I think Pepe's in Valparaiso is pretty good! I just read some horrible reviews. And was really surprised. I have always had excellent service. The place could use an update or two. But everything is always fresh. And I never ever returned an item. And of course none of the bad reviewers didn't either? I love their salads, steak tacos, enchiladas, soups, tamales, tostadas, burritos, etc.. Just go for yourself people. And as far as FREE birthday desserts go, NO restaurants give out free food. Even I know that. That is what keeps the costs down. Make a cake, or buy one for your own kid. Geez. Done.
(4)
Aaron P.
Growing up in Las Vegas then living in Texas think I am pretty well rounded when it comes to Mexican food. Lets just say I won't be back. I agree with the review said that this was TIRED. Plus, the food was not tasty. I'm very disappointed in this place.
(2)
Fred F.
Totally greasy,,,totally inauthentic,,,,kinda dirty.....and a little "red necky"...but really good ... In a shameful kind of way. Old pool tables....loud juke box...cruddy booths...but a good place ...sorry foodies....it aint Topolobampo by any stretch.,,not even trying to be,,,,it's a joint....it's a tasty decadent treat....best forgotten next day yes....but always a must when in Valpo. Oh, and the bartenders are great.
(3)
Manuel S.
Entering the restaurant we noticed a haze of grease drenched smoke. The pungent smell of all the days meals were alive in my nostrils as we were lead to our table. Soon I came to realize that this was not like most Mexican restaurants, it was just plain awful. The waitress was unfamiliar with the menu and was insistant on us having the drink special of the night, which was a bucket of bud light. Pass. The chips were stale and the salsa was adequate. I had the skirt steak which was not bad, but not the greatest. My date had the steak tacos, which were drenched in grease and just bad. So if you're thinking about going to this place I'd advise you to skip it. It is no bueno.
(1)
Lori G.
Place is a little run down but those are the best places to eat ...right ? right? I eat on the bar side always and the service is fantastic ...Tricia is always my server and gives the best service and makes the best margaritas ever ...Food is excellent .I always get the tostada suiza ..the best ... she recommended the carne ala mexican ...it was fantastic ..so if u are looking for great service , great food and the best margaritas go see a girl named tricia u won't be disappointed ...
(5)
s b.
Pepe's? Oh, HECK no. We've never been to any other Pepe's and based on this experience we never will, especially since we had been told this one was the best in the area! I'll grant you, I'm a bit of a foodie, but not trimming the gristly bits from the tip of the chicken breast, isn't that food prep 101? Needless to say, while eating my chicken fajita salad, I had to keep revisiting my napkin. After the third piece, I'd had enough and just ate the sauteed onions and peppers. To be fair, the vegetables were good and had a nice flavor---just a shame the chicken was poorly prepped. I wasn't even tempted to eat the taco bowl. Typically when getting a meal like this, I will take one bite of the bowl and then nibble at it, trying to keep my carbs down, but unable to resist picking at it. No such worries at Pepe's! It needed seasoning and it needed to be fried correctly. Mine was greasy and almost soggy to touch. (And no, that wasn't from the liquid from the fajita...this was the top of the bowl.) The children's menu was even disappointing. Ok, I get it, they aren't going to hand dip their chicken tenders. But could they at least let the fries finish cooking and maybe wave some salt at them? My daughter happens to like dino chicken nuggets, so her "chicken tenders" were more a disappointment to me than her. But she's 8 and thought the fries were gross. She's only a few years from thinking play-doh should be on a menu and she wouldn't even eat the fries. My husband had some type of burrito. Burritos are his go-to Mexican food. I don't think he's ever ordered anything else at any Mexican restaurant ever. So, he's had A LOT of burritos. He wasn't sure what was in the middle, other than the pork, and I certainly wasn't going to taste it. He said it wasn't horrible, but it certainly wasn't fulfilling. The wait staff seemed to be trying hard. They only had one waitress and one hostess/busser working. On a Saturday. At lunch time. The service, for what they had, wasn't bad, but it was made worse by the fact the clientele are some of the messiest eaters I've ever seen. Who lets their kids make that kind of mess---and then tips $3? (The tip was left on the table where we could see it.) This was a table of at least 5 adults and two children. Another small family came in while we were waiting (forever) for our check, and you could see they weren't treating this place any better than the other family had. Granted, clientele doesn't necessarily indicate the quality of the restaurant, but these were certainly people not feeling pressured to keep it classy. The ambiance was...dim. But that's ok. Some of the best food I've ever had wasn't necessarily in the prettiest of environs. But the overall impression of this place was just abysmal.
