Pablo’s Panaderia
311 E Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI, 48933
Pablo’s Panaderia Menu
-
Breakfast
-
La Torta
Healthy Meal suggestions for Pablo’s Panaderia
-
Breakfast
-
La Torta
Visit below restaurant in Lansing for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lansing for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
311 E Grand River Ave
Lansing, MI, 48933 - Phone (517) 372-0887
- Website https://www.pablosoldtown.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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 : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Carlos M.
We stopped here on our way to Toronto. Great service and delicious taquitos. The guacamole was fresh and very good as well.
(4)Joann R.
The best tacos in Mid-Michigan! The Asada mexican tacos are the greatest thing on the menu. The abundance of onions, cilantro, and meat was superb. My boyfriend had the Asada, Al Pastor and Bistek chalupas and he ate them in 3 minutes...so tasty! Great place, will definitely come back when I'm in Michigan!
(5)Lisa W.
As with all countries, Mexican food is based on the region it's originated from. Pablos reminds me of the Northern region. Maybe Northeastern. Some of their food can be a bit bland though including the salsa. The hot salsa just taste like Red Hot. This is not typical of any region I am familiar with however and why I didn't give them the 5th star. The menu is what reminds me of the region. The choice of meats for your dish are an awesome twist. Breakfast all day too! Even though I don't care for fried Gorditas (we make ours on a comal) they aren't really greasy here. I really like them and order them often. I typically order a side of chicharron to put on my Gorditas. Yum! Service is always quick and friendly. They don't frown on special orders or requests which I love. Most important to me, fresh ingredients! I've never had a poor experience here.
(4)Amy B.
Its as good as the reviews say. Get here before the lunch rush or you'll be waiting for a table that probably won't open until early afternoon. We stepped in at 11:30am and were almost the first in the place. But by Noon there was a line out the door and this on a week day. Food was good. Salsa was a disappointment. They server mild but you can ask for hot and it was warmer but still lacking on the flavor site. Luckily the food is flavorful so I can get by it.
(4)Sarah D.
I love this quaint little place in Old Town. Authentic and family run, decent service and great flavored. Portions are not oversized which is a rarity in Lansing. A good thing! The salsa is my favorite...not overly spicy and not thick and pasty, like El Azteco. Chile Relleno is delicious. I will return again and again. Great for breakfast as well.
(5)Kimberly D.
Nothing special about this place. Stopped here because of all the positive Yelp reviews. The service was good and fast. The food was fresh but it was pricey for what you got and nothing really tasted spectacular. Portions were on the smaller side but it still filled us up. I've had better combo plates for $10.
(3)Jay G.
Best Mexican restaurant around. The staff are friendly and attentive and the food is excellent. It's a hole-in-the-wall place that you do not want to pass by in Lansing's Old Town.
(5)B G.
Never again. Place used to be good, but yikes, not anymore.
(1)Layna A.
I ended up at Pablo's as an accident - my car broke down about a block away, and I had some time to kill before the tow truck would show up. We didn't mention to the server that we were in a hurry, but we didn't have to because the service was quite quick and efficient. The prices were very reasonable, and the food was good. The aesthetic was very "hole-in-the-wall"-esque. It's small, and they definitely put no effort into decorating or updating the place. If you're looking for a nice atmosphere, you won't enjoy Pablo's, but if you're looking for well-priced Mexican food, I recommend giving Pablo's a try.
(4)David S.
Probably tied with Oasis for best Mexican food in the Lansing area. Possibly the best Molé in the state though! The service has been good or excellent each time I've even here. The chilaquiles is so rich and flavorful it's an inner struggle (literally) to try to finish it all! Love this little place. Great location.
(5)J C.
Pablos and El Oasis are my favorite authentic Mex in Michigan. I always get the gorditas @ Pablos, but I like the mole here too. I've never tried it but seems like people enjoy the Manudo if you are into that. Thank you Pablo's for remedying my desire to fly back to Tijuana.
(4)Jessy S.
There was some buzz going around about Pablo's, so we decided to try it yesterday. We love great Mexican food (heck, we even love average Mexican food), so we were hopeful that this new place would bring something to the Lansing area that currently doesn't exist. Sadly, we were disappointed in several ways. For starters, no alcohol. If you like a good margarita with your Mexican food, better keep driving. Not the end of the world, of course. We just expected it at a sit-down Mexican restaurant. Second, the complementary tortillas are cold and rather greasy, as if they are fried in lard and not oil. Warm, light, crispy tortilla chips seem like a basic element at just about every Mexican restaurant these days, but not here. The guacamole is slightly above average, but, like everything else we tried, lacked basic seasonings. Just throwing in a pinch of salt would make a world of difference. The Mexican style tacos were OK. The shredded beef was good, but again, there is a very noticeable lack of seasoning. Very bland. And it probably wouldn't kill them to serve the tacos with a fresh lime wedge. The pulled pork torta also was mediocre. Once again, without any seasoning, the pork tastes gamey. The untoasted roll it is served on becomes soggy, and it was assembled rather haphazardly. Rather than put a slice of jalapeno in one corner of the sandwich, try mincing it and maybe putting it in a sauce so that the flavor is in each bite. In short, the food looks much better than it tastes. It's as if all the pieces to the puzzle are there, but nobody is putting them together. We appreciate the effort to use fresh ingredients and meats roasted in-house (we assume), but it needs seasoning desperately. It's unlikely we would try it again, and we probably wouldn't recommend it.
(2)Moira S.
Pablos is hands down, all around, the best restaurant experience in Lansing. The food is delicious and authentic. They're always in a good mood and very accommodating. Try the iced coffee, its bomb!
(5)Elizabeth D.
A solid four stars ONLY for the Mexican-style tacos--your choice of meat with cilantro and chopped onions. We had the pork, which was seasoned nicely. The rice and beans and chips and salsa were decent--not amazing but edible nonetheless. The horchata was so sweet that we couldn't finish it (and we both have a sweet tooth). Sadly, two stars for the enchiladas because the sauce was more bland tomato than complex chili pepper. Ugh, I love enchiladas, and for me it has to be a chili pepper-based sauce! Three stars for serving breakfast all day--which is awesome because my son had pancakes and bacon while my daughter and I had the Mexican food. So, overall, three stars. I would definitely come back for the Mexican-style tacos but not anything else!
