Pepe's really disappointed me. I wanted fish tacos so I asked how big was the tilapia fish she said they don't use the whole tilapia so when my food came what she said was true I think they use one tilapia for three tacos. I have been other places where they use the whole fish for one taco. Now I had a fruit strawberry margarita blend I guess she didn't want to make a lot of noise because the ice cubes wasn't blended all the way ...I don't know about coming back
(2)
Lillian W.
The food is great, the service is great, but the restaurant is so beyond out dated. The booths are gross i refuse to sit in a booth there so they sit me at a table with an un safe chair i felt as if i moved around a lot a leg would fall off. The bathroom is no better turn the sink on and water is leaking out the sides. I really don't understand why they don't want to put money back into there business here?
(3)
Drain-eez Plumbing F.
I was going write 3 stars because of how great the food use to be, but after my experience the other night I have to go with 2. The only reason I am giving 2 stars is because the chips and salsa are still the best ever! Anyway here we go I have been visiting this Pepe's for years and the service has been declining but the food was always good, so it was worth it. Last night we went to Pepe's for dinner they sat us in a booth that wobbled, ok so we asked to be moved, they said ok and took 15 minutes to come back over and when they did the waitress tried taking our order. Really? So I asked again before she took the order can we please move our booth is wobbling. She smiled and said oh I forgot, and showed us to another table closer to the kitchen. Ugh, but whatever I am starving, so after she sat down our menu she walked away without taking our order!! It took my husband actually walking up to the bar where she was standing and asking her if she was going to wait on us. So couple minutes later here she comes. Mind you by this time we don't even have our drinks yet, and not that we are ordering any alcoholic beverage these are simply cokes we are trying t o get. FINALLY our food comes and it wasn't good. My tacos looked like they were thrown together, the food was not even plated nicely(like it usually is), my rice was cold and my husband's order was wrong, he asked for only cilantro & onion inside his burrito and it had everything in it. We complained and they offered to remake it but by this time it was late, we had to get home to our children, so we just ate it as it was. The food was bad, I have had ordered food from other places that has been messed up, it happens. But usually when it was time to pay the restaurant manager or owner, or whoever would always at least ask if we wanted money off or something like that, to try to be nice and normally we won't accept it, it's the gesture that means the most, at Pepe's not even I am sorry, nothing. I will not go back to this Pepe's!! I cannot honestly say I won't go back to another in the future, the chips & salsa are soo YUMMY!! Hopefully we will have a better experience at a different location!!
(2)
Krissy J.
Food was great! Service was exceptionally good! Drinks, chips and salsa were never low! Super family friendly!
(4)
Shelby G.
No, it's not authentic mexican food. But, it is good! The staff is very friendly. It's a family friendly place. Always clean. We have never had to wait for a table. Their chips and salsa are great as well.
(4)
Rachel S.
Really good food, Good service. The new owner use to be a waiter and he's awesome. He's a much better owner than the last people. He's friendly and on top of everything. I really like this place.
(5)
Liz A.
I enjoy this place very much. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The food is very good, my favorite are the steak fajitas. Desert is also tasteful, buñuelos, churros, or fried ice cream. Not to mention the drinks! The margaritas as perfect. The place is very clean and cozy.
(5)
Jennifer M.
Is Pepe's the only Mexican restaurant to serve enchiladas suizo with melted cheddar cheese? I came in and dined alone, literally. Thin tortilla chips were served with thick and spicy salsa while I waited for my lunch combo. I thought it was pretty good. The refried beans could've used a bit more chihuahua cheese. The decor is seriously outdated. Most of the booths had duct tape on them. One can only imagine the yuck that is stained and incrusted on the carpet and linoleum.
(3)
Summerwinds Y.
I am continuing to dine at Pepe's two or three times a month. I love, love, love this place! The owner couldn't be any nicer and the staff is extremely friendly and efficient. I was last at Pepe's on a Saturday night, my friends and I got the only available table because the place was packed! Even with so many customers, the waitress quickly brought our orders, the busboys kept refilling our chips and salsa, and the waitress kept checking to see if we needed anything. This Pepe's is the bomb! Try it!
(5)
Sal A.
I must admit this restaurant has grown on me. Yes, the look of the restaurant has not been updated for a long long long time and you can find duct tape on the seats... But it is clean and the food is what's really important, isn't it? Well, the food is very good! The steak tacos are very good, the steak "carne asada" dinner is excellent, the chips are good, the fried ice cream is excellent and the service is also very good.
