Pico's Mex-Mex Restaurant

(713) 662-8383

5941 Bellaire Blvd (Hillcroft Road)
Houston, TX 77081 29.7054 -95.4856

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Gulfton, Southwest

picos.net

Hours:

Sun-Thu 9am-10pm

Fri-Sat 9am-11pm

Price:

$

Last updated 5.12.11

Category:

Catering, Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Gift Certificate, American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Cuisine:

Seafood, Mexican

Smoking Permitted:

Yes

What People Are Saying About Pico's Mex-Mex Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – The dining room, a fairly modest affair, is a bit garish but doesn't succumb to franchise cuteness. A thatched patio out front, complete with a gurgling fountain, is perfect for groups and people who don't mind things a bit loud. Unobtrusive mariachis perform most nights. – – The Food – Dubbing its fare "Mex-Mex," Pico's offers traditional and relatively exotic dishes not found at typical fajitas-and-frijoles joints. An achiote-seasoned snapper, wrapped in banana leaves, is broiled to perfection. Mancha manteles--pork stew with plantains, pineapple and…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Make your next party a fajita feast. Pico's fajita buffet feeds 30 or more and includes tables, service pieces and paper plates. Call for info.
Where to Sit:
For a more casual dining experience, take a seat in the palapa-covered outdoor patio.
ambiance
95.0% positive
  1. Overall, I think I will go back to try some of the other interseting menu items like the poblano pepper with cheese, nuts, raisins, and pomegranite, or the baby back ribs special, and to enjoy the ambiance with a nice margarita.
  2. Not much for atmosphere sometimes lacks cleanliness, but consistently good fo.
  3. Restaurant is perfect for a fun casual large group!
  4. The mariachi's add an authentic atmosphere when entertaining out-of-state guests.
  5. Love the ambience, the seafood enchiladas (too die for and enough for 2), always interesting specials and the best softshell crab in the country.
  6. The atmosphere was very fun and was there with 5 other people and the service was great.
  7. We sat out front under the palapa (straw canopy) next to the fountain, which was very pleasant and fun.
  8. The outdoor patio is fun and romantic.
  9. was able to arrange a lovely buffet meal for 30 that not only included fabulous food but also delivery, set up (with decorations), service, packing leftovers, and clean up.
  10. This is a great restaurant that you can feel comfortable coming with your family, or work friends or even a date.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. The bar tender makes the best drinks.
  2. The prices have sky rocketed and their egos are MUCH too big for thier service, food, value, and drinks.
food quality
85.60999870300293% positive
  1. dare anyone to find a better soft shell crab and the nightly specials are always creative and delisious.
  2. The best Mexican food in all of Texas
  3. the rice was dry, the so-called burrito (nothing more than a rolled up soft taco) was hard to cut.
  4. The food is the best that I have had in the 6 states that I have lived in.
  5. Since I started going here I have never stopped and I have never had a meal that wasn't good.
  6. used to live & work in the Maya Highlands of Southern Mexico & Northern Guatemala & 2 of my favorite dishes,Huachinango(Red Snapper) TIKIN XIK(broiled in spicy achiote sauce) & POLLO PIBIL(spicy,shredded pork cooked in a banana leaf) are so delicious &
  7. The friendliest service, the best food, and AWESOME Margaritas make it a necessity to vist as often as possible.
  8. The food is always wonderful and we really enjoy the specials.
  9. The service was great, and the food was delicious!
  10. don't recommend the mexican food though.
  11. The banana-wrapped pork or chicken is tasty and unique.
  12. Don't get me wrong, I like Tex-Mex food so I will vote for Lupe's Tortillas on best Tex-Mex.
  13. Pico's Mex-Mex food has always been excellent.
  14. Pico's offers an authentic menu of outstanding Mexican food.
  15. Good service, good food and good 'ritas.
  16. Wonderful food.
  17. this has to be the worst tex-mex food i've had in a long time!
  18. We are a city graced with hundreds of really good and authentic mexican restaurants, take your time and go find them, discover real mexican food and not THIS slop.
  19. Our service was impeccable and half way through our meal, there were 3-4 musicians playing some wonderful sounds.
  20. have yet to have a bad (or even sub-standard) meal at this place.
  21. had the cochinita pibil, which is a favorite dish of mine.
  22. Just looked through these reviews and noticed that the only people who didn't enjoy the food seemed to have been looking for Tex Mex.
  23. The seafood is excellent, but it's not cheap; nor or the margaritias.
  24. Our favorite dishes like caldo tlapeno and chalupas tex-mex always are delicious and comforting.
  25. The margaritas were pretty tasty.
  26. It was good meal.
  27. The food is excellent.
  28. This place has the tastiest, most satisfying food I have ever had at a restaurant.
  29. Pico's uses fresh spinach--not mushy canned--almonds and wonderful cheeses.
  30. This food is DELICIOUS
  31. The seafood is always fresh and the soft shell crabs are the best in town.
  32. The crisp chips and the homemade salsa were extremely fresh.
  33. Picos is by far the best authentic Mexican Restaurant in Houston.
  34. All my guests enjoyed watching the cooking demonstration as well as the food.
  35. there are some very creative, unique dishes on their menu and I have yet to be disappointed in any of them.
  36. The mariachi's add an authentic atmosphere when entertaining out-of-state guests.
  37. It was incredibly delicious and the price was very reasonable.
  38. AWESOME food
  39. We have been customers of Pico's for over 10 years and have experienced excellent service, food and Margaritas.
  40. was able to arrange a lovely buffet meal for 30 that not only included fabulous food but also delivery, set up (with decorations), service, packing leftovers, and clean up.
  41. The red salsa was great but they got mad when you asked for another basket of chips.
  42. Love the ambience, the seafood enchiladas (too die for and enough for 2), always interesting specials and the best softshell crab in the country.
  43. Pico's is a great restaurant and they have excellent food, the service sometimes can be slow, but the food is always good.
  44. the food is fresh, the variety is great.
  45. brought my sister and her fiance here from NYC and they were floored by the great food.
  46. The food is great and the Margaritas are authentic.