(3)Erin L.
Pablos is one of my favorite restaurants! Great food and family owned. I always have a good experience here whether I am dining in or carrying out. My favorite is the veggie burrito and the salsa is amazing! La torta is noteworthy as well and something they are known for. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting Old Town!
(5)Adam G.
Excellent location in Old Town, especially on a sunny Sunday afternoon, when you can take a nice stroll across the street to the river after your meal. Service was good but nothing to write home about. I got the Mexican style tacos with al pastor (cilantro and onion on top). Curiously received lemon on the side, but I've recently been made aware of a lime crisis or something of the sort? Anyways, the tortillas were the perfect level of crispy for me - I didn't feel like I was eating a hard shell taco from Taco Bell, but it had no chance of getting soggy. The meat was pretty good, better than average in Michigan but middle of the road in California. The gordita I got (with carnitas), however, was phenomenal.
(4)Michelle L.
Simply delicious Mexican food and the staff is always friendly and welcoming. I wish they had room to expand the place, because it does get crowded when they are busy. Very reasonably priced food.
(4)Betsy A.
Ok Mexican, burritos and tacos are a bit dry (sauces come on the side). Might stop by again if I'm really craving Mexican in Michigan, but wouldn't make it a regular go-to spot. Ingredients were fresh, with the exception of the shrimp which had a borderline fishy tinge to it. Waitstaff was super-accommodating, friendly, and fast.
(3)Richard H.
Nice and authentic little restaurant. Great tastes and affordable too! I was pleased to see hispanic guests also enjoying their meals...thats a good sign that this place is hitting the mark.
(4)Craig W.
So happy that we discovered this today. The restaurant is small, but I didn't care having to wait a few minutes. The food was excellent. The sandwiches are something you don't see in most Mexican restaurants and was perfect for lunch. The fresh tortilla chips with salsa were welcomed as well. I just wish I could have had a beer with the meal.
(4)Cristy C.
Very good Mexican food. Exceptionally fast and friendly customer service. The gorditas and chimichangas are both great. The chile relleno is a little squishy for my taste. Outdoor seating in Old Town is nice. Close to lots of adorable shops. A very tasty, inexpensive, place to eat in a fun area of Lansing.
(4)Joe B.
Some of the best authentic Mexican food I've had. The tacos, chalupas, and tostadas were all delicious. Their corn tortillas and chips were really good. Only complaint was service, took forever to put our order in and also to get our bill, but the food came super fast.
(5)Tamara A.
Hit or miss. My husband's flautas were perfect, crispy, stuffed with meat, ok spice. I ordered chiles rellenos, and on the outside they were fine, however the cheese on the inside wasn't really melted. The refried beans actually tasted pretty good though, so all in all I'm willing to give it another try.
(3)Kevin S.
A good hole in the wall authentic joint. Veers more towards classic mexican food. Friendly service and quick. I mostly go here for lunch. in the heart of old town lansing.
(5)Shelli B.
Awesome food at great prices! Tamales were fresh, chips appeared to be homemade, salsa was mild but tasty!
(5)Aaron M.
The real deal when it comes to authentic Mexican food -- certainly the most authentic you will find in mid-Michigan. Service with a smile in the heart of Old Town Lansing. The steak burrito is my go to when ordering to go, but I also regularly enjoy the gorditas when dining in. I have probably enjoyed Pablo's 100 times over the years, and have NEVER had a bad meal. Not once. Not only are the entrees great, but their chips and salsa and guacamole are top notch. Pablo's also serves breakfast, although they don't open until 9 am. The breakfast burrito does an excellent job soaking up the remnants of a night out on weekends!
(5)Fred C.
The best mexican food I have had in a while. I had the combination plate and my wife had a chicken chimichanga. The chimichanga was perfectly done - not too soft and doughy, but also overcooked and brittle. The guac that came with it was really good. One of the menu items I use to compare mexican restaurants is their tamales, and the tamales at Pablo's did not disappoint. They were small and super flavorful, not like a typical huge doughy mess with a little bit of pork in the middle. The carne asada taco was great. Seasoned just right and delicious. Another thing that I usually get with any mexican meal is a side of jalapenos. Easy to gauge the overall quality of the restaurant with this one. If they bring out a little dish of sliced, pickled jalapenos out of a can, that's a big strike. My favorite is when they either fry or grill fresh jalapenos and serve them with lime and spices. At Pablo's they brought out a small bowl with fresh of fresh jalapenos that were sliced and grilled with onions as well. Really good. The only thing that keeps me from giving a SOLID 5 stars is the lack of beer or margaritas. I would probably eat here once a week if I could have a cold beer with my meal!
(4)Beth H.
This place was great! Delicious, authentic mexican food for a reasonable price awaits you at Pablo's. I highly recommend this place. I got a chicken burrito, and it was excellent.
(5)R. L.
Really boring and dull vegetarian options. I've gone several times and always walk away feeling disgusted and disappointed. Friendly service but lack-luster food. The space is cramped and dirty.
(2)Yasmin E.
Very good hole in the wall spot on a busy street in east Lansing. Adorned with colourful pictures and Mexican inspired decor. Food was tasty and not too heavy...a bit in the salty side though. Try the chicken mole for that hearty Mexican food feel. Staff was extraordinary! Bon Apetite!
(3)Joel K.
This is the first time Yelpers have really let me down. Food was not good or authentic. Meat was tough. Chips were stale. Salsa was flavorless. And as another reviewer pointed out, it was very dirty - floors and dishes! Seats were worn, service slow. We drove 20 minutes - it was a waste of gas.
(2)S S.
Fantastic food. Getting a side of beans and rice for dinner. Come here you will not regret it. Super nice staff!
(5)Jamie T.
Amazing authentic Mexican food!!! I would highly recommend this place. Service is a little slow but I think it's worth the wait!!!! :-) I'll definitely be back!!
(5)Stephanie M.
Can't understand why no other review lists this place as filthy?! My plate, fork, knife and glass all had remnants of diner's past. Plus the food was sub-par. Won't go back.
(1)Matt P.
The first thing that stuck out was the amazingly upbeat staff. The guy was just so happy and friendly, it was a lovely experience. The food was great. I got Mexican tacos and was not disappointed. A little messy but definitely delicious and lived up to the hype. And quite filling (having only got the lunch version, sans beans/rice). I will definitely be coming back here.
