Went to this place for cinco de mayo. The special was fajitas and diamond margaritas. Not a fan of that margarita and would suggest you get a top shelf one, however be prepared to wait for that drink. We had chicken fajitas which were dry but a healthy helping of food. Not a fan of the salsa which was very tomato pasty. The hot one isn't hot and would say if you get the chips and salsa to get the hot. The cheese dip is ok, but wouldn't get it again.
(3)
Lab L.
Last couple of visits were just OK. And that is probably a little high of a compliment. Chips and salsa are great. Service is on or off. Last time, we waited 10-15 minutes for our server to finally bring the check. Entrees are just eh. Nothing special. Hubby likes the pan fried tacos. I think I will try those next time. Otherwise, no special flavors on enchiladas or burritos. Just eh. We dine here for convenience to meet out of town friends for downtown events.
(2)
Kathryn K.
Mediocre food. I've dined in and done carry-out. It might be a cute space, but I feel like there are a lot of other Mexican restaurants with better food, so this place stands out as nothing special.
(3)
Deb H.
My 9 year old gives a 5 for the chicken enchiladas! Our service was great. Alicia was our server and the man who brought out the food and assisted her was excellent. The lunch fajitas were very good and a large portion. We came here while visiting the capital and we noticed a nail in our tire. This was conveniently across the street while we had our repair. Glad I didn't pay attention to the negative reviews. It was clean when we were here. Friday lunch and it was packed. Lots of business people mixed in with other locals.
(4)
Katie L.
I accompanied a good friend to this restaurant, who openly admitted that she had never eaten there while sober. HA, that should have been my first red flag. While we waited to be seated I noticed that their 99 cent margaritas were premade and sitting in the fridge, already in the glasses. Shouldn't there be a food code against that? Once we made it to our booth we were given our chips and salsa - They were ok. Probably the best part of my meal, sadly. We shared a half order of their chicken nachos ... The chicken was clearly canned chicken - It smelled and almost tasted exactly like tuna. I ended up only picking at a few chips that had some queso on them. Between the two of us, over half of that half order was left on the plate but our waitress was less than concerned. I decided to only try a steak taco (waitress said it would be better than a beef taco) and a side of refried beans. The steak was shaved as if it was made for a philly cheesesteak sandwich, was very dry and was difficult to chew. The refried beans... Eh... Left me desiring much more. I will not be returning to this place.
(1)
Carol G.
I love this place. Was there on a Monday for lunch and they had a Tamale Special with Green Chile Sauce. Served with Rice & Beans. (I LOVE their rice!!) It was delicious, just like everything else I've ever had here. ...which has been a lot of different things since I've been coming here since before Walgreens came in and tore down their original building and moved them down the block into their new home. No complaints here. Good service, good food, good atmosphere.
(5)
Stacy F.
Best food / love the menudo
(5)
Jeff B.
Great place to eat if you like microwaved food and never in my life have I been asked to move to a different table halfway through my meal not to mention the complete lack of service who ever is managing this place should not be in business strike 3 you're out will never eat here again too many other Mexican restaurants much better.
(1)
Ray J.
This place is dog food. Expensive dog food, at that. The customary free chips taste are taco shells and the salsa comes in a plastic squeeze bottle-like ketchup. The coke was flat and the flour tortillas were stale. Save your money and go to Casa Ramos.
(1)
Brenna R.
Went with my hubs and my 2 toddlers for dinner. Poor service not the quality of food I expected for the price I paid, the place was dirty. We will not ever be back.
(1)
Anita H.
Good Food, the rice is the BEST! Good for your money...service is hit and miss.
(4)
J M.
The food is great and it arrives very quickly. No complaints about the service. When I go out and drink for margarita night, I usually go to El Mezcal or Los Charros instead, but I think the food here might be a little better.
(5)
steve w.
pepe & chela's is one of our favorites in t-town, and worth the occasional trip from lawrence. prices have gone up some in the last year, but the food merits it. their pan fried tacos, something of a topeka specialty, are absolutely delicious. p & c also makes chicken mole as well as anyone in northeast kansas. note, too that they serve fideo as a side dish, which not too many mexican joints in this part of the world do. margaritas are good and the mexican beer selection is respectable. just overall a good experience for mexican chow in topeka and good value, even if it's not the sensational value it once was.
(4)
Susanne M.
Good food and service is terrific!
(4)
GIANFRANCO p.
Excellent, family-owned local mexican. A local presence in Topeka for many years.
(4)
Andrea B.
My husband and I ate there a couple of weeks ago. I got the chicken mole enchilada combo and my husband got the enchilada combo. The chicken was very moist and flavorful. The tortillas were fantastic and the mole sauce you could tell was made from scratch. We both loved the refried beans and rice. Great food at a good price!
(5)
B S.
My husband, daughter and I went here for lunch a couple of months ago and we were greatly disappointed. We were practically the only ones there so you would have thought service would have been fast. It was very slow and the food was not good. There was also a big, long hair on my menu which didn't help matters any. We will not be back.
(1)
Valerie L.
