Pico's Mex-Mex Restaurant

When I get a craving for beef I head to Pico's and order the Huasteca. It's always cooked the way I want it, and served with queso flameado, pico de gallo, and guacamole, it makes the perfect tacos. During the Spring and Fall I like to go in the evening and sit outside by the fountain. The mariachis here play without brass instruments, so they can entertain without deafening the diners.

Pros: Best Buy for a Steak

Cons: Very Rarely Gristle

Posted 10/25/09

love to sit out on the patio and have a margarita. my kids love to throw pennys in the fountain.

Pros: patio, margaritas, chicken soup, ceviche

Cons: a little expensive but worth it

Posted 10/24/09

I've been eating here since early '90's and never been disappointed yet for evening or breakfasts. The house specialty entrees are worth a visit -- better than HUGO's in my opinion. If you think the location isnt that safe, please note that there's a watchman out in the parking lot. The owner seems to always be there, so everyone is working hard to please. I was hoping the sale of the next door real estate would enable PICO'S to have a nicer outdoor venue, but still having to eat in a parking lot when the weather is nice. Since moving from SW Houston, I still come back after trying out the choices in Pearland - nothing compares overall.

Pros: house specialties, quality, quantity, schooner beers

Cons: no greenbelt around patio (parking lot) dining

Posted 10/08/09

I 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 & SO AUTHENTIC it's like a time machine or magic trip to enjoy these & other dishes.GREAT SEAFOOD!!

Pros: Terrific Margaritas & Tequilas

Cons: It's ALWAYS crowded!!

Posted 10/07/09

This is a GREAT restaurant. Since I started going here I have never stopped and I have never had a meal that wasn't good. The service is spectacular. the food is fresh, the variety is great.
This is NOT like those other "hit & miss" restaurants or those others that attract "only the in-crowd" but whose food is less then desirable. This is a great restaurant that you can feel comfortable coming with your family, or work friends or even a date. The outdoor patio is fun and romantic.
But of course the best is the food - the owner, chef is always there and visible. The food is the best that I have had in the 6 states that I have lived in. This is like one of those restaurants that is sooo good that you don't want it known because it will be swamped but I believe they deserved the recognition!!!

Pros: Food, and service

Cons: It's not within a block of my house.

Posted 10/07/09

We've gone here since moving to Houston in the mid-80s. The cochinita pibil is to die for, the service is great and Armando is a heck of a nice guy. We are from Mexico City and not being foreced to eat some type of greasy, cheese-covered "mexican food" is a treat!

Pros: The place to go for the real deal

Cons: none

Posted 09/17/09

I am told by friends and family that I can
cook. I do not go out for Mexican food unless it is to Pico's. I was taught to cook by my Mother and aunts. Pico's food is well prepared, use quality ingredients and they have sustained high standards. I recommend!!

Pros: Well prepared, authentic and high quality--Exceptional

Cons: more seating

Posted 09/16/09

I had to plan a party celebrating my husband's birthday while working in Africa. I 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.
Arnaldo and his staff made it possible for me to enjoy our guests.

Pros: Excellent food, excellent service, reasonable cost

Cons: no downside

Posted 09/16/09

Pico's uses fresh spinach--not mushy canned--almonds and wonderful cheeses. None better!

Pros: Best spinach enchiladas

Cons: None

Posted 09/15/09

Love the ambience, the seafood enchiladas (too die for and enough for 2), always interesting specials and the best softshell crab in the country. The shaker margaritas are great. And I love a great margarita. Ask about their new bakery.

Jan

Pros: Fresh food, great wait-staff, generous proportions

Cons: No cons but think about a reservation for groups of 6 +

Posted 09/15/09

Superb mexican style sauteed calamari, the best spinach enchillada's in town and their soft shell crabs are enough to get my taste buds on a roll just thinking of them. My biggest problem is making a decision.
The regular margarita's are better than most places and they also serve "I had a hard day" ones.
Joining the e-mail list is a nice plus that keeps Pico's a step ahead of the rest.
The mariachi's add an authentic atmosphere when entertaining out-of-state guests.
Have had several successful business luncheons and dinners with great results.
LOVE the option of eating outside in our limited climate town.