(4)Jackie R.
Affordable, delicious, authentic. Lansing is a barren wasteland when it comes to goo restaurants, in my opinion, but this one really stands out. I highly recommend checking it out.
(5)Jason F.
If you've got a passenger ticket to blandville or greasyburg, plan to arrive at this place near the end of your journey. Perhaps the food is too authentic for my palette. Even the salsa was lame.
(2)Shawn D.
Had lunch there today. It was not originally on our plan for the day, but am glad that we stopped. I had the tamales. For the most part they were very delicious. They have sour cream drizzled on top of them and a side of very good guacamole. The end of one of my tamales was hard and crunchy but it did not ruin it. I also ordered a side of rice. It was nice and simple, not flashy with the red sauce mixed in like many other mexican restaurants do. The meal was started with fresh chips and salsa. The salsa is not red or green, like I am used to, so I was a little apprehensive about trying it. It was really good. I usually like things a little spicier, but my lunch partner doesn't. We were both pleased with the flavor. The chips were VERY fresh, right out of the fryer. My friend ordered a chicken quesadilla. She said it was very good. The size of the meals was big and very filling. For my tamales and side of rice it was under $8. My friend's order of a quesadilla and a side of guacamole was $9. I also noticed that there was a large list of different meats that you could get. Many of them I did not recognize, but I thought it was a great option for those who enjoy the unique. The service was great. The place is small. It seems clean overall.
(4)Sheena W.
Affordable, authentic, delicious, and great service! Copying part of a previous review because it's true. Chips and salsa made in house and everything I ordered in the combo (chalupe, enchilada, and tostada) was wonderful and healthy compared to a chain restaurant. If you like spicy, ask for jalapenos on the side. Worth checking out!
(5)Greg Y.
there gorditas are fantastic. Reminded me of pupusas, worth a trip just for these.
(4)Stephen H.
good tacos, greasy chips. I like that rice and beans are not included. Onions, lime & Cilantro. Priced moderately.
(3)Vanessa H.
Went here for lunch the other day and enjoyed sitting outside. The food was okay. I'm kinda a snob when it comes to Mexican food and I'm really picky about it. The salsa was gringo strength which can be a good thing if you're not into spicy. However, I like a little kick. The Tamales I had were okay. Sorta dry. But not bad. I could've done without the sour cream. My friend had a TexMex like plate of veggies and chicken...he said it tasted more like stir fry than fajitas. Good service and good food. Just not outstanding.
(3)Meredith J.
The tostadas were the bomb! I had a difficult time choosing what to have for lunch because everything seemed good. I was so happy to see Mexican-style tacos on the menu, as they are hard to find in Lansing. The server was very cheery and helpful in explaining what was in each item. I'm definitely returning!
(4)Jack L.
First time I went for dinner, I came with my family. The owner greeted us warmly, found a high chair for my youngest and put us right by the window. He was incredibly helpful in improvising a kids meal for our daughters and heaped on the sides for my entree and my wife's entree so that all four of us could share. My wife got an amazing combo platter with carnitas (seasoned roasted pork). It had three items on it and I don't remember any of the names but I snuck a bite of each of them and they were amazing. For me, the 3 taco platter was what I had been missing since I moved here (pictured above with one missing - I ate the first one and realized that I should have taken a pic for the blog!). These tacos were perfection and there is just about every meat choice imaginable: lengua (tongue), bistek (steak), carnitas, chicken, chorizo (sausage) and others. I went with the various beef options and it was just amazing. Preparation is simple with two tortillas for each taco, your meat of choice, cilantro, onions and limes no the side. If you've ever been to Mexico, you'll feel like you're back there with the look of the plate and of course when you take your first bite. I don't want to be overdramatic, but I felt like I was back in Cancun the first time I ate here. (And the successive visits over the last few weeks at the lunch hour.) Our family of four ate an amazing meal for around $20. No liquor license at Pedro's but they offer some fresh squeezed juices, fountain drinks and even bottled Coca-Cola hecho en Mexico (made in Mexico). What's the big deal about Mexican Coca-Cola, you ask? If you are a freak about not ingesting high fructose corn syrup, you'll love this because Mexican Coca-Cola is made with pure sugar cane. As I write this post, I'm wondering: is going to Pablo's two days in a row for lunch a bad idea?
(5)Colleen Z.
Outstanding! Hubby and I were a bit worried when the red sauce and chips were brought to the table. Red sauce was very bland and watery and chips were nothing special. However one bite of the main entree and we were looking at one another wondering what each bite of delightfulness would be next. We tried a ground beef taco, ground beef enchiladas with verde sauce, pork tamal, pork enchilada and gordito. The key was the perfectly spiced meat. We could not identify the spices used but the taste of each bite intensified to a wonderful aftertaste that did not burn or even make us think spicy but just right, perfect. And, the entree came with the most awesome rice and beans. Our dishes were not smothered in cheese but that didn't matter, each item stood on its own with not much cheese or any added sauce. We will drive to Lansing to each at Pablo's AND bring our friends. Yum.
(4)Kate K.
Chorizo breakfast tacos. To die for. Ask for the special hot salsa. Excellent.
(4)David D.
The food was alright though nothing outstanding. Purchased the carne asana torta and some chicken tacos. The torta was surprisingly lacking a whole lot of distinct flavor. It mostly tasted like the bread, which was not bad but not what I was looking for. One thing I am always on the look out for with Mexican food is whether or not their chips and salsa are up to par. These chips were not very good and the salsa tasted watered down. All in all it was decent but I would personally probably not choose to visit again, I'll find better options in the future.
(3)P R.
Found this place on similar websites,I walked to Old Town 1 day I was hungry I wanted to go somewhere new and I was in the mood for mehican.I walked by the place 1st and glanced in it looked good and well lit,I I walked in at about 8:36 p.m. and the waitress greeted me and told me I could sit where ever I wanted,I said hi thank you this is my 1st time coming here,I was seated fast and I was brought a cold drink,I was brought fresh salsa and chips that were warm good and crispy and I liked the mild sauce I liked how it wasn't too hot and I liked the container it was in because it made it easy for me to spread my sauce on my food while I ate,it was my 1st time being here so I got what the restaurant was known for the La Torta,I got it with beef tounge and I enjoyed the sandwich a lot I liked it,it was good,the meat was cooked so well it melted in my mouth as I chewed,I enjoyed all of the the toppings and sauces that were on it they were nice and fresh,I also enjoyed eating the salsa chips with my meal,the location is okay I plan to come back.Thank you.