(4)
Ralaina B.
The food is as good as I always remember it and our server was a sweetie. My drink was a little too strong so it made it hard to enjoy ( I was with my kids and didn't want to get trashed but if I had finished that drink I would've) but that's just my preference. The biggest disappointment was the "fried" ice cream...it's not even fried!!! The just roll some ice cream around in some cinnamon cereal! That was the main reason we decided to go there and we were very disappointed...
(3)
Dave S.
Solid! I know Pepe's does rank very highly on the scale of authenticity as it relates to Mexican cuisine. When I was a child there was a Pepe's within walking distance from our home. Pepe's was considered going out for a nicer meal for us while we were growing up. Hey I was an expensive little kid to raise so discretionary income was at a premium. I fondly remember the ffod at that Pepe's very fondly and it created some good memories for me. Fast forward to present day... My wife and I went to this particular Pepe's. It has been a very long time since I have been to a Pepe's. I ordered the fiesta combo, which is a taco, tamale, tostada, and enchilada along with rice and beans. EVERYTHING was EXACTLY as I remembered it. It brought back some good childhood memories and i really enjoyed my meal as much as I did back in the day!
(4)
Danielle B.
definitely recommend the queso with chorizo and don't forget to top it off with pico...awesome!!!
(5)
Sheila X.
The food here is ok, unfortunately nothing special. I'd have to give it a '2'. BUT the Fried Ice Cream dessert is phenomenal!, definitely a '5'. I have come here JUST to eat dessert on numerous occasions. It starts off with creamy vanilla ice cream (make sure you get vanilla because the chocolate is too sweet) covered in a sweet-cinnamon-y crushed cereal-type crumbs. Then it is quickly deep fried? (I'm guessing by the name) Then they top it off with whipped cream, chocolate sauce and a cherry. Then they put it in a sweet eatable tortilla bowl. and that is how you get one of the BEST desserts. EVER. Forget the food, come here for dessert.
(3)
Margaret O.
Favorite place to eat. The Arlington Heights location is the best though. Best salsa and wait staff.
(5)
Flor G.
I really like this place. My husband and I used to go here every single Friday like clockworkm don't anymore b/c we're trying to cut back on expenses. The margaritas are excellent & the service ranges from good-ish to great, depending on the server (but that's pretty much anywhere you go). The food is consistently good, and it is not too expensive. The place itself is kind of old looking, but I don't mind. It can be casual, so if your looking for a fancy place, this might not be for you. I really would reccomend it to others.
(4)
Chris W.
I wouldn't come here on a regular basis, especially if I really want to eat authentic Mexican food...but if you're in the neighborhood and are hungry it's worth a sitting down. The service is quick but they obviously don't train their servers to go above and beyond for their customers. You get relatively big portions of food, their quasadilla's are a nice starter, very thick and cheesy. When the tomato scare was in the area though we asked if they were aware and asked for the details about their red salsa, then ended up asking for the green salsa (we like that one better anyways). Our waitress had no idea about the whole tomato thing and my eyes popped with worry. So we got our food with nothing tomato based. They accommodated us no problem. The Menudo is great, VERY spicy (lots of peppers). For a side note, they DO have a kids menu which has got your basic American and Mexican food (tacos, hot dogs etc...) Believe it or not they even have CHEESE FRIES (which I've never tried) for kids OR adults. What's nice about their Enchiladas Suizas is that they load the cheese on top and I get REALLY upset when there's not enough cheese on anything but especially Mexican. Tacos: okay, but not like going to Los Comales or anything. Now for dessert (and this is the important part) get the fried ice cream. I don't think I need to say anything to support this statement.
(3)
Kellz Q.
Horrible food and music but the service was good. I really wouldn't call this Mexican food though.
(1)
Richard V.
I have been coming to this specific Pepe's Mexican Restaurant for years with family and friends. I've always had a pleasant experience here. The atmosphere tends to be laid back and quiet. The staff is both attentive and friendly. They will accommodate changes in the ingredients when possible (i.e. leave out the hot spices or chili). There is a convenient parking lot.
(4)
Daniel N.
Decent Mexican food. Got the food super quick was nice! Taste: Had better. Had worse. It was average.
(3)
Daniel B.
