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Pepito's Mexican Restaurant
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for Pepito's Mexican Restaurant
Review Highlights
"The best fish tacos anywhere, hands down."
(in 13 reviews)
"Big Bro came back from the salsa bar MUY HAPPY."
(in 4 reviews)
"...an El Dorado or Ranchero with black beans, and carne asada."
(in 2 reviews)
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Joey H.
Santa Ana, CA
10/30/2011
Taco tuesdays: $1.50 crispy or regular tacos. Choice of asada, chicken, or fish on the regular ones, and beef and chicken on the crispy ones.
I order 5 tacos and a jarritos and it comes out to almost exactly $10. So good! -
Review from mike r.
Lake Forest, CA
1/23/2012
i really dislike when im in a rush for lunch hour because i end up going here. its way overpriced and subpar quality for mexican food.
the flavors and spice level are in the range of safe and bland.
for some reason 4 taquitos are served with only a teaspoon of guacamole.
id rather buy lunch from a roach coach (i actually mean roach-coach, not hipster food truck). -
Review from Discriminating E.
Irvine, CA
10/6/2011
Because I'd read about Pepito's online, I was prepared for the counter-service setting (otherwise, we'd have been disappointed). CLEAN... that was my 1st impression -- and pleasant and peaceful atmosphere, too. I liked the little tables and booths.
The salsas/pico de gallo was fresh and tasty; the portions were generous; the presentation was nice; the food was good!! The service -- unexpected, especially for a counter service eatery -- was great; the staff was SO nice! The only thing missing... margaritas (wine was a decent substitute, but just not the same)!!
We'll have to return to checkout Taco Tuesday, as well as their other menu items. -
Review from Quanger D.
Orange, CA
1/17/2012
The salsa they offer is flavorful. I tried a carne and carnitas taco, carne was on the salty side, carnitas was good. For what it is, its a little over priced compared to other taco shops around. I'd come back, but only for their taco Tuesdays.
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Review from Tim C.
Folsom, CA
1/16/2012
Came here for dinner. There was no crowd at all. The burrito was ordinary, a little on the dry side and the rest of meal was not impressive. The salsa bar was not replenished during our meal. It is more of a lunch place than a dinner place. Although the price was reasonable, I expected better food for a hole in the wall.
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Review from Silvia D.
Garden Grove, CA
7/16/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Came here for Taco Tuesday: $1.50 tacos
Between 2 of us, we got 9 tacos & 2 beers. Total was $21 They also have potatoe tacos, which were really good. No more El Torito for us... This is our new Taco Tuesday spot. No crowds, good food & good price. -
Review from Isabel T.
Irvine, CA
10/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I have been here a few times with friends and every time I feel like I get a good quality meal. I also love taco tuesdays - $1.50! Otherwise it's not cheap for mexican food but the place is clean, the people are friendly and the food is good. I recommend the tostada and the tacos but I'm excited to try other things on the menu.
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Review from Kheng C.
Anaheim, CA
9/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I came here for taco Tuesday during lunch hour and was pack. I didn't even know this place existed. Certainly a hole in the wall. They have a great selection of Mexican foods on their menu. Its location is surrounded by business offices and buildings. Seem like most of their customers work in those building. Although I like this place I'm giving it 3 stars because regularly their tacos are kind if pricey, I only came here because if the taco Tuesday deal. Definitely a good place for lunch. Good tacos!!!!
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Review from Sharon W.
Corona, CA
7/29/2011
The best fish tacos anywhere, hands down!
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Review from Chris C.
Aliso Viejo, CA
4/26/2010
When I was a kid, my dad always used to tell me that a restaurant was probably pretty good "if the cops ate there." Well, when I walked into Pepitos today for lunch, an OC Sheriff's Deputy attached to the Bomb Squad detail was there... I figure that's got to be a good sign... I mean, if every day might well be your last, you're going to know where to get a decent meal in this town!
I had the chicken ranchero burrito with tomatillo sauce & black beans. It came with chips, guacamole and sour cream. The chips and guac were average but the burrito was pretty great. It was full of tender, flavorful and moist chicken, black beans and a little green onion. For $7.99 and within walking distance of my new office, I'm a fan. I'll look forward to exploring the rather large menu here... and yes, they probably get a 1-star bump because of proximity. But, if you're nearby, check them out, I doubt you will be disappointed! -
Review from Cathy K.
