Pepitos

I ordered the combination plate. I had wanted enchiladas and tamale. They were out of tamales, of course. I also ordered a magerita. It was OK, but for $ 8.50 I thought I should have at least gotten a festive stemmed glass. NO. Just a large tumbler. The food arrived and I asked for a spoon for the salsa. I sat there watching my food get cold for quite awhile before I got the spoon. Then I thought the food was barely average. I have had great mexican food before, and believe me. this is not it. The food was perhaps a 2 star, but the service was slow and perfuntory, give that a 1 star. A restaurant is only as good as it’s service.

It’s pretty much standard OG Midwest-​Mex, cut from the same cloth as Ol’ Mexico if you’re familiar or from the East side of the river.
Their food is always delicious, but occasionally, no make that frequently, give me a raging case of Montezuma’s Revenge.

Horriffic service. Had to physically prevent the waiter from holding sizzling fajita plates over my 10 month old daughter

Good Mexican food is hard to find in the Twin Cities But pepitos is a fast and friendly spot to get your Tex-​Mex on, they also have a pretty good buffet in the early hours. I’ve only tried a handful of their dishes but I recommend the hard tacos and burritos I do not recommend the fish tacos wasn’t a fan, but then again finding good fish tacos is not easy.

What happened to this place? Never thought I’d ever have to leave a 1 star rating. First off, my bf and I get there at 9pm which online says is 9 – 10. Than we have to wait nearly 10 minutes to get seated (place wasn’t even Packed. Is was 9pm on a Thursday night) than waiter was completely inattentive filled our water the ONE Time when we got there, I ordered chile con queso and chicken lupitas. I get one margarita for happy hour price, I order another and than get told my 2ND will be regular price because «he just got back from vacation and didn’t know happy hour had changed, than I didn’t get anymore chips w/​my con queso and when I get my Bill was charged for it anyways this poor excuse for a server told me «I should have told him we wanted more chips w/​the quest that came out» (I work at a restaurant, mind you and communicate if anything is an extra charge right off the bat), I hate to do it, but no tip was left for him. Sorry, not sorry…

This place has been here forever. When I was 21 it was cool, had margaritas, and refried beans. At 30 it was packed and fun. At 40 it is very tired looking, filthy, inauthentic and substandard.
Our server was great, the food bland and the environment in desperate need of a facelift. There is a bad rancid carpet smell. Best to eat in the bar area. My water tasted soapy so the server got something form the filtered soda machine.
Wish I could say something good. Ok the food is cheap. But the food inspector should have a good long look at this place

I seem to recall enjoying the food here many years ago, not so much these days. The place was busy for a Saturday night, we had a wonderful waitress. We each ordered something different, four entrees total. Nothing really stood out. I ordered the chimichanga which I recall should be very crunchy and full of flavors, greasy tortilla that was barely crisp, mostly soggy. It contained moist chicken and rice that was just bland. My table mates pretty much agreed, taco salad, Enchilada Mexicana, and a tostada, all just, rather bland. And it seems like they can’t even reprint their menus, I wanted the Pozole, but the waitress said they no longer make it, nobody buys it and it goes to waste. Even having a Groupon didn’t make the food taste any better. There are just too many great restaurants in town to waste my dollars here. Sorry Pepitos, you need to raise your game in this market to stay alive.