This review is based solely on their salsa. Holy mother of everything that is holy this is the best salsa I've ever had. I remember eating here when I was younger, but I certainly don't remember the salsa being this good. I had to keep a towel next to me because this elixir of tomato goodness was making me sweat. Lots of onions, tomatoes, cilantro and they aren't shy about putting some jalapenos in there. I love a salsa that isn't afraid to burn your tongue and make your eyes water. I bought two large cups of this stuff thinking it will last me a good week or so, boy was I wrong. I'll be surprised if this stuff makes it through the night. The salsa was so good I'm going to make sure I eat their regular food one of these days.
(5)
Alex A.
Food is horrible! Service is pathetic! If you plan on using a restaurant.com certificate you still end up paying full price. After tasting their food I just looked around and I wanted to ask people what they were thinking by eating here. It is disgusting. Please save yourself the trouble and go to Taco Bell. You will save a lot of money and at least the food tastes better there.
(1)
Tina D.
Excellent food & service! My family and I love coming here! Their margaritas are delicious!!!
(5)
Miriam Q.
Food was terrible, service was terrible. The cleanliness of the place was terrible! We sat in a booth with duct tape covering a hole and the picture on the wall had so much dust on it, I hope the kitchen was not this bad. Cracked walls. My husband ordered a burrito and and it only had the meat and beans all other ingredients were on the side. For being a mexican place, you'd think they know how to make a burrito... they totally messed that up! We will never go back to this place.
(1)
Patty V.
This place is owned by the same people who used to own Pepe's on Devon and Western(closed for many years). It is consistantly good and service is good as well. Love the guac and my favorite is the Enchiladas with Mole'-I ask for cheese instead of chicken and they gladly substitute for me at no additonal charge-always love when a place will do that!Pretty good 'ritas and pina coladas,too.
(4)
Angela L.
Pepe's used to be a great spot. Recently I have noticed the food quality is down. It tastes like fast food from TBK down the street. The chips & salsa are no longer hand made and taste like they are from a bag & jar. I suggest heading down the street to Las Palmas, for about $1 more per entree the quality is WAY worth it.
(2)
Gene W.
I've been coming to this Pepe's since I was a kid and I can honestly say I have never had a bad experience. The service here is always exceptional, but what really makes it stand out is that, for a chain restaurant, the food is fairly authentic (and delicious). I'm a big fan of the tostadas suizas, but they make a pretty marvelous milanesa too. As drinks go, the bartenders seem to know what they're doing. The decorations around the restaraunt are kind of simple, but it works. You don't feel like you're sitting at the corner taqueria, but you also won't need to get fancy to enjoy a meal.
(4)
marianna c.
I never had a bad experience here. My food is always good and big. It's not really close but we stop by now and then. We use to go the the movie close by and this was a good place to grab a quick casual bite.
(4)
Sir ..
If you like Mexican, then you're in for a treat. While Pepe's is a chain restaurant, I've found them to be a bit diverse from on location to another. The Harwood Heights location is one of my favorite "chain" Mexican restaurants. The food well prepared and the choices ample; followed by a selection of mixed drinks to wash down your burritos, flautas and enchiladas all of which compliment the dining experience. Pepe's is a good choice for Mexican food styles for American dining. Pros: Ample Choices, Good quality, Reasonable Prices, Good for family Dining Cons: Sometime limited parking in the mall (plenty across the street) Overall Rating: 4 of 5 Recommendation: Highly Recommended
(4)
Renato P.
I cannot say that Pepe's serves authentic Mexican cuisine , but whatever you call what they serve , I think it's good. I go here every couple of months , always find something that sounds good on the menu and like what I get. To start , the salsa and chips is good , nothing outstanding but good.A must get anytime I go there are the taquitos either by themselves or as the stuffed nachos with beans,melted cheese, salsa and guacamole on them , they are fantastic. I also always enjoy the skirt steak , it's very good. Don't bother with the tampiquania , I'm not a big fan of their enchiladas. They use cheddar cheese on all their food , and I don't like cheddar nearly as much as the Chihuahua cheese or even the Monterrey jack some places use with Mexican. The tacos and burritos are pretty good , but I almost never get them there. Fajitas are really good there , I almost always get the steak , but the shrimp are good too. I almost never drink , but I have had the margaritas and they are good too.
(4)
Chris Q.
I would like to said that here is my second home! lol.. I stop by a least 5 times a month, like the food and the services, the owner is very attendant and always make sure everything go ok and the staff is very friendly. very clean and food its great also the chip and salsa and the beginning? yummy!!!, high recommended this place.. see you soon!!