Orange County, CA
9/28/2009
It was a random Thursday afternoon.
Big Bro and I were driving around by my house - slowly, slowly, ever-so-slowly starving to death. After turning down Japanese, Korean, American, Peruvian, and anything else I can think of, we finally settled on Mexican.
"Where's a good Mexican place around here?" he asked.
"I've no idea." Sue me.
But like a good Yelper, I took out my phone and picked the closest Mexican joints with decent reviews and... we ended up just down the street from my place.
Turns out, I'd drive by it a gabillion times. Stuck in a corner of a commercial office complex, the strip-mall style restaurant didn't look all that appealing. But we were already there and we were already starving. Might as well try it out, right?
We parked, stepped in, and.. wow. I was thoroughly impressed! After my El Taurino thing, everyone who's anyone knows how I feel about hole-in-the-wall Mexican joints. But this place, though seemingly mediocre on the outside, is SPOTLESSLY CLEAN and expansive on the inside! It's no fancy shmancy eatery, but it sure as hell beats El Taurino any day! Even the bathroom was spotlessly clean!!!
On that note, Big Bro and I gazed in wonder at the totally extensive menu. Stuff, stuff, and more stuff! Correct me if I'm wrong (this review is a tad... late), but I do believe they had hamburgers and sandwiches and stuff here, too. I ended up getting the Asada Chimichanga, while Big Bro (deciding he wanted to eat light) got a Tostada (I think.. the big salad bowl looking thing) with Asada.
When we sat down, we were served fresh tortilla chips, and instructed to go over to their salsa bar for a sampling of their mojo. Big Bro came back from the salsa bar MUY HAPPY. "I love salsa bars with lots of options!" We had four different types of salsa/hot sauces, the pickled carrot/onion thingies, and I don't even remember what else. Everything was clean and FRESH, though!
Our food came out quickly, and wow, the portions were BIG! I barely finished half of my chimichanga, and laughed uproariously as Big Bro stared dubiously at his "light eating" choice. Haha. That thing was the size of his head!
All in all, we had a great experience. The workers were all super friendly, the establishment was spotlessly clean, and the food was totally on par!
The only qualm I have - Are they not open on Sundays? A few friends and I tried to go for lunch one day, and they were closed... -
Review from JacqueLin O.
Garden Grove, CA
8/21/2009
I work near this place and we frequent it quite often. I was VERY skeptical to try it and pleasantly surprised after I did.
I am from New Mexico and my taste for Mexican and New Mexican cuisine is extremely critical. I would have to say that I find Pepitos very flavorful and one of the few "hole in the wall" spots that I thoroughly enjoy. The chips and salsa are INCREDIBLE. Seriously, I could go there and eat JUST that and leave feeling satisfied. In fact, the thought of them just makes my mouth water. With my need for insanely spicy food, my favorite salsa is the hottest red salsa mixed with the chopped tomatoes and bits of jalapenos. It is SO flavorful and rich, probably some of the best salsa I have had OUTSIDE of New Mexico. Their chips are really good too. They aren't greasy and they put a good amount of salt. Not over salted.
My favorite menu items are the shrimp quesadilla, when I want to "cheat" or the fajitas, chicken or del mar. I do have to complain that I would like to get more MEAT in the fajita dish. With both the chicken and the del mar, there wasn't much. The veggies are also a LITTLE greasy, which kind of turns me off, but flavor wise, the avocado, beans and rice and everything else are very good.
The employees are VERY polite, and the service is excellent. I'd give this place a second thought over going to El Torito. Their restrooms are also immaculately clean, which is a HUGE deal to me.
My co workers go there EVERY Tuesday religiously for their $1.50 taco tuesday. I haven't tried their tacos yet, but I would guess they are to die for as my co workers NEVER miss a Tuesday to get them. -
Review from Nicole L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/1/2009
I used to be at El Torito every Tuesday for $1 tacos. But lack of good waitresses (there's only one, Dulce) and overwhelming crowds led my boyfriend and I to try this place. It's just down the street and boy, were we excited!
1) No crowds! It's practically empty when you go in the evenings and morning.
2) No crappy waitresses, you order, pay and sit so you don't have to wait for someone to remember to bring your check.