  47. Every meal has been fantastic.
  48. the food, along with the service, at pico's are outstanding.
  49. their green salsa was bad too.
  50. The chicken enchiladas with poblano mole sauce are amazing & so is the snapper cooked in banana leaves.
  51. But of course the best is the food - the owner, chef is always there and visible.
  52. The food is super authentic here.
  53. Tried to tell the waiter then we were ready to order the food.
  54. This is the finest place for authentic Mexican food in Houston.
  55. And the food's great, too!
  56. You can tell the meat is not as good quality, and the price went up the same time the quality went down.
  57. He asked if we were ready to order food, we said yes.
  58. It's always cooked the way I want it, and served with queso flameado, pico de gallo, and guacamole, it makes the perfect tacos.
  59. would highly recommend this restaurant if you love seafood enchiladas!
  60. While the restaurant is just around the corner from our house, I don't make it there as often as I'd like to, but the food quality hasn't changed at all, and the margaritas are still delicious, and certainly large enough to share with friends.
  61. Pico's makes the best dang MEXICAN food north of the border.
  62. surprised that they had to come to Houston for the best Mexican food they
  63. The prices have sky rocketed and their egos are MUCH too big for thier service, food, value, and drinks.
  64. The food, was excellent
  65. but the ceviche was awful, and the huachinango a la veracruzana was basically a fried filet o' fish with about two teaspoons of chopped olives on top.
  66. The bartenders make the most delicious margaritas we've ever had - anywhere.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. Fantastic specials, wonderful menu and spinach enchiladas to die for.
  2. They have a HUGE selection of quality tequilas and the best margaritas you will ever taste.
  3. Pico's offers an authentic menu of outstanding Mexican food.
  4. the food is fresh, the variety is great.
  5. They definitely have the best Margaritas & Best Tequila selection in Texas.
  6. They have a fantastic selection of tequilas so I had to try one of their famous margaritas.
  7. there are some very creative, unique dishes on their menu and I have yet to be disappointed in any of them.
  8. The fajitas are one of my favourites, but you really can't go wrong with anything on their menu!
  9. Overall, I think I will go back to try some of the other interseting menu items like the poblano pepper with cheese, nuts, raisins, and pomegranite, or the baby back ribs special, and to enjoy the ambiance with a nice margarita.
overall
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. Lupe Tortilla a great mexican restaurant?
  2. This is a great restaurant that you can feel comfortable coming with your family, or work friends or even a date.
  3. Pico's is a great restaurant and they have excellent food, the service sometimes can be slow, but the food is always good.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. Overall, I think I will go back to try some of the other interseting menu items like the poblano pepper with cheese, nuts, raisins, and pomegranite, or the baby back ribs special, and to enjoy the ambiance with a nice margarita.
service
83.03999900817871% positive
  1. We have been customers of Pico's for over 10 years and have experienced excellent service, food and Margaritas.
  2. the food, along with the service, at pico's are outstanding.
  3. The service was great, and the food was delicious!
  4. The bartenders make the most delicious margaritas we've ever had - anywhere.
  5. The price for 2 people having 2 Grande ritas or maybe 3 between them, some good supper, and a tip will run about $35.
  6. The margaritas are perfect, and the service is excellent.
  7. The service is attentive, warm and friendly.
  8. Horrible, horrible service.
  9. The service is also great.
  10. The prices have sky rocketed and their egos are MUCH too big for thier service, food, value, and drinks.
  11. was able to arrange a lovely buffet meal for 30 that not only included fabulous food but also delivery, set up (with decorations), service, packing leftovers, and clean up.
  12. Very friendly place
  13. Out of the 20+ times I have been there, the last two times it was really busy and the service was poor.
  14. The service was outstanding!
  15. Top notch service & very reasonable pricing.
  16. Arnaldo and his staff made it possible for me to enjoy our guests.
  17. Good service, good food and good 'ritas.
  18. The service was excellent and there was a a good
  19. The atmosphere was very fun and was there with 5 other people and the service was great.
  20. Our service was impeccable and half way through our meal, there were 3-4 musicians playing some wonderful sounds.
  21. The friendliest service, the best food, and AWESOME Margaritas make it a necessity to vist as often as possible.
  22. Great staff and the best margarita in Houston for sure.
  23. Just looked through these reviews and noticed that the only people who didn't enjoy the food seemed to have been looking for Tex Mex.
  24. The service was so slow, we were ignored for the longest time.
  25. It was a pleasure working with such competent and professional people.
  26. Pico's is a great restaurant and they have excellent food, the service sometimes can be slow, but the food is always good.
  27. Tried to tell the waiter then we were ready to order the food.
  28. The cochinita pibil is to die for, the service is great and Armando is a heck of a nice guy.
value
85.0% positive
  1. Top notch service & very reasonable pricing.
  2. Portions are huge!
  3. You can tell the meat is not as good quality, and the price went up the same time the quality went down.
  4. The price for 2 people having 2 Grande ritas or maybe 3 between them, some good supper, and a tip will run about $35.
  5. The prices have sky rocketed and their egos are MUCH too big for thier service, food, value, and drinks.
  6. It was incredibly delicious and the price was very reasonable.
  7. The margaritas were exceptionally huge and good.
  8. The margaritas are good, but not worth the price.
  9. the margaritas were not only huge, but very good!
  10. The seafood is excellent, but it's not cheap; nor or the margaritias.
wait time
25.0% positive
  1. Pico's is a great restaurant and they have excellent food, the service sometimes can be slow, but the food is always good.
  2. The service was so slow, we were ignored for the longest time.
  3. this has to be the worst tex-mex food i've had in a long time!
4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/07/12