(5)
Sophia L.
Pepe's is not the most delicious Mexican restaurants I've been to, but it's certainly not shabby for the price. This restaurant is a decent size, has a good number of large booths that holds 4-6 people as well as a dining area that would be suitable for big groups and maybe parties. There are no private rooms, on site, however. The food screams "junk food" more or less. Though it's served on nice plates, the ingredients just don't seem to be very fresh or thoughtfully made. I did think it was delicious, however. If you are looking for a dish that is different from the usual (aka something not tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas), I would recommend you to order the Guisado De Res, which is essentially a beef stew. I thought it was very well made and was very tasty with the rice and salad that came with the meal. I would definitely visit this place again if I just wanted to have a quick bite to eat and a casual spot to chit chat with friends and family. I think you'll have fun here!
(3)
Cal S.
Beautiful, Awesome, Family,Staff,and Food is the best of all PEPES.Great place,great prices,Super Clean.
(5)
Laura A.
I've had a thing for Pepe's for many years. Noticed this location awhile back in passing, and put it on the to-do list, as it's probably the closest location to us. From the parking lot, the restaurant looks small, and even a little sketchy. But upon entering, it was perfectly fine. They must have in fact cleaned the place up since some of the older reviews here, because I did not see any duct tape holding the booths together! So far as the menu goes, you've been to one Pepe's, you've been to them all. The menu is as I remember. Lots to choose from! The Guacamole was excellent. Rocks Margarita strong and tasty, as was a Pina Colada. I happen to like their salsa a whole lot. The combo plate I ordered was excellent. The fried ice cream is not the same or as good as it was like nearly 30 years ago when I probably first tried it. Best part was possibly the service. The experience from the seating to the end of the meal was excellent. They were really on top of things. I'd recommend this Pepe's to anybody who is not a Mexican food snob. It's not "authentic" plain tacos loaded with onions and cilantro. (Blech!)
(4)
Yvonne O.
My love for Pepe's goes back to childhood, when my parents rented-out the whole place in my hometown for my 7th birthday and let me invite the entire class of girls for a taco fiesta. I hadn't been to one in years when we decided to drive to this one a few miles from our house in the city. I have to say, things have not changed, and that is generally a good thing. We had some cocktails and got an appetizer of the fried beef pockets. This was the only downside of the meal - the things were a littel frozen in the center - they hadn't been left in the fryer long enough. Boo. Entrees came and my shrimp fajitas were delicious. They were served on a flaming tower, so I cooked the rest of the appetizers up there and saved them! Husband had some enchilladas and liked them - and he loves their chips. He even uses the salsa, despite his hatred of onion and cilantro! Glad to see they still have the same combo meals on the menu too - I remember eating many an "Azteca" back in the day.
(3)
Juan L.
The decoration is outdated (there is some tape in the chairs) but the food is actually very good. The carne asada, quesadillas and fajitas are excellent.. and the salsa is amazing. The music is very annoying though but I'm giving it 4 stars because the food and service are good....
(4)
Amanda K.
The food was disgusting!
(1)
Brian F.
How do you open a restaurant for business just after using a chemical cleaner that saturates the air with a sickly sweet orange-smell. It hit me when I first walked in and by the time I sat down at a table it was clear that I wouldn't be able to taste my food and it was making me nauseous. I left and continued to smell that orange smell for several minutes after leaving the restaurant. Now I'm sporting a slight headache. Hopefully the restaurant management will read this and find a way to prevent this in the future.
(1)
J A.
I am not a fan of eating in this place. I am also not a fan of the menu and easpecally the prices for the crap on the menu. Everything tastes the same. There is one, and only one exception..... They have take out crunchy beef tacos for $1.00 each in orders of 5. This is my one and only go to on their sad menu ( that has also stayed the same for the last 20 years). I will order these in a pinch and have my hubby puck them up. If it were not for these, I would have given 1 star.
(3)
Linda P.
OK, so it's a chain restaurant. OK, so it's not a neighborhood taqueria. What it is - it's a restaurant with tasty food (read: burrito suizo) and low prices. The service is friendly and they keep the free salsa and chips coming. THIS IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
(4)
Michelle M.
I can't believe this crappy "Mexican" restaurant got such good reviews! I cringe when I think of the food!
