. I tried the El Dude and it was pretty unique and creamy (Tequila version of the White Russian). We ordered the guacamole and salsas. The guacamole was good but the portion was about as big as a scoop. The green salsa needed salt and spice and it was described as the hotter one. The chipotle salsa was just odd and sweet. We decided to not spend anymore money there and went over to Barrio's Happy Hour and had better tasting drinks and Happy Hour food.
(2)Matthew C.
Came here for a late lunch on a weekday, and was greeted by no one at the door and instead was ushered towards their new patio. Having someone with fair skin eating with me sitting in the sun isn't an option so I asked to sit inside, attitudes were apparent. We ordered our food, and the waitress was very nice and friendly. The food ranged from just okay to bad. Typically I will clean my plate more or less when I go somewhere, but the food was bland and tasted so bland I didn't bother to finish anything I had ordered.
(1)Amy B.
I love the staff and the veggie options here! I've been there every day this week for lunch! Try their salads! Yummers! Ask to be sat at Tara's section! She's the bomb
(5)Whitney W.
Not bad Mexican food and reasonable prices in the heart of Capitol Hill.
(3)Marie B.
MEH. I've tried Poquitos twice now and keep wanting to be blown away by it, but I'm just not. Crowds of young professionals really flock to this place and I can't really figure out why other than the fact that the patio area is really nice. Happy hour - from 3-5 pm. Not exactly consistent with the typical patrons (i.e. people with real jobs, not hipsters). Why not extend the hours like a normal establishment? Although the drinks aren't anything special and are certainly not worth the price. $7-10 for a sub-par margarita or punch? Sure they come in tall-ish glasses but the majority of the glass is full of ice. Bummer. Food- also MEH. The yam tacos were pretty unique and had a nice spicy kick to them, but aside from that everything else I've eaten here has been so-so and incredibly overpriced. I'd recommend Rancho Bravo down the street for delicious Mexican food for half the price. Service has been decent. They run a really tight ship which means they are completely inflexible with changes to the menu and they seem a bit stand-offish at times.
(2)James B.
Hostess was rude, and drinks take too long.
(2)Liz S.
Much improved since my last review! I find myself going here frequently (1-2x a month) for food, drinks or both. Love the tacos and the ditchweed margarita, but there are other good options too. Great ambiance and friendly staff makes this place a win, plus it's location in the heart of Pike/Pine makes it very convenient. Unless it's late on Saturday night and I should go home after a night out on the hill but I find myself here, chowing down on chips and salsa instead...
(4)Lisa D.
Went on a Friday night with 6:30PM reservations. The bar had plenty of seats open and they said they could even seat us early, but we chose to have a beer first. Bartenders and hostesses were amazingly friendly, helpful and all around great. Once we got to our (tiny, shoved in the back, next to a family of screaming children, no space to put anything) table, we ordered chips and salsa (which they charge for?!?!?!?!) and some bacon guacamole. it's ok but not for ten bucks and not when I'm paying the tab and hate freaking guac, but I'll punish my boyfriend for that later. Our server was "nice enough" but seemed preoccupied. The food was decent though. The chicken tinga tacos are pretty spicy and they come with a salsa that burns your face off. Beans and rice were very bland. we had to add salsa, salt, limes, scrap metal, anything to spice that up but to no avail. skip the beans and rice. I'd go again though.
(3)L C.
Late night happy hour was delicious! The Yam Tacos & Black Bean tostados were delicous & vegetarian.
(5)Wally T.
Fun, funky, cool, delicious. Been here for dinner and brunch and have loved everything I have tried. The service staff are extremely cool and helpful (not to mention nice eye candy for both sexes), and their decor and menu are fun and inviting. The only thing that's a pain is the parking nightmare and the wait time for dinner can be ca-razy. If you really want to try this joint out without starving for an hour, come here during brunch as they are not too busy then.
(4)Leah W.
I really wanted to like Poquitos. Hailing from AZ, I like any and all variations of Mexican food from the taco truck to the greasy Americanized diner to the high end. Also I am superficial and generally like pretty places filled with pretty people. However the food here was pretty much meh. When it arrived at the table it looked like it might be good, but everything I tried was bland and forgettable (caveat: I only sampled a few things: guac, veggies enchiladas, a friend's chicken mole dish). Also the server was sweet, but really slow. The interior is purty and the drinks were tasty, so I'd come back here for bar times. Food times, not so much. Maybe to try some fried apps which should be hard to mess up. At a similar price level, covering similar bases (mexi times, good drink menu, nice interior, douchy eastsiders contingent), Barrio is a WAY more delicious option.
(2)Jill S.
Love Poquitos! Their yam tacos knock my socks off. The porch area has heated seats, so you can stay warm while feeling like you are outside. Service has always been friendly. Menu is not the usual Tex-Mex fare; it is fresh and delicious!
(4)Courtney R.
I sat at the bar, and ordered food. Pretty good food, and lots of it. Hint: order a side of guacamole instead of an order of it as an appetizer. I see some one star reviews of this place that both don't fit with my experience. The servers/bartenders were all very nice, and there are margaritas there, and they are made correctly. Tequila, lime, and agave nectar is a margarita. Look it up, and that's what they serve. I'll continue going.
(4)Susie S.
Amazing authentic Mexican!
(5)Jason F.
Happened across this place recently, looking for some adventure. You can't help noticing this place as you drive by, it has a very enticing looking bar. We stopped in and had a chance to have a drink or two and some snacks. Am eager to get to stop in again for a meal. The salsas were terrific.
(3)Sarah B.
The best carnitas ever! No seriously Poquitos does carnitas right! Crispy, cooked in their own fat pork chunks that are also fork tender. The dish comes with black beans and guacamole along with 3 corn tortillas. Grab a tortilla, slather some black beans and guacamole on, top with some chunks of carnitas and some splashes of hot sauce and this is a bite of Mexico up on Capital hill. I tried a bite of my friends shrimp which had some nice heat to it. The chips and salsa and guacamole are all delicious as well. I have heard so much great things about the margaritas and unfortunately mine was rather bland. I think it was just bland lime juice more than anything else so I am happy to return and try a good one. My friend had the Dude drink with vanilla bean vodka, house made kahlua and house made horchata. This was creamy, rich and absolutely delicious! Love the feel of the restaurant and all the windows and airiness. Great addition to the hill and a great new member to the Bastille (its sister restaurant) family!
(4)Jason T.
We came sans reservations on a Friday night and waited about 20 minutes for a table. With an infant, seating is pretty limited, since 2/3rds of the seating is dedicated to the bar, and most of the dining room seats are pretty tall, but we could have probably gotten high-chair suitable table with an advance reservation. So many Seattle Mexican restaurants serve such dreary food that any attempt at breaking out of the vinyl booth oversized bland rice and beans platos mold is likely to be rewarded by massive crowds. Doubly so in the land of mediocre overly self-absorbed restaurants of Capitol Hill. So it's loud and its noisy here, but my verdict is that the noise is reasonably deserved. I had a little huitlacoche-filled crepe. It's almost impossible to find corn fungus at restaurants in Seattle, so that feat in itself was impressive, but it also tasted pretty good. My wife dug her chiles rellenos stuffed with pork. The chicken tamal with mole was a hit with our 9 month old son, and mom. We ordered chips and salsa, and I found the salsas more flavorful than the average obligatory ones you'll find in most Seattle pseudo-mex joints, though not over-the-top spicy. Remember, people, chilies (and salsas) aren't all about heat... they each have their own distinct flavors, too. (For those complaining about the amount of salsa, the staff quietly replaced ours when the little bowls approached empty). My experience was greatly enhanced by a habanero-infused passionfruit cocktail, which was surprisingly well-balanced, even though it was fairly intensely spicy. Capitol Hill, home of the Broadway Grill and its supersweet blue drinks, is not a reliable place to get anything well-balanced. The lingering effects of the habanero probably simulated my palate enough to accept nearly anything, but if I'm rating the whole experience, I'll just say it worked. My wife dug her hibiscus tequila and Fernet cocktail. A restaurant that can pull off a decent mixed drink with Fernet can't be all bad; I'm never brave enough to do anything with Fernet Branca other than massively dilute it with tonic water or club soda. You can eat reasonably inexpensively here, though our drinks made the bill a bit higher. At peak hours it looks like their "made-to-order" guac is scooped out of a big vat, but I suspect it hasn't been lingering as long as at some places. Atypically for Capitol Hill, the staff seemed to be enjoying their jobs. I didn't spot a single surly-looking staff member in the place. The atmosphere is maybe a little LA, but that's just fine once in a while for this Seattle native. I don't understand why the current average rating places this place in the same range as Azteca, but I suspect that there's some "oh, that place is so busy that nobody really goes there" hipster bias going on.
(4)James W.
I prefer Barrio's ambiance, but Poquito's food is certainly better. I visited with a group of friends last week and we sat in the patio area. The service was really great and our food was consistent across the board. They make the tortillas in house, which is a nice addition, and the drink menu adds a few new twists to the cocktail choices on Capitol Hill. The guac was delicious, but a bit expensive for the amount you get. Not perfect, but it's still early in its history.
(4)Ninja S.
It's nice when service is quick and thoughtful in a big place like this. If only their food wasn't some of the worst I've had in public. I can't even credit the under-seasoned half-cooked components of the soup or the tasteless chicken tamale attempting halfheartedly to be saved by some kind of strange mole-related sauce to some kind of vegan chef syndrome. They're around on the hill and don't know how to do much right, but even the veggie staples were made badly. Example: even the guacamole was bland and sad. I mostly ate chips when I was here while I was waiting to leave. Is it a bad review for a restaurant when you arrive famished, aren't interested in the food at all, and are just waiting for a conversation to be over so that you can leave and eat somewhere else? I suggest to you that it is. Additionally, they are crazy expensive for the size, effort, and flavors presented. Even the rice and beans that are provided to accompany a dish are small and tasteless. If you can't cook beans at a Mexican restaurant, you should consider carpentry or perhaps working for FedEx delivering boxes. Anything apart from the food making process.
(2)Emily T.
Let's get one thing straight: I looooooooove love love Mexican food. In my world, there is nothing better than tequila and good guac. Cinco De Mayo is my Christmas/Easter/Thanksgiving/birthday combined. Tortillas are the ultimate carb. Mariachis are... my... Beatles. (ok, that last one is a stretch, but just go with it.) What does this have to do with my review of Poquitos? Well, clearly I am an individual who takes her Mexican dining experiences very seriously, and this is the real deal. It is muy muy muy muy muy delicioso! Probably the BEST guacamole I've ever had at a restaurant in the US. And maybe even in Mexico itself; honestly it rivals the fresh guac I just enjoyed while vacationing in Cozumel last month. Also, the amazing tortillas are handmade, the chicken is to die for, the margs are outstanding and fresh, not "sour mix" tasting at all, they have certain sauteed mushrooms that I would do bad, bad things for... I could go on but I think you get the idea. People who say the portions are too small/pricey, I don't know if you are used to the Americanized combo platters at Azteca, but my friend and I were stuffed after our taco plates and one shared app. All talk of food aside, the space itself is simply gorgeous. The lighting is romantic, the katrillions of imported Mexican tiles are so pretty and fun, and I'm a pretty big fan of their eye-catching signage. Oh, and did I mention the staff is way friendly and energetic? They are obviously happy to be a part of this new restaurant, and I can see why. Don't get me wrong, I love me some drunken Rancho Bravo as much as the next Cap Hill denizen, but Poquitos is on a whole new level as far as cuisine and atmosphere, and I think it is such an exciting addition to our neighborhood!
(5)Meghan L.
I like everything about this place- almost. Their cocktail list reads interesting, but tastes overdone. Similar with the menu, no one dish has all the elements I would want on my plate. Everything tastes good and the place looks lovely. I'll just stop thinking too much....
(3)Shree M.
I decided to try this spot purely based on the fact that its from the owner of Bastille (which I'd rate at 3-4 stars). The ambience is good, but the food at Poquitos is terrible. None of my friends liked the food. The carnitas were very dry! The margaritas were watered down as well. The starter (guacamole) is the reason I'm giving it a second star.
(2)gabriel e.
So my match date wanted to go here. She was hot, engaging, quick witted and still hot!!! I kinda read it was the new hot shit from the peeps that brought Bastille to the west. So I agreed to go. Me n my hot date are seated. We order chipsn salsa. A big ass basket of over salted chips arrive with two salsas. Both tomatillo based and taste identical and mostly suck. The waitress was unaware that they serve grasshoppers lol. How is that possible??? That's like getting a job at wild rose and not knowing it's a lesbo bar. Or alcohol is fine, wine n vodka tonic. The yam tacos sucked the yam filling was just straight mashed yams with no texture. The beans n rice( kinda lumpy) are aight I guess... The mushroom tacos were kinda week too. The location is tits the food is ass. And everybody knows that ass has always been tits most intense enemy. I'd go back for round two in a few months when this place gets some implants. Maybe their head chef is Kenny "fuckin" Powers... My date made out with me but she won't return my texts?!?!
(2)Charles F.
I have been there twice now. The service was always pretty good, though the first time I went, I had to go find the server to pay the bill. The atmosphere is fun and energetic. The patio is a really fun place to sit especially with the heated seats. I am going to have to say they have the best al pastor meat I have ever eaten. It is tender and the still haunts my taste buds in a very good way. The habanero salsa they give to you with the tacos is a fiery heaven. Just don't rub your eyes accidentally if you start to sweat. The chicken enchiladas was very delicious and very tasty. The chicken was moist and delicious. The enchilada sauce was very good as well. The guacamole is very good. We tried the bacon chipolte guacamole which was amazing. It is easy to tell they make the guacamole when you order it. The tortilla's are amazing and fresh made. If you go to the restroom, you will walk by the open kitchen and right in front is someone hand making these wonderful food carriers. The pibil was just ok. It is not a traditional type pibil. It lacked some of the great citrus flavors you get with pibil. The pork was well cooked, but I was expecting something more traditional than what I received. It was still good. I will try the carnitas next time. The grilled corn is really delicious and is a perfect addition to a meal. The Tres Leches cake was divine. I was a super moist and creamy cake. I will go back and you should go too.
(4)Kim D.
I'm really not sure why this place is getting mostly just okay reviews. I've been here 3 times for lunch and it has been a solid 5 stars in every way all 3 times. The service here has always been nice, helpful and very attentive. The chips and salsa are good - you get a HUGE (and i'm talking almost too huge but i won't complain about that) portion of warm crispy chips, and two salsas - neither are very spicy/hot (and I LOVE hot salsas and prefer them, or at least with a little bit of spice) but they are tasty salsas so all is forgiven. The huevos rancheros are really good, and I recommend these for sure. The portion is a perfect size for lunch, i've found it hard to stray away from ordering these. My friend tried huevos rancheros with chicken and she said that was really good as well. In addition to all that, the patio is awesome and the decor is nice. I like it. I've never been here for dinner and I've never had a cocktail either, so that's what I'll try next time.
(5)Jeff W.
After reading reviews, then reading the who the restauranteurs are who authored this atrocity on the hill - it all makes complete sense. The guacamole was mediocre at best and has two issues. 1. They serve you this chunky guacamole and chips thinner than a sheet of paper. How are you supposed to eat the guacamole when you cant even get it out of the bowl. There is no structural integrity to the chip. 2. The bowl of chips that they toss at you is akin to jamming your hand into a vat of broken glass. The shards of fried corn at the thickness they are served could be mistaken for discarded surgical equipment. The other problem besides the side of the tacos which everyone else is complaining about is the mole. This has to be the most bitter disgusting vile tasting sauce I have ever tasted. It had a smokey burnt bitter lingering taste that would not leave no matter how much I tried to cleanse my palette. The last issue I have with was the churros. Here is a tip. Cook the damn things. I was delivered a bowl of 4 churros all of which once bit into leaked out the batter in a molten form. F-ing gross. This is horrible, horrible, horrible. Save your money and go to Barrio.
(1)Gautam M.
Went there on a Saturday evening having a great reason to celebrate.. and they did not disappoint. The service was plain superb.. We ordered the prawn creviche and mixed plate tacos.. Both these dishes aroused our tastebuds. I liked the cocktail choices that they have in place and ended up having 'Ancient Regime' cocktails repeatedly. Overall a decent place to have fun coupled with great service. Giving it a 3 but would have been a 3 and a half in reality..
(3)Bryan W.
I was looking forward to trying this new hotspot in Captial Hill. So, after running a few errands on a Saturday afternoon, I decided to stop in and give it a try. I sat the bar and placed my order with the waitress; a Margarita, chips and Gauc. As she walked toward the register she turned and informed me that I must give her a credit card in order for my order to be placed. I responded by asking for the bill. After printing my bill and slamming it down on the counter in front of me, she prepared my margarita, which as decent, and served my chips and guac, which were also decent, without comment. She, and everyone else behind the bar, did not say another word to me for the duration of my stay. Needless to say, I have made a point of telling everyone that will listen about my horrible service at Poquitos and as left, I promised to NEVER set foot in there again. I guess these guys have enough customers and $$$ to tolerate such awful awful service.
(1)Tom V.
Seattle has some great Mexican restaurants (aka: Southwest), but this is not one of them. The staff is great, but the food, the wait and the prices are not. I ordered the 'carnitas' - if you like chopped, hard pork pieces that have been stir fried, then this is the place for you. When I think of carnitas, I am expecting tender chucks of pork that melt in your mouth - this was a far cry from that. Overall - there are plenty more places in Seattle that offer better food, faster service and greater value.
(2)Dominic H.
Really good food and inventive options for vegetarians. Yam tacos were awesome. Veggie torta was tasty too. Good cocktails and great atmosphere. Really nice evening and it was PACKED.
(4)Sam T.
If it thought that Yelpers were only concerned with service and decor, then this place would get five stars for decor, and three stars for service. But let's be honest, most of us go to restaurants for the FOOD and sadly this place is just plain awful. You cannot or should not compete with Rancho Bravo and or Barrio or Cha Cha if you are going to fail so miserably. The tacos were cold and flavorless. They also looked depressed...if food could look depressed. The guacamole was mediocre and the beer took a while to come out and was not very cold. The place is way too expensive for what you get and the menu is not very interesting. As for the service, you could tell everyone was trying really hard. It's hard to open a new joint, I get it. But you should probably bring out napkins and silverware when bringing food out. Just saying. The décor on the other hand is amazing. I don't think I'll be trying this place again, especially when I can get a mean burrito next door for five bucks. That being said, I hope they can pull out of the awkward phase that so many new restaurants succumb to. Good luck!
(1)Danielle F.
Good Mexican food and the kitchen is open until 2am!!!!! So I came in and was told that the guacamole and the tacos el pastor were not to miss. The guacamole was to chunky, it was like someone quartered a avocado and added lime, cilantro etc... the taste was good but it needed to be a bit less chunky ( I'm not sad I didn't get this at Barrio where I had tequila while waiting for a table). The ceviche was really good it was done with halibut, I wish they had a shrimp option as well. The tacos el pastor were yummy but could have been served with more cilantro and when I've had them in Mexico they have a little bit of pineapple. The pork tamale and the chicken tortilla soup were good but nothing out of this world in my mind. The tamale was wrapped in banana leaf, not a corn husk which may be a deal breaker for some folks. My friend ordered the flan and I told her point blank I hate flan and wouldn't have any. Well.... it did look good when it came out and I tried a bite, it was yummy. I guess it was baked ( most places boil it which gives it a different texture) I recommend trying it. Overall Poquitos is good, it's awesome that the will have a kitchen that is open super late too. I look forward to going back soon.
(4)minnie m.
Pinch me! I believe we finally have a great Mexican restaurant in Seattle! I went for lunch on opening day with my co-workers and ordered tacos and a refreshing cucumber-lime agua fresca. I'll be craving the yam tacos with habanero crema and chipotle mushroom tacos til the cows come home. The tortillas are handmade on the premises and you can taste the freshness of the high quality ingredients. The space is absolutely gorgeous with salvaged light fixtures, Mexican tiles adorning the walls and rich, deep colors...it's got a sexy vibe. Can't wait to go for dinner in the evening. This is the first week that Poquito's has opened their doors but it already felt like the staff was trying very hard to make the experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. I will be back many, many times and I can only imagine that it will just get better and better.
(5)Gabriel G.
First to this place and wanted to see what the hype was about. Say at the bar and was given a recommendation to try the Zacatecanos Mezcal (Gene Juarez & Edgar Martinez collaboration) and it was very nice! Smooth and with wonderful overtones. Got the ceviche which was good. Lacked a little salt, but was good. Ordered the chicken tacos on the bartenders recommendation. Rice and beans and three tacos. The rice and beans were excellent! Well seasoned and brought back a feeling of being in Mexico. I was disappointed to see a whole bunch of parsley garnish covering the tacos. It was like getting some chicken tacos with my parsley. The chicken was moist, but had a bland flavor. A little bit of chopped onions and limes came with them, but didn't help. Overall, a good experience and I would come back to try some other dishes.
(3)Poulina K.
I was very conflicted while writing this particular review. Service was exceptional even on a busy Saturday night. Our server was so fun, prompt and attentive. The decor and atmosphere reminded me of Pesos, but with better staff and crowd. The location is primo, although parking is always a huge pain in the !@$ on Cap. Hill. This place would get a solid 4 stars had I just come here for drinks. As Katy H. mentioned this is one of the few restaurants that serves Novo Fogo Cachaça cocktails...and they are totally delish! Try the Fogo Real it's fantastic. My disappointment came with the menu. Very basic selection, definitely not enough to compete with the likes of Barrio. Don't get me wrong basic when perfected can be nothing short of an amazing meal...not the case here. Basic was just Meh...the food left no impression on my palette. I will be back for cocktails, but I will skip the menu.
(3)Akvile H.
What a cool spot! Went here earlier this week since it just opened up on Monday and wow was it busy (but didn't have to wait to grab a seat). I love the decor, the booths are comfy and spacious, the servers are very friendly and I enjoyed my time here. Their guacamole, I kid you not, is THE best I have ever eaten. Wow. YUM. It is a bit pricey and didn't realize it was $9 (with chips) when the server offered it to us, but after the first bite, I understood why. You get a massive bowl of the guac and chips and we devoured it! I don't know what they put in it to make it so delicious, but I have a lot of guac in my lifetime thus far, and this one is THE best i've tried thus far. They make their own tortillas there, food preparation is quick, and everything tastes as if it was made authentically in Mexico. I ordered the pork and pineapple tacos and they were very good! I am a huge fan of authentic Mexican food since my best friend growing was from there and her mother made THE best food. So nice to find a place here in Seattle that does the same. Their drink menu is also very good. I had a difficult time choosing one because they all sounded amazing. I ended trying the vanilla infused and orange drinks (I apologize forgetting their names, but the last two at the bottom of the drink menu). I will definitely return and try some of their other dishes. My friend already went here twice just this opening week and everything she ate was great, so I look forward to trying out more dishes as well. Once again....I will have their guacamole, and recommend that you try it out as well! Gracias Poquitos!
(5)Dan W.
My wife and I were very excited to try it out after having a decent time at Bastille the weekend before for Sunday Happy-Hour and peeking through the windows a couple times when out walking around. While the inside was amazing, aesthetically, this place needs serious help and quick. 1. The front of house staff was extremely disorganized, inattentive, inconsistent, and either confused, disgruntled, or just indifferent about providing even a basic level of service. 2. Before ordering, we asked if anything off the dinner menu was available and were told, "No, not until 5". We then asked if the tacos came with rice or beans and were told "they might, or else it's some salad". Ok, so we ordered two different types of tacos and an order of chips and salsa and a couple Margaritas. 3. Margaritas came out quickly, my rim was barely salted, wife's heavily coated. Not a big deal, the drinks were tasty. It was funny to watch the bartender "straw-taste" every single mixed drink that went out...a week into the restaurant being open, that's a little odd, but whatever. 4. After waiting 5-10 minutes while other tables around us had orders of chips, salsa, and giant bowls of guacamole brought...which wasn't on the menu and wasn't mentioned by our server despite the fact that we asked if anything off the dinner menu was available, we were starting to wonder what was up. 5. Our tacos showed up, brought out by the one person who seemed to be hustling in the place...an older, kind of stressed looking runner or busser. He gave the tacos to the right person, explained the sauce, etc. Not bad. 6. Still no chips, so we flagged down someone else and finally about 15 minutes after we'd ordered, we got half a bowl of cold chips and two salsas...which were actually decent, but there wasn't much salsa there and the chips were really not good. 7. The tacos were actually decent. I like that they use quality meats and the flavor was good...good, but not great. As we watched the time it took others to get their tacos, it made me wonder what was going on in the kitchen and how these were prepped. The tacos came out in 3 minutes for some people. Does that indicate they just make up some chaffing trays a couple hours before and run an assembly line during happy hour as a cash cow for the restaurant? Seems that way. Granted, at $7.50, they weren't that much more than what you pay at Chipotle for assembly line chow, but they also weren't that much better. And with nothing to order to accompany them (would it be that hard to offer some beans, guac, soup, dessert?), it's a pretty odd and incomplete offering for happy hour. 8. After sitting with empty plates for another 10-15 minutes while numerous front of house staff walked by ignoring us, joked at the bar, etc., we had to flag down a different busser and ask for our bill. He acted pissy and said he'd let our server know. A couple minutes later, the same busser came back with the bill, dropped it, and said nothing. Meanwhile, we could see our initial server, who we hadn't heard from since he took our order, at the back of the restaurant chatting with another server. 9. $31 for appetizers and two margaritas with dreadful service. Wow. And none of the people around us looked like they were pleased either... Add that all up and you get one disappointing afternoon out. Until we see a review saying that they've fired the current management and brought in someone that knows what they're doing to get the front of the house straightened out AND come up with a menu that's worth paying decent money for, we certainly will not be back. Maybe it's just growing pains for them, but if you're not ready to fully open the restaurant, you shouldn't. What a shame. It's such a beautiful place when you first walk in.
(1)AmBrigity W.
I went here on a busy Friday. The weather was nice, so of course the patio was packed. They had several tables reserved for dinners that started at 7,so we opted to search for a table and located on near the back of the bar area. We had already eaten a some apps, so we opted to go for the Fondito and a Beet Salad. BOTH WERE AMAZING. We then ordered the Jalepeno infused Margarita and a Vodka Martini. By far one of the best standard Kettle Martinis I have EVER HAD EVER! The Jalepeno infused Margarita was spicy and also amazing. We later ordered a few other specialty drinks, including one made with Cilantro. Delish. Hats off to the bartendress! Overall, I am worries that while I loved this place but could do without the "lower Queen Anne" vibe it is bringing to my precious Capitol Hill. I hope that the teens decide to keep calling Pesos their home... Other than that, the food, drinks, and atmosphere were A++. One of my new fave places in Seattle overall.
(5)Joshua R.
I do like this place, but it gets super loud. Not a place to go to just eat dinner. It is more of a place to go with 6+ friends, get really hammered, and yell at each other. If your server says "I'll go get you some chips an salsa" just be mindful it is an up charge, not free lol.
(3)Stephanie K.
I came here last weekend before hitting up Hump! with friends. We were looking for a nice place to grab drinks before the show. The patio/bar area was the perfect atmosphere, especially with the fireplaces going. I can't say much for the food as we spent most of the evening sipping on some really great cocktails. We did get an order of chips and guacamole which was delicious and a huge enough serving where we didn't really need to order food. I would definitely come back for a real meal as the server was fantastic and the food looked damn good!
(4)Miss C.
Excellent, top notch service; great atmosphere for a date (although I was not out on a date, per se), and fantastic food and drinks. We ordered the Clayuda (huge tostada like thing with chorizo, salty cheese, and pure deliciousness), which was off the hook. The goat birria was delightful: nicely slow cooked, tons of layers of spices, and neither dry nor game. Viva, birria! The mole on the chicken enchiladas was not to my liking, but I don't like my mole as sweet as it was here, and I know it comes in different forms, so it was purely a preference thing and not a reflection of their quality. All in all: we will be back with a vengeance! I literally want to try everything on this menu.
(4)Jessilyn H.
After reading the reviews, I decided to try Poquito's. I have to say that those who gave it 3-5 stars were spot on. Anything less than that is ridiculous. And since those 1 star reviews mention other nearby restaurants, I think the competition wrote them. My experience was amazing. Went there for dinner with some friends. Yes, the wait time for a table was long, but you can snag a table in the bar if you're quick. The drinks were awesome. Unique, strong, and oh so tasty. Definitely recommend the La Fiona, The Purest and Jala-pina! Portions are not American style. This is not Azteca. I was quite full after sharing the ceviche and chips & salsa and eating the chipotle chicken torta. Food was not overpriced for the quality of food we received. Waiting for a table can be long so call early and make a reservation. Cannot wait for the patio to open this summer!
(5)Jeff M.
