El Pueblito
3226 Harborview Dr,Ste 7, Gig Harbor, WA, 98332
El Pueblito Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Gig Harbor for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Gig Harbor for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Gig Harbor for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
3226 Harborview Dr,Ste 7
Gig Harbor, WA, 98332 - Phone (253) 858-9077
- Website https://www.elpueblitorestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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steve s.
This family run business has great food and a friendly family staff. We eat here regularly and the chips and salsa are delicious. Some of the food is a little too salty at times, but overall, we have never had a bad meal. The margueritas are tasty and the food is authenic. The ambiance is typical of a small town mexican restaurant, but the public seems to like it as this place always has a lot of customers which speaks volume about the food and service they get. We are even going to walk down today to the restaurant because of the snowfall.....It's a winner!
(4)Hasan I.
Amazing food that makes it worth the drive (and the bridge toll) from Lakewood. This is my go-to place for Mexican food now. Great decor, atmosphere, and a nice family running the place...also the best salsa I have ever had...I drink it.
(4)Randy J.
Great service and the food was right on my problem here was with "management " I got charged for two sides of pico de gayo and I had no clue that it was a side or you even charge for it , as far as I know it gets served to you with salsa , I asked to talk to the manager and was told he is to busy to come out TO BUSY!!!! Can you believe it ? The guy that has a job to take care of customers don't have the time to do it ! Unreal!!
(1)Kenneth L.
I can't believe I never reviewed El Pueblito. This is a family standard for us. There are many times we eat her weekly. Great food, consistent, friendly staff and ownership. You will become a regular and feel like part of the family. All of the food is very good but the chicken soup is out of this world! I highly recommend El Pueblito.
(5)Denise H.
El Pueblito is consistently good, the interior and booths leave a lot to be desired but the staff is attentive and the servings are plentiful. Can be a bit of a wait during peak hours.
(4)alfred c.
Best Mexican in Gig Harbor!!! El Pueblito roughly translated "the little town" is named after a city about the same size as Gig Harbor located in the center of Mexico. Order a cold beer and you'll also get some chips & salsa. The salsa was not amazing but easily remains the best in town and they serve it with refried been dip too. You will find this place off Harborview Dr right in the mix of things down town just past the marinas, but their sign is only on the building so keep and eye out. Karaoke Night is friday's night and doesn't get too crazy. Sorry but no one in the Harbor will be the next American Idol.
(3)Harmony S.
I love Mexican food but was not impressed by theirs. How do you mess up Mexican food? I ate their once and have not been back.
(2)Ian B.
Hands down this is the best Mexican food in Gig Harbor...at least until someone comes in with a taco truck or a hole in the wall place... Somehow latinos emerge from the town of white retired gringos to eat here :) ! Who knew. The tacos al carbon are quite good, and they serve fish in the authentic styles "a la Veracruz" or "al diablo." It's also not too formal, and a good place for kids. As always, chose wisely from the menu...there are some more Americanized items. A nice find in a gringo town!
(4)Todd D.
WHY? WHY, Oh Why . . . do I return to this place? OK, so I've only been there twice . . . but . . . BLECH!!! Oh, I'll take my Mom there because she likes their tacos. Ate here about a month ago to some very ho hum, bland, overly greasy, cafeteria style food. Not that I was too surprised as I've come to discover it really is difficult to find quality Mexican food in the area. Nor am I a foodie snob, by any means. Most people who know me know I'll eat just about anything and enjoy it on some level. But it's really difficult to be inspired by the food here (at least the choices I made these last two times). 1st time around, I was torn between the combination platter of the usual taco, enchilada, tamale, rice & beans, or the #43 . . . prawns stuffed with Jack cheese, wrapped in bacon and deep fried! YOWZA! Sounds like a plaque-building, artery-burst just waiting to happen! I went with the 'safe', familiar bet this time around and tried the combination. Well, that was a big yawn! I remember grade school lunches that had more character. I did like the chips, though (I mean, really, how can you go wrong with a corn chip?) . . . but the accompanying salsa? Not so much. Nothing more special than anything you can find in a jar at the grocery store. So, yesterday, I return with Mom, bound and determined to try #43. Not that I should have been too surprised, but it was pretty awful too. Deep fry ANYTHING and it takes on the quality of sinful deliciousness that you'll only admit to your closest friends, a guilty pleasure, if you will, that you'll reserve indulging into maybe once or twice a year. But even I'll admit this one was too much! Any hint of the delicate flavor that a prawn has was completely obliterated by the cheese, bacon and grease. It went even far beyond the limits of carnival/fair food you know is going to be bad even before you order it. You know, even after glancing at the pictures in the menu, you should have a pretty good idea of what you're getting into. They're glaringly honest in their poorly-lit, washed-out-color, absolutely-NO-Photoshopping-observed, portrayal of the food that's being presented. Plain and simple . . . it's really just not that good. However, I will happily admit that the service was excellent. Our waiters and waitresses that served us during both visits were above excellent. Very friendly, accommodating and attentive!!! They all get 5 stars! If people are returning to this restaurant, you can best believe it's because of their outstanding staff.
