Don Pablos

Back in the 90’s/early 2000’s, I loved me some Don Pablos. My husband is on a «let’s eat at old restaurants to see if it has improved over the years» kick.
Their food is alright. I love their Queso Blanco. It’s one of my favorites. I quickly remember why I don’t come to DP anymore. You come for their Sopapillas and their bowl of queso blanco. DP puts the calories on their food now. 1500 calories for a bowl of Queso Blanco. wow. 1300 for Sopapillas. They are good though. Buttery and full of powdered sugar.
This visit I got the fajitas and a cup of queso (which is 500 calories). Again fajitas were not the best, but not the worst.
So if you want to wreck your diet you only come to Don Pablos for two things: Queso Blanco and Sopapillas.

From the prepackaged guac to the stale taco shell it didnt live up to what I remebered it to be. The only thing good was the free tortillas and the queso. Unfortinatly we wont be back.

I was a little deterred from coming here because of the Unilocal reviews about the horrible service. But I feel like I experienced pretty good service? Granted I came on a Wednesday night at 8 pm, but all of the employees were extremely cordial: (1) the front hostess ran to open the door for me; (2) I was seated promptly; (3) the waitress came right away to take our drink order; (4) the manager came over to our table to ask how everything was. So service is oddly enough why this review is 4 stars, instead of 3.
The food was surprisingly light, if that’s even possible for Tex mex. All of our dishes had fresh veggies and not as much oil/​salt as expected. (But I could see how this could easily differ based on cook though.) I would highly recommend the chicken quesadillas — they add pico de gallo which gives it a nice fresh kick!
Overall, a well run Tex mex restaurant. Will definitely be back!

I’ve been a regular at Don Pablo’s for years. I’ve never written a review because I let my money do the talking. We always sit in the bar and usually only go during happy hour. They’ve always had fantastic happy hours (2.99 margaritas) and quality vegetarian dishes with no meat, lard or animal stock in the rice and beans, which is hard to come by in Mexican food.
Recently they’ve changed this. I spoke with a waiter last night who told me about a month ago they started adding animal products to previously vegetarian dishes. The refried beans and rice are no longer vegetarian. They do have charro beans and black beans which are still vegetarian, and all vegetarian dishes are now labeled on the menu with V. This is a new feature. They still have Pecos Valley grilled vegetables and a few other options, just no longer my favorites. I usually ordered a hot plate of refried beans and rice and cold plate with sour cream, guacamole and shredded cheese. This made a good taco salad type of dish for happy hour. I am sad I can’t do this anymore!
The happy hour (3 – 7 pm) also offers a bowl of queso at a discounted rate. The wait staff usually convinces us to get the bigger size since it’s cheaper than the small size during happy hour. The only problem with this is the cheese congeals very quickly and the thin (yet delicious) corn tortilla chips break immediately in the ever-​hardening cheese. You can usually ask the bar tender to reheat it for you, which they will do with some minor irritation.
Which brings me to my next point. I’m not sure if the management at this Don Pablo’s is soul-​crushing, or if it simply isn’t a nice place to work, but we have seen many waiters and bar tenders come and go at this location. This is understandable as the nature of restaurants go, but often new staff will start out friendly and energetic only to turn sour and unpleasant after a few months of working there. They seem to drive away all the wonderful staff we’ve known in the past. A few other reviewers mention the bad attitudes of the staff and I have experienced this as well on multiple occasions. I was usually willing to get let it go for the great vegetarian food and margarita prices, but I now have less reason to endure such treatment. We were regulars so the staff eventually became nicer to us, but for «once in a whilers» I can see why they would be turned off immediately. When I asked the waiter why they changed the beans he flippantly explained that, «they were flavorless and now they have delicious bacon in them.» I never thought they were flavorless, but I’m sure that’s because I’m an idiot vegetarian. ;)
I have always been a big fan of this location, with the great refried beans and rice suitable for vegheads and the happy hour prices. This is no longer enough and I’m afraid we won’t be going back any time soon. Unless we ONLY want a drink. We can not depend on eating there for a meal. Previously would have given this place 5 stars in spite of the terrible staff attitudes, but now it’s a solid two, with a $ 2.99 margarita carrying the two stars.