Well... the best way I can sum up this experience is that they sure do Nickel & Dime you here... After spending the afternoon exploring Cap Hill, we decided to try this new restaurant that had just opened. The experience was fun but this place is WAY overpriced for what you get. Case in Point: - $3 for two small things of salsa... maybe 2 oz if you're lucky - $9 for guacamole... this comes in a HUGE bowl but is about the quantity of 3/4 of a cup and is very chunky... NOT worth $9... - $9 for 3 tacos that were TINY and no sides... You could eat these in a bite each if you wanted. Definitely not filling for what you paid. Overall, the place was busy (probably because it was opening weekend) but the food was so-so, the portions were tiny, and the price for what you got was very high. To quote the friend with us- 'Man, I like the 4 for $7 you get from the taco truck near the stadium and they are just as good!' Drinks were priced as would be expected and were good. I would go back to just have a drink but no food. It is sad to be writing this on their opening weekend but hopefully they realize and shape up quickly. Easy additions- add sides to your meals!! (throw in some rice or something with the tacos.. people will feel better), give free salsa (people will spend more time there and drink more beverages which is where you make a lot more money and this will also make people happier with your smaller portions if you choose to stay the way you are).
(2)Hector A.
Since there is no other good Mexican retaurant in the Capitol Hill area, the locals are giving this place a chance. Yet, Poquito's food, is far from been authentic. The food was terrible! The Chipotle Prawns were served cold not cooked and in a "ceviche" type style, soaking on Chipotle sauce, Yuuk! The menu says that the main dishes are serve with rice/beans and tortillas, they dont bring such with your meal unless you request them from the servers. This is another place just like Barrio and Pesos, a good hanging out place with a bunch of your friends and have a few drinks. But if you need a good BM, this is the place to eat. I am so sorry to say, but is true.
(2)Lauren A.
The food was average-to-fine (taco combo plate) - but I kind of take issue with a "mexican" restaurant charging for chips and salsa, and the menu [brunch] lacked a lot of depth. Instead of having to decide between two or three things that sounded good, it was more like, "eh, I GUESS ill have this dish." But good lord, the service was sooo awful. I dont even mind bad service if a restaurant is busy, but we were the first table to be seated in the outdoor terrace, and it still took 15 minutes for the hipster bartender to be so kind as to take our drink order. We were actually just about to get up and leave (I have a strict "if it takes 15 minutes to even get water I leave, no exceptions" policy). I hate when waitstaff/bartenders act so put out to just do the bare minimum of their job. In the, end it was just "okay". I wont be back.
(2)Kel D.
I think my review falls pretty much in line with the many of the others. It's like a stereotypical Abercrombie and Fitch model - it's pretty, but it just doesn't have a whole lot of substance to deliver. The margaritas were decent (if expensive), the guac was decent (also expensive), and the mole was, frankly, some of the worst I have ever tasted. Mole should be a blend of sweet and bitter, not like biting into a dirty bar of baker's chocolate. I will admit I have been spoiled in the past by better Mexican-type places (see: Texas, Colorado), but judging by the other reviews, I'm not alone. Go someplace else.
(2)Maria N.
The highlight of Poquitos is the decor and ambiance: tall ceilings, unique lighting fixtures, wraparound booths, and gorgeous tile work. They also have a terrific covered patio area for year-round outdoor seating. Don't expect any quiet, candlelit dinner here. The open kitchen, TVs, and packed dining room all contribute to a cacophany of clanging pots, blaring soccer games, and chattering diners packing the restaurant. It's a great place to go with a big noisy group--if you don't mind yelling across the table to be heard. HOWEVER, as in any restaurant, the decor and ambiance are just the framing to the big picture--which is the food. Alas, that is where Poquitos ultimately fails. It's not that the food is really bad, it's just not that great. My carne asada was dry and not at all medium rare like the menu stated. The made-to-order guacamole was good, but not worth the $9 price! I will say that the habanero salsa that came with my boyfriend's grilled chicken was outstandingly spicy. But that was really the only highlight.
(3)Amy K.
The space is amazing but the rest of my experience was just meh. Arrived around 5PM planning on doing happy hour with some friends and maybe grab a bite. They asked if we had reservations (no) and were told it would be about an hour wait. We grabbed some seats at the bar where our initial bar service was S-L-O-W. We finally had a girl take over and she was attentive. Around 6:30 we were summoned to our table. Our group had grown by this point but we were still all able to squeeze in although I think the server was a bit overwhelmed. More drinks were ordered along with the chips and salsa (2 salsas, neither super impressive) and the guacamole which like another reviewer I found too chunky and not all that special. We finally got around to ordering food. JP went with the steak enchiladas which were tasty. I ordered the mushroom tacos with a side of black beans. Everyone else's food was delivered except for mine. The server apparently forgot to put my order in. When the food finally did arrive I was underwhelmed. The taco filling wasn't even warm. Maybe Poquitos needs to work out the newbie kinks but I won't be racing back here.
(3)Todd J.
When I heard this was the latest restaurant from the people that brought us Bastille...I expected a beautiful space and was apprehensive about the food (as Bastille is only so so). The space is a complete rip off of Matador...and the menu looks surprising close to Barrio 2 blocks away. I love Mexican food being originally from California...and am always looking for good places to find it in Seattle (a hard thing to do!). Poquitos is NOT the place for good Mexican food...the food was so over-salted that my mouth was literally ripped up from the meal. The margies- as another review stated- were way to syrupy(come on people- it's all about the fresh lime juice), expensive and tiny. The chicken tacos were boring (and salty), the green salad was boring(and salty), the salsa was oversalted to the point that there was no flavor...the only thing that was halfway good was the corn relish. The server was very nice...but they were super disorganized...they brought all of our appetizers/entrees out first(all at once so our table was full)...then the drinks...and forgot about the chips- so we had to ask for those again. All in all a very disappointing experience and doubtful that we will return...so many better choices on the hill: The Saint, Rancho Bravo, and Barrio. But for good down home authentic Mexican get over to El Gallito...
(1)João P.
I went there for the first time, to a birthday party. It was too crowd and too noisy to eat, relax and chat. Ok, it was a Saturday night and I shouldn't expect other thing. Either way, I think the place was too crowd for my taste. Anoither thing I didn't like was my dish, but perhaps because I chosen it badly and I am not a expert about Mexican food as well. The drinks didn't impressed me either. I tried the tequila shots and margartias. The waitress was nice and did a good job since she was serving a lot of people alone.
(3)Julie S.
Decided to finally try this place as I love mexican food & it looks trendy & cool inside. The portions were tiny & expensive which would be more tolerable if the bartenders weren't complete asses. I went on a Saturday afternoon & there was a man & woman. They were not warm, inviting, or friendly. The female bartender spent most of her time talking to her friends & making plans. The male bartender seemed too busy to be bothered by us & when we asked if they served chips & salsa his response was "if you wanna pay for them" then he walked away. Not impressed! Would go to Barrios hands down any day before stepping foot in this place again...should have never strayed from my wonderful Barrios in the first place!
(2)Jon E.
I'm apparently going out on a limb here by saying Poquitos is the best Mexican restaurant in Seattle. At least for eating with someone else. Most Mexican restaurants in Seattle lack any sense of contemporary style. The few exceptions are El Camino, Barrio, and I guess you could count Little Water Cantina and Cactus. Those are all great too, but Poquitos stands on its own. Poquitos is probably one of the most captivating interiors for a Seattle restaurant opened in recent memory: Tons of authentic Mexican tile and metal work filling the space, with a refined color palette and smart, hip lighting. It's not the minimalist modern design of Barrio (which is great judged on its own), but something much more ambitious and successful. Absolutely love it. As for the food, it's pretty good. The cocktails are innovative and delicious. I really like the chips, and the tacos all look excellent. There are a couple problems: The salsas could be more diverse, and it'd be nice to have just a standard margarita rather than just a sour and a sweet one. But the house-designed cocktails have all been wonderful, so I should probably stick to those.
(5)Alex S.
I love Mexican food (in reality who doesn't?!) but in the end of the day I do not want to spend $8 on a a small bowl of guacamole. In all honesty I do not remember the exact price but this place is way over priced for the items they are serving. A lot of what you are going to dish out is accounted for in the atmosphere. Granted their food is delicious and their beer battered fish tacos were amazing, but you can walk down the street and spend a fraction of the price at Rancho Bravo. Their cadilacs were strong small and slightly overpriced, again you are paying for the ambiance. I would take a nice date here if you wanna flex your wallet but would not come here for casual dining unless someone else would like to flip the bill. If you just want the food without the atmosphere walk down the street to Rancho Bravo or stop for a street dog.
(3)Kevin H.
I ordered a Cadillac Margarita and the server suggested the "Purist" margarita which has no Grand Marnier. If I order something with an orange-liquor to mellow the sour lemon-lime juice, it would seem like I know what I'm ordering. It's probably management wanting to push their signature cocktails, but it was a nuisance. The nachos came with mild salsa. What's the point of mild salsa? I don't get it. $17 for a 6-ounce, tough and chewy carne asada with nothing else, are you kidding me? Poquitos was generally underwhelming and I left feeling like I needed more. Pesos isn't perfect but I'd recommend it over Poquitos. And I hate to mention this, but Rancho Bravo, with as ghetto-ish as it is, is tastier.
(1)Elise G.
Amazing. The guac special was delicious. The chile rellenos were bomb diggity. And our waiter, Dan was funny and attentive. Couldn't have had a better first impression. Definitely going back!
(5)Erin S.
I feel like we need a punch card to this place, it has become our go-to for awhile now. I have always gravitated toward their tacos and haven't been disappointed. I wanted to try the Baja tacos last night, but unfortunately they were out. The Brisket, Chicken and Al Pastor are all great though. My husband especially likes the Al Pastor because it comes with a super hot habanero sauce on the side, which pairs nicely with the pineapple in the tacos. All in all, we are very happy that they offer so much seating in the bar/patio area. We always walk in and find a great seat.
(4)Rebecca C.
I loved the room - the decorations are completely right up my alley - very warm and inviting and the staff was lovely. The main reason that I didn't give more stars is because while my dish was satisfying my friend took the reccomendation of our server (who genuinely seemed to love the dish she suggested) and it was so boring - I mean just chicken on black beans. I mean, really ? THAT is your favorite dish in the place ? Total dissapointment, my friend ended up eating some of my dish which is fine but still, the server was pretty busy so never really noticed that the dish was basically untouched. Also when a round of our drinks were brought over one of the bartenders smashed into our waitress and spilled my sangria (delightful by the way) and broke the glass EVERYWHERE ! He was kind of douchey about it too - I felt really bad for her plus our shoes got soaked and we weren't offered a napkin to wipe them off or anything. I mean if I was every in the Capitol Hill area I would probably go back but I'd know to expect disaster to strike and any time :P
(3)Tana A.
This new restaurant in our neighborhood was definitely worth trying. It is a fun place for drinks, apps, or a full meal if you wish. I'm not a tequila fan but my husband thought the margaritas were excellent. They have a large variety of tequila so if you are a connoisseur of such alcohol, this is a good place to go. However, don't expect to find the standard Cuervo Gold on the menu. For food, I was a big fan of the guacamole-very flavorful and fresh. The portions are appropriately sized so don't expect to receive the typical huge cheese covered platter, re fried beans and rice here. Although I liked my dinner of Chile relleno, I think this is better suited for good drinks and apps. Make a reservation on OpenTable or come later in teh evening. Since this is still a relatively new place, the wait can still be long unless you can grab up seats at the bar.
(4)Anondah M.
Nice decor--although I never like high stools in a bar, pretty good happy hour food and drinks (skip the desserts. They are not good at all). Although the server at our table wasn't greatest, other staff was nice. But I don't really understand why people are crazy about this place. It's alright, but not great to me.
(3)Rob W.
Hey guys. Add some flavor to your food and I might come back. Mexicans tend to use a little salt, so you might try that. Nice decor though, very authentic.
(2)Timothy A.
Ever since moving back from Los Angeles I've had a serious hankering for good Mexican food. I love the city of my birth, but seriously, there are few good Mexican restaurants in Seattle. I took a chance on eating here, I usually don't eat at restaurants that are filled with hip looking crowds, they are usually good indicators on the quality of drinks, but rarely on the food. However, the food here was pretty darn good. I had one of the specials, the tacos lengua de res (beef tongue tacos), and they were seriously good. The lengua had been marinated for 48 hours, according to the menu, and it was tender and flavourful. It was well seasoned and garnished. My only complaint was that each taco came on a single tortilla. Traditionally tacos are served in two tacos for good reason, the tortillas started to deteriorate before I was finished eating the tacos. I had wanted to try the guacamole and they provided me with a half order and some plain tortillas. The guacamole had a strong citrus flavor but was fresh tasting and had really good texture. I'd definitely order it again. I ordered the tortillas, made in house, seperately, primarily because I love good tortillas but also as a conveyance for trying the guacamole. They charged me for the extra tortillas but it was pretty nominal, and they were totally worth it. The rice and beans were fine but unremarkable. I ate them. The menu has some pretty interesting items, including a couple of my favorite dishes from Jalisco, Tortas Ahogado & Birria de Chivo. I definitely want to try these and compare them to what I 'm used to getting when I visit Zapopan. The only things that kept this place from getting a fifth star was the atmosphere. The place has terrible acoustics and yet was very, very loud. Also the crowd did seem far more interested in the tequila than the pretty terrific food, and there were a number of people that seemed had had too much to drink. I will certainly eat here again.
(4)Adine L.
this place made me wanna get drunk. it's dark inside and the drinks are good. i had the infamous "el dude." vanilla infused tequila? sure! i love me some tequila, and mixed with horchata, i was very pleased indeed. we had some chips and salsa, but didn't eat there, i want to go back for sure and try some food. i thought the service was great, but then again, i sat at the bar. i will be back. and i'm stealing their el dude recipe for home consumption.
(4)Tam Q.
This is the perfect place for pre-funking. Our drinks were STRONG. Granted, I'm not a big fan of tequila but I had to drink my Black Tea as though it was a shot. My boyfriend's El Dude was also very strong -- could have been a delicious drink if not as strong. Neither one of us finished our drinks. We ordered the salsa and chicharonnes, both were mediocre but get 3 stars simply because they were only $2.95. We were planning to stay to order from the happy hour menu but our drinks and the chicharonnes and salsa didn't impress us enough to stay. The environment was very nice though, we sat at the bar in the atrium which was open since the weather was warm. Great place for a group of friends to hang out for the night before heading out.
(3)Diana C.
Service is okay and food is just meh. I had the brisket tacos and mushroom/onion tacos and they weren't that great. Their special house sauce is supposed to be spicy but it's not. I doubt i'll be back.
(2)Vicky L.
"This taste like barf." I ordered the yam tacos and that was how I described the taste after 2-3 bites. The taco wrap itself was delicious but the combination of cottage cheese and yams = YUCK. Surprisingly, I did finish two of the three tacos. I must be gross right? I might as well swallow my own barf next time and save myself $10. This place is given 3-stars mainly because the vegetarian enchiladas and salsa I had were decent. The place itself is vibrant with a lot of people and noises, which I do not mind. Hard to have a conversation though. Overall, Poquitos is fine. Just don't order the yam tacos and you should be able to enjoy your meal here.
(3)Mareth L.
I'd echo the sentiments of so many other reviewers. They seem to have everything figured out... great location, cool atmosphere, fantastic service...and then the food arrives. It's just not very good. Nearly everything we had was bland and unoriginal. The grilled corn app was yummy but everything else was boring. If it weren't for the incredible service we had, I'd probably have gone with 2 stars for Poquitos.
(3)Michelle M.
While on an exploratory jaunt over much of Capitol Hill, along with friends, I was excited to try this place, as it is brand new and was absolutely packed. After hearing it was a 45 minute wait, we ran over to nearby Elliott Bay Book Company, and wish we had eaten at their cafe, or continued our walk back north on Broadway to a cheaper option. Very disappointed in the portion sizes for the amount we paid. I'm sorry - $9 for 3 tiny tacos is a bit steep, and what's with the grape sized limes?? $9 for a not-so-huge bowl of guacamole, as other reviewers raved about - definitely not as much as you hope $9 gets you. Granted, it was very tasty. When asked if we "wanted salsa with that" we said sure, not realizing that was another $3 for maybe 1/4" of salsa in deceivingly shallow bowls. The Poquitos Margarita was great - but the guys ordered other types, and came in glasses less than half the size of the girls' ... for the same price. $12 enchiladas with no sides and overwhelming sauce... Not so amazing. Apparently it's opening weekend, but really - I expected a better first impression!! Major bummer. Overall - Great Poquitos Margarita, tasty guacamole, and good effort on the authentic taste, but WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY overpriced for what you get, portion-size and taste-wise.
(2)nxbxbc b.
I had an extremely welcoming lunch at this new and very great looking restaurant, and me being an African American male on Capitol Hill where in all truth, service sucks my (hate to say this) "Kind"! I had a very good time at this restaurant and will definitely return. People, you have to understand that a restaurant is what You make it. Its a new resturant, and loke ANY new business, its Going to take tome for it to settle. Like STEVEN B said in a review on here "wait a few months then return, it will get better menus change all the time".
(5)Randall H.
What is immediately evident at Poquitos is just how well-run an operation it is. First, it's a gorgeous restaurant. You know you're in for a treat the moment you arrive. I've yet to enter the place without it being really busy. Despite that, everyone is always very friendly and helpful. Have yet to wait long enough for anything (table, greeting, drink, food, check) for me to think, "What's going on here?" which is an unfortunate reality in most restaurant experiences these days. And the food...OH MAN THE FREAKING FOOD! Luckily, my visits have been with larger groups, which means family-style dining, which means sampling items from all over the menu. Despite the tasty variety, I wanted to hoard the mole all to my own. Love that dish. We also had a fish special that was really just okay, but it was definitely something to experience. When management got wind that we weren't blown away by the dish, it was taken off the bill, which was beyond unnecessary, but definitely appreciated. Also, cannot overrate the margaritas. Top-quality mixed drinks are not as prevalent as they should be. I can't stop at just one here. Perfectly executed. All in all, one of my favorite joints in town.
(5)Andy S.
They have done a really cool job with the build out, very cool looking. Fun bar and always busy, good staff. Unfortunately the food is probably the worst Mexican I have ever had. I have tried it twice, first time was simple tacos done poorly and second time was an extremely uninspiring shrimp dish. Food-wise I think you'll be happier with Peso's, Barrio or even Rancho Bravo I would definitely go enjoy the place for drinks and socializing but won't be back for food.
(2)Kerri K.
The house margaritas will keep you coming back! Great deal for HR at $5. Quite disappointed that their happy hr is only from 3-5pm, otherwise the bar food is quite spendy! $9 for guacamole...yikes! Ambiance is quite interesting and would be good for larger groups. Last night with the bar area only half full, at a table for 6, it was fairly noisy and could not hear everyone at the table. We ordered the skirt steak and enchiladas. Both were not bad, but for the price I'd expect a bit more. After reading these reviews I think I'll try Barrio's as well.
(3)Grace C.
Halloween weekend on Capitol Hill means a potential hipster overdose, although I did enjoy the costumes here. (We couldn't decide if the Poquitos hostess was in costume or was wearing her normal clothes. She was in costume. Was she dressed as a hipster? No, she was some obscure character from Twin Peaks. So... yeah, same thing.) The most important things about Poquitos are the GUACAMOLE AND CHIPS and LA FIONA (an habanero-infused tequila martini that has its own Facebook fan page). Get these and you can't go wrong.
(4)Tracy M.
The space is lovely. Wrought iron and interesting glass and lights, and it's talls, and there are cool windows, and a nice outdoor deck area, too. The food is pretty good. The tortillas themselves are great. I tried the mixed taco plate, so got to sample the brisket (amazing!!), the chicken (decent flavor but pretty dry dry dry), and the pork al pastor, which was very good, but not up to amazing levels. Strangely, they only provide one tortilla as the base for these small tacos (I'm used to getting two at taco trucks, etc). Made eating a bit messier/less stable. The rice/beans are served in an adorable little side dish/pan. They were underwhelming. Good flavor, but some of the rice was pretty crunchy/old. And because they're served separately (and the main side dish offered with most entrees) I wouldn't be surprised if they're not prepared much in advance and then just left to warm. So that was disappointing. There was a small dish of a smokey sweet with a little heat red sauce. Not sure which of the tacos this was intended for, but I'm pretty sure it's chipotle=based, and it was DELICIOUS. I tried it on everything (tacos, rice and beans, tortilla chips, guacamole). Yum. The green enchilades were also good. And the chicken's dryness was less of an issue because they were smothered in verde sauce. The appetizer of guac was perfectly respetable. Not the most amazing thing ever, but definitely tasty. It's served in a lovely mortar, but obviously not prepared fresh in your own mortar. Prepared probably en masse in the back and then just placed in the mortar for your table. Lots of bright flavors, with some chopped tomatoes and cilantro. The house margarita was a standout. Very tasty margarita mix (I'm guessing they make this in house. It was yummy). And strong enough that I was giggling by the end of dinner. Prices were fine. Not super cheap, but very approachable at $10-$14 for entrees. Although, when some of the items (rice and beans, I'm looking at you. You also, dry chicken) don't feel super fresh/amazing, it's hard to pay more than double the prices from Rancho Bravo just one block away. Here, you're definitely paying a surcharge for ambience (which is lovely). One other quibble: the rounded booths have a fixed table, so you can't scoot it further out. This made accomodating my pregnant friend a bit difficult. And I'd think with America's growing obesity rates, that larger patrons should AVOID THE BOOTHS and stick to a table/chair or you won't fit. Unlike some of the reviewers, we had nice/polite service. However, they did completely forget our guacamole order, which we ordered AS WE SAT DOWN. So, we got our drinks. Then waited 10 minutes and got our entrees. At which point our waiter noticed we didn't have our guac yet, and got that to us right away. But it did mean we had a full table, rather than a pleasant appetizer followed by entree scenario. bit of a shame.
(4)Jilli V.
Impressive design and build-out, and flavorful Mexican cuisine. Poquitos is authentic Mexican-style food replicated from Mexico City, in an excellent location and has an amazing patio. The patio is inviting, with heated floors and an awning making it accessible and enjoyable year round. A great place for gathering with friends on a warm spring day or even during a cold drizzly gray day. Could also be a great casual lunch spot for business meetings or casual meals at the bar. The food is flavorful, well portioned and priced at a premium. We ordered the Tacos Al Pastor and the Chicken Tinga and enjoyed trying different preparations on two of our favorite Mexican style dishes. They have a great drink menu offering Mexican Coca Cola, Jarritos and Mexican Fanta. We look forward to supporting this business.
(4)Allyssa W.
I am actually still in the dining room at Poquitos while writing this review: I just set my spoon down from enjoying the most delicious flan in recent memory. If you like flan, then Poquitos' flan is definitely worth the annoyance of Cap Hill parking. The flan has a density that makes it feel luxurious, and a not to sweet smoothness that perfectly satisfies. Before dessert we took a pedestrian approach and ordered dinner and drinks - so glad we did! I made giddy food noises as I laid waste to the tacos Al Pastor. The fresh flavors of the cilantro and pineapple were a perect compliment to the draining of the pork, but did not overpower. Perfect 10! My husband ordered the Ahogada torta (pork sandwich), and it was amazing. After the last bite he looked down at the empty cast iron serving dish with a sadness that suggested, "I'm full but I want more." I would have felt bad for him but he didn't really share...apparently the torta was fantastic! We also enjoyed house margaritas and fresh guacamole - both very good. Yes, you pay for the chips and salsa --$3, and if that weirds people out, then they don't eat enough non-TexMex Mexican food - that's a fairly common practice. And the product is worth more than $3! As a general warning, and as someone who loves Mexican food of all regions, I will say that this is not Americanized TexMex. I like TexMex, but Poquitos is NOT that kind of Mexican food. There food (to me) seems more Oaxacan - not as heavy and cheesey as TexMex (read:chain Mexican food). The flavors come from spices and artful preparation. They are clean and satisfying, not heavy and ambiguous. Our server (blonde with a small anchor tattoo) was a delight. She was attentive, knowledgable and dedicated to this new restaurant. I hope you get her! The ambiance was nice: hipster meets cast iron and Mexican tile. It was quiet enough to talk, but lvely enough to keep up the energy. Overall, the food we had was amazing and we will be back very soon!
(5)ambika s.
I really wanted to like this place because it's in an amazing location and they did an awesome job on the decor. However the good sort of ended there. First of all, we went there late night because on their voicemail, they say they have late night happy hour. When we got there, one of the owners (not just a random waiter), informed us that he had no idea what we were talking about. Even after he admitted it was on their voicemail, he offered no remedy - not even chips or something (they charge for those - beware) Instead he told us that tacos were 2$ off, but that's because there is no rice and beans at night. Huh? We came all the way for happy hour and you falsely advertised that you have it! Do something! We ordered 2 plates of tacos, chips and 3 drinks. Literally 50$ later, i kind of wished we had just gone to tacos gringos. There is no way these guys should be able to get away with these kinds of prices - the food just is not that special. Our drinks were both too spicy (one) and too sweet (another). Again, the waiter made no attempt to remedy for these complaints (i see other reviewers have had this issue too). We were nice about it and just mentioned it so maybe he didnt know he was supposed to do something.. ? All in all the food is about 7/10 (would be higher if they made some spicy yummy salsas) and the prices are similar to a fancy restaurant - for street-food equivalent tacos? Service was mediocre. Probably won't be back...
(2)Danny S.
My partner and I came here last Saturday night. When we got to the restaurant they were packed and we were told we'd have to wait up to 45 minutes for a table. We figured that it wasn't that bad having in mind we were in Capitol Hill and it was a Saturday night like I stated before. We went for a walk and 20 minutes later or so we got a phone call saying our table was ready. We had a great experience! The staff was great. Our appetizer came promptly! It was also very delicious. We figured since it was so busy that our food would take a while, which is fine. In less than it took me to finish that thought our food was already here and it was extremely good! We loved it! We will be definitely coming back here time and time again. It was affordable, fun, and delicious. Great customer service too! I would give it 5 stars but it hasn't reached perfection...yet.
(4)Maureen M.
I would suggest coming during happy hour cos their tequila can get a little pricey, but the atmosphere can't be beat. Seating can be a tad bit uncomfortable and tight, with some acoustic problems for those with somewhat sensitive ears but you get some tasty, strong drinks to make it all better. Besides, where else in Seattle can you order crickets from the menu? I usually feel underdressed here, and you can certainly get in on the hype or you can come as you are... Just as long as you're down for a good time.
(4)Ashley G.
The decor is beautiful-a tile that looks like it's from Mexico and great lighting. The food was pretty good! I had the tacos al pastor and it tasted great, my boyfriend stole 2 of them from me. Their mole is also very authentic and more on the chocolate side--my personal preference. The drinks were pretty descent. We were able to be seated pretty quickly and the service was also good. One thing I would change is the ability to mix and match tacos on the combination plate. P.S. ** It's a great date spot if your looking for "dinner&dancing" kind of night since its so close to Havanna and Neighbours.
(4)Chris A.
Drinks are good. Atmosphere is nice. That's all the positive I have to share. The service has been terrible both times I went here. The food is overpriced and barely edible. No reason to ever go back here.
(2)Sue K.
I know they just opened, and people have been swarming the place, and leaving lots of reviews, good and bad, but I've been dying for some decent chips and salsa, so I thought I'd give it a try. My conclusion - I would definitely go back! The chips came with two different types of salsa verde, they were crispy and light. I ordered the mole chicken enchilada and the sauce was rich and spicy. The beans and rice were fluffy and I liked how it came in its own small dish. My cocktail was made with Cachaça, my new favorite liquor! Overall, it was a really pleasant experience and I recommend going early to beat the after-work rush.
(4)J S.
It's pretty much your typical Mexican restuarant so if you want "authentic" I say go to Mexico. I'm not being snarky. The best Mexican food I ever ate was in Mexico so pretty much anything in the States I've eaten since pales in comparison. Ambiance is nice and cozy. Great tile and wrought iron work that strangely reminds me of the Mission district in San Fran. Food, as I mention, is average. I had the Ahogada Torta which was fairly tasty. Although the tomato and arbol chili broth it rested in looked like tomato sauce straight from the can (and kind of tasted like it too). My margarita was just ok. It wasn't sweet as other reviewers said their margaritas were but it wasn't very strong either. The only beef I have, and numerous other reviews feel the same, is you pay EXTRA for chips and salsa! C'mon! Complimentary chips and salsa is the norm for just about any Mexican restuarant anywhere (including the off the beaten path restuarants I went to in Mexico). This is a penny pinching way to weasel extra cash out of their patrons and it stinks. I can understand not bringing out chips and salsa unless specifically requested but charging for them takes the cake. Outside of that, it's average food with average drinks and average service in a high traffic up-and-coming area of Cap Hill. I'll come here again in a pinch but it's nothing to write home to madre about.
(3)Jody N.
I have mixed feelings about Poquitos. Part of my LOVES them for their Seattle style outdoor seating (covered, glass enclosed, heated seats, ready to open up to the outside should the sun appear), delicious margaritas, and tasty chips and salsa! The other part of me is a little disappointed in some of their pricing ($8 for guacamole, come on) and flavors of their food (a bit too much salt). I have been there twice and have enjoyed the ambiance, appetizers and drinks, but am still not completely sold on their entrees and deserts. I think I'm going to let the part of me that loves Poquitos win and keep trying their food, maybe I just haven't found the right meal yet :) Also this is a great place for a big group!
(4)Munya S.
I met a friend here for drinks last night and was really impressed. The ambiance/decor is pretty amazing- I definitely felt like I wasn't in Seattle anymore, and I mean that in a good way. I sat at the bar and liked the comfy revolving seats. I can't speak much on the food, since I'm not a huge Mexican food fan, but what I did have was delicious. The ceviche appetizer was very fresh-tasting and vibrant. It also came with a HUGE basket of chips, so it was a good bang for your buck. Bartender and server were both friendly and helpful. I just can't get over the decor though. It's dark and mysterious, there are neat light-fixtures hanging, and I like how the bar is in the middle of the restaurant. There's also fun (but not too loud) music playing in the background. It does get a little loud from people talking, but never to the point where you can't hear your friends. Maybe I avoid this neighborhood for fear of hipster domination, but Poquitos was full of all kinds of people which was awesome. I'll definitely be back when I'm on the hill.
(4)Bobby C.
This place is alright. I'd probably come back for drinks and snacks every once in a while because the food is ok, the space is nice, and the service was great, but nothing mind-blowing here. I only came here for happy hour so I can only attest to the items on the limited happy hour menu. The happy hour margaritas were drinkable, but way too sweet. La Carta de Oaxaca and Barrio make much better margaritas in these parts. This was a basic cocktail that failed to impress. I couldn't taste the tequila behind the sugar buffer. For a cocktail that is supposed to get its sweetness from triple sec, something very wrong was going on. The nachos came out warm and fresh and the tomatillo salsa was good. I munched on these for a while. The friend I arrived with ordered the chicken tacos. I ordered the hongos and the al pastor. The tacos had a good flavor, however, the cilantro on top was not fresh by any means. It was already starting to yellow and there was little black spots starting to form on the leaves. A little shocking in my opinion. If it wasn't 4 in the afternoon and daylight wasn't coming through the windows, I may not have been able to see this horrifying detail. I ate my tacos after picking the cilantro off. Despite the lackluster food, the service and the ambiance still shined. The host was attentive, as was the server. I would come back with friends for a good spot to socialize and snack on chips and salsa, but I will be hesitant to eat anything else. I will also take my tequila neat next time.
(3)Bako B.
It's like a little bit of Houston, Texas right in the middle of Capitol Hill. And by that I mean it's a loud, obnoxious sports bar filled with people screaming at the TVs all over the dining rooms. The management doesn't seem to be in control of this place - when I've been there, groups of loud patrons were always drawing visible annoyance from the rest of the diners who, like me, didn't think such a place could exist in a neighborhood like ours. Belongs in Bell Town, or better yet, Renton. EDIT: Added a star because of a nice response by the management (below). I went there twice and both times it seemed like a sports bar, but we were seated in the outer dining area. Maybe it's better in the other dining area, or there are fewer TVs. Anyway, both times there were loud people at the bar yelling at the games on the TVs, and once a group was doing impromptu cheerleading-style cheers. But the ceviche was pretty good, so there's that.
(3)Ana D.
I was really trying to think of one good thing to say about this place, but the only thing that came to mind was it's location. Really though, "A" for effort, but "D" for execution. Sticky floors, disgusting bathroom with no garbage cans (seriously there were used tampons and pads just lying all over the floor!), increadibly rude inattentive staff. The beer I ordered took a half an hour (I timed it) to get to me. I had to ask for it twice. It wasn't even that busy in there. The Long Island was interesting though, a mystery drink that the bartender obviously free-styled and got real abstract with. Lots of potential though, so keep trying guys! Get a new waiting staff, then maybe I could give you a less scathing review. For now though, you'll find me at Rancho Bravo down the street...
(1)Philip S.
Been to Poquitos once with my wife and a few times with my friends. Everytime fun was had by all. The space is colorful and festive without looking cheesy or hitting on the cliches of typical mexican restaurants. The bar is large which=awesome. They have a huge outdoor/ partially enclosed patio that gets really happening in the summer and adds to the mix of clientele. I actually feel a bit bad for Poquitos with all the fairly low reviews. We've never had a bad experience here the 4 or 5 times we've visited so I'm not sure what we're missing. It stands to reason they should be able to deliver a quality dining experience considering Poquitos is owned by the same folks behind Ballards Bastille which is also quite good. The food is good...its Mexican with a modern fusion twist. Its not the most outstanding Mexican I've ever had but, truly outstanding Mexican is hard to find anywhere especially in the Pacific Northwest. The ceviche is quite good. The guac is expensive but really good. We've even had a nice and very fresh mexican style Halibut special that was really well prepared and delicious. Outside of the guac, the even better news is the food prices are quite reasonable. The drink selection is pretty good, not as good as Bario's but, that's almost impossible to beat. All the featured cocktails we've had we're well crafted, strong, and fairly inventive. The have a-lot fun with spicy concoctions which I believe are the most interesting and tasty of their kind in the city. Despite the slightly low reviews by some I'd recommend giving Poquitos a try.
(4)Paige F.
If you are looking for a place with great ambiance to get together with some friends or a loved one, then this is the place. I recommend sitting in the back area where they have cozy little fireplaces right by the tables, and sipping on their delicious Margaritas. Their green tomatillo salsa is also a must. I would have to say their food is OK, but not great. I could have used a little bit more sauce on my enchiladas, as they were a tad on the dry side. Other than that...the service was great, and a good time was had by all.
(4)Eric W.
Yummy tacos, pretty nice atmosphere with prices that aren't too crazy high. Overall have enjoyed this place. I would have liked complimentary tortilla chips.
(4)Andrew T.
I really want to give this place 4 stars. The service is a 4-star level, the ambiance and decor are 5-star. But the food. The food is just not great. It's not bad, it's just average - 2.5 stars worth. Both the chicken and fish tacos were lacking much flavor. Same thing with the rice & beans. The guac is great, though.
(3)Annie L.
As a long time resident of Capitol Hill, it's been entertaining to see so many new restaurants pop up every few months in the past couple of years. Funny, one day I was walking down the street and I see a sign with HUGE letters spelling out MEXICAN FOOD. I chuckled a bit, and added on my list of places to try. I went in on a Tuesday night and still had a 15 minute wait. I guess the newbie crowd is still in effect. Wasn't hugely impressed. Chips were salty, mole was good but not to die for. However, the decor is amazing (no surprise here, given Bastille is very well done), the guac is fresh (though not worth $9), and there was a pork belly dish on the special menu that was beyond scrumptious. I'll be back, but the pork belly better be on the menu. LONG LIVE THE PORK BELLY!!!
(3)London B.
After bar-crawling through Capitol Hill and searching for our next destination, we decided to get something to eat and migrated (stumbled) through the door, quickly seated near the bar. Now, I don't know if our tacos al carbon and chicken empanadas were tasty because the cooks actually know how to cook, or if Jose Cuervo and the makers of Patron and Smirnoff are just sick, evil bastards who manipulate your taste buds and convince you that anything fried in oil or smothered in Tapatio is indeed tasty. I want to believe its the former and not the latter, so I shall return to Poquitos with sober taste buds and sound mind, taste a variety of (hopefully) appetizing treats and make a final assessment. Someday.
(4)Mat W.
The folks I dined with didn't really enjoy what they had ....however my meal was quite excellent. We got guacamole and salsa to start. Both were very fresh and tasty. The guac had a strong hint of lime which I liked a lot. I had the Al Pastor tacos, which were pork+pinapple+carmelized onions. TON of flavor. This strongly rivals the amazing pulled pork tacos I had in Texas. The bill ran steep, but I was full and happy.
(4)K O.
We went to this joint because it was a poppin Friday night and the ambiance seemed like a chill place to sit down and enjoy a drink. We had a few of the house margaritas which were very sweet and mostly all ice. I was surprised on how good the guacamole was and I could taste the real avocados! The salsas were great as well. The Mushroom tacos were awesome. We left satisfied with a good taste of this joint and would recommend.
(4)Claudia A.
I had always wanted to check out Poquitos because every time I stopped by the wait was over an hour.. anticipation was killing me. I finally remembered to make a reservation one night and I don't know if the hype had my expectation out of control but I wasn't crazy about it. The place was way too loud to have a decent conversations. My waiter didn't provide very good advice or seem to know much about the drink menu. I was pleased with my meal though. I ordered the yam burrito. I was definitely satisfied with the taste- but overall I think I've experienced better.
(2)Nam N.
this is a tough rating for Poquitos. its ambience and decor definitely deserve a 4 star rating from the high ceilings, tiled walls, back (virtually) outdoor patio and fire pit. ample seating for large groups. nice intimate lighting and lively atmosphere being right at the corner of one of the busiest spots in Cap Hill... BUT the food. its a Mexican restaurant and it just doesn't offer very much excitement. the salsas are bland - the chips just don't have the right amount of crunch. and as i watched everyone else eat different things - not one person seem to have enjoyed their food throughly. i've seen more emotions envoked at chipotle in each bite by its patrons. i will say this - the grilled corn dish was pretty good - but i found it odd that it was just a hot skillet of grilled corn with some toppings... no side item or chips come with. and the habenaro hot sauce on the side is worth it - as the waitress said "there's nothing really spicy in any of our dishes or salsas. but if you like spice you can order the habanero sauce on the side." kind of a fail to have no spice at a mexican restaurant. but that's just my two cents.
(2)Mark L.
Trying too hard to be the new hipster, trendy Mexican restaurant... Food was authentic, but serving meals in cast iron skillets was a little much and not necessary. Really liked the homemade tortillas and the popsicles for desert.... That was a great idea. Definitely look elsewhere if you want good service... Not very attentive. They will show up, get your drink order, get your food order and bring you your check... Other people will deliver your food and no one will come back to check on you... Not only my experience but I heard this same story from others as well. For the price?.... eh. The food wasn't bad... You could spend moderate to a lot of money at this place. The thing is that not very far is an authentic Salvadoran restaurant where the food is just as good, they aren't trying to hipsters and the price is cheap...
(2)James S.
So I give this place three stars, because I really want to like it. However, I have been twice, and both times the negative experiences have outweighed the positive ones, as detailed below: 1. I am realizing as I write, I have actually been there three times. The first was with a co-worker, we went for happy hour, and I have to say the margaritas were delicious, as were the salsas provided with our chips. No problems here, which is why I recommended the restaurant as the spot for a friend's birthday... 2. Which we had on a monday night, our party was about 4 or 5 people. The place was relatively quiet, and our waiter was quite friendly (maybe too friendly - he sat down with us and tried to chat us up...) Drinks were provided in a timely manner, but when it came to our food order they completely screwed up the timing - one of our party member's to-go order came before the rest of our entrees. I had to remind the waiter twice about my chicken torta - which I will admit was delicious, even though it took ages to arrive. Big mark against them in my book. Not a reason, however to write them off completely... 3. Third time was happy hour again, and unfortunately they iced the cake of my previously tarnished experience with the worst whiskey ginger I've ever had, and cold, stale chips. This experience alone has probably weighed more on my feelings about this place than the two previous experiences. All in all, beautiful space, great food, but honestly with the experiences I've had thus far, I'm not yet convinced. I am going with a friend on thursday, perhaps I shall update and continue to develop a relationship with this cool spot.
(3)Michael M.
NOTE: this review is for drinks only. Will come back to review food at another time. I visited with a friend of mine 2 days ago. I wanted a place where we could chat and catch up on lost time (hadn't seen him for 17 years). I wasn't disappointed in the atmosphere when I arrived in this place as it's very ornate. We sat down at the bar because a table would have taken 45 minutes (7 PM on a Sunday - wow!). We ordered 2 glasses of Mezcal Anejo and received a bill for $26. With a $4 tip, our bill for 2 ounces of liquor = $30. Has Poquitos heard that we're in a recession? I'm a glutton for punishment so I order another round of drinks. This time, methinks, it won't be as much because I must have ordered a special mezcal. So I ordered a mixed drink and the bill came out to $26 again! 1 hour, 4 drinks and $60 poorer. The service was fine, though. Friendly bartender. I'll come back and try the food.
(2)Dusan S.
Everyone was talking about it - the new mexican place on the hill! So I figured I'd go check it out... First time I went I had a margarita and some chips and dips. The Jala-pina margarita with jalapeno infused tequila was amazing! Thanks to Rachel, our wonderful server, for recommending it! The salsas were great too. The fresh guacamole certainly was good, but $9 might be a lil bit too much. The patio is pretty sweet, I love the garage doors. Or are those windows... Second time around I went for dinner. Holy pig! Those carnitas were heavenly! The softest, tastiest, juiciest pork I've ever eaten. Still, I think the place is a lil bit too pricy. And I'm not too crazy about the name either. Sounds like someone chose a random spanish word. But yes, I will be back :) Next payday!
(4)Kellie C.
Stopped here for a drink. Ambiance was classy, and they were showing baseball on a large tv adjacent to the bar. Didn't care for the jalapeno stuffed olives in my martini.
(4)Franz F.
First the bad: The Guac is extremely overpriced and didn't blow me away for the $9 i had to pay. I was also shocked that I had to pay for the chips and salsa that I assumed were complementary since they were placed on my table like they would anywhere else. The meal (carne asada) was forgettable and the beans tasted really off. All over, it was really over priced for food that wasn't that memorable. The Positive! Our server always made sure we were taken care of and was a complete sweet heart. She also suggested churros and they were actually pretty good. :D the churros and our server are the reason this goes up to 2 stars.
(2)Michelle J.
Love this place! Great food and awesome layout. The "patio" is really cool with a long cocktail bar with a small fire pit to help warm the hands. I was there with a group of 16, and shockingly- No complaints!! Everyone scarfed down their food, plates were being shared and passed around and everyone was happy with both the quality of food and generous portions. Bartendars Margaritas were pretty right on too. Oh yeah, they have spiced crickets! We ordered a large tostada and it came with with a little bowl of crickets! Needless to say those were a fun one to pass around...tasted like spicey chicken ;) I'm kidding but I definitely appreciate the authenticity! I highly, highly recommend this place.
(4)Rix G.
Very Busy Location that is TOO Popular for the Quality of Service and Food. The meal was very nasty tasting and then to top it off, the server was slow and took her time coming around. The interest was more on people first sitting down and then forgetting about you afterwards. Took FOREVER just to pay the bill. You would think they would focus on getting the money from you. This was my second time and last time eating at this establishment.
(2)Opal D.
Sat at the bar on the patio and absolutely loved it! Shared a few appetizers, had a couple drinks. Service and food were all great. Very unexpected feel for Cap Hill and I appreciate the resemblance to Bastille (sister restaurant in Ballard). I would absolutely come back for Happy Hour or a quick bite!
(4)Jill S.
I debated whether to give this place 3 or 4 stars and decided on 4, based on service and ambience. I love that you can feel like you're sitting outside with the rolling door walls and the great skylight ceiling, Three of us went for lunch and service was attentive and friendly. I thought the menu was a little limited, but that's probably because I'm used to multi-page Tex Mex menus. I had the huevos rancheros--which was very good, but even for lunch, I thought the portions were on the small side. I'd definitely go here again--not so much for the food, but for the overall dining experience.
(4)Ben C.
MMMMmmm Poquitos...Got Fried Grass Hopper? Yup you read that right, you can get Fried Grasshoppers on your dish. We paid a visit to Poquitos one evening and boy were they busy. The restaurant itself is HUGE! I mean for Cap Hill it is big! They have the main restaurant area, the bar area, then a big back patio area with a bar. As big as they are the wait can still be pretty long. We were lucky and scored a table in the bar. Location is great right in the heart of Cap Hill, parking is street parking so that can be a headache. So give yourself ample time to drive around looking for parking especially if you are getting dinner. Food, I've had quite a bit of Mexican food in my lifetime and I have to say Poquitos is Muy Bueno. They make their tortillas and guac fresh. You can see the cooks at the prep bar just prepping away. Menu is not complicated, they have a great selection for all types of pallets. I had the Chicken Enchilladas with Salsa Verde that was really good. We started with Guac which was really good but we did wish there was some more tomatoes or onions just to add a little more texture, avocados were really fresh. We also got the Ceviche and the fried pork chips, OH SO GOOD!!! Our waitress was way cool and really nice, always had our waters filled, always made sure everything was good. At the end we happened to see a dish that got me excited go walking by, I asked her excitedly what it was she told us it was the mexican pizza, you can add different toppings and one of the toppings is FRIED GRASSHOPPERS!!! WHAT!!! I was not to excited about that cause I was stuffed to the brim but my cousin and my gf thought it was a BRILLIANT idea to get a side order of that even though we just paid. Our waitress happily obliged and brought us a little tiny dish that had probably 15-20 Fried Grasshoppers. I was told I had to try it so we told her well if we are eating it you gotta eat one to. The five of us toasted our grasshopper and down the hatch they went!!! Definitely fried but a bit vinegary for my taste, my cousin Jose on the other hand upon realizing no one else was going to eat more decided to dump the rest in his mouth!! AH Ok other than the grasshopper we had a great experience at Poquitos, definitely a great place for groups or couples or singles at the bar. Either way Poquitos will satisfy any person with a little Mexican Craving. OH SO GOOD! MAJOR NOMS!
(4)Holly C.
Walking around the hill with a friend and we were starving. I walk by this place almost every day and it looked cool so we popped in. I got the chicken tacos and was obscenely disappointed. The chicken was dry and even though it was marinated in a spicy sauce, it still had no flavor. The rice and beans were horrible. The black beans had no flavor (HOW?!) and the rice was half stale, half mushy. Thankfully we had the best waiter ever. He was nice, attentive and funny. i think the decor is the only thing saving this place.
(1)Jason T.
First off, the restaurant is great looking with a really open patio area which is fantastic during the summer. The large glass windows really open the place up and the light fixtures and ironwork decorations really set up a great mood. Unfortunately this doesn't really extend to their food, which is pretty uninspired and bland. I've gone twice so far, and try to really only review a place once I've gone a few times, to give it a chance. Both times so far have left me ringing with disappointment. The salsa is rather bland, has zero kick to it and taste kind of like colored mush. We ordered orders of the chicken tinga and al pastor tacos and sadly they tasted nearly identical to one another. The presentation was about as bare bones as you can get...pretty much the same as Rancho Bravo a few blocks away, but at a much higher price. If you are into simple tastes and very straight forward eats, this might be the place for you, but I kind of like a bit more complexity in my food and enjoy how some elements provide crunch, others provide spice, and still others serve up some sweetness. I really didn't find those in anything on this menu. If you like more on the lines of "authentic" mexican food, than give this place a try, but I really like the spice and variety of tex mex with varying levels of spice and complexity.
(3)Stephanie B.
My friend and I went to Poquitos on Memorial Day, and the service was a JOKE. We sat ourselves in the patio area, and waited 20+ minutes before anyone even approached us. We picked up menus ourselves beside the cash register, and gave the waitress the eye several times when she walked by, but she averted her gaze each time. I know service on Capitol Hill tends not to be the friendliest, but the way she nonchalantly ignored us deserves an award. The person who finally decided we were worthy of service was the gentleman serving the bar area, who was kind but totally inept: food arrives but not utensils, water arrives in a bottle but without glasses. Honestly? Don't they teach that in Waiting Tables 101?? The best part about nursing our drinks for the 1.5 hours we were there was watching the sh-tshow. We saw four or five other groups leave angry -- without ever being greeted or served. Highly entertaining. We left a cheap tip and laughed our way out.
(1)Jasmine W.
A group of friends and I recently hit up Poquitos in Cap Hill. It shares the intersection location with Quinn's (across the street) and Neumos (kitty corner across the way). The place has a great atmosphere and friendly waitstaff. We went on a Tuesday and I'd recommend getting a reservation if you've got minors with you. The bar is self-seating and is located in a neat semi-outdoor enclosure that opens up on the super-secret-awesome Seattle summer evenings. I was pleasantly satisfied with the Ahogada Torta, and my friends were also happy with their food orders. Our waiter did forget a drink order (cocktails and margaritas were tasty), but made it up to us by treating us to some flan (DELICOUS). I recommend a go at this joint.
(4)Justin K.
Salsa was awesome and the drinks tasty (Aqua Fresco and the Jala-Piña). We had the pork tacos and the Yucatan grilled chicken, no disappointments. Overall, a great experience!
(5)Jessica R.
Fancy decor and the atmosphere was fun and relaxing. However, I had the chicken enchiladas and I thought it was kinda bland. Overall, the restaurant is pretty Americanized.
(3)Max Z.
Came here for dinner and thought it was pretty great. The interior looked fantastic, as to be expected because of their relation to Bastille, and our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable. Had the chips and salsa as an appetizer, and although the chips were good I feel like the salsa was a thin and succumbed to that common problem of spiciness being dictated by the wussiest common denominator. I had the carnitas, which were nice and crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle. She had the fish taco special of the day, which were also good but the actual fish was masked by the strength of the other sauces. I drank a couple of ditchweeds and thought the jalapeno-stuffed olives were an odd choice for a garnish (but I ordered a second one so I'm not saying I didn't like them), she had a bloody mary that was watery and a little bland compared to Bastille's. Overall I enjoyed the restaurant and the food was well cooked and well presented, but it could use more of a backbone, you know what I mean?
(4)Lisa N.
I wasn't super impressed by Poquitos which was disappointing because it always looks packed when I walk by. Their salsa is nothing to write home about and you have to pay for chips and salsa... isn't that against the law at Mexican places or something? It certainly should be. I ordered brisket tacos and the brisket was tender, juicy, moist, and delicious. It came with a weird sauce that I wasn't into and the shells were too soggy (probably my fault for not thinking about how wet brisket is) and fell apart when I tried to eat them with my hands. The interior is cute; I like the side bar area with all the booths more than the main part of the house. I think I'd return with friends (if they wanted to) to hang out and grab a small bite, but it's not high on my list of places to go.
(3)Jeff D.
Solid Mexican fare (delicious guacamole!) and good drinks. Ate here late on a Friday night, after walking out of Quinn's (across the street) because of truly lousy service. Was happy to be greeted by a friendly host and a friendly waitress who treated us well. The covered patio is a great place to hang out and enjoy the bar scene without the deafening noise of the interior restaurant. Really enjoyed the meal and would recommend Poquitos without hesitation.
(3)James F.
Not very good. The margaritas were sub-par, and the food was mediocre. All the food that we ordered had only one flavor: spicy. Their one plus is they have a great outdoor/glass seating area.
(2)Beudreaux D.
I went for lunch. The menu is very limited in selection at any time of day. The quality of the food is good but not outstanding. There was grissel in my pork, kind of chewy for the price. The portions are small for the price which is expensive for Mexican. The margaritas were good but a typical high price. The decor is very nice. The place is very clean including the restrooms. Probably a good place to meet friends for drinks. Nice bar, two of them. You can watch TV at either one. Go somewhere else to eat if you are very hungry. A light meal here is OK but no bargain.
(2)Dustin F.
Well The place does look cool and the food was good. It's a Mexican restaurant and i'm a huge fan of Mexican food. This day I was really feeling like burrito. I noticed that they didn't have a burrito on the menu but I wanted beans, cheese and a tortilla, not a difficult recipe. So when the waitress came over I asked if i could order a burrito. I was then instructed to look at the menu and was told that if i could find a burrito on the menu she would make one. I laughed it off and told her all i wanted was beans and cheese and was then told that this was not a real mexican restaurant and they didn't have those ingredients in the kitchen. Really a strange conversation to have with a customer. However between my friend's quesadilla, the cheese on the quesadilla, and the beans that came with my tacos, I should have just made my own.
(2)Joshua J.
Get ready to spend some time here.... I'm pretty mixed on this place, because the food was solid, nothing remarkable, minus a super tough carne asada, but it just took so darn long to move the whole thing along. Al pastor tacos were super flavorful and the pineapple was a nice touch, I don't know how authentic that is, I dunno, I think of this place as more of a small plate spin on mexican or something. Beer was fabulous (always a saver), guac was some of the better that you'll find, not homemade quality, but still better delicious (it should be for $10 right?). The service was super kind, I don't know if the kitchen was lagging or what, but just general slothlihood, busy night, whathaveyou... still, 45 minutes is a little long when you're hungry and waiting for guacamole. I mean, we were having a grand old time and had planned on an extended evening, so no big deal, but don't come here if you're in a hurry. Water was empty for a loooong time and the chips were tasty but salty, so severe dehydration things was going on for about 20 minutes, I guess maybe I'm picky, but those small things, y'a know? We had a really nice time here for the evening and thoroughly enjoyed the food. Probably would try the fish of the day next time. Please note, this place is pretty loud on a Friday early evening and night, so plan on speaking loudly and spending a couple of hours. Also, the seats are super hard wood (again, way too picky), a little uncomfortable for the amount of time one might spend in it. What!? I don't knThanks forow! I'm just trying to be informative here! Good times. Great oldies. Anyone? Anyone?? Thanks for listening!
(3)Kelly B.
Finally I can stop saying "Seattle doesn't have a single good Mexican restaurant." This place rocks! Not only did I have some of the best guacamole I've every tasted, but the entire menu looks fantastic. I only sampled their yam tacos - yum. Amazing. Service was terrific and I am dying to go back for a margarita. This place is enormous so don't go confusing it with the big mexican chains out there. This is as local as it gets.
(5)Melissa L.
ahhh it was a friday and i'm a lent follower and therefore i couldn't eat meat when i came here...booooo. it's ok, i found non meat options and they were still awesome. walking in their interior is super cute. i love all the tiles they have and large windows letting in lots of natural light. it reminds me of pesos, but not as heavy bc you don't get as much of the natural light in pesos. everyone was really nice and inviting, but it took a longggg time to get our food out. it's ok though bc it was great food, if it was bad food with a long wait then that's no bueno... the salsas were yummy with the chips perfectly crunchy and salted. yes you do have to pay for them, but not a huge ordeal, they're only $3. they're in a beautiful location in the heart of cap hill. don't have a heart attack. i wish i could've tried the guacamole as it looked great as well, but i'm allergic :(. i had the seared fish tacos and they were delicious. nice and hearty pieces of fish seared perfectly on each side. i was worried 2 tacos with the rice and beans wouldn't be filling enough for me, but i was surprisingly full. the black beans were yums and had a nice spicy kick to them. you can't mix and match your tacos, but i won't hold that against them. i had a great time here. ive heard a lot about the al pastor, so that will be my next menu item to conquer.
(4)Glyn C.
Granted, this was our first visit to Poquitos, which is not little, by any means. Since this was a Saturday night, it was crowded and noisy. Our "hour wait" turned into five minutes as we stood next to and waited patiently for two seats about to free up at the bar. Our first experience turned out to be very satisfying. Well, here I go again. It takes all kinds on Yelp to make it go-round. Not to diminish those few who have claimed that the food is "bad", because anything is possible, but as some have said, "Do you know real Mexican food when you eat it?" It may be that you do not like authentic... This is by far the most authentic, if not the only, real Mexican food to be had in this area (that I am aware of). It compares to La Casa Azul, in Shoreline, for authenticity, but it can hold 20 times the people. Pork-filled Chile Rellenos, a lot like at Fonda San Miguel in Austin! Beautiful chicken enchiladas with black beans and rice. Tortillas made as you watch. Excellent food/excellent salsas. I don't think there was a drop of cheese in the meal. Outstanding margaritas with fresh squeezed lime, (not a mix). Very good service by the very busy bartender. Update: after a second dinner I have to change my rating to a "four, with reservations". All the food was very salty. I thought the tortilla soup was over the top with ingredients, making it more like a stew. There was nothing "delicate" about it. Also, the noise level can be astoundingly high.. There is the music, where all you hear is the relentless drum pounding and then there are the people partying, talking loudly, and others, trying to be heard over the din! If this is a concern to you, I would carefully pick when I go there.
(4)Linda T.
Dined here last Tuesday night with my boyfriend. Surprisingly, even on a Tuesday night this place was fairly busy, so we grabbed seats at the bar. I loved the decor of the restaurant and was surprised that the menu prices weren't more expensive given the expensive interior. We ordered chips and salsa (no, it's not free, but it's cheap) and were not impressed. It comes with 2 different salsas, but I could barely taste the difference. Neither had even the slightest kick and we seemed to have gotten the bottom of the chip bag because most of our bowl were broken pieces. I ordered fish tacos which were okay, but not worth the price. It was bland and topped with plain red cabbage. My boyfriend ordered mole chicken enchiladas and didn't like his dinner. It was our first time trying mole chicken, so we didn't know what to expect other than a mexican spice and chocolate sauce, and that it's supposed to be amazing. He only ate half of 1 of the 3 enchiladas because the sauce tasted like slightly burned chocolate and lacked any interesting flavor. Our service was mediocre. The bartender didn't seem happy, wasn't interactive or friendly, and slow to acknowledge us when we sat down. The bartender was generous enough to offer my boyfriend a different entree (which he declined) and didn't charge us for his dish. Overall, we weren't happy with our experience. It wasn't consistent with the rave reviews we'd heard or those posted here on yelp. It's unfortunate, but we probably won't dine here anytime soon. We were so unhappy with the food we had, we went to Barrio the next night to get our fix for Mexican food. Lesson learned for me is to avoid brand new restaurants. I'll let this place figure itself out and age better before I return.
(2)Rrr V.
Hostess: 3.0 Waiter: 3.0 Food-Taste, Presentation: 3.5 Property-Style, Decor, Ambiance: 3.7
(3)Anna R.
I will start this review by saying that the food was good.... when we finally received it. However, the service was horrible - bad enough to make me create this account. A restaurant with a quality product is nothing without a quality service team to present it. One of our party ordered an appetizer. She had been done with it for 40 minutes before the rest of us saw an entree. After finishing dinner, we waited another half hour for our check. Many of us are former service industry workers, and we feel that our smaller-than-usual tip was appropriate. The server did not, and asked, "You do know a gratuity wasn't added, right?" We could forgive that rudeness, but what came next was too much. The server followed us out of the restaurant and tried to give one of our party a new bill, saying she had signed the wrong copy. She hadn't, but she complied. The whole situation made another in our party so flabbergasted that he actually handed her a $20 bill to settle the matter on the street. Please, Poquitos, continue making great food but keep an eye on your staffing if you want to enjoy our patronage.
(2)Cookin B.
Sex without pain is like food without taste. - Marquis de Sade But in this case of Poquitos, the food has pain, not like sex and has no taste. full breakdown over at my cookin better website. See profile for link.
(1)Monica M.
My husband and I are regulars at Poquitos and have introduced a handful of friends onto them. They have the best authentic food and excellent service. There is one particular #1 server that we love. ANTHONY! He is so welcoming and always greets us with that big smile of his. He has come to know what we order that we don't even have to tell him. As if the food wasn't good enough but with such great service. I wish I could give him 10 stars! I even have friends that go here and will ask for Anthony's section and later let me know that he was their server. And yes I get a little jealous. :) So when you go look for the guy with the great big smile and awesome service and order up some awesome food and drinks. Cheers to Poquitos and thanks for all of the yummy food and excellent service!
(5)K S.
Beautiful space! Just saw it opening night so have yet to try the food. It's going to be a great addition to the area. I heard the guac is a must try! I'll update for sure!
(5)Sanghee P.
Best chicken tacos ever. Lean, skinless, white chicken meat. Same great tacos even at 1 am! Good place to stop for healthy late night snack.
(5)Liza K.
My carnitas (recommended by the nice waitress) were delicious. Crispy sear on one side that offered a tasty crunch, but the meat was tender and flavorful. The Chile Rellenos that my companion ordered were ok. Not super cheap but we were well taken care. Smiles all around.
(4)Julie T.
Nice place! The staff is attentive, but a little slow during happy hour. Everything's cute-- concept, design, drinks, etc. Drink called Fiona was excellent. I'll be back, but I do wish they had more vegetarian options.
(4)aprille t.
I don't understand the appeal of this place. Except that Seattlites have no clue what good food is. The interior is nice, but I'm not going to sight see, I'm there to eat. The food is so bland it's nasty. Way overpriced. They charge you for chips and salsa. The mole sauce was so acidic I couldn't finish it. Why is this city so superficial about restaurants? If it looks cool or if it's cool to be seen there then it is automatically a 5 star review? The only good thing was the service, very prompt. If you want really good no frills Mexican food go to Tacos Chukis on Broadway.
(1)Tonya N.
Just ok for me... Didnt feel it was very authentic but filling. Great corner location and nice looking place... reminds me of a latin version of Bastille in ballard. The quacamole was pretty good but my tacos were lack luster.
(3)Jun W.
half hour waits on weeknights. so if it's not for the food... it has to be the drinks...right? does that mean i have to come back again? hmmm... overview of food: guacamole for 9$? i can make tastier for half the price and 3xs the serving. chicken enchiladas with mole? well if mole negro is supposed to be sweet with a bitter & burnt after taste then this guy here is a winner. 4 fingers of 'churros' for 8$ with some caramel sauce. lemme save you some $ and tell you that you're really better off with a 50cent donut from qfc down the street.
(2)Laura P.
Wowzers this place is gorgeous!! The ambiance alone is what drew me in. I've walked by several times on my way into Havana and always wondered what this place was. The restaurant and the bar are very inviting, with warm lighting, sparkly lights and mexican style lanterns- it's great for a date night or in my case, a random week night looking for a place to belly up to the bar and eat some delicious food. My friend who is Latino did all the ordering for us. I wouldn't be one to order pork rinds, but they were amazing. Squeeze a little lime juice over the top to help soften them a bit - and chow down. uh-mazing. The pork fajitas were fantastic, if they kept bringing me more I don't know if i could have stopped eating. The service was medium. We sat at the bar - food came out quickly, drinks took a little long but that was probably for the best. The bartender did make a killer Cadillac Marg though.
(4)J F.
Simply delish! The guacamole and margaritas are craveable and the server was really helpful with great suggestions and was just a nice guy!
(5)Matt R.
I'm surprised Poquitos has an average rating of 3. The food is very good, the staff is very nice, and the drinks are strong. I give them a solid 4.
(4)Super M.
Because we all have different palates, I always feel that it helps people quantify your yelp review better if you give a little bit of information on what you do consider good food in the category you're reviewing. I have been to Mexico three times, to three totally different areas, and i've eaten some amazing food that I don't expect to be replicated here. Here in town, I love the taco truck down by Lowes on Rainier. I think El Mestizo does a pretty good job. And La Carta de Oaxaca in Ballard is fine. And the Agua Verde Paddle club has had some nice moments in my life. As for Poquitos, on the plus side, the building is beautiful. As for the food, I was overwhelmed with blah-ness. Handmade corn tortillas - the blandest I've ever had. I love fresh tortillas, and I know what good one's taste like. Chips fried in rice oil: I guess these chips are made from the tortillas because they do not taste like anything at all. Salsas and guacamole: Fine. Nothing to write home about. Carne Asada: Long stringy sort of charred oniony things that are difficult to cut and don't add to the dish... Beef, cooked correctly, but somehow still chewy, and stringy. Rice and beans: Absolutely no taste whatsoever. The rice's texture felt like it was instant. Black beans are a delicious food. How can you make them tasteless? Service was fine. My boyfriend had a good huevos rancheros at an earlier brunch, so maybe the food is wildly uneven. I just really found myself wishing I was eating somewhere else instead. The place had no cohesion to it.
(2)Fritz L.
This place is not very good. It's cool for chilling and drinks and great location, but the food is expensive and bland. Kind of like Peso's but a level classier and a level worse foodwise...
(2)Tyler K.
Service is slow, food was mediocre at best, pricy, but it does have atmosphere.
(3)Nina N.
their fried fish tacos, rice, and made to order guacamole is pretty damn good!!! everything else is mehhhh.......
(4)Michael B.
Went opening night, it was crazy busy. Had the roasted corn, great, food was good the interior is really well decorated, very fun
(4)Jared P.
Ok, in my first review I trashed this place because the service was terrible, but I've been back 3 times now and every time the service has been great. The food has been consistently good, not incredible, but their fish and yam tacos are very tasty. Overall this place is a great option for Mexican food if you're, on the hill. it is heads and shoulders better then Bimbo's in every sense, and while not as good as Barrio it's a much cheaper option.
(4)Bryan J.
The atmosphere at Poquitos is amazing and i would rate it 4 stars. I had the goat which was not as good as i thought it would be i would rate it at a 2 stars. Drinks were amazing and the service was outstanding. I will definetly have to go back and try something else to really guage if i like this place or not.
(3)Jen P.
Viva Poquitos is correct. I'm pretty enamored with this place. I've been 2 times in 2 weeks if that tells you anything. Suggestion #1: Try to make/stick to a reservation. Last night's wait topped an hour - but it was oh, so, worth it. Suggestion #2: Order a drink... especially one made with tequila. They are a little pricey....but worth it. Suggestion #3: You can not go wrong ordering anything! So, yes, I've only been twice and no, I've hardly experienced everything on the menu, but what I have tried was awesome. Price to food ratio is dead on. And the food is oh, so, tasty. My only problem is I hate cilantro....and it's everywhere. But it's not their fault. I don't have the taste "receptors" or whatever and it sucks for me. I've eaten/drank the following: Guacamole - Made to order - Fresh avocado, cilantro, lime, onion, jalapeño, and tomato. Served with chips. Very fresh, very delicious. At $9 - a little pricey but the chips are perfectly fresh and salted. So good you can eat them plain. Clayuda - A giant Oaxacan tostada (about 14" round) topped with house made chorizo, romaine, onion, tomato, avocado sauce, cotija, crema & house costeño chile hot sauce. Ok, this is so far my FAVORITE! Other than the plate it came on took up half of the table. Be warned if you are with a big group. Though thinking back, I don't recall the avocado - but I obviously didn't miss it cause that thing didn't stand a chance. Al Pastor - Marinated Carlton Farms pork, pineapple, onion, cilantro tacos. Pork and pineapple - need I say more? Oh, and handmade tortillas (I'm a flour girl myself, but still very good) and rice & beans. LA FIONA (Extra spicy!) Habanero-infused tequila, passionfruit puree & agave nectar. Served up with a chipotle sugar rim. It's a sipper! POQUITOS MARGARITA - (on the sweet side) El Jimador Reposado & our house made sweet citrus margarita mix. Served on the rocks with a salted rim. A little on the sweet side - especially after the habanero one. POQUITOS PUNCH - Our alternative to the Spanish sangria. El Jimador Reposado tequila, red wine, port, brandy, grenadine & citrus juices. Served on the rocks. AWESOME! Service is good (especially if you sit/eat at the bar), the decor is awesome, jamming tunes and sometimes there a Mariachi band!
(4)Katy B.
I went here on a monday afternoon just before happy hour started. There was plenty of room to sit and the service was great. The food was very good as a vegetarian they have a couple of delicious choices to choice from, but I went with the Veggie Tortas it was very good. I will definitely be back but i hear its super busy evening so ill try and stick to afternoon lunches. They have negro modelo on tap. Oh and im a California girl and its hard to find good mexican food in Seattle but this stop is the best i think so far as far as mexican food goes.
(5)Nicole B.
I fricken love bloody Marys and fish tacos...not necessarily together, but on this fine day I ordered a virgin bloody (on my lunch break) and some fish tacos. First off, the bar tender (I sat at the bar) was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. He made one mean virgin bloody. There were all kinds of tequila on the shelf that I had never seen, but looked oh so tasty. The fish tacos? Mmmmm soooo good. And huge. I couldn't finish all three. I will eat here again for sure.
(4)Russell J.
I loved it! Had lunch today. 3 tacos at a good price. Marg's are strong and made with muddled lime if you want it without the mixer served in other places. Great decor.
(4)Julie H.
I really like Poquitos. They have some good little tacos that are basic and authentic, nothing fancy or gastro-mexican fusion rubbish. I had excellent service sitting in the bar and I do love the atmosphere, however I have not had a chance yet to sit in the "outside" area. I really like the Purist Margarita, it's a no-nonsense get down to business margarita. However, the Poquitos Margarita is wayhayhaaaay too sweet. It is unfortunately the only margarita on the HH menu, and I just can't stand to drink it. The salsas that they bring you before the meal also leave something to be desired.
(3)Rachel R.
there is some stiff competition for mexican food on cap hill these days. and good mexican food too. the bar is set high, poquitos, and you are not even close. seriously. barrio up the street has comparable prices but the quality of the food and drinks is waaaaaayyyy better. the margaritas at bimbos blow poquitos away. and not to mention the food is half the price. i will say though . . . the ambiance is nice. and the deck is nice. but really, not worth it for crap bland food. at the end of the day, i'd rather get a plate of tacos at rancho bravo and sit in the park than on the poquitos deck. in sum, this is my new least favorite mexican restaurant. don't waste your time and money here. why it was packed on a tuesday night, i do not know . . . maybe with people who have never tried barrio or bimbos? or any decent mexican food for that matter?
(2)Carri M.
Just walking by and decided to stop in around 4:00 due to large crowd and great smells coming from inside. We were disappointed that we could only order from happy hour menu, but food was great!! Yam tacos great surprise and all other food was excellent.
(4)Lisa L.
This was my birthday treat this year and I thought Poquitos was great. I had some type of pork carnitas sandwich, which was great, without the sauce. Sauce was too spicy and kind of unflavorful. Salsa and chips were good, I loved the green dipping sauce, the taste and texture were fabulous, and the salsa was good too. The drinks were decent, not overly sweet and they tasted of alcohol, which to me is a good thing. I will go back.
(4)ramiro t.
Average food and average drinks, not much to say.
(2)Josh H.
Since the below review was written I've been informed that the chips and salsa are freshly made everyday and worth the minimal cost. I'll be sure to try them next time. And I've also been told that families in the general dining area should, in fact, have access to the happy hour menu. I'll be trying that out as well. ----------------------------------------- Good stuff: We were asked to move to a different table to accommodate a larger party and got free drinks out of the exchange. Food was very tasty. Bad stuff: Charged for chips and salsa so we went without (gasp!). We have a child and sat on the non-bar side where, it turns out, you can't order off the happy hour menu for food or drinks.
(3)Sean V.
great customer service,,,,,,tks patrick the bartender spoton so me and kj are on the fence on where to have brunch .we right in this area so she suggested poquitos excellent choice i,ve pass by many of times jst peekin but never been,ok patrick friendly wth great recomendations on soup i think was a mex tort soup brought us chips and salsa red trad salsa and salsa verde that was delicious.i had ala carte side eggs scrmbled wth potatoes and advocadoes.luv the potatoes something new but was so good baked skin quartered with a nice tasty crust ,,vn restroom one of the nicest in caphill kudos only a few minors knks like at the bar the back the ice cooler is kinda noisy but dnt really notice so sit at the front of the bar yr best bet.kj had some tacos al pastor and salad both looked yums. to end on a positive note cant wait to go back for dinner this mex resty in caphill has set the bar high with fresh and creative dishes and colorful kudos to the boh and chef handsdown the best salsa verde in seattle
(5)James P.
The vibe is great at this place. The decor is very hip and I really like it. The bar in the back has fire pits which are super cool. Try one of the spicy drinks. I got the one that has habanero infused tequila, passion fruit juice, and chili/salt rim. Delicious! Can't go wrong with the food either.
(5)Jeff S.
I've been here many times for lunch and dinner and the place simply rocks. Great Guac, incredible scenery and the cocktails are good to awesome. Is there a better place to hang in Seattle in the summer than on that deck? I think not. To all involved, well done.
(5)Amy N.
Simply amazing tacos for a great price for HH!!! I came here on a Sunday afternoon with some friends after a basketball game and was shocked at the quality and HH prices! The margaritas were great, none of that sweet syrupy stuff. The chips and salsa were great on it's own! There were two types of salsa: chipotle and verde. Both were freshly made and refillable for free! As for the tacos, there were over 5 different types (al pastor, carnitas, pollo, yam, Carne asada etc) to chose from. Each plate was 7.50 for 3 tacos that were piled with quality meats! I love taco trucks but if you want something with a bit more quality, this is absolutely the place to be! Can't wait to come back!!!
(4)nathan d.
Killer salsa and Guacamole! Well crafted cocktails, and overall good service. I heard on KOMO that so far this year there have been only 32 hours of weather above 82 degrees in Seattle??? Well this is a good place to spend those 32 hours!
(5)Jamie H.
Not that great, reminds me of a step up from Barrio. Had the mushroom tacos and they were just too salty, would have been better if paired with a bit of cranberries or something else. Don't think I would go here again by preference.
(2)DS M.
I sat out on the patio and had a couple good Margarita's at this joint. Their tequila selection was impressive and it was the first place in a long time that I've been to that could offer mezcal (a wonderful sweet smoky liquor that scotch drinkers can really appreciate). I had the fish tacos (local catch of the day - rockfish maybe, hard to remember) and was happy. 4 out of 5 stars on that. And their sweet spicy salsa/sauce that you put on the taco was awesome. Bravo salsa chef. The patio was pleasant but it was crowded with trendy Capitol Hill types that must scream when they talk because it was hard to hear the person next to me. The only thing I wasn't happy with was the bill. The place is expensive. A couple drinks and a couple dinners between two people put us back $35-40 each.
(4)Dean H.
I was really looking forward to checking this place out. I was dissapointed though. For starters it's only a tequila bar, so only tequila drinks and beer. The "top shelf" margarita was good, not great, and $9.50. The Cadillac margarita for $7.50 tasted like a mix. :-( the guacamole was fresh and good, that's the good part. I had the chicken enchiladas and they were good but not great. My partner had the soft tacos and said they were good. The BFF had the vegitarian enchiladas and said "meh". All in all it was not "bad" but not great authentic Mexican food either. We all agreed that maybe we would have been better off just eating across the street at the Cha Cha lounge, which we went to afterwards for more drinks. The location for Poquitos is great on the hill, I will say that. This is a place I may go back to for a second chance. The waiter was good except for that 15 minute wait for the second margarita!
(2)Sacha P.
The outside patio bar is nice and the firepits are a great touch...but the food is awful!
(1)Brian P.
This place was the epitome of "So/So". The food wasn't great or horrible, drinks weren't great of horrible, ambiance wasn't great or horrible... I had the brisket tacos which were small and a little dry for my liking, especially considering the price you would think that it would be more besides meat, pita, and a little bit of garnish...really. The other thing that kind of annoyed me was that they have a really nice patio bar with a couple of personal fire pits which make for a nice ambiance, BUT THAT FREAKING MARIACHI BAND! They play so loud that you have to yell at the person next to you like you are at a rock concert... Like I said, was it horrible no, but would I go back...No.
(3)Jacob R.
I'm not a big fan of Mexican food but for a restaurant on a Thursday afternoon the service was quick and polite. The food arrived fresh and fast ad pricing was reasonable. What's not to like (if you like Mexican food)?
(5)Brianna C.
I always go straight to the bar, as the dining area is constantly slammed. I LOVE their traditionalist margarita and the jalapeno-pineapple drink. Their tortilla soup was light and flavorful, a huge bowl that leaves you feeling fulfilled and nourished. We had the churros (YES, that is melted cheese in the middle, NO it is not undercooked) and my only complaint is I wish they served them with chocolate dipping sauce. Their chips are fried in rice oil! So light and crispy. The guacamole is made to order. As are the tortillas. Our tacos al pastor left something to be desired, but were still devoured. All in all, I expect to move up to a five star rating once they open the patio (I think today may be the day) AND once they fine tune their menu a little bit. They just opened so they are most likely still working out the kinks, but for a new restaurant that opened big and hasn't slowed since the doors opened they are doing great. The atmosphere is SEXY. If I were rating on drinks and atmosphere alone: ten stars. It will go to eleven once the patio opens. Food definitely has potential to be five stars in the very near future. I'll update as I keep going back.
(4)Paul M.
I was thrilled when this placed opened and I love the back patio. I have been there about a dozen times now and have always left happy. That is until last night. I was there with friends and a waiter dropped a plate of food sending salsa all over my frend's legs and my bag. I'm not talking about a little bit O salsa but A LOT. The waiter looked right at us and walked away. We waited for a bit, convinced he would return with napkins or someting, but no. Not only did he not bring us anything to clean off the food he sprayed us with he didn't so much as apologize. When we asked the bartender for napkins he handed some over. He asked what we were cleaning off and I explained what had happened and he just went "oh." I asked for the check and after paying I called the bartender over to explain how displeased I was with my experience. He offered to buy us a round, which I declined. Bad service is an ENORMOUS pet peeve of mine and it saddens me that such an egregious lapse in service and basic manners will keep me from frequenting a place I had previously so enjoyed.
(2)Fiona J.
I have no idea where these people who wrote the bad reviews were-maybe they went before the kinks were ironed out. I have been 3 times now, and will definitely go back. Yes, the guacamole is on the expensive side, but have it at happy hour. The tamales weren't my favorite thing, but I have had several of the taco plates. The chicken (which is Mad Hatcher), the pork(which is Carleton Farms ) and the fish(which was rock fish). All delicious, but the chicken is my favorite. A warning, the fish tacos are fab, but battered and fried fish. I have had excellent service on all 3 occasions. I have to love a place that has a drink called La Fiona! It was good, the margaritas are good, and they have Negro Modelo on tap which makes my husband happy.Me, too!
(4)Melinda N.
I have to agree that this place was pretty overpriced. The food was good, but while I love yams in tacos it didn't necessarily feel worth it. It has an interesting feel, it sort of felt like a chain even though it doesn't seem to be one. Our waiter I *think* said the executive chef used to work at Señor Moose in Ballard - I'm pretty sure I prefer the Moose. On the plus side, the service was good and really nice.
(3)Heath R.
The more I frequent Poquitos, the more it has become one of my favorites spots on the Hill. The atmosphere is beautiful with great seats both indoors and on the patio, two bars (one inside and one out) and a great variety of table sizes and seating arrangements. I've gone for lunch, happy hour and dinner and have enjoyed them all. My most recent visit was one of the best with 2 very knowledgeable bartenders/servers who allowed us to sample tequilas (they have a great selection!) before ordering them and gave great recommendations on new menu items to try! My favorite items include the cevice and the tortas!
(5)Timothy B.
Wow those tacos were disappointing, I enjoyed the guac though. Otherwise, a great location with a sweet patio.
(2)Trux S.
Don't quite get the mixed reviews, but I'm not a local and have only been here twice. I thought the place was very pretty at night. The food was excellent. Much better than most Mexican food in the DC area. The salsas were fresh and delicious. The cocktails were absolutely excellent. I'd go back without hesitation.
(4)Neil C.
Atmosphere is great. Drinks ok. Menu is lacking. I have eaten there three times. Each time I left unsatisfied. Good place for social scene, not for food.
(2)SB K.
Finally, finally, finally a Cap Hill restaurant that serves crispy carnitas just the way we like it! OK so it's not as great as you would get in San Diego or So Cal dives, but c'mon for Seattle this is our favorite Mexican place! The ambiance is really great and although it does get super-packed around dinnertime (Fri and Sat), the fact that they added the covered outdoor patio really has helped out. My friend's hubby tried the chicken mole which was delicious but sooo rich that I can't imagine eating the entire dish. She herself got the carne asada which she loved but since I don't eat steak I didn't try it. The first time we went, I got the al pastor tacos which had the right amount of savory and sweet (w/the pineapple pieces) but after trying my hubby's carnitas I only get that dish because it's perfection. To start off, get the fresh-made guacamole which is divine, as is the fresh corn w/cotija cheese and lime--yum! Thank you Poquitos for opening near our place!! Oooh for those of you who like to have great drinks w/your dinner or appetizers, they have an incredible bar stocked w/lots of booze and awesome bottles of tequila!
(4)Liz P.
The concierge at our hotel recommended this place (and told us to steer clear of Barrio) with such enthusiasm that I was sure he was getting kick-backs from Poquitos. Fortunately, it worked out to be a good meal. My husband ordered the margarita special (with mottled orange), that was yummy and heavy on the booze. The grilled corn was perfect -- caramelized and a little spicy and sweet. I got the grilled rock fish tacos (and to a previous reviewer: that's a crust that naturally occurs when you sear fish) and they were fresh with clean, simple favors. On the flip side, my husband got the Ahogada Torta, which is basically a slow-cooked pork sandwich served in a spicy sauce. The flavors were rich and complex. The service was very friendly and efficient (maybe a tad overly "efficient;" the waiter kept trying to get our order the minute we sat down, and at about 2 minute intervals), and they were playing great music. The prices are a tiny bit high, and the chairs not very comfortable. But other than that, I'd recommend it.
(4)Rebekah H.
i went there for the second time last week with a girlfriend of mine. i got the Jala-pina margarita which is DELICIOUS, and VERY spicy... so if you like spice, go for it! We both ordered the rock fish tacos, my friend getting hers deep fried, and I ordered mine grilled. However, when the two orders of tacos came out, mine looked fried. They sure didn't look grilled... they had a weird crust on them, similar to what you would expect with something deep fried. But when compared with my friend's obviously deep fried fish, mine appeared just to have a bit less batter on them. Confused, both the bartender and I looked at the tacos (we were sitting a the bar) and then he took them back to the kitchen. He returned saying that the kitchen assured him they were grilled. But man, I totally disagree. If that was grilled fish... someone needs to go back to culinary school. Regardless, dinner was good. We also got the guacamole... which was decent. I just don't like when a restaurant makes you shell out $8 for a little portion of guac... give me a decent amount!! Overall, I love this place, the atmosphere, the people... the food is good enough. Hopefully they will step it up! Fingers crossed!
(4)Stephen W.
I went here and sat at the bar - the tender was AWESOME. She made great 'ritas and the Carnitas were totally awesome.
(4)Casey C.
It is okay. Horchata is a bit watery. The meat is a bit dry - and the dishes over-sauced. Vegetarian dishes are generally good. The servers are great - wish the food kept pace with the atmosphere and service.
(2)cynthia s.
Great dining experience tonight. Good food, nice decor and more importantly good service which is seriously lacking in Seattle. Def going back
(5)Giovanni D.
Well this was a very nice surprise. This place is pretty much brand new and I went there with a friend for his birthday party. Upon entering the staff is super friendly and genuine. I had a beff torta with oxaca cheese that was stupendous. Their drink creations were quite good as well, infused tequila (vanilla bean and habanero) deeeeelish! I will come back as soon as possible because the enviornment was great, place was packed and no creepy hobos to deal with. Definitely will return. Thanks
(5)Amy A.
It comes down to the difference between good and great. Poquitos is great location, great service. Food is good. Salsa could be spicier. Chorizo Queso Fundido is delicious. Steak tacos were ok. The Chile Relleno brings me back. Churros are good. The churro sauce is life changing. It is a new place, with great ambiance, and promising menu changes. I have been there 3 times, and it keeps improving. So hold on, I think it's going to be great anytime now.
(3)norman g.
Great margaritas and even better atmosphere! This place is a ton of fun on a Saturday morning or a weekday evening. It's gets crowded on Friday nights do if you need a seat get there early. Fantastic service. I think I've tried all of the margaritas and have yet to find anywhere else that does a habanero or vanilla-infused margarita even half as good. It's a can't miss place in Seattle even if it's just a quick drink and bite to eat before you hit the plane.
(5)Alicia K.
Our server, Anthony, was one of the best I've ever had! His service went above and beyond and he was happy to accommodate our every request. We were in a large group and the service was still flawless!
(5)Maggie M.
Don't be fooled by the bad reviews, this place is great food and service. Very creative menu and a friendly atmosphere. Try the beet salad or the yam tacos, also heard the margaritas are great although I didn't try one.
(5)T G.
I won't be suprised if this place doesn't last! The service was okay,the food are you kidding!? The rice and beans alacarte? SHAME on you guys!! What a tablespoon"s worth!! The tamale a dry corncake and the sauce dry and a1/4 of a tsp worth!! If you served delicious food,reasonable prices,real world portions you may make it.I'll just stick to the Saint better service and food,prices check it out folks,because poquitos is another trying to be different and not sticking with what makes mexican food great in the first place!
(1)Cute Couple Critiques H.
We had high hopes because the hill really needed a good Mexican place. The decor is excellent, our server was very friendly and made dinner fun, and the guacamole/salsa was great. The food was quite good ---- but everything was really really spicy. If you don't like spicy food then you won't really enjoy it here. The prices seemed a little on the high side, too. Notice how there are lots of reviews on here about the yam tacos? That is because they are one of the cheapest entrees on the menu ($10). I had them too and they were pretty darn spicy, but otherwise good.
(3)Wenzilla R.
Should be called Slow-quito's. Service is really slow, but drinks were decent and the outdoor seating is nice on a summer day.
(3)Brett Y.
Good margaritas, good quesadillas, pretty good service, nice decor. Not much to complain about!
(4)Jayson C.
My partner and I decided to take our good friends out for their birthday dinner, and we picked Poquitos! The waitress started the night off by saying that one of owners' parents have a cranberry bog in Longbeach WA and the restaurant is having a cranberry margarita special. The margarita's were AMAZING and we instantly fell in the love with the restaurant. The food was very good, and the atmosphere was so fun. It was very busy, and we sat in the back bar area which is very fun. Greeted by one of the familiar and very friendly owners. Cannot wait to go back!
(5)Gordon N.
Decent brisket tacos, love the deep-fried jalapeños; inexpensive; lively & packed
(3)Nancy L.
decor + ambiance is great. :) staff was laidback but friendly, mushroom taco savory and their white sangria a perfect way to end your work week. :)
(4)Audrey M.
After receiving the owner comments on my post, I thought I would go back and give Poquitos another try. I really did appreciate their thoughtful response. The second time was so much better than my first experience, I'm glad I went back. I did not order the ceviche this time because I was with a vegetarian friend and didn't want the whole thing for myself, but when I go back again I will definitely get it and let you all know how it is. Dinner and the service was great. The server was very helpful as my friend and I both wanted fancy drinks that were non alcoholic (we both had our babies with us and were breastfeeding) and he had the bartender make us something that looked like a margarita with the salt rim and everything. The guacamole was amazing. It was a bit pricy, but we had heard good things about it so we splurged. It was so worth it. Dare I say, it might have been the best guacamole I have ever had. My friend got the yam tacos and I got the baja fish tacos. Both were excellent and the sides were delicious as well. They have good sized portions when you consider the beans and rice. We did not get dessert this time around, since our babies decided they were done with being quiet in a restaurant and we had to high tail it outta there. I'll give a shout out to the great service again though, both the waiter and the person who was refilling glasses stepped in to help us box up our meals and gave us nothing but smiles while our babies cried. They even gave us to-go glasses for our virgin margaritas. I will most definitely return, and hope that I get to sooner than later.