(1)Roger J.
Friendly service, the Lopez family will make you feel welcome. Karaoke Friday nights, arguably the biggest weekly party in the Harbor. Favorite dish at the moment is the original chile relleno. Other favorites are the spinach enchilada and the carne asada. They have a new location in Port Orchard. The big party of the year, Bash for Gas, is coming up September 11th. Don't want to miss this one
(4)Frank R.
I have never had a bad meal there and the Lopez family and staff always take great care of you. We love you El Pueblito!!! Karaoke Friday nights are off the hook fun!
(5)Jeff M.
Muy Sabrosa! Whenever we're in the harbor we include a trip to this very dependable restaurant. If you like spicy Mexican food, you need to ask them to kick it up when ordering. The best part of El Pueblito is the friendly staff. They are always fun and accommodating.
(4)Shiloh B.
Every time I've been here, I've had good food (though from all the previous reviews, I'm now going to make sure I never order the tortilla soup!) No, of course it is not the best Mexican I have ever had, but considering what else is on the peninsula, it's top notch if you take it in context. My refried beans have always been smooth and flavorful, my rice has always been just the right amount of "dry" and my enchiladas have always been cheesy and saucy just the way I like them. Whenever I order chicken, it is always a pretty good quality chicken with no gristle and whenever I have ordered beef, it was moist and also without gristle (I really hate gristle if you cannot tell). What I like the most is that when I want something SPICY, I can get it SPICY. Granted, not a lot of their menu items are geared for serious heat, but whenever I have asked them to spice it up, they have done so quite well (heat WITH flavor! Yum!) and they do so with a smile. The service is quite excellent and they have always been polite and accommodating without hovering over you or constantly interrupting to ask if you need anything. They seem to have gotten the art of just knowing when you need things and knowing when to let you enjoy the meal. As far as atmosphere, I've never really noticed anything specific about it. I've noticed the politeness of the staff, the yumminess of the food, the pleasantness of the view and the enjoyment of being with my fellow companions so I never took in the actual building. Anyway, I never usually care as long as I like the food and I like the food here so that's all that I need. :)
(4)Anna M.
Ah El Pueblito, you never cease to amaze me. I've been coming to you since I was 10...I would save my allowance and then come buy Super Nachos. Nothing has changed. I absolutely love the team here, the food is incredible and you get a great amount for your buck, and it's even more delightful since their wonderful renovations. I always leave happy: from the mouth watering food, the warm and friendly staff, and the overall pleasant environment. You're a legend, El Pueb!
(5)Bonnie F.
They get two stars cause I've eaten here before and I really enjoyed myself, but there are a couple things that should be noted... I was there last night with some family having dinner, I ordered the macho burrito, which I had with chicken before... This time I ordered pork, and it was just SO DRY. Never ordering pork again. Stick with the chicken, you won't regret it. My husband and brother ordered a couple drinks, starting with the Trash Cans. This is where they lost points, big time... The red bull can that came with one of the drinks, had some kind of sludge... Brown poopy looking crud on the bottom of the can. It was in short, foul... Like health department worthy disgusting. I flagged one of the waitresses over and when she saw the can, she said she was sorry and that she'd just wipe it off in the back. I told her no, go get the manager. She simply refused and said, 'no, no.. I just make you a new one instead.' She came back with a new red bull can that she had rinsed off. I was pretty upset and wanted to leave, but my husband happens to love this place, and the food really is good, but manager/owner, if you're reading this, make it a habit to RINSE OFF ALL THE CANS before you dump them into our drinks. You would have gotten one star for this scandal, but my husband loves you guys, so that and the fact that you guys have always been pleasant before hand is your saving grace.
(2)Elisa C.
Not very memorable, so I probably won't recommend this place, not that because I didn't like it, but just because it wasn't memorable. The decor looks bright and "fiesta", but I wish I can say the same about the food. The food looked blend, their guacamole tasted like it came from Costco, and they just used so much cheese to cover up the lack of spices. Like my burrito! Ground beef with salt and nothing else, or their grounded up Mexican rice that was barely edible. I had a hard time swallowing my food, just because it tasted like it had been blended like a baby food. My boyfriend's burrito was about the same, minus the chunky steak pieces, which tasted alright. But my boyfriend's brother's steak tacos were just horrific to the eyes. Two giant burrito wraps that they call taco shells...inside, chopped up iceberg lettuces that were overflowing onto the plate...and the cheese. Man there was nothing Mexican about this dish. It was just plain American's pseudo Mexican dish. Maybe the audience in this area doesn't like the authentic Mexican dishes? I don't know. Either way, this isn't for me. When I want Mexican food, this won't be a place I'd go to.