(1)
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Address :4610 N Harlem Ave
Harwood Heights, IL, 60706
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Reda K.
Pepe's really disappointed me. I wanted fish tacos so I asked how big was the tilapia fish she said they don't use the whole tilapia so when my food came what she said was true I think they use one tilapia for three tacos. I have been other places where they use the whole fish for one taco. Now I had a fruit strawberry margarita blend I guess she didn't want to make a lot of noise because the ice cubes wasn't blended all the way ...I don't know about coming back
(2)Lillian W.
The food is great, the service is great, but the restaurant is so beyond out dated. The booths are gross i refuse to sit in a booth there so they sit me at a table with an un safe chair i felt as if i moved around a lot a leg would fall off. The bathroom is no better turn the sink on and water is leaking out the sides. I really don't understand why they don't want to put money back into there business here?
(3)Drain-eez Plumbing F.
I was going write 3 stars because of how great the food use to be, but after my experience the other night I have to go with 2. The only reason I am giving 2 stars is because the chips and salsa are still the best ever! Anyway here we go I have been visiting this Pepe's for years and the service has been declining but the food was always good, so it was worth it. Last night we went to Pepe's for dinner they sat us in a booth that wobbled, ok so we asked to be moved, they said ok and took 15 minutes to come back over and when they did the waitress tried taking our order. Really? So I asked again before she took the order can we please move our booth is wobbling. She smiled and said oh I forgot, and showed us to another table closer to the kitchen. Ugh, but whatever I am starving, so after she sat down our menu she walked away without taking our order!! It took my husband actually walking up to the bar where she was standing and asking her if she was going to wait on us. So couple minutes later here she comes. Mind you by this time we don't even have our drinks yet, and not that we are ordering any alcoholic beverage these are simply cokes we are trying t o get. FINALLY our food comes and it wasn't good. My tacos looked like they were thrown together, the food was not even plated nicely(like it usually is), my rice was cold and my husband's order was wrong, he asked for only cilantro & onion inside his burrito and it had everything in it. We complained and they offered to remake it but by this time it was late, we had to get home to our children, so we just ate it as it was. The food was bad, I have had ordered food from other places that has been messed up, it happens. But usually when it was time to pay the restaurant manager or owner, or whoever would always at least ask if we wanted money off or something like that, to try to be nice and normally we won't accept it, it's the gesture that means the most, at Pepe's not even I am sorry, nothing. I will not go back to this Pepe's!! I cannot honestly say I won't go back to another in the future, the chips & salsa are soo YUMMY!! Hopefully we will have a better experience at a different location!!
(2)Krissy J.
Food was great! Service was exceptionally good! Drinks, chips and salsa were never low! Super family friendly!
(4)Shelby G.
No, it's not authentic mexican food. But, it is good! The staff is very friendly. It's a family friendly place. Always clean. We have never had to wait for a table. Their chips and salsa are great as well.
(4)Rachel S.
Really good food, Good service. The new owner use to be a waiter and he's awesome. He's a much better owner than the last people. He's friendly and on top of everything. I really like this place.
(5)Liz A.
I enjoy this place very much. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The food is very good, my favorite are the steak fajitas. Desert is also tasteful, buñuelos, churros, or fried ice cream. Not to mention the drinks! The margaritas as perfect. The place is very clean and cozy.
(5)Jennifer M.
Is Pepe's the only Mexican restaurant to serve enchiladas suizo with melted cheddar cheese? I came in and dined alone, literally. Thin tortilla chips were served with thick and spicy salsa while I waited for my lunch combo. I thought it was pretty good. The refried beans could've used a bit more chihuahua cheese. The decor is seriously outdated. Most of the booths had duct tape on them. One can only imagine the yuck that is stained and incrusted on the carpet and linoleum.
(3)Summerwinds Y.
I am continuing to dine at Pepe's two or three times a month. I love, love, love this place! The owner couldn't be any nicer and the staff is extremely friendly and efficient. I was last at Pepe's on a Saturday night, my friends and I got the only available table because the place was packed! Even with so many customers, the waitress quickly brought our orders, the busboys kept refilling our chips and salsa, and the waitress kept checking to see if we needed anything. This Pepe's is the bomb! Try it!
(5)Sal A.