Better than anything nearby

by Kuryakin

For the quality of the food, this is the best Mexican place west of Bellaire, It's location brings down rating a notch, but superior food and good drinks make up for that. Prices have gone up. Now in $10 -$15 range, but that's par most most restaurants in last few months. Has entrees not found in most places. Absolutely beats chain restaurants in quality. Has a nice bakery inside. Good wait staff.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/15/11

Overrated - Above Average But not the best

by Lance Salsman

Although the food was great, the service was not. Long waits take take order, refill drinks, refill chips and salsa, and to pay. The restaurant was comfortable and Mexican style authentic. I would come back but dont think this the best Mexican restaurant in Houston.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

04/23/11

Not as good as everyone says

by glenandsonja

My husband and I go out to eat at least once a week. We tried this based on reviews. The restaurant has a nice ambience and great music. One of the reasons we came was because their mole was highly rated. The first problem was the very slow service. It was one of the longest waits between each visit from the waiter. Now, those who brought the chips and salsa were great and kept us stocked. The mole was far from stellar, which disappointed my husband greatly since he loves mole. My dish was mediocre at best. It was one of the few times we did not take the leftovers home and purposely didn't finish our food. I ran out of drink at one point and couldn't get anyone to bring me a drink, and then brought me the wrong one when they did. They are also famous for their margaritas which is why I think everyone rated this place so high, they're too tipsy to notice the mediocrity of the food and service.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/18/11

Great Catering Operation

by Lisa52

I have used Pico's before for a casual team dinner and it was perfect.

This time I used them for a dressier event. The food is always good but I was especially pleased with the presentation. They walked in and transformed my kitchen into an inviting upscale Mexican buffet. I didn't have to lift a finger and everything was enjoyed by all.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/14/11

Best Caterer's Ever!

by Cindy Izaguirre

The food was wonderful, the margaritas were the best, and the service was outstanding! Pico's catered our celebration in honor of our grandbabies Baptism and we had guests from Houston as well as lots of family from out of town. I wanted something a little different than the usual Mexican food, and they certainly delivered! All our guests raved about the delicious food, it was a huge hit! And everyone loved the margaritas. I will definetly use Pico's again!

The Details on Pico's Mex-Mex Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • best shaker margaritas
  • excellent mexmex food
  • great service
  • great authentic mexican restaurant
  • best mexican food
  • favorite unique dishes
  • delisious nightly specials
  • like place
  • fun outdoor patio
  • bad meal
  • not cheap seafood
  • enjoy outofstate guests
  • absolutely great mexmex
  • good excellent cook
  • love best softshell crab
  • delicious favorite dishes
  • great ritas
  • unique chicken
  • worst texmex food
  • great party catering
  • authentic menu
  • authentic atmosphere
  • incredibly delicious price
  • love seafood enchiladas
  • mad red salsa

As Seen In…

Best of Citysearch

Houston

Best of Citysearch

Houston

Best of Citysearch

Houston

Advertisement

Featured In

Recent Reviews In Houston

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Fuzzy's Pizza & Cafe

823 Antoine Dr, Houston, TX

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Tila's Mexican Restaurante & Bar

1111 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX

1 Star Rating: Poor

Angus Grill Brazilian Steakhouse

6106 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX

3 Star Rating: Average

Uptown Sushi

1131 Uptown Park Blvd Ste 14, Houston, TX

Advertisement