Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant

Gave them a try today and pretty impressed, actually. Had one steak and one pork tostada — tons of authentic flavor. They didn’t skimp or overdo the onions, cilantro and cheese. Looking forward to trying other options on the menu.
Not really sure what the dissatisfaction is about. Customer service was great — real straight guys. Satisfying Mexican lunch freshly prepared by people that actually know how to properly prepare it. Totally more than the price would suggest.

AWFUL customer service!!! I won’t EVER go back! The man working the counter was ignorantly rude because I told him that my tostadas were too saugy. He made them over BUT was PISSED off!!!
I called my order in and said that I’m coming from Lincoln Park. I made that clear! I reminded him of THAT and he said that I didn’t speak to him… I spoke to the owner. He’s a FAT FACED lie.
They did something to my food… The new order was sloppy and watery… and I had to spit a couple of times afterwards.
I drove far to get to THAT particular Pepe Taco. The young Black girl is extremely professional but she’s not there today. The FAT man doesn’t give a F about THAT business.
I’m done!

I actually love this place. I always get the same thing and the guys behind the counter are always so nice and friendly. I can expect consistent food and service.
I literally get the same thing every time, so I’m not sure what everything on the menu tastes like, but again… I’m not really expecting 5 star food. The flavors and offerings actually remind me of my favorite Mexican food truck in PDX. I do wish they would offer complimentary chips and salsa, especially with the combination meals.
Keep up the good work, you guys… you’ll see me soon.

It’s not as bad as you’d think. Yes, the atmosphere is dumpy, the food is a little bland, and I don’t want to think about the kitchen hygiene, but I got a couple of tacos and they were still surprisingly satisfying (beef and bean is a nice choice). Somebody described it as a half-​step above Taco Bell, and that seems roughly apt to me.

I left Yusho hungry and Pepe’s called me from across the street. Based on how the front and inside looks it’s clear that you won’t be getting anything fancy. And the menu is really cheap. So if you thought you’d be getting gourmet food then it’s your own fault. The stuffed tacos are delicious and filling (had 2x Beef&Bean), while the lemonade tastes like some powdery mix. I came hungry, got a free lemonade from the manager, left full, and want to go again.

This place is awful. I passed it many times and thought about stoping. When I finally did … I was very disappointed.

Pepe’s is a half step above Taco Bell. It’s fast Mexican. I love it for sentimental reasons, not because it’s the best. The dudes in the back are a bit sketchy, but I’ve never had problems with my food here, ever. They have daily specials, so check for ‘em. If you’re just about broke and want tacos, this is the place for you.

Even if you ignore the appearance of this joint and the disinterested employee,(cuz I only saw one), you cannot ignore nasty. Guy took my order (stuffed nachos) after he rang someone else up, used his bare hands to toss my food into a fry basket, stooped down and grabbed something off the floor and appeared to toss it into the fry basket also and put it in the fryer. Now perhaps the grease will kill your filthy germs but I gotta hope it dislodges whatever was on the bottom of your shoes/​floor from my food too?!! No bueno. I walked out and I hope he isn’t wondering why.

Decent food. Ok prices, decent combos… Terrible customer service, the huge Hispanic with the big head is super rude all the time. The older Hispanic is super nice and is known to give free drinks from time to time but isn’t always there. The dining area is cheap looking but I guess that’s what «express» means

Please stay away and do your tongue pallet a favor. I went in here with pretty low expectations and even then it disappointed. There aren’t many Mexican restaurants in the area and this would definitely not count as one. Yeah the prices are cheap but so is the quality. You’re probably better off making the food yourself.

the worst mexican food ever. don’t do it to yourself. no… seriously…dont.
the tacos are flavorless and the rice is mushy.
just gross.

This was by far the worst pepe’s I have encountered. The meat was questionable and the food had no taste. I couldn’t finish my torta. I’d say avoid this place.

Wow, these bourgeoisie reviewers are pretty harsh on Pepe’s! First of all, most if not all of the menu is under $ 10.00. Why would you expect the highest quality Mexican food anyway?
This location is no where near as nice or as sit-​down friendly as the location on 95^th Street. HOWEVER, the food is always, hot; and it’s very good for someone on a budget who feels like tacos. In addition, whenever I sit down to eat, I always feel safe because mad cops eat here.
The manager is a doll and gives most people a free soda (especially us ladies). I cannot complain!

