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Cafe Piquet
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
14 reviews for Cafe Piquet
their ropa vieja rocks. think their pork is pretty good too. remember others liking their steak. i like the ropa best but their other entrees seem to be a solid 3 or 4 stars. but really, just order the RV... it's juicy and tasty and never disappoints. they have yummy plaintains and some like fried yuca stuff that comes with oil and garlic bits drizzled over it...
service is pretty good.
overall it's cute, non pretentious joint and is by far the best cuban food i've had so far in houston.
I last ate at Cafe Piquet a few years ago and remember the food to be good and the service so-so.
Last Friday evening, we decided to go to Cafe Piquet for an early dinner. We got there at around 6ish. There were 4-5 other tables occupied. Pretty busy for 6 pm. We were led to a table and our drink orders were taken - because we were just having a diet coke and water, and knew what we wanted, we just went ahead and ordered an appetizer (tostones) and dinner (a snapper dish and picadillo). All's well at this point -- we got our order in, we got drinks and a bread basket.
In the interim, 2 other tables get seated and 2 guys come in for to go orders. We noticed that the dine in customers got their food and one of the to go customers walked out maybe 20 minutes after we get the bread basket. At this point, some other server comes over to us and asks us what our orders were. I said that we had already ordered - and we are informed that our original server forgot to key in our order into their computer. Awesome. That original server - I see him sitting at a table folding cutlery into napkins. Even more awesome. I could see what looked to be their manager (or owner) having her beans and rice at the same table, after which she went over to the bar to chit chat. Oh wait -- she also come over to greet some people who came in - people she knew, im guessing.
So we order all over again, and I said can we please get the tostones soon because I was starving. We got the tostones - it was not bad. Not great either. You know how it is when you try to rush cook a dish? Thats how it was - the breading was raw and mealy. The plantain was not seasoned. We had to call the server again to ask for some sort of dipping sauce - we got the garlic sauce which was pretty good.
Our entrees arrive maybe after another 15 minutes My picadillo was okay -- but how on earth can one mess up a dish of sauteed ground beef with mixed veggies and tomato sauce/paste. The bf's fish was bad - it was definitely not fresh and again seemed as if the cook tried to finish the dish as fast as he can - kinda slapped together on a plate and dished out.
The worst part - no one bothered to apologize for the big delay in our food. We paid and left. Im never going back.
You need to really, really like pork to eat here. Which, don't get me wrong, I love pork. I grew up in a town with a family run pork butchery, and I ate a lot of chops, sausage, ham, bacon and even scrapple growing up. But when I go out and I order an appetizer sampler, I don't want every single item on the plate to have pork in it. It gets a bit repetitive.
So I ordered the shrimp creole as an entree, and this was very, very tasty. Although, honestly, at that point, it may simply have been my tongue's delight at it being something other than pork.
Unfortunately the only thing on the entire menu that my wife could eat was the classic Cuban sandwich without the pork. So, basically Swiss cheese, lettuce onion and tomato. I refuse to believe that native Cubans eat meat with every single meal of every day. So this is a weird kind of thing when you run into it and it always bugs me.
The plantain chips with garlic were plentiful and expertly fried.
The staff here were very nice, and put with us showing up late on Sunday with friends in tow and talking at our table well past closing. So they get props for that.
This place makes me wonder if there are a lot of Cuban places here in the city and if there are others with a slightly more diverse menu.
OH, and they don't have a full bar, just beer and sangria/wine, so you can't have a mojito with your pressed sandwich. WHAT?!
From the previous reviews, take note, the average here is Four stars and that says 'Yah I'm a Fan'.
I could not give Cafe Piquet Five* because it is not that kind of WOW place but it has everything else that I look for.
Some people like it, some people say it is just OK but do you see the trend? No one had a bad experience. That tells you something.
OK Lisa A. was put off by the fried food but even she said she would go back.
For me, I believe that a dose of Lard occasionally is good for you, part of a balanced diet and it makes you all shiny and sleek, like a healthy animal should be. WoofWoof, miaow purrrr...add Hamster sound here(wot sound does a Hamster make?)