I must admit this restaurant has grown on me. Yes, the look of the restaurant has not been updated for a long long long time and you can find duct tape on the seats... But it is clean and the food is what's really important, isn't it? Well, the food is very good! The steak tacos are very good, the steak "carne asada" dinner is excellent, the chips are good, the fried ice cream is excellent and the service is also very good.
(4)Ralaina B.
The food is as good as I always remember it and our server was a sweetie. My drink was a little too strong so it made it hard to enjoy ( I was with my kids and didn't want to get trashed but if I had finished that drink I would've) but that's just my preference. The biggest disappointment was the "fried" ice cream...it's not even fried!!! The just roll some ice cream around in some cinnamon cereal! That was the main reason we decided to go there and we were very disappointed...
(3)Dave S.
Solid! I know Pepe's does rank very highly on the scale of authenticity as it relates to Mexican cuisine. When I was a child there was a Pepe's within walking distance from our home. Pepe's was considered going out for a nicer meal for us while we were growing up. Hey I was an expensive little kid to raise so discretionary income was at a premium. I fondly remember the ffod at that Pepe's very fondly and it created some good memories for me. Fast forward to present day... My wife and I went to this particular Pepe's. It has been a very long time since I have been to a Pepe's. I ordered the fiesta combo, which is a taco, tamale, tostada, and enchilada along with rice and beans. EVERYTHING was EXACTLY as I remembered it. It brought back some good childhood memories and i really enjoyed my meal as much as I did back in the day!
(4)Danielle B.
definitely recommend the queso with chorizo and don't forget to top it off with pico...awesome!!!
(5)Sheila X.
The food here is ok, unfortunately nothing special. I'd have to give it a '2'. BUT the Fried Ice Cream dessert is phenomenal!, definitely a '5'. I have come here JUST to eat dessert on numerous occasions. It starts off with creamy vanilla ice cream (make sure you get vanilla because the chocolate is too sweet) covered in a sweet-cinnamon-y crushed cereal-type crumbs. Then it is quickly deep fried? (I'm guessing by the name) Then they top it off with whipped cream, chocolate sauce and a cherry. Then they put it in a sweet eatable tortilla bowl. and that is how you get one of the BEST desserts. EVER. Forget the food, come here for dessert.
(3)Margaret O.
Favorite place to eat. The Arlington Heights location is the best though. Best salsa and wait staff.
(5)Flor G.
I really like this place. My husband and I used to go here every single Friday like clockworkm don't anymore b/c we're trying to cut back on expenses. The margaritas are excellent & the service ranges from good-ish to great, depending on the server (but that's pretty much anywhere you go). The food is consistently good, and it is not too expensive. The place itself is kind of old looking, but I don't mind. It can be casual, so if your looking for a fancy place, this might not be for you. I really would reccomend it to others.
(4)Chris W.
I wouldn't come here on a regular basis, especially if I really want to eat authentic Mexican food...but if you're in the neighborhood and are hungry it's worth a sitting down. The service is quick but they obviously don't train their servers to go above and beyond for their customers. You get relatively big portions of food, their quasadilla's are a nice starter, very thick and cheesy. When the tomato scare was in the area though we asked if they were aware and asked for the details about their red salsa, then ended up asking for the green salsa (we like that one better anyways). Our waitress had no idea about the whole tomato thing and my eyes popped with worry. So we got our food with nothing tomato based. They accommodated us no problem. The Menudo is great, VERY spicy (lots of peppers). For a side note, they DO have a kids menu which has got your basic American and Mexican food (tacos, hot dogs etc...) Believe it or not they even have CHEESE FRIES (which I've never tried) for kids OR adults. What's nice about their Enchiladas Suizas is that they load the cheese on top and I get REALLY upset when there's not enough cheese on anything but especially Mexican. Tacos: okay, but not like going to Los Comales or anything. Now for dessert (and this is the important part) get the fried ice cream. I don't think I need to say anything to support this statement.
(3)Kellz Q.
Horrible food and music but the service was good. I really wouldn't call this Mexican food though.
(1)Richard V.
I have been coming to this specific Pepe's Mexican Restaurant for years with family and friends. I've always had a pleasant experience here. The atmosphere tends to be laid back and quiet. The staff is both attentive and friendly. They will accommodate changes in the ingredients when possible (i.e. leave out the hot spices or chili). There is a convenient parking lot.
(4)Daniel N.
Decent Mexican food. Got the food super quick was nice! Taste: Had better. Had worse. It was average.
(3)Daniel B.