(2)Andrew K.
The best Mexican food. Great service, great view of the harbor and best food. Puerto Vallarta does not even compare, I loved Puerto Vallarta, until I tasted El Pueblito, which has food that tastes what Mexican food should taste like. Whenever I want Mexican I go here.
(5)Peter R.
I could go on and on about how great this place is to go to so just go there people !!! The Lopez family is the absolute BEST family you will ever know and the food is authentic Mexican food that melts in your mouth - They take the time to get to know each and every customer that goes in there and it makes for a wonderful experience cause they really do care .Anyone that owns another restaurant could lean from the Lopez family HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS cause they wrote the book A+A+A+ try the Margarita surprise !!!!! We Love this family and their restaurants :)
(5)Matt M.
Best Mexican in Gig Harbor!! Only reason not 5 stars is no changing table in mens restroom. They just remodled and the restaurant and it is beautiful. Tables are even ganite. It is clean staff is friendly and food is awesome! Salsa is spectacular.
(4)Alanna S.
Service was fast and friendly but the food is a bit bland. I ordered a combo which included an enchilada, burrito and a taco. The refried beans and enchilada were tasty but everything else fell short. The beef in the burrito and taco wasn't flavorful, it was like they forgot to put in any spices. There was lots of rice but it too was pretty bland. By the time I had gotten to the taco, I lifted it and it fell in half because the grease soaked through the shell. It was just meat and lettuce in there - not exactly what I was envisioning. Three stars for the location convenient to the downtown waterfront, parking out front and fast service. Would be a hard sell to return for the food. It's an ok place, but I personally prefer something with more zest.
(3)Nick S.
Had some nachos in the bar and a couple margaritas. Wasn't special, service was pretty slow for what it was. Better options around.
(3)Nancy J.
We have eaten here many times! The food & service has always been great! They have recently done some wonderful updates. The updates are amazing; just fun to take it all in & enjoy!
(5)Pippa G.
Generous portions, excellent service. This is a regular dinner stop for my family. Everyone has their favorite dish. Fresh tasty Mexican food with fab staff. Big enough you almost never have to wait.
(4)laura m.
Good food, not the best and not memorable in any way but the service is really fantastic. Good food and great service means we will be back.
(3)Clayton J.
Years ago I heard a tale of a waterside Mexican restaurant flanked by a second hand bookstore. I was told that the food and flavor were both fresh. I finally stumbled upon this place and the food and flavor were both a cut about the chains. The portion wasn't that impressive, but what you got was good and hot. In the end, it's a solid place, but the portions could use a kick start.
(3)D R.
We came here for lunch after paddle boarding across the street. We were seated very quickly, all of the staff were polite, friendly and fast. They have a great lunch menu at very good prices. I had chicken fajitas (special order with no peppers, no tomatoes, no rice and no tortillas) and our waitress said no problem. My kids ordered arroz con pollo and chicken chimi. Though I have never been here for dinner, I would have been happy receiving this size portion for dinner - very generous. The chicken was very well seasoned as were the beans. The meal came with a very healthy portion of guac/sour cream. My daughter loved her arroz con pollo and I had a bit and it really was delicious. My son didn't say a word eating his Chimi...he just inhaled it. Our water glasses were continuously filled and soda glasses were replaced before they were even empty (I love that). We were seated at the window and could see the marina across the street - so beautiful on a 90 degree day!
(5)Lin F.
Food always takes forever, and it's not worth the wait. Go to Puerta Vallarta or Moctezuma's if you want Mexican food.
(2)Luke W.
The description on the menu sounded tasty so my wife and i split the Pueblito Marino Special. We are foodies and were looking forward to a great lunch but were a little dissappointed by a rather bland entree. This is obviously an authentic Mexican restaurant staffed by friendly servers and a comfortable atmosphere but we were left wanting.
(3)R M.
I have been coming to El Pueblito for years! my whole family loves it. Great traditional Mexican food. I love the menu, and they always have a lunch special. Fast and friendly service to boot! Go there you will love it!
(5)Alden C.