(4)Pat C.
Why do decent places go downhill? Went back for fourth time yesterday, for happy hour. Drinks were decent, however, it took 20 minutes to get the beer. Ceviche tostada was the worst of all items ordered. Fish(?) was so overly marinated that it was a crumbly,mealy mess. Fortunately they used very little and it was mostly the cabbage slaw. Worth $5 each...hardly. El pastor tacos were OK, but portions are much smaller now. Guac was totally sub-par. We were in "outdoor patio" and the dead vermin found by the next table was a special feature to the entertainment. The girls were up on their seats and the waitstaff and barstaff came with brooms and dust pan.We all watched as the girls squealed and they carried the specimen ,held high, out the back door and deposited in the back parking lot. I quickly checked under our feet, to see if we also won a prize. Board of health should do a quick check of the place. No offers of comps either, in case you were wondering. So long Poquitos.
(1)Steven S.
I have been here three times for dinner and the food lacks flavor except for the goat dish that tastes like it was soaked in perfume. This place really surprised me because I am a huge fan of Bastille in Ballard. No thank you, Poquitos...never coming here again!
(1)Jack J.
Loud, trendy Mexican concept place serving what is supposed to be upscale, "authentic" Mexican food. Most of the creativity was spent on the build-out, not on the menu. Everything I had from the guacamole to the tacos were basic and yet somehow poorly executed. I did like the El Dude cocktail, though. It amazes me how many people go here just because it's close to where they live, or simply because everybody goes there. Rather hit up Little Water Cantina in Eastlake where there are some really creative "new" Mexican things happening.
(1)Erica B.
This was the worst dining experience I have ever had! The food was horrible, I am pretty sure there was BBQ sauce on my enchiladas, our waitress Megan was to busy talking with her friends at the bar to come check on us at all while we waited over 30 minutes for our food. We saw our waitress once when we sat down. After we ordered she came back one time 25 minutes later just to say our food was next. We saw countless other servers giving patrons chips and salsa and not once did Megan offer anything to us or come back to ask if we would like drinks or apologize for the wait. We sat with our empty water bottle on the table until our food arrived. We asked for the check at that moment. Megan took our card to ring up the tab, brought back the receipt and that was it. We ate a few bites of our food and both my boyfriend and myself thought it tasted horrible and we left. A few minutes later we both got sick from the food. We will NEVER be going back and when we spoke with a few friends that night they had the same opinion. We will make sure to warn others who might want to venture there to stay clear.
(1)Kate C.
Absolutely horrible. It started off OK as Daniel our waiter seemed attentive.....at first. When our food came, my husbands enchilada's tasted like what I'm sure dog food tastes like. I ordered some tacos that were supposed to have pork, pineapple, onion & cojita cheese in them. What I got was missing all but the pork. I can handle a little spice, but one bite of these and my lips were burning not to mention my body temperature rising. When the waiter came back I let him know they were missing 2 main ingredients and were spicy. He argued with me that they weren't spicy. I kind of let it go and patted my belly letting him know that I'm 8 months pregnant and spice just isn't something I can handle. I literally took 1 bite of my entire meal. He asked me if he could box it up for me and i politely explained that the food was missing nearly all main ingreidents and it was indeed spicy. I simply let him know I couldn't eat it. He gave me what I guess was an apology and an eyeroll. Then when our bill came, he didn't take my food off! Then when I explained to him it was my understanding my entree would be taken off he said he had to talk to a manager. I told him I'd love to talk to a manager. After waiting 10 minutes he finally comes over and proceedes to tell me that my food was not spicy and apparently I do not know what a pineapple looks like. Then he complained about not liking his job! I can't say I've ever had such a bad experience in a restaurant before. Please do not eat here. Go to Cactus down in Madison Valley if you want good service & food. I had heard that this restaurant was the same people that own Bastille....apparently not because Bastille has good food & service.
(1)Pat V.
I went for dinner. I have to say the uncorking fee is high, $15.00. And I would like to see more vegetarian items on the menu, there were only a couple. But beyond that I was very impressed. The best green salsa I've ever had. The flavors are layered and develop over the course of the mouthful.
(4)Stephanie E.
Yum! I came here shortly after it opened and woah, it was packed. It was SO loud in there, but it wasn't annoying, it just gave it a really lively atmosphere. The food was delicious, and the drinks too. Being that the main topic of conversation whenever Poquito's had come up is the guacamole, I had to try it. I know that avocados are expensive, but $9 for guacamole? That's the same price as an entree! Of course it was spectacular, but the price freaked me out just a little bit. The entrees, on the other hand, I thought were reasonably priced. i had the brisket tacos, which were juicy and super tasty. It's nice too that they have plenty of vegetarian options like yam tacos, and mushroom tacos. Service was great, and though I am not a tequila person, I was really impressed by the sheer number of Tequila options on their menu. Great great Mexican food in general, not just good for Seattle. Oh, and popsicles for dessert! So cool!!
(4)matt b.
As overpriced a place as I've ever been. We ordered Guacamole ($9) and Salsa ($3 more) which came with a tiny bowl of chips. The guac was less than a full avocado's worth, and while tasty, just not even close to worth $9. No chips/salsa refills. My three tacos ($9) were two bites each and not that flavorful. If you do have to eat here, get a Torta ($9) which is delicious and might be a good lunch portion. Margaritas are very good. Our server was friendly. Overall, just spent a ton of money and had very, very little to eat and drink.
(2)Sue N.
I'm really torn. Love. the. beans. and. rice. OMG, so good. I don't know what kind of narcotic they are putting in that bowl, but I could eat a bucket of that stuff. Margaritas consistently good, yam tacos are flavorful, and you get a tiny container of super-hot sauce that the wait staff has to warn you about (heed their warning). Here's where the "I'm torn" piece comes in...went a few nights ago, and the service was what I'd call, well, kinda bad. There were several tables open, but it took our waitress about 15 minutes to come to our table. She wasn't rude, just seemed kinda stoned and disinterested. We ordered an appetizer, and not only did they bring it right after our entrees came out, but they brought us the wrong thing. Boo. I found myself wishing we had just gone to Bimbo's, which would have been tasty and a lot cheaper. I'll want to come back and try again, but I think I'll wait a while.
(3)Kathleen B.
Loved it. Great food, had the brisket tacos. Well seasoned beef, tasty black beans cooked from scratch. One of four owners served us. His Passion about the business shows. Love the decor. Upscale hacienda look. Bring your friends. Sit on the terrace which is covered a plus in Seattle.
(5)Annie B.
Came here after Havana on a Saturday night and it was still packed. Got in right in time w/friends to order some food before the kitchen closed. Got tons of various tacos and chips/salsa. I only munch on chips/salsa and it was great w/their sauces. I like the inside and their patio outside w/their lighting is very quaint. Good food, great crowd; cant beat that.
(4)Elliot B.
Went here a few days ago and have been determined ever since to write my first review on yelp. About 10 minutes after we sat down our server lumbered over as he did about the whole restaurant. Not a very urgent vibe with this one. We had to buy chips & salsa (yes, at a mexican restaurant) and the salsa was not flavorful. Neither was the entire meal for that matter. Bland blandness left me questioning the cooks' senses of taste. Proof of how much architecture and ambiance do for the popularity of some of these places.
(1)Dima S.
I have been several times now. Every time, the food was amazing, unique, and so fresh I could taste the ingredients popping out! I can't wait to try more of their menu! The wait staff was awesome and friendly. It's really worth it to give this place a try!
(5)Ninihada C.
Not a fan. Waited an hour and a half for the dining experience and not worth it. Its pricey. The guac needed lots of salt. The tacos al pastor were lacking in flavor and the meat was mostly fat. the rice was too sticky and bland. Overall, not impressed and won't go back.
(2)Thomas H.
Absolutely will be back again and again! The fresh Gaucamole was insanely good as was everything else. The service was spot on and all 4 people in our group loved their meals.
(5)Monique M.
I would give this place a 1/2 star if I could and that is only because the margaritas were good. We started out with water that the waitress brought over in a fancy bottle, dont be fooled its tap water, which was warm. no ice or anything. I had the chipotle prawns which were alright but you get about 20 of them and 3 tiny little corn tortillas along with your rice and beans... totally not enough tortillas... There were people who sat next to us that arrived and ordered after us but yet got their food before us. Everyone had chips and salsa and our waitress never offered us any. My friends tamale was cold and small and she thought she ordered the meal but all she got was a tamale. The waitress was like she didnt want to be there and never really came back to check on us. Like I said the only thing that was good was the margarita, it was their house margarita, we would have stayed if even the service was better.
(1)Mar B.
Perfect for group. Its very loud inside so dont try to have some kind of serious convo. Its a fun place and good food!
(4)Stephanie B.
It's amazing to find a restaurant in Capitol Hill where the waitstaff are not trying to spend their time perpetuating the non-friendly hipster persona that you find in so many other places. Our waitress was fantastic. The guacamole was so good as were the fish tacos. I loved the atmosphere, patio, and poquitos punch. We will definitely be back!!
(4)Matt B.
Was very excited to try this new place. The decor is beautiful, but that is the only good thing going for it. Very disappointing! The food is over-priced and bland, service is marginal at best and unfriendly. There are plenty of much better options in the neighborhood including Rancho Bravo which is a block away and Bimbos right across the street. No good reason to go here unfortunately.
(1)Jennifer K.
While the food was really tasty, I think it is really lame to have to pay for the chips and salsa. I asked the server about it and he mentioned they charge because it is "top of the line" and really worth the $2.95. I disagree. I have had much better free salsa at Cactus in Madison Park. Additionally, both the house and "purist" margaritas are lacking in flavor and any resemblance to any margarita I have ever had and I am from Texas. The next time I want Mexican, I will skip Poquitos.
(2)Lance T.
Been wanting to go there since they opened but I didn't want to wait the 1.5-2 hours for dinner. Arrived around 4pm for their Happy Hour, on Friday the 15th. Sat at the bar with a friend. We were pretty much ignored for close to 10 minutes while the bartender(s) walked by us continuously....not once making eye contact. We had to flag one down. The guy was nice...but didn't really care if we were there or not. Ordered a margarita, sorta lackluster. My friend had Iced Tea. We had to ask for sugar, lime/lemon. Our order was taken and when it arrived...it was wrong. Ordered the chicken tacos (he ordered brisket) and we were brought the wrong dish (el pastor) instead. Easy fix. Got the food but had no silverware or napkins. Had to find them and get them ourselves since the bartender(s) were daydreaming about...the money they would make by doing nothing since it's a new place. Had to get more limes ourselves....that lack of service thing. The bartender asked us how things were. I informed him that we were basically serving ourselves so they were great. He looked shocked. No biggie. He started paying attention to us again. But ignored the couple to our left who had just arrived! Wow. Really? Guess he didn't learn. Left him a 10% tip (out of courtesy....I'M IN THE SAME INDUSTRY) which I NEVER do. So...the food was decent, would have been better with more attentive but unobtrusive service. I live 5 blocks away so I'll give it one more try, but if the service is better, great. If not, that's it...no more chances.
(2)Sea T.
So, attractive if noisy space, interesting cocktails (esp. the cilantro-coriander flavored tequila with lime), prompt and friendly service, OK food for the most part. The fresh tortillas and totopos were a highlight - nicely toasted and salted. The guacamole ("made to order" per the menu, but more likely just made daily) was quite good, but pricey at $9 for a modest serving. And, that plastic molcajete is a bit trashy. The beet-arugula salad with pepitas and queso fresco was outstanding, and an ample portion. My goat braised in guajillo-tomato-onion was indeed tasty, even if not as good as others have made it elsewhere. There were five of us, so got to taste a lot of things. The quesadilla with squash blossoms and queso de Oaxaca was rich and satisfying. Ditto the jicama-orange-cucumber salad. Chiles rellenos de queso and chicken mole enchiladas were reportedly also good. The "ceviche" looked like cole slaw and tasted similarly - what happened to raw seafood with citrus? All in all, we had enough to eat and nothing was horrible except the ceviche. But nothing was really wonderful, either (OK, maybe the totopos). The noise level was intense, and the place was only half full - what is it with Seattle places in recent years that are all hard surfaces and high decibels? Did it remind me of Mexico? A little, maybe. Will I go back? Probably not, cause I go to restaurants for the food, and this seems like it's more about the scene. Too bad - the menu is more exciting than its execution.
(2)Travis M.
Yay. Another overpriced Mexican spot on Capitol Hill. To start with, they charge you for chips & salsa. Awesome. The salsa portions are small, & the chips don't even come out warm. Warm chips are pretty standard at most 'Mexican' restaurants & it makes a huge difference when they come out room temp. The different tacos are, for the most part, lackluster & small. If someone working in a 20 square foot kitchen in the back of a bus can make an amazing taco & sell it for less than $2, I don't see why all these 'nice' Mexican spots have so much trouble coming up with decent food. But somehow they keep expecting people to come back & pay more for food that isn't as good. As I've said in other reviews, there are way too many amazing taco trucks in the area to justify this. Unfortunately most of them are closed by 9pm or so. The location & late hours are about the only thing this place has going for it. The space & decor are cool too & the patio is great in the summer time but it doesn't make up for the bland food. This is a restaurant, I come here to eat. If I want to look at pretty stuff I'll go to an art gallery.
(2)Glenn F.
The space is new and inviting. We had the Carne Asada, fish tacos, sweet corn appetizer, shrimp ceviche, chips and salsa. Carne Asada was good but unevenly cooked in spots. Fish tacos were okay but I would prefer them not to be battered up. The slaw with the fish tacos was really good and the tortillas were also tasty. Skip the corn appetizer because it sounded better than it tasted. The ceviche left something to desire. The chips and salsa were abundant and good. I also had a Poquito margarita and it was delicious and had good alcohol content. The kitchen staff and wait staff were working their tails off the night we were there and it was before 6pm. I hope this place irons out some of the wrinkles that goes with a new restaurant because it has potential. I would recommend this place for chips and salsa + margarita with friends but not so much for a family with children as there is no kids menu for the less adventurous kid palate. Luckily our kid tries anything and enjoyed the chips!
(3)Amanda R.
Completely impressed with this place. My brother lives in downtown Seattle and it was his idea to go here when he was able to sneak out of work. We ordered immediately upon siting down. All I had to know was that they had mole sauce. The items we got. Guac of course, the watermelon salad, the fish tacos and mole chicken enchiladas. A few drinks as well. I can honestly say everything was delicious and I hope to come back next time we're in town.
(5)Claire S.
Even for Happy Hour prices, how can a 3/4 cup of guacamole cost $5?! That's what really grinds my gears. This place has decent margaritas and salsas, but some menu items seem super-overpriced, and service is lax to the point of being a bit forgetful. I don't know if the prices are worth it, even during HH, unfortunately.
(2)Tom B.
This is a lunchtime review, and doesn't really have anything to do with coming in here for drinks late night. I can't comment on the margaritas or the atmosphere at that point, but it sounds like the evenings are always packed, even though this isn't really the kind of place you plan to go hang out at--it's the kind of place you end up when the evening takes you there. Anyway, this is about the lunch. The lunch is fine, and the prices are reasonable. When you originally make plans to go somewhere else that turns out not to be serving lunch, it will do in a pinch. That's kinda what happened here...so, even in daylight hours, it's not a place you plan to visit, it's a place you end up. The joint was pretty much empty at straight-up noon, so you know they're not known for their lunch. It's humongous, too, and definitely open, definitely staffed. In fact, the only other table occupied seemed to be employees coming in on their days off. The place is elaborately decorated without a doubt. Thousands upon thousands of subway tiles and mosaic tiles and earthenware tiles and who knows what other kinds of tiles pile up in every direction. The chandeliers look like gigantic wrought-iron street lights--and I do mean gigantic; they're the size of garbage cans, if not recycling bins. One good earthquake and each of them will decapitate two tables' worth of patrons. All of these places (the Scottish one, German one, etc) are all decorated within an inch of their lives. This one has lots of open space, and two huge walls of full-height windows. Even on a relatively cloudy day, it almost makes you feel like you're sitting outside. There's a huge bar, and then there's a huge dining room, and they're packed with booths and tables, and you know there's no room to move in here on weekend nights. That's alright; the drinks are probably really good. The food is just OK, though. I had the huarache, which, wittily enough, is a sandal-sized, sandal-shaped tortilla covered with grilled onions and skirt steak, with cilantro and some salsa. It was seasoned fairly well, not too awfully salty. I still added a ton of hot sauce, but that's me, not the food. They put a few gradients of hot sauce on the table in squeeze bottles. My friend had tacos, which she didn't finish, and soup, which she really barely started. We didn't go into detail about what she didn't like, but I kinda felt bad, since I picked the lunch spot (and be default picked this one as a Plan B). And we were mostly talking about her job hunt, so, in fairness to the kitchen, it might not have been the food that killed her appetite. The service was pretty spotty. We had to flag him down for almost everything. The booths are so high here, and the place was so empty, that it's maybe no surprise--he couldn't really see us, and by rights he was more focused on sidework. But we had to wave to get water, refills, place orders, get the check, etc., and lunch took us an hour and a half as a result. We filled that whole time chatting, and the prices were fair, and clearly this place isn't focused on lunch, but, sheesh.
(2)Alice A.
Great food. Great happy hour prices. Sat at the bar thinking service would be speedy, but the bartenders essentially ignored me despite the fact that the bar and restaurant were not at all full.
(4)SweenZalert S.
Beef cheeks, chop salad, chipotle prawns, fish tacos, la Fiona, jalapina- are some of my favorites just to name a few. Cozy atmosphere.
(5)Elizabeth C.
I don't usually leave Yelp reviews because usually I have a pretty good experience everywhere I go. If I could give no stars I would and here's why: 8/29/2015 - 10pm Issue #1: My party of 10 came in for dinner and some drinks after working at the convention center for 3 days. We put our names down and waited patiently at the front. Two of our party members wanted to check out the seating area to see if they could even accommodate our large group. As they were quickly looking, one of the waiters (his name was Dan) quickly stopped them and rudely assumed that we were going to sit down at the spot. My friend told him nicely that we weren't going to sit down, that we only wanted to see if it was worth our time to wait since we had a large group. He continued to rudely tell him to leave and not listenu to what he was saying. Issue #2: We got the hint after the first experience, so we decided to go to their bar to hang out and wait for our seat. The moment me and two of my friends sat down, the bartender threw a menu at us and proceeded to tell us that the bar is for paying patrons only. At that point, another friend of ours approached the bar and asked what that was all about. Bartender responded with "We don't care for convention people." My friend told him that if this were L.A (where most of us are from), that this terrible customer service wouldn't be acceptable. And he responded with "this is Seattle, go back to L.A." Issue #3: We finally got a table ad sat down. Unfortunately it was in waiter Dan's area. From the moment we sat down, the tension was extremely high and I've never seen a waiter fake so hard to be nice to us. He poured is water and we would say thank you but got no response, only grunts from him. His forced smile was almost too much to handle and he would try to nicely speak to us through grit teeth. The kicker was when he was openly talking about us to his waiter, thinking we weren't listening, flailing his arm and looming visibly frustrated. As they turned around and looked at us, I waved them over to signal the manager. She came over and asked us if we needed any help and I told her there's some weird tension between my group and her staff. I explained to her that all were trying to do is have a nice night after a long couple days of convention work and that we're not here to cause trouble. She offered to switch our waiter and agreed that was the best decision to do. She gave us the first rounds of drink for free which we all appreciated. Our next waiter was fantastic and I wish I got his name. We left him a nice tip, something waiter Dan could have received if he understood how customer service worked. The rest of the night was fine but there was still some tension between our group and a few of the wait staff. I'm not sure what "We don't care for convention people" means, but in California where were all from, we have be understanding that everyone is cool as long as your not a dick back. Unfortunately, some of the staff at this restaurant gives Seattle people a bad name.
(1)ryan l.
This place is way over price!!! Across the street have happy hr from 4-8 I went there by myself n spent almost 40 dollars n came out hungry. Do not recommend
(1)Lee A.
I'm giving three stars mostly for the location and the ambiance. This is a great place to meet up with some friends. As other reviews said it's not the best food (or service). Come eat some nachos and hopefully you will make it during happy hour so you don't have to spend $10 on a drink. I thought the service was slow and non-attentive. It was a busy evening and we were a large group but it seems like that is probably standard there on a Saturday evening so they should be a little more prepared. We had to go to out server each time we wanted something (to order food, to get napkins and utensils, to ask for the bill) she never checked on us. Plates were not cleared. We asked for things that never came. We ordered nachos and salsa. It comes with three kinds of salsa. The green salsa is the best. Someone at our table ordered guacamole which was great. It tasted very fresh and mostly like avocado. Some guacamole makes me feel sick looking at it. This stuff was fantastic. We also ordered grilled chicken tacos. You get three and beans and rice for $12. The tacos did not taste authentic at all or even that good. I would definitely only come back during happy hour. Be careful about parking on the street because after 8pm for the month of August because apparently the streets are closed.
(3)Amanda M.
Nice little restaurant in Capital Hill. Good tacos and margs! Usually Mexican rice at restaurants is just a filler and mediocre at best, but this rice was delish! The habanero hot sauce they make in house is tasty as well!
(4)Alyssa J.
Tasty oasis in the festival scene madness. Sure, it was on the company's dime, so I didn't blink when I saw they charged $8.50 for chips and salsa (which are delicious btw), and i ordered a house margarita and the taco trio plate, which came with al pastor, chicken, and carnitas (i think?). Service was really quick despite them being so busy (we went during Capitol Hill block Party), and everything was sooo tasty! Idk if I was really that hungry, but everything disappeared quick! My favorite taco was the carnitas (surprise!), and the margie was easy to suck down. It gets a little dude bro crowded, but if you're hungry enough you won't care.
(4)Rosey N.
My friend ordered their horchata alcoholic beverage, she didn't like it at all. So I drank the entire thing. I don't think my taste buds were working that time from all the bar hopping we did prior to this place. This place was nothing special. Also, there was a bar behind the wall that was still open. The girl walked up to us and asked if we wanted to order something but we already did at the one next door (closest to the main entrance) and then she politely just said "oh because this bar is open too". There was literally no one on her side, I didn't know whether or not to feel bad for her???
(3)Margaret T.
Very good service but the food was meh. We dropped by Poquitos before a show across the street at Barboza and waited an hour. At least they text you when your table is ready so you can walk around Capital Hill. Anyway, my hubs got the taco platter and I got the carnitas. Nothing overly special about the meal.
(3)Steve K.
My group of ten came to the restaurant last night for dinner. It was difficult to seat all ten of us in one spot so we had to wait. Waiting wasn't the issue. It was when Dan the waiter was very rude to us. My friend and I were simply looking at one area to see if it would be suitable for seating when he sniped that we couldn't sit there. We weren't trying to seat ourselves, we were merely looking. My friend told him that and Dan continued to treat us like we were annoying kids and practically scolded us. He could've said his piece nicely but instead was very offensive. We finally sat down and got our food and drinks. Luckily the blonde hostess was nice and another waiter (dark hair don't know his name) did a good job thereafter. Food was okay. 3.5 stars. Not overly impressive. Wooden chairs were very uncomfortable but my back was sore that night so maybe that was it. I would've gave this place a better review but the initial confrontation brought it down. That dude just needs to chill and learn to talk nice. Doesn't matter how stressed you are, you can lose a lot of customers that way. I'm sure he was probably having a bad night. But as a business owner I have to share this experience. Hopefully they all learn and get better. We came there representing a big tech firm and could've brought a lot more biz there. Always remember, customer service is #1. Update: Apparently the male bartender was very rude as well. Mentioned how the restaurant didn't care for the "convention crowd" and said that the restaurant owners didn't need our business because they own 12 other restaurants. Wow. Also said we should go back to LA. Which is funny since half of us aren't from LA. Also the other guests posted reviews but apparently only mine is showing. I'm speaking on behalf of ten people that are exhibitors at PAX. To the owners: I would Q&A your quality of customer service. Just because you're busy now doesn't mean you'll sustain it without trying. We were a nice group of people that wanted to spend money and have fun. This kinda ruined the evening for us. Last note: Your blonde female manager was nice. We almost left before she came in to save the day.
(2)Oliver D.
Really good service. Great drinks and excellent atmosphere - we had some food, pretty good. Great location and lots of space inside. Great spot to finish up the night.
(4)Kim V.
Yummm I am writing this review solely on the fact that both times I have been here I've ordered the same exact thing and both times it was killer! The shrimp and grits is totally bomb and though it seems rather pricey ($16) it's worth it. Unlike most places that serve seafood and skimp on the amount, this place loaded their dish with 9 or 10 very large, succulent, well cooked shrimp. The wait staff is very nice, their guac tastes fresh, totally a great place. The only thing I wish was different is they don't serve ice water (it's usually warm to room temperature) and their service can be a bit slow, but I will 100% be back.
(4)Kevin M.
Good food. Doesn't have the Spanish or Mexican feel. Small portions but flavor is on point. The chicken is very tasty although it came with potato wedges which was kind of confusing. The restaurant has a new approach to the food and it's a good one. A little loud for the area and reminds you of a sports bar. Overall it's good. Coming back? Yes. Not a fav but a definite in the list.
(4)Eric T.
I work here.
(5)Brian L.
Still not entirely sold on this place. The food isn't bad, but it isn't crazy good either. I think the one liner review of this place would be to come for the margaritas and small bites, but not for the meals. The food is about as Mexican as Seattle can get (sorry, I'm going to be a snob and say that Seattle can't seem to get Mexican food anywhere near as good as it should be), but their guac is actually pretty decent and compliments their margaritas nicely. Last time I was here we ended up getting three each without realizing it had been a while (for me at least) since I'd drank that much. I left my sunglasses there, darn it all. Some of their other small bites are okay and apropos to compliment the drinks. I would not elect to come here for a meal, as I think the food is generally pretty average. But the patio area is nice to have few with friends. Typical Capitol Hill people there. If they added a piñata that hung from the ceiling with tacos inside.. this place would get an extra star. Alas.
(3)christina r.
The food is very good. Great selection of vegetarian and meat options, and great drink selection. The guacamole is delicious, although the $9 "full" size is probably only about a cup and a half, which I thought wasn't very much. I am knocking an entire star off because they charge for salsa. The waiter/waitress comes to the table and asks if they should start you with chips and salsa- and you say yes! Because it's a Mexican restaurant. Later you see that the lame "salsa trio" is $8.50 or something... Their margarita is my favorite in the city. The space is loud and bustling and an overall fun atmosphere!
(3)Chris P.
Food: fair-to-good Service: fair Ambience: typical Capital Hill scene Poquito's had been on my radar a while now. I recently had the opportunity to give them a try in hope of adding another frequent spot to my Capital Hill list. The service was pretty "meh". No one really smiled, was engaging, or all that friendly, and that's a big thing as the "face of the restaurant". It wasn't busy enough for the excuse of not having the time to make us feel welcome. Something that bugged me occurred when I ordered a beer, which sat at the bar while either the waitress was talking with co-workers for an extended time, or the tray of other drinks to go out was full so they could knock off all orders at once. The food was alright. Typical "Tex-Mex". I don't say that to be rude. Just how it was. The guacamole was decent. Ceviche was a little flat tasting, the mole fries a little bland, etc. Just a personal preference: showcase more local brews. We are in a beer Mecca. Let's show it off. Maybe next time will knock my socks off.
(3)Dennis D.
Holy TASTY! Spicy sauce and tasty food. I need to go back because the menu had too many tasty things to choose from! Had to sit at the bar when I visited, because they had closed down the rest of the restaurant. At least they were still willing to serve the late night crowd, if even in the limited fashion!
(4)Gentle V.
Muy bien! As you can tell, my Spanish is extremely limited (Hola, anyone?), but I can recognize decent eats when I see it. Overall, I give Poquitos a 3.5 star rating. I'm bumping the rating to 4 stars because this place has fried grasshoppers. Fried GRASSHOPPERS! I've been wanting to try this place out for a while, and I like eating something I've never tried before. Located between 10th and Pike in Capitol Hill,Poquitos has a cool vibe and hip atmosphere. The bar area looks as if Phantom of the Opera collided with a little Mexican eatery. --Braised beef tacos ($13): One of my favorites of the night! Tender, flavorful shredded beef. However, the rice and beans on the side were a little salty. --Ceviche ($12): Pretty good fish ceviche with strong lemony flavors. --Fried Grasshoppers ($3): Tiny, but inexpensive bowl of crispy grasshoppers to share. The chili-lime salt seemed to make the grasshoppers a little too sour, but definitely an "A" for effort. Overall, worth a try if you feel brave enough! --Jala-pina (jalepeno margarita) ($9): I had a few sips, and this cocktail was delicious with a nice peppery kick. --Churro ($5): Hot, crunchy fried goodness dusted with sugar. Included was a caramel dipping sauce. NOM NOM - Enough said... Overall, I liked Poquitos and would come back to try out their happy hour!
