07/22/07

CANNOT HANDLE LARGE PARTIES & POOR CUST SVC

by lonestarlawyer

We made reservations for a birthday party about 17 people way ahead of time for a Saturday night.

They were so gracious upon making the reservation and upon our arrival decorating the table for the party. We reserved the bar area which looked great. However, to our dismay, we were acosted by a manager who said we could no longer order at the bar....we HAD to order through our waitress. Also, separate checks were forbidden. One waitress in a SUPER-BUSY restaurant was not enough for our table so the service was horribly slow even though she was trying. Even our non-seated, late-arriving guests were FORBIDDEN from ordering straight from the bar! I didn't like that one bit. Once again, I ended up paying three times my share of the bill because of not being able to order my own drinks from the bar. Also, our check had quite a few discrepancies. All-in-all, it took about an hour-and-a-half to two hours for the dinner entrees to be ordered and delivered. Most of us were too full on chips to order anything. Additionally, the margaritas, at around 8 bucks a pop were rather over-priced. I don't like businesses telling me when and from who I must order rather than being happy to accept my hard-earned money.

I would NEVER EVER book a party here again.

I've never been standing right next to a bar and been forbidden from ordering from it while at a party in my life.

This was an obvious case of the management riding the "popularity" of the place and tossing customer service to the curb.

The staff kept blaming all the large parties for the problems...

Perhaps they shouldn't have so many large parties at once, enlarge the bar, or hire extra waitstaff.

DO NOT HAVE A PARTY HERE!

• Pros: ambience and little else
• Cons: parking, margarita price, service, customer relations

05/09/09

Watch you bill

by mrk

My wife and I both ordered margaritas with our meal. I ordered the coco-rita, 10.95, and my wife ordered the lime-rita, 5.95. When we got the bill, the waitress charged me 12.00 for the coco-rita and 7.00 for the lime-rita. I had to show them on the menu that we were overcharged. Ultimately they changed the bill but, I am very upset because this is the second time this has happened to us. I think they are trying to overcharge people who might have had one too many.

My warning to anyone considering this restaurant.....

WATCH YOUR BILL !

• Pros: Great outdoor patio
• Cons: Charge more than prices on menu

04/27/09

Great Patio with Horrible Service

by servicediva

The only reason I ever consider this place is to enjoy a nice Houston day on their patio. However, I always leave frustrated and saying that I will never go back. Houston has too many great restuarants with better food to put up with the horrible service you will inevitably get at El Pueblito.

• Pros: Patio ambiance, Decent food
• Cons: Horiible Service

02/08/09

Are we in Cancun?

by eatsleepandship

Amazing atmosphere on the patio - love the salsa - good ritas - friendly staff - the inside decor is scary - but when you walk down the hallway to the patio - it feels like you should have sand in between your toes

08/29/08

Great atmosphere and Costal Mexican Cousine

by kfuchs

This place is awesome!

The back patio is so much fun for a date, happy hour or just dinner with friends. The music is nice as well. A classic guitar and band rather than mariachi etc. The menu is pretty seafood based and the sides are phenominal. My Mahi Mahi came with grilled tomatoes and sauteed spinach with garlic. It's such a refreshing change from tex mex and refried beans. The margaritas are outstanding as well. The pina margarita comes in a coconut which is a little campy but it makes the margarita really yummy. Think lime and coconut rather than a pina colada.

Also, they have a sand volleyball court which they have recently added, and there are cabana type tables around it with cushions to lounge on. While I wouldn't suggest getting there too early in the summer, unless you want to play volleyball and drink all afternoon in the heat, it cools down nicely in the evenings and they have fans out as well. Definitely a great place and a hidden gem!

• Pros: Great atmosphere, food and music
• Cons: none

06/16/08

Bad Service Unpleasent Kitchen Smell !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by lisa14789

Good food!! The staff is horriable.Waited 1 hr to get food. Plus I was charged 20% gratuity when i should of been 18% gratuity .Plus when you are walking across the kitchen to get to the patio there is a funny smell.

06/14/08

worst waitstaff ever!

by lucky720

ok, the ambience is great, the patio is really nice, but other than that the place is not all that. It took forever for our drinks and food to arrive, plus, they wouldn't give sufficient cups for all our guest to share when we ordered pitchers of margaritas...and they forgot to give my friend a dessert for her birthday after they continously promised that they would do so. Also, the waiters seemed to be annoyed whenever we would have a question over a particular dish..........kind of snooty. So all in all if you want to just drink then it's a good place to go with friends but don't expect good service

• Pros: The patio
• Cons: the lame service

11/06/07

A vacation spot inside the loop!

by srs211

My husband and I have been going El Pueblito for about a year. It just keeps getting better! We had the "El Capitan" and the "Hot & Crazy Plate" last night and everything was fantastic. The temperature, portion size and presentation of both dishes was perfect. Best of all, the food is genuinely healthy and tasty at the same time. Our server was an absolute jewel and was very attentive. We love the patio dining at El Pueblito because the music, lighting and relaxing vibe makes us feel like we are on vacation. Treat yourself to an El Pueblito patio evening. Like us, you will go back time and again.

• Pros: Patio, seafood dishes, service
• Cons: more parking

09/28/07

best patio!...great prices!

by sldyn07

First i would like to congrat El Pueblito for taken the "Best Patio in Houston" AGAIN!....Houstons right u guys have the best patio in town!....So i went last night to El Pueblito for a big party i called to reserve and i saw the review someone made about not having big parties there and i think they were so wrong!...our party was of 15 ppl, we had 2 waiters that were awsome!...i also noticed that we werent the only big party there i saw several other parties in the patio. I have been going to El Pueblito for about 3 years now since i moved down here from mexico (might i saw cancun) and trust me when i go to Pueblito i feel right at home!! oh and u cant forget to order there drink special cocorita or pinarita! y far the best!..for those who havent gone GO just make sure u call to reserve a cabana or BIG party a day ahead!...but once again loved the visit and Will go again!

• Pros: PATIO
• Cons: more parking

09/20/07

looks like a dive bar, tastes like a 5-star

by allenej

We sat outdoors in a cabana, and it almost felt like I was on vacation. The mango margaritas were delicious (our waiter called them "medicine" haha), and the food was amazing. I was raised in El Paso, so I've had my fair share of heavenly enchiladas; however, the seafood enchiladas at El Pueblito were one of a kind.

• Pros: outdoor cabanas, flavored margaritas, variety

09/16/07

Ceviche

by coog78

This is a really good spot for cheap eats. The interior is dated and part of the charm. Most plates are really good, but the emphasis here is on seafood. I get the ceviche every time I come here. It's done really well and inexpensive. Overall, you shouldn't expect to spend much to leave you completely full. Good Central American food at Central America prices. Que bueno!