Pica’s Taqueria
5360 Arapahoe Ave,Ste F, Boulder, CO, 80303
Pica’s Taqueria Menu
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Address :
5360 Arapahoe Ave,Ste F
Boulder, CO, 80303 - Phone (303) 444-2391
- Website https://www.picasboulder.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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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Karyn H.
Having seen this cute place tucked in a strip center I would have not guessed how good it was. Until I saw an order of their food get brought into the cycling shop next door. As a visitor to town only and so many places to choose from we selected this before heading to DIA Vanessa who greeted us promptly provided several top recos. I went with the beet tacos and pastuer. Served with rice and black beans. Amazing! Beets were grilled perfectly cubed with onion and cojoti (cheese). My boyfriend had the carne asada wet burrito. Which had a Mexican tangy BBQ sauce. The meat was fab. Tortilla was thin. A couple local beers too. Did I mention the darling patio? Perfect!
(5)Bill C.
This is the first time I've gotten their takeout and the experience was beyond disappointing. I've eaten in the restaurant and the experience was 4+ stars so I expected a similar experience with take out What made it a bad experience? For $10.90, I got a small burrito in foil in a brown paper bag. Nothing else. No drink. No salsa. No sour cream. No napkins. No rice. Really? There was a place I used to get burritos from down in Lakewood that charged $4 and they even gave you two types of salsa. Unfortunately that's the last time I will have their take out. Too bad because I would have been a regular having just taken a new job down the road.
(3)Gerardo D.
I feel like an idiot. I have been getting my coffee from Ozo virtually next door and never tried Pica's until today. I thought it would be yet another tex-mex place that sold you orange cheese, flour tortillas, used lot of cummin and gave you limes. I was very wrong. My first surprise was seeing pozole verde on the menu. Not many places in the US make pozole, and it is native of the state where I grew up in Mexico, but they were out. I will come back to try it and will update my review. So I went for the tacos. Three different ones: Pastor (which is very hard to get right), carnitas and grilled shrimp. Wow. The key to a good taco is a good, freshly made, warm tortilla. It's been a long time since I have had such a good tortilla. The perfect tortilla is not only warm but it is at the point where it is getting toasty, so it gives a very slight crunch. Just like the ones at pica's. The pastor was delicious, I was surprised. Carnitas was super tasty, better than I expected. The shrimp was great, and spicy too. The salsa they use on that one is incredible. Service was great, price is reasonable and the restaurant is nice. What more can you ask for. Pica's has earned a place on my special list, and I can't wait to come back to Boulder to try the pozole and other stuff on the menu. Buen provecho!
(5)Leanne G.
The fish tacos were one step away from SoCal perfect. The fish was just cooked a bit to long so it was slightly tuff. However, the flavor was there! The posole was incredible. It's unique in that it's almost creamy with chicken instead of pork. Yum. We sat outside on their back patio which is nicely decorated with bright colors and also shade to block out the intense sun. The food is ordered at a counter and the brought out to you when done so it's a nice setting for lunch or a casual dinner.
(4)Jesse H.
Happy to have found another great, affordable and quick dinner spot in Boulder near the dance venue I attend (The Avalon - check out the swing dancing there!). I was overwhelmed by choices but the employee at the counter helped me by suggesting I try two different tacos. I went for Al Pastor (her recommendation) and the special beet taco. Minutes later I was enjoying both. The beet taco had soft and really flavorful beet chunks and a chewy, tangy Mexican cheese that rocked my mouth. The Al Pastor is not my style, but I did enjoy the tiny pineapple chunks mixed in. I'll be back on my next visit to the area and might have to try this wet burrito everyone speaks of.
(4)Robert M.
PIca's is a great addition to the Mexican offerings in Boulder. Had the Beet Taco's with cojita cheese. The beet tacos were not on the menu, but friend I was with knew about them and we asked and sure enough they had em. I'm taking one star off for chips and salsa which you have to pay like $2 for and were pretty average at best. While located out by 55th St. & Arapahoe, it's worth the drive from Downtown Boulder. Although the parking lot is awkward and gets super crowded due to the Wendy's drive through next door.
(4)Christy V.
I continue to love Pica's for a myriad of reasons. Today I had the posole for lunch and it was incredibly good. So hearty and sustaining and the crispy tostada was a great item to dip. Also, I love the service here - I have to give a huge shout-out to Matt who is almost always there (we go a lot and we always see him!) and he is just so friendly and helpful. He's wonderful to my kids and is so efficient and quick - always checking if people are enjoying their meals, always cleaning up, getting food out quickly, etc. But most importantly, he is incredibly nice. One of the main reasons we return again and again!
(5)Jim R.
Great spot and hidden gem away from the hustle of Pearl. Excellent tacos and a lovely back patio. the fish tacos were excellent. A relaxed vibe great for families.
(5)Kim O.
The icing on the cake of this place for me is the ambience. We have two kids and it meets all of our needs. The food is good, not the best Mexican, but we are all happ. Kids can play, they have a cute patio space, and margaritas. Great balance of good food and appealing place to hang out.
(5)Samuel G.
Been going to Pica's since it opened and I've finally decided to pen my review. Haha. Pretty cool to see this place grow as much as it has. I frequently go here with my co workers and we've never been disappointed. I generally get the taco plates (chicken is good, carne asada is really good and the al pasor ones are the best) but if I'm feeling really hungry I get the chicken tinga wet burrito. I need to branch out more here because every time I've tried something I've always liked it and it enters my regular rotation. Staff has always been friendly and it seems like they have a few regular lunch staff folks that really have it down and have always been on point. Fair warning (and I know everyone says this about every mexican spot) but the margaritas are truly high octane. Maybe my tolerance has come down a little, but 2 of those bad boys gets you in a real fine mood. Awesome place, love to go here with new people because they always have a good experience and always want to come back.
(5)Shannon H.
Pretty disappointing. Paid ten dollars for a carnitas and a grilled halibut taco with a tiny side of guacamole. Took forever, even though the place was empty. Both tacos were cold. The carnitas was fine, but pretty flavorless. I liked the halibut more but it was overlooked and rubbery! The flavor was Okay and it would have been much more tolerable if warm and cooked correctly. Overall, the food was fine and edible but given that they have a cool vibe and aesthetic, it didn't live up to expectations and I've had far far better off if a food truck for much cheaper.
(2)Elaine Z.
Not bad. More Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican, but I am totally OK with that. My biggest complaint was the tiny amount of guacamole I received for the extra price I paid to get it added. I got the chicken burrito, which was quite generously sized, and itty bitty portion of guac to go with it. Staff were friendly, helpful, and quite nice to look at. You place your order at the counter, get handed a wooden triangle with a number on it, and then help yourself to drink, utensils, and a seat. They bring the food to you. Water is in a separate dispenser right next to the sodas, which I totally didn't see at first. Tea is kept behind the counter. Bus your own tables, try not to throw the plates away. There is a bookshelf with used books for sale, board games, and coloring books and crayons. You could easily settle in all day here! They also have outdoor seating in the back. They turned music on after the chaotic lunch rush, and it was quite a fun, interesting mix. I don't think I've EVER heard The Gorillaz in a public place! The parking lot IS chaotic, but most of that chaos was at the entrance and people trying to get to and around the drive thru Wendy's. If you can safely get past all that, you should be OK. I've never understood shopping centers that think having only one entrance/exit is a good idea.
(4)Heidi D.
I love, love love this restaurant. The best Mexican food in it's price range, fresh and authentic homemade Mexican, just the right balance between healthy-light, and the heavy cheesey style found at other local authentic Mex. restaurants.. My family's favorites are the enchilladas (served dinners only), the Posole soup of the day, the salads, rellenos, and the yummy, yummy (that's 2x) flan! As a previous reveiwer mentioned, the Beet Tacos are indeed in my top two favorite entrees; and I am not a vegetarian. I'm clueless why Pica's doesn't have a higher rating...I'm told that I'm picky when it comes to food and restaurant service. And Pica's has done well by me for 5+ years.
(5)trolley S.
I really like Pica's. I love the outdoor seating and every time I've been there it's been nice and mellow. It's never empty but somehow it's big enough that you can get some peace and quiet while eating. I love shrimp tacos and cabbage. It's a marriage made in heaven. Add a soft corn tortilla and I'm a happy customer. My issue and my biggest issue is the creamy cabbage topping. People seem to love it. To me it tastes too much like Miracle Whip and not much else. I suppose this is either a taste you love or hate. I feel it overpowers the food and you taste mayo and not much else. I love their margaritas. Strong and small. Next time I'm going to try the shrimp tacos minus the cabbage topping.
(4)Shay L.
I will be yelping about this place for atleast a day or two! In a good way. I got the chicken quesadilla which was complimented by the famous Margherita. Needless to say this small hidden gem was fantastico. Like governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said..."I'll be baaak."PS...you pay ahead of time which is always a plus because you don't have to wait forever for the waiter or waitress to bring your check after you've stuffed your face and need to cut a trail to the nearest out house
(5)Roger S.
Had a great Taco lunch here today. Chicken, Pork and Beef tacos. The fillings were great. The only way to improve the product would be to use 2 tortillas with each taco. (Mine were falling apart and I ended up using a fork to finish.) Good Margarita. I'll be back!
(4)David C.
This place is legit! Excellent food and service. Tacos are fantastic and salads. Sauces are also very good on enchiladas. Highly recommend, great little Traditional Mexican food joint (not sloppy gross American Mexican food).
(5)Brian K.
Great food, prepared with more TLC than you see at most places. Interesting menu choice and drinks. Strangely, I found them closed on weekends, but here it says that they are open.
(4)Lori B.
I come here quite a bit, I like their yummy salsa and chips, as well as their tacos.
(5)Marshall D.
I've always had good experiences here. Food has good flavor and the service has always been friendly and helpful. It's always been a comfortable place to bring our little one. Especially out in the courtyard in the spring/summer. Boulder has always had so few enjoyable fast/causal restaurants available. It's nice to know I can always go to Pica's and have a good meal.
(4)Emily O.
Service was fast and friendly. Indoor and outdoor seating. Games to keep the kids busy while you wait. Carnitas wet burrito was great. Nino burrito was enough to fill a 9 year old. Pico de gallo was awesome. Fun place to eat!
(4)Ray T.
I love this place. It's my new regular spot for good pico de gallo and tacos. Margs are good too. A little pricey and I wish they had a frequent flyer card.
(4)A L.
I wish this place was in a better location - I would probably give it 5 stars. It's unfortunately located in a strip mall (in the very corner... can barely see) on the East side of town off of Arapahoe. The food is awesome - simple as that. The smothered Chicken burrito is unlike anything else. The flavors at Picas are different than your typical spanish/mexican. The prices are reasonable for a solid lunch, too. (Try to chips and quac also!) The Atmosphere is pleasant (colorful and quirky) even though it's in a strip mall. This restaurant is so good it would survive in the heart of Pearl Street even with all the competition. A must try if you live in Boulder or are visiting and want a casual, quick and delicious meal.
(4)Marisa M.
First and foremost, the most memorable aspect of my visit to Pica's was the degree to which everything is overpriced. If anyone recalls my review of Mamacita's, they will find the one I am about to write drawing a number of parallels. At least the service was better at Pica's than at Mamacita's. This may be due to the fact that Pica's is Noodle's style fast casual which is a dining style that is kind of hard to mess up. I ordered the grilled shrimp tacos, two a la carte, which ended up costing me over $10. When you are shelling out five bucks a taco, you expect at least a little substance to the aforementioned taco. NOT the case! The zesty, spicy sauce was fantastic but was the only thing accompanying the three tiny shrimps per taco. So yes, the food was very flavorful but there wasn't nearly enough of it. Everything else on the menu was comparable, price-wise. Their margaritas looked good but were served in tiny glasses packed to the brim with ice, so once again very little value for the money. I'd rather go to Chipotle where I feel like I at least get my money's worth.
(3)Vixay S.
Nice atmosphere. The food was great seems more like a local chipotle but the food was great!
(5)Ryan D.
We decided to try some tacos and the sort on a late Tuesday night, just before closing due to the hours not being updated on Yelp, I fixed that though. Anyways, the cashier provided a great service with suggestions and tips. We ordered the Al Pastor tacos and Shrimp burrito and a side of guacamole. The tacos we're good, maybe not fantastic but they had good flavor and a fair amount of spicing, pineapple was definitely noticeable unlike some other Al Pastor beef we've had. I was expecting at least one more than just two tacos but oh well, the simple beans (kind of bland), bland Mexican rice and a good helping of guac helped me out in filling up. I poured on the hot sauce as well. My wife had the burrito and OMG was this good. I'm serious the tacos pale in comparison to this omazing(I said it, O) tortilla wrapped concoction. The Shrimp were plenty and cooked to perfection, plump, somewhat crisp and juicy. The simple bland beans and rice didn't over power the shrimp either, how could it. The kicker that made this even better was the creamy lime cabbage and red onion chile de arbole salsa, as stated on their website. This salsa was very spicy for us as we're hot food wussies, but didn't stop us from enjoying it. There was probably some cilantro and other things in there but I couldn't identify them. On a return trip we'll definitely get something else smothered in the lime cabbage.....salsa and imbibe in some great craft been in a can for $3.50 5 Stars for the burrito and service but 4 due to the bland beans and rice.
(4)Erin B.
The Grilled Mahi tacos are very good! We've tried our share of fish tacos and have had plain slaw on them, but not a full coleslaw like they do here and they are delightful. The down sides to this place are that they are a bit pricey and thought the service could be a bit better/faster. The girl taking our order was sweet as can be, though. The food was great--we'll be back again and again!