(1)
Beth M.
Their taco seasoning tastes like they dumped a jar of El Paso salsa over shredded meat. It was pretty bad. The salsa is bland and the chips were greasy. It was really loud, and the servers left a lot to be desired. I would not recommend it. There are a lot better options for the price in town.
(1)
Jeanna C.
If you are in Valpo and you are looking for some great inexpensive Mexican take-out, I recommend that you go to Pepe's. I've been picking up lunch there from work almost every Friday for a couple of months. I've never actually ate inside, but I can tell you that the take-out service at the bar is refreshing. She gets our orders right and is always willing to help me take the food to the car. Speaking of the food- YUMMY! Be sure to try the chicken burritos and the steak tacos.
(4)
Belinda L.
Was like dining in a funeral home. No atmosphere. No latin music. Not what I know Pepe's to be, usually upbeat, fun atmosphere. The only word I can think of to describe the overall feeling of the place was TIRED. Lighting was weird, harsh, tired and bored servers, unprofessional looking, friendly enough, cleanliness was questionable, and when we asked if they did anything for birthdays (it was my daughters 12th birthday), we got a disinterested "sorry, no we don't do that any more"...as I watched my daughter's face crumple. Emptiness about the place, and my daughter was crying after we left as she looked forward to the whole silly free ice cream fuss at a restaurant for her birthday. Whole reason she picked this place was that she thought she got free ice cream as the one in Lafayette does that. I don't get it here in Valpo. Again, maybe I watch too much Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares, but isn't the whole point of the business is to gain RETURNING customers? Food was average, not too bad. I have yet to find any restaurant here in Valpo worthy of a return visit. Will never go back. First and final visit.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
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.
Donna M.
I think Pepe's in Valparaiso is pretty good! I just read some horrible reviews. And was really surprised. I have always had excellent service. The place could use an update or two. But everything is always fresh. And I never ever returned an item. And of course none of the bad reviewers didn't either? I love their salads, steak tacos, enchiladas, soups, tamales, tostadas, burritos, etc.. Just go for yourself people. And as far as FREE birthday desserts go, NO restaurants give out free food. Even I know that. That is what keeps the costs down. Make a cake, or buy one for your own kid. Geez. Done.
(4)Aaron P.
Growing up in Las Vegas then living in Texas think I am pretty well rounded when it comes to Mexican food. Lets just say I won't be back. I agree with the review said that this was TIRED. Plus, the food was not tasty. I'm very disappointed in this place.
(2)Fred F.
Totally greasy,,,totally inauthentic,,,,kinda dirty.....and a little "red necky"...but really good ... In a shameful kind of way. Old pool tables....loud juke box...cruddy booths...but a good place ...sorry foodies....it aint Topolobampo by any stretch.,,not even trying to be,,,,it's a joint....it's a tasty decadent treat....best forgotten next day yes....but always a must when in Valpo. Oh, and the bartenders are great.
(3)Manuel S.
Entering the restaurant we noticed a haze of grease drenched smoke. The pungent smell of all the days meals were alive in my nostrils as we were lead to our table. Soon I came to realize that this was not like most Mexican restaurants, it was just plain awful. The waitress was unfamiliar with the menu and was insistant on us having the drink special of the night, which was a bucket of bud light. Pass. The chips were stale and the salsa was adequate. I had the skirt steak which was not bad, but not the greatest. My date had the steak tacos, which were drenched in grease and just bad. So if you're thinking about going to this place I'd advise you to skip it. It is no bueno.
(1)Lori G.
Place is a little run down but those are the best places to eat ...right ? right? I eat on the bar side always and the service is fantastic ...Tricia is always my server and gives the best service and makes the best margaritas ever ...Food is excellent .I always get the tostada suiza ..the best ... she recommended the carne ala mexican ...it was fantastic ..so if u are looking for great service , great food and the best margaritas go see a girl named tricia u won't be disappointed ...