3) Tacos de papa! An amazing alternative for those who don't eat meat or those who don't enjoy shredded chicken, they are potatoes with lettuce and cheese.
4) BREAKFAST BURRITO! AMAZING, they are rather big and use the same sort of potatoes as the tacos and they are delicious!
Don't be a afraid, try this place! -
Review from Nick M.
Anaheim, CA
9/24/2008
Plagued by awful dining choices in the surrounding area of my place of business for the last 4 years, I apparently prejudged Pepito's on my experiences of its neighbors. What a mistake! At the point of hunger where I'm willing to sacrifice my stomach comfort (and most likely my evening) I found myself in line at Yogi's Teriyaki. It wasn't long after the first "in line half step" towards the counter that I realized I would rather take my chances on a bad experience next door at Pepito's than attempt to swallow this stuff again.
There was hardly a line and all the tables were packed, which means they move quickly. I like that. I asked how big their tacos were and based on her description I ordered four. She was shocked. I was hungry. What a delight. I was served four piping hot, freshly made carnitas tacos. They had huge pieces of meat, onions, cilantro, and a fresh salsa bar. They were perfect. They didn't leave me still hungry, I didn't feel unhealthy, I was totally satisfied. What's more, they actually checked up on me and made sure I enjoyed my meal. All that for about ten dollars. This place is a diamond in the rough.Listed in: I'm A Regular Here...
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Review from Adolfo W.
Orange, CA
7/15/2011
El dorado al pastor burrito was good but some of the other burritos looked better. Great name!
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Review from Rick D.
Garden Grove, CA
7/18/2009
I definitely have to thank yelp for finding this place. I was a bit skeptical at first since the business is located in a business building style lot. I would have never guessed that this place was actually pretty good.
The pricing is a bit on the higher side for mexican food, but the service they provide makes up for it. The person taking our order was very helpful in narrowing down menu selections and even served us our plates as we were seated. He even came by to check on our opinion on the food, gave us free guacamole (the good stuff not the watered down type), and also refilled our horchatas free of charge.
We had the talapia and chimichanga combination plates which were great. We definitely will be going back to try out the rest of their menu.Listed in: Good food
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Review from chris j.
Garden Grove, CA
3/16/2009
Tacos...What is it about Tacos that drive me crazy and make my blood boil?
No two Tacos are alike,but i Love them all...I love to hold the Taco in my hands and slowly open the Taco...I Love it when the Taco is warm and i can smell its fresh aroma..I like to start by licking the Taco slowly..then kissing the Taco, then i like to nibble the Taco just a bit....about now the Taco has me in a heated frenzy and so i just go at it and eat the Taco like it's the last Taco i'll ever eat.....Whoo!!...now i need a smoke. -
Review from Karen R.
Castro Valley, CA
2/24/2010 2 photos
My son and I were hankering for some authentic Mexican food while we were in L.A. and so I yelped thinking I'd find something nearby that was cheap and tasty. We found Pepitos had plenty of stars, so I thought we'd give it a try.
The restaurant itself is situated in a small strip mall and had a few Hispanic patrons...which was a good sign to me...
Well, maybe I was wrong....I ordered a Modelo beer and the server asked me, especial or regular. I felt like the lighter beer, so I ordered regular...she brings out a CORONA?!? mmmm...wrong beer, but I drank it anyway.
For lunch, I ordered a fish salad thinking I would change it up besides meat, since I've been on the Atkins, I've been eating a TON of red meat. Well, the salad had only a couple of shrimp and a tiny piece of fried tilapia. It had hardly any flavor....It came in a fried tortilla bowl, with a huge pile of lettuce, a tiny bit of seafood, a plop of guac and a plop of sour cream...NO CHEESE! omg...I am a cheese freak and it had no cheese! I guess I could have asked for it, but I had to actually explain what I wanted on the salad already....
My sons dish, the shrimp fajitas, also was mediocre....AND NO CHEESE! Was there a shortage in cheese? Seriously, this is why I love Mexican food because there is always a ton of cheese on everything. Well, not this place...
Only positive thing was the fresh salsa bar...that would be it....
Bland flavors and seriously, not good....sorry Yelp ya did me wrong this time! -
Review from ron e.
Santa Ana, CA
3/9/2009 2 photos
Doesn't look inviting from the street, its not a run down location by any means the plaza just has that business type of feel to it.
every time I drive by I see it out of the corner of my eye.
Finally decided to stop and its a winner.
Tried the Chilaquiles, they were as fresh as you can get them, crispy tortillas not soggy. Salsa was good to and the guacamole was fresh not that weird green color.
Staff was friendly even though you pay up front they still take the time to walk over and get you refills.
place was kept clean, but it was empty.
they also sell beer here.
price for my food was $6 for a plate of Chilaquiles, beans, potatos, 2 eggs.
think Ill try the deep fried burrito next time. -
Review from Ryan P.
Claremont, CA
12/19/2006
I've never had a fried burrito before I'd been to Pepito's. Wowee! Soooo unhealthy yet sooo tasty. Get an El Dorado or Ranchero with black beans, and carne asada. You won't be disappointed, unless you are a vegetarian, in which case, you'll be repulsed because it is PACKED WITH MEAT Upton Sinclair style.
Do not neglect the salsa bar. It is above average.
Prices are low, and the food is good. -
Review from jonathan s.
Orange County, CA
10/30/2010
this was definitely the better of the two chorizo breakfast burritos i had in the previous 16 hours. im not sure why I ordered the same item I had for dinner the previous night somewhere else, but was glad I did.
good size, good flavor, and not nearly as greasy as other chorizo and egg burritos I have had in the past. I'd order it again if I was here.Listed in: Breakfast Burritos
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Review from Julio L.
Santa Ana, CA
8/18/2010
A little pricey for they portion sizes. Their chilaqueles were unexpectedly good.
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Review from anna w.
Cypress, CA
1/5/2011
We accidentally stumbled onto this wonderful little place after a bike ride one Saturday afternoon. We go back every chance we get now. Here's what I love about this place:
*The BEST "al pastor" (seasoned,bbq pork) around, They offered me a sample taste at my first visit and now I'm hooked.
*Outdoor seating seating area. Great for hanging out after a bike ride. The entrance to the Santa Ana River Trail bike path is just across the street.
*A variety of bottle beers - say no more.
*Recently remodeled - very clean, attractive and new-looking interior.
Wide menu selection. The daily specials (chicken enchiladas or grilled chicken salad) don't really change daily, but they don't need to; they are both delicious, and the salad (with mandarins, cranberries, cilantro dressing) is a yummy and healthy choice. -
Review from Michael T.
Placentia, CA
7/23/2011
Tacos are pretty good especially on special, burritos not so much.
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Review from Lydia G.
Santa Ana, CA
8/15/2010
Awesome breakfast
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Review from Caitlin M.
Marina del Rey, CA
11/29/2007
I've only been here once but I love this place and so does my whole office. Whenever we are all feelin some mexican for lunch we always go here, and LOVE IT. Super cheap, super filling, and super good. Love their tacos and my co-workers would eat their salsa verde by spoon if they could. Will try their burritos next time.
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Review from CostaMesa F.
Newport Beach, CA
8/7/2010
Good salsa, friendly service, impeccably clean. Most importantly, their hard-shelled chicken tacos are worth a 20-minute drive.
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Review from Joe B.
Diamond Bar, CA
8/1/2009
If you are looking for authentic mexican ... keep looking. This place is horrible. I work in the complex that pepitos is in and i have been there a couple times and each experience has ended with me doubled over in disgust.The food tastes like they use the only the cheapest ingredients. I ordered the shrimp cocktail and the shrimp was tasteless and rubbery. I don't know if they still have the "The Tall American." It made me sick. There is nothing redeeming about this place.
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Review from cel j.
Buena Park, CA
good mexican food...tried their wet burrito.
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Review from Roberta M.
Lakewood, CA
3/17/2011
The food is awesome and so is their staff. Love their carne asada tacos, but everything else is just as good.
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Review from gloria n.
West Covina, CA
12/29/2009
I love going to Pepito's for lunch. It's fast and delicious! I highly recommend the chicken taquito's and shrimp or fish ceviche tostadas. Endless tortilla chips and salsa...friendly staff..close to work!
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Review from Andrew and Kelly H.
Irvine, CA
1/18/2010
Incredible burritos. Pepito's choice with El Pastor is over the top good.
