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    El Pacifico

    3.0 (124 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    El Pacifico Photos

    Business Info

    EL PACIFICO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - El Pacifico

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    Woo K.

    Not what I was expecting. They honestly had good fried rice. But everything else was just, eh. It was alright.

    Shrimