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Chile Pepper Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
1427 N 45th St(between N Interlake Ave & N Woodlawn Ave)
Seattle, WA 98103
Neighborhood: Wallingford
(206) 545-1790
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 9:30 pm
Sat 12 pm - 9:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Mac F. said: "Second time we have dined here. The first time, unfortunately, was right after a Seahawks game. So, patrons were loud and boistrous and the restaurant had the music at, for us, extremely loud level. While food was tasty, we did not…" read more »
75 reviews for Chile Pepper Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"I haven't had mole this good since I visited NM." In 22 reviews -
"...and the mole, which came with a nice warm lentil soup." In 5 reviews -
"The chile rellenos are unique." In 7 reviews
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75 reviews in English
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Review from Seth B.
Seattle, WA
4/22/2012
All in all a great meal. The food was quite good, especially the chile rellenos, which were made with ancho chiles and were delicious. The salsa was great too.
Also, the owner was quite friendly and nice. I'll definitely be back. -
Review from Carolyn R.
Seattle, WA
5/19/2012
The food was really good and the margaritas were delicious and strong. I know how to make a good margarita, too, but I'm not about to complain that they tasted homemade as opposed to from a mix! I had the chili rellenos as well and they were delicious and unique. My friend had the carne asada and said it was very good. We both tried the mole sauce. Everything in the sauces and guacamole was very flavorful and I'm not sure why some people think it was bland. Much better food for about the same price as El Farol or Azteca. We will go again.
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Review from Kitty M.
Seattle, WA
4/15/2012
I think readers with a craving for mexican food should really give this place a try.
I completely agree with other reviewers that the chile rellenos really are very well made. It is worth a trip to Chile Pepper to try these-- I've never had them quite like this anywhere else. I should also give an honourable mention to the guacamole. The tamales were fine, but I think they would have been better with the meat filling.
It bums me out to see that some reviewers felt that the service was uncaring or aloof; I don't think this is intended. Rather, to me this restaurant is staffed by people preparing family recipes who focus on the food and not on a polished presentation. In my case I enjoyed chatting with the owner on the way out and look forward to my next visit. -
Review from Harold B.
Seattle, WA
3/28/2012
Chile Pepper has the best chile rellenos I've ever had. Period. Maybe it's because they're made with ancho chiles. The sauce is amazing, too.
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Review from Ezmyrelda A.
Seattle, WA
2/25/2012
The food was pretty good. Not the best mexican food I've ever had and I was kind of disappointed by the Enchiladas Suiza. I'm fonder of mine.. The spanish rice was somewhat bland but not horrible. The beans were rather good. Everything we had was extremely spicy, though I guess I should have guessed that from the name.
I was less fond of the service which was severely lacking. The waiter brought us salsa but forgot to bring us chips. He was rather curt and dismissive as well. Another thing we found irritating was $2.25 for a can of coke.. way over priced. I don't think we will be dining here again. -
Review from Brent P.
Seattle, WA
8/24/2011
def better then I expected! I think salsa is a good barometer of the quality of food you are about to get and the salsa here is awesome! My mouth is watering just thinking about the thick rich smokey flavor of it. It taste homemade.
I also had the mole and again was really impressed with the rich complex flavor of the mole. I haven't had mole this good since I visited NM.
The only downers are parking can be tough, and the service was a little slow, but I will def be back. -
Review from Anne T.
Seattle, WA
1/12/2012
We stopped here on a whim coming home from work and this is far and away the best Mexican food we've had since we moved to the Seattle area from Florida. Looking at the other reviews maybe there are two cooks but the fellow who was there when we went in was top notch!
Highly recommend the Chili rellenos -
Review from trista f.
Spokane, WA
12/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
The food was meh. Small portions for what you pay. They microwaved my nachos. the guys there were friendly. I'll never go back.
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Review from Becky P.
Beaverton, OR
11/6/2011
The Chili rellenos here is outstanding and give the place 5 stars alone! The service and decor were also very nice
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Review from Alison L.
Seattle, WA
8/22/2011
As someone who grew up in southern California, I'm kind of picky when it comes to Mexican food. But Chile Pepper definitely hits the spot.
First off, they have awesome salsa. I could eat chips and salsa for a meal and never get tired of it.
Second, the service was great. My boyfriend and I were the only patrons at around 3pm in the afternoon, but the cook was very nice and gave us samples of the various pork dishes that we were trying to decide between.
Third, it's the perfect amount of spice. Sometimes, Mexican food leaves you wanting more, and sometimes, it's overwhelming. But this was perfect. -
Review from Nathan D.
Seattle, WA
1/1/2012
Yelp is worthless. Chili pepper food is microwaved and disgusting.
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Review from Mary K.
Seattle, WA
2/18/2011
The food here is amazing, the highest quality Mexican food I've tasted in the area. The sauces are rich, the lentil soup has a wonderful mix of flavors, and every dish has that special homemade taste. This place is authentic, you leave feeling good, unlike Americanized places where you leave feeling like crap.
My boyfriend and I come here often. The family that runs it is very friendly and I've never had a problem with their service. -
Review from Eileen D.
Seattle, WA
7/3/2007
My friends and I stumbled on Chile Pepper since Musashi's was closed (apparently they close for July 4th eve and July 4th) to celebrate a birthday and have a good old fashioned rant/rave/bitch session. They have the BEST CHILE RELLENO I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! And since I am 108 years old, that is saying a lot.
The secret is in the pepper they use...instead of the green poblano, which is fleshy, they use a dried red ancho that has been soaked in something that gives is almost a candied taste. The batter on the chile is slight so it doesn't come out bready and is just enough to hold the whole thing together. I never knew that chile relleno could taste so good. Smoky, sweet and spicy! It came with traditional sides of refried beans and rice, both of which I could tell didn't come from a can or box and were freshly made from scratch. This dish, which is their most popular, is reasonably priced at around $10 and most of their other dishes are under $10. An entree and a beer or margarita plus tip would run you about $12-15. The chile relleno is also one of a number of dishes they have that are vegetarian.
I've had Mexican home cooking and this is the real deal. It's not fancy and it's not perfect, but home cooking never is. Tasty, reasonably priced and without any pretension, and served by a woman who could easily be your abuela! -
Review from Ian S.
3/21/2007
The cooking here is done as if prepared by a mexican mother who hates you.
It is technically correct and seems to be mexican food, but just has no flavor. No love in the food.
It is hard to find tamales in this town, I understand. If you must come here, eat tamales.
Eat them, and then leave. -
Review from Ane P.
11/29/2008
I came here for the first time on a snow day and they were open when nobody else in the neighborhood was. I had been wanting to dine here for what seemed like a while, because something about the outdoor decor always struck me as unusual in this neighborhood.
it was great! The food was delicious (especially the chips) and tasted very homemade. I enjoyed listening/watching the Spanish language news, and I especially enjoyed chatting with the owner and his friend. So much so, that we ended up staying much longer than intended because he was so knowledgeable about travel and many other things. It's a great mom and pop restaurant that deserves a visit from anyone who enjoys Mexican food. -
Review from cathy g.
Seattle, WA
7/5/2009
I like hotter Mexican food! We had excellent service adn we sat outside, so everything was a trip up and down the stairs. Thank you.
Really cold water on a really HOT day! Nice little cordial extra. The glasses were a pleasing shape.. sounds odd, bu tI felt upscale.
The hot sauce is not very hot.. did I ask for hotter? No! what's my problem?
I liked the beans; they have white rice which is interesting. My tacos were pork with tamatillos. Next time I will get cheese and onion - I sank into a no mea tkick inthe last few days. It has nothigng to do with them.
Lovely night outside, watching Seattle Parking Enforcers troll 45th with nothing to do. Nice food.
My date argued with me so badly I almost left.. I was mapping the back route.. never had to think about that before... something new every day, week , year!
Modelo beer very cold.. nice touch again.
After dinner he asked me out again.! -
Review from Jim C.
WA
7/9/2007
Let's face it: Mexican food this far north sucks balls. I have an open mind and can still enjoy "Mexican" restaurants like Azteca and the like, but I never kid myself about what I'm really eating.
Chile Pepper is a delightful exception to my cynical rule. The place is homey and the food is authentic and wonderful. The owner didn't have much use for me at first since I accidentally slammed his door open (who knew it didn't have one of those return arms?), but we eventually got along famously as my wife and I devoured his delicious cuisine.
There's so many great places in Wallingford that it can be hard to pick, but Chile Pepper is a safe and delightful choice. Now I just need to try out La Carta de Oaxaca.Listed in: South of the Border
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Review from Roxanne B.
Seattle, WA
5/14/2009
This was really, really disappointing. I loved the decor and feel of the restaurant, and the menus looked good. Unfortunately, the best part of my visit were the tortilla chips, which were free. The food that I paid for, well, sucked.
The chicken enchiladas literally revolted me. Apparently, they mince their chicken, in a food processor or blender, mix in salt and pepper and flour, and then reshape them almost like fishsticks before putting the chicken in enchiladas. I ended up unstuffing my enchiladas and only eating the tortilla.
I f'ing love mole poblano, but theirs was simultaneously grainy, strangely lumpy, and lukewarm both in spice and temperature. As Barry W. mentioned, their rice has no seasoning, and has sad little shriveled peas in it. Everything was boring and non-spiced.
Also like Barry W., I could both see and hear the microwave, and heard it ding no less than six times. Six guests served while I was there... coincidence?
And, to top it all off, the server ignored us for probably about eight minutes, while we were waiting to order, to have a conversation with a family member.
Bottom line: it was also expensive. For the $38 my husband and I spent, we could have had way better food. This was the first time in my life that I have been tempted to dine and dash, and I almost would have felt justified. -
Review from Stephen S.
Seattle, WA
8/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Excellent! Multi-layered flavors pop in your mouth. Loved the very fresh, rich and spicy salsa. Real deep flavored mole and the best rellenos in Seattle thus far. Friendly service. We'll be back!
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Review from Kristy N.
Nevada City, CA
3/1/2008
Ew. This is not like any Mexican food I've ever had, and I spent the last five years living in Santa Cruz, CA where there are delicious authentic-ish Mexican food options a-plenty.
At Chile Pepper, I ordered the chicken mole enchiladas which came with rice and beans. The chicken had been shredded into such a consistency that it filled the enchilada in a dry (and bland) sausage-shaped mass. The mole sauce was good and fairly flavorful. And then there were the rice and beans -- the red fluffy rice one would expect was nowhere to be found. Instead, they served white rice with peas mixed into it. This confounded me. Peas?
Two stars for the decent beans and the nice owner/waiter. -
Review from Mary N.
Seattle, WA
11/20/2010
I know this might be a little ridiculous, but I judge Mexican restaurants based on the quality of their beans and rice.
Let me tell you. They have AMAZING beans and rice. Definitely no can or instant action here. I don't know what voo doo magic they work on those dang beans, but whoa nelly. I am sold.
I had the chicken enchiladas with 1 chile riellno on the side and a glass of lemonade. The chile was good, but nothing to write home about. I have enjoyed better elsewhere. Same with the lemonade. I am a lemonade connoisseur, and this lemonade was average. The enchiladas themselves were delicious, flavorful and not your average run-of-the-mill Azteca enchiladas. But what really made the meal were the rice and beans. I cannot get over them.
I will definitely be visiting again soon. -
Review from Nick B.
11/28/2009
This place is ok. While the ambiance is very nice and the waitress was extremely friendly, serving our food with all the alacrity you could possibly want from a waitress, the food itself was a bit sub-par.
My mole enchilada was completely smothered in mole sauce. I mean completely smothered, to the point that it felt as though I were eating a soap with enchilada at the bottom.
The ceviche was extremely tasty though and so were the salsa and chips. This is a great place to go with your parents as it is rather bland Mexican food served in a serene setting. However, if you want exquisite Mexican food I suggest Agua Verde. -
Review from Jason A.
Seattle, WA
1/21/2008
I guess this is a relatively authentic mexican experience, but it left me wanting.
We started with the "Queso Fundido" appetizer, which was a bowl of melted cheese with some mild peppers strewn in. It was served with fresh tortillas (very good, by the way), but the cheese just tasted like... cheese. It seems like something I would make myself at age 11.
The chips and salsa were pretty good- definitely a flavorful salsa, probably made fresh.
My companion ordered the mole verde, which I'd never heard of, and it was good but bland. And really no mole flavor (isn't that supposed to be unsweetened chocolate? If so, how can it be light green?).
My dish was better- cubed pork in a spicy red chile sauce. I don't recall the name, but I hadn't seen it on many menus before. I liked the guacamole, but the rice and beans were totally forgettable.
Lastly, our server (probably the owner) was very dour and unhelpful. I'm not sure if I'd say unfriendly, but definitely not welcoming. Very off-putting, especially at a mom-and-pop joint like this.
Overall, it was decent. I left feeling satisfied, but not sure I'd go back. I know I'm happier than if I'd gone to Azteca or some awful chain, but I'll stick with Tacos Asadero on Rainier for now. -
Review from Sutee D.
San Francisco, CA
10/25/2008
Chile Pepper is less flashy than other Mexican restaurants and offers simple, comforting food. I really enjoyed the pork chile verde. Spicy enough to keep things lively but not punishing. I'm a bit skeptical of the mole. My friend ordered the chicken mole, and it came off as a bit too bitter. It's hard to judge a dish off a couple of bites, but I'm not sold yet despite the enthusiastic reviews.
The atmosphere is nice and doesn't feel crowded.If the chips were hot out of the oven and the drinks not so expensive ($6 margaritas!), this would a total hang-out place. Still, it's certainly worth coming back. -
Review from Christina R.
Seattle, WA
10/26/2009 2 photos
I'm not down with no refills on chips and salsa (no refills at all). I'm also not down with the slowest water service ever...well, service in general. While the server (who I think was the owner) watched television at the front counter.
The food was okay, decent I guess. Few non-meat-intensive items; also not very willing to sub-beans for meat in the dishes. We got nachos and enchiladas. The nachos were smothered in cheese. It was a little gross...since it didn't seem of the best quality.
It was a fine place to eat for the purposes of our quick lunch, but this Arizona girl is still in search of her perfect Seattle Mexican restaurant. -
Review from Colin S.
Seattle, WA
9/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
Like the other reviewer, I really wanted to like this place since it's an independent local restaurant and I love Mexican - unfortunately the service is sullen and poor, the food very basic and not overly tasty, and the prices out of touch with the quality. They seem to use the Microwave a lot and the chips probably came from CostCo.
Two tamales, rice, beans + Corona = $17 before tip -
Review from Super M.
Seattle, WA
10/20/2007
Best mom and pop mexican EVAH!!!
Try the ceviche. I'm a veggie, but seriously, I made an exception for this lovely red snapper based fiesta!!Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from crystal y.
Bellevue, WA
4/20/2008
I'm really not a huge fan of Mexican food, but I always love going to Chile Pepper. It's small and unobtrusive, good tasting Mexican food.
I'm a fan of the Enchiladas Suizas De Pollo, but I also like the Flautas. The burritos here are tasty as well.
BTW, since it was mentioned by one of the previous reviewers, the door really doesn't have a good hinge... meaning, it's very VERY easy to bang it against the wall. I may or may not do that everytime I leave despite visiting often.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Chivahn W.
Seattle, WA
3/19/2008
Eh, it was ok. Went in with some friends, and it was completely dead. I had some tacos and rice.....When I think tacos, I think crispy and delicious. For how small everything was and the uncrispiness of the tacos, I was disappointed.
And as mentioned before, the rice was white rice with some veggies in it. What the hell?
I may give it another chance, if I didn't have to pay for it. -
Review from M S.
Seattle, WA
5/1/2010
Pros: My husband and I ate here for the first time at around 3:30pm, so...
#1) It's good that they're open during a weird time where it's not quite lunch or dinner.
#2) The prices are very reasonable.
#3) Great mole sauce! I am extremely picky about my mole, and I'd definitely recommend if you like mole!
#4) The rice and beans seemed very healthy, but very tasty!
Cons:
#1) Yes, the service. Upon entering, there wasn't much of an effort to greet you or make you feel very welcome. It wasn't bad service, nor was it overly friendly.
#2) Only street parking
#3) Small menu - limited choices (though, all sounded good.)
So, if you're looking for no-frills dining experience, but good food.. I'd give it a try. -
Review from Garbiel A.
10/15/2008
I really like it here. I've eaten at the chile pepper twice now.
The old guy that works there-- he's friendly as hell. You just have to engage him in conversation. Being from Mexico myself I know that just because they're not smiling when they greet you it doesn't mean that they're unfriendly.
Nice people, great art, bright colors, good food. Great mole, great chile relleno. -
Review from Jeremy C.
Seattle, WA
5/27/2011
Two stars here is generous. The service was poor, the atmosphere was sad, the tamales tasted like leftovers, and I experienced the ultimate nacho fail. On the upside, the salsa was tasty and I like the colors on the outside of the building.
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Review from Michael E.
Pittsburgh, PA
4/17/2008
Great Margs and Nachos that I could have made you in my kitchen.
Why was it dead, I bet it always it?
Tile floor and tables that make me feel like I'm not inside the vibrantly painted building. Give a little to get Chillies.... I just don't get you. -
Review from Anna P.
6/24/2008
Wallingford is a little out of the way for me, but a friend's birthday gave me the chance to finally check this place out. I think I was mostly disappointed because it had gotten such rave reviews from all my friends who had been there. The food wasn't bad, but seemed uninspired. My enchilada meat seemed to have come from a can, for one thing, and I could've sworn our nachos were covered in Velveeta. I didn't eat anything I couldn't have made myself with a basic recipe, which says a lot, coming from a Russian-born college student that doesn't really cook.
My verdict? A resounding...meh. I don't regret going here, but I probably won't go back. -
Review from Juliann B.
Seattle, WA
11/28/2009
The family that works here is really nice, the map of Mexico and the artwork in the place is nice, the service is nice. The food... mixed feelings on the food...
The ceviche is worth getting. The chicken in my enchilada though was minced, dry, and tasted sorta weird. The rice/beans though were pretty decent, as was the salsa and chips.
I would try coming back and maybe try a different menu item. But I'm in no rush. -
Review from Kelsey W.
Seattle, WA
8/21/2011
I've been going here regularly for over a year, and have yet to have a poor experience. Looking over previous reviews, I've noticed there are a lot of complaints about the service. I think that if you go to this restaurant with the expectation that you'll be welcomed like family, you're probably going to be disappointed. They're not overly friendly, but they're not rude, either. They're just sort of... there. To be honest, though, my primary concerns are always whether the food comes out of the kitchen in a timely fashion, and whether it's hot. And on those two fronts I can say Chile Pepper has delivered every time I've been there.
The food, to my mind, is probably the best Mexican food I've found in the city. Growing up in Colorado and New Mexico, there was an abundance of good Mexican food to be had, and it proved to be quite a chore to find something comparable here in Seattle. Chile Pepper is one of the few Mexican restaurants I've found that's worth eating at in Seattle. -
Review from Laura O.
Seattle, WA
2/2/2009
If you want simple dishes with little flavor- this is it.
Chips were uninspired and the salsa was boring and flat. WTF? Monterrey cheese for queso dip? What happened to chihuahua cheese or other types of Mexican cheeses? The only dish I would rave about (and other yelpers have) is the chili rellenos. That was a good dish. The other dish we tried was the chicken with mole sauce. The mole was good but I felt like it was missing something. The white rice as side was boring. This place offer simple dishes. If we came back- we would only order the chili rellenos.
I have to say the wife of the place- was very kind and attentive. The husband was a grouch. -
Review from Jason M.
Seattle, WA
9/19/2011
Decided to try this neighborhood establishment for a quick bite to eat on a Saturday afternoon. Upon entering no one seated us. Eventually our waiter/cook came out of the back and presented us with some limited and ridiculously overpriced menus. We almost walked out but decided to stay and give it a try based on all the 5 star reviews. How could any could anybody even think to rate this restaurant so highly?! I ordered the chicken enchiladas with tomatillo sauce, my wife tried to order pork tamales but she was informed they were out ("but the cheese is vey good.")so she proceeded to go with cheese, and my in-laws both ordered chicken enchiladas with mole sauce. While waiting we were given the traditional chips and salsa. The chips seemed store bought and the salsa was ok...homemade? Who knows? When the exceedingly small portion of chips was exhausted however replacements were nowhere to be found. Our pre-lunch conversation was punctuated by microwave beeps. In the end we were presented with what was no better that Mexican tv dinners. Nothing was fresh. The rice was plain with what looked like frozen peas and carrots stirred in, the chicken had the consistency of dry course tuna or deviled ham (Basically like cat food), and my wife's "cheese" tamales were nothing but masa. The food was all hot in the center and cold outside, the tamales stuck to the husk and fell apart when you opened them, and to top it all off the average price of a meal is around $11. If you like Mexican food do yourself a favor and NEVER eat here.
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Review from reese h.
Seattle, WA
5/25/2009
I had the Pork Chile Verde.....YUK. Neither tasty nor fresh.
Owner is tired, and it shows. I swear I heard a microwave beep repeatedly during the dinner....wtf?
Lots of other options close by for mexican that satisfies. Just Yelp it. -
Review from kristen e.
Seattle, WA
8/23/2009
This family-run Mexican restaurant is one of the better Mexican food places in Seattle. I only eat two items on the menu, but not because the rest of the menu is bad, but because these two items are GREAT!
The Mole is superb! It has all the complex tastes that a good mole should. It's like a party in my mouth.
The chile rellenos are unique. Usually, chile rellenos is in a long green pepper - resulting in a stringy pepper that is difficult to eat, but this chile relleno is in a pepper that I can't place. It almost looked like an Acho that had been rehydrated. Whatever it is, is is flavorful and wonderful.
Whenever we go to Wallingford, we always eat here.