(5)Brandy R.
One of thee best if not the best AUTHENTIC Mexican food around town! And I should know I am one!
(5)Nicole S.
This is a special spot in Lansing. Stick with the Mexican style tacos, and you will not be sorry. It's a bit divvy because of its stripped-down nature. But the food is fantastic and unique for the area, the service is just fine. Its a go-to lunch place for a good value.
(5)David R.
Yelp again delivers: I wanted a decent Mexican dinner in either Flint, Lansing, or Kalamazoo, and hit upon this gem. Believe me, driving through the slums of Lansing to get there gave me doubts, so finding the place and walking inside was a relief. Who would have imagined? It's a nice place serving really good, authentic Mexican food. What more could you want? The guy running the show in there has enthusiasm and personality coming out of ears. The prices seem reasonable to me. I didn't care for the gratis red salsa (but the warm chips were really good), so I ordered a small guacamole. It took several minutes to come out, and when it did, I realized why--it is FRESH. As in, I'm pretty sure that all this stuff was still in the ground when I ordered it. A bit too much lime but otherwise an A- guacamole. The tacos were all good too--pollo, asasa, and al pastor. With just onion and cilantro, on soft tortillas, as Nature intended. Even the beans and rice were way better than most other places. I almost cleaned the plate. These guys got a little busy later and neglected to check on me or bring the bill, but that's okay. It's a casual place and I was reading a book anyway. Admittedly, I don't live around Lansing, but I can't imagine a better Mexican restaurant within fifty miles. Good for them--go support local businesses!
(4)Bobby K.
This is one of my favorite spots. Coming from LA I am a snob when it comes to good Mexican food. Pablos is not only clean but serves up a mean burrito. The burrito is not huge by any means, but does hit the spot. I've taken several friends here and they've ordered almost everything off the menu and they've enjoyed it. This place is a must go.
(5)Justin S.
Coming from Arizona I've come to find that authentic Mexican is a real rarity in the Midwest. Pablo's is a gem of a restaurant in Lansing's Old Town. Their gorditas, chalupas and tamales are all delicious, but if it's your first visit treat yourself to the Mexican tacos! p.s. their Lengua tacos are awesome!!
(5)Eric P.
I visited this restaurant with my mother while we were strolling through Old Town the other day, mostly for lack of somewhere nearby that was still open. Needless to say, I don't regret eating there at all. Reading over the menu, I was glad to see the variety they offered; I was even happier to see they had horchata and other such surprisingly-hard-to-find menu items. However, when the waitress brought out the chips and salsa, I had a pang of doubt - though the chips were fresh out of the fryer, the salsa was of the sort I expect you'd find at some large chain Mexican restaurant. Thankfully, though, my fears were laid to rest when our actual dinners arrived. My mother had ordered some sort of mixed grilled vegetable plate with a selection of meat - it was all very good, even the meat (though I can't remember what kind of meat it was, otherwise I'd be more specific). I ended up ordering a whole fried tilapia, which turned out to be one of the better tasting meals I've had in a long time. It was served with tortilla and a couple other things, presumedly so I could make fish tacos or whatever. That aspect I was kind of iffy on, but it was good nonetheless. I would have given five stars, but after the waitress dropped off our food, I think she came around one more time after that to fill our drinks, and that was it. We wanted to ask her for a couple small things, but it wasn't a big deal so we weren't that put off.
(4)allan g.
Phenomenal. I've lived in mid-Michigan 20 years and authentic Mexican food is pretty hard to come by. I was raised in the southwest, a lot of that time within ten miles or so of the border and down there marginal Mexican restaurants just don't survive. Went to Pablo's on a Sunday afternoon and ordered the combination dinner, all al pastor. The pork was tender and flavorful, the taco, tostada and chalupa were all amazing and all a little different. Highly recommended. The gold standard for mid-Michigan Mexican food for me is Oye Amigos in Marshall, and Pablo's compares favorably, although the cholesterol load at Pablo's is considerably lighter ;-) I've got a new favorite - and the lemonade is amazing.
(4)Tiffany H.
Hmm... Pablo's was pretty good. Top 5 rated restaurant on Yelp good? Questionable. Lunch started off pretty mediocre, with soggy chips and kind of a strange-tasting salsa. The entree was definitely a step up, though - I had the enchiladas with mole and it was pretty solid. Service was fast, which is a definite plus for a quick lunch. I'd stop in again to try a couple other menu items, but it's nothing I'd go out of my way for. The search for amazing Mexican in mid-Michigan continues...
(3)Joey J.
When I lived in California, life was good. Restaurant after restaurant served delicious Mexican food. In Michigan, it's a little harder to find. No longer is there row after row of restaurants that fills taco after taco with thick cuts of juicy carne asada. No longer is it easy to find burritos piled high with tender and smoky al pastor. I get a little verclempt when I think of all those poor, Michigan children growing up with the notion that a taco should be filled with lifeless, flavorless chicken or beef. Fortunately, the good folks at Pablo's Panaderia are helping ease this pain. For just $6.95 plus tax, you can order a wet burrito packed to the gills with delicious al pastor, carne asada, chorizo, or just about every other flavorful Mexican-style meat out there. Treat you and your children to some real Mexican tastes. Oh, won't you please think about the children?
(5)Micah S.
My girlfriend and I ate here together on a nice quiet Sunday and the food was amazing. The service is super nice and fast. The atmosphere is good.
(5)Staci S.
Delicious, fresh, like home made.
(5)Renee B.
This place has delicious authentic Mexican food. I highly recommend the Torta sandwich, the bread is to die for!
(5)Bill S.
Wow. Atmosphere not much. I could hear them washing dishes by hand in the kitchen. But the chile relleno and cheese enchilada both were incredible. Cute Old Town location. No liquor. Recommended. And very inexpensive
(5)Mark B.