Pros: Great Menu. My husband and I love Pico's!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Cons: Can be very loud!!

Posted 09/15/09

I am a Rice University Professor. Recently I held a meeting on the Rice
campus consisting of about 25 people from all over the country and a good
representation from Southern California. We went to Pico's in a small bus
for dinner.You served us Parilla Mixta family style. The food, was excellent
and fairly priced. The service was excellent and there was a a good
atmosphere. I found it interesting that the California visitors who are so
proud of their California Mexican food, stated that they were truly
surprised that they had to come to Houston for the best Mexican food they
had ever had. Thank you for adding to the success of my conference.

Last month Pico's catered a gathering of family and friends at my house
where we were celebrating my wife's and my Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary.
We had about 120 people present from all over the country and some from
other countries. You food was the highlight of the day. It was excellent.Your
delivered the food and took care of every detail. We just served. It was a
pleasure working with such competent and professional people. We will do
this again. Thank you Pico's.

Posted 06/21/09

This is the finest place for authentic Mexican food in Houston. They have a HUGE selection of quality tequilas and the best margaritas you will ever taste.

I dare anyone to find a better soft shell crab and the nightly specials are always creative and delisious.

You will not be disappointed by choosing Pico's.

Pros: Best staff, Great Margaritas

Cons: Can get crowded at popular dinning times

Posted 04/06/09

Pico's is a great restaurant and they have excellent food, the service sometimes can be slow, but the food is always good. Not Tex-Mex, not meant to be. The seafood is excellent, but it's not cheap; nor or the margaritias.

Pros: Seafood, Unique

Cons: Price, Location

Posted 03/06/09

I have been going to Pico's for many many years, and in the past 3 or so years, it has really gone down the drain! The prices have sky rocketed and their egos are MUCH too big for thier service, food, value, and drinks. The margaritas are good, but not worth the price. They won awards for them, but i think since then they have changed them a little, and no longer taste like the award winning drinks they once were. The food also has gone down the drain. You can tell the meat is not as good quality, and the price went up the same time the quality went down. You can eat at thousands of other mexican resturants for the same or cheaper price and get MUCH better food, service, and drinks! Don't waist your time or money here!!!

Pros: Decent marg's

Cons: price, quality of food, and service

Posted 01/22/09

Horrible, horrible service. Overpriced bland food. Not so great margaritas. Pretty much sums it up.

My wife REALLY wanted to go there for her birthday. She was incredibly excited even though the last time she went there and asked for a refill on her diet coke the waiter brought to her in the 64 oz margarita glass and told her "That should hold you". But she had been there on an occasion or two and really liked their margaritas and wanted to try them again. So we went. Bad idea.

We got seated really quickly. Excellent.

Waited for a while for the waiter to come around. Once he did he take our drink order he made us feel like we had just asked him to go clean a toilet or something. Rolled his eyes (when he was actually making eye contact) and sighed the entire time. Wow. Don't know what we did, or more likely what happened to him earlier in the day to upset him, but we blew off his rudeness. Credited it to him having a bad day or something. No, we didn't sit there and ask him questions about their over-hyped margaritas. We had been sitting there for awhile, and knew exactly what we wanted to drink.

Got one more round of drinks 30 minutes later, only because when he came to take our food order, the drinks we had were no longer. He asked if we were ready to order food, we said yes. He asked if we wanted another round, we said yes. He then ran away. Ok. Guess we're not getting our food any time soon.

Fifteen minutes later our drinks came. Tried to tell the waiter then we were ready to order the food. He put the hand up and told me he'd be back in a minute.