(4)Ali M.
Great food, greater watermelon lemonade! Friendly service and a super patio out back. Kid friendly too. So why only 3 stars? The prices are astronomical! I know this is boulder and rent is high, but come on- Picas serves beans and rice- the staple food of people who don't have any money to spend on food! I go occasionally, but it always costs way more than I think would be reasonable.
(3)Daphne Q.
Love this place! Everything on the menu is delicious, but if you have not tried the beet tacos you are missing out! If you asked me if I like beets I would probably say no, except for here. The beets are marinated so that "dirt" flavor that I associate beets with is no where to be found. The picked onions on top mixed with the salty cheese makes this dish amazing. Counter service, then they bring the food to you.
(5)Doug D.
I have liked picas before, the food is good. The typical 15 minute wait for what should be quick and easy led me to order ahead. I was told it would be ready in ten minutes and it was ready when I arrived in ten minutes. 5 minutes later it was already cold, and not just a little. Also, as seems to happen with many burrito places, all the meat was on one end, rice and beans on the other. The flavor was good, but not much care was put in tonight. Mixing the ingredients in a burrito isn't hard. For a $10 burrito I expect a little more. I'll go again, just hope it works out better.
(2)Sara M.
This fast casual Mexican style restaurant has improved over my last visit. I know people who eat lunch here regularly and love it, but it was a bit lackluster the last time I was here for dinner. Tonight it was really good. Our group chose a wide variety of plates and we each enjoyed our choice. The plates were more interesting and flavorful this time though the orders were similar to the choices last time. It was quite a bit more crowded, with a wider variety of ages than the last time and I think that is indicative of increased quality.
(4)Michael P.
Neat little Mexican Food place. Nice people good service. And the food is consistently good.
(4)Sonya L.
This is my family's go-to dinner spot, so I am very surprised by the poor reviews. The food is healthy, tasty, affordable. The menu is solid and the specials are uniformly delicious - try the squash enchiladas, pozole, wet burritos, and beet tacos. The space is clean and there is never a wait. Nice outdoor dining space in the summer months and soccer on tv when you need a fix.
(5)Mary M.
Such great taco plates; only disappointment is I expect more rice and beans--pile that on.
(5)Jorge A.
My buddy and I have been searching Boulder and Longmont for the best Tacos yelp.com/list/boulder-an… Current Ranking: #4 out of 9 Food: What makes the tacos amazing here is that they take the traditional tacos and just make them a little more fancy. My buddy and I had a range of tacos here and all of them were full of flavor great. Service: Food came out quick and the staff was very friendly. Atmosphere: Sit anywhere type of seating, clean restaurant, and there is even outdoor seating for those wonderful Colorado outdoor days.
(5)Jacqueline H.
Food tasted fresh but really lacked flavor and it was overpriced. A family of four for lunch was almost $50.00. Kids meals are extremely over priced. Kids quesadilla was $5.50 and didn't include a drink, side, and/or treat. Qdoba is better. We won't be going back.
(2)Lee S.
I had an hour for lunch. I was in Boulder. I saw this place on my Yelp search for lunch. It took me 15 minutes just to park. What is up with the Wendy's in this shopping center? I don't want to go back. Oh, the food. Street tacos is a little stretch. I've eaten on Colfax, Havana St., Federal. Not the same. Good tacos? Yes. Great? No. And the price per? High. I know it's Boulder. But, I probably won't fight the traffic to return.
(3)Michael F.
I really want to love this place. The concept is great, the people there are nice and the place has a beautiful patio. That said, I was a bit underwhelmed by the food. I ordered the Wet Grilled Shrimp Burrito, which promised grilled, marinated shrimp, creamy lime cabbage and red onion chile de arbol salsa, smothered with a chipotle cream sauce. Unfortunately the food didn't live up to the mouth watering description. It was fine, but the cabbage really overpowered the rest of the burrito to the point where you couldn't taste the shrimp at all. In addition, for the price there should've been far more shrimp (mine had five smallish shrimp in a very nice sized burrito). To drink, I had the Pica's Margarita. At first I thought it was a bit on the small side, but it really sneaks up on you and was an extremely solid marg. I'll sure I'll give it another try at some point, but I was disappointed.
(3)Michael B.
I have been here a few times in the last few months. The food is good, although kind of basic and unexciting. The prices are very reasonable and the staff are friendly and attentive. The main reason I like to go here is the atmosphere is always upbeat and all of the seating gets a lot of natural light, which is really nice here in Colorado. The outdoor area is adequate, and on the quiet side of the building away from the street and parking lot. Which reminds me, the parking lot is a nightmare due to the Wendy's drive-through next door.
(4)Ashley B.
2012 Review #286: Ate here today for lunch after a colleague suggested it. The best thing going for it is the decor and atmosphere; they've made it very cute and appealing inside and they have a patio area I could see enjoying in the summertime. The employees were helpful when I walked in and stared at the menu for a while. I ended up getting a taco plate, and was happy that I could order 2 different tacos, even though that's not presented as an option. I went with an al carbon and an al pastor. The plate came with black beans and rice. The food only took a few minutes, which is good for lunch hour. My tacos were OK overall. The meat was well cooked and well seasoned, but the al pastor was covered in completely raw onions and cilantro, which just seems cheap to me, and the al carbon was covered in so much pico de gallo that the tortilla had almost dissolved all the way through. The tortillas were thick, cracked, and not too tasty either. The rice was fine, but the black beans were probably the worst I've had. They sort of tasted like coffee, were very thin and soupy, and just had a very bad aftertaste. Overall, not bad, and one of the few taco options and burrito options in Boulder that isn't Chipotle. I won't come running back but I wouldn't avoid it either. Honestly the overall atmosphere was enough to make up for some of the missteps in the food; I'll definitely make sure not to order those items in the future, though.
(3)Laura S.
TL;DR too pricey, too slow, poor service, and the food was mediocre. The location is good, and the place itself is well set up and inviting. I waited 20 minutes for a smothered chicken burrito. I ate about half of it before finding a single piece of chicken. The burrito was 70% rice, 15% black beans, 10% lettuce and 5% chicken. The smother sauce was a bland, watered down tomato paste that was luke warm. Considering the burrito cost me over $10 after all was said and done, I was seriously disappointed. The staff were indifferent and not very helpful. They didn't want to be there, and they made it obvious. Slow service, it any service at all.
(2)Sarah S.
Pica's is on the pricey side for a taqueria but, that said, they are also more Americanized than authentic. However, the food is really fresh and flavorful. The Baja-style shrimp tacos are to DIE FOR! The staff is friendly and the restaurant is super clean.
(4)Roger M.
Love the food here. It's not the typical Mexican food so many places have where no matter what you order it's smothered in Monterrey Jack and Cheddar cheese. Here you'll find food that is much different and very enjoyable. They also have a nice patio for eating outdoors.
(4)Rejane C.
Ordered a Chicken al Carbon burrito, a Fajita burrito, a Mexican Coke, and a Negra Modela and spent $27 and change. A little pricey, but my husband and I are at a toss up open whether it's justified. The food was great....it's simplistic in thought but very tasty! Overall, we had a good experience. Wonderful service and board games make it an even better place to meet with friends for lunch or dinner.
(4)Carrington W.
Went there with my family for lunch. Super friendly folks. We had a mix of quesadillas and tacos and all were great. The place has a good vibe and good healthy food. I was impressed.
(4)K J.
Just get the shrimp tacos and you'll be fine. They are tasty, with lots of cabbage piled on top, plenty of rice and beans. Very good! The chips and guacamole are also recommended. I've had other menu items here before, and the tacos are their best option.
(4)Beth R.
I like Pica's. Their food is fresh and well prepared and it usually doesn't require a terrible wait. It is pricey but they are trying to do their best to source local, cruelty-free and/or organic. They have nice, bright, sunny decor and a secluded patio with both sunshine and shade in proper ratios for outdoor dining. I generally enjoy the soccer games and Eurosports they broadcast on the TV. Their parking lot will make you want to kick puppies, but thankfully I don't drive. I want to love Pica's, but I feel like their service culture works against them. They're a taqueria with a basic cafeteria service approach, yet the attitude I receive from the staff when I don't tip full 20% grates on me. For what? You have to buss your own table, you are expected to sort your own trash and recycling, you have to get your own beverages, napkins and silverware. The single thing they do is run food. Which, ok fine, but that's not full meal service, and you don't get a full tip for it, sorry (I waited tables for many years, before you ask). Their register crew can be a tad spotty. Most of the time they're fine, sometimes they make with the attitude. Save the snarky comments and language for your hipster classmates, preferably not while you're on the clock. It isn't cute or sassy, it's just obnoxious, especially with the mixed crowd you get in there (business people, moms with kids, etc.). All in all, a solid average. I find they tend to have either great days or terrible days on the service front, depending on who's working, so it kind of evens out.
(3)Alden C.
A nice little taqueria discovery! Their food is fresh and authentic, yet unique! I had battered shrimp tacos which were very yummy! The black beans and rice that accompanied the dish were welcome additions! The place had prompt service and was very clean! Worthy of many happy returns!
(4)Mary M.
I really liked the vegetarian enchiladas. The enchiladas were filled with veggies that were flavorful and tasted good. And, you got big chunks of veggies. It seems usually the veggies are tiny and mushy. Also, the sauce was flavorful and enough that I could taste it-but it didn't drown the enchilada (which I do like sometimes). We ordered the chips/salsa/guac. To me, the salsa and guac weren't very flavorful. I only had a few bites-it wasn't worth the calories-usually this is one of my favorite parts of the meal. I appreciated the vegetarian options on the menu!
(4)Meredith G.
Hunry and stuck in Boulder, Yelp reviews guided me here claiming it had the best tacos in the area. It was ok, but pricey for just ok food. 2 tacos was over $6. Not likely to return when in the area.
(2)John B.
One of the few restaurants with a patio/outdoor dining area that's NOT on a street or parking lot. It's tucked behind the restaurant with trees. It's outdoor eating minus cars and traffic. Excellent margaritas at Pica's with good but pricey food. Staff could be more friendly (and that's not just from one visit, I've been a few times). It's a small, busy parking lot shared with the busy Ozo, Snarf's and Wendy's so avoid Pica's during weekday lunch rush; best at happy hour, evenings, weekends.
(3)Marty D.
2ND VISIT & LAST VISIT....All my wife wanted was a hot enchilada. My wife and I were steam-rolled by a quick talking employee and his name rhymed with Prick. My wife told him that her food was cold and he addressed it poorly, "Food cools down when it leaves the kitchen, we don't have a microwave, I can't reheat it". He walked away without allowing us a reply. We were speechless. I approached him after the meal to let him know how upset I was and he made excuses vs. trying to be empathetic & understanding. I had to hear how busy he was with his thesis, how busy of a day he had and get this, "Oh I'm an actor too". What a tool! The female owner joined the conversation, but quickly showed her lack of people skills, and desire to earn a repeat customer. The food is mediocre for the price they charge.
(1)JP C.
I grew up eating Mexican food of all kinds, from my mother's home cooked meals to the street vendors in my grandpa's hometown. Overall I was disappointed with the food. I had the carne asada tacos and they were just OK. They lacked any kind of character and the tortillas fell apart quickly (most taquerias use two tortillas). I can't speak very much for other stuff but the rest of the menu sounded appetizing. I don't know if I will even come back to try anything else, which is a shame because I work nearby. What really gets me is the price, 2 tacos with a small side or rice and beans is NOT worth the $7+ price tag. The cashier told me the plate would be very filling but I just found myself eyeing everyone else's decently sized burritos. I am pretty small guy but even for me that was a weak amount of food. The tacos were traditionally sized but you can fill up on just 2.
(2)Atreju H.
This is based on my first and only visit there-- honestly there was nothing really awful about Pica's; but I didn't find it very good either. I got the Carne Asada tacos w/rice and black beans. Positives: Seemed like (relatively) fresh and good ingredients and it wasn't greasy at all; plus things seemed cooked nicely (nothing dry/burned etc). Negatives: nothing had any taste.. if I were to close my eyes I almost wouldn't know what I was eating. Tried adding red sauce and a bit of salt.. helped slightly but still not good. Clean, nice place on the inside.. but too much $$ and not enough taste for me to go back
(2)James M.
bottom line: no chip's n salsa no salsa offerings no condiments bar (limes, spicey carrots, salsa etc) so-so food EXPENSIVE food/drinks for the price. I spent the past 5 years enjoying awesome mexican food in southern California. I can't believe this place is ranked THIRD in boulder for mexican food... __________________________________________________Â________________ I had high hopes for this place considering some of the reviews I read that raved about the shrimp burrito... the restaurant (if you can call it that--it's more like a chipotle) had a trendy vibe, but the positives stop there. I ordered a shrimp burrito ($9.75), watermellon lemonade ($2.50), bottle of izze ($2.50 i believe), and chip's n salsa (which was just a poor pico de gallo w/ overpowering red onion and not at all spicy or salsa-esque). the total came to $19.75! for 1 person.... they filled the glass 95% w/ ice for the water mellon lemonade. I came back and asked for a refill b/c there was practically no lemonade and %95 ice. The cashier's response was, "yeah, we fill it up to the top with ice." She wouldn't give me more water melon lemonade, but offered me regular lemonade--which i guess costs them less. the $3.00 chips 'n "salsa" came w/ a tiny cup of pico de gallo that was overpowered by red onions. it was basically chopped tomatoes and red onions. I go to mexican restaurants for their "FREE" chip's and salsa, and I believe that the salsa's or lack thereof that a mexican restaurant offers MAKES or BREAKS the place in my opinion. Pica's didn't even make it on my radar in this regard. Oh, and there's no free refill of the salsa. So you run of salsa long before you run out of chips. I was led by another reviewer to believe that the shrimp burrito wave rave-worthy w/ the spicey lime cabbage. my burrito barely had any of the supposed awesomeness, and didn't have a hint of lime. It was mainly black beans and rice w/ shrimp--not much in the way of fresh seasonings. it had a burnt/chipotle/black bean taste. no cilantro or salsa, just their poor selection of odd chipotle hot sauce. when I go to big city burrito, I can eat a whole super size burrito w/o eating realizing it--b/c they have AMAZING tomatillo sauce that just melts in your mouth. Pica's....I nibbled on the burrito and kept the rest for a midnight snack. the customer service was poor. I can't believe the cashier actually responded "we fill our drinks to the top w/ ice.." yea...you fill it to the top b/c you're cheap and are actually only giving people 1/10 of the volume of a standard glass.