The place was hoppin' at 1 pm on a Saturday but I was seated quickly and set up with fresh chips and a salsa that had just a little bit of heat and a nice smoky undertone. This place is best known for the tortas so I ordered the torta milanese at the recommendation of waiter and a pink surprise to drink. The combo of hibiscus and limeade is pretty tasty. The torta arrived toasty warm. I added a little more of the salsa to mine for a little of that smoky, spicy taste along with the chicken, beans and avocado. For an inexpensive lunch this place was awesome. For the price..... as good as it gets. Can't wait to try more of the menu.
(5)Marisa D.
First time visiting today. First thing that stood out was the friendly upbeat staff. They have Mexican breakfast selection but the other great thing is they also offer regular breakfast which was great because my daughter loves french toast. I Ordered the Mexican tacos in corn tortillas al pastor ( marinated pork). It was GREAT AND FLAVORFUL! IF I compared it to. El Oasis I'd say I liked it a little better. Yumm! My boyfriend got the chicken fajitas and he thought they were great. THIS MIGHT BE MY GO TO SPOT. WILL BE BACK!!
(5)Alicia W.
THe owner is wonderfully charming. I live in AZ and can say that the food is pretty darn authentic. The Mexican Tacos are excellent!
(3)Erica D.
The chicken quesadilla is the best in Lansing! I'm not sure if it's an authentic staple, but they use some sort of tomato based sauce inside of it that blows alll other quesadillas out of the water. I just wasn't impressed by the interior. The seats were really uncomfortable and the whole place felt kind of dirty.
(3)Jim D.
My favorite restaurant! Try a Preuss Special Torta its the best think I have ever tasted.
(5)Jessica C.
Pablo's is located in Old Town, which is a part of Lansing everyone should visit -- shameless plug. A small Mexican restaurant, Pablo's is the only place in the area that I know of that serves up enchiladas con mole, which is one of my favorite Mexican dishes. Their mole is good -- not too sweet, not too thick or thin, and they give you just enough for your three enchiladas (pollo, of course). I like their refried beans and rice as well. The pricing is also decent; you should be able to get a full meal between the free chips and salsa (chips fried in-house; their salsa used to be better...it tastes thicker/sweeter/more Americanized than before) and an entree for about $10. I also recommend their tortas (Mexican sandwiches) and the burritos are pretty big. The tacos are on the smaller side and you're better off going to El Oasis if you're craving tacos. But if you're looking for a sit-in Mexican restaurant in Lansing, this is it. Just park your car in the free parking lot across the street and go. Don't forget to visit Preuss Pets and all the locally owned shops afterwards. ;) Oh, and the service is fast and generally good. We usually get the same guy; he's very nice and enjoys when you practice your Spanish.
(4)Sara C.
I LOVE Pablo's! Don't waste your time at El Azteco--THIS is the spot for Mexican food in Lansing. It's a wonderful experience. Located in Old Town, which is super cute, and the food is delicious. The service is really great too--friendly and almost always really fast. I would recommend the guacamole and the mole sauce, for sure. Mmm. Only drawback is that they don't serve alcohol. But for the price, I'll have a marg at home. Seriously, Pablo's is the ONLY thing I miss about Lansing.
(4)Jen C.
This is truly the house of tortas, as it reads in the window. They bake their torta bread onsite daily. When the torta arrives at the table, the smell of the freshly baked bread is to die for. It comes with the right fixings (smeared beans, a little cheese, lettuce, avocado, tomato, pickled jalapeño, mayo and mustard) and is not messy. I had the asada and the jamon con queso (ham and cheese). Pablo's used to be a bakery and eatery but now is only a restaurant but they continue to bake their torta bread daily. The owners and cooks are from Puebla, Mexico. I didn't have the Torta Poblana or anything with Mole but I presume that is their specialty since that's where they are from. A mild salsa is the default at the table, but as with virtually any decent Mexican restaurant, if you like spicy salsa they'll bring you some. Here it is made of chile de arbol and chile guajillo. The staff was very friendly so feel free to ask for what you want. We had a couple of tacos and a burrito and we were satisfied but not really impressed. I recommend staying with tortas, they are delicious.
(4)Armando O.
Passing through Lansing and spotting this place was like finding a gem in the middle of the desert. I went in there and ordered their Huevos Rancheros and a coffee. The sauce on the eggs has been one of the best I've tasted on this road trip. I was pleased to see that my dish came with a serving of chopped carne asada. I was truly blown away that a small place in the middle of Michigan is serving up some fine Mexican food. The people working there were really friendly as well. I got to see a torta pass by me, but I had to hold back and not order one. If I ever return to Lansing I will definitively hit up this place again.
(5)Trang H.
The most authentic mexican food you can get in Lansing. I always judge a mexican restaurant by their carne asada tacos and let me tell you, this is the best in lansing. perfectly seasoned beef on top of small corn tortillas with cilantro and onions on top, and lime slices on the side. None of that iceberg lettuce nonsense. I've been to Mexico a few times and had tacos for breakfast lunch and dinner. Takes me back there everytime I come here. This place even looks like it came straight out of Mexico. The staff is friendly and the guy who runs the place is very accomondating.
(5)Ben H.
EXCELLENT!!!! If you are in Lansing and want a good Mexican dish, come here!!! Great service and wonderful food is what you'll find here. After checking out a few reviews on yelp, we decided that we HAD to check Pablo's out since there were so many raving reviews and it was most definitely not a let down. Our server was very knowledgeable and helpful with recommendations. I had the gordita combo and my friends ordered enchiladas and floutas. We all walked away full and very pleased!
(5)Alexandra K.
The food wasn't bad. That being said, it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. In the area, I'm more partial to El Azteco. Back home (Detroit-area), I love the Mexican restaurants in Mexican Village (Mi Pueblo is a personal favorite). I'm opposed, for the most part, to many tex mex establishments. Pablo's offers authentic Mexican food for fairly inexpensive prices. I had the vegetarian combo. I felt that it was over priced, and each item in the combo was kind of bland, and too closely related. If there was a better attempt at variation, I may have felt differently. The restaurant smelled a bit of fresh paint, which was not exactly appetizing. I would probably visit again and try something different. I'm all about second chances, especially for local gems that gather so much praise.
(3)Laura B.
I got a platter including a taco, chalupa and enchilada and thought it was quite good. I could have taken some more flavor, but still consider it a four. My boyfriend got the guacamole and beef fajitas and he was not impressed by any means. He said that he would give it a two. We ordered takeout so we are going to try it again and eat in the restaurant next time. The container tends to change the texture of the food so I feel like we are unfairly judging it!