(5)s b.
Pepe's? Oh, HECK no. We've never been to any other Pepe's and based on this experience we never will, especially since we had been told this one was the best in the area! I'll grant you, I'm a bit of a foodie, but not trimming the gristly bits from the tip of the chicken breast, isn't that food prep 101? Needless to say, while eating my chicken fajita salad, I had to keep revisiting my napkin. After the third piece, I'd had enough and just ate the sauteed onions and peppers. To be fair, the vegetables were good and had a nice flavor---just a shame the chicken was poorly prepped. I wasn't even tempted to eat the taco bowl. Typically when getting a meal like this, I will take one bite of the bowl and then nibble at it, trying to keep my carbs down, but unable to resist picking at it. No such worries at Pepe's! It needed seasoning and it needed to be fried correctly. Mine was greasy and almost soggy to touch. (And no, that wasn't from the liquid from the fajita...this was the top of the bowl.) The children's menu was even disappointing. Ok, I get it, they aren't going to hand dip their chicken tenders. But could they at least let the fries finish cooking and maybe wave some salt at them? My daughter happens to like dino chicken nuggets, so her "chicken tenders" were more a disappointment to me than her. But she's 8 and thought the fries were gross. She's only a few years from thinking play-doh should be on a menu and she wouldn't even eat the fries. My husband had some type of burrito. Burritos are his go-to Mexican food. I don't think he's ever ordered anything else at any Mexican restaurant ever. So, he's had A LOT of burritos. He wasn't sure what was in the middle, other than the pork, and I certainly wasn't going to taste it. He said it wasn't horrible, but it certainly wasn't fulfilling. The wait staff seemed to be trying hard. They only had one waitress and one hostess/busser working. On a Saturday. At lunch time. The service, for what they had, wasn't bad, but it was made worse by the fact the clientele are some of the messiest eaters I've ever seen. Who lets their kids make that kind of mess---and then tips $3? (The tip was left on the table where we could see it.) This was a table of at least 5 adults and two children. Another small family came in while we were waiting (forever) for our check, and you could see they weren't treating this place any better than the other family had. Granted, clientele doesn't necessarily indicate the quality of the restaurant, but these were certainly people not feeling pressured to keep it classy. The ambiance was...dim. But that's ok. Some of the best food I've ever had wasn't necessarily in the prettiest of environs. But the overall impression of this place was just abysmal.
(1)Beth M.
Their taco seasoning tastes like they dumped a jar of El Paso salsa over shredded meat. It was pretty bad. The salsa is bland and the chips were greasy. It was really loud, and the servers left a lot to be desired. I would not recommend it. There are a lot better options for the price in town.
(1)Jeanna C.
If you are in Valpo and you are looking for some great inexpensive Mexican take-out, I recommend that you go to Pepe's. I've been picking up lunch there from work almost every Friday for a couple of months. I've never actually ate inside, but I can tell you that the take-out service at the bar is refreshing. She gets our orders right and is always willing to help me take the food to the car. Speaking of the food- YUMMY! Be sure to try the chicken burritos and the steak tacos.
(4)Belinda L.
Was like dining in a funeral home. No atmosphere. No latin music. Not what I know Pepe's to be, usually upbeat, fun atmosphere. The only word I can think of to describe the overall feeling of the place was TIRED. Lighting was weird, harsh, tired and bored servers, unprofessional looking, friendly enough, cleanliness was questionable, and when we asked if they did anything for birthdays (it was my daughters 12th birthday), we got a disinterested "sorry, no we don't do that any more"...as I watched my daughter's face crumple. Emptiness about the place, and my daughter was crying after we left as she looked forward to the whole silly free ice cream fuss at a restaurant for her birthday. Whole reason she picked this place was that she thought she got free ice cream as the one in Lafayette does that. I don't get it here in Valpo. Again, maybe I watch too much Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares, but isn't the whole point of the business is to gain RETURNING customers? Food was average, not too bad. I have yet to find any restaurant here in Valpo worthy of a return visit. Will never go back. First and final visit.
(1)