At this time I wanted to leave. So did a couple of other people at the table. But it was my wife's birthday and she didn't want to leave. Her family owns a restaurant, and she blamed his rudeness on the fact that he was really busy, although (and don't tell her this) he wasn't. So we waited. And waited. And waited.

Food came out 30 minutes later. Blah.

Pros: Nice patio

Cons: Everything else

Posted 08/18/08

Four of us went for lunch there a few weeks ago on the recommendations here. Only ONE person could eat their food. We all got a variety of things and they were all consistently awful. It was a rainy day and there was only one other group in the entire restaurant. The service was so slow, we were ignored for the longest time. It took quite a long time for the food to come out too.

The red salsa was great but they got mad when you asked for another basket of chips. After one bite of my beef fajitas, I just decided to eat chips and salsa but they were rude and took forever to bring us a second basket of chips. If you must go, bring some extra chips in your purse so you don't leave hungry :-)

Pros: Red Salsa

Cons: Everything besides the red salsa

Posted 07/22/08

I am a regular at Pico's. You can't beat the bacon wrapped shrimp or the banana leaf wrapped snapper. Out of the 20+ times I have been there, the last two times it was really busy and the service was poor. The wait staff works hard but when they are packed you could be there for 45 mins to an hour between the time you sit down and get your food. I see it as more time to enjoy your queso flameado w/ chorizo and your ?ultimate rita? (one of the best ritas in Houston). If you go at busy times, make sure you are not in a hurry, but the food consistently the s#*t and worth the wait. Top three for Mexican restaurants in Houston.

Posted 06/12/08

I love,love,love Pico's! Exceptional margaritas and great seafood.I brought my sister and her fiance here from NYC and they were floored by the great food.No one comes close to Pico's.

Pros: Food,Parking,Margaritas

Cons: None

Posted 02/10/08

my boyfriend and i got the fajitas for two, queso, and had margaritas! the margaritas were not only huge, but very good! the quacomole was outstanding! fun enviroment too, will definitely be back, :)

Pros: FOOD, MARGARITAS

Posted 11/05/07

I have only been to Pico's once, but the seafood enchilada's are to die for! The atmosphere was very fun and was there with 5 other people and the service was great. I would highly recommend this restaurant if you love seafood enchiladas!

Posted 11/05/07

Had dinner for the first time at Picos with my office group. The margaritas were exceptionally huge and good. The seafood enchiladas were to-die-for! Also try the shrimp ceviche! Restaurant is perfect for a fun casual large group! The food is authentic Mexican, not Tex-mex. Oh and they have every agave tequila known to man!

Pros: Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Cons: none

Posted 11/04/07

Pico's was truly a great experience and I would highly recommend it. They have a fantastic selection of tequilas so I had to try one of their famous margaritas. It was fantastic! The crisp chips and the homemade salsa were extremely fresh. For the entree I had the the cheese, beef and chicken enchiladas. They were so good with the right amout of melted cheese over the top. Our service was impeccable and half way through our meal, there were 3-4 musicians playing some wonderful sounds. They had an outdoor patio which this time of year is wonderful to experience. Check it out! If you are from out of town looking for a true Mex-Mex experience, you will find it here.

Pros: Patio, Parking, Food

Posted 10/31/07

The food is super authentic here. It's like taking a mini-vacation to Old Mexico. Their salsa is spicy and good. Definitely a lot better than the standard Tex-Mex fare you find in many strip malls around town.

Posted 10/29/07

I had a paella feast party catered by Pico's. All my guests enjoyed watching the cooking demonstration as well as the food. The service was outstanding! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a caterer, I was able to enjoy the party as they do everything.

Posted 10/23/07

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. No wonder they weren't thrilled. Pico's makes the best dang MEXICAN food north of the border. If you love Pico's as much as I do, and you ever have to leave Houston, you will suffer severe withdrawal. There is nothing comparable anywhere. The friendliest service, the best food, and AWESOME Margaritas make it a necessity to vist as often as possible.