All of the good things said, the only thing no one directly voiced was, it feels right here. Me, I love Cafe Piquet. Apart from a menu stacked with real South American/Caribbean classics. it is one of those easy going, 'service with a smile' venues to eat at.
It has that 'Chilled Out' atmosphere. Always full of smiling cheerful people having family meals or get togethers in that typical Latin American way.
I am having trouble stringing the words together but if I could sum it up, it would be that this is a place where you feel you can just kickback with a group of friends for the whole evening, get some of their delicious Mariquitas and that gorgeous bread they supply, a bowl of Mojo and some rough Red South American vino and just shoot the shit.
They have a wonderful fruit drink here which they will mix for you with your choice of Milk or Water. Shame, I cannot remember what it is called but, ask for the Passion Fruit one. It is just likes the ones you get in the little cafes in Havana.
Straight up, here are just a few of my favourites from the menu and this is what they make me....
H.igado a la Italiana (Fried Liver)
A.rroz Blanco (White Rice)
P.argo Entero Frito (Fried Red Snapper)
P.appa Rellena (Stuffed Potato)
Y.uca Frita con Mojo (Fried Djuca - Yucca- with Garlic Sauce)
Please, just jump in the car and go get yourself a dose of the 'Chill Pill'. It's like that and that's the way it is...wanders of humming to himself, quietly smiling....
Great Cuban cuisine.
I've probably been here a dozen times and I have to say...I have never gone wrong.
Then again, I order the same thing every time I come here.
The Palomilla con cevolla - Skirt steak with onions, served with plantains, and black beans.
The Yucca with Garlic is a great starter.
Chase it all down wtih some fresh Sangria.
Case Closed.
I remember going to Cafe Piquet as a child with my father, when it was located off of Hilcroft. The space was split in two, on the left was the restaurant and on the right was a store. I remember the old men who would frequent Piquet would talk loudly in their heated debates, over who knows what. It was the best place to buy scratch off lottery tickets (lol); I always won a cash prize. ;o) We'd usually bought plaintain chips, yega crackers, and cuban sandwhiches. I am happy that over the years each location of Cafe Piquet has been better than the previous.
The exterior of the present location is elegant. I love the massive wood doors that mark the entrance, and the appearance of the stucco. The decor on the walls is inconsistent with the elegance of the exterior. They have reused the license plates and photos that complimented the color scheme of their second location.
The host is almost always in the back of the restaurant, so when you enter, you might have to stand at the hostess booth rather awkwardly until he/she makes his way to the front.
I am glad they got rid of some of their old waiters. LOL They were so grumpy. Instead of service with a smile it was service with a frown.
I find alot of their entrees bland. I ordered the masitas frita (fried pork chunks). It was as if they had taken raw meat, cooked it, and skipped the seasoning. It doesn't do the meat justice to go light on seasoning.
What I love about Cafe Piquet is pickles they serve with their cuban sandwhich. Seriously! I can't find pickles at the grocery store that taste as good as theirs. I usually order the Cuban sandwhich. The sandwhich press leaves the bread golden brown and the swiss cheese melted. Mmmmmm Ask them to hold on the mustard. Pickles + Mustard = No bueno. The Cuban sandwhich is delish, but those pickles are great.
I hate to be the lone decenter but our meal at Cafe Piquet was disappointing. I was craving a cuban sandwich so we stopped in one night last weekend to get a fix. We ordered their mixed appetizer platter with ham croquettes, papa rellanas, empanadas and something else that was so unmemorable that I can't remember what it was. I love a good papa rellana (but then again, who doesn't like a ball of fried mashed potatoes!) and it didn't disappoint but the other items were greasy and salty and it was just too much fried food. I thought the cuban sandwich would represent and the flavor was almost there but the pork was dry and it was just an average sandwich.
I eyed the black beans and rice and hot plates of the customers nearby and I think there is better food to be had at Cafe Piquet so I will go back someday to try their ropa vieja or another main entree. The service was just okay, the restaurant is clean and spacious, and you get a a lot of food for the price...I'll just have to keep looking for a better cuban sandwich to knock my socks off.