Don’t do it. Just don’t do it.
I started eating at Pepitos 20 years ago and it was the BEST Mexican place back then but today, no more.
Service can range from down-​right mean/​nasty to fair (with the exception of Laura who is wonderful). Food quality also falls in that same range depending on the day.
The décor has never been updated and the place seems generally grungy. It hasn’t had an update since my first visit in 1995.
What used to be a bottomless basket of chips and salsa now comes with a charge if you should happen to have more than one.
Our most recent visit (and final one — we’re done for life with this place) was Friday night, April 8. We arrived and were greeted by Joe who portrayed himself as an owner/​family. After engaging us in conversation I was very honest told him that I had stopped coming several years ago when things started to decline but after moving into the neighborhood recently, we wanted to give it another shot and support what once was a great restaurant with hopes that it would turn around. I shared that we often agonize about whether we should try again and because of the proximity to our home, we do sometimes «give-​in» and hope for the best.
I let Joe know that in addition to the short walk from home, the main reason we have continued to come is because of Laura, a wonderful server that we find to be delightful and so helpful. Joe agreed that Laura was wonderful and went further by sharing how sexy Laura was (true story) and how he «wanted» her years ago but she never gave him a chance and now she works for him and isn’t that great. Odd and a bit creepy to say the least and made us feel bad and nervous for Laura.
Long-​story-​short, we left before ordering our entrée. We did order queso dip and when that arrived it tasted like melted velveeta cheese. We ordered diet cokes which came out flat and when we requested new ones, they never came.
When I expressed disappointment to the server, she sent Joe over who offered up a number of excuses but no resolutions which only served to move me from being disappointed to being upset and I asked for the bill for the queso dip. Joe left and returned a few minutes later and said, «no charge» which to his credit, was the right thing to do.
Pepitos really did used to be wonderful but today it’s a dirty, old restaurant with inconsistent quality and service. Sad to say of this former destination place but true, unfortunately.

Really enjoy this place — delicious food, nice happy hour, and they have their own FREE parking lot! We’ve met here a couple of times for double dates and had a great time. Décor is kind of vintage/​retro, which makes ambiance without being too stuffy. We’ll be back!

Birthday dinner and the best part was the free fried ice cream. The service was average at best and the food was subpar. Anyone who considers this food good must have never eaten real Mexican food in the Southwest. I’ve eaten at chains that serve better food than this. Will not go back.

I virtually grew up at this place. It was a favorite of just about everyone in the neighborhood, you were always served consistently good food. This is not the same Pepitos I grew up with.
I give it three stars because it has been hit or miss the last few times I have been there. The staff has always been great and I have never had a complaint with service but there is a problem in the kitchen and the overall vibe of the place. The food quality leaves something to be desired. There is no passion left in the kitchen, at least I can’t taste it anymore. Even the salsa has been hit or miss, they never should have offered a mild version. As a kid it was the hot stuff or nothing and you eventually learned to drink the stuff. I generally get the Chicken Lupitas which have been a solid option and a sort of a staple food for regulars.
The décor is dated and getting dumpy. It’s been long overdue for an upgrade, the famous name tags at the tables are kind of silly, most people will have no clue who the local celebrities are. It was cool as a kid, but that was 30 some years ago and from the looks of things, no one famous eats there anymore. Pepitos has endured, but needs to make some changes. I would love to bring in Chef Ramsay, put his name tag at a table and turn this place around. Pepitos deserves a re-​launch.

The waitress that greeted us was super friendly. We sat down at 3:45p and ordered some frozen margs. They were served with warm chips and hot salsa. We ordered guac on the side, it was good. Our waitress was prompt and friendly.

Ugh. I sit here (on the toilet) cursing myself for eating here yet again. Beyond my best interests, my wife who is 9 months pregnant had a craving for Lupitas. I would never turn down a pregnant woman to her cravings so we stopped in. As usual, it was busy and understaffed. The waitress was running around with her hair on fire. We ate our chips and salsa and had something to drink. What Mexican restaurant charges for a second serving of chips and salsa? Pepitos I guess…
We ordered her Lupitas to find they switched something. The cheese on top now seems to be some cheap deli slice and was partially melted. The pork was essentially fat and grizzle with my wife spit up. I also ordered Tacos el Pastor. Big mistake and I would redirect you to a food truck on Hennepin as you will find better quality for a fraction of the price. Onion city with some tough steak chunks mixed in. Order for a $ 9 meeting invite with diarrhea on the agenda.