(4)Mario K.
Oops! My mistake! You're absolutely correct, this was not the restaurant I agree at that night. I apologize for any inconvenience. I wish I could find the restaurant that actually messed up the order now!
(5)Lisa R.
I had a great brunch here on the weekend. It was delicious, and great service with a big, open and cool, airy room on a hot day. I've been here several times, at different hours and it's consistently good. Great booth type seating in the bar area too.
(4)Ann W.
I can't think of a single thing that I dislike at Poquitos. It is such a great place to chill with good food and drinks! Not to mention the weekday happy hour from 11-6! I have always had great service too! They never have a problem with splitting the check or accommodating any other first world requests. People say the food at Poquitos is not authentic, but I honestly don't care or expect that here. All I know is, I love their tacos al pastor--juicy and marinated roasted pork with pickled onions, and pineapple... 2 for $5 during lunch time. I always get chips and guac... so fresh and creamy. As for drinks, my favorites are La Diabla (think of it as a strawberry Moscow Mule) and La Fiona (habanero tequila with passionfruit puree....sssspicy!). I also love to sit by the fire pits on the patio, especially during this time of the year. Such a nice spot to hangout with friends. I never say no to Poquitos. I love love love it.
(5)Ben S.
Poquitos happy hour was pretty great! We got lots of the small plates and enjoyed all of them. The brisket tacos, mini sopes, chips and salsa, quesedillas and mole fries were all excellent. Their margaritas were fine as well. Next time I would try their house beer...but I don't think I will be brave enough to try the grasshoppers.
(4)Tawni M.
Delicious brunch! Recommend the Chilaquiles with Chorizo...high on flavor & texture. Also recommend the Habenero Bloody Maria....amazing!
(5)Ann V.
We keep coming back to Poquito's for the servers. Having been here multiple times over the past several months, we've had a variety of servers, and they are truly the reason we keep coming back. Whomever is training the waitstaff here needs to be commended--we get none of the Cap Hill "attitude", and what appears to be genuine friendliness. Thank you so much. We always get the guacamole special (fun to have different flavors and textures blended in). Everything we've ordered thus far (veggie tamale, chipotle prawns, chicken mole enchiladas, baja fish tacos, chicken verde enchiladas) has been tasty. Prices are a bit steep as other reviewers have commented, but it's money well spent. Open Table reservations are available too, which is welcomed!
(5)Josh T.
My favorite place for "classy Mexican," always a good place to stop for HH in the afternoon or drinks and food all night. I love to sit out in the open airy patio, though sitting solo at the bar is also great. The staff is pretty attentive. My personal favorite drink is definitely the Jalapeña though some of their rotating drinks are delish as well. The ceviche is not very much like ceviche, but what do you expect at a Mexican restaurant in Seattle. Stick to the tacos, quesadillas, and other entrees. And DEFINITELY use the yellow habanero sauce if you're into spice. Not outrageously hot, very flavorful.
(4)Merina H.
Pretty good Mexican food. Their guacamole was one the best of ever had, they had bell peppers in their guac which I thought was a pleasant surprise. I got the mixed taco plate. This was for 12 dollars and my favorite meat was the al pastor. I thought it was their most flavorful one. I got the sayulita punch which I thought was only okay. I'm not a big fan of tequila, but I thought I should give this a try. I expected a more fruity taste like a sangria, but it was masked by the taste of tequila. I just asked for more lemons to squeeze in there and it made it better. I tried the carnitas that my friend order. The pieces of meat were cut in cubes rather than shredded. My friend and I concluded that the meat was super dry. Our waiter was just okay, he wasn't very attentive. We had a big party (bachelorette party) and he was no where in sight often times. With a big party, I think he needed to be a little bit more attentive to our table. Overall, I would definitely come back and explore more of their menu.
(4)Amy K.
The servers here are incredibly nice, and the space looks great and open. It's a good place for a small group to get together, I think. The Michilada was meh -- it wasn't bad, but it also wasn't good. The ones at Mezcaleria Oaxaca are much better. We got two appetizers, both ceviche: a scallop ceviche and a yellowtail one. Both were very, very good and generous in portion. The fish and scallops tasted fresh, and the sauce was tangy and light. I ordered the taco trio as my entree: the chicken taco was good, the pork tacos were okay, and the beef tacos were bad. The beef was a little too rubbery for my liking, and also fairly bland. The side of rice and beans were also just fine. Nothing special, but also not bad. That seems to be my main impression of this place: generally just fine, but not too memorable.
(3)Rykiel E.
Came down for some food and the big bright sign outside attracted us like a moth to a big bright sign lol. anyway, they were busy by the time we got there but they managed to clear tables and seat us within 5 minutes. If you want good HH deals, skip this place. Dumb hours, and drinks don't get cheaper, the size of the dishes do--its a "small plate" HH. Their chips and guacamole were good! I mean, the chips were nothing special... The guac was pretty good! You can taste the fresh cilantro and the hint of lime. They also refill your chips so that's nice! The drinks are super tasty but not as strong as I'd like. Also, it honestly felt like more ice than drink. I felt skimped out on. My two friends and I shared chicken enchiladas, and the verde sauce was great!! We scraped the plate clean! The tortillas were really good too. One thing I didn't understand was the side of beans and rice... It was SO SMALL. You'd think they'd at least bulk up the servings on the mexican staples at a mexican restaurant. There are many other mexican places that are much more authentic with bigger portions. For the food and pricing, I would give this place 3... Maaaybe 3.5 stars. The food was good, I just didn't understand the portions and prices. But I marked it as a 4 because our server was one of the best I've had in a long time. My group was honestly a little difficult tonight (while we were trying to decide on what we were gonna do and how we were gonna split up the food and bill...) but he was extremely extremely patient with us. He checked up on us, never treated us like nuisances. Joked around, made sure our waters and chips were filled. Very attentive and very caring! He was genuinely a nice guy! Every server should be like him! He definitely made the experience way better.
(4)Leela S.
Poquitos has one of my favourite HHs in the Pike/Pine area. The atmosphere is always lively, convivial and welcoming, and there's enough seating to be a solid option for larger groups. The patio is also among my preferred outdoor options in the area, and it's actually warm enough to enjoy (isn't heat a lovely thing?) even in the fall and winter. The drinks are stiff and fruity, and the seasonal margarita is always great--last time around it was a strawberry rhubarb concoction. Yum! My only gripe--albeit a major one--is with the food. I chow down the chips and salsa like nobody's business, but I'm never itching to order anything else from the menu. It's definitely not even close to being the best Mexican food in town, yet the prices are on the higher side for a Mexican restaurant that isn't trying to provide you a fine-dining experience. Spending $15 on mediocre enchiladas is not something I enjoy doing on a regular basis. Come here for the happy hour, but don't stay for dinner. I'd rather just walk down the street and head to Fogón for my meal--cheaper prices, bigger portions, and a free tostada.
(3)David K.
This is by far my favorite Mexican restaurant in Seattle. Their chicken tacos are extremely delicious. Most people compare this place to Barrio and in my opinion, this place is better in terms of price and quality. The atmosphere is always nice.
(5)Amanda P.
I didn't like the idea of trying Mexican food in Seattle, but it's good!! I got the mixed taco plate and was surprised that I liked the chicken and radishes one best. They had a very interesting green salsa that I couldn't place. The waiter listed the ingredients and I just had to scratch my head. Tasty, whatever the secret is! I also liked the agave margarita. Great service and fun decor as well.
(5)Michael B.
Poquitos really is a hit or miss, but we keep going back because of there really good chicken quesadilla. Fun, upbeat environment. Always ask what the guacamole is for the night, it changes frequently - there is a really good one with bacon in it, all the other ones seem a little pricey for the taste. I'm a fan of margaritas from all across the board, not so much a fan of theirs though, something different. I stick with a simple vodka cran, they pour good ones there! I've tried several of the dishes - the appetizer grilled corn is really good, haven't really cared for any of the entrees for the price, but the chicken quesadilla is by far the best and decently priced! Wait time can be lengthy on a Friday or Saturday night, but you'll find that anywhere. There is generally room in the bar (open seating) and easy to get in quick if there aren't a lot in the party. Overall pretty friendly staff that stays on top of their tables.
(3)Michael C.
Underrated as a lunch spot - it's much less crowded than the evenings, service is quicker, and the menu is reasonably priced. I am a huge fan of the huge tostada (you don't need to add meat).
(5)Caitlin R.
So, I've kinda fallen off of the Yelp bandwagon.. but I felt compelled to jump on and write a review after having dinner at Poquitos tonight. My friend suggested this place and I went without any expectations. I didn't even look at the menu before going.. I ordered 1/2 lb of the chipotle shrimp which had an amazing flavor. It came with a side of rice, beans and tortillas. I wasn't too impressed with the sides.. but the shrimp was delicious and they gave you a good amount. It did seem pricey.. which is why I opted for the shrimp since it was only $4 more than basic enchiladas. My friend ordered fish tacos for dinner and she said that they were just OK. The big bowls of guacamole looked delicious.. maybe next time. I also had a drink called 'La Fiona', which had passion fruit puree and habanero infused tequila with a chipotle sugar rim. Best cocktail I've had in a LONG time! So unique! Based on the reviews, it seems like the food is good depending on what you order. As someone else mentioned, it's not your typical Mexican food restaurant.. it's fancy "Mexican" food.. but I would go back for dinner or maybe try brunch next time.
(4)Michael D.
*** NO AC! *** I wanted to like this place more than Barrio, and the food is pretty decent but the service/management left me wanting. So I ordered the mixed taco plate, and chips. Out it comes, with a pretty good Paloma (tequila and squirt) - yum! I dive in, only to get to the chicken taco and the last single bite literally tasted like "sh!t" but after having some paloma, I kept eating it. Plus, I was with a friend, so was I supposed to just spit it out? Anyway, I thought "Wow, I really liked everything tonight except that taco was really funky... I don't want to pay for that..." After telling the really attentive waitress that the chicken taco tasted funny, she sent the bill out for the full amount. No drink comp, or chips comp - nothing. So I went over and said "I don't like how that chicken taco tasted really funny, like crap..." and she got the manager who came over and said "You ate it. My hands are tied." What sort of place does not listen to the customer at all? I am shocked at this bad service, and if I don't get sick from the meal, I'll definitely never go back even though the staff and food was decent.
(2)Valerie W.
How can you not love a place that makes their own sauces? Poquitos is probably my fave restaurant up on the hill. They have a great HH, fantastic drinks, and good food all around. Everything is always fresh and have never had a bad time/experience here. Their patio area is awesome! Summers at Poquitos are definitely where it's at. Margaritas...ON POINT. Authentic street tacos, chili relleno (OMG YUM), even their rice and beans are awesome...and for most places that's hard to say. Everything is seasoned so well. The service is good and so are the prices overall. Plus, they have seasonal items like their tasty guacamole...last one I had, had blue cheese in it! You can't go wrong here...the environment is cool and full of rod iron...plenty of seating!
(4)Jennifer L.
This place is really expensive. I spent $76 for dinner for two people. Who ordered cheap beer. The food was good, but not worth the money. Especially not worth the amount of time it took me to find parking. If you are in the area and want Mexican food and don't mind the prices definitely check it out.
(3)Katy B.
The beans and rice side is amazing and affordable. I hope no one ever tells me it's not vegetarian but if they did, I might not remember after having one or two of those tart and spicy jalapeño margaritas. Ive also tried some other dishes but I cannot remember them, so either they weren't memorable, I had more margarita than I can remember, or Poquitos is located on a spot where the veil between universes is unusually thin, resulting in an overlap of time/space. Idk. But, the wait is sometimes so long it would probably be faster to visit the alternate universe's location, where I think they take reservations.
(4)Jonelle T.
Poquitos doesn't open for brunch until 11:00am on Sundays. At first, I thought this weird, but when we showed up, no one was there. Two other parties trickled in while we were there, and that was it. Strange, because, Sunday brunch! Where were all the people? In bed, hungover? The menu is basically breakfast with a Mexican twist, along with a few regular taco plates. We started off with chips, guacamole, and salsa, which were serviceable. My huevos rancheros were just ok. Nothing to rave about. My friend's chicken & waffles was intense. Basically half a fried bird on a waffle. The other two entrees weren't particularly memorable in any way either. I think one was fish tacos, and the other was breakfast tacos? Anywho, service was good, because there were only three occupied tables. Food was ok, but not good enough that I'll be back anytime soon. There are far better brunch options on the hill.
(3)Selena M.
I ordered enchilada plate it's was so not appealing!!! The only good thing about this place was the server we got super friendly and always there! I love the light they have made it a relaxing place but food not so great and small portions!
(2)Kate B.
It may not be the most authentic Mexican food in the area but the restaurant is a beautiful spot to get a nice meal with friends. The interior of the restaurant is dim so even though its quite busy at dinner time and teeming with people, it still has an intimate feel to it. They have guacamole specials, which change weekly (maybe?). The guacamole we tried included cranberries and while it wasn't my favorite guac, it certainly was different and enjoyable. For my entree I had the chicken mole enchiladas and they were fabulous. The plate consisted of three enchiladas filled up with tender chicken and topped with a very rich and delicious mole sauce, along with a side of rice and beans. Definitely one of the best mole sauces I've had here in Seattle and well worth the price of the meal. Our server was charming and attentive. He even brought out a sample of mole sauce for my friends, who had never tried it before. Will definitely be back if I'm ever craving a Mexican food and a nice night out in Cap Hill.
(5)Stephanie J.
I'll sometimes hit the HH here but last night we went for a friends birthday. Poquitos is like the younger trendier little sister of Barrio. Solid tequila drinks (I got the most amazing cucumber tequila drink) and the food has great flavor. We got the guacamole and an order of the Baja fish tacos. Both were super delicious. Someone else ordered the chicken enchiladas and said they were amazing. 2 beers, 2 tequila drinks, appetizer and one taco meal =$60. This is why I like the HH - much cheaper! Still a great spot to check out.
(4)Brandon A.
Sometimes the food is good, sometimes not. The wait staff is typically pretty friendly even though busy. Occasionally you'll get someone rude and not helpful. We got a chicken quesadilla and it came with no chicken. The waitress insisted we just get a side of chicken for us to add in ourselves.... Maybe she doesn't really get that a quesadilla usually has everything inside melted together. Somewhat cool atmosphere, clean for Capitol Hill.
(3)Katherine M.
I have been to poquitos a few times due to it's central location in Capitol Hill and the lively bar scene. The first couple times I came I ordered food that was never truly the best Mexican. However, the last time I went I ordered the grilled fish tacos which were phenomenal! I put the cascabel house sauce on them for an additional flavor kick. It was a huge improvement from prior experiences here, and the service was much better. I think Barrio is equally good and has some more impressive entree choices, along with better cocktails. But poquitos has a fun atmosphere, a cool fire lit patio, and some definite gems on the menu.
(4)C. C.
OMGoodness tried to place an order from the lunch menu open daily from 11-3 and they have no corn, no this no that, apparently you have to know in advance that they only serve certain foods !! Absurd ... the menu doesnt mention any of this... the site doesnt say this time to this time you can order blah blah food only! .... Don't waste your time Iike I did
(1)Saphy L.
I usually come here for the drinks and the dessert. My standard go-to is their margaritas, which are really good and the churros with chocolate sauce! Yummy! It usually gets pretty packed in the evenings on the weekends so I would suggest making a reservation beforehand. The ambiance is really nice with dim lighting but it does get noisy.
(5)Thomas M.
When you can take the pebble from my hand.... you will be ready, Grasshopper. I didn't try them, but once I saw the grasshoppers on the menu, I spent then next two hours with reruns of Kung Fu dancing in my head. A little distracting, but then pretty loud to have a conversation for sure. Place is super busy on weekends, reservations are highly recommended. Great location for a couple drinks, some food, and then around the corner to Century Ball Room for some salsa. The food is excellent, our scallop ceviche was some of the best ceviche I have had, and they obviously make their own chips and tortillas which are fab! But the little cup of 12 or so chips is it, no refill. Ambience is great, good start to a date night and if dancing is your next step, you don't want to fill up on chips and such anyway... and send me a note if you want to split a plate of grasshoppers...nobody at my table would!
(3)Chris J.
Happy hour here was great! Between two people, we shared three tacos - the pork, fish and beef. The pork was particularly tasty although all were very flavorful and delicious. The chips and guacamole were also solid. Every time we are in a Mexican restaurant we have to go for margaritas and thought the ones at Poquitos were very good. I tried their "Seahawks margarita" which was blue with green salt... it was $1 more although I'm not exactly sure why...
(4)Chris B.
I've been to Poquitos many times, but only decided to write a review after last night. This review is based on last night, as well as several previous visits. I rolled in some some friends after karaoke in Queen Anne. We were starving, and needed some eats in Cap Hill, so I suggested Poquitos. The late night happy hour food was pretty good. I had a tasty ceviche tostada, and we all split some guacamole, salsa, and chips. It's always kind of a shock coming here and having to pay for salsa when it's complimentary at many other Mexican restaurants, but whatever. Pros: Good happy hour menu, great cocktails, cool interior. Menu favorites: Ditchweed cocktail and ceviche tostada. Cons: Extremely loud setting, impossible to have a conversation. Mole fries are sadly kind of gross. Also you have to pay for salsa. I'll definitely be back, but it's not one of my regular spots.
(3)Tim C.
I was hoping for better food, and ultimately I wasn't impressed with Poquitos. From the outside, it always looks so happening, so I assumed that the food must be great. It was only meh. Here's what I tried: -Goat Birria: the meat was pretty dry, the flavor was ok, I enjoyed the pupusa-like base that was underneath it all, but overall, the dish was nothing special. -Carne Asada: the meat was much better - it had a nice crispy outside, and wasn't dry. The flavor was also much better than the goat, especially with the chile that they added to it. I think this dish single-handedly brought my rating up from a 1 star to a 3 star. It's a dish worth trying if you're already at Poquitos. -The guacamole had absolutely no flavor. Totally bland. A little salt could have went a long way here. I didn't try any drinks, which I think is why some people come here. But if you're looking for quality Mexican food, you might be underwhelmed at Poquitos.
(3)Neil W.
We stopped in for a pre-show light bite and we were pretty impressed. Poquitos has a cool vibe. The restaurant is decorated with the Central American tiles and wrought iron style. I like the indoor/outdoor bar area with the fire pit. My wife and I split a chopped salad and had a few tacos. The salad was excellent. The tacos were good, not great. I had then Al Pastor, which I cannot find a good version in the states, but it was close. My wife had the fish. They were generously portioned and good flavor. The margaritas were prefect. They were a good balance of sweet and sour. Our service was excellent. Our server, Matt (he was memorable) took care of us. He was slammed, but we never felt ignored. We both noted how he was watching his tables; when a drink got low he was there, a question needed answering he took the time. It is busy and loud; at least when I was there, but I enjoyed it. The prices were reasonable for a large Cap Hill restaurant/bar and the food was good. It is the best of the large Mexican restaurants in the hill.
(4)Danny D.
The worst Mexican food I ever had. I give up on Seattle and Mexican food. I'll just wait for my trips to Texas and Tucson for my fix.
(1)Jane D.
YUM. Fast food and plenty of alcohol at the bar! Everything we ordered was amazing. Pork tacos, mole fries, OMG the food is incredible. No wait for a table with bar seating.
(4)Mary S.
Came here for a quick drink on a Saturday night. Easy to get in. Found seats easily. Music was good. Ambience was good. Bartenders were nice, but a little slow for a not so busy time.
(3)Kirsten H.
We have been here a few times on trips to Seattle and it has never disappointed. The atmosphere is nice, especially sitting outside on the covered patio. The food is fresh and very tasty. My only suggestion would be to double up the tortillas on the tacos, as they rip very easily and all the yummy filling falls out.
(4)Fidel P.
Still on my quest for Good Mexican food in Seattle. :-( The selection of food is great here. I think i just ordered the wrong thing, the taquitos were not what i expected, they were dry and really lacking flavor. The drinks were ok and if you are especially impressed with the words "free-range" and "organic" then the menu will turn you on. Overall I think that if you are not familiar with mexican food then this place is good to try out. Being from Texas where most of the restaurants are mexican i guess i have different expectations. The place was clean and we enjoyed the elevated booth, the selections of drinks is impressive the waitstaff was informative. and there was not wait.
(3)Ciara H.
Okay, I'm a fan. You won me over, Poquitos, with perfect margaritas, pork carnitas worthy of Mexico, and a little indulgence in tequila flights for dessert. And though I'm not yet a fan of the grasshopper appetizer, my brother and his gf loved it. (Yay sustainable protein!) Good though not stellar service, but I know for sure we'll be back for more.
(4)Phoenix A.
Came to Capitol Hill with my future mother-in-law and had lunch here. We were lured in by the table-top mini firepits in the seat-yourself, covered patio area. We ordered the hand-made guacamole with our chips to start. I then ordered the huevos ranchero with half tomatillo and half verde sauce. The f.m.i.l. ordered the huevos machucado with shredded Painted Hills beef brisket over scrambled eggs, topped with a pasilla chile garlic sauce and crema and served with tortillas and black beans. The guacamole was excellent, not too lime-y or filled with too many tomatoes and onions. We both like that the chips weren't too greasy, cooked in a rice oil. We also both loved our meals except that next time, I would order either sauce on the side or the tortillas on the side. I like that I can eat my huevos rancheros with each bite like a mini soft taco. This was the first time I had ever had huevos rancheros with the sauce drowning everything on my plate. We had a perfectly nice server. I would come back here to check out dinner and to try something off of the bar menu, but since I was driving and it had been raining, I thought I'd not be a menace to my fellow drivers. So far, a winner for "Mexican" food.
(4)Ponarett X.
My friend, sister, and I were on the hill one Saturday night and were starving! We stopped in at Oddfellows but there was a 20 minute wait so we went elsewhere. We wandered into Poquitos and was able to get a table in the bar right away. The menu looked like there was something for everyone. I saw chicharrones on the menu and I immediately knew I had to order them! They were different from any other chicharrones I've had so far. They were big pieces of fried pork skin and they were still warm when they got to the table. They were seasoned with salt and chile - the perfect combination. I also had the Grande Tostada with chorizo. I should have paid more attention to the description because I was not expecting it to be so ginormous! It's a great appetizer to share. There is so much going on (beans, lettuce, tomato, chorizo, avocado sauce, cheese, and hot sauce) but everything seems to work together and is surprisingly light compared to other Mexican dishes. The service was pretty good considering that they were super busy. Our water glasses could have gotten filled quicker, but other than that, the service was spot on. I'm interested in trying their chicken mole enchiladas next time. I love me some mole!
(4)Stephanie J.
I had sat in traffic for over an hour and a half before arriving here (early) to meet friends and have a business meeting. I was sweat soaked and cranky. I grabbed a seat in the patio, settled in and was brought a menu in a few moments. A minute later my server came over and dropped some water, asked how my day was and actually remained interested while letting me vent ever so briefly. I ordered a mojito and queso. They both arrived quickly and were delicious. My server even said "you've earned this today. enjoy" Humorous and so I laughed. My friends/business associates arrived. The service continued to be outstanding even though she was seated back to back with a 9 top and a 20 top. The food never disappoints here and I left feeling refreshed and relaxed.
(5)Michelle Y.
I'd come back for their excellent Margaritas and full-page menu of tequilas and tequila flights. Ebullient service more than made up for the so-so food -- creative Mexican fare but with limited vegetarian options.
(3)Katy H.
I don't consider myself a whiner but I most certainly have written whiny reviews about Mexican restaurants in Seattle. First... in Mexico you can't go anywhere without finding Agua de Jamaica, (hibiscus tea.) Yet for some reason everyone freaks out about horchata. Yes, they're both great, but why is agua de Jamaica so hard to find?! Horchata seems to be everywhere but hibiscus is hard to find. Well... not only do they have horchata here, (duh) but they have cocktails with hibiscus in them!! SCORE! Major points in my book. In fact, they even have Novo Fogo cachaca. The very best cachaca in the world! The cocktail list alone is enough to write home about. I tried two of my own and sipped on a few of my friends'. There wasn't anything I disliked. For some reason everyone was freaking out and raving about the guacamole. As someone who lived in Mexico for 12 years, I didn't find it to be that amazing but it was pretty tasty. More standout items on the menu include: the flan, it's BAKED!! And the ceviche and tamales were excellent as well. The tortilla soup was definitely worth a try and the tacos al pastor were great as well. (Can't wait to try the pozole next!) Basically - Poquitos is a great addition to the 'hood. Sexy atmosphere, very dark and romantic, yet fun if you're just with friends. The menu was fantastic and left me wanting to come back just to cover the bases. Biggest win? They're one of the ONLY spots in town that make their own tortillas. If you're picky at all, this should win you over. Even Rancho Bravo (a Cap Hill favorite just a block away) uses nasty, pre-packaged tortillas. But at Poquitos not only do they make each one by hand, you can go up to the kitchen, peer through the glass and watch them do it! Awesome. Definitely my new favorite Mexican restaurant in the city.
(5)Trish E.
Seriously top notch. I'm a guacamole fanatic, and they make it best! The atmosphere is cool & modern - great for a date night or casual evening. the staff is knowledgable & fun, plus the food is to die for. I'm a vegetarian, and they offer great options for me. A little spicer than I like, but quality. Try the Fresa margarita...you'll want a Super Gulp size! Can't wait to go back.
(5)Kendra M.
I was hesitant about Mexican in Seattle, but this turned out pretty well. We waited at the bar for about ten minutes for a table, and not only was the wait brief, but they gave us the specific table we asked for so we could keep an eye on the dog waiting outside. She made a lot of friends while we ate! The ceviche was really delicious- I would probably order that as a meal again. I also had the mixed taco plate. I didn't love any of the tacos particularly, but they were all good. The rice and beans were also not my favorite, but still good. Next time I might have to get over my fear of eating goat and try the birria, as I love a potato tamale. The red table salsa was also quite tasty, though there was something heavy about it. Can't put my finger on it- I was also partaking in the drink- but I really enjoyed my meal. I would definitely go back, and the service was very pleasant. Good job Seattle: one week in and I'm not angry yet.
(4)Joe O.
The days of reviewing places based on ambiance, service and food are over. These days, we have to include the dreaded two words every couple without children hate to hear when entering an establishment: kid friendly. As we're now towing along a one year old, our choices get slimmer and slimmer. Between this place and Elysian, we've found two great kid friendly spots on the hill - mainly because both are usually pretty busy and drowns out any "noise" that may (and usually does) occur. I digress, the food, and specials in particular, are always very good, the beer selection awesome (Negro Modelo on tap!) with the service and ambiance spot on. It gets busy at times but if you go before the 6PM rush, you're sure to get a table within 10-15 mins.
(4)Jamie S.
Great food and is always our first stopping place when in town. Moving this summer and can't wait to be a regular!!!!
(5)Christine G.
My fiance and I ate here twice, and I was really not impressed with either time we went. The "seat yourself" thing is annoying when no one pays attention to who comes into the restaurant and sits down...because we wound up waiting for menus and a person to wait on us for an unreasonable amount of time. I would have forgiven this if the food had been better, but I wasn't all that impressed. On our first visit, we were there during happy hour. We got an order of guacamole, which was tiny (but tasted fine, if heavy on the onion), and then the yam tacos and tacos al pastor. The food was just okay. On our second visit, we went for a late lunch. I got the veggie torta, while my fiance got the ahogada torta (I think that's what it was called). Again, the service was lacking. I was unimpressed with the veggie torta...again, too much onion. My fiance visits Seattle for business somewhat often, and he finds it easy to get to. And the place has beer. As for me, for my first visit to Seattle, I was underwhelmed. When we come back, I don't expect Poquitos to be on our hit list.
(2)Becca C.
I loved the service and the ambiance of Poquitos. The location cannot be beat, and the restaurant is buzzing with activity on weekend nights. I'm pretty sure it's busy on a random Wednesday too. However, the ceviche was underwhelming. The watermelon was an interesting addition, but the fish was a bit too bland, the flavors didn't complement each other enough. The halibut tacos were pretty good, but there was no sauce??? Fresh cooked halibut with cilantro, black beans and rice made it seem so minimalist. I'm used to a spicy chipotle sauce or something to add a little zing. Finally, the mojito was definitely giving a good buzz, but it wasn't sweet enough. (I know I sound super high maintenance, but whatever). I will say again that the hostess and server were some of the best and hardest workers I've been around in a while.
(3)Katie W.
The atmosphere is great and they keep it dim in there (if possible I prefer to be tucked away in a dark corner) If you are in the mood for mexican food but want something that isn't your average huge serving basic mexican food (which sometimes I do) this is a great place, they even have crickets on the menu which were pretty good.
(4)Andrew H.
Really weak drinks. Didn't even feel buzzed after five margaritas (at like $10 a pop!). Food is pretty good. You can also get a small bowl of roasted crickets, which is a neat experience.
(2)Peter L.