(3)Erich Z.
For me, the test of a Mexican restaurant is the tamale. At most, you'll be served a dry, bland tamal that betrays a sort of lack of enthusiasm on the part of the chef. Not so at Pablo's. It was, honestly, the first tamale dish I've loved. It was filling, moist but not greasy, and perfectly cooked. And cheap too, as a good Mexican lunch ought to be! We went during the Tourist in Lansing event, so business was jumping and service was predictably slow, but still helpful. All the items on the menu looked amazing really. Who knows why it took me so long to get to Pablo's, but I'll be back.
(4)Ed C.
Alongside the El Oasis taco truck, Pablo's is as good as Mexican food gets in Lansing. They have authentic Mexican dishes as well as Tex-Mex ones. Every single dish I've had has been fantastic. They are also extremely vegetarian friendly. They are more than willing to make any dish vegetarian, and none of the flavors are lost. The sopes with guacamole are probably my favorite. Their breakfast burrito is fantastic, and their flan is great as well. Pablo's will give you a nom no matter what the meal or mood. The service is always friendly and the prices are very reasonable.
(5)Gaius Kaligula C.
Despite the three stars, I will preface this review by saying that I eat at Pablo's more than anywhere else in the area. The service is impeccable and super-friendly, the owner is one of the sweetest guys I've ever met, and the restaurant is always super clean and brightly lit. Prices are very reasonable, and meals are served quickly. There is nothing on the menu that is bad, however, the flavors just don't "pop" in the way I expect of mexican food. There's an underlying blandness to most dishes, which I think can be mostly attributed to under-salting. This is most apparent in the salsa, which somehow manages to be nearly flavorless (they do have a hotter salsa available free on request, but this still lacks a strong flavor profile). Tacos here are a great snack and are served authentically on soft corn tortillas; I particularly enjoy them with pork cooked al pastor and liberally drizzled with fresh-squeezed lime juice. Breakfast is pretty awesome here as well, particularly when you're hungover. They also make fresh squeezed lemonade in the summer which is really good and tart. They claim to specialize in tortas, though the ones I've had here were not particularly memorable. Their tamales are really good, and vegetarians will like the veggie burrito, which they wrap with large chunks of steamed vegetables to make it a more substantial meal. Pablo's is easily the best mexican restaurant in the area (I don't even consider los tres amigos or el azteco restaurants because the food is nearly inedible). The service is so friendly and the environment so welcoming that I can't help but be drawn back, even if the food doesn't blow me away. Also, they need to get a web site!
(3)Matt G.
Pablo's is really about as authentic as you can get for this area, and it does an excellent job. It's one of the only places I know that has some mole dishes, which are very good and filling. The tacos I had were simply prepared and had a corn tortilla, just like they should be, in my opinion. They also have delicious Mexican hot chocolate, which is absolutely fantastic. The interior of the restaurant is quite nice, but I seem to remember that the chairs were a little hard. Prices are fairly low, too. Every time I've visited Pablo's has been excellent, so I would readily recommend it to anyone.
(4)Leigh F.
Now that I live in Texas, I see Tex-Mex and Mexican restaurants in a new light. However, I think Pablo's is probably the best sit down restaurant Mexican your will get in the Lansing area and I LOVE the staff - they are always so friendly.
(4)N. N.
I wanted to like this place; really, I did. But there was just absolutely zero flavor to anything I ate (other than "grease", which really does not count as a flavor), particularly the salsa (which was essentially watered-down, slightly chunky tomato juice; never a good sign). And it was just not worth the price to boot, plus parking was half-impossible. I won't go back.
(1)Neal W.
I wasn't overly impressed with Pablo's Panderia after my couple of visits there. The food is okay, but I wouldn't say its anything special. I'm not a huge consumer of Mexican food though. Also, unless they've renovated I'm pretty sure that I had to go through the kitchen in order to use the restroom.
(3)Jimmy M.
Pablo's is the shit. Seriously, I've been to mexico and this is right on the money. I eat here whenever I feel like getting mexican food. You won't find better mexican food in lansing.
(5)Kara H.
Perhaps my expectations were set too high for Pablo's, but I wasn't impressed with their food. I like to give restaurants more than one chance to win me over, because you never know, the first time could have been a fluke. I've been to Pablo's twice now and both times I was disappointed with the food. To begin with, the salsa is bland, which is never a good sign. The last time I was at Pablo's I ordered tacos with chorizo and huevos, which is a fairly typical dish at most authentic Mexican restaurants (and happens to be my favorite). I was told they don't make tacos with huevos, only chorizo. I figured I'd try them anyway and was brought a plate swimming in grease. Granted chorizo is a greasy food, but that doesn't mean it needs to come out on your plate in a pool of grease, that's just bad preparation. The tacos also lack any sort of condiments or accompanying sides (cilantro, onions, etc). This is another restaurant I want to like but can't.
(2)Devin P.
The food is always fresh and delicious. I enjoy the Mexican Coca-Cola in the glass bottle, made with cane sugar, unlike the US version. Nice place to meet friends for a good dinner in a non-crowded area. The man running the show at the time had a nice discussion with us and was extremely personable.
(5)Eric M.
For Lansing mexican place this one was probably one of the best we've had. Overall though it was lacking. The salsa was very bland and the burrito wasn't too flavorful either. The service individuals were amazingly nice and the atmosphere was great. If you really want Mexican food and can't drive to other towns this is where I would go.
(3)Ani B.
took everyone's advice and ate at Pablo's. And it was worth the trip. Not being from lansing, it took a little finding/circling. Parked on the street and fed the meter; then realized there was free public parking right across the street. arrived slightly before noon, and that was a good thing. only a couple tables occupied and got our pick of the small place. just after noon the place got crowded and some customers were left waiting or decided to leave. hubby complained the free chips were greasy. it didn't bother me and the salsa was great - smoky and slightly spicy; if not a little thin for my liking. I ordered the vegetarian combo (not well described) so I ask what was included, which did me no good cause I just didn't know their food. I was pleasantly surprised with a tostada/stuffed sopa/enchilada with rice and beans. Also surprised that the first two had guacamole on them. I am not a guac fan but it was superb, not the usual greasy texture but smooth and creamy. granted if I had know the lunch enchiladas came with rice/beans, that is all I would have ordered but the menu did not state this. Chose the mole instead of the usual red or green sauce for the Enchilada, that was special since i have never ran into a place that makes mole. hubby got the chicken fajitas which were quite large pieces of chik and very few vegetables. I did not taste them, but he didn't seem that thrilled. I loved the place, atmosphere of the old town brick building, food and all. Hubby not so happy. I would return if and when we are in Lansing again. Definitely authentic Mexican food. PS: they are open for breakfast so give them a call for times.