(2)Margaret C.
2 more visits to Pica's since my initial review. I absolutely adore their Rellenos. They are not part of the regular menu, but are sometimes available as a special. We got lucky recently and went there for lunch on a Relleno day. They are unlike any Rellenos I have ever experienced. With the addition of Pica's tasty sauce and a curvy dollop of sour cream, + black beans and rice, it was the perfect meal. The only reason for 4 stars rather than 5 is that we did not get something we ordered, and then the pleasant friendly only guy working at the counter got extremely busy and it was literally not possible to be able to communicate to him that the guacamole was forgotten. It turned out he had not charged for it, so it was not an actual loss; just kind of frustrating. Rellenos at Pica's: highly recommended. Call first though to see if they are available.
(4)Bryan M.
Another favorite spot for my lunch crew though my personal experience has been lackluster. If I was writing this for my office-mates I believe it would be a better review, but because I'm allergic to avocado and I've had some on my plate more than once, I can't give them a better review. I like the food. I completely agree with all the reviews that its a bit over-priced. Plus they inadvertently have attempted to kill me a few times. I will be back, but I don't like having to wonder if they're trying to destroy me every time I order a taco. Side note: they have a Wet Tinga Burrito. It's delicious, but Wet Tinga sounds like something people contracted in the old West: "What's wrong with Clyde?" "Oh, him? He got a bad case of the Wet Tinga." "Shit. That sounds awful, is it contagious?"
(3)Derek K.
Expensive! Overall, good food but too high of prices to go back. They are a self-service establishment on the outskirts of town in a strip mall, but charging Pearl Street prices. We decided to try Pica's on a livingsocial coupon. Overall, the food was excellent but the portions were very small. I took my wife and two small kids for lunch. It was $34 before tip and three of the four of us were still hungry afterwards. We had the mahi mahi tacos and the tacos al pastor - which were both very flavorful. The kiddos got a quesadilla and a rice bowl. The rice bowl was good, but the quesadilla was really overpriced - just a tortilla and cheese.
(3)D P.
Picas are very incosistent. It can be great at times and terrible at others. Today's guac was old and not very good tasting. Carne asada can use a bit more fire/grill for extra flavor because it can be very bland at times. Hot sauces that are served to customers on the table in bottles all contain dangerous preservative that has no place in food. Seriously, what's wrong with just having simple Tabasco or Cholula instead? This is health crazy Boulder after all so, Picas, get on the health train please!!
(2)Christina V.
Al pastor tacos were really good. Also liked the adobado sauce a lot on their burrito. Docked one star bc I think it was a tad overpriced but the flavors were great. We will go back for sure.
(4)David C.
Sigh... it was good, but I feel like this is the formula for many restaurants like this in Boulder: 1. Take the same affordable and great ethnic food that you can find in local establishments in Denver along Federal. 2. Make it look a tad prettier and gentrify it. 3. Cut the portion by half. 4. Charge twice as much. That's what you have at Pica's. And they neglected to add the avocado salsa to my to-go order.
(2)Ben K.
The food is great. I had Carnitas tacos and my wife had chicken tacos on a separate occasion, we both loved them. I was there to watch soccer and enjoy the tacos. The owners seem really cool. This place is destined to be a thriving Boulder restaurant for sure. Oh and the patio is awesome, great for happy hours!
(5)Courtney U.
It's hard to find good kid-friendly restaurants here in Boulder. Ironic, since there are a lot of families in this town! Pica's was obviously opened with families in mind. As you walk in, there are games for kids (or adults - happy hour Connect 4 challenge anyone?) and when you head out to the patio, you are greeted by countless smiley-faces and kids names spelled out with chalk. Our kids were so entertained we actually got to sit back and relax and enjoy our meal! We tried the chicken tinga wet burrito, which was really good. The sauce has a bit of a nice bite to it. Saved half the burrito for lunch tomorrow ... bonus. I have also tried the shrimp tacos and they were really tasty too. The chips were really delicious - thick and flavorful - and the guacamole was very good and fresh with bits of red onion. I enjoyed my margarita and my husband liked his local beer. I --obviously a mom-- also enjoyed the presence of the changing table in the bathroom. Finally, love the bright colors on the walls and the cool wood furniture. The location is a bit out there for us, but there is a bonus - no wait for the patio!
(5)Sarah K.
Tucked away in a little shopping center, Pica's is clean, bright and cheerful. The menu is expansive--they even serve tortas and a bunch of daily specials in addition to burritos, tacos, quesadillas and salads. I had the chicken fajita burrito special. You can opt for a whole wheat tortilla and Mexican rice instead of white. The burrito was served open-faced with black beans, pico de gallo, lettuce and sour cream (with plenty of grilled peppers and chicken!)--SO good! The staff is friendly and accommodating. Love the music and decor. Overall an easy-going, relaxed experience. A little out of the way from the usual CU-Boulder, but well worth the extra two minute drive!
(4)Jess M.
Unassuming location, and unexpected decor. I was thinking hole in the wall, dark, potentially sketchy but delicious. What I got was a bright, shiny, modern neon, squeeky clean- DELICIOUS! Tacos a la carte are the deal of a century- my faves include the Al Pastor and the Baja Fish. The specials are all super authentic dishes and absolutely worth trying- haven't been disappointed yet. As far as drinks go- they had me at horchata, and Watermelon Juice....haven't had the margs but look forward to checking them out at HH prices.
(4)Kenny N.
Yay for cheaper eats! My limited budget dictated Pica's, a great suggestion by a friend. Located at 5360, be sure to turn right into Conestoga (5400 block). Don't be like me and furiously make the turn with wheels screeching. Located at the far left corner, Pica's was slow Saturday. Maybe I missed their happy hour crowd. Well, yelpers were saying try the Wet Burrito, so I inquired about their Tinga Wet Burrito Special. They described as beer braised and it was their most popular. Boulder's known for their craft beers, so why not? Huge, smothered, flavorful. Definitely use your knife and fork on this one. I easily finished it and it was a delight especially that sauce. Other notes: Good chips (housemade?) and guacamole. My friend commented that the margarita was good. They also offer watermelon juice (not quite time for that with rain on the horizon) and a 1/2 lemonade, 1/2 watermelon juice concoction. They have an attentive and pleasant staff.
(4)Jerry L.
So I had heard some pretty good recommendations for Pica's Taqueria in Boulder, but be forewarned, I like really good Mexican food. The more authentic, the better. I unfortunately tend to match up every Mexican meal I have with some of the best I've experienced in Mexico, New Mexico and ... probably the best collection of Mexican restaurants here in Boulder County -- Lafayette, Colorado. I'm not really a big fan of the fast-food Qdoba-style giant burrito ... yes, it's filling but is it really that good? Let's face it, competition is stiff in the Mexican restaurant world, but I'm always open to some place new. I will admit up front that my first and only visit so far into Pica's was a stop for a carry-out dinner. I was there early around 5 p.m. so service was excellent. The atmosphere was pleasant, the menu well-displayed as you walk in (which got me worried since really good Mexican restaurants give you a menu stained with red sauce) and a good selection of beers and margaritas was available -- a must for a good Mexican meal. But after I brought dinner home, and made up my own margarita (just real lime juice, tequila, triple sec and ice thank you.. no mix at all), things started to go down hill. First, I had ordered the Puya Chicken baby spinach salad for Polly. No cheese whatsover, always a challenge at Mexican restaurants. The waitress told me it was a good choice, one of her favorites. When I got home and opened the box, the first thing I noticed was there was no chicken at all. Oops, maybe the cook is into the tequila already. So how do you judge a Puya Chicken salad without any chicken? Low marks here. Next, for myself, I ordered the Carne Asada burrito. OK, right away I know I've picked something that few restaurants seem to get right. The best real Carne Asada I've ever tasted is in a streetside restaurant in La Paz, Baja, Mexico. With large charcoal grills and meat grilling right in front of you, warm tortillas and fresh vegetables and chiles ... well, you get the idea. Pica's Burrito reminds me ... sadly ... of the fast, pile-it-on-em Qdoba burrito. Maybe not that bad, but very similar. It was so big ... I ate only half. I did save the other half for lunch ... so obviously the food was OK, just not memorable. Yes, I did get the "wet" burrito ... topped with a sauce, sour cream and Mexican cheese. But I still prefer the "smothered" burrito ... and that was not a choice here at Pica's. I will give Pica's another chance. Outside it looks like they have a very nice patio for a summer lunch. They have daily specials including tortas, rellanos and salads. No restaurant deserves a bad rating just one a single, to-go order. On the other hand, first impressions can be pretty important. And my first impression is Pica's will have a tough time against some very strong Mexican food competitors in Boulder.
(2)A M.
I somehow always missed this restaurant because of the location. My friend invited me to lunch at Pica's. I was very impressed. The staff was very friendly and the food was delicious. The green chilli has a nice kick to it.
(4)kari b.
And we are back to two stars. This place was awesome for a couple of months. After that it went back down hill. The last two time I went it did not seem fresh at all and I felt gross all day after eating it. A coworker just told me the same thing, that she felt the food like a brick all day. Not sure whats going on over there!
(2)Allie R.
I tried Pica's for the first time yesterday and I loved it! I had the Grilled Mahi Tacos with guacamole added. They were extremely fresh and full of flavor. I would also highly recommend splurging and getting an order of chips and salsa with your order. The chips are homemade and again so fresh. My only complaint was that I ordered my food at the counter at the same time as the friend that I dined with. Her food arrived almost 10 minutes before mine and she had finished eating by the time my food made it out. They seemed to be a little low on people bringing food to the tables as plates were lined up just waiting to be taken out. All in all, the food was great. They just need to work out a few kinks in their system for getting the food out. I'd recommend: Grilled Mahi Tacos, chips and salsa
(4)Evan T.
Probably more like 3.5 stars. Stopped in this place when I got a coupon for a free meal in the mail. Pica's is located in a strip mall on the east side of Boulder. It's a new restaurant, and the interior is very clean, modern and spacious. It's not a sit-down restaurant, but it's nicer than Chipotle-stle places. We ordered two different wet burritos (carne asada and chicken) as well as some chips and salsa to start us off. The chips are excellent - fresh, just the right amount of greasiness, and very crunchy. Nothing like chips from a bag. The salsa is of the mostly solid pieces variety, and was pretty average, perhaps slightly too bland. Our wet burritos were quite good. They are essentially burritos with meat, beans, and veggies inside, topped with a sauce, sour cream, and Mexican cheese. The crumbly Mexican cheese was a nice change from the usual neon orange shredded cheddar that most places use, though I wish it had had a bit more flavor. I could barely taste it. The tortillas they use seem quite fresh, and are very hearty and flavorful. In all, both varieties of wet burrito were good, but the carne asada burrito clearly worked better as a whole than the chicken one, perhaps because the chicken seemed underseasoned. One downside to these burritos is the difficulty in eating them - they are quite messy, and the provided knives are not sufficiently sharp or serrated to cut them well. In all, Pica's is a fine place for the reasonable prices. I think their food could be tweaked a bit to achieve slightly more flavorful food, but it is still pretty good as-is. Minor other fixes, like alternate knives for the wet burritos could also help. Nonetheless, this is a place well worth trying for a very casual meal.
(4)Kate Marie G.
Pica's is somewhere between a Chipotle/Qdoba and a sit-down Mexican restaurant, the kind of place where you order at the counter and they bring the food to your table. My meal was good with homemade tortillas (restaurant-made? Whatever--they weren't tortillas from a package) and fresh salsa. I had great watermelon juice, and their ice tea was fresh. The prices were reasonable, about $7 for two chicken tacos, beans and rice. Cute decor, friendly staff, and I appreciated their mellow musical selection (Smiths, Joy Division). They had a big patio in the back. They had a lot of gluten-free options, which was welcome! Pica's is close to my house and the food is good, so I'm sure I'll be back frequently.
(4)Andrew H.
What a treat. Feel like this place is going to always be packed once the word gets out on just how good it is. Best tacos in Boulder, 2nd best (to Torchy's in Austin) that I have ever had. Fresh and creative dishes, great prices and there is a staff that just cares. Beautiful design all around. From the chairs, to the patio, to the menu.
(5)Todd L.
Good food, but not great. Sorta like a qdoba without the foil wrap. A more extensive drink menu and a big patio are nice.
(4)Emily S.