Pros: everything

Cons: don't go if you are looking for Tex Mex or insist on being unhappy or depressed

Posted 10/21/07

My wife and I ate at Pico's last night. We sat out front under the palapa (straw canopy) next to the fountain, which was very pleasant and fun. The service was prompt and very friendly. We had two different servers help us, and both were very enthusiastic. Another server seemed to know several of the dinner guests around us from previous visits, and he conversed with them congenially. All of this made for a nice night, despite the just OK food. I had the cochinita pibil, which is a favorite dish of mine. Usually, this dish is seasoned very richly with tamarind, or cinnamon, or something like that, but this version was fairly bland. It was very tender and succulent, but just tasted like pork and canned tomatoes. My wife's cheese enchiladas were standard and unremarkable (which is typical with cheese enchiladas). The margaritas were pretty tasty. I had the "Perfect," and my wife had one that was not on the menu, with a slightly better tequila, which was worth the extra $1. Both were served in the iced shaker, and filled the martini glass 2 1/2 times. 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.

Pros: Great Ambience, Great Service, Great 'Ritas

Cons: Average food (not really a Con)

Posted 09/04/07

I first visited Pico's a few years ago for my 21st, when my whole family had the flu (we were supposed to have gone out), and, instead, I went out with people my age. Of course, we had to find a place with GIANT margaritas (or really any alcohol in copious amounts). Needless to say, I was hooked. 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. I'm not a margarita fan, but, man oh man, for Pico's, I make an exception! The fajitas are one of my favourites, but you really can't go wrong with anything on their menu!

Pros: Wonderful food and service!

Cons: Not a thing!

Posted 08/13/07

Picos is by far the best authentic Mexican Restaurant in Houston. They definitely have the best Margaritas & Best Tequila selection in Texas. Try the Cochinitas Pibil which is pork cooked in banana leaves & is amazing. The chicken enchiladas with poblano mole sauce are amazing & so is the snapper cooked in banana leaves. You can't go wrong with your food selection @ Picos. More importantly, order the Perfecto Margarita with your choice of premium blanco or reposado tequila. For you tequila novices, Jose Cuervo is not real tequila & will only make you sick the next day. Picos uses top quality tequila (ie. 100% Blue Agave) in their margaritas unlike most other establishments in town. Top notch service & very reasonable pricing. It feels like you are in Mexico whether you are sitting inisde or outside under the Palapa. MAS TEQUILA.

Pros: Everything

Cons: Only 1 Picos in the world

Posted 07/31/07

My mother in law just recently came to town to visit and I was looking for the perfect place to take her.. This name was brought up at a business meeting, and decided to try it. IT WAS FABULOUS.. The service was great, and the food was delicious! & prices were fair, and VERY worth it..

Pros: Fajitas

Posted 07/19/07

My family tells me I am an excellent cook; almost as good
as my Mom. I know Mexican Food and Pico's is one of just
a handful of Mexican restaurants I would consider visiting.
Their Mole Poblano enchilidas with chicken fajitas are just
superb. The enchilidas Suissas are exceptional. The steaks are cooked to perfection and the fish dishes are mouth-watering! They use quality ingredients. What a treat!

Pros: Well prepared food

Cons: crowded during rush

Posted 07/15/07

Pico's offers an authentic menu of outstanding Mexican food. The margaritas are perfect, and the service is excellent.

Pros: authentic mexican; perfect margaritas

Cons: none!

Posted 07/13/07

I usually only go here when they have the softshell crab. I don't recommend the mexican food though. I don't care for their brand of enchiladas. I think they probably have other things that are quite good but you can find better TEX-MEX enchiladas anywhere else in the city.

Pros: Great softshell crab

Cons: terrible Tex-Mex enchiladas!

Posted 11/15/06

I was treated to Pico's for my birthday. The wait was really long but once we were seated our food was prepared and brought to us reasonably quickly. It was good meal.