At first when I moved up here to Tacoma I was wondering if I was being too snobbish and harsh with Pacific Northwest Mexican food. But as time goes on I am hitting Mexican restaurants that I enjoy and would not mind being a regular to. Sure, they are not like the kind of Mexican restaurants like back in Colorado but there are good Mexican restaurants out there! I no longer have to think of it in terms of wishful thinking. They do in fact exist in the Pacific Northwest. However in El Pueblito's case I wasn't feelin' it. The restaurant is placed in downtown Gig Harbor which is adorable and scenic. When I went in I was immediately seated however after that it took a long time to get waited on and a party that came in after me got waited on first. The waitress realized this I think and apologized and came right back for my order. I ordered the tamale and taco combo. The tamale was tasteless. It lacked the appropriate amount of spice and the tamale itself just had a mealy texture...in not the right way. The taco did not fare much better. The beef in the taco had taco seasoning so in this case it was too spiced in not the right way. For me it is a big no no for taco meat to have powdered seasoning in it. It tastes artificial and usually is an attempt to mask over what a good taqueria does not have to do. The beans and rice that came with the dish were just standard. I saw other restaurants in downtown Gig Harbor but each time you want to get back to Tacoma you have to pay a $5.25 toll. It doesn't seem worth it even to go to downtown Gig Harbor despite it being adorable and certainly not in the case of El Pueblito.
(2)William K.
This place is great. Coming from LA which has tons of good Mexican places, this was an unexpected find. I had the pueblito Marino which had a blend of crab, langostino, shrimp, and chicken all baked together. Fantastic. Plus the kids meals were decent sized so even our 7 year olds were full afterwards. We will be back.
(4)Danielle M.
Being Southwestern natives we LOVE this authentic place!!! Couldn't have had a better meal if we were on the border!
(5)Justin Z.
Hands down some of the best Mexican food around. I didn't give 5 stars because the consistency has not been there for us as we continue to return. We will have an amazing dinner followed by a disappointing return. The great ones will keep us going back though.
(4)Marc J.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in the south sound. Great family run business where they believe the customer is always right. I enjoy just about everything on the menu but would avoid the fajitas. Two of my favorites that I must have at least once a month is their tortilla soup and their pollo con salsa. If you arrive on a day that mom just made her famous tamales or original chilli rellano you have to have them. The staff is always willing to get you what you want. Most of the time I will substitute a side salad with their house dressing instead of beans and rice. The salad is a meal in itself. My wife and I like spicey so the owners will always go in back and hook us up with their spicey salsa for our chips no questions asked. I love this place amazing amazing amazing. Take some time to get to know the staff and soon you`ll think you are part of the family.
(5)Kevin W.
Gig Harbor, a quiet suburb of Tacoma, doesn't have much going for it. Luckily, there's this place, a delightful little Mexican restaurant that serves as a great place to get a meal in the area. Otherwise, El Pueblito is not particularly memorable or distinct from all the other similar establishments in the United States. It's relatively inexpensive but satisfying, and like many other Mexican restaurants, won't leave you hungry after a meal. I guess it's customary for Mexican restaurants to provide their customers with a tray full of tortilla chips and salsa free of charge as an appetizer before the meal. That's certainly what they do here. Although both the chips and salsa were terribly salty, I don't really want to complain because I like salty, and they refilled the chips. The refill was a bit slow, but I just saw it as an add-on to the main course. That's all there is to the chips; they don't come with sour cream and guacamole or anything. Or maybe they do. I just didn't bother to ask. The meal I got was a dish full of rice, beans, mushrooms, peppers, and some other stuff. I forgot to take a picture of the menu, so I don't have the name. But all this stuff is not wrapped up in a soft tortilla for you; instead, the contents and tortilla wraps are served on separate plates. You apparently use a spoon to scoop up the contents of the "burrito" onto the tortilla yourself and eat it that way. I don't know whether this is typical of Mexican restaurants since I don't go to them very often, but I liked the idea of having this kind of freedom and being able to control what goes into the tortilla. Nevertheless, I am still clumsy and managed to get it to drip all over the table, and I don't know how typical that is of Mexican restaurants either. The food here is satisfactory for any restaurant, and there's not much more about it that I can comment on. It was so filling that after finishing it, I found it difficult to move anymore and just wanted to take a siesta on the spot. I don't know how good the other restaurants in Gig Harbor are by comparison, but this one is probably good enough to warrant a revisit. It's pointless to go out of your way to come here, though, since you can probably find a restaurant just like it near you. But if you happen to be in the area, this one has my recommendation.
(4)Kirsten S.
Great mexican find in Gig Harbor! Also ate at moztezumas, and I enjoyed this much more. Less kitschy, focus on authentic food. We ate near the window, and the views were great. My boyfriend got a burrito, which was massive. I got the shredded beef enchiladas which were outstanding. Salsa was a little weird, and service could have been better. Other than that, delicious food!
(4)Arvind P.
Consistently good and flavorful food in a nice atmosphere. Love coming here with the kids. Great family ownership.
(5)Kay H.
