Tico’s

I haven’t been to Tico’s in probably 10 years. (based upon sub-​par performance in the past) I went there today for lunch and was very pleasantly surprised. They weren’t busy and we were seated promptly. Our waitress was wonderful and our food came out quickly. Everything was delicious. I had a combo meal with a beef enchilada and a chicken and cream cheese enchilada. Both were exceptional. I will put this place Back on my rotation.

This is my favorite mexican food restaurant in Lincoln! They have the best chile rellenos and a really yummy split pea soup. I’ve never had a bad experience here and it’s been around for over 30 years, so it’s nice to go to a place that has some history in Lincoln. It’s very different from the other mexican food places in town and those differences make it so unique. Anytime someone wants mexican in Lincoln I definitely recommend this restaurant.

I’m not sure what happened to this place, but prices went up portions went down. I used to enjoy Ticos but it was bad enough to have me leave my first review. Would not recommend nor return… R.I.P Ticos.

Ticos is a Lincoln cornerstone. Old fashioned, doesn’t believe in updating but what they have works and I like it. When going to a Mexican sit down restaurant they are all pretty much the same. What sets them apart and makes it our first choice is the Tico bean dip. It’s a layer of beans mixed with Mexican rice, a layer of sour cream and then a layer of white and green onion. It’s so good. You have to try it! The chips are thing and have paprika sprinkled on them which adds a nice flavor. Portions are great. The vegetarian potato casserole, isn’t something I would normally order but it’s epic and you roll it into little burritos. The side of corn is a bit over cooked and lacks texture, happened the 3 times I have had it. I would get a side of beans instead

Full disclosure that I’m writing this review based on one dish, which maybe it’s my fault, I took to go: chile relleno.
This is a classic dish that you cannot go wrong on — nay you are not allowed to go wrong on — because the recipe is in the name. Chile relleno literally means ‘stuffed chile’.
What they gave me was the opposite. It was a weird microwaved yellow processed cheese looking block … on top of the rice and beans. And inside the sweaty cheese block were two little strips of green chile. The inverse of what the dish should be!
I was so annoyed when I got home and had to eat those two little strips of green chile and throw out the rest of that gross cheese.

Takeout is awesome. Enchilada torte casserole is amazing, chips are insane. We love to fight over the ones with the most spice!

Went with a group of 5, waitress seemed miserable, it was obvious she didn’t want to be there. Place was completely empty, but they sat us next to a table covered in dirty dishes. No one cleaned it until about 30 minutes into our meal.
Chips and salsa were ok. I didn’t really like the seasoning on the chips, but the salsa was fine. My friend’s drink order was screwed up and one friend questioned whether there was actually any tequila in her margarita.
That all being said, my meal was great. I got the chicken and cream cheese enchilada (maybe not the most traditional of Mexican dishes) and it was DELISH. So, to me, it made up for the less than friendly service and less than stellar atmosphere.
Meal ended and waitress clearly wanted us to leave. She processed our checks and came back to take the receipts and informed us she wouldn’t be coming back because she needed to go sit down because she had another 4 or 5 hours on her shift to go. It was an awkward way to end the meal. Probably in the future, I will get the food to go. Would definitely eat it again, but don’t feel the need to stay.

Out of date décor for starters. Felt like my grandparents’ house from 1975. The complementary salsa was TERRIBLE. Like Straight out of a giant metal can. Then the food was not good. French fries were good, though. Way better Mexican restaurant s in lincoln

Tico’s continues to slip, unfortunately. Our service was great, but the food was mediocre at best. I ordered my chimi hot, but instead it came out plain. Not sure what is changing here, but I hope they figure it out soon.

I’ve been dining at Tico’s sporadically for over 35 years. Sure, that dates me, but I offer that for perspective. When I was in high school, this place seemed authentic and slightly exotic. To my Midwestern palate at the time, the food was delicious and something that I craved while I lived in Europe. Although I’ve tried other items on the menu, I always order the same thing (the combination plate with the Cheese Enchilada, and Chile Rellenos.) The Tico’s rendition of chile rellenos are constructed of green chile strips stuffed with cheese and rolled in a egg roll type of wrapper, deep fried and smothered with bland green chile pork sauce. I love the free spiced corn tortilla chips but the bland salsa, rice and refritos are just filler.
Fast forward to 2013, and I’ve been to Central America and Mexico, lived in El Paso, TX, and sampled authentic Mexican, Cuban, Central, and South American food. Tico’s is no longer top of mind when I think of Mexican food. While it is not authentic by any stretch of the imagination, if you love vintage Mexican restaurant décor, it might be your kind of place. When I want authentic food, I cook it myself or find it in the homes of my friends.
Tico’s, you’re part of my history. A fond memory. Beer Cheese Soup, Cheese and Onion Enchiladas, Chile Rellenos, Mexican Chocolate Mint Pie, Sonitas, and Ponsonita Sundaes. I might visit when I have an overwhelming desire to take a walk down memory lane and eat in a pleasant atmosphere but there are too many options to dwell in the past.