I moved to Boulder from Texas about a year ago and have been DYING to find a place with legitimate, delicious tacos. THIS PLACE IS IT. Two tacos for six bucks might seem expensive until you think about the fact that it's about twice as much you'd pay for two tacos from a fast food taco place. Their fried fish tacos come with an amazingly creamy yet light slaw, and their carne asada and hangar steak tacos have complex flavors without being overworked. Simple, fresh ingredients and great interior design. The employees are always friendly, and the food is always amazing.
(5)Cameron H.
LOVE picas! Very good food, a little pricey, but the overall vibe is awesome, locally owned, very casual, one of my favorite quick lunch spots in Boulder! Great margaritas, and try out the Dirty Horchata!
(4)Drea K.
I like the concept of Pica's--authentic, healthy Mexican food. I like the setting, which features Wi-Fi and lots of space and light. I like the location. But, dagnabbit, the food is just okay. I've ordered a variety of dishes, from tacos al pastor to a bean-n-cheese burrito, and have walked out shrugging every time. As a SoCal native, I was excited to see grilled Mahi tacos. But, like everything else, I didn't get the textures and seasonings that I yearn for. I wish everything tasted better, 'cuz I really want to like Pica's. But the food just doesn't do that much for me.
(3)Alana Eve B.
Check out this hidden treasure! We went here with a coupon to try it out and we were blown away by how good everything was. I had the veggie quesadillas, and added a dollop of their very tasty guacamole. They use mexican cheese instead of the more standard mozzarella and/or cheddar. It was fantastic. Not so intensely gooey-cheesy but with a great texture and slight tang. The dish also came with sour cream and perfectly flavored black beans and rice. B got the Carne Asada Enchilada, which he also thoroughly enjoyed. Their margaritas are also very tasty and very strong. Our server was very patient and friendly with me as I took my sweet time trying to decide what I wanted to order. With our coupon, it was a slammin' deal, but, even at the regular prices, this place is an affordable and cute place hidden in an otherwise drab strip mall. I hope enough people discover how great it is soon so that they can stay in business!
(5)Miles D.
I'd give it 3.5 really. But def not 4. The burritos are fine just a little smaller and more expensive than chipotle and such. Worth a try.
(3)Rhiannon W.
I'm not what you would call a picky eater, but 3 visits of very mediocre food made me want to write. I want to love the food because the location is so convenient for me and the people who work there are very nice, but it's not happening so far. First visit: a Puya Chicken salad. The chicken amounted to maybe 2 oz. which is a very small portion for $9. It was a bit bland, too. Not asking for anything huge, but 6 small bites of chicken is unacceptable unless it's a side salad. Second visit: tacos. It took 15 minutes for a simple one-person to-go order, so that made me think the food would at least be very fresh. Got a chicken al carbon taco, and it was really bad. The chicken was absolutely BONE dry, so dry that i couldn't finish it. Next up was a carnitas taco. The meat texture and moisture level were fine, but there was zero flavor. No salt, no pepper, spices, all i could see were onions. It's as if pork were simmered with onions and then that was it. The mahi taco was good though! The fish was moist and decently seasoned. On the 3rd visit I had a pork adobado burrito. The pork was tender, again flavorless (i guess their recipe is super bland), and was smothered in something that tasted like Open Pit BBQ sauce. I don't know if that's what "adobado" means, but I'd never get it again. Also, the server never checked back with me even once to see if I liked my food. I guess I'll just have to stick with the fish.
(2)B H.
First off, this place far too expensive for what the food actually is. Secondly, it is all incredibly bland and tasteless. Try their pico de gallo and see what I'm talkin bout. It tastes like water, no spice, no heat, no dice. Finally, my spouse and I went to eat there an hour before it closed once, and the man who I assume is the owner told us "we don't like to serve people after 8". So you're open til 9:30 but you don't like people paying you money to eat after 8? That's the kind of attitude I've come to expect from someone who lives in Boulder and enjoys the smell of their own farts, get over yourself bud. Don't go here, the food tastes like nothing which is an amazing feat really.
(1)Erin P.
Nom om om. Good tacos, good prices. My favorite is the al pastor and the grilled shrimp. I wish I could have them shipped to me these days!
(5)Mike B.
Pica's, located in a small strip mall, had been open for months when I tried them out, but they still had that just-opened-and-still-figuring-things-out vibe, with a drop-ceiling, fluorescent lighting, and way too much empty space that made it feel like a retail store that had just been converted to a restaurant--which it probably was. Nevertheless, I was excited to try a new Mexican place in Boulder, so I ordered the carnitas and Baja mahi tacos, two of my favorite items at other restaurants. Huge, huge disappointment: both were extremely bland, and the salsas no help. I gave up halfway through. I was going to give them another chance and order something else, when I overheard the cashier talking to another patron. The customer said she didn't like Mexican restaurants in Boulder, but she liked Pica's, but she wasn't sure why. The cashier said something to the effect of all those other restaurants are run by Mexicanos, and Pica's wasn't, therefore the quality was much higher. The woman heartily agreed with him. The dark-skinned cook in the kitchen was too far away to hear. I got up and left, never to return again.
(1)Bodie J.
Everything about this place is just good-to-great. Nothing to scream and jump over and definitely nothing to shake a fist at. The staff were all very nice, the food is great and it's not too pricey. I feel it is very similar to Illegal Pete's or Chipotle with the exception that Pica's food tastes much fresher, you don't have that 'heavy' feeling in your stomach when you leave, and they have delicious specials each day. I recommend the Mahi Fish Tacos or the Chicken Al Cabon Burrito.
(4)Katie D.
The food at Picas is fresh, and delicious. I ordered the Potato Rajas tacos and they were absolutely perfect. Good, friendly, honest service; they accidentally forgot to include rice and beans in my to-go order and the manager came all the way out to the parking lot to make sure I got them. They also have a really nice outdoor patio. You could take a new client, a date, or just go sit in the sun and read and eat some delicious tacos and fresh watermelon juice. They also beer and margs! Excellent!
(5)Greg S.
Okay, time for a detailed review that lays out the real scoop on this place. 1. It is a fast food restaurant. This is NOT a sit down place. The menu is posted on the wall above the cash registers. The silver ware is the cheapest stamped crap possible. 2. The prices are extremely high for a fast food restaurant. Myself, my wife, and my 9 yr old son ate there and it cost us $41. We could have gone to a sit down restaurant for that price. Now I have no problem paying a lot more than that for a good meal, but these prices are just out of whack for what you get. 3. The margaritas we very bland and they are served out of a big bowl by the person handling the money, not very hygiene. 4. The food itself is pretty bland. I am actually quite shocked that people talk about it as if it is good. I guess these are the same people that think Luby's is too spicy. 5. After eating, you get the fun of busing your own table!!! We will NOT be going back. Paying high end prices for fast food quality is NOT a recipe for a good restaurant.
(2)Jimie D.
The prices are good compared to Chipotle/Qdoba. The portions for the tacos are not satisfactory. I will update as soon as I try the wet burrito, like everybody suggests. The serving of guacamole & chips is massive - definitely split it with at least 3 people. Love the patio outside!!
(3)Sara S.
This place is really good but a little pricey for quick Mexican food. I still give it 4 stars because the food is awesome. The first time I came here I ordered the guacamole and they gave us a huge and heaping scoop of it with their excellent home made chips. Their other food is tasty too. I recommend the shrimp enchiladas or any of the burritos.
(4)Lynn M.
Calling all Tex-patriates! Feels like South Congress in Austin. Been in about 6 times now, and the food is consistently good. Wash it down with a cold Lone Star -- or a tasty margarita. Counter service always friendly.
(4)Jen T.
Pica's has great food, served fast in a low-key atmosphere. I had a chicken sandwich for lunch, and it was delicious-- with fresh peppers and avocado. This is a wonderful alternative to any of the sit-down Mexican restaurants in town, with a well-populated menu and tasty food. I'm glad they're open now, since they're sure to become a regular lunch spot for me!
(5)Edward F.
Good Mexican food made quickly. Clean and pleasant atmosphere.
(3)Patrick G.
Pica's really deserves 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up. The regular burritos are not very good. I think it's the beans that spoil the burrito, but I'm not sure. I've had several different regular burritos (chicken, pork, and steak), and they've all tasted odd. My girlfriend had one of the regular vegetarian burritos, and she hated it. The wet burritos, on the other had, are very good. Perhaps the wet part of the burrito neutralizes the gross taste of the beans, I don't know. But the wet chicken, steak, pork adobado, and vegetable burritos are quite tasty. I could eat one or two or three every day.
(4)Matt T.
Pica's just opened, and in my opinion it is already one of the best Mexican restaurants in Boulder. They have a great selection of burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. The fish tacos have the authentic Baja style coleslaw and were fried to perfection. The shrimp burrito was packed full of flavor, with some wonderful black beans and a great salsa. The margaritas were great as well. Looking forward to sampling the rest of the menu in the coming weeks.
(5)Dusty S.
They make their own corn tortillas, that's a bonus star for sure! This is a great place to come if your in a hurry and the line at snarfs is out the door. Lone star beer gives us a clue to the origins of pica, hopefully we can look foreword to breakfast tacos soon!
(4)Jane A.
This clean and cordial place (with a roomy patio, ample seating, and young aspen trees (!)) serves a great variety of tasty and fresh Mexican food. Watermelon juice -- divine. Our group had tacos, enchiladas, rice, beans, i had one shrimp taco (excellent) and one with pork. The menu has a lot of sides dishes -- you can eat a little or a lot here. Seasonings were perfect. Everyone left full and happy. In addition the owner is a super nice guy. I will return and tell my friends!
(5)Hardy K.
Remember the first time you had Illegal Pete's or Chipolte and your concept of Mexican was changed. Well now try Pica's and your Mexican food paradigm with shift again!! I've been eating various Mexican restaurants in Boulder for 20 years and Pica's stands out from the pack with great tasting, fresh, yummy deliciousness. My favorite is the wet carne asada burrito with guacamole added. Speaking of guac...Pica's is the best and their chips are perfect. Pica's also has the best fish taco's in Boulder. Added bonus is the friendly staff and cool tunes. It is worth driving to this place even if you don't work/live near it. I also like the Horchata! I disagree with the reviewer who said it's not a sit down place. I always stay and eat at their tables or in their outdoor patio area. There is usually soccer on the big wall mounted tv. If not, ask and they are happy to put it on. If you want fresh classically inspired Mexican food, Pica's is it. Don't expect greasy Tex/Mex or green chile style. There are dozens of those places in the area. GIve Pica's a try and you'll be hooked too.
(5)Jenni J.
I feel I have to write a review after the two, 2-star reviews from people who have Pica's as their only yelp (hmmmm sounds fishy). *** 7/24 update... one of the 2 star reviews from 7/20 has been removed, which more so confirms my suspicions. But anyway, I've been to Pica's twice now and each time the food was pretty darn good. Since this is a new establishment there will be kinks to work out, and I can see definite improvement from the first visit to this latest visit, and I'm sure it will only get better. Even though there were lines to the door and the tables were full, the service was fast and seats opened up quickly. I am in love with Pica's tacos, the tacos al pastor in particular. They are very close to the tacos I had in Mexico and that's saying a lot. The flavors are perfect and the meat is plentiful (which is greatly appreciated). The homemade tortillas are an added bonus. As far as the look of Pica's, I love it too. The color combo of blue, green and orange walls is a smart modern design. For my Boulder Mexican food fix, Pica's will be my go-to joint.
(4)Liz W.
Pica's has quickly become one of my favorite lunch spots in Boulder. The food is always fresh and they have great Margaritas. I would recommend trying the enchiladas if you come for dinner.
(4)Garrett M.
Great lunch spot. you can taste the high quality food in every bite. I saw some people complaining about price. I do not understand that. A burrito that can last for two meals is 6-7 dollars. Wendy's next door to Pica's charges more than that for their basic hamburger meal. I think getting a freshly prepared, healthy, flavorful meal for the same price is a great deal. They have WiFi and an awesome outdoor deck in the warm weather as well. The food quality has been consistent every time.
(4)Jerry C.
Their food is always excellent. Don't forget to ask for their homemade arbol chili salsa.
(5)Phantom T.
So I was picking up food for me and the lady after a long day of work, and Picas was total crap. I waited 38 minutes for my order(had to do some work on the iPad there or would have left). I finally went up to the counter, and the owner was incredibly rude, saying that it was impossible that I could have been waiting that long and basically calling me a liar. So, really could have gotten over the wait, but counter-person (not the owner, my mistake) was soooo off-putting I will never go back. Oh yeah, and the whole reason I started to write this rant, er uh review, is that I ordered my food with NO beans for dietary reasons, told oh no prob we actually just ran out of beans, and when I picked up my special lady and got home an hour later...Total Fail Picas! I have never asked for my money back from a restaurant or any other business, but on this specific occasion, you completely sucked. That was some bulllllshhhiittt!
(1)Michael L.
Tried it for the 1st time yesterday. Liked it a lot for lunch. Good change of pace from all the other places I frequent. Fresh, some unique items and flavors, quick, and tasty. Sat outside on their patio on a great day, very enjoyable. I'll be adding this to my lunch options. I recommend it.
(4)Kristen I.
Glad we tried this restaurant! The staff was friendly and delivered our food quickly. The carne asada burrito and grilled mahi tacos we ordered were fresh, well seasoned, and downright tasty, plus they adjusted the menu for my dairy-free request. The chips and guacamole were delicious! Great interior décor and it looks like they have a patio- will go back to try dinner out there this spring.
(5)Jeff M.