This review is based solely on their salsa. Holy mother of everything that is holy this is the best salsa I've ever had. I remember eating here when I was younger, but I certainly don't remember the salsa being this good. I had to keep a towel next to me because this elixir of tomato goodness was making me sweat. Lots of onions, tomatoes, cilantro and they aren't shy about putting some jalapenos in there. I love a salsa that isn't afraid to burn your tongue and make your eyes water. I bought two large cups of this stuff thinking it will last me a good week or so, boy was I wrong. I'll be surprised if this stuff makes it through the night. The salsa was so good I'm going to make sure I eat their regular food one of these days.
(5)Alex A.
Food is horrible! Service is pathetic! If you plan on using a restaurant.com certificate you still end up paying full price. After tasting their food I just looked around and I wanted to ask people what they were thinking by eating here. It is disgusting. Please save yourself the trouble and go to Taco Bell. You will save a lot of money and at least the food tastes better there.
(1)Tina D.
Excellent food & service! My family and I love coming here! Their margaritas are delicious!!!
(5)Miriam Q.
Food was terrible, service was terrible. The cleanliness of the place was terrible! We sat in a booth with duct tape covering a hole and the picture on the wall had so much dust on it, I hope the kitchen was not this bad. Cracked walls. My husband ordered a burrito and and it only had the meat and beans all other ingredients were on the side. For being a mexican place, you'd think they know how to make a burrito... they totally messed that up! We will never go back to this place.
(1)Patty V.
This place is owned by the same people who used to own Pepe's on Devon and Western(closed for many years). It is consistantly good and service is good as well. Love the guac and my favorite is the Enchiladas with Mole'-I ask for cheese instead of chicken and they gladly substitute for me at no additonal charge-always love when a place will do that!Pretty good 'ritas and pina coladas,too.
(4)Angela L.
Pepe's used to be a great spot. Recently I have noticed the food quality is down. It tastes like fast food from TBK down the street. The chips & salsa are no longer hand made and taste like they are from a bag & jar. I suggest heading down the street to Las Palmas, for about $1 more per entree the quality is WAY worth it.
(2)Gene W.
I've been coming to this Pepe's since I was a kid and I can honestly say I have never had a bad experience. The service here is always exceptional, but what really makes it stand out is that, for a chain restaurant, the food is fairly authentic (and delicious). I'm a big fan of the tostadas suizas, but they make a pretty marvelous milanesa too. As drinks go, the bartenders seem to know what they're doing. The decorations around the restaraunt are kind of simple, but it works. You don't feel like you're sitting at the corner taqueria, but you also won't need to get fancy to enjoy a meal.
(4)marianna c.
I never had a bad experience here. My food is always good and big. It's not really close but we stop by now and then. We use to go the the movie close by and this was a good place to grab a quick casual bite.
(4)Sir ..
If you like Mexican, then you're in for a treat. While Pepe's is a chain restaurant, I've found them to be a bit diverse from on location to another. The Harwood Heights location is one of my favorite "chain" Mexican restaurants. The food well prepared and the choices ample; followed by a selection of mixed drinks to wash down your burritos, flautas and enchiladas all of which compliment the dining experience. Pepe's is a good choice for Mexican food styles for American dining. Pros: Ample Choices, Good quality, Reasonable Prices, Good for family Dining Cons: Sometime limited parking in the mall (plenty across the street) Overall Rating: 4 of 5 Recommendation: Highly Recommended
(4)Renato P.
I cannot say that Pepe's serves authentic Mexican cuisine , but whatever you call what they serve , I think it's good. I go here every couple of months , always find something that sounds good on the menu and like what I get. To start , the salsa and chips is good , nothing outstanding but good.A must get anytime I go there are the taquitos either by themselves or as the stuffed nachos with beans,melted cheese, salsa and guacamole on them , they are fantastic. I also always enjoy the skirt steak , it's very good. Don't bother with the tampiquania , I'm not a big fan of their enchiladas. They use cheddar cheese on all their food , and I don't like cheddar nearly as much as the Chihuahua cheese or even the Monterrey jack some places use with Mexican. The tacos and burritos are pretty good , but I almost never get them there. Fajitas are really good there , I almost always get the steak , but the shrimp are good too. I almost never drink , but I have had the margaritas and they are good too.
(4)Chris Q.