I was craving some Mexican food and decided to give this place a try. It's a solid choice for a meal. The price and portions were great and the staff was friendly. I really enjoyed the salsa they sent out with the cops. It was fresh and spicy. I ordered the Pueblito burrito for my meal. The guacamole on top was great, the green sauce on the burrito was tasty, and the steak inside was perfect. Downsides: the rice and beans inside the burrito were nothing special and since there wasn't much steak in there, you mostly had a burrito made with bland rice and beans covered in green sauce. That says, or still tasted decent. Maybe it's just an off item. I won't search out this place for a meal, but I'd come back if I'm in the area.
(3)Nelly M.
For the people who put 2 stars.... They obviously need to eat at a fast food restaurant if they are such in a big hurry. The atmoshphere is casual, laid back. Family restaurant, it's basically the only Mexican Restaurant in the area that has great mexican food, everywhere else from Bremerton to Silverdale is just absolutely lousy. This is the closest you'll get to mexican..... Some foods are salty but they still taste great, they do offer a healthy black bean and other healthier options for those "health nuts", the waiters might take awhile to get to you which is why I said don't come and be in a hurry,,, they are working very hard, it's not like they are standing around doing nothing! Dinner's are very busy, especially weekends! So come before the rush if you are the impatient type. Definitely worth the drive! P.s for all you gringos out there, Mexican food is generally spicy, and salty with some of thier dishes but very delicious, so if you are that picky and impatient eat at the other dull bland tasteless mexican restaurant down the street!
(4)Northwest R.
The staff were excellent, all very friendly, and helpful. Or food was served quickly, and with a smile. The restaurant was a little too noisy for me, the biggest problem I had, was that everything tasted too salty, from the entree to the salsa. Our blended margarita was good. All in all, an ok place to eat. A bit expensive
(3)Sue F.
Famtastic food that is very authentic. Service was good as well. Will definitely be back soon!
(5)Laurel z.
We went once and both found the food to very poor. The service was excellent.
(1)Tiffany G.
Went to dinner with some friends while visiting Gig Harbor. The food was very good. I had the cheese quesadilla and it comes with lots of good toppings and made it far more interesting than your average quesadilla. The margarita was not so good, bottle syrup and too sweet. The service was super friendly and fast. Great choice.
(4)Tamara K.
This is a great little family owned restaurant with the friendliest service in town! I go in on occasion with my sister when I am up in Gig Harbor visiting and this is the only place I continually want to go back to. I have only been to the bar and had appetizers and margaritas. Love them enough to go back during my next visit and my next visit and my next visit....
(5)Jim L.
This family-run restaurant has welcomed me many times for the past 12 years! Authentic food and atmosphere and friendly/helpful service. One of my favorite places for dinner and the occasional dessert. You get more than what you pay for!
(5)Kate T.
What a surprise! I judge a restaurant by their beans and these fit the bill, with enough lard to make them tasty. Besides being able to order Enchiladas ala Crema, an authentic Jalisco dish not often seen on menus, the rice was fantastic~! I haven't eaten rice at a mexican restaurant in decades. It's mostly tasteless filler when there are so many better things to eat on a combo plate. El Pueblito version is redolent of garlic, onions with chopped celery. The aroma was so enticing I had to try it! Food was copiously served and a very good price. The only thing missing is tongue tacos. We will be back!
(5)Dave A.
Great food and the bar staff are great. The fact that there's karaoke on the weekends in such a small bar makes it a bit tedious on the ears.
(4)Valerie K.
From start to finish: bad. Overly salty food, horrible customer service. We ate there on a busy, Monday night. When we first got there, the hostess told us, "It'll be just a minute." Why couldn't she just have said, "It'll be a 10 minute wait,"? Because that's definitely what she meant. That irritated me. When we were eventually seated, it took a LONG time for us to even get any service. They finally brought us chips and menus. Then another long wait. The chips and salsa were INCREDIBLY SALTY. Finally the waitress returned to take our order. She noticed we were out of chips and offered to bring us more. Did she? No. We both ordered the chicken enchiladas verde. Everything on the plate was... SALTY. Overly salty. Almost inedible. The waitress never returned to ask us how our food was. She brought the bill and offhandedly asked us if we'd like anything else. As if we would at that point! To top it all off, I was incredibly sick from the food for a day afterward. I will never ever EVER go there again.
(1)Josh L.
Great classic family Mexican restaurant. Cheap (especially the lunch specials). Great service. Beautiful decor. Big portions. Totally solid chips and salsa. What more could you want?
(4)Emma S.
Good food although VERY slow service...Unreal bad.
(2)Andrew T.
Hands down the best Mexican restaurant in the harbor! The food it's the closest I found to real authentic Mexican food! With the new remodel the art and detail feels like a small piece of Mexico making our experience of ding out for amazing mexican food even better! The new plates are beautiful and the portions are bigger! The staff is always friendly and caring ! I will always recommend this place to family and friends! :)
(5)Clifton P.
Best Mexican food in Gig harbor! Great family run business. Must experience!
(5)Narnia P.