happy hour specials here I come! I came here for the first time with a co-​worker awhile back and she raved about Pepitos chicken wings. At first, I thought really? Chicken wings at a Mexican restaurant? Oh but I changed my tune pretty quick. We made it in for Happy hour and you get 6 wings for $ 8…yes I thought it was kind of highly priced at first for being ½ off since the regular price is $ 16 for a dozen.however.they did NOT disappoint! The wings are huge and are a meal in itself. the skin is super crispy and flavorful, the meat is juicy and the bbq inspired dipping sauce is the perfect complement to the wing. Mind you I could probably just eat the wing without sauce.
Of course you have to have the chips and salsa, it comes with two kinds a hotter one and more mild one with cilantro in it, both were really tasty and the chips were perfection too! Don’t lie. you’ve been to places where the chips are stale because they are free…
Ever since that first time almost a year ago I have been craving these wings… so when I had the chance to drop the same co-​worker off for a bday party, I may have convinced her to let me drop her off so I could get some wings and a HH margarita (which by the way is also awesome only $ 4 so it’s basically buy one get one until 6pm)
The wings did not disappoint again! I would just come here for the wings, but I’ve heard the food is pretty good too :) Maybe next time.
For parking, they do offer free valet, street parking or they do have a small lot across the street from the restaurant.
Wings are a must try!!!

Dinner was okay-​okay. Ordered mole chicken and didn’t realize they put chicken bones in. But rice and margaritas were great
Also the owner told us the cute story about boy and the ghost. Cool story.

I’ve never had an issue with the staff or service and the food is always good for it being texmex… I especially like the nachos lupitas.

I’ve been here twice in three weeks. Not good. Heavy, sloppy, flavorless, inconsistent food. At best this place is perfect if you’re drunk. Also, it gave is the runs. Will not return.

WORST dining experience by FAR. Went here for lunch today and had a terrible experience. We walked in, the restaurant was dark and empty; wasn’t even sure if they were open. We were given a measly basket of chips and salsa (they charge for extra chips). We stuck with water as the soda was $ 2.50 with just one free refill. We ordered guacamole and an enchilada. The guac was $ 5 and the enchilada was $ 8. The food came out and it was just sad… A single enchilada with no toppings and a bowl of guacamole, no more than 2 tbsp worth. The enchilada was cold and the guac was obviously not fresh. We mentioned it to the waitress who argued with us about it and refused to give a refund. Needless to say we will not be going back. Over priced, terrible food and terrible service. DO NOT RECOMMEND.

The 2 stars in this review go solely to the staff trying to work in a subpar restaurant. This was my second time at this place and my last for a while. First, the gnats were swarming the window at our booth so we had to move tables. I understand it is early September in Minnesota but it seemed pretty excessive. So we moved tables thinking we were in the clear but still found them crawling on our chips. I should have taken a picture. The food was over priced for its elementary quality. The value did not meet the quality by a long shot. We tipped our waitress $ 10 on a
$ 50 tab just because she was really trying her best. The
manager/​owner needs to take a good look at the reality of the place and some serious quality inspections are due. The stars go straight to the staff for trying to sell a dining experience and product that overall was not delivered. Do not need to go back anytime soon. That’s my 2 cents.

So I JUST moved back to Minneapolis. Born and raised South Minne, and I’ve been telling my husband about Pepitos’ chicken lupitas for like, 6 years (He’s not from here). Oh how excited I was to have a pepitos reunion! My enthusiasm quickly became horror upon entering. We couldn’t even tell if it was open! It was so dark, no one was in the place. NO. ONE. On Saturday. In late summer. I remember when you couldn’t GET a seat on the weekends here. So we wait. And wait. And wait at the host stand in the dark, ratty looking run-​down entry area. Finally, I walked into the completely vacant dining area and an elderly man in all white says «need something»? No. We’re fine. We just wanted to stand in your dark, creepy, cave-​like dining room. I asked if we could sit outside and he said, annoyed, «WHAT?!» So I asked again, not masking my irritation and he replied «yeah». We looked at each other and decided to eat elsewhere.
This is personal to me, and to many others from South Minneapolis who cut our teeth on Pepitos and had our first drink at 21 in the bar. To those that are currently «running» Pepitos: What would Carlos say if he saw what you’ve done to his business? You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. He ran a thriving watering hole and restaurant. It may have been next to the theater but it was a destination in and of itself. Have a little pride. Get it together or get out of business. Your competition is far too stiff, there are too many wonderful restaurants who WILL give great service and impeccable food for you to think you can get away with this much longer. Bring back the Pepitos that makes people like me dream about your food. I won’t be back until you do, nor will many other reviewers on this site.