Newly opened, this mexican spot is already a place I enjoy. Quality food, perhaps a bit high on price, but not unreasonably so, and coke in a glass bottle. If you're in the area it's worth stopping by.
(4)B H.
First off, this place far too expensive for what the food actually is. Secondly, it is all incredibly bland and tasteless. Try their pico de gallo and see what I'm talkin bout. It tastes like water, no spice, no heat, no dice. Finally, my spouse and I went to eat there an hour before it closed once, and the man who I assume is the owner told us "we don't like to serve people after 8". So you're open til 9:30 but you don't like people paying you money to eat after 8? That's the kind of attitude I've come to expect from someone who lives in Boulder and enjoys the smell of their own farts, get over yourself bud. Don't go here, the food tastes like nothing which is an amazing feat really.
(1)Erin P.
Nom om om. Good tacos, good prices. My favorite is the al pastor and the grilled shrimp. I wish I could have them shipped to me these days!
(5)Mike B.
Pica's, located in a small strip mall, had been open for months when I tried them out, but they still had that just-opened-and-still-figuring-things-out vibe, with a drop-ceiling, fluorescent lighting, and way too much empty space that made it feel like a retail store that had just been converted to a restaurant--which it probably was. Nevertheless, I was excited to try a new Mexican place in Boulder, so I ordered the carnitas and Baja mahi tacos, two of my favorite items at other restaurants. Huge, huge disappointment: both were extremely bland, and the salsas no help. I gave up halfway through. I was going to give them another chance and order something else, when I overheard the cashier talking to another patron. The customer said she didn't like Mexican restaurants in Boulder, but she liked Pica's, but she wasn't sure why. The cashier said something to the effect of all those other restaurants are run by Mexicanos, and Pica's wasn't, therefore the quality was much higher. The woman heartily agreed with him. The dark-skinned cook in the kitchen was too far away to hear. I got up and left, never to return again.
(1)Bodie J.
Everything about this place is just good-to-great. Nothing to scream and jump over and definitely nothing to shake a fist at. The staff were all very nice, the food is great and it's not too pricey. I feel it is very similar to Illegal Pete's or Chipotle with the exception that Pica's food tastes much fresher, you don't have that 'heavy' feeling in your stomach when you leave, and they have delicious specials each day. I recommend the Mahi Fish Tacos or the Chicken Al Cabon Burrito.
(4)Katie D.
The food at Picas is fresh, and delicious. I ordered the Potato Rajas tacos and they were absolutely perfect. Good, friendly, honest service; they accidentally forgot to include rice and beans in my to-go order and the manager came all the way out to the parking lot to make sure I got them. They also have a really nice outdoor patio. You could take a new client, a date, or just go sit in the sun and read and eat some delicious tacos and fresh watermelon juice. They also beer and margs! Excellent!
(5)Greg S.
Okay, time for a detailed review that lays out the real scoop on this place. 1. It is a fast food restaurant. This is NOT a sit down place. The menu is posted on the wall above the cash registers. The silver ware is the cheapest stamped crap possible. 2. The prices are extremely high for a fast food restaurant. Myself, my wife, and my 9 yr old son ate there and it cost us $41. We could have gone to a sit down restaurant for that price. Now I have no problem paying a lot more than that for a good meal, but these prices are just out of whack for what you get. 3. The margaritas we very bland and they are served out of a big bowl by the person handling the money, not very hygiene. 4. The food itself is pretty bland. I am actually quite shocked that people talk about it as if it is good. I guess these are the same people that think Luby's is too spicy. 5. After eating, you get the fun of busing your own table!!! We will NOT be going back. Paying high end prices for fast food quality is NOT a recipe for a good restaurant.
(2)Jimie D.
The prices are good compared to Chipotle/Qdoba. The portions for the tacos are not satisfactory. I will update as soon as I try the wet burrito, like everybody suggests. The serving of guacamole & chips is massive - definitely split it with at least 3 people. Love the patio outside!!
(3)Sara S.
This place is really good but a little pricey for quick Mexican food. I still give it 4 stars because the food is awesome. The first time I came here I ordered the guacamole and they gave us a huge and heaping scoop of it with their excellent home made chips. Their other food is tasty too. I recommend the shrimp enchiladas or any of the burritos.
(4)Lynn M.
Calling all Tex-patriates! Feels like South Congress in Austin. Been in about 6 times now, and the food is consistently good. Wash it down with a cold Lone Star -- or a tasty margarita. Counter service always friendly.
(4)Jen T.
Pica's has great food, served fast in a low-key atmosphere. I had a chicken sandwich for lunch, and it was delicious-- with fresh peppers and avocado. This is a wonderful alternative to any of the sit-down Mexican restaurants in town, with a well-populated menu and tasty food. I'm glad they're open now, since they're sure to become a regular lunch spot for me!
(5)Edward F.
Good Mexican food made quickly. Clean and pleasant atmosphere.
(3)Patrick G.
Pica's really deserves 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up. The regular burritos are not very good. I think it's the beans that spoil the burrito, but I'm not sure. I've had several different regular burritos (chicken, pork, and steak), and they've all tasted odd. My girlfriend had one of the regular vegetarian burritos, and she hated it. The wet burritos, on the other had, are very good. Perhaps the wet part of the burrito neutralizes the gross taste of the beans, I don't know. But the wet chicken, steak, pork adobado, and vegetable burritos are quite tasty. I could eat one or two or three every day.
(4)Matt T.
Pica's just opened, and in my opinion it is already one of the best Mexican restaurants in Boulder. They have a great selection of burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. The fish tacos have the authentic Baja style coleslaw and were fried to perfection. The shrimp burrito was packed full of flavor, with some wonderful black beans and a great salsa. The margaritas were great as well. Looking forward to sampling the rest of the menu in the coming weeks.
(5)Dusty S.
They make their own corn tortillas, that's a bonus star for sure! This is a great place to come if your in a hurry and the line at snarfs is out the door. Lone star beer gives us a clue to the origins of pica, hopefully we can look foreword to breakfast tacos soon!
(4)Jane A.
This clean and cordial place (with a roomy patio, ample seating, and young aspen trees (!)) serves a great variety of tasty and fresh Mexican food. Watermelon juice -- divine. Our group had tacos, enchiladas, rice, beans, i had one shrimp taco (excellent) and one with pork. The menu has a lot of sides dishes -- you can eat a little or a lot here. Seasonings were perfect. Everyone left full and happy. In addition the owner is a super nice guy. I will return and tell my friends!
(5)Hardy K.
Remember the first time you had Illegal Pete's or Chipolte and your concept of Mexican was changed. Well now try Pica's and your Mexican food paradigm with shift again!! I've been eating various Mexican restaurants in Boulder for 20 years and Pica's stands out from the pack with great tasting, fresh, yummy deliciousness. My favorite is the wet carne asada burrito with guacamole added. Speaking of guac...Pica's is the best and their chips are perfect. Pica's also has the best fish taco's in Boulder. Added bonus is the friendly staff and cool tunes. It is worth driving to this place even if you don't work/live near it. I also like the Horchata! I disagree with the reviewer who said it's not a sit down place. I always stay and eat at their tables or in their outdoor patio area. There is usually soccer on the big wall mounted tv. If not, ask and they are happy to put it on. If you want fresh classically inspired Mexican food, Pica's is it. Don't expect greasy Tex/Mex or green chile style. There are dozens of those places in the area. GIve Pica's a try and you'll be hooked too.
(5)Jenni J.
I feel I have to write a review after the two, 2-star reviews from people who have Pica's as their only yelp (hmmmm sounds fishy). *** 7/24 update... one of the 2 star reviews from 7/20 has been removed, which more so confirms my suspicions. But anyway, I've been to Pica's twice now and each time the food was pretty darn good. Since this is a new establishment there will be kinks to work out, and I can see definite improvement from the first visit to this latest visit, and I'm sure it will only get better. Even though there were lines to the door and the tables were full, the service was fast and seats opened up quickly. I am in love with Pica's tacos, the tacos al pastor in particular. They are very close to the tacos I had in Mexico and that's saying a lot. The flavors are perfect and the meat is plentiful (which is greatly appreciated). The homemade tortillas are an added bonus. As far as the look of Pica's, I love it too. The color combo of blue, green and orange walls is a smart modern design. For my Boulder Mexican food fix, Pica's will be my go-to joint.
(4)Liz W.
Pica's has quickly become one of my favorite lunch spots in Boulder. The food is always fresh and they have great Margaritas. I would recommend trying the enchiladas if you come for dinner.
(4)Garrett M.
Great lunch spot. you can taste the high quality food in every bite. I saw some people complaining about price. I do not understand that. A burrito that can last for two meals is 6-7 dollars. Wendy's next door to Pica's charges more than that for their basic hamburger meal. I think getting a freshly prepared, healthy, flavorful meal for the same price is a great deal. They have WiFi and an awesome outdoor deck in the warm weather as well. The food quality has been consistent every time.
(4)Jerry C.
Their food is always excellent. Don't forget to ask for their homemade arbol chili salsa.
(5)Phantom T.
So I was picking up food for me and the lady after a long day of work, and Picas was total crap. I waited 38 minutes for my order(had to do some work on the iPad there or would have left). I finally went up to the counter, and the owner was incredibly rude, saying that it was impossible that I could have been waiting that long and basically calling me a liar. So, really could have gotten over the wait, but counter-person (not the owner, my mistake) was soooo off-putting I will never go back. Oh yeah, and the whole reason I started to write this rant, er uh review, is that I ordered my food with NO beans for dietary reasons, told oh no prob we actually just ran out of beans, and when I picked up my special lady and got home an hour later...Total Fail Picas! I have never asked for my money back from a restaurant or any other business, but on this specific occasion, you completely sucked. That was some bulllllshhhiittt!
(1)Michael L.
Tried it for the 1st time yesterday. Liked it a lot for lunch. Good change of pace from all the other places I frequent. Fresh, some unique items and flavors, quick, and tasty. Sat outside on their patio on a great day, very enjoyable. I'll be adding this to my lunch options. I recommend it.
(4)Kristen I.
Glad we tried this restaurant! The staff was friendly and delivered our food quickly. The carne asada burrito and grilled mahi tacos we ordered were fresh, well seasoned, and downright tasty, plus they adjusted the menu for my dairy-free request. The chips and guacamole were delicious! Great interior décor and it looks like they have a patio- will go back to try dinner out there this spring.
(5)Jeff M.
Newly opened, this mexican spot is already a place I enjoy. Quality food, perhaps a bit high on price, but not unreasonably so, and coke in a glass bottle. If you're in the area it's worth stopping by.
(4)Karyn H.
Having seen this cute place tucked in a strip center I would have not guessed how good it was. Until I saw an order of their food get brought into the cycling shop next door. As a visitor to town only and so many places to choose from we selected this before heading to DIA Vanessa who greeted us promptly provided several top recos. I went with the beet tacos and pastuer. Served with rice and black beans. Amazing! Beets were grilled perfectly cubed with onion and cojoti (cheese). My boyfriend had the carne asada wet burrito. Which had a Mexican tangy BBQ sauce. The meat was fab. Tortilla was thin. A couple local beers too. Did I mention the darling patio? Perfect!
(5)Bill C.
This is the first time I've gotten their takeout and the experience was beyond disappointing. I've eaten in the restaurant and the experience was 4+ stars so I expected a similar experience with take out What made it a bad experience? For $10.90, I got a small burrito in foil in a brown paper bag. Nothing else. No drink. No salsa. No sour cream. No napkins. No rice. Really? There was a place I used to get burritos from down in Lakewood that charged $4 and they even gave you two types of salsa. Unfortunately that's the last time I will have their take out. Too bad because I would have been a regular having just taken a new job down the road.
(3)Gerardo D.
I feel like an idiot. I have been getting my coffee from Ozo virtually next door and never tried Pica's until today. I thought it would be yet another tex-mex place that sold you orange cheese, flour tortillas, used lot of cummin and gave you limes. I was very wrong. My first surprise was seeing pozole verde on the menu. Not many places in the US make pozole, and it is native of the state where I grew up in Mexico, but they were out. I will come back to try it and will update my review. So I went for the tacos. Three different ones: Pastor (which is very hard to get right), carnitas and grilled shrimp. Wow. The key to a good taco is a good, freshly made, warm tortilla. It's been a long time since I have had such a good tortilla. The perfect tortilla is not only warm but it is at the point where it is getting toasty, so it gives a very slight crunch. Just like the ones at pica's. The pastor was delicious, I was surprised. Carnitas was super tasty, better than I expected. The shrimp was great, and spicy too. The salsa they use on that one is incredible. Service was great, price is reasonable and the restaurant is nice. What more can you ask for. Pica's has earned a place on my special list, and I can't wait to come back to Boulder to try the pozole and other stuff on the menu. Buen provecho!
(5)Leanne G.
The fish tacos were one step away from SoCal perfect. The fish was just cooked a bit to long so it was slightly tuff. However, the flavor was there! The posole was incredible. It's unique in that it's almost creamy with chicken instead of pork. Yum. We sat outside on their back patio which is nicely decorated with bright colors and also shade to block out the intense sun. The food is ordered at a counter and the brought out to you when done so it's a nice setting for lunch or a casual dinner.
(4)Jesse H.
Happy to have found another great, affordable and quick dinner spot in Boulder near the dance venue I attend (The Avalon - check out the swing dancing there!). I was overwhelmed by choices but the employee at the counter helped me by suggesting I try two different tacos. I went for Al Pastor (her recommendation) and the special beet taco. Minutes later I was enjoying both. The beet taco had soft and really flavorful beet chunks and a chewy, tangy Mexican cheese that rocked my mouth. The Al Pastor is not my style, but I did enjoy the tiny pineapple chunks mixed in. I'll be back on my next visit to the area and might have to try this wet burrito everyone speaks of.