I like this place. It has great Cuban food at a great price. Most of the staff is from in "Latin America" somewhere (Dom. Rep., Guat., Etc.) and they are great at recommending very good choices off the menu. I would recommend the Yuca (fried or steamed, fried is best). They top it with garlic and it is way better then french fries. I think McD's should switch to Yuca!!! I don't know if they have beer and liquor, but I think they have wine. I also like the pulled pork dishes and anything that has to do with "fried pork" or beef. The rice is good as well.
Cafe Piquet has a need for a better atmosphere and a full bar service, preferably focusing on Latin American beers and drinks. I always see plenty of families and large groups in there having a great time.
I would recommend this as a great regular place to visit especially if you have in town guests and want to show them some good "CUBAN" food, and not spend much. Finish the night off with a nice Cuban coffee and feel free to relax and enjoy the company.
Great experience! I have been looking to try Cuban food and was glad I started here. I cannot speak to the authenticity of the food but I will tell you what I had was tremendous in both size and quality.
The server could tell by the blank look on my face that I needed some help. He recommended the sampler and it was very good. The pork was cooked much like carnitas. The pot roast and shredded beef had a very unique flavor. All of the food seemed to compliment each other. Flavors built on other flavors for a very good meal.
I can't say that the servers were very friendly but you get the distinct impression it is a cultural or even language issue, NOT an attitude. I am a stickler for good service and felt as if I was their guest.
The only thing I didn't like is being served a can of diet coke and a glass with ice. That is a pet peeve of mine. is it really that big of a deal to open pour and serve a drink in a restaurant?? I know, relax!
Try this place, it was very good.
This is probably the most consistent and one of the best Cuban restaurant in Houston. The decor is modern and it's a good place to stop by for lunch. I've had the whole fried red snapper and I loved it very much. You can get almost any kind of Cuban staples here, from croquetas, sandwiches to ropa vieja.
Closed on Mondays
11:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. Tuesday through Thursday
11:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M. Friday and Saturday
11:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. Sunday
Kitchen closes 30 minutes prior to closing
Everything here is good. And I know I've eaten it all.
The portions are huge so unless you are planning on eating a lot be prepared to take some food home. Don't worry its just as good the next day.
Try the chuletas, because if you like pork chops then you'll love these.
Pretty quaint restaurant. Good food, good service. Nothing super outstanding, though. Had the vaca frito, and my boyfriend the ropa vieja. Heckuva lotta meat, the meat (at least mine) tasted like tapa, the platanos were pretty good, as well as the black beans. No oomph, so not sure if it really warrants a super return trip. Or maybe: the distance is a bit farther than what I'm used to, hence the reluctance. Pretty authentic, except the bread and butter at the start of the meal.
The words "shredded beef" never fail to fill me with dread. They conjure up horrible images of dry, stringy beef that needs to be chewed until the check comes and quickly washed down with a beverage. So while I was semi-reluctant to order the ropa vieja, I figured: if I'm at a Cuban restaurant, I might as well go classic. What can I say, I'm a genius. The meat was tender beyond belief and the flavors were amazing. I could be happy eating this stuff straight out of a jar. It'll be the new salsa! The plate came with sides of boiled yuca, topped with garlic and drizzled with (or in my friend's case, drenched in) oil, and black beans and rice. The yuca was fairly bland aside from the garlic, which may be the point - to better accompany the ropa vieja, and the rice was a tad stiffer (dirty!) than I'm used to. Next time, I'm substituting the plantains, which looked quite awesome. The plates that had 'em were too far away for me to steal from. The bread was perfect; crunchy on the outside, soft and pillowy on the inside.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
The service is friendly, but slow. The food is *excellent*. Great Bistec Empanizado and Pechuga Empanizada, as well as pan con bistec and, sometimes on Sundays as a special, they have a great arroz con pollo. If you like Cuban food and are in Houston, you have to eat here.