This is on one of the main drags in Gig Harbor and has a good view. The inside includes a mural and other paintings on the wall. The interior looked a little run down, and the bathroom was kind of sketchy. I ordered the chicken tortilla soup, and it was bad! I am not the kind of person to send a dish back, but perhaps I should become one. It was just not edible. It was a bowl of liquid grease with three pieces of chicken, some avocado, and flimsy tortilla strips. I couldn't eat it. The waitress really should have inquired as to what went wrong, as something clearly had. The salsa that came with the chips was really good. They have a full bar. My better half of course ordered a better dish. I cannot remember what it was, but it was rice, vegetables and chicken. The chicken tasted quite good and was well seasoned.
(2)Alyssa G.
The dinner meals are $10-15 each, but if you order al a carte, it's so much cheaper and the food is just as good. Their salsa is excellent. Not your average bright red, chunky ith tomatoes salsa.. but a deep red, fire roasted tomato salsa with chunks of onion and pepper. Ordered their queso and it wasn't fantastic.. reminded me of the bright orange Tostitos cheese dip you can buy in the grocery store. Their service was very friendly but somewhat slow, which may have been due to it being dinner time (4-5 pm). Overall, very good food and the portions are huge so don't go unless you're starving. Would absolutely go back for more!
(4)Mary M.
I love this little family-owned business, and know that the family is so sweet and really cares about their restaurant. Usually my family has wonderful food and drinks. This time, though, they served me the very worst frozen margarita i've ever had. I almost sent it back but didn't want to hurt the woman's feelings--she seemed so proud. And I'm really sorry, but my taco salad was: chicken & lettuce. That's it. In a taco shell. Compared to the salads at Moctezuma, no dice. I love you, El Pueblito, but you now have stiff competition. The beautiful new decor will help for sure, and I'm so glad you remodeled. It needed it! But now, work on your food! We all want you to be successful, but you need to really take a look at the food you serve.
(3)j. M.
Karaoke bar is so loud -- -- avoid it on Friday night when bar is full of screaming singers -- prefer moctezumas for sure-- newer, cleaner , better food
(2)Jeff H.
Went out with some new friends who live in Gig Harbor and they said this was the spot to be on a Friday night. The good: 4 stars for the food without a doubt. Salsa is very tasty, chips are fresh, and I could live on their Arroz Con Pollo. Now for the bad. It cost them 3 stars for the sham of karaoke they put on. It's all people over the age of 50 and 20 somethings that don't have the cash to go out in Seattle or Bellevue. I'm not going to waste the time to describe all the scrubs that were in the joint. I'm just going to say that seeing girls that weigh 100 pounds more then they should SCREAMING out just the chorus to songs (cause they don't know the verses) in a key that would make a whale (like the double reference) scream, just isn't my cup of tea. It's a real shame the owners don't let the food stand on its own. I understand they are trying to make more money in a down economy with the karaoke, but I seriously think with the kind of people they attract, they would be better off just closing after dinner.
(2)Shelly F.
The decor is nothing great but the food and margaritas are really good and the service is friendly.
(4)O V.
We couldn't believe a place like this existed in town. Like someone else mentions, don't let the exterior fool you. Best mexican in town hands down. Great service, clean, slight recent renovation, huge plates of food (a little too much in my opinion) but everything super yummy and as close to authentic as you can get. Good for kids also. We love the place and go at least once a month. Some of the other places in town should go by and get some pointers.........
(5)Dan S.
*SOmewhat dirty, super uber local karaoke and slammed on a friday night, that about sums it up *Pretty on it bartenders considering the demanding crowd, cranked drinks *I felt like our group of 5 were the only outsiders there, lots of 80's hair and "wish I was still in high school" jocks milling about
(3)Dennis V.
Great authentic food. Family owned and operated. Best Mexican in Gig Harbor!
(5)Barbara A.
Looking for a constantly great Mexican meal served by courteous staff El Pueblito is it. Tucked away in the quaint waterfront of Gig Harbor you will enjoy your meal, service and surroundings. Best taco's ever! I order them with traditional ground beef.
(5)Shad H.
Best authentic Mexican food n own, margaritas suck though. They always need more lime juice. Try taste watered down. Service also sucks on busy nights. Margaritas 1 star, food 5 stars, bad service makes it a 3.
(2)Jess D.
Solid food, fast service, typical Mexican restaurant. I had the pollo ala crema, not great but not bad, veggies were fresh and tasty. He had the pueblito burrito, similar story. The chips and salsa were very tasty. About $20 for lunch for 2. Sit by the window and enjoy the view! Musty smell from the neighboring "Sassy Bones" vintage shop threatens to ruin your appetite on the way in.
(3)Joyce S.