(4)Robert M.
PIca's is a great addition to the Mexican offerings in Boulder. Had the Beet Taco's with cojita cheese. The beet tacos were not on the menu, but friend I was with knew about them and we asked and sure enough they had em. I'm taking one star off for chips and salsa which you have to pay like $2 for and were pretty average at best. While located out by 55th St. & Arapahoe, it's worth the drive from Downtown Boulder. Although the parking lot is awkward and gets super crowded due to the Wendy's drive through next door.
(4)Christy V.
I continue to love Pica's for a myriad of reasons. Today I had the posole for lunch and it was incredibly good. So hearty and sustaining and the crispy tostada was a great item to dip. Also, I love the service here - I have to give a huge shout-out to Matt who is almost always there (we go a lot and we always see him!) and he is just so friendly and helpful. He's wonderful to my kids and is so efficient and quick - always checking if people are enjoying their meals, always cleaning up, getting food out quickly, etc. But most importantly, he is incredibly nice. One of the main reasons we return again and again!
(5)Jim R.
Great spot and hidden gem away from the hustle of Pearl. Excellent tacos and a lovely back patio. the fish tacos were excellent. A relaxed vibe great for families.
(5)Samuel G.
Been going to Pica's since it opened and I've finally decided to pen my review. Haha. Pretty cool to see this place grow as much as it has. I frequently go here with my co workers and we've never been disappointed. I generally get the taco plates (chicken is good, carne asada is really good and the al pasor ones are the best) but if I'm feeling really hungry I get the chicken tinga wet burrito. I need to branch out more here because every time I've tried something I've always liked it and it enters my regular rotation. Staff has always been friendly and it seems like they have a few regular lunch staff folks that really have it down and have always been on point. Fair warning (and I know everyone says this about every mexican spot) but the margaritas are truly high octane. Maybe my tolerance has come down a little, but 2 of those bad boys gets you in a real fine mood. Awesome place, love to go here with new people because they always have a good experience and always want to come back.
(5)Shannon H.
Pretty disappointing. Paid ten dollars for a carnitas and a grilled halibut taco with a tiny side of guacamole. Took forever, even though the place was empty. Both tacos were cold. The carnitas was fine, but pretty flavorless. I liked the halibut more but it was overlooked and rubbery! The flavor was Okay and it would have been much more tolerable if warm and cooked correctly. Overall, the food was fine and edible but given that they have a cool vibe and aesthetic, it didn't live up to expectations and I've had far far better off if a food truck for much cheaper.
(2)Shay L.
I will be yelping about this place for atleast a day or two! In a good way. I got the chicken quesadilla which was complimented by the famous Margherita. Needless to say this small hidden gem was fantastico. Like governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said..."I'll be baaak."PS...you pay ahead of time which is always a plus because you don't have to wait forever for the waiter or waitress to bring your check after you've stuffed your face and need to cut a trail to the nearest out house
(5)Roger S.
Had a great Taco lunch here today. Chicken, Pork and Beef tacos. The fillings were great. The only way to improve the product would be to use 2 tortillas with each taco. (Mine were falling apart and I ended up using a fork to finish.) Good Margarita. I'll be back!
(4)Elaine Z.
Not bad. More Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican, but I am totally OK with that. My biggest complaint was the tiny amount of guacamole I received for the extra price I paid to get it added. I got the chicken burrito, which was quite generously sized, and itty bitty portion of guac to go with it. Staff were friendly, helpful, and quite nice to look at. You place your order at the counter, get handed a wooden triangle with a number on it, and then help yourself to drink, utensils, and a seat. They bring the food to you. Water is in a separate dispenser right next to the sodas, which I totally didn't see at first. Tea is kept behind the counter. Bus your own tables, try not to throw the plates away. There is a bookshelf with used books for sale, board games, and coloring books and crayons. You could easily settle in all day here! They also have outdoor seating in the back. They turned music on after the chaotic lunch rush, and it was quite a fun, interesting mix. I don't think I've EVER heard The Gorillaz in a public place! The parking lot IS chaotic, but most of that chaos was at the entrance and people trying to get to and around the drive thru Wendy's. If you can safely get past all that, you should be OK. I've never understood shopping centers that think having only one entrance/exit is a good idea.
(4)Heidi D.
I love, love love this restaurant. The best Mexican food in it's price range, fresh and authentic homemade Mexican, just the right balance between healthy-light, and the heavy cheesey style found at other local authentic Mex. restaurants.. My family's favorites are the enchilladas (served dinners only), the Posole soup of the day, the salads, rellenos, and the yummy, yummy (that's 2x) flan! As a previous reveiwer mentioned, the Beet Tacos are indeed in my top two favorite entrees; and I am not a vegetarian. I'm clueless why Pica's doesn't have a higher rating...I'm told that I'm picky when it comes to food and restaurant service. And Pica's has done well by me for 5+ years.
(5)Kim O.
The icing on the cake of this place for me is the ambience. We have two kids and it meets all of our needs. The food is good, not the best Mexican, but we are all happ. Kids can play, they have a cute patio space, and margaritas. Great balance of good food and appealing place to hang out.
(5)trolley S.
I really like Pica's. I love the outdoor seating and every time I've been there it's been nice and mellow. It's never empty but somehow it's big enough that you can get some peace and quiet while eating. I love shrimp tacos and cabbage. It's a marriage made in heaven. Add a soft corn tortilla and I'm a happy customer. My issue and my biggest issue is the creamy cabbage topping. People seem to love it. To me it tastes too much like Miracle Whip and not much else. I suppose this is either a taste you love or hate. I feel it overpowers the food and you taste mayo and not much else. I love their margaritas. Strong and small. Next time I'm going to try the shrimp tacos minus the cabbage topping.
(4)David C.
This place is legit! Excellent food and service. Tacos are fantastic and salads. Sauces are also very good on enchiladas. Highly recommend, great little Traditional Mexican food joint (not sloppy gross American Mexican food).
(5)Brian K.
Great food, prepared with more TLC than you see at most places. Interesting menu choice and drinks. Strangely, I found them closed on weekends, but here it says that they are open.
(4)Lori B.
I come here quite a bit, I like their yummy salsa and chips, as well as their tacos.
(5)Marshall D.
I've always had good experiences here. Food has good flavor and the service has always been friendly and helpful. It's always been a comfortable place to bring our little one. Especially out in the courtyard in the spring/summer. Boulder has always had so few enjoyable fast/causal restaurants available. It's nice to know I can always go to Pica's and have a good meal.
(4)Emily O.
Service was fast and friendly. Indoor and outdoor seating. Games to keep the kids busy while you wait. Carnitas wet burrito was great. Nino burrito was enough to fill a 9 year old. Pico de gallo was awesome. Fun place to eat!
(4)Ray T.
I love this place. It's my new regular spot for good pico de gallo and tacos. Margs are good too. A little pricey and I wish they had a frequent flyer card.
(4)A L.
I wish this place was in a better location - I would probably give it 5 stars. It's unfortunately located in a strip mall (in the very corner... can barely see) on the East side of town off of Arapahoe. The food is awesome - simple as that. The smothered Chicken burrito is unlike anything else. The flavors at Picas are different than your typical spanish/mexican. The prices are reasonable for a solid lunch, too. (Try to chips and quac also!) The Atmosphere is pleasant (colorful and quirky) even though it's in a strip mall. This restaurant is so good it would survive in the heart of Pearl Street even with all the competition. A must try if you live in Boulder or are visiting and want a casual, quick and delicious meal.
(4)Marisa M.
First and foremost, the most memorable aspect of my visit to Pica's was the degree to which everything is overpriced. If anyone recalls my review of Mamacita's, they will find the one I am about to write drawing a number of parallels. At least the service was better at Pica's than at Mamacita's. This may be due to the fact that Pica's is Noodle's style fast casual which is a dining style that is kind of hard to mess up. I ordered the grilled shrimp tacos, two a la carte, which ended up costing me over $10. When you are shelling out five bucks a taco, you expect at least a little substance to the aforementioned taco. NOT the case! The zesty, spicy sauce was fantastic but was the only thing accompanying the three tiny shrimps per taco. So yes, the food was very flavorful but there wasn't nearly enough of it. Everything else on the menu was comparable, price-wise. Their margaritas looked good but were served in tiny glasses packed to the brim with ice, so once again very little value for the money. I'd rather go to Chipotle where I feel like I at least get my money's worth.
(3)Vixay S.
Nice atmosphere. The food was great seems more like a local chipotle but the food was great!
(5)Ryan D.
We decided to try some tacos and the sort on a late Tuesday night, just before closing due to the hours not being updated on Yelp, I fixed that though. Anyways, the cashier provided a great service with suggestions and tips. We ordered the Al Pastor tacos and Shrimp burrito and a side of guacamole. The tacos we're good, maybe not fantastic but they had good flavor and a fair amount of spicing, pineapple was definitely noticeable unlike some other Al Pastor beef we've had. I was expecting at least one more than just two tacos but oh well, the simple beans (kind of bland), bland Mexican rice and a good helping of guac helped me out in filling up. I poured on the hot sauce as well. My wife had the burrito and OMG was this good. I'm serious the tacos pale in comparison to this omazing(I said it, O) tortilla wrapped concoction. The Shrimp were plenty and cooked to perfection, plump, somewhat crisp and juicy. The simple bland beans and rice didn't over power the shrimp either, how could it. The kicker that made this even better was the creamy lime cabbage and red onion chile de arbole salsa, as stated on their website. This salsa was very spicy for us as we're hot food wussies, but didn't stop us from enjoying it. There was probably some cilantro and other things in there but I couldn't identify them. On a return trip we'll definitely get something else smothered in the lime cabbage.....salsa and imbibe in some great craft been in a can for $3.50 5 Stars for the burrito and service but 4 due to the bland beans and rice.
(4)Erin B.
The Grilled Mahi tacos are very good! We've tried our share of fish tacos and have had plain slaw on them, but not a full coleslaw like they do here and they are delightful. The down sides to this place are that they are a bit pricey and thought the service could be a bit better/faster. The girl taking our order was sweet as can be, though. The food was great--we'll be back again and again!
(4)Ali M.
Great food, greater watermelon lemonade! Friendly service and a super patio out back. Kid friendly too. So why only 3 stars? The prices are astronomical! I know this is boulder and rent is high, but come on- Picas serves beans and rice- the staple food of people who don't have any money to spend on food! I go occasionally, but it always costs way more than I think would be reasonable.
(3)Daphne Q.
Love this place! Everything on the menu is delicious, but if you have not tried the beet tacos you are missing out! If you asked me if I like beets I would probably say no, except for here. The beets are marinated so that "dirt" flavor that I associate beets with is no where to be found. The picked onions on top mixed with the salty cheese makes this dish amazing. Counter service, then they bring the food to you.
(5)Doug D.
I have liked picas before, the food is good. The typical 15 minute wait for what should be quick and easy led me to order ahead. I was told it would be ready in ten minutes and it was ready when I arrived in ten minutes. 5 minutes later it was already cold, and not just a little. Also, as seems to happen with many burrito places, all the meat was on one end, rice and beans on the other. The flavor was good, but not much care was put in tonight. Mixing the ingredients in a burrito isn't hard. For a $10 burrito I expect a little more. I'll go again, just hope it works out better.
(2)Sara M.
This fast casual Mexican style restaurant has improved over my last visit. I know people who eat lunch here regularly and love it, but it was a bit lackluster the last time I was here for dinner. Tonight it was really good. Our group chose a wide variety of plates and we each enjoyed our choice. The plates were more interesting and flavorful this time though the orders were similar to the choices last time. It was quite a bit more crowded, with a wider variety of ages than the last time and I think that is indicative of increased quality.
(4)Michael P.
Neat little Mexican Food place. Nice people good service. And the food is consistently good.
(4)Sonya L.
This is my family's go-to dinner spot, so I am very surprised by the poor reviews. The food is healthy, tasty, affordable. The menu is solid and the specials are uniformly delicious - try the squash enchiladas, pozole, wet burritos, and beet tacos. The space is clean and there is never a wait. Nice outdoor dining space in the summer months and soccer on tv when you need a fix.
(5)Mary M.
Such great taco plates; only disappointment is I expect more rice and beans--pile that on.
(5)Jorge A.
My buddy and I have been searching Boulder and Longmont for the best Tacos yelp.com/list/boulder-an… Current Ranking: #4 out of 9 Food: What makes the tacos amazing here is that they take the traditional tacos and just make them a little more fancy. My buddy and I had a range of tacos here and all of them were full of flavor great. Service: Food came out quick and the staff was very friendly. Atmosphere: Sit anywhere type of seating, clean restaurant, and there is even outdoor seating for those wonderful Colorado outdoor days.
(5)Jacqueline H.
Food tasted fresh but really lacked flavor and it was overpriced. A family of four for lunch was almost $50.00. Kids meals are extremely over priced. Kids quesadilla was $5.50 and didn't include a drink, side, and/or treat. Qdoba is better. We won't be going back.
(2)Lee S.
I had an hour for lunch. I was in Boulder. I saw this place on my Yelp search for lunch. It took me 15 minutes just to park. What is up with the Wendy's in this shopping center? I don't want to go back. Oh, the food. Street tacos is a little stretch. I've eaten on Colfax, Havana St., Federal. Not the same. Good tacos? Yes. Great? No. And the price per? High. I know it's Boulder. But, I probably won't fight the traffic to return.
