Carlos & Pepe's Cantina

07/19/11

Two strikes...THEY'RE OUT!!!

by TM72 at Citysearch

I give all restaurants two chances. They blew it twice so I'm done. This place was ok when we first started going, very festive decor and a very nice pour on the glass of wine. Food was the standard Mexican fare, nothing special but tasty enough. Pricing was pretty steep for standard mexican fare, but it is a heavy tourist area so...ok. One night while in the dining room, we saw a mouse, (yes a MOUSE!!!) scampering up the aisle. The staff noticed it and feigned concern. I later chalked it up to a small oversight....what a mistake.

Being a glutton for punishment I returned. My gf and I ordered fajitas. Me the chicken she the scallop/shrimp combo. After a 30 min wait for them, her scallops tasted like soap. Why a scallop would taste like soap is beyond me, but they tasted like soap. We told the server who seemed put out that we wanted to send it back, made us wait with it until the manager came over. The manager was equally as put off with us but eventually took the food off the table and asked what she would like instead. She asked for the fish fillet dish (there is only one) and the manager seemed confused as to what she wanted. Now...I'm thinking that if a dish is ordered "on the fly" it will come out quickly especially if it's fish. After waiting 20 minutes my gf walked out. It was too much, I mean it's a fillet of tilapia and a cold bean salad not a well done steak. As she was leaving the manager walked up with the fillet, I said forget the food just bring me the bill. His response was: "I could have brought it faster if she wanted it raw"

If you're looking for mediocre food and poor service, this is the place!

12/10/10

Find somewhere else to go!!!

by dmberger at Citysearch

It had been a while since I had been to Carlos and Pepe's and now I remember why! The food was terrible and the service was non-existent. Even the chips and salsa were bad. The chips were greasy and tasted rancid. The salsa was like watered down soup and had virtually no taste. The server who brought the food literally threw it down in front of us and walked away. We didn't see our server again until he brought the check. If you want crummy mexican food be sure to try this place. You are better off buying a TV dinner in the frozen food section of the grocery store.

12/11/09

Will Never Go Back

by e1a at Citysearch

I've eaten at C&P a few times over the years and food has been ok. My last experience there was horrible and I walked out with a party of 8 people when they were slow. Manager and Host were rude and not accommodating at all. Walked over to TAZA's in the same plaza and had a great experience and great food.

• Pros: none
• Cons: Horrible customer service

07/27/08

Awesome Beef, Nachos, Cheese, Margaritas, Vibe!

by jlgon1 at Citysearch

My Husband and I live in Miami so it's quite a drive to get to Carlos and Pepe's but it's worth it if we're heading north. Their beef is to die for. It's like potroast, tender and savory. The portions are perfect to large...so go with an appetite. We love to start off with one of their many creative margaritas and chips and salsa. The salsa is SOOOOOOO fresh. In fact everything is.

The service is always great. There is one gentleman that we love to sit with because his smile is just so inviting. The food comes out of the kitchen piping hot and promptly (just the way we like it).

The colors and textures used to decorate the place make the ambiance calming and warm.

You'll enjoy this place for sure! (Oh, and try the smoked salmon dip with your chips...mmmmmm!)

• Pros: Food, ambiance, location, service.
• Cons: Can get packed but, it's SO worth the 5-10 minute wait!

08/12/07

Management/Service A JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by abenavides at Citysearch

We were in town with friends and hoped for a good dining experience but were completely embarassed! As first time diners we needed a few minutes to look over the menu. When our waitress arrived we asked what beers were on draft and she pointed to the bar so we could read them! I ordered two Dos XX"s. "No" she replied "I know it's up there but we don't have it"! We decided on two Ultimate margs which by the time we recieved them it had been at least 15 minutes! While we were trying to enjoy our beverages, after having to go to the bar for limes ourselves, we saw our waitress overwhelemed with the ONE table across from us without her ever giving a glance in our direction! That was the time we decided she must have been a 30 something busser thrown into waiting tables! When she finally arrived to our table she said "Are you ready to order?" we ordered dinner without an opportunity to order an appetizer which we intended! We had to flag her down to add a side of japs and avacados with our meals. It was then she said "we can't do avacados but you can order guacamole." REALLY!!! Fed up with the service and attiude by the our waitress we asked a passing by waiter to speak to a manager. We saw him tell our waitress what we wanted and she came by to say "Why do you want to talk to a mgr, I didn't do anything wrong?" When what looked like to be the bartender approached the table and introduced himself as the manager the waitress was sure to be by his side in complete defense! We nicely asked her to leave but upon her continuous resistance had to be firm, w/o any help from the mgr! After informing him of our visit and him seemingly surprised by the ignorance of our wtrs his solution was a new wtr. On our way out we wanted speak to the mgr and a diff. one was pointed out! The one we spoke to came hurrying up saying they were both mgrs! We told him we were dissapointed w/how he handled the sit. he said "I've been here 30 yrs!" he didn't own it but "there's no one above him!"

• Pros: seated promptly
• Cons: everything else