Chile Pepper Restaurant

I have been going here for about 9 years, and I have yet to be disappointed. The food and atmosphere is humble, yet everything is always well seasoned and flavorful. Portions are huge, and I always end up taking a to go box.
I suppose if you are used to the standard menu at most Mexican restaurants, this may not be for you, however if you want something flavorful and authentic, made like you are actually in Mexico, this place is great
I also never go without ordering a margarita-​you can actually taste the tequila which is a rarity at most Mexican restaurants

As others have said, the Chile rellenos here are amazing, and the owner is a mench. We have been coming here for 15 years. Highly recommended.

something about this place makes me want to root for it. idk what it is. the décor is cute though dated. I appreciated the attempt at atmosphere. the menu is small and classic (definitely a plus). the service was fast and friendly. the price is a little expensive but given the location it’s to be expected. the problem comes with the food. the taste just wasn’t there for me. it was so bland. we ordered a chicken burrito to split 2 ways. it was like canned beans and plain rice (both of us felt this way). the chicken was tender. I am just so surprised at the lack of flavors. the chips and salsa weren’t much better. and… well… there was a pretty awful smell through the whole place. I’m sorry to say; it was just so not good.
I would love to come back and try again if this place makes some changes. I see much potential. good luck!

I don’t usually go out for Mexican food, but went here on a whim when the Japanese place nearby was closed. Expecting something like those chain places (like Azteca), I was very surprised at how good this place was! My favorite dish was a pork pieces with a spicy chili sauce (the menu did say the dish was spicy and tasty– it definitely was!) The sauce had a really nice flavor and a decent kick. The rice was also much better than the kind they normally give you at Mexican restaurants; it was thicker and more moist. Everything seemed more «homemade» than I expected if that makes sense. The guac especially seemed made from scratch and was a nice addition. There was only one guy working there and he seemed very nice; I’m surprised the place wasn’t busier.
The only cons were the refried beans, which were a little bland, but then again, that’s kind of how refried beans always taste so it’s ok. Can’t love everything. The food took a while to make but since there was just one person there it was understandable. Also the guy also upsold on the drinks a little bit (I usually don’t order drinks for lunch, to save money), but because the food was so yummy I didn’t mind.
The leftovers were equally delicious by the way. I fried two eggs over easy and had them over the remaining rice/​tortilla/​meat/​sauce and was craving more afterwards. Will certainly come here again.

Vibrant building and interior décor. Wonderful and prompt service. Delicious enchiladas with green sauce. Beef tacos were ordinary. Will definitely come again!

I came away from this restaurant very impressed. The ambiance is not fancy, but the food is authentic and delicious. I knew it was going to be a good meal when the chips and salsa came out. The salsa was clearly homemade and tasted very fresh. I noticed another reviewer said the salsa was like ketchup… this person has obviously never had authentic salsa in their life. It’s amazing. I ate way too much before my food even arrived. I tried their most popular dish, the chili relleno, and the flavor was just fantastic. The flavor was quite complex actually. My mouth is watering just writing about it! It came with the usual… refried beans and guac, both of which were unusually good! Everything just tasted fresh, homemade and authentic. The only downside I can envision is if the place were to get really busy, I don’t think they’d have enough staff to move things along briskly. But every time I’ve gone, it has been mostly empty, which surprises me as this place ought to be packed. Spread the word!

The man who works here is incredibly nice and he seems to be running a one man show (with maybe another in the kitchen?). Unfortunately the food just didn’t do it for me. I ordered the mole chicken enchiladas which came served with beans and rice. All of it was extremely bland. I’m not a spice addict so it wasn’t a lack of heat, it was a complete lack of flavor. Others seem to enjoy this place which makes me hopeful it will stick around if only because the man running it is so nice!

Very good authentic Mex food. Perfect mole and white rice. Not very busy the day I went at 4:30.

Really nice guy that runs the place. It’s never that busy which is good for me (less waiting) but a shame for the restaurant. I wish them good business so they don’t go under. Still the service can be a little slow, especially considering how few people are there each time I go.
Love the quesadilla and especially the super nachos. The food is really good.

Best flautas I’ve ever had. Pretty solid chicken burrito as well. Really nice atmosphere both inside and out. The wait staff are really friendly and service is quick. The salsa is nice and spicy if you like that sort of thing.
Would highly recommend.