(3)Michael F.
I really want to love this place. The concept is great, the people there are nice and the place has a beautiful patio. That said, I was a bit underwhelmed by the food. I ordered the Wet Grilled Shrimp Burrito, which promised grilled, marinated shrimp, creamy lime cabbage and red onion chile de arbol salsa, smothered with a chipotle cream sauce. Unfortunately the food didn't live up to the mouth watering description. It was fine, but the cabbage really overpowered the rest of the burrito to the point where you couldn't taste the shrimp at all. In addition, for the price there should've been far more shrimp (mine had five smallish shrimp in a very nice sized burrito). To drink, I had the Pica's Margarita. At first I thought it was a bit on the small side, but it really sneaks up on you and was an extremely solid marg. I'll sure I'll give it another try at some point, but I was disappointed.
(3)Michael B.
I have been here a few times in the last few months. The food is good, although kind of basic and unexciting. The prices are very reasonable and the staff are friendly and attentive. The main reason I like to go here is the atmosphere is always upbeat and all of the seating gets a lot of natural light, which is really nice here in Colorado. The outdoor area is adequate, and on the quiet side of the building away from the street and parking lot. Which reminds me, the parking lot is a nightmare due to the Wendy's drive-through next door.
(4)Ashley B.
2012 Review #286: Ate here today for lunch after a colleague suggested it. The best thing going for it is the decor and atmosphere; they've made it very cute and appealing inside and they have a patio area I could see enjoying in the summertime. The employees were helpful when I walked in and stared at the menu for a while. I ended up getting a taco plate, and was happy that I could order 2 different tacos, even though that's not presented as an option. I went with an al carbon and an al pastor. The plate came with black beans and rice. The food only took a few minutes, which is good for lunch hour. My tacos were OK overall. The meat was well cooked and well seasoned, but the al pastor was covered in completely raw onions and cilantro, which just seems cheap to me, and the al carbon was covered in so much pico de gallo that the tortilla had almost dissolved all the way through. The tortillas were thick, cracked, and not too tasty either. The rice was fine, but the black beans were probably the worst I've had. They sort of tasted like coffee, were very thin and soupy, and just had a very bad aftertaste. Overall, not bad, and one of the few taco options and burrito options in Boulder that isn't Chipotle. I won't come running back but I wouldn't avoid it either. Honestly the overall atmosphere was enough to make up for some of the missteps in the food; I'll definitely make sure not to order those items in the future, though.
(3)Laura S.
TL;DR too pricey, too slow, poor service, and the food was mediocre. The location is good, and the place itself is well set up and inviting. I waited 20 minutes for a smothered chicken burrito. I ate about half of it before finding a single piece of chicken. The burrito was 70% rice, 15% black beans, 10% lettuce and 5% chicken. The smother sauce was a bland, watered down tomato paste that was luke warm. Considering the burrito cost me over $10 after all was said and done, I was seriously disappointed. The staff were indifferent and not very helpful. They didn't want to be there, and they made it obvious. Slow service, it any service at all.
(2)Sarah S.
Pica's is on the pricey side for a taqueria but, that said, they are also more Americanized than authentic. However, the food is really fresh and flavorful. The Baja-style shrimp tacos are to DIE FOR! The staff is friendly and the restaurant is super clean.
(4)Roger M.
Love the food here. It's not the typical Mexican food so many places have where no matter what you order it's smothered in Monterrey Jack and Cheddar cheese. Here you'll find food that is much different and very enjoyable. They also have a nice patio for eating outdoors.
(4)Rejane C.
Ordered a Chicken al Carbon burrito, a Fajita burrito, a Mexican Coke, and a Negra Modela and spent $27 and change. A little pricey, but my husband and I are at a toss up open whether it's justified. The food was great....it's simplistic in thought but very tasty! Overall, we had a good experience. Wonderful service and board games make it an even better place to meet with friends for lunch or dinner.
(4)Carrington W.
Went there with my family for lunch. Super friendly folks. We had a mix of quesadillas and tacos and all were great. The place has a good vibe and good healthy food. I was impressed.
(4)K J.
Just get the shrimp tacos and you'll be fine. They are tasty, with lots of cabbage piled on top, plenty of rice and beans. Very good! The chips and guacamole are also recommended. I've had other menu items here before, and the tacos are their best option.
(4)Beth R.
I like Pica's. Their food is fresh and well prepared and it usually doesn't require a terrible wait. It is pricey but they are trying to do their best to source local, cruelty-free and/or organic. They have nice, bright, sunny decor and a secluded patio with both sunshine and shade in proper ratios for outdoor dining. I generally enjoy the soccer games and Eurosports they broadcast on the TV. Their parking lot will make you want to kick puppies, but thankfully I don't drive. I want to love Pica's, but I feel like their service culture works against them. They're a taqueria with a basic cafeteria service approach, yet the attitude I receive from the staff when I don't tip full 20% grates on me. For what? You have to buss your own table, you are expected to sort your own trash and recycling, you have to get your own beverages, napkins and silverware. The single thing they do is run food. Which, ok fine, but that's not full meal service, and you don't get a full tip for it, sorry (I waited tables for many years, before you ask). Their register crew can be a tad spotty. Most of the time they're fine, sometimes they make with the attitude. Save the snarky comments and language for your hipster classmates, preferably not while you're on the clock. It isn't cute or sassy, it's just obnoxious, especially with the mixed crowd you get in there (business people, moms with kids, etc.). All in all, a solid average. I find they tend to have either great days or terrible days on the service front, depending on who's working, so it kind of evens out.
(3)Alden C.
A nice little taqueria discovery! Their food is fresh and authentic, yet unique! I had battered shrimp tacos which were very yummy! The black beans and rice that accompanied the dish were welcome additions! The place had prompt service and was very clean! Worthy of many happy returns!
(4)Mary M.
I really liked the vegetarian enchiladas. The enchiladas were filled with veggies that were flavorful and tasted good. And, you got big chunks of veggies. It seems usually the veggies are tiny and mushy. Also, the sauce was flavorful and enough that I could taste it-but it didn't drown the enchilada (which I do like sometimes). We ordered the chips/salsa/guac. To me, the salsa and guac weren't very flavorful. I only had a few bites-it wasn't worth the calories-usually this is one of my favorite parts of the meal. I appreciated the vegetarian options on the menu!
(4)Meredith G.
Hunry and stuck in Boulder, Yelp reviews guided me here claiming it had the best tacos in the area. It was ok, but pricey for just ok food. 2 tacos was over $6. Not likely to return when in the area.
(2)John B.
One of the few restaurants with a patio/outdoor dining area that's NOT on a street or parking lot. It's tucked behind the restaurant with trees. It's outdoor eating minus cars and traffic. Excellent margaritas at Pica's with good but pricey food. Staff could be more friendly (and that's not just from one visit, I've been a few times). It's a small, busy parking lot shared with the busy Ozo, Snarf's and Wendy's so avoid Pica's during weekday lunch rush; best at happy hour, evenings, weekends.
(3)Marty D.
2ND VISIT & LAST VISIT....All my wife wanted was a hot enchilada. My wife and I were steam-rolled by a quick talking employee and his name rhymed with Prick. My wife told him that her food was cold and he addressed it poorly, "Food cools down when it leaves the kitchen, we don't have a microwave, I can't reheat it". He walked away without allowing us a reply. We were speechless. I approached him after the meal to let him know how upset I was and he made excuses vs. trying to be empathetic & understanding. I had to hear how busy he was with his thesis, how busy of a day he had and get this, "Oh I'm an actor too". What a tool! The female owner joined the conversation, but quickly showed her lack of people skills, and desire to earn a repeat customer. The food is mediocre for the price they charge.
(1)Christina V.
Al pastor tacos were really good. Also liked the adobado sauce a lot on their burrito. Docked one star bc I think it was a tad overpriced but the flavors were great. We will go back for sure.
(4)David C.
Sigh... it was good, but I feel like this is the formula for many restaurants like this in Boulder: 1. Take the same affordable and great ethnic food that you can find in local establishments in Denver along Federal. 2. Make it look a tad prettier and gentrify it. 3. Cut the portion by half. 4. Charge twice as much. That's what you have at Pica's. And they neglected to add the avocado salsa to my to-go order.
(2)James M.
bottom line: no chip's n salsa no salsa offerings no condiments bar (limes, spicey carrots, salsa etc) so-so food EXPENSIVE food/drinks for the price. I spent the past 5 years enjoying awesome mexican food in southern California. I can't believe this place is ranked THIRD in boulder for mexican food... __________________________________________________Â________________ I had high hopes for this place considering some of the reviews I read that raved about the shrimp burrito... the restaurant (if you can call it that--it's more like a chipotle) had a trendy vibe, but the positives stop there. I ordered a shrimp burrito ($9.75), watermellon lemonade ($2.50), bottle of izze ($2.50 i believe), and chip's n salsa (which was just a poor pico de gallo w/ overpowering red onion and not at all spicy or salsa-esque). the total came to $19.75! for 1 person.... they filled the glass 95% w/ ice for the water mellon lemonade. I came back and asked for a refill b/c there was practically no lemonade and %95 ice. The cashier's response was, "yeah, we fill it up to the top with ice." She wouldn't give me more water melon lemonade, but offered me regular lemonade--which i guess costs them less. the $3.00 chips 'n "salsa" came w/ a tiny cup of pico de gallo that was overpowered by red onions. it was basically chopped tomatoes and red onions. I go to mexican restaurants for their "FREE" chip's and salsa, and I believe that the salsa's or lack thereof that a mexican restaurant offers MAKES or BREAKS the place in my opinion. Pica's didn't even make it on my radar in this regard. Oh, and there's no free refill of the salsa. So you run of salsa long before you run out of chips. I was led by another reviewer to believe that the shrimp burrito wave rave-worthy w/ the spicey lime cabbage. my burrito barely had any of the supposed awesomeness, and didn't have a hint of lime. It was mainly black beans and rice w/ shrimp--not much in the way of fresh seasonings. it had a burnt/chipotle/black bean taste. no cilantro or salsa, just their poor selection of odd chipotle hot sauce. when I go to big city burrito, I can eat a whole super size burrito w/o eating realizing it--b/c they have AMAZING tomatillo sauce that just melts in your mouth. Pica's....I nibbled on the burrito and kept the rest for a midnight snack. the customer service was poor. I can't believe the cashier actually responded "we fill our drinks to the top w/ ice.." yea...you fill it to the top b/c you're cheap and are actually only giving people 1/10 of the volume of a standard glass.
(2)Margaret C.
2 more visits to Pica's since my initial review. I absolutely adore their Rellenos. They are not part of the regular menu, but are sometimes available as a special. We got lucky recently and went there for lunch on a Relleno day. They are unlike any Rellenos I have ever experienced. With the addition of Pica's tasty sauce and a curvy dollop of sour cream, + black beans and rice, it was the perfect meal. The only reason for 4 stars rather than 5 is that we did not get something we ordered, and then the pleasant friendly only guy working at the counter got extremely busy and it was literally not possible to be able to communicate to him that the guacamole was forgotten. It turned out he had not charged for it, so it was not an actual loss; just kind of frustrating. Rellenos at Pica's: highly recommended. Call first though to see if they are available.
(4)JP C.
I grew up eating Mexican food of all kinds, from my mother's home cooked meals to the street vendors in my grandpa's hometown. Overall I was disappointed with the food. I had the carne asada tacos and they were just OK. They lacked any kind of character and the tortillas fell apart quickly (most taquerias use two tortillas). I can't speak very much for other stuff but the rest of the menu sounded appetizing. I don't know if I will even come back to try anything else, which is a shame because I work nearby. What really gets me is the price, 2 tacos with a small side or rice and beans is NOT worth the $7+ price tag. The cashier told me the plate would be very filling but I just found myself eyeing everyone else's decently sized burritos. I am pretty small guy but even for me that was a weak amount of food. The tacos were traditionally sized but you can fill up on just 2.
(2)Atreju H.
This is based on my first and only visit there-- honestly there was nothing really awful about Pica's; but I didn't find it very good either. I got the Carne Asada tacos w/rice and black beans. Positives: Seemed like (relatively) fresh and good ingredients and it wasn't greasy at all; plus things seemed cooked nicely (nothing dry/burned etc). Negatives: nothing had any taste.. if I were to close my eyes I almost wouldn't know what I was eating. Tried adding red sauce and a bit of salt.. helped slightly but still not good. Clean, nice place on the inside.. but too much $$ and not enough taste for me to go back
(2)Bryan M.
Another favorite spot for my lunch crew though my personal experience has been lackluster. If I was writing this for my office-mates I believe it would be a better review, but because I'm allergic to avocado and I've had some on my plate more than once, I can't give them a better review. I like the food. I completely agree with all the reviews that its a bit over-priced. Plus they inadvertently have attempted to kill me a few times. I will be back, but I don't like having to wonder if they're trying to destroy me every time I order a taco. Side note: they have a Wet Tinga Burrito. It's delicious, but Wet Tinga sounds like something people contracted in the old West: "What's wrong with Clyde?" "Oh, him? He got a bad case of the Wet Tinga." "Shit. That sounds awful, is it contagious?"
(3)Derek K.