Went to Poquitos for a group dinner, and I must say they did an excellent job of accommodating the group. They have some basic stipulations such as a minimum and a credit card for reservations for a party of 9 or more, but they took care of our group very well. We started off with a few drinks, and I was very happy with the margaritas. The pisco drink was a little off for my taste with the all spice, but stick to the basics, and you will not be disappointed. As for the food, it was definitely a notch above your average Mexican. If anything, I would say it's a little spicier than most places so be warned. The torta came in as the unexpected surprise - very flavorful pork swimming in a spicy zesty marinara sauce. Overall, definitely a good place to kick off a night in the Pike/Pine corridor, whether you are here for drinks or for a meal.
(4)devon d.
we came here twice in one day! great drinks (love the habanero-infused tequila and mezcal), abundant and delicious chips and salsa, and the food was great too. our wait staff was attentive and friendly. this spot was definitely solid enough for lunch and then late-night drinks and snacks. we'll be back!
(5)Deborah J.
I had been meaning to check this place out after reading about 20 reviews from my yelp friends! Finally made it here when my friends suggested I meet them there. Sat out back on the patio which was lovely. This place was a lot more spacious than I would have guessed and quite the happening spot on this particularly sunny day. Loved the decor and ambiance of this place, and as Kristin C. point out --almost felt like I was at Bastille in Ballard. I thought the drinks were a little more on the expensive side but oh well. I ordered the Ahogada Torta which was to freakin die for. I ate it all (could totally split this with a friend- HUGE) and considered drinking the left over tomato sauce out of the dish but knew I would only embarrass my friends - but I was nice and didn't. Others had the mixed plate of tacos, and the carnitas (which came with 3 measly tortillas), I would suggest bringing 5 out and making them a bit bigger, but they enjoyed their dishes. Our server was friendly and attentive but not overbearing. Overall great experience and I will be back. Just one small itty bitty suggestion to make this place better --install an AC in the women's bathroom, I was in there for all about 3 minutes and was sweating balls.
(4)Min K.
I love the food and the atmosphere here. This is the best Mexican restaurant in Seattle. I've been there a few times and the quality have always been great!
(5)Food C.
this review was for the beef tacos and the margaritas. one margarita was completely waek and sugary. one margarita was better. the beef tacos tasted like day-old beef and the salsa was bland and disgusting. this really seems like bland generic food. would not recommend.
(1)Francie W.
My classmates and I went here regularly for happy hour after school which is a really good deal. The food is good and it's a great scene mid afternoon with no wait. We recently had a couple poor experiences with the wait staff but the GM handled it quickly and with great service so they are back on my good side. Looking forward to trying them out again!
(3)Dest S.
I like this place, but here's a tip: avoid the horchata. It's barely horchata and it comes with a layer of powdered cinnamon on top. You don't want to go to there. Everything else I've tried (guacamole, tacos, chop salad, some brunch fare) is good, if a little pricey.
(4)Sam H.
Had a good time here. Waiter was helpful and polite. Service was timely. Food was delicious and spicy. We had the Brisket Tacos (excellent), pork belly in mole special (good), chicaronnes (awesome), fried jalapeños (spicy good), and pots de creme (spicy chocolate tasted better with each bite). Great new Mexican in cap hill!
(4)Corey O.
Good service and just a fun place to come and get decent mexican food in seattle. Great location in the heart of capitol hill. Great tequila selection amd mexican beer selection.
(4)David D.
Great food and even better customer service. We came in with a larger party. They got us in and totally made our visit amazing. Super friendly! The spicy Margaritas are excellent (i can't remember the name of them... but just ask and you shall receive!) Love love love this place. We will be back!
(5)Alex K.
Get the guacamole here. Just spicy enough to keep you coming back for more. Drinks are a little bit on the sweet/salty side at night.
(4)John Michael R.
I wanted Mexican food. And I was alone...this was before I found out about Rancho bravos tacos. And I wanted something simple-rice and beans, which poquitos does have. BUT looking at the menu I notice something: chapulines. Mouthful. I have had this before back home in CA with a few friends and conquered my fear of exotic foods, so of course, I wanted to try it here. And boy did I make the right decision. Crunchy, tart and tasty. Who knew that fried grasshoppers would be delicious? Now before you move on to the next review, I encourage you to try it...just do it. Its cheap. Down it with a cerveza or With rice and beans. It's cleaned and cooked. Maybe I'm just more daring, but hey, I'm here to tell the tale and didn't have to go to the bathroom. Also, I might add, happy hour menu is delicious. Nothing crazy (like my chapulines), but great small plates. So CHAPULINES for the win. Seriously.
(4)Renee M.
So unique and so worth the trip into Seattle to kick start the night off for a bachelorette party. No one complained about what they had to eat and all six ladies belonged to the clean plate club. We started off with drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic, there were so e traditional margaritas ordered and the waiter asked if the ladies liked a more "sweet or tart" taste, a La Diabla, and a Shrub cocktail (non alcoholic). Then followed appetizers, queso fundido served in a skillet with fresh tortillas so delicious, we we're offered guacamole (with smoked salmon) it a nightly change and we stuck with traditional but was definitely curious (we had a Vegan with us). Ladies ordered from the special fish tacos, enchiladas, carne asada, and a chopped salad with chicken. I had the chopped chicken salad and the presentation was excellent as well as the full flavor of the oregano vinegarette, chicken cooked and taste was outstanding, the other girls lived theirs as well. Our waiter was on top of it staying engaged with our table and letting us girls enjoy the start of a memorable evening.
(5)Liz O.
Don't you just hate when a waiter is most attentive just as they're handing you the receipt for you to sign & tip? Ha! Our waiter wasn't really around, and didn't refill the chips as requested, and didn't recognize that the bowl was empty for a good 40 minutes. Saddd. But, my chicken enchiladas were tasty, and the beans and rice were exceptional! No complaints here about the food quality. Price on the other hand... *sigh* Everyone else seemed to enjoy their food too. I'd come back if my party wanted to meet there again :)
(3)Graham M.
I am an outlier for not liking this place among my friend group, so I tried it three times. I hoped I'd like it. The service was good. The food was not enjoyable for me, though. I have no idea what is going on with their chicken tortilla soup. Maybe I'm an idiot, but I could not (after getting it a few times) figure out what parts were edible. The soup was the most confusing version of it that I ever had, but maybe it was also the most authentic. I have no idea. Drinks in general were not memorable, and not because I had too many. People seem to have real affection for this place, and the atmosphere is lovely. I'm sorry that I'm just missing it and it's not a fit for me.
(2)G C.
Not a fan. If you're going here for the Mexican food, don't go. If you're going here for drinks, the bro-y ambiance, or just a fun night with people all around, then do go. But yeah, I had the "queso" that was literally ONLY melted cheese in a skillet, and seriously? After 6 minutes it was like a rock. I broke several tortilla chips in it and then finally gave up. The enchiladas were made as if someone who has read about Mexican food in books tried to make it kind of "gastro pub" fancy but just kind of failed making it fancy or Mexican.
(2)Ling S.
Viva Happy Hour! $5 and under for all food items. $6 and under for the drinks! We went the last 30 minutes before the 1AM Happy Hour was ending. Tasty empanadas, guacamoles, and taquitos. Even with the late hour, our food was hot and fresh. Like they stated on the menu, the margarita is really sweet. Our service was nice and attentive. I loved the outdoor patio. All of the lights and rustic themed decorations made it a perfect setting to enjoy the cool night time weather.
(4)Brendan M.
What a fun spot for a late dinner! I was here a couple weeks ago on a warm, breezy weeknight evening. My date and I sat near the back of the bar/patio area by an open window. There were plenty of open tables around us, so it was easy to relax and not feel "hemmed in" by the tables around us. I started with the Ditchdigger margarita, which is made with coriander- and cilantro-infused tequila. I love cilantro, and I loved this drink (served 'up', for whatever it's worth to you). I eventually had a second one since the first was so good. For dinner, I had the chicken mole enchiladas. I enjoyed my dish, but it tasted sweeter than I'd like for a savory dish, and it may have contributed to some, ahem, gastric discomfort the following morning. I'd probably order something different next time. Service was good throughout the evening. Our hostess was kind enough to close a nearby window when she noticed we were getting chilly. That was thoughtful of her.
(4)Hannah L.
Though I've returned a couple of times for birthday happy hour gatherings on the lovely patio out back, I haven't sat down for dinner here in almost two years. I'm pleased to say that my most recent visit left me impressed, wanting more, and likely to return sooner! What changed my mind? While price points remain squarely in the Mexpensive category and haven't shifted much since my initial visit, the quality of the food is much improved. The house-made, generously lime-spiked guacamole is fantastic, and the two accompanying salsas (a tomatillo and a roasted tomato) offered depth, brightness, and were bursting with the perfect balance of spice, peppers, and flavor. Chips were perfectly salted and crisp, and my margarita was exactly how I wanted it: not sweet, just a bit of sour, altogether satisfying. A grown-up version of what can so often descend into Mexican theme-park cloying sweetness (and this wasn't even the Purist, which is even better). My enchiladas were stuffed with shredded chicken and heavily drizzled (as opposed to doused) with a spicy and addictive verde sauce; this is one of the better enchilada dishes I've ever had, and though the spice level slowed me down, it was the perfect amount of heat to force me to savor the basic yet lovely combination of sauce, meat, tortilla, and a little crema. Just enough sauce for flavor, yet not so much that the enchiladas are wetly swimming in a soggy mess (something I too often encounter at cheaper Mexican joints). Yet what truly stood out to me were the beans and rice. I love beans to the point that even when they're not tasty I'll still wolf them down, yet I don't usually like the Spanish rice that always accompanies dishes at restaurants: bland, boring, waste of calories. Not only were these beans incredibly flavorful, tasting as if they'd been cooking for days; the rice was similarly and surprisingly irresistible. If you've ever had bibimbap in a stone pot and scraped the deliciously crisped rice off the bottom, then you know what I'm talking about. Combine that with a bit of spice, and you have the only winning beans and rice I've run across in Seattle. Though Barrio's right around the corner from me, Poquitos might work itself into the rotation now that they seem to have found their footing in the kitchen. I'm always pleased when a restaurant works out the kinks and makes me rethink my initial impressions: one more place to complicate my answer to the question of where to go for dinner!
(4)Claudia M.
I love this place!!! as a half sicilian, half mexican girl I like good authentic mexican food (and sicilian) which is very hard to find almost everywhere, unless you live in Cali, but Poquitos has authentic, good quality food, deiish, delish, delish!! amazing ambience, nice cozy place and most of the times, great service : ) try Al pastor tacos and sopes for sure!
(5)Jenny K.
I liked this place. Comfy booth seating (and other seating types available), cool lighting and architecture, and delicious yam tacos! Wish it would've been HH because the HH menu & prices are awesome, but regular menu had decent prices too. Got the yam tacos that came with two kinds of sauce - spicy and I don't know what the other kind was so I ignored it. Came with some amazing rice and beans with fresh parsley on top. I will be back soon!
(4)Chad Y.
Some time has passed since I dined at Poquitos and I don't know how I feel about it. At first glance, Poquitos comes across as warm and inviting with an "outdoor" seating area that is warm even on the coldest and rainiest days. Yet on the other hand the food was simply ok and the service quite attentive. I stopped by here for lunch with some friends and one insisted that we get the salsa and the guacamole with chips and I have to say it was quite stellar. The fresh flavors of the avocado were complemented nicely by the lime and spice. The salsas were nice with a decently spicy tomato and jalapeno salsa that was quite nice with the roasted flavors complementing the peppers. While the tomatillos were complemented by the serrano chiles that made for a very welcomed taste to the tongue. The only downside was the chips that were freshly fried were a little oily and a tad too salty. The brisket tacos were quite nice with a very well done shredded beef brisket that showcased the beef instead of hiding it. The cilantro tended to over power the other flavors but take a few pieces out and you should be set to go. It came with a very well done mexican rice along with black beans that I definitely finished off. I stole a bite of my friends Chipotle Chicken torta and I definitely will have to get that on my next visit. The chicken was complemented by a chipotle mayo that offered just the right amount of heat and savory to complement the oaxaca cheese and vegetables that paid homage to the chicken that was the star. You can't go to a Mexican restaurant and not talk about their margarita. While I am no tequila fan, they clearly went the extra mile and offer one of the largest and best selections I have ever seen. Their Poquitos Margarita is a sure winner featuring El Jimador Reposado which is one of the smoothest and purest tequilas you will ever find. While on the sweeter side, it certainly pays homage to the traditional drink well and is a great addition to your meal. Service was quite good with our waiter being incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. He knew the menu well and made sure our water didn't go empty and that food arrived in a well-timed orchestration. I could certainly understand some frustration if they went on a busy night though. The ambiance is certainly warm and inviting. With a more intimate setting indoors or a more jovial feel in the solarium like patio where another bar is and the heated concrete seats are certainly welcomed from the cold.
(3)Celeste T.
I love, love, love the decor here. It is so ornate and dark and Mexican gothic. If that's even a term? I had huevos rancheros (both sauces IS an option! Do it!) and a cocktail with hibiscus. As some other reviewers have mentioned, hibiscus is wonderful and we should all have more of it. I love their tequila display - since I was there at lunch, I did not do a flight, but I wanted to. But the little steeples of tequila at either end of the bar are cute, and lovely. Their guac is totally worth it. I love their chips, too. Thank god they salt them - what's up with places that don't salt their chips? Service was bar-like, by which I mean I have lower standards than for a dinner waiter. Your mileage may vary.
(4)Arry Y.
Went with the girls and had a bite of the Guacamole, ceviche, chicken tortilla soup,Tamale, the corn, la pastor taco and the flan. Also drank the Jala-pena cocktail, La Fiona cocktail. -- Guacamole is very very chunky... and not guacamole like - but it's good. Good lime, cilantro... but Barrio does Guac a lot better. -- Ceviche was probably one of my favorite dishes there. -- Flan was good... but a little way to firm for my taste (baked here, not boiled) -- Everything else was ok. Drinks were pretty good. -- La fiona... don't know if I'd order that again. It was pretty good... -- Jala-pena cocktail... don't know if I'd order that again, too. It was ok. Best thing about this place is the decor/ambiance. Great job with that.
(3)Ann E.
Love the setting, drinks, and fire pits! Food....hit or miss unfortunately. The ceviche was quite fishy and clearly not fresh :(. Excellent place to meet up with a group of friend and share appy's-
(3)Ran G.
Rolled into Poquitos at 6:30 on a Thursday evening to partake in dinner before hitting the town. Due to our reservation, initial service was brisk and we were munching on tortilla chips with drinks before long. I thought I'd sample the Fresa, a strawberry-infused tequila margarita, which was thoroughly enjoyable; I mysteriously found myself with an empty glass and ordered another. Fresa: The Drink of Summer. (tm) Our ceviche and grilled corn came out first. Although the ceviche was tasty, it was the corn that stood out: perfectly grilled, slightly buttery with a pleasing mild heat and just a touch of tartness. The only fault I could find with it was that I had to share it with everyone else at the table! But so good. I'm not usually a fan of watermelon so I had my doubts when my SO ordered the watermelon salad (WTF is "compressed watermelon"? Isn't that, uh, juice??). Of course I needed to try it however, and was nicely surprised. The compressed watermelon, fashioned into cubes, had a fun chewy texture and was a refreshing appetizer before our entrée. I make it a point to try fish tacos whenever I can (since sometimes it's the only thing on the menu I can eat). The baja fish tacos at Poquitos are pretty good and well-prepared, if a bit on the small side. I'd order 'em again. Our server was attentive and accommodating so no issues there. Overall a fun and satisfying evening at this busy joint on Cap Hill. If you're lucky, you'll get seated near the windows and get a fantastic view of three SPD patrol cars converging on a quartet of potheads hanging out on the corner playing bad guitar.
(3)Keshav R.
Poquitos is a great place both for meeting friends up for drinks or getting dinner. They serve some pretty good margaritas - my personal favorite is the Jalapina. They also make their own guacamole and have a different flavor everyday. Among thee entrees I love the Yucatan style chicken. Great food, drinks and ambience overall!
(5)Kris G.
My wife and I came in for dinner Friday night before we went dancing. We were told there would be a 15-20 minute wait, which we said wasn't a problem. We went to use the restrooms and then came back to wait to be seated. We were still the only people there, but within a few minutes other couples showed up. After a 15 minute wait, one of these other couples was taken to be seated ahead of us. My wife spoke up about how we had been standing there waiting in full view and got passed over for a table, and was told that "we left and walked off" even though they saw us come back just a few minutes later to stand and wait. We were then told that we could put our name back on the list, but that would have meant waiting even longer. We were less than happy with how we were treated and left to eat elsewhere.
(1)Tamsen G.
I met a friend for lunch here a few weeks back...ate at the outside bar, which was a great space! The food was very good, and the bartender was cute as a button and yet knowledgeable. Go you! Definitely a return lunch spot when I'm in Seattle next.
(4)Greyson S.
This place is SO TASTY. The staff is great and we've never had a hard time getting seated, even with a party (I think our largest was 6 or so). Their salsa is delish and they have gluten-free stuff that isn't your standard tacos/quesadilla/nachos selection.
(5)Mandy B.
I don't really have anything fantastic to say about Poquitos, nor anything terrible. The place itself has a really fun, intimate vibe to it & the outside'ish patio in the back is really great for meeting friends for happy hour or enjoying lunch on a nice day. The food is alright, a little too 'wanna be fancy schmancy' for me but I do enjoy their house margarita & guacamole. Pros: trendy, good happy hour prices, delicious guacamole. Cons: EXPENSIVE, no free chips, usually over crowded, serves deep fried grasshoppers, wait staff is a little snobby.
(2)Travis V.
I almost don't want to write a good review because I don't want to have to compete with others to eat here. Best Mexican food I have eaten in Seattle, ever. Fresh, clean and delicious. Flavors that are complex, yet consumable and fairly priced. I had brisket taquitos and a ceviche tostado. Better than anything ever. This place has Mexican food so simple and delicious that it embarrasses me that I ate at other Mexican restaurants before this.
(5)Lily S.
LIZ. IS. THE. BEST. EVAR. Also, tortilla soup - I don't go anywhere else for it except for Poquitos. Seriously. It's THAT good.
(4)Vince S.
Friends and I went here for a late night happy hour (11pm - 1am) after a night of salsa dancing. Service was courteous, and we were able to sit outside and watch the Havana club go-ers wait in line, which is always entertaining. ;) We ordered the brisket taquitos, guacamole, salsa, chicken mini sopes, beef tacos, soda, and margarita. It only came out to be less than $35!! A steal! The taquitos and sopes were to die for!!! A must order! Definitely will be back for HH again!
(4)Jule G.
This place illustrates beautifully why location is so important. Despite having extremely mediocre food, its location in Capitol Hill guarantees no shortage of customers. The chips and salsa were ok. The guacamole is one of the blandest I've ever tasted in my life, so that right there was strike one in my book. A Mexican place that can't even do proper guacamole? Uhhhh, ok.... The carnitas plate ($16) was ok, but the carne asada ($20) was definitely lacking flavor, plus the meat was a poor cut--stringy. For what you get, the carnitas has better bang for your buck. If you like a trendy atmosphere, then you might like this place. After all, the food IS edible. If you actually care about what your tastebuds are going to experience, then I suggest passing on this restaurant.
(2)Nina T.
3.5 stars, but I'd definitely keep going back. I don't necessarily trust most of the items on the menu, but the yam tacos are totally worth it. Delicious, flavorful, just enough spice to make it interesting, and a side of habanero sauce if you're of those people. It's a unique dish and I haven't had anything like it before. However, the rice that goes with it belongs in the garbage can, it's overcooked and flavorless. Not awesome that chips & salsa costs money, but you get two salsas and they're pretty tasty. It gets busy and loud, but that's no different from other places in the neighborhood.
(3)aditya s.
I can only assume that the reviewers who say the food is bad are the same people who keep taco bell in business. This place is amazing. The food is great, and constantly improves. As someone who lives in LA, I can only say that Poquitos is better than any Mexican food we have down here. And the spicy Margarita, La Fiona... LOVE!!! Keep doing what you do Poquitos!
(5)Jamie O.
If this review was entirely customer service based... I would give them 0 stars. The wait staff here is both snooty and ignores you half of the time! The food is decent but nothing I would even go back for even if they had good customer service! First time in... I'm vegan so I asked what my options are. I expect there to be a couple (Mexican food is easily modified for vegans) and outside of my food allergies I'm like basically everything! The waitress was extremely rude and refused to give me recommendations! "It's all good". I asked another time or two... Same response. So I randomly picked something that was just alright. At the end the waitress was too busy talking to other waitresses behind the counter/in the kitchen that I had to walk across the restaurant and tap her on the shoulder to get out bill after 15 full minutes of sitting and waiting with empty plates! Wtfiesta. Second time in... The waitress was BEYOND rude and when we ordered guacamole she said "Um that's going to cost you more" which we figured as much and basically spoke to us in that tone the rest of our interactions. She also tried to take out orders every 2 minutes and seemed very irritated we weren't ready. Again food was just okay. Never go there unless you feel like being treated rudely by snooty waitresses for meh food.
(2)Josiah X.
Try the guacamole!!!!!!!!! It must be made with some sort of drug because my friends and i can't seem to get enough of it. With that being said everything on the menu is delicious, the drinks are strong, the environment is nice and the staff is friendly. I can't wait to get more Poquitos!!!!
(5)George M.
On the day I had a beef cheek and chicken mole, both very forgettable. Beef cheek was horribly salty you would do better buying a frozen pulled pork diner and the mole was O.K.-to-meh( much better options out there.) My recommendation is to find a different restaurant or to look up some Rick Bayless recipes invite some friends over and make something you can enjoy. P.S. the margaritas tasted like a half mix, half lime, and watered down(liquor wise).
(1)Adam R.
I really enjoyed my visit to Poquitos. It was a dinner meeting and their were four of us in the group. I am surprised that it's only got three stars because It's certainly worth a solid four. The food that we had was very tasty, I ordered the Ahogada Torta which was full of flavor and had a really great heat to the dish. Everyone else seemed very happy with their meals as well. The Salsa that they provide you is excellent, great chile flavor and nice heat as well. The service was certainly right on par with what I call good service: Tentative staff, water never empty, food was fast and accurate. I don't normally rate an establishment on decor, but I thought Poquito's was worth talking about at least. The interior was very well put together, it's kitschy but certainly unique. From what I heard, they actually brought in a lot of the iron work from Mexico! Highly recommend.
(4)Tanya J.
Vibrant crowd, wonderful ambiance, now I just need to up my spice tolerance! But we already KNEW that! I walked in and noticed it was a verrry happening place! The restaurant had great energy and it was loud and lively. I liked! I sat down and started chowing down on the chips which were outstanding. Actually they were pretty perfect to be honest. I didn't realize it at the time but we ordered guac which ended up being $9 which I think is a bit ridiculous for guac but whatevs. We ordered our food and the menu looked quite delicious! I was super excited to try the yam and mushroom tacos which my hubby dearest and I were going to share, and several of the others at the table ordered the steak. The hubby loved and raved on about the tacos because he just loves spicier food and was crazy about the hand made tortillas which reminded him of Mexico. Me, I did not enjoy the tacos as much as I would have liked because it was just a bit too spicy for me. I had asked if the chipotle could be removed but they said no. I'm a weenie, let it be known, but BOTH taco plates were too spicy to me. Another friend had the veggie enchilada and I think I'll try that next time! I would say overall the experience was fun and we had a great time tonight and I will come back and give the enchiladas a shot! If you're in the mood for a lively restaurant with vibrant energy and tacos with tons of kick, this is your place!
(3)Kaye S.
Okay, I've been back a few times and had to change my review. I started off with only three stars because i was a little put off about the whole paying for chips......but damn, it's worth it! Each time I've visited, I've had some of the best service I've ever had. Having worked in the service industry, I'm really picky! Their chips, salsa, guac and drinks.....make me so very happy..... I'm not sure about this place. The server was great. The restaurant itself is great - and i was excited to have another new restaurant in our neighborhood - but i'm always wary of a mexican restaurant that charges you for tortilla chips! The chips were great, and the freesh guacamomle was yummy.
(5)Christine L.
I can't really give this restaurant any stars, because I don't have anything to review other than a very poor customer service experience which was only partly salvaged at the last minute by an apology. I guess though I will be forced to give it one star, because there is not a "no star" option. Last night my BF and I went up to Capitol Hill with the hopes of eating at Poppy. After determining that there was not a table available there for at least an hour, we walked across the street to Altura by recommendation of a friend who was coincidentally happily ensconced in her dining experience at Poppy. Once again, we were denied ("We have no more tables available this evening"). At this point, we decided to head for Poquitos figuring it was so big, we could probably get a table at some point, and we love Mexican food. The gal who greeted us told us it was a half hour wait and asked for a phone number so she could text us when the table was available. We walked outside, found a bar nearby and sat down for a glass of wine. Our drinks arrived, and immediately (ten minutes later) my phone buzzed with a text that our table was ready. Figuring if we didn't abandon our drinks, we'd lose the table, we left our full glasses on wine on the table, and decided to head back to the restaurant. I texted back "we're on our way". We walked back, walked up to the host stand approximately 6 minutes later as instructed and were then told "We gave your table away, we can only hold your table for 5 minutes". Are you kidding me? (This was not mentioned to us at the beginning of our adventure at Poquitos). I believe that the expressions on our faces were enough for the two servers to realize the error of their ways and they then scrambled to find us a table, and they disappeared to do that. At that point after wandering around for an hour and a half, being denied at three restaurants, not getting to enjoy our expensive drinks, and feeling like nobody wanted us, my BF said "Ya wanna just go back to our neighborhood and eat at Franks Oyster House and Champagne Parlor?". YES. I DO. VERY MUCH. GET ME OUT OF HERE NOW. So we walked back to the car through the graffiti and garbage-strewn streets, and went to Frank's, and it was delicious, and calm, and we felt like someone loved us. The End. P.S. I did receive a text from the host at Poquitos that read "We are very sorry for our mistake with your table. Hope your night improves". I can respect that. I doubt this is really their standard of service, stuff happens, I get it, but, I don't imagine I'll be returning to Capitol Hill any time soon for dinner, at least without a reservation.
(1)Kristen K.
We went in on Friday with 4 people and it was pretty packed. We were at a self seating table in the bar within 15 minutes. Really great vibe, fun and relaxed. Margaritas. Great. Appetizers: Yummy. Tacos: DELICIOUS. I cleared my plate. Service: Our waitress was super sweet and very helpful. I wish I would have gotten her name, she was great! I would love to go back!
(4)Charles C.
Oh yeah! Might not be authentic regional Mexican fare, but dang it's muy delicioso! From their unique and contemporary libations to their house-made chips and salsa this place hits the spot! For something different I highly recommend the yam tacos and try putting some of their tabletop red-chile sauce on 'em. When the weather is nice, happy hour on the patio can't be more chill.
(5)Pauline T.
My feelings for this restaurant are along the same lines as everyone else it seems. The atmosphere and setting of the place is very inviting and chill. When I was there it was packed full but the service was amazing. Our water glasses were never empty and our server kept checking on us periodically. But the food was just fine to me. Nothing special from other Mexican places I've been to. My friend ordered the steak enchilada which came with beans and rice- we finished it because we were hungry. However, they do have the best chicharonnes that I've had in quite awhile. They were made fresh and had a slight sprinkle of chili powder. I would only order these if I could. The salsa was good as well and they gave you a whole bowl full of fresh tortilla chips. I'd go back here once in awhile if I'm strolling the Capitol Hill area and want a place to hang out and chill.
(3)Anna W.
I'm glad that Barrio was bursting with too much urban energy for a party of 5 last night, because we ended up at Poquitos instead. This place had an amazing atmosphere: warm orange-hued lights, wrought iron chandeliers, wooden tables, and colorful tiles. Very cozy, whether you're dining with one or with ten. The layout of the place was great, too, and the huge (covered and heated) patio looked equally inviting. Speaking of inviting, the staff was outstanding! From the hostess who helped us scope out a place in the bar, to the friendly and attentive waitress, the service was a very pleasant surprise. I'd give Poquitos one (maybe even half) star off for the food. It wasn't bad by any means (in fact, I really liked the rice & beans, guac, and carnitas), but I kind of wish I'd gotten something else instead of the chicken mole enchiladas. The mole was pretty good, but the chicken was a little try and the lack of sour cream or cheese or tomatoes made the flavors fall flat. To sum up: good atmosphere, outstanding service, and while my dish wasn't superb, I would love to come back and try something else.
(4)Sandie L.
I really appreciate comments on my reviews by the owners of establishments I visit! See below: Thanks for coming by and writing us a review. We really appreciate it a lot and I'm glad to hear you had a great time with us. We hope to see you again soon! Cheers, Rich
(4)Emily C.
Excellent flavors and traditional spices. I've loved both the mole enchiladas and the tacos al pastor. Everything is a bit spicy (even the mild stuff), so be warned. I love it. I always go early on a weekday and never have to wait.
(5)Megan D.