In times past, I would have rated this place a 4 or 5 star establishment. But, sadly, things have totally gone down hill. I still love the crispy taco shells. They really are wonderful. I do like to sometimes still come down for the lunch buffet, which I can eat unlimited tacos, but the place is really depressing these days.
It has a weird smell, and, frankly, the whole place looks like sh**. The bathroom is beyond nasty. The whole place is just dirty and icky. And, if the front looks like this, god only knows what other Marlon Brando-​type horrors are lurking in unseen places.
To me, it just seems like nobody gives a flying you know what. The place reeks, literally and figuratively, of having given up. Nobody cares anymore, and you can tell. Also, I agree with everyone else on here about all the up charges. WTF came up with that idea? Could you be any more cheap Pepito’s?
Newsflash to Pepito’s! Maybe you should focus more on your restaurant instead of that foul theater next door. You people used to run a good restaurant. Now, you run a bad restaurant and a bad theater
Nice work keeping those seats in the theater, too. As you should remember Pepito’s (since you are next door), that place used to be a porno theater in the 80s and the seats are the same ones. You’ve been warned people.

WORST. FOOD. EVER. Once in a very great while I return to Pepito’s thinking, hoping, it will have improved since the previous visit. Nope! Not going happen. Still the same dirty place with slow service and mediocre food. Makes Taco Bell look good! I’m done. So many other good Mexican restaurants all over the Twin Cities.

If I could give a negative star, I would. I have never had such horrible service or terrible food as I did at Pepitos last week. We found a table outside right away. It was beautiful outside and the place was pretty hopping, but definitely not packed or we wouldn’t have found a table.
We get sat down and our server is literally nowhere to be found. Never comes to our table while three other servers walk past us multiple times and don’t even bother to ask us if we’ve been helped. I flag one down after 35 minutes at the table to ask for some menus.
Alas! Our server arrives. She says she’s frantic and apologies for the wait. Ok, water under the bridge. I ask for a beer. I don’t see it for another fifteen minutes, which wouldn’t bother me that much except we didn’t even get chips as salsa when it finally did arrive. That took another ten minutes. Finally she asks us if we are ready to order. (Um, how could we not be? We’ve been here for almost an hour???)
We order and the food comes out in like five minutes! It’s a miracle! I had ordered a veggie burrito, so this thing is just veggies people. I cut it down the middle and the peppers are literally raw, not even cooked a little, and cold. Our server was again, nowhere to be found. After almost twenty minutes and I finally brought the plate to the front counter and asked for the manager. The manager looks at the peppers and cuts one with a fork. He says, «omg this isn’t even cooked.» Well, I’m glad someone was being reasonable. He apologies, comps me food, and sends me home with a brand new burrito. We leave out of frustration and when I get home I attempt to eat the burrito he sent home with me. Again, peppers are raw, food is pretty cold and I live a block away, and the server was rude as hell when we went to go to leave. DONE! Never going there again!!! Too bad too, because I used to be a regular.
Disgusting food, horrible service, and steep prices. Do you need any more reasons to never go here again???

Pretty poorly done tex mex and poor service. The margaritas aren’t very good either. Tex mex is cheaply produced, easy, and not hard to find so I don’t understand why some places can get away with doing it so poorly. Oh, and you have to pay for your second tiny basket of chips which are served straight from the bag — what? It’s almost offensive.

If no stars were an option…
Overall, the food and service are mediocre. I have never been wowed but am always willing to go with my wife, who loves their enchiladas. Tonight I tried the guacamole and it is the worst I have ever had. I was craving guacamole and when it was delivered to my table and I tried it I was so disappointed! Also, my water glass was never refilled and we waited 15 minutes for our check. There seems to be a slow, painful decline happening.
Make it better Pepito’s!

I have not been back in years always enjoyed this place and tonight was no different. The service people were great as was the food. I love this little local spot. They do need new carpet, they should call me-​ha!