El Pueblito is one of my favorites and I eat there often. My favorite dish is their poblano chile rellenos. They are perfect and not overwhelmed with sauce and cheese which the don't need. I also enjoy their deep fried tacos which are overflowing with lettuce tomatoes and chicken. Their salsa is delicious, chips crispy and warm, and the homemade Marquita's are wonderful. They are friendly and consistent and I always feel welcome.
(4)Gary M.
Awesome margaritas, very flavorful dishes and presentation, friendly and prompt service, excellent value (lunch menu is a bargain). A lot to like here.
(4)Alan B.
Gig Harbor has a nice little mexican restaurant with El Pueblito. I had the pueblito burrito and it came out huge and delicious. Now compared to the burritos in San Diego, it doesn't hold a candle to it but here it's good.
(3)SB S.
I love El Pueblito. If I could base this just on likability of the staff alone, I would give 5 stars. Is the food the best mexican food I've ever had? No, but it is typical and what I expect from the restaurant. It has highs and lows. The highs? Huge portions at a great price. Excellent salsa and enchilada sauce. I usually get the Fajita Burrito or the Pueblito Burrito. Both are enormous and tasty. The low? The tortilla soup. Like a previous reviewer mentioned, it is greasy and just sort of strange. My server did notice that something was off with the soup though, and didn't charge me for it without me even saying anything. Ok, the karaoke is bad. But, there are a large group of locals that love it and are there every Friday night. It's great business for the restaurant and to be fair it IS in the bar section. If you think of it as just an entertaining night watching a bunch of fools, then it can be comical. Either way, the bartenders are fast and keep the drinks flowing. Finally, the staff offers the best in service. They know so many people there personally because they take the time to get to know their customers. After just one or two visits, Jose always knew to bring me ice water and a Sprite. They always ask about my children and fiance and even my parents whom I have brought with me on a couple occasions. I love a restaurant where you are made to feel like a family from the moment you arrive. Tavo, Jose and Armando are among the friendliest, most sincere and attentive restaurant servers/management I have ever encountered. It is a family owned and operated business and you just can't help but feel good when you leave there.
(4)Jules K.
Love the chicken al la crema!
(4)Randy S.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in Gig Harbor and the most authentic in my humble opinion. The cooks and waitresses are all Mexican and they try and give the restaurant a authentic look with their decor and decorations. I see reviewers giving this place terrible marks based on the looks of the restaurant. Those reviewers are obviously brainwashed by all the Azteca style restaurants around with their neon signs and fancy painted murals and squeeky clean AmericanMexican style ammenities. I for one like authentic. When i go to a Greek restaurant i want to feel like im in Greece, At Mexican in Mexico and so on. The food is great, the chips and salsa home made and freshly made. Decent prices and nice portions. If you want Authentic eat here. If you dont care about authentic but just want a great meal and like that more modern feel go to Puerto Vallarta just down the street. Both are great. El Pueblito has that family owned one of a kind feel where as Puerto Vallarta has more of a restaurant chain feel. Food(5) Service(5) Atmosphere(4) 4.6 Overall Rating
(4)A V.
Yuck! People, this is not Mexican food!!!!! This is the worst Mexican food I have ever had and I am a Mexican from east LA. I have some non-mexican friends that think this is the best restaurant in Gig Harbor so I have eaten here probably a dozen times. Now if we go here I just tell people I already ate and I just have ice water and I am not even too sure about their water.
(1)Ari B.
El Pueblito is, by far, my favorite Mexican restaurant in the area. They are very well-priced, and the staff are always. There can be a bit of a wait on the weekends, so I would recommend calling ahead if possible (although they don't take reservations, they will add you to the waiting list). Their chips are always warm and the salsa is fresh. My personal entree favorites are the enchiladas rojas, pollo a la parilla (grilled chicken), and chicken fajitas (the seasoning is just perfect). Their lunch specials are especially well-priced, so stop by mid-day if you have the chance. Summary: great food, all-right environment, happy service, and located in a cute part of town.
(4)Aimee M.
Starting with the good......the salsa's are good and the chips are fresh. The bad.....lunch portions are very small and IMO not a lot to choose from. The ugly......I became close friends with the Pearl Street Safeway bathroom on the trip home. Not fun! I made the mistake of ordering the fish taco's. The fish was chewy and barely edible. We are talking frozen gummy bear chewy.... The rest of my family did alright with their meals. I think if I were to ever go back I would stick with the chips and salsa and a few margarita's! Seems like a safe bet there....
(2)Mandie J.
The best Mexican food in Gig Harbor! The salsa is so yummy. However, the service during lunch hours is really slow, and it does get super crowded Friday nights.
(5)Stacia W.