Meh. Sort of disappointed this is the best Mexican Topeka had to offer. I ordered one chile relleno with red sauce, and a side of guacamole. Did I just pay $18 for that? I thought Mexican food was supposed to be cheap...anyhow I figured the quality would at least be good. The guacamole was good, and plentiful, and the chips were fresh. But the relleno tasted and looked like it was fried in too cool of oil. It came very oily. The red sauce was also pretty bland. The rice and beans were acceptable, but pretty pedestrian. Wish I would have found another option within walking distance.
(2)
Brea B.
Pan fried chicken tacos are the best. I've also been getting a side of guacamole to put on them. If you get the pick two or pick three combo you can al so beans and rice on the side. The beans are the best in town.
(4)
Lesia M.
NOW my favorite mexican restaurant in Topeka, we have been coming every other weekend for the last three months and every time we come it just gets better, we usually get the pick three and choose a pan fried chicken taco,tostado,burrito or enchilada, it comes with beans and rice, all have been consistently delicious. This time we brought a friend and decided to try 2 orders of shrimp fajitas and one order Steak fajitas. White conqueso for appetizer( we mix it with their hot salsa) The chips were crispy and freshly cooked,the queso and salsa were very good. Fajita set ups showed up( lettuce,pico de gallo, cheese, guacamole, sour cream)they were generous portions which impressed us all, since almost every other place you go they are stingy with cheese and don't include guacamole or lettuce. Fajitas arrived colorful, sizzling perfectly perfectly prepared,best shrimp we have had anywhere for almost a year and steak was melt in your mouth relish. Just more choices to add to my favorites at Pepe and Chelas. The restaurant is very clean and the staff is very polite and helpful!
(5)
Mark Q.
Went into Pepe and Chela's for dinner with my family. Were seated and waited at least 10 minutes and still had not even been talked to by a server. But, in their defense, there were lots of empty tables and many passed our table on the way to the kitchen. We were seated next to the kitchen door. Left and ate dinner elsewhere.
(1)
John D.
This place is a RIP OFF!!! First of all they overcharge, second of all they're so cheap they don't give you complimentary chips n salsa on carry out orders, thirdly their size portions are a joke, their large chili con queso is what all other Mexican restaurants would consider a small, and lastly their food is mediocre, their version of authentic is "Topeka Oakland" authentic, ....you could combine all these "so called Mexican" restaurants in Topeka and you still wouldn't come up with one decent one, what a shame!
(1)
Kathy B.
um no. Poor service and dirty. Food wasn't that great. And my momma taught me if you cannot say anything nice that your review should end there.
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 Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : 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.
Amanda I.
Went to this place for cinco de mayo. The special was fajitas and diamond margaritas. Not a fan of that margarita and would suggest you get a top shelf one, however be prepared to wait for that drink. We had chicken fajitas which were dry but a healthy helping of food. Not a fan of the salsa which was very tomato pasty. The hot one isn't hot and would say if you get the chips and salsa to get the hot. The cheese dip is ok, but wouldn't get it again.
(3)Lab L.
Last couple of visits were just OK. And that is probably a little high of a compliment. Chips and salsa are great. Service is on or off. Last time, we waited 10-15 minutes for our server to finally bring the check. Entrees are just eh. Nothing special. Hubby likes the pan fried tacos. I think I will try those next time. Otherwise, no special flavors on enchiladas or burritos. Just eh. We dine here for convenience to meet out of town friends for downtown events.
(2)Kathryn K.
Mediocre food. I've dined in and done carry-out. It might be a cute space, but I feel like there are a lot of other Mexican restaurants with better food, so this place stands out as nothing special.
(3)Deb H.
My 9 year old gives a 5 for the chicken enchiladas! Our service was great. Alicia was our server and the man who brought out the food and assisted her was excellent. The lunch fajitas were very good and a large portion. We came here while visiting the capital and we noticed a nail in our tire. This was conveniently across the street while we had our repair. Glad I didn't pay attention to the negative reviews. It was clean when we were here. Friday lunch and it was packed. Lots of business people mixed in with other locals.
(4)Katie L.
I accompanied a good friend to this restaurant, who openly admitted that she had never eaten there while sober. HA, that should have been my first red flag. While we waited to be seated I noticed that their 99 cent margaritas were premade and sitting in the fridge, already in the glasses. Shouldn't there be a food code against that? Once we made it to our booth we were given our chips and salsa - They were ok. Probably the best part of my meal, sadly. We shared a half order of their chicken nachos ... The chicken was clearly canned chicken - It smelled and almost tasted exactly like tuna. I ended up only picking at a few chips that had some queso on them. Between the two of us, over half of that half order was left on the plate but our waitress was less than concerned. I decided to only try a steak taco (waitress said it would be better than a beef taco) and a side of refried beans. The steak was shaved as if it was made for a philly cheesesteak sandwich, was very dry and was difficult to chew. The refried beans... Eh... Left me desiring much more. I will not be returning to this place.
(1)Carol G.