Expensive! Overall, good food but too high of prices to go back. They are a self-service establishment on the outskirts of town in a strip mall, but charging Pearl Street prices. We decided to try Pica's on a livingsocial coupon. Overall, the food was excellent but the portions were very small. I took my wife and two small kids for lunch. It was $34 before tip and three of the four of us were still hungry afterwards. We had the mahi mahi tacos and the tacos al pastor - which were both very flavorful. The kiddos got a quesadilla and a rice bowl. The rice bowl was good, but the quesadilla was really overpriced - just a tortilla and cheese.
(3)D P.
Picas are very incosistent. It can be great at times and terrible at others. Today's guac was old and not very good tasting. Carne asada can use a bit more fire/grill for extra flavor because it can be very bland at times. Hot sauces that are served to customers on the table in bottles all contain dangerous preservative that has no place in food. Seriously, what's wrong with just having simple Tabasco or Cholula instead? This is health crazy Boulder after all so, Picas, get on the health train please!!
(2)Courtney U.
It's hard to find good kid-friendly restaurants here in Boulder. Ironic, since there are a lot of families in this town! Pica's was obviously opened with families in mind. As you walk in, there are games for kids (or adults - happy hour Connect 4 challenge anyone?) and when you head out to the patio, you are greeted by countless smiley-faces and kids names spelled out with chalk. Our kids were so entertained we actually got to sit back and relax and enjoy our meal! We tried the chicken tinga wet burrito, which was really good. The sauce has a bit of a nice bite to it. Saved half the burrito for lunch tomorrow ... bonus. I have also tried the shrimp tacos and they were really tasty too. The chips were really delicious - thick and flavorful - and the guacamole was very good and fresh with bits of red onion. I enjoyed my margarita and my husband liked his local beer. I --obviously a mom-- also enjoyed the presence of the changing table in the bathroom. Finally, love the bright colors on the walls and the cool wood furniture. The location is a bit out there for us, but there is a bonus - no wait for the patio!
(5)Sarah K.
Tucked away in a little shopping center, Pica's is clean, bright and cheerful. The menu is expansive--they even serve tortas and a bunch of daily specials in addition to burritos, tacos, quesadillas and salads. I had the chicken fajita burrito special. You can opt for a whole wheat tortilla and Mexican rice instead of white. The burrito was served open-faced with black beans, pico de gallo, lettuce and sour cream (with plenty of grilled peppers and chicken!)--SO good! The staff is friendly and accommodating. Love the music and decor. Overall an easy-going, relaxed experience. A little out of the way from the usual CU-Boulder, but well worth the extra two minute drive!
(4)Jess M.
Unassuming location, and unexpected decor. I was thinking hole in the wall, dark, potentially sketchy but delicious. What I got was a bright, shiny, modern neon, squeeky clean- DELICIOUS! Tacos a la carte are the deal of a century- my faves include the Al Pastor and the Baja Fish. The specials are all super authentic dishes and absolutely worth trying- haven't been disappointed yet. As far as drinks go- they had me at horchata, and Watermelon Juice....haven't had the margs but look forward to checking them out at HH prices.
(4)Kenny N.
Yay for cheaper eats! My limited budget dictated Pica's, a great suggestion by a friend. Located at 5360, be sure to turn right into Conestoga (5400 block). Don't be like me and furiously make the turn with wheels screeching. Located at the far left corner, Pica's was slow Saturday. Maybe I missed their happy hour crowd. Well, yelpers were saying try the Wet Burrito, so I inquired about their Tinga Wet Burrito Special. They described as beer braised and it was their most popular. Boulder's known for their craft beers, so why not? Huge, smothered, flavorful. Definitely use your knife and fork on this one. I easily finished it and it was a delight especially that sauce. Other notes: Good chips (housemade?) and guacamole. My friend commented that the margarita was good. They also offer watermelon juice (not quite time for that with rain on the horizon) and a 1/2 lemonade, 1/2 watermelon juice concoction. They have an attentive and pleasant staff.
(4)Jerry L.
So I had heard some pretty good recommendations for Pica's Taqueria in Boulder, but be forewarned, I like really good Mexican food. The more authentic, the better. I unfortunately tend to match up every Mexican meal I have with some of the best I've experienced in Mexico, New Mexico and ... probably the best collection of Mexican restaurants here in Boulder County -- Lafayette, Colorado. I'm not really a big fan of the fast-food Qdoba-style giant burrito ... yes, it's filling but is it really that good? Let's face it, competition is stiff in the Mexican restaurant world, but I'm always open to some place new. I will admit up front that my first and only visit so far into Pica's was a stop for a carry-out dinner. I was there early around 5 p.m. so service was excellent. The atmosphere was pleasant, the menu well-displayed as you walk in (which got me worried since really good Mexican restaurants give you a menu stained with red sauce) and a good selection of beers and margaritas was available -- a must for a good Mexican meal. But after I brought dinner home, and made up my own margarita (just real lime juice, tequila, triple sec and ice thank you.. no mix at all), things started to go down hill. First, I had ordered the Puya Chicken baby spinach salad for Polly. No cheese whatsover, always a challenge at Mexican restaurants. The waitress told me it was a good choice, one of her favorites. When I got home and opened the box, the first thing I noticed was there was no chicken at all. Oops, maybe the cook is into the tequila already. So how do you judge a Puya Chicken salad without any chicken? Low marks here. Next, for myself, I ordered the Carne Asada burrito. OK, right away I know I've picked something that few restaurants seem to get right. The best real Carne Asada I've ever tasted is in a streetside restaurant in La Paz, Baja, Mexico. With large charcoal grills and meat grilling right in front of you, warm tortillas and fresh vegetables and chiles ... well, you get the idea. Pica's Burrito reminds me ... sadly ... of the fast, pile-it-on-em Qdoba burrito. Maybe not that bad, but very similar. It was so big ... I ate only half. I did save the other half for lunch ... so obviously the food was OK, just not memorable. Yes, I did get the "wet" burrito ... topped with a sauce, sour cream and Mexican cheese. But I still prefer the "smothered" burrito ... and that was not a choice here at Pica's. I will give Pica's another chance. Outside it looks like they have a very nice patio for a summer lunch. They have daily specials including tortas, rellanos and salads. No restaurant deserves a bad rating just one a single, to-go order. On the other hand, first impressions can be pretty important. And my first impression is Pica's will have a tough time against some very strong Mexican food competitors in Boulder.
(2)A M.
I somehow always missed this restaurant because of the location. My friend invited me to lunch at Pica's. I was very impressed. The staff was very friendly and the food was delicious. The green chilli has a nice kick to it.
(4)kari b.
And we are back to two stars. This place was awesome for a couple of months. After that it went back down hill. The last two time I went it did not seem fresh at all and I felt gross all day after eating it. A coworker just told me the same thing, that she felt the food like a brick all day. Not sure whats going on over there!
(2)Ben K.
The food is great. I had Carnitas tacos and my wife had chicken tacos on a separate occasion, we both loved them. I was there to watch soccer and enjoy the tacos. The owners seem really cool. This place is destined to be a thriving Boulder restaurant for sure. Oh and the patio is awesome, great for happy hours!
(5)Allie R.
I tried Pica's for the first time yesterday and I loved it! I had the Grilled Mahi Tacos with guacamole added. They were extremely fresh and full of flavor. I would also highly recommend splurging and getting an order of chips and salsa with your order. The chips are homemade and again so fresh. My only complaint was that I ordered my food at the counter at the same time as the friend that I dined with. Her food arrived almost 10 minutes before mine and she had finished eating by the time my food made it out. They seemed to be a little low on people bringing food to the tables as plates were lined up just waiting to be taken out. All in all, the food was great. They just need to work out a few kinks in their system for getting the food out. I'd recommend: Grilled Mahi Tacos, chips and salsa
(4)Evan T.
Probably more like 3.5 stars. Stopped in this place when I got a coupon for a free meal in the mail. Pica's is located in a strip mall on the east side of Boulder. It's a new restaurant, and the interior is very clean, modern and spacious. It's not a sit-down restaurant, but it's nicer than Chipotle-stle places. We ordered two different wet burritos (carne asada and chicken) as well as some chips and salsa to start us off. The chips are excellent - fresh, just the right amount of greasiness, and very crunchy. Nothing like chips from a bag. The salsa is of the mostly solid pieces variety, and was pretty average, perhaps slightly too bland. Our wet burritos were quite good. They are essentially burritos with meat, beans, and veggies inside, topped with a sauce, sour cream, and Mexican cheese. The crumbly Mexican cheese was a nice change from the usual neon orange shredded cheddar that most places use, though I wish it had had a bit more flavor. I could barely taste it. The tortillas they use seem quite fresh, and are very hearty and flavorful. In all, both varieties of wet burrito were good, but the carne asada burrito clearly worked better as a whole than the chicken one, perhaps because the chicken seemed underseasoned. One downside to these burritos is the difficulty in eating them - they are quite messy, and the provided knives are not sufficiently sharp or serrated to cut them well. In all, Pica's is a fine place for the reasonable prices. I think their food could be tweaked a bit to achieve slightly more flavorful food, but it is still pretty good as-is. Minor other fixes, like alternate knives for the wet burritos could also help. Nonetheless, this is a place well worth trying for a very casual meal.
(4)Kate Marie G.
Pica's is somewhere between a Chipotle/Qdoba and a sit-down Mexican restaurant, the kind of place where you order at the counter and they bring the food to your table. My meal was good with homemade tortillas (restaurant-made? Whatever--they weren't tortillas from a package) and fresh salsa. I had great watermelon juice, and their ice tea was fresh. The prices were reasonable, about $7 for two chicken tacos, beans and rice. Cute decor, friendly staff, and I appreciated their mellow musical selection (Smiths, Joy Division). They had a big patio in the back. They had a lot of gluten-free options, which was welcome! Pica's is close to my house and the food is good, so I'm sure I'll be back frequently.
(4)Andrew H.
What a treat. Feel like this place is going to always be packed once the word gets out on just how good it is. Best tacos in Boulder, 2nd best (to Torchy's in Austin) that I have ever had. Fresh and creative dishes, great prices and there is a staff that just cares. Beautiful design all around. From the chairs, to the patio, to the menu.
(5)Todd L.
Good food, but not great. Sorta like a qdoba without the foil wrap. A more extensive drink menu and a big patio are nice.
(4)Emily S.
I moved to Boulder from Texas about a year ago and have been DYING to find a place with legitimate, delicious tacos. THIS PLACE IS IT. Two tacos for six bucks might seem expensive until you think about the fact that it's about twice as much you'd pay for two tacos from a fast food taco place. Their fried fish tacos come with an amazingly creamy yet light slaw, and their carne asada and hangar steak tacos have complex flavors without being overworked. Simple, fresh ingredients and great interior design. The employees are always friendly, and the food is always amazing.
(5)Cameron H.
LOVE picas! Very good food, a little pricey, but the overall vibe is awesome, locally owned, very casual, one of my favorite quick lunch spots in Boulder! Great margaritas, and try out the Dirty Horchata!
(4)Drea K.
I like the concept of Pica's--authentic, healthy Mexican food. I like the setting, which features Wi-Fi and lots of space and light. I like the location. But, dagnabbit, the food is just okay. I've ordered a variety of dishes, from tacos al pastor to a bean-n-cheese burrito, and have walked out shrugging every time. As a SoCal native, I was excited to see grilled Mahi tacos. But, like everything else, I didn't get the textures and seasonings that I yearn for. I wish everything tasted better, 'cuz I really want to like Pica's. But the food just doesn't do that much for me.
(3)Alana Eve B.
Check out this hidden treasure! We went here with a coupon to try it out and we were blown away by how good everything was. I had the veggie quesadillas, and added a dollop of their very tasty guacamole. They use mexican cheese instead of the more standard mozzarella and/or cheddar. It was fantastic. Not so intensely gooey-cheesy but with a great texture and slight tang. The dish also came with sour cream and perfectly flavored black beans and rice. B got the Carne Asada Enchilada, which he also thoroughly enjoyed. Their margaritas are also very tasty and very strong. Our server was very patient and friendly with me as I took my sweet time trying to decide what I wanted to order. With our coupon, it was a slammin' deal, but, even at the regular prices, this place is an affordable and cute place hidden in an otherwise drab strip mall. I hope enough people discover how great it is soon so that they can stay in business!
(5)Miles D.
I'd give it 3.5 really. But def not 4. The burritos are fine just a little smaller and more expensive than chipotle and such. Worth a try.
(3)Rhiannon W.
I'm not what you would call a picky eater, but 3 visits of very mediocre food made me want to write. I want to love the food because the location is so convenient for me and the people who work there are very nice, but it's not happening so far. First visit: a Puya Chicken salad. The chicken amounted to maybe 2 oz. which is a very small portion for $9. It was a bit bland, too. Not asking for anything huge, but 6 small bites of chicken is unacceptable unless it's a side salad. Second visit: tacos. It took 15 minutes for a simple one-person to-go order, so that made me think the food would at least be very fresh. Got a chicken al carbon taco, and it was really bad. The chicken was absolutely BONE dry, so dry that i couldn't finish it. Next up was a carnitas taco. The meat texture and moisture level were fine, but there was zero flavor. No salt, no pepper, spices, all i could see were onions. It's as if pork were simmered with onions and then that was it. The mahi taco was good though! The fish was moist and decently seasoned. On the 3rd visit I had a pork adobado burrito. The pork was tender, again flavorless (i guess their recipe is super bland), and was smothered in something that tasted like Open Pit BBQ sauce. I don't know if that's what "adobado" means, but I'd never get it again. Also, the server never checked back with me even once to see if I liked my food. I guess I'll just have to stick with the fish.
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