My husband and I have lived in Seattle for 6 years, and in Wallingford for just over 1 year, and this was the best, most authentic Mexican food we’ve ever had in a restaurant in or near Seattle. I am a native Californian, and my husband was born and raised in Mazatlan, MX. Both of us have had wonderful, authentic Mexican food our entire lives. Seattle hasn’t exactly been a wealth of options where south of the border fare is concerned. We decided to come tonight on a whim, as we live in Wallingford and this is in our neighborhood, and we can honestly say this will now be one of our mainstays. Complementary chips and salsa were wonderful. I ordered the chicken enchiladas with mole sauce and my husband ordered the chile rellenos. Both dishes were excellent. My husband’s dinner came with a bowl of lentil soup which was delicious. Both entrees came with rice, beans and guacamole. Everything was so good. We sat in the little table in the front bay window and the atmosphere was perfect. Our servers were very attentive, and the food arrived in a timely manner, and more importantly, piping hot! A beer and a margarita rounded out the experience. Loved it, we will definitely be back!

This tiny restaurant in Wallingford is ok. The menu is very limited, but there are few things, such as the Chile Verde Mole that are ok. Being Hispanic and from LA, I tend to be very picky about my Mexican food, and this place is no exception. It does have a certain charm though. Maybe it’s the cute house it’s in or just the area…

I think it was really the way this restaurant looked on the outside that drew me in, not any sort of desire for Mexican food. It’s a pretty little house that just looks so inviting. I walked into a mostly empty restaurant, however. The guy working there at the time wasn’t dressed in anything that made it obvious that he worked there; that’s one of my pet peeves with restaurants. He also seemed to be absorbed in the World Cup playing on the TV, but I won’t count that against him since the whole world basically was too.
He brought me the standard water and chips with salsa, but mostly left me alone after that. My mole poblano con pollo came after a ten-​minute wait, so at least somebody in the kitchen was being attentive. Basically, the dish was mole sauce served over chicken. It could have been good, but the taste of the mole sauce was too strong in my opinion. Maybe I’m just not accustomed to the taste, but I also found the dish to be overpriced as it didn’t really make me full. Maybe things would have turned out better if I had ordered something else.

The worst Mexican restaurant I’ve had. I would of settled for Taco Time. If your use to good authentic Mexican food, then avoid this place

This place is awesome. Coming from Texas I always look to find something close to Tex-​Mex wherever I go. This has been a real challenge in Seattle so I was incredibly happy to find this place within walking distance. This place is pretty close.
Fresh margaritas, delicious enchiladas and of course the chips and hot sauce where on par with what I’d expect from a place in Texas.
The owner is very nice and it’s a family run business for 25 years. The service was quick and attentive. I will definitely be coming back; they can’t keep me away.

Hey lovely Mexican loving foodies! Just moved from the Brooklyn and there is no Mexican food like this over there. Amazing! PS: THEY ARE IN FACT OPEN ON FRIDAYS! Went last Friday night for delicious margaritas and salsa verde enchiladas. Yum!

This place is delicious. Coming from Texas and Colorado originally, places where the Mexican/​Latin American presence is generally much higher than Seattle, it was so great to find this authentic place.
It is a family owned restaurant that has been around for 25 years, which is a testament to how solid their food is.
Their mole sauce is some of the best I’ve ever had. They serve this lentil soup before their entrees that is both nothing like and more delicious than any other lentil soup I’ve had. Some of my favorite dishes include the Chile Rellenos (SO good), enchiladas suizas, and the mole con pollo. Their margaritas are great and fresh and NOT made with «margarita mix.»
The service is also phenomenal, and it is always nice to have your server be a part owner in the restaurant– they’re always much more committed to serving their clients well.

If you don’t frequently eat Mexican food (which sounds like a personal problem), then this place should likely fulfill your needs without issue.
If you do frequently eat Mexican food (in which case I call you brother. or sister, and raise my goblet to you), you will likely find this place to be plain, though pleasant. The interior and overall atmosphere don’t bespeak care and thought, and the menu could be exchanged with that of 50 other restaurants within city limits. Where can a handsome guy get Mexican food around here that will lay siege to his palate?

Your typical Mexican establishment. You will find all of the standard items that you would anywhere else. Now this isn’t necessarily a bad thing…
I ordered their enchiladas in their mole sauce and was impressed. The chicken was cooked very well and Mole had that flavor I was looking for. Unlimited chips and salsa rounded out with a Pacifico made me a pretty satisfied customer.
Also giving an extra star to the 1 guy that was manning the front/​back by himself. Nice work!

Best Mexican food in all of Seattle, if not Washington! The owner is one of the nicest men I have ever met and he makes food authentic to the Guanajuato region of Mexico.
I definitely recommend getting the Chili Rellenos or the enchiladas. The mole enchiladas are made the correct way (without chocolate to enhance the flavor (meaning, they are using the right chilies for REAL mole sauce).
Every time I go to Washington, I need to stop here at least twice. Miss it so much and I hope that you enjoy it!