I love this place. Was there on a Monday for lunch and they had a Tamale Special with Green Chile Sauce. Served with Rice & Beans. (I LOVE their rice!!) It was delicious, just like everything else I've ever had here. ...which has been a lot of different things since I've been coming here since before Walgreens came in and tore down their original building and moved them down the block into their new home. No complaints here. Good service, good food, good atmosphere.
(5)Stacy F.
Best food / love the menudo
(5)Jeff B.
Great place to eat if you like microwaved food and never in my life have I been asked to move to a different table halfway through my meal not to mention the complete lack of service who ever is managing this place should not be in business strike 3 you're out will never eat here again too many other Mexican restaurants much better.
(1)Ray J.
This place is dog food. Expensive dog food, at that. The customary free chips taste are taco shells and the salsa comes in a plastic squeeze bottle-like ketchup. The coke was flat and the flour tortillas were stale. Save your money and go to Casa Ramos.
(1)Brenna R.
Went with my hubs and my 2 toddlers for dinner. Poor service not the quality of food I expected for the price I paid, the place was dirty. We will not ever be back.
(1)Anita H.
Good Food, the rice is the BEST! Good for your money...service is hit and miss.
(4)J M.
The food is great and it arrives very quickly. No complaints about the service. When I go out and drink for margarita night, I usually go to El Mezcal or Los Charros instead, but I think the food here might be a little better.
(5)steve w.
pepe & chela's is one of our favorites in t-town, and worth the occasional trip from lawrence. prices have gone up some in the last year, but the food merits it. their pan fried tacos, something of a topeka specialty, are absolutely delicious. p & c also makes chicken mole as well as anyone in northeast kansas. note, too that they serve fideo as a side dish, which not too many mexican joints in this part of the world do. margaritas are good and the mexican beer selection is respectable. just overall a good experience for mexican chow in topeka and good value, even if it's not the sensational value it once was.
(4)Susanne M.
Good food and service is terrific!
(4)GIANFRANCO p.
Excellent, family-owned local mexican. A local presence in Topeka for many years.
(4)Andrea B.
My husband and I ate there a couple of weeks ago. I got the chicken mole enchilada combo and my husband got the enchilada combo. The chicken was very moist and flavorful. The tortillas were fantastic and the mole sauce you could tell was made from scratch. We both loved the refried beans and rice. Great food at a good price!
(5)B S.
My husband, daughter and I went here for lunch a couple of months ago and we were greatly disappointed. We were practically the only ones there so you would have thought service would have been fast. It was very slow and the food was not good. There was also a big, long hair on my menu which didn't help matters any. We will not be back.
(1)Valerie L.
Meh. Sort of disappointed this is the best Mexican Topeka had to offer. I ordered one chile relleno with red sauce, and a side of guacamole. Did I just pay $18 for that? I thought Mexican food was supposed to be cheap...anyhow I figured the quality would at least be good. The guacamole was good, and plentiful, and the chips were fresh. But the relleno tasted and looked like it was fried in too cool of oil. It came very oily. The red sauce was also pretty bland. The rice and beans were acceptable, but pretty pedestrian. Wish I would have found another option within walking distance.
(2)Brea B.
Pan fried chicken tacos are the best. I've also been getting a side of guacamole to put on them. If you get the pick two or pick three combo you can al so beans and rice on the side. The beans are the best in town.
(4)Lesia M.
NOW my favorite mexican restaurant in Topeka, we have been coming every other weekend for the last three months and every time we come it just gets better, we usually get the pick three and choose a pan fried chicken taco,tostado,burrito or enchilada, it comes with beans and rice, all have been consistently delicious. This time we brought a friend and decided to try 2 orders of shrimp fajitas and one order Steak fajitas. White conqueso for appetizer( we mix it with their hot salsa) The chips were crispy and freshly cooked,the queso and salsa were very good. Fajita set ups showed up( lettuce,pico de gallo, cheese, guacamole, sour cream)they were generous portions which impressed us all, since almost every other place you go they are stingy with cheese and don't include guacamole or lettuce. Fajitas arrived colorful, sizzling perfectly perfectly prepared,best shrimp we have had anywhere for almost a year and steak was melt in your mouth relish. Just more choices to add to my favorites at Pepe and Chelas. The restaurant is very clean and the staff is very polite and helpful!
(5)Mark Q.
Went into Pepe and Chela's for dinner with my family. Were seated and waited at least 10 minutes and still had not even been talked to by a server. But, in their defense, there were lots of empty tables and many passed our table on the way to the kitchen. We were seated next to the kitchen door. Left and ate dinner elsewhere.
(1)John D.
This place is a RIP OFF!!! First of all they overcharge, second of all they're so cheap they don't give you complimentary chips n salsa on carry out orders, thirdly their size portions are a joke, their large chili con queso is what all other Mexican restaurants would consider a small, and lastly their food is mediocre, their version of authentic is "Topeka Oakland" authentic, ....you could combine all these "so called Mexican" restaurants in Topeka and you still wouldn't come up with one decent one, what a shame!
(1)Kathy B.
um no. Poor service and dirty. Food wasn't that great. And my momma taught me if you cannot say anything nice that your review should end there.
(2)