Restaurant Name: Pepe’s Mexican Restuarant
Location: 2525 Sagamore Pkwy S, Lafayette, IN (map it)
Telephone: (765) 448-1888
Cuisine: Mexican
Review: Pepe’s is one of those Mexican places that reminds me of Chi-Chis. Do you remember Chi Chis? I guess it’s closer to Don Pablos maybe? Either way, it’s a midwestern Mexican chain that originated in Chicago and has wandered down into our neck of the woods. It’s a large restaurant situated in the parking lot of the Tippecanoe County Mall.
Upon entering, you are greeted by a host or hostess – there were plenty when I went in, and people moved from the entrance to tables pretty quick. I’ve never had to wait.
Chips and salsa are delivered to the table quickly. Unfortunately, the chips were cold and the salsa was liquid-y and fairly flavorless. I’ve had better salsa there, but tonight it was just not good. I’m a bit of a salsa snob, but really, it’s not that hard.
I was dining with a party of 8, and they had no trouble accommodating our group. Our server seemed a little nervous about handling our party, but did a fairly decent job, even if he had to interrupt our conversation a few times with questions about our orders. At least he didn’t bring out the wrong food! Oh, and he carded me, which was very nice of him. (And only me, no one else at my table!)
The food all came out, and it was fairly tasty. No one complained, and the sopes my friend ordered looked fantastic. I was a bit jealous of it to tell you the truth.
This was pretty standard chain Mexican fare, nothing too fancy or fantastic, but tasty with a cold margarita. We were all impressed that the server didn’t automatically add the 18% gratuity they often do on large groups.
Kid friendly: Yes
Methods of payment: Cash or credit.
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(4.83 out of 5)
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve tried Pepe’s in several locations in Chicago which were okay. This one in Lafayette is terrible. The service was slow and the food was cold. The ground steak on my tacos and burritos tasted like cat food and was cold. The salsa was soggy and the chips tasted several days old.
I have to agree with the previous commenter. I’m a big fan of Mexican food and can tolerate a wide range of quality, but the Lafayette Pepe’s food was absolutely terrible when I went there- the rice was flavorless and overcooked, the chicken was dry, the salsa was runny and bland and the beans were sticky. Considering there are so many other Mexican restaurants in Lafayette, some of them outstanding, I would recommend that people avoid Pepe’s.
What was the name of the restaurant before Pepe’s took it over?
By the way, I like Pepe’s!
I have been to Pepe’s several time the food is really good. BUT the service is really bad. Our server’s are always so rude and so is the host always. But like I said the food is good and that is why we always go back. Just RUDE RUDE people work there
Try the one in frankfort! New owners and better food!