Not authentic mexican food — but still the best in Lincoln by far. There is a reason they’ve been around for more than 30 years. Their nachitos are the tastiest nachos ever. Great kids menu also. I recommend the Ticorito and chili rellenos. (and the margaritas!)

I think the food is just okay but my wife loves the heck out of this place. I am sure your wife will too lol.

I LOVE Tico’s! Have been coming here for 30 years and it’s my favorite Mexican restaurant. Their Chille Rellenos are the best! Other favorites are the Quesadillas, Ticorito, and Nachitos. I can’t believe all the negative reviews!

Chips and salsa are despicable. They ruin a perfectly good chip with some horrendous sprinkle of flavor dust and salsa is bland. Most items on the menu contain an ingredient that does not belong in a Mexican restaurant: Swiss cheese, marinara, cream cheese. This place won’t get you sick, service in nice, ambiance is fair, but man o man don’t come here for an authentic Mexican meal.

This review is for take out only and chile rellanos only.
Every time I go here to get food to take back to Omaha the place is a ghost town. I have ate here once and was definitely not impressed with the restaurant or the food.
The take out is always ready when promised. The people who work here are always friendly.
Now, these are not the chile rellanos you have had at any other mexican restaurant but I must say the are delicious. This version is a sheet of dough that is filled with cheese and a strip of chile. They deep fry the whole thing and what you get is this great crispy shell that oozes cheese. The green chile pork sauce that comes with it is fabulous as well.

Chips were good! Salsa was… weird. .tasted like ketchup and not very spicy. My chimichango had a TON of sour cream on it. I did enjoy the filling and how it was prepared otherwise though. Out waitress was knowledgable and friendly. Seemed like the food took a little longer than most other Mexican places in town. I’m sorry but I’ll be going to Mazatlan or any of the other numerous Mexican places in Lincoln.

After reading previous ratings, I arrived here with low expectations. I left impressed.
Much has been said about the chips and salsa. I found neither bland. Both were fresh. Our waitress almost immediately offered a spicier/​hotter salsa. We accepted as soon as she said it. Both were good. The chips were unevenly seasoned, but hardly worth complaining about.
Our meals came out fresh and hot. I ordered a taco and a tamale. The taco was a taco. The tamale was about as good as I’ve ever had. There was no need to wrap it in cornstalk (as some places do) which only causes me more work. The filling was just right.
My dining partner had a pork burrito (can’t find it on the online menu). He described it as «steaming hot and delicious».
We thought the portions were very appropriate. The items were appropriately priced. Our waitress reflected other comments that sour cream is an issue, just ask for it on the side.
The margaritas were disappointing, however. Quite ordinary.
Overall, I can see going back even though it’s not a traditional over-​the-​top Mexican restaurant. I can see why locals who grew up with this keep going back. I can also see why newcomers like me won’t be overly thrilled with it. Certainly, there are better restaurants. There are worse too. By far better than the boil-​in-​a-​bag chain restaurants.

TERRIBLE! The queso was yellow like velvetta and had a sheen on it like palstic wrap-​YUK! The chile rellenos were bland and tasteless with this green stuff (I think it was suppose to be green chili) on it. The person I was with did not get what they had ordered (they had made changes to the menu item but did not change the menu; I’m guessing).
The saving grace was our waitron. She never stopped smiling and steered us away from the shrimp (WARNING_​DO NOT EAT THE SHRIMP_​). She was very professional and helpful and is the only reason I did not walk out.

While it’s not the worst Mexican food I’ve ever had, I’ve had much better. The salsa is bland, the portion sizes are small, and the margaritas are nothing to write home about.
On a positive note, there are vegetarian options here. It’s also easy to reserve an area for a party or get together. Aside from that, don’t expect much.

Tico’s has amazing margaritas and the best chips and salsa in Lincoln. The fried ice cream and sopapillas are also fantastic.
I know it’s not «authentic» Mexican food, but I’ve liked it since I was five years old. I’m sure nostalgia is much of the reason I still love going to Tico’s.