(4)Lorilea Z.
Amazing food and outstanding service. I highly suggest the enchiladas with green sauce! Great value... wish they had a liquor license though!
(5)B S.
I've visited Pablos several times. There is street parking in front and a parking lot across the street. Inside is okay. The food is hit or miss. I have tried some dishes that weren't very good. However, I do have some dishes I've learned that I like. I mostly order the Chimicanga with asada. It tastes good but it is heavy on the rice and beans inside and little meat which sometimes is fatty. The chips are not good. Most of the time they taste a bit stale and they heat them up sometimes in an effort to make them taste less stale. I don't like the salsa, but they just bring it in a bottle these days so it is just a glorified liquid hot sauce rather than salsa. Service is fine.
(3)LAURA M.
I love Old Town and wanted to try something new. I had hoped to sit on their patio, I love eating outdoors anytime I can. My husband and I went there on our lunch hour, so we figured we would ge quicker service sitting inside. We enjoyed the chips and salsa. Our food was made SOOO fast, I couldn't believe how fast it was and how fresh. I had flour chicken tacos. They were great. My husband had a roast beef burrito. He enjoyed this, but he can be pretty picky about his mexican food. It was reasonably priced and I liked the decor. Plus, I always enjoy bringing business to local, small or family owned businesses. We will definitely go again, hopefully during the summer with lots of time to spare on the patio.
(3)Jason Z.
Two words, Steak tacos. Pablos is not to be passed up when looking for mexican food in lansing
(5)Michael K.
The Mexican tacos were fantastic, but the meat was very greasy. They were garnished with lots of raw onion, cilantro and lime juice, so that cut the richness. Tamales are OK, but I won't hold it against them; really good tamales seem to be nearly impossible to perfect, especially in a restaurant setting. They have horchata on their menu, but all three times I've asked for it, I was told they were out. The rice and beans are a bit bland, which is bad news if you are not into eating meat with everything. The owner is great and makes the visit much more pleasant; he's always happy to see you and chat a bit. The house salsa is rich and smoky, but the "spicy" salsa was bland; just heat and nothing else.
(3)Ed T.
Pablo's restored my faith in Lansing restaurants. I had been depressed about the quality of Mexican restaurants in Lansing until we ended up at Pablo's in Old Town for brunch on Sunday. Delicious. It hit all my requirements for a good Mexican restaurant: freshly made corn tortillas, a variety of good meats (lengua! al pastor!), mexican sodas and great rice and beans. Outstanding.
(5)Carol C.
Great food! Can not stop eating the guac. Their Mexican tacos are the best! Not sure what their American tacos are like, or what the difference is. Go and sit outside to people watch!
(5)Anna B.
Order a torta. That's it. And a pink surprise, it's hibiscus tea blended with lime juice and ice. If only they could serve it with tequila.
(5)b g.
I lived in California for awhile and developed a pretty bad Mexican food habit. This place seems to be the best I can find in the Lansing area. The mole here is A-MAZING. Seriously, it's good. Love this place.
(5)Jenny C.
Yum! The Mexican style tacos (corn tortillas, cilantro, white onions and meat of your choice) are delicious. My hubby's mole sauce on his enchilada was also fabulous. Rice and beans were pretty average, but who eats those anyways? It was nice to sit out on the sidewalk and watch the people go by.
(4)Yvette H.
I forgot that I went to this place last time I was in Lansing! It's true, I was amazed that there was Mexican this good in Lansing (no offense)... we went with a rather large group and everyone seemed very pleased. Reasonable prices, great service. You really can't ask for more. Definitely recommend.
(4)Hannah H.
My hubby and I just ate here for the first time at lunch after being told by three of his colleagues that this is their "go to" Mexican joint. Unlike a lot of other Mexican joints in this area which are pretty sterile, I liked the grittiness -- it reminded me of any taco joint in LA or San Francisco. We started with the usual chips and salsa and guacamole. I liked the guac, my hubby thought it was too smooth - he prefers the avocado to not be so mashed up. I then ordered the torta al pastor and it was unbelievably good. Just the right amount of queso fresco, fresh avocado, sliced tomatoes, onion and pork. The pork had this great, rich tomato sauce that it was basted in and it tasted so smokey good. My husband had the carne asada burrito and although he liked it very much, thought that they could've given more meat (thus the four starts instead of five). I was bummed that they didn't have horchata at lunch, but the waitress had me try the jicama juice with lime instead -- and I think I'll be ordering that drink from now on...
(4)Holly Z.
Went here again on Friday as a backup to the BWL chili cookoff which sold out before we got there. Wow, this time I got a 5-star meal. I decided to order the "make your own combo" so that I could try multiple menu items. I opted for the enchilada with mole, the gordita, and the flauta all with chicken (to even the playing field for comparison). All of the dishes were EXCELLENT! I think my favorite was the gordita which bears absolutely no resemblance to the Taco Bell dish of the same name. Pablo's version is served between two crisp corn tortillas, and filled with choice of meat, shredded lettuce, and a delicous white cheese (queso blanco?). Pablo's now has my vote for best Mexican food in Lansing.
(5)Cristina S.
I've got family in Mexico City so I often compare Mexican places with the numerous "authentic" dishes I eat when I visit. Pablo's first hit the spot with their homemade salsa served fresh with hot tortilla chips. The waitresses were super friendly as they sat us in the cozy, adorably decorated restaurant. (Look for them in the IKEA catalog because they are a featured business-big points!) I order flautas with shredded beef & chicken which hit the spot of delicious authenticity! The small fried tacos were delicious & well put together with cream sauce & cheese on top. The flan was literally made to order since the waitress noticed my dismay when she told me they were out =( We stayed to chat with new acquaintances & lo & behold, the owner brought over freshly made flan a while later. Big kudos on their service & the flan! This spot in Old Town is definitely a gem & we'll revisit often. Check it out!