I would like to said that here is my second home! lol.. I stop by a least 5 times a month, like the food and the services, the owner is very attendant and always make sure everything go ok and the staff is very friendly. very clean and food its great also the chip and salsa and the beginning? yummy!!!, high recommended this place.. see you soon!!
(5)Sophia L.
Pepe's is not the most delicious Mexican restaurants I've been to, but it's certainly not shabby for the price. This restaurant is a decent size, has a good number of large booths that holds 4-6 people as well as a dining area that would be suitable for big groups and maybe parties. There are no private rooms, on site, however. The food screams "junk food" more or less. Though it's served on nice plates, the ingredients just don't seem to be very fresh or thoughtfully made. I did think it was delicious, however. If you are looking for a dish that is different from the usual (aka something not tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas), I would recommend you to order the Guisado De Res, which is essentially a beef stew. I thought it was very well made and was very tasty with the rice and salad that came with the meal. I would definitely visit this place again if I just wanted to have a quick bite to eat and a casual spot to chit chat with friends and family. I think you'll have fun here!
(3)Cal S.
Beautiful, Awesome, Family,Staff,and Food is the best of all PEPES.Great place,great prices,Super Clean.
(5)Laura A.
I've had a thing for Pepe's for many years. Noticed this location awhile back in passing, and put it on the to-do list, as it's probably the closest location to us. From the parking lot, the restaurant looks small, and even a little sketchy. But upon entering, it was perfectly fine. They must have in fact cleaned the place up since some of the older reviews here, because I did not see any duct tape holding the booths together! So far as the menu goes, you've been to one Pepe's, you've been to them all. The menu is as I remember. Lots to choose from! The Guacamole was excellent. Rocks Margarita strong and tasty, as was a Pina Colada. I happen to like their salsa a whole lot. The combo plate I ordered was excellent. The fried ice cream is not the same or as good as it was like nearly 30 years ago when I probably first tried it. Best part was possibly the service. The experience from the seating to the end of the meal was excellent. They were really on top of things. I'd recommend this Pepe's to anybody who is not a Mexican food snob. It's not "authentic" plain tacos loaded with onions and cilantro. (Blech!)
(4)Yvonne O.
My love for Pepe's goes back to childhood, when my parents rented-out the whole place in my hometown for my 7th birthday and let me invite the entire class of girls for a taco fiesta. I hadn't been to one in years when we decided to drive to this one a few miles from our house in the city. I have to say, things have not changed, and that is generally a good thing. We had some cocktails and got an appetizer of the fried beef pockets. This was the only downside of the meal - the things were a littel frozen in the center - they hadn't been left in the fryer long enough. Boo. Entrees came and my shrimp fajitas were delicious. They were served on a flaming tower, so I cooked the rest of the appetizers up there and saved them! Husband had some enchilladas and liked them - and he loves their chips. He even uses the salsa, despite his hatred of onion and cilantro! Glad to see they still have the same combo meals on the menu too - I remember eating many an "Azteca" back in the day.
(3)Juan L.
The decoration is outdated (there is some tape in the chairs) but the food is actually very good. The carne asada, quesadillas and fajitas are excellent.. and the salsa is amazing. The music is very annoying though but I'm giving it 4 stars because the food and service are good....
(4)Amanda K.
The food was disgusting!
(1)Brian F.
How do you open a restaurant for business just after using a chemical cleaner that saturates the air with a sickly sweet orange-smell. It hit me when I first walked in and by the time I sat down at a table it was clear that I wouldn't be able to taste my food and it was making me nauseous. I left and continued to smell that orange smell for several minutes after leaving the restaurant. Now I'm sporting a slight headache. Hopefully the restaurant management will read this and find a way to prevent this in the future.
(1)J A.
I am not a fan of eating in this place. I am also not a fan of the menu and easpecally the prices for the crap on the menu. Everything tastes the same. There is one, and only one exception..... They have take out crunchy beef tacos for $1.00 each in orders of 5. This is my one and only go to on their sad menu ( that has also stayed the same for the last 20 years). I will order these in a pinch and have my hubby puck them up. If it were not for these, I would have given 1 star.
(3)Linda P.
OK, so it's a chain restaurant. OK, so it's not a neighborhood taqueria. What it is - it's a restaurant with tasty food (read: burrito suizo) and low prices. The service is friendly and they keep the free salsa and chips coming. THIS IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
(4)Michelle M.
I can't believe this crappy "Mexican" restaurant got such good reviews! I cringe when I think of the food!
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