I came here for the first time last week. I was not that impressed. The food was ok. The part that bothered the most was the service. There is nothing I hate worse then bad service at a restaurant. I had to ask several times for my drink and more chips. Our waitress didn't seem to care about us at all. It almost seemed like we were bothering her by asking for what she didn't bring in the first place. I really don't care what the place looks like as long as it has great food and service, but this place could use a facelift. It's too bad because they have an amazing location... They should capitilize on that! I probably won't be back.
(2)Lisa H.
I really like El Pueblito's chicken tacos Al Carbon. The corn tortillas are fresh and the grilled chicken is TASTY. I will be back for more soon!
(4)M W.
So....I decided to try this place again... and my conclusion is that it is better than other mexican places in Gig Harbor. It still is not as good as something in - oh - San Diego, the this time around I found it enjoyable. Their meat was more flavorful than I remembered, and their Mojito was delish. Maybe the first time- I got the chef on a bad day. Who knows? I would go back based on this visit.
(3)Chris W.
food is normally good. We did have some blah tortilla soup last time we were there. karaoke on friday is fun...lots of "regulars". You know, we all want go where "everybody knows your name". This place has become a Harbor classic.
(4)Matt T.
In terms of the food, unbeatable. Portions are great (my wife and I split a meal each time). Service is why we come here! If you own a small business and want to see how it should be done, watch these guys serve. Great food, lots of it, great prices, water view, wonderful service. Yeah, it's a 5.
(5)Kirsten O.
The only good part of the meal was the free chips and salsa. The food was way to salty, the enchilada sauce tasted like it came from a can, and meat tasted like dog food. Although, the service was really great and the people in the bar sounded like they were having a great time so maybe it's a good place to go for drinks and karaoke, not so much for dinner.
(2)Michelle G.
Your experience here is bound to be determined on your experience with Mexican food. If you're from around the Kitsap peninsula, you'll love it here. It is the best Mexican I've found in the area. Beware, the peninsula has some incredibly bad Mexican food. If you have experienced and love Mexican food from New Mexico, Arizona and southern California you're going to be a disappointed as the flavors here aren't nearly as robust and varied as what you are used to. Servers here are lovely and the restaurant is child friendly. If you want Mexican and aren't willing to drive off the Peninsula - El Pueblito is your best bet.
(3)Cat R.
The food is amazing- I've taken my whole family (ages 8-40) there and everyone found something delicious to enjoy. I've also gone to the cantina portion on Friday nights. The drinks are strong and the karaoke is fun. It's one of those "everyone knows your name" kind of bars- even if you are brand new! I really think it's one of the best entertainment spots for downtown Gig Harbor at night.
(5)S M.
Why such low reviews. Ive been going here since the pplace opened they have friendly servers heavy pours on maragritas and amazing chips/salsa and I love their toquitos , the ambiance is nice with huge windows looking out to downtown and after you eat you can walk to the water. They Have a huge backspace for parties ( which I have used 4 or more time) and they dont stress out when there busy. I m from California I know its not the best mexican or most authentic but as it goes for the area its the best you will find.
(5)Alex G.
So, good eating is pretty lacking in the south sound.. and Gig Harbor specifically. This is the best mexican food restaurant in the area, by far. The salsa is great.. The carne asada with grilled jalapeno is pretty darn yummy... my husband really enjoys the veggie fajitas and my chicken fajitas have always been good, not dry, and plentiful. We stick with these dishes.. so, I cant comment on anything else. I think the food is a very fair portion for the prices. I think that they use alot less lard and dont absolutely smother everything in cheap cheese like most mexican restaurants so that is a huge plus. I grew up in Texas and then Cali, so Ive had my share of mexican food.. this definitely isnt the best, but it is FANTASTIC compared to what we have had in other restaurants in the greater sound. If you eat in the restaurant the service is fantastic. If you order food to go, check your order before you leave. I basically have to beg for my grilled jalapeno when we get to go :)
(4)C P.
Delicious salsa, alright? Wonderful. And I would like to eat their fajita burrito on a daily basis.
(4)Sara O.
I have not been impressed with El Pueblito...it's really a shame since the location is great, right on the main drag in Gig Harbor. Inside it's a little shabby and the food is definitely mediocre. It's basically a poorly executed attempt at generic americanized mexican food. My mom got the tortilla soup which was mostly chicken broth with some soggy tortilla pieces floating/sinking in it. They do karoake some evenings which people get into and can be somewhat fun in a ghetto way.
(2)Jennifer D.
I don't normally eat Mexican food but whenever I'm in Gig Harbor, I have to stop by El Pueblito. The service is good and the food portions are even better. I haven't been able to finish a place and I don't mind being home leftovers. Their salsa is so good, we would finish the chips and salsa before our food would even get there. I had a chicken dish the first time I was there and split a burrito the second time. Both were very delicious. I'd definitely going back there the next time I come visit.
(4)Kila K.
My favorite Mexican restaurant and worth the drive! It's authentic and also a nice setting!
(5)