I'm no expert when it comes to Mexican food, but I'd like to think I know a thing or two about decent food. After eating lunch here today, I'm sad to report that I think the food is less than decent. First let me admit that I don't actually know what menudo is supposed to taste like; I tried it for the first time at Poquitos. I thought it was bland, but not all together inedible. I added the lime, cabbage, and whatever fixings came with the soup and had a few spoonfuls. Ultimately, I decided to order something else. So, I ordered a dish called Al Pasto. I thought there was something off with the pork, but I don't know exactly what the problem was. The outer layer of the pork was a little chunky, maybe even perhaps a bit gritty. The guacamole was pretty good. The server was nice and gave me a discount on the menudo that I didn't eat. If you are looking for a place to get a drink and eat some chips and guacamole, then you should check it out. If you are looking for excellent Mexican food, then I suggest you keep looking.
(2)Charmaine D.
I had walked past this place a few times and was dying to try it just because of the great atmosphere. The interior is one of the most striking on Capitol Hill and the layout is fantastic - a huge bar near the main seating area and a gorgeous covered patio area beyond that. Sadly, the food was very disappointing. To be fair, we only went for happy hour but based on that experience we probably won't be returning for food again. To start, the avocados that they used for the guacomole were not ripe enough so it had a funny flavor. Aside from that we also tried the brisket taquitos and the chicken tinga tacos - both were on the sweet side and rather tasteless (the meat was also very dry). We resorted to dousing everything with hot sauce which was an improvement but only because it covered up the taste. The sangria is also way too sweet and not very strong. In my opinion, the only reason to come here is for basic drinks and to enjoy the gorgeous atmosphere - do yourself a favor and skip the food.
(3)Anna O.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. We came here on a very busy Saturday, during what seemed to be a rush hour on Capital Hill. Nonetheless, we were seated right away. We were impressed with the ambiance - it's in a grand old space, with beautifully ornamented doors, large windows, and sturdy, dark tables. The food... oh my God, the food! Granted I'd only been there once, and had only one dish, but it was certainly memorable enough! I got pork tacos with habanero salsa. First of all, don't put the salsa in your mouth unless you'd already burned off all your taste buds. I was able to use like a drop of it on a taco... the meat tasted heavenly, and I'm not even a fan of pork. Perfectly spiced, juicy, slightly crusted on the outside... and it came with rice and beans which were also quite special - apparently they bake them in some kind of sauce. I wanted to have dessert but couldn't fit it in. I think I will have to come back just for the dessert as I'd love to try flan and sopapillas and the avocado panna cotta. The latter sounds too intriguing not to try it! The cocktails looked exciting but I couldn't have done them that day either. Anyway, I have a feeling that I must go back. I'm subtracting a star because they don't give you chips and salsa automatically - I guess you have to order it - which I feel like any self-respecting mexican restaurant should start doing automatically. They were a bit late with my drink, but they didn't charge me for it and apologized. I certainly have no complaints about the service, our server was courteous, friendly, and very helpful with making recommendations. The food was also brought out in a timely fashion.
(4)rosylen m.
My four stars are limited to three things-- Ambiance--pretty, mellow, softly lit place to hang out in on a Sunday night. My drink--La Fiona, a spicy and sweet cocktail Chicken Mole Enchiladas--these were damn tasty. Smokey, sweet, chocolate-y. I ate all of it and almost licked my plate clean. Almost. My companion ordered the carne asada tacos, but sadly he was given a steaming pile of carnitas (which he ate and I think he liked). To make up for the mistake, our server/waitress lady gave us a flan. The flan was okay (way too firm like it had gelatin or something in it) and really thin. And there was something a little off about the guacamole. I couldn't quite put my finger on what exactly (possibly unripe avocados or cilantro [not a fan of cilantro in my guac]). Bottom line--I'd go back for cocktails and the mole.
(4)Catherine S.
Two fantastic meals in a row. My sister and I visited two weeks ago and had incredible service (Thanks Antony!) and the best restaurant food in a while. Soup to nuts, it was delicious. Took the family out tonight and again, an incredible meal. Tortilla soup, fish tacos, yam tacos, chef's choice for my husband (some kind of meat sandwich) were so tasty. Got a great recommendation for a sippin' tequila, and the husband's margarita was really tasty. Muchas Gracias, Poquitos! But later . . . Poquitos switched to a new format for taking reservations. I tried calling to make a reservation but all I got was a voice message saying if I wanted to make a reservation, refer to their website. No way. I wanted to talk to a real person and ask some questions. Bad form, Poquitos. You and I must part ways. A website can't answer the questions I have.
(2)Annie L.
The food and drinks were not good. I had the tacos and mojito. The tacos were bland and the drink was light. I would go back for other food since there are many other places that I haven't tried yet.
(1)Sara V.
Great food and good service, too. The food took a little while to arrive but it was super packed and I thought the time was good considering how busy they were. Everything tasted good and i thought their prices were reasonable. I would definitely go back! Also their drinks were very good.
(4)Alfredo M.
No idea how they manage to make tomatillo salsa be soooo tasteless. Service was pretty slow, at 3/4 occupancy. Horchata served in a short glass filled with ice. Those are the three stars they missed. The two they got: yam tacos & habanero sauce
(2)Jake S.
Came here based on a friedn's recommendation. So glad that we did. Started with a great Ahi tuna cerviche which was fresh, flavorful, and priced right (about $10). Then I had the pork tacos and my wife had a chicken mole tamale (which I ate half of). OMG, both dishes were fantastic. Very authentic tasting, and bursting with flavor. The tamale was a tiny bit dry, but the mole sauce fixed that right up. All in all, a great place for a fun vibe, high quality food, and reasonably priced to boot! Well done Poquitos!
(4)Artboy L.
A) Food was very tasty fresh and quick service. B) Service was fun, and were very interested in explaining menu, and they have 69 tequilas! C) Highly recommend the gauc&chips and yam tacos! D) Seattle has way too many mexican restaurants that are meat covered in cheese kinda places, and Poquitos is upscale, fresh,and inventive. Decor is tastefully understated and the location is perfect, looking outside... a wonderful fishbowl. I will be going back and supporting this new vegetarian friendly resturant.
(4)Judith G.
I have been to Poquitos twice. I wanted to like it because it is close by and I like the atmosphere upon entering the place but dang, the service sucks. If the food was all that great (and the chips didn't cost extra) I could overlook the lack of attention but the place wasn't even busy. Too many good (and less expensive) choices on Capitol Hill.
(2)Jesse G.
I've only been here once, so maybe take this with that grain of salt. We went for happy hour on a Sunday. It was 4pm and almost every seat was full. I think the ambiance was great. Nice tile work - open space but still a good place to have a private conversation - I bet in the summer months this will be a wonderful place to hang out. The margaritas were nicely priced (5 bucks for a pint glass full) and pretty tasty - somewhere between gourmet and margarita mix on the quality scale. I was able to get through two of them no problem. I liked the chips too, even though you had to pay extra for them. I don't actually have as much as a problem with that as my fellow yelpers - I'd rather have chips when I want them rather than mindlessly shoving them down my throat. They were pretty light and came with two good tomatillo based salsas. We ordered the yam tacos and the chicken tacos. Yam tacos were wonderful - mashed yam on a soft tortilla, very well seasoned. I could have skipped the chicken tacos - they were pretty spicy, not in a good, deep, way but more in a oh wow, this is a lot of spice way. There was also a small bone in the shredded chicken - at least it was fresh but I sure am glad I didn't swallow it. The service was friendly and great and the happy hour prices were too. I'm sure I'll end up here again but probably wouldn't wait in line for hours for it. We'll see how it develops!
(3)Au N.
The type of Mexican food you would find at a mall food court. The margarita is super sugary. I was annoyed that we waited 5 minutes without so much as a greeting, even though 3 staff members were standing around. A restaurant is there to expect Guests to arrive and greet them promptly so they give you business and revenue. The space is nice but not worth the visit. When I did ask the Hostess about ordering, a waitress came by and she was nice, hence the 2 stars. Everything else is forgettable, especially with much better places close by. Fail!
(2)Anna Z.
I agree with whoever said the posts below might have been written by the competition, because this place is just too damn good. Yes, it is a little expensive, but what do you expect from a trendy place on Capitol Hill? Also, I'm allergic to gluten, and everything on their menu is gluten free minus the mole! Perfect. Whatever the drink was, don't remember the name, but involved chipotle infused tequila and passionfruit. AMAZING, but very spicy.
(5)Margaret L.
Excellent lunch. We shared fish tacos and yam tacos. Also had chips with yummy salsas. My son had corn soup, which he thought should have been cooked down and not so thin. I had side salad which was very good.
(4)Nurse L.
There were 5 of us for dinner. We all agreed drinks were good, food was "meh". And the food took a very long time to come-45 minutes or so. Granted, it was Friday and they were busy, but they should staff for busyness on Fridays. The taco plates were tiny, my quesadilla was good, but half the size they usually are. Overall, wouldn't return.
(3)Geno C.
Love this place. Great Vibe. We went for happy hour and the drinks were great and so were the apps.
(4)Tiana M.
This place is delicious. Some highlights: guac and jala-fresa margarita.
(5)FoodJunkie G.
Updated Review: Upgrading from two star to three star. I revisited this place and see they've taken their feedback seriously. The food was slightly better and the bartender explained that they don't have a huge collection of draft beers because most patrons like to order bottled Mexican beer. Fair enough. I'll have a Dos Equis, please. --------------------------------------------- What's good: Great location, friendly staff, Lovely Ambience. TVs play sports - in case you like to watch a game while eating - like I do. What's bad: FOOD and DRINKS. Ok so I live close to this place and I love Mexican food. I've eaten at most Mexican places on the Hill. The only item I like on the menu was the mexican style pizza - it was amazing. Definately recommend that. Almost everything else was bad. Please, for the love of God, don't even think about ordering any soups. We literally tasted two spoons and left rest of the soup untouched. How do you ruin a simple soup? Beer selection was mediocre. We didn't have hard liquor so can't comment about the strength of the drinks. You know that feeling you get when you eat at a new place, your stomach feels weird later and you tell yourself I should have just made myself a sandwich and stayed at home. Yes, that's what I felt after eating the food here. I was speaking to a few friends about this place and they told me the same thing even without listening to my experience so I'm fairly confident that my review is fair.
(3)Mini P.
Went for happy hour on a packed Friday night. Found seating for two right away. Margaritas were awesome, the food, not so much. The guacamole was yellow and i am used to green. The other food was eh. Probably go back for drinks and not the food. Hopefully the diner is better.
(3)Kris N.
This place is great. From the ambience to the staff to the food it's an all-around great experience. Very consistent, & quick. Love the fire pits out back, especially this time of year! A great addition to the hill.
(4)Emily M.
I want to like this place, I think it has so much potential. The atmosphere misses the spot, it needs more consistent lighting and decor to feel comfortable. The food was so, so blah, except for the guac. We got two dishes and an app, and four different kinds of drinks. The bartender was really nice, but I wouldn't go back unless it was for a beer. The pork taco had no flavor, the meat was somewhat cold and it was very chewy. I had one of their signature cocktails and ended up requesting something else because it was way too sweet. Won't be going back :(
(2)Jim G.
My family had been once before with mediocre service and food, but thought we would give it another go. Unfortunately we received POOR service from the beginning to the end and the food to match. We will never go back and there are plenty of places in the neighborhood that you will never have to risk having the same experience we have had.
(1)Kylie A.
I met a friend for lunch on Saturday and it was way better this time! I got the rock fish tacos it came with either a "side salad" which was huge or rice and beans. I opted for the salad. The fish tacos were really fresh and tasty and I also got the chicken tortilla soup which was really amazing and I wish I had the recipe. My dining companion got the Juevos Rancheros from the brunch menu and was a member of the clean plate club afterward. Sadly I had to work after or else I would have stayed and slammed a couple margs.
(4)Mary A.
Had planned on somewhere different last night but there was parking in front so... Had a great dinner. There were 3 of us, one who cannot handle hot spice and the server was very helpful is giving us choices. She had a the Chicken Tamale with the mole on the side and it was very good. As was her beet salad. The other two of us split a Canitas plate - OUT OF THIS WORLD! Made with Carlton Farms pork and just devine. We also split Brisket Tacos, which were also excellent. Black beans and rice came with the Tacos and black beans and guac came with the Carnitas plate. All in all very good food. The guac was a little a little spicier than I usually eat but it tasted great. I can't realy find anything to complain about - it wasn't cheap, but it was high quality food prepared well. Good service.
(5)K F.
Anthony the bartender was great - funny and welcoming! Dinner has a nice glow and a good crowd.
(3)Jacquelyn P.
I am going to give this place five stars as a BAR. I have no idea how the restaurant portion is because I just got drinks here. Everyone I talked to, bar tenders, bouncers, and even the guy who came up and gave us chips and water, were so nice and outgoing. They just seemed happy to be there, and I enjoy that, especially in a bar where I don't expect good service. I think they recently opened the back patio because last night was the first time I saw people in there. I am so impressed with this place now. At first it was just a crowded restaurant and didn't make for a very good place to hang out with friends, but the spacious indoor patio area and its warm orange lighting makes for such a cozy rendezvous point. Amazing atmosphere. This place is essentially Cha Cha's sexier, more mature and intelligent brother on the other side of the street. I honestly could not have asked for a better late night Cinco de Mayo / 22nd birthday experience.
(5)Scarlett M.
I'm a little old and tired for the Hipster scene, so I'm going to just say upfront that this isn't the place for a quiet dinner for two. However, the service was fast and friendly, the food was surprisingly good, and the decor was gorgeous. If you don't mind being surrounded by very loud 20-somethings, it's worth a shot. If you ARE a very loud 20-something, this is the place for you.
(4)Sung P.
Mediocre food, but the location is so good that it's hard not to avoid when you want a good place for a group and some decent grub and drinks. They actually have really good margaritas - the habanero one is solid. Service is great - have never been disappointed from that perspective, really friendly and attentive even when it gets really busy. I always get the carnitas plate because it's hard to screw up.
(3)Mark P.
Used to be good. Now less than mediocre. Over salted tortilla soup. Charge for salsa while that doesn't come up when the waitress says "would you like some chips and salsa?" Too bad. Was good a few months ago and was hoping it lasted. Help me out with some recs for a good Mexican place.
(1)Michael M.
Not bad. Great location. The "outdoor" (but still indoor) patio is actually pretty sweet - feels good when the sun's out, beautiful tile backdrop at the bar. Our service was good, but I think we may have lucked out. The guacamole was decent, the chicken tinga tacos tasty, and the margaritas were pretty run of the mill. The price point seems a bit high for the quality, but it's pretty clear they're selling the aesthetic and location, too. Yelp describes three stars as "A-OK" and that's pretty much how I'd describe Poquitos.
(3)Amos N.
I went there on two occasions and I have to say I kinda like this place. First off my ID was a little cracked on the front and the bartender was nice enough to still serve me drinks and recommended I get a new one instead of kicking me out, how nice! Need to get a new ID though. The food was good, I had the al pastor quesadilla which was actually really good with the 5 different salsas they served with our chips. I know what your thinking, how can anyone screw up a quesadilla? I really liked their drink menu, lots of tequila to choose from. I ordered the "el dude" and I was hooked. Tequila horchata and house made kahlua?!! You cant go wrong with that. Also it was my friends birthday and the server was nice enough to comp us some flan which I'm not a big fan of but turned out pretty good.
(4)Shaunessy J.
This is my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. Everything is delicious- the brisket tacos are scrumptious and the salsas are super tasty. The service is spot on. It's great for lunch, dinner, or a late night snack.
(5)James D.
My favorite place on Cap Hill. I love the Ditchweeds and arguably the best carnitas in town. Matt is my usual waiter and very helpful even if I'm not sitting in his section. This place is warm (literally, they have heated seats in the "outdoor" bar area), inviting, and friendly. It's the place to be on Cap Hill. Thank you, Poquitos!
(5)Anthony A.
Food and service were excellent. Servers were knowledgeable and very friendly. I will warn you though: if they tell you a dish is hot, believe them!! I can eat habaneros like candy and my mouth burned for over an hour after eating a very spicy, yet delicious shrimp dish. Can't wait to try more of the menu!
(4)Elana K.
This place seems to get a baddish rap on here, but I dunno...I've been here at least 10 times and have always enjoyed the food and drinks. But I'm also forgiving about the "authenticity" of the place. I have a friend who downright REFUSES to come here because it's not "real" Mexican food, but for me, if the food is good and fills me up, I'm down. We also pretty much exclusively come for happy hour and sit on the patio at the bar. We always get the Mini Sopes and Al Pastor tacos and rotate among the other menu options. And EVERY TIME, we say "wow, that's good!". On the regular menu I like their grilled corn (a version of elotes), the tortilla soup and their beans and rice. Their Margarita is not particularly special but a fine deal for happy hour at $5. And it makes me feel like I'm on vacation. I had the El Dude recently in a moment of pure indulgence (horchata, vanilla infused tequila and housemade kahlua), and was happy with that as well (and at $8 each, it was easy to stop at 1). The non-happy hour prices may be a bit on the higher side, but I don't think they're unreasonable. But if that's the reason you're not coming here, come for happy hour and try it out.
(4)Jennifer C.
Still suffering food poisoning from eating at this nicely appointed dump 3 days ago. If you enjoy stomach cramping, vomiting and diarrhea, I guess this is a great spot for you. Checking online shows that their last food safety inspection was unsatisfactory - surprise, surprise. The food was okay - guacamole was sub-par and tres chere. The margarita was tasty. We really enjoyed the patio. The rest of the food was okay, not great, especially for the prices. They forgot to put dressing on one of my co-diner's salad - c'mon, people, seriously? However, I am am still suffering the effects of dining there and it'll be a cold day in hell before I ever set foot in there again. I have reported them to the food poisoning hotline in King County. If I could give them no stars I would. I have lived in Seattle all of my life, and I've only had food poisoning in a restaurant here once or twice before this. this is the worst case by far. Thanks for nothing, Poquito's.
(1)Jasmine M.
Poquitos, you fit for the following reasons. Your space is huge and most likely on a busy Capitol Hill party night you have seating with little to no wait. Your drinks although not always good, sometimes are KILLER grapefruit fizzy cocktail I had--wowie that was good. The food, although not my so amazing I just have to come back everyday- it definitely has it's winners. Tacos-yummy. And I do dig your house salad-no dairy!
(4)Mark S.
Ok, I hated you guys at first, but one day I just had to give you another chance. BIG CHANGE! Most food Items were ok. one of your best dish is the quesadillas. It's got to be one of the best in seattle. Service was MUCH improved. Whatever you guys are doing keep it up. Remember that customer service is extremely important. Gracias!!!!!
(4)Ashley F.
I love to visit this spot when I'm in town. Wait staff is friendly, food is tasty, and the cocktails are FABULOUS! Have one of their margaritas, or if you like spice, try a Fiona. I love their guacamole and their carnitas entree. It's a great spot for happy hour (sitting on the patio is my favorite) as dinner time can get a little packed and noisy...but it's definitely worth it.
(4)M. C.
I love the brisket tacos and the mole enchiladas. The last time we went, Liz was our server and she was wonderful. We were playing "guess my name" and she was just beautiful and alot of fun. We had to wait about 45 minutes for the dinner menu to be available but luckily we were with an old friend we hadn't seen in a while so we were content to sit for a while and talk. I always enjoy going to poquitos but my last visit reminded me i have never written a review! Poquitos is a great place to go for dinner and drinks and its just a beautiful restaurant and very clean. Oh and by the way, they have the best flan!
(4)Sara F.
tried this place recently with husband & parents on a trip home & it was a-ok. The chips, salsa & guacamole they brought out at first was pretty yummy. The guac could have used more lemon for my taste, but I like my guac really spicy & sour, other than that, everyone loved it. Their salsa's are good & taste homemade! For dinner, I got a really tasty plate of tacos al pastor with this amazingly delicious & super spicy habanero/pineapple sauce; muy bueno! Other peeps ordered shrimp which was good but nothing to write home about & carne tacos, also pretty good. Another standout besides the pastor was the rice & beans. I'm not usually a fan of beans in general but the ones here are not overcooked & spiced just right. This is a great easy spot to grab some good, filling food & a decent margarita. I'll def give them another try if I'm in the mood for yummy street tacos.
(3)Jenn K.
I haven't had everything on the menu, but what I have had is excellent! I love the vegetarian tamales; in fact I come all the way to Poquitos just to get them. And if their classic margaritas are just too "meh" for you, try their "La Fiona". It's made with habanero infused tequila and is quite satiating. To top it off, you must try their made-in-house popsicles...they have fun and interesting flavors like Avocado!
(5)Rebecca B.
Great food and awesome drinks. It is loud and crowded though!
(4)Anthony L.
I had lunch here on June 27th. It was my first time, so I wasn't sure what to expect. For starters, the environment was clean and tasteful, much nicer than what I was expecting. However, I felt that the menu was lacking in options. I ordered the tortilla soup and house salad, both of which were good, but I got bored with the flavor of the salad. If you're looking for a restaurant with a slight twist on mexican food, then this is your place. The ingredients are quality and fresh, but the preparation is just a LITTLE sub-par. I'm certain you won't be disappointed with this restaurant, but I certainly wasn't impressed. Three stars for decent food and a nice environment.
(3)susanna g.
Overly fatty carnitas, don't take reservations for parties under 8, and they charge $2 for 3 extra corn tortillas. Pass.
(2)Patrick H.
Hipster staff can't be bored with your questions but whatever. Food and drinks were good.
(3)M H.
Dined there for the first time Sunday evening. The place was PACKED at 5:00 on a Sunday! There were about 8 people waiting to be seated in the dining room so hubby and I grabbed 2 stools at the bar and were very warmly greeted by the bartender. She was very busy but managed to be very friendly and attentive. We didn't order too much: yam tacos, brisket tacos, grilled corn, and chips/salsa. The fresh handmade tortillas in the tacos and the chips tasted just as good as you want fresh handmade tortillas to taste. The yam tacos were good, but the brisket tacos were really oustanding - tender and flavorful. The corn was outstanding too, especially when we spooned it into the tacos. The salsa had a fresh homemade taste, my only gripe is that I wish it had more heat. I'm looking forward to eating here again once the novelty wears off and the crowds thin out a bit.
(4)Megan S.
As I sit here enjoying the remainder of my Chipotlle chicken Torta from last night I felt that I owed this place a review. We went on a Sunday evening around 7 and we had to wait about 15 minutes for a seat. We started off with both the guacamole and the queso fundido with mushrooms. Both were great, though I wouldn't have minded having a little more guac to indulge on. It is chunky, but I'd rather have that than soupy guacamole. There weren't too many options for my vegetarian husband, but he did enjoy the veggie torta. My mother-in-law had one of the taco dishes and enjoyed it. While the serving size of the tacos is not your typical American serving size, we were quite content after ordering appetizers. I had the poquitos margarita and it was perfect. I would like to go back and try the Pure one just for comparison. I look forward to coming back to Poquitos in the summer when the outside area is complete.
(4)Elizabeth R.
A solid meh. I think that my biggest complaint is that it is just too much money for the amount/quality of food you get. The amount they charge for the scoop of guac you get is ridiculous. The drinks were pretty good. The patio is pretty awesome. Really, I'll just keep on going to Barrio.
(2)Jimmy Z.
I've been twice: the first time was not good, the second time was a little better. I was hoping for a place with good, authentic mexican food and, most importantly, great margaritas. Instead I found their food to be average and their margaritas below average compared to similar places. On top of the the place is definitely overpriced and usually crowded. It's one of those places where they charge a lot for a simple order of guacamole and a few tacos. Still, if the margaritas were good I'd come back for happy hours, but even those were disappointing. For what Poquitos is supposed to be, I just think there are plenty of places that do it better.
(2)Kate D.
Ummm, so I walked into this place with an open mind. It was a pretty cool looking place. A bar and a sea of tables all over the place. Chill ambiance and a Mexican menu in Capitol HIll is needed. However, charging 3$ for a table spoon of meat on a tortilla and calling it a taco is dumb. If i want real authentic tacos, I will walk to a taco truck for a 1.50$ taco that tastes amazing. The real icing on the cake was the fact that their bathroom was disgusting. Dirty feminine products laying on the ground and even wall. My god, they need to have an attendant in the bathroom more often. Also the bill was way too over priced for their "happy hour" food and drinks. Not impressed what so ever.
(1)Amanda W.
Two words: Habanero Margarita! Holy flaming lips, it was absolutely fantastic! The drink gods at Poquitos are witty and creative with their unique and delightful concoctions. The ambiance is old world meets new school chic with outdoor fire pits and an enclosed patio great for sunny and rainy days. The service was great, the staff is quick, kind, and courteous. The tortilla soup is amaaaaaaazing! Great place to nurse a hangover, watch a game, catch up with friends, or all of the above!
(5)Tim B.
The decor and ambience are nice. Service was ok. The Margaritas were fine. The food was a little off. I had birria that wasn't really birria. Birria is a stew. They are serving some sort of dry meat nonsense with a chile sause, and the chile sauce itself doesn't taste like birria stock. It didn't taste bad, but it's not anywhere near as nice as the real thing. I'm all for departures from tradition when they are at least as good as the original, but if you are going to take shortcuts to turn something traditional into something that is more compatible with a standard kitchen setup, then please don't bother. Seems like a good place for drinks and snacks on a patio though, as long as you don't care too much about the food being great.
(3)Bryan S.
Absolutely LOVE Poquitos! Everything you want from a Mexican restaurant! Amazing margaritas (the Poquitos Margarita is amazing!), fantastic chips and salsa and guacamole, amazing authentic style food and the tortillas are hand made!!! The staff is great and I love the atmosphere!
(5)Saucy B.
Very festive atmosphere, fantastic semi-outdoor area that is heated and covered when it's cold. Great bar, great atmosphere. VERY loud. Excellent tortilla soup, and a great deal at $7. Enough for a meal. The food merits more than 3 stars but the service is underwhelming. We were ignored for quite a while after sitting down although servers went past us several times.
(3)Danielle D.
Goat birria, chicharrones, and horchata/tequila drinks. Plus firepits on the patio?! We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here on a rainy Seattle Sunday.
(4)Kent K.
It's popular and with reason. The space is pleasant. They have a full bar with a fair selection of tequila. The food is above passable. Pretty good for this neighborhood.
(4)Leonora C.
It's ok, had better, The place is very pretty
(3)Crystal B.
I LOVE Mexican food. I highly dislike Poquitos. It is a fantastic atmosphere, pretty good service, and is a lively place, but the food is not good. I will never go back.
(1)Becca R.
Worst customer service ever. Don't go here. Here's the story. My husband and I had been here a few times before. The bar space is pretty open and airy, and combined with the table-side fires can create a really nice atmosphere. The food is decent (particularly the chips and guac) and decently priced during happy hour, as are happy hour drinks. I'd been willing to overlook spotty service in the past because of these positives. So why one star? After three days of hiking, we brought my parents here, and made a bee line for the open table in the bar area. Great, I thought. No saving tables in the bar area (or so we'd been told before) so that one, right by the window, is ours. Instead, we got some snippy waitress telling us that the table was already claimed by someone else, even though the other people were nowhere to be found. In fact, those other people didn't show up for another 15 minutes. There we were, four hungry adults ready and waiting to eat and drink (and pay), and they REFUSED TO SERVE US because the waitress was SAVING A TABLE FOR HER FRIENDS. Where were the friends? Outside smoking, or so we were told. And they didn't come back until she went outside to "see if they were still there." I wouldn't be surprised if they were never there in the first place and had just sent a text in advance saying they'd be there in 15 minutes. And even if they weren't her friends and were in fact outside smoking, there's a very simple rule for this type of thing... move your feet, lose your seat... and that's always been the way it worked in the bar area. The staff was rude to us the entire time, and the manager was no help when I finally spoke with her later. On top of that, the snippy snot-nosed waitress was wearing shorts that were so short they should never be worn by someone working in a restaurant. Keep your jewels to yourself, child. I don't want that in my food. I'm surprised that it isn't a health code violation (or maybe it would be if an inspector caught it). The most fabulous food on the planet wouldn't compensate for that kind of utterly rude and completely disrespectful treatment, nor the inappropriate attire on the snot waitress. And Poquitos definitely does NOT have the most fabulous food in the world. Take my advice (and Andy T.'s and others, I'm sure) and don't go here. We went across the street to Quinn's and were MUCH happier. If you want Mexican, skip this place and go to Barrio's instead. It's less than 2 blocks away. I certainly won't be spending any more money at this place, and you shouldn't either. Save yourself the aggravation.
(1)Michael L.
After a few meals here that I gagged down I will make this simple. Greasy, chewy, drowned in sauce, extremely over priced, highly over rated food. On top of that toss in bitchy servers and TA-DA! You have Poquitos!
(1)Kate L.
I love this place! Good food, really cool atmosphere and friendly service. My only gripe is that it can be a tad pricey for Mex food. I would totally reccomend this place to my friends and fam.
(4)Jerry M.
The jalapeno infused tequila is amazing. Really good drinks and the torta was super spicy.
(4)Lincoln B.
I agree, one star is too much for Poquitos. The atmosphere at this restaurant is great, but that is it. The food is greasy and without any flair whatsoever. The server, and the manager, at least on this last Saturday night, have attitudes. They treat customers very poorly. This is a BARRIO wannabe that will hopefully go out of business.
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