First time here. Service was spot on. Food and atmosphere were authentic. Manager greeted us when we arrived and visited our table to see how our food was. We’ll be back.

Salsa was disgusting and the customer service was terrible, they made my margarita with way to much sweet and sour apparently the fat manager had made it so she was giving me bad looks and continually walking by and the bartender coming out to lecture me was ridiculous, he had a horrible attitude and was a smart ass saying he didn’t make it so he’s not offended. Apparently this is a problem & why this place SUCKS! I walked out!

Food is ok, not great and barely good. The salsa is good to me, not at all hot and almost sweet. The waitress was nice, as was the hosts. The taco was soggy. Not coming back to this location

Increible servicio y ambiente genial se les recommend visitarles este lugar cuando vengan visitar forth nunca se olviden del buen servicio a qui

Gross excuse for Mexican or Tejano food. Cheese dip tasted like melted sandwich cheese with a can of salsa in it. Kids burgers were burnt and enchiladas tasted like a frozen dinner. Second time here and just as bad. Won’t be back.

our favorite place to eat any night of the week. the service staff is always alert and attentive. the food is always served fast and with a smile! the manager is always around touching tables and adding to the «well taken care of» vibe. try the don sampler (not on the menu) its a great mix of some of their best foods. love it!!!

The food is generic, the salsa might as well have come from a tostitos jar, and the service is often slow and inconsiderate. Every time we go, the managers end up having to take over service at some point. We usually only go here when the wait at Uncle Julio’s is unbearable.

Loved the queso blanco, not so crazy about the «salsa.» Good, fresh guacamole, tasty frijoles refritos, and the regular queso was pretty good, too. I had the chicken quesadillas and enjoyed them as well. I appreciate the thoughtful service, and I got out of there for under 15.00 +tax.

The food was excellent. I had the carnitas with Spanish rice. It was rich and flavorful. Our service was right on– we had everything before we needed it and yet she didn’t hover. The music was a little loud for a quiet dinner, but at least it wasn’t to grating.

Very good Chicken Fajita’s. Sat in the bar area for lunch and had good service from the bartender/​waitress. I just wish the younger generation would say «you’re welcome» instead of «no problem.» I know it’s Not a problem this is what you get paid to do! Say «You’re Welcome!» Ok I feel better!

Food was cold and overly chewy, And service was slow and tired. Dont recommend at all.

Service can be hit or miss sometimes but Don Pablos is still my fave Tex Mex… I always get something with the chicken fajita meat and I have never been disappointed.

If mediocracy had a name it would be Don Pablo’s.
It was a typical busy Friday night, during prime dinner time.
We went and sat at the bar and it took a minute for is to be greeted.
My Mango Sambarita was good, but I could taste the cheap tequila.
Our food was subpar at best. I was originally super stoked to go to Don Pablo’s, I could taste the chips and queso. It was not what I remembered.
It tasted bland and like it came from a box.
Our server was more concerned with taking our money than clearing our table. It was so crowded with plates that we had to place empty plates on the empty chair at our table.
Please please please just go somewhere else to get your TexMex fix

I’m surprised nobody is talking about their spoon bread! Most of the people I know ONLY return here for the spoon bread. It’s their thing! The food is pretty much what you would expect for Tex-​Mex. The salsa sucks enough to dock a star though.

There was a roach in the foyer as we were leaving, I think that may be why I don’t go here anymore. The food is mediocre.

I love Don Pablo’s! The food is great! The chips and salsa are real good. If you like more kick to your salsa then try their macho salsa. It’s always a pleasure to eat
here.

A-​OK
Three Stars not Five
Not Bad
Not Great
Menus are sticky/​dirty
Salsa is not good. Pureed Tomatoes (Food Processor) & a couple Onion pieces.
Chips Were good
Waitress was good
Food was good. Tacos and Enchiladas
Prices are good
This review Sucks