Posted 10/31/06

THE BEST drinks in Houston! The bartenders make the most delicious margaritas we've ever had - anywhere. They also serve large crowds as fast as we've ever seen in a small bar. People cluster around the bar which is crowded with locals and it creates an exciting, people watching experience. Smoking is allowed at the bar (yeah!) and the exhaust system is excellent. Specials are sent via email when you sign up for them. The owner, his wife and brother are there almost every evening making sure everyone is happy - unusual for most businesses. Fabulous tequila tastings are educational, fun and convivial. And the food's great, too! Wonderful place - you should make a point of dropping by. Casual (shorts/jeans) dress.

Pros: Plenty of parking - guard present - service is terrific - drinks are the best in Houston

Posted 10/04/06

This place has the tastiest, most satisfying food I have ever had at a restaurant. Every item on the menu is excellent and the prawns wrapped in chile and bacon are to die for. Portions are huge! Ambience is sort of a Mexican Trader Vic's and staff is exceptionally friendly. This restaurant plays up their margaritas, which are nothing special. Instead, they should play up their food, which is extraordinary! I look forward to eating at this place every time that I am in Houston.

Pros: Tasty food; large portions; excellent prices

Cons: Strip mall location (pretty common for restaurants in Houston)

Posted 08/23/06

I have been going to Pico's with my family for approximately 20 years. We have never been disappointed when eating at Pico's Mex Mex restaurant. The food is always wonderful and we really enjoy the specials. The Margarita (Picorita) is the best margarita we have ever tasted. The seafood is always fresh and the soft shell crabs are the best in town. (Even better than the soft shell crabs I have eaten in New Orleans.) The steaks are better than most steaks you eat some of Houston's finer steakhouses. We recommend this restaurant to everyone.

Posted 04/19/06

...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. I was so excited to find a place that had huachinango, or chiles en nogada, or anything other than fajitas/burritos/tacos, but I was so sorely disappointed. Maybe it was an off night but it will be a while before I get that ceviche's taste out of my mind. It was like a combination of pickle juice and Mrs. Dash seasonings. It just ain't right.

Pros: Ambience

Cons: Food, Service, Price

Posted 04/07/06

The tortilla soup is unsurpassed! Grilled Lobster, wow! Very friendly place

Posted 03/18/06

Pico's catering is fabulous..they just catered my third party with 100 plus people. The food, margaritas and service were top notch. You can relax and enjoy your party. Their bartender will serve all beverages...we bought our own beer, wine etc. and he handled everything. I highly recommend them and will absolutely use them again in the future.

Posted 01/28/06

We've been frequenting Pico's for the past 10 years and have no plans to stop! Quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas and margaritas....you can't go wrong!

Pros: Great Service, Excellent Food, Great Value

Posted 08/06/05

If you haven't been to Pico's, just go. The food is great and the Margaritas are authentic.

Posted 07/01/05

This restuarant came in second place to me. The first place winner was a hole in the wall in San Antonio named, Blanco Cafe. Since I am no longer in S.A., Pico's is my new home for WONDERFUL, DELICIOUS, AUTHENTIC MEXICAN, food!! Gracias por todo!!

Pros: Pricey, but worth it, Lively, Delicious

Posted 01/14/04

My overall rating was a "9" because the two "8's"
were actually "8+'s" & the two "9's" were actually
"9+'s". Have never been disappointed with the food
or service & recently had a delightful outside seat-
ing area lunch.
The margaritas deserve every syllable of the com-
pliments they receive.
If people keep missing out on PICO's it just makes
it less crowded for me. Thank you.

Posted 10/21/03

This is a just quite simply a GREAT Mexican restaurant. The menu is diverse and authentic, well prepared and served with a smile. It's truly head and shoulders above most all the restaurants listed above it.
I guess what disturbs me the most about these "list" is how few of the real Houston "gems" ever even get mentioned. Lupe Tortilla a great mexican restaurant? I don't think so, Chuy's the meat market, I don't think so. 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. A good start would be Pico's

Posted 10/10/03