(4)Rob M.
You will not find a better choice for Mexican food in the Lansing area. First, as has been noted, Pablo's is in Lansing's Old Town area, which is a really lively spot in an otherwise milquetoast city. Old Town is quirky and quaint, offers quite a few post-meal places to browse around at and has great entertainment options in the summertime. The food: Like I said, if you are looking for authentic mex, this is the place. Everything from sopes to gorditas (the non-taco bell type) to whole grilled fish to huevos rancheros are all excellent. Yes, prices are somewhat high if you are used to dropping coin on a fastfood dollar menu, but to actually eat FOOD is to spend real money on it, not just the change you find in your car console or pockets. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive, can answer any questions the gringo may have and can accomodate large groups if necessary. I highly recommend Pablo's!
(5)Matt R.
Had breakfasty lunch here this morning at thier street-side seating in the awesome sunshine. Great food. Period. I mean, they did in fact serve us chips and salsa at 10:30 AM, how could I give them a bad review? The tostadas were excellent and the breakfast burrito was incredible. The only thing I didn't like was the Guac, it was too creamy. But hey, as Mexican restaurants are concerned this is a home run. Locally owned and located in Old Town where you can people watch. They also have inside seating, but who would want to sit there when it's so beautiful outside? Crazy folks, thats who... Anyways, cool place and I will be back to try some of their other dishes ASAP!
(5)Heather Anna W.
I am impressed. When we walked in the establishment we were greeted enthusiastically at the door. The decor was simple and updated. The man working the front (manager/owner?) was interacting with regulars and asking them if they liked the new chairs. The menu was simple (IMO that means the items are fresher) and not super complicated. We ordered guacamole and it was fresh and delicious. I ordered enchiladas with mole sauce and they were great. First of all, mole isn't easy to find and second, the cheeses used were traditional Mexican cheeses inside and fresca on top. My husband got the mole chicken and said it was cooked to perfection. Our food came out fast. The ONLY suggestion I would make is that the food should be served a little warmer. My food was warm enough in the beginning but near cold at the end and I eat fast. I would just ask to have it a little extra hot if it happens again! Go, you won't regret it!
(5)Ron P.
Outstanding. I had the chicken mole poblano. I've never had it in Mexico, but I have to believe this is what it would taste like! The descriptions on the menu are authentic but you should be able to figure it out. If not, the servers are very friendly and attentive. I'll be going again.
(5)Sonnet S.
what happened? :/ we picked this place based on the number of positive reviews and were very disappointed in the quality of the food. even before ordering we considered walking out after sampling the chips and flavorless hot sauce and horchata but decided to give it a shot anyway. I ordered one each of carnitas, al pastor and asada tacos, my husband had the asada. There was no redeeming value in any of these options. The corn tortillas were oily and the texture was off. The meats were bland and the carnitas especially tasted very dried out. The one passable portion of the meal was the rice and beans, but even these were average. Additionally, the prices were kind of steep. The staff was cordial and prompt in their service and the surrounding neighborhood is cute, however don't waste your time and money at Pablos, try the carryout at the Oasis truck parked a few blocks away.
(1)Dylan M.
really good and quality mexican food, top in the lansing regional area i would say i like the atmosphere of old town and thats where its located pretty small place that i doubt a lot of people know about, but it definately beats a lot of the other garbage around
(5)Vanessa S.
great service and great food! one of our favorite things to do in the summer is walk around old town lansing and have lunch at Pablos outside. everyone who works there is so friendly and the breakfast burritos are fantastic!
(5)Nick C.
amazing i dont even understand why they arent always busy. all the other mexican places in town are soooo weak and not even close to authentic compared to this place.
(5)heidi s.
I am in town visiting and was excited by all the reviews. I went at lunch time and they were quiet busy, I grabbed the only table in the back and then waited....finally I got a server (or 3) they seemed confused by a solo diner. I ordered the lunch tamales and started in on teh chips and salsa. I have never had salsa like that before, I tried placing the flavor, but gave up after two chips. When I got my talamels, they did indeed look like what was pictured on the menu, howeverI have no idea what sort of meat they were stuffed with as everything was all one deep redish color. The guacolmole made the meal as that at least had some flavor. maybe I ordered the wrong thing, but I was not too pleased.
(2)Bonnie F.
This place is fantastic. I'm a fan of Mexican food and Tex-Mex, but definitely prefer the former. Living in Tucson Arizona for several years, and then California, I'm pretty picky about my Mexican food and until Pablo's, Lansing - or Michigan for that matter - really had nothing even mediocre to offer. This is real Mexican food, not Tex-Mex, and it is fresh, rustic, and fantastic. The tamal is one of the best I've ever had, the torta is second to none, and the gorditas are out of this world. Several choices for meat in most things you order is a great option as well and all the ones I've tried to date have been fantastic. The staff are so incredibly friendly and hospitable and on one occasion we even got to hear someone playing the guitar and singing in Spanish. I felt like I was back in Tucson and for the rest of the day the world was good :-) Not as fancy or gourmet, but the food is as good as Rick Bayless' Frontera Grill and Topolobampo in Chicago. A definite must in Old Town and I'd travel miles out of my way to eat here. The only drawback is I wish I were a Coke drinker instead of a Diet Coke drinker as they are in glass bottles....just like pop should be. If they ever got a liquor license and started selling Don Julio silver Margaritas, I'm packing up and moving to old town. Two thumbs up and a giant YUM.
(5)Michael S.
This place is phenomenal. They are family owned and operated. The waitstaff is friendly, quick, and eager to help in any way they can. As for the food..amazing!! The prices are cheap and the food is simply the best Mexican I've had in Lansing. It's a nice environment with festive Mexican music playing all the time. If you plan to go around lunch time, plan to either wait or arrive early. Most of the time tho, you will be able to get a table. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Kris P.
Excellent food. Fantastic service. The restaurant is extremely clean and the staff is very friendly. Best Mexican food in Lansing!
(5)Maryl R.
Mexican steak tacos are fantastic! The Torta is also a specialty & very good. Very fresh ingredients. Even their breakfasts (served all day) are delicious. Great for take out or dine in.
(5)