My favorite Pepe’s by far! Great food and service.

There was a time when this was fairly decent for what it is. That time has come and gone. I don’t think they even use meat anymore… ordered some Nachos and they had something smeared on them that resembled meat, but wasn’t, but said it was. It tasted like old sponges and they scattered cilantro all over the order which I didn’t know they did. I hate cilantro, it tastes like soap so the whole order was ruined for me and my dining companion. Who puts cilantro on nachos? The lemonade they make was way way way too sweet and had a synthetic taste. They have gone down in my estimation while Taco Bell has stepped their game up. If you want cheap fast Mexican food I think Taco Bell has a better offering. Sad to say…

Wonderful service.
Great 7.99 for 5 tacos deal.
If you are looking for Americanized tacos, here’s your place!

Perhaps this is the worst eatery I’ve been to in Hyde Park. Actually, no. Scratch that. This is THE worst eatery in Hyde Park.
After living here for 9 months, I decided to walk-​in and try it out. At first glance, the decoration screams «take out» and «delivery.» Not necessarily a place you’d like to order to stay.
When I perused through their vague menu (no ingredients nor description added to any of the items), I asked if there was a difference between the vegetarian burrito and the regular burrito, given that both have the same price. The cashier was spectacularly clueless. He did not have the slightest idea what the burrito contained.
So I begrudgingly ordered the vegetarian burrito. I stood waiting for close to 20 minutes. I was left dumbfounded when the cashier ran out of the store while I was waiting, chasing another customer whom he had given the wrong the take out order. Oh my…
When I opened the box my burrito was housed in, there was nothing accompanying it. I tried it and there was nothing on my mind but insipidness, tastelessness and regret. Total and utter regret.
Pepe’s Mexican Food was a complete failure and disappointment. This is the first and only time I will eat anything from here. Hyde Park needs another and better Mexican establishment.

Finally, I convinced my wife to try Pepe’s yesterday. However she would not eat there (rightfully so) so we took the food home… and it was not that bad at all!!!
Well, coming from SF, Mexican food in Chicago never meets the West coast standards. Pepe’s does not even close to the Mexican food in SF but compared to all the Mexican places in Chicago, it is not that bad. They have good portion sizes for their price, especially if you get the day’s specials.
Thumbs up:
1. Food: We had Beef and beans burrito (Tuesday special) and it was OK. There was tons of beef and a $ 3 burrito was sufficient to satisfy by growling stomach!
2. Choices: the menu is huge and there are lots of things to try.
3. Cheap!!!
Thumbs down:
1. Meat: Yeah the burrito was okay but the meat was loaded with fat. Could not eat here everyday… unless I want all my arteries to clog up with cholesterol. A little healthier meat would make this place desirable in everyday life.
2. Spices: The burrito would be absolutely awesome if the meat was marinated in some spicy sauce… hmmm!
3. I would prefer the veggies, jalapenos, and sour cream inside my burrito rather than on the side… but now I am complaining.
4. Seriously, their soda sucks!
5. The atmosphere LOOKS so bad it took me 2.5 years to enter this place. But now that I have entered, I am likely to continue going… at least one a cpl of months.

If you live in Hyde Park, need a cheap dinner, and like Americanized Mexican food, get it here. The food hits the spot, but the atmosphere…
Come to gawk at young men who wear their pants belted at the thighs to show off their oh-​so-​fashionable boxers and to rub elbows with the crowd who can’t be bothered to change out of their pajamas to go out and eat. These are rare sights in Hyde Park, known more for its college town atmosphere than for its boxer shorts fashion district.
Get your food to go and eat in the park across the street.

Dear Lord. There are not words in English, or indeed any other language, to fully describe the grotesque nature of this «restaurant». The food is beyond unauthentic, low quality, not nearly as cheap as one might think, and is perhaps even worse coming out than it was going in, and that’s hard to do.
Pepe’s is what Kurtz was talking about when he said, «The horror! The horror!» It is an abomination against God.