This used to be a main stay for South Minneapolis.
I can get these margaritas at Chili’s.
We stopped by in the afternoon and found at least 4 tables which needed to be cleared.
It’s tough to see since Pepitos used to be a five.

I love Pepitos! I suggest trying the Lupitas, it comes from an old family recipe (Grandma Lupita) and they also have the shells available for purchase so you can take them home and customize them to make it your own. I like to pop in for happy hour bc of the specials also because they have a full freakin bar.
I also want to say this place was one of the only Tex Mex places in town for many many years. The family is also really dedicated to the community being one of the only business around here that still has a free meal for people on Thanksgiving.
That being said if you don’t like your order they have always been accommodating to me and tried to make things better if I had a complaint. I have never had a bad experience and I will and have returned

Pepitos has to be one of the most disgusting Mexican dining experiences I have ever had. I think that it is disgusting americanized bar food posing as a casual tex mex restaurant. Nasty burritos, greasy chips, and other gross grub headline the menu. The prices are laughable, considering what you get.
I would absolutely skip Pepitos… gross gross gross!

Quality of everything we ordered was suspect. My pork tamale arrived opened and crumbled into pieces. I expected the pork to be shredded, but apparently they didn’t have time to do that. The kids meal we ordered was tiny, so I would suggest just ordering from the standard menu for everyone. Also, somehow they ran out of mild salsa so they could only offer you spicy salsa (free) with your chips or you could choose to pay for cheese dip. Seriously, how does a Mexican restaurant run out of standard salsa on a non-​busy Wednesday night?!? Guess they didn’t get their shipment in.
If you’re in the area and looking for a good Mexican joint, save your money and drive over to Dominguez Family Restaurant.

Only good «Tex-​Mex» or should I saw «Mid-​West Mex» I’ve had in the Twin Cities. My experience with Twin Cities mexican food in my years here has been either garbage tex-​mex or delicious authentic taqueria style stuff. This is a good tex-​mex joint, a rare find in this area.
They could do with some fresher salsas for the chips though. It’s 2014 I want some pico not Pace!

Ever since moving to Minnesota from Arizona, I’ve been looking for real authentic Sonoran-​style Mexican food. Pepitos has come the closest. You get a bowl of chips and good salsa to start — the medium has no spice but a lot of flavour so get the hot if you’re into that. I ordered the Burrito Gordo with rice and added cheese on top. The burrito, for $ 9, doesn’t come with sides but the Gordo has guacamole and sour crème so it seems almost worth it. The cheese on top was a good call, though. I also wanted to try the peach flauta which was a crispy tortilla filled with chunks of peaches and a white cheese, covered in whipped crème and cinnamon sugar — tasty and unique but def not worth the $ 5+ price.
Overall, a good and filling lunch but not as cheap as it seemed at first and my search for decent authentic Mexican food continues.

Pepitos is a divey «Mexican» joint. The space is a bit dim and moderately dumpy in appearance. The service is merely transactional in nature. The food (tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and the like) hits the spot, but it’s not exquisite and certainly not authentic. The jury is out on pricing – it seemed wildly varied with some reasonably priced items and others less so.
My veggie taco was mighty hefty at $ 4-​something/​taco (fairly reasonable given its bulk). Peppers and onions (not overly slimed in oil, phew!), crisp, fresh shredded lettuce, green-​hued salsa (perhaps tomatillo – more sweet than spicy), and a generous layer of shredded cheese all on a soft flour tortilla. Unimpressive (no points for creativity or flavor complexity), but still exceeded expectations (on taste and healthiness) that I’d set low.
I didn’t order a drink, and I probably never would if I were to return. My friend’s Corona in a can was $ 5.50 (what?!) and the margaritas were nuclear-​colored, derived from a pre-​mix, I conjecture.
Extra credit always to an establishment, like Pepitos, that can accommodate individual drink and food orders/​checks for a large unannounced crew (we were 10 – 15 touch footballers) without throwing much of a hissy fit. One lonesome, overwhelmed woman was tasked with serving us. She got the job done attitude-​free, albeit with a lack of smile and side of minor mishaps.
Come here in a pinch. Won’t be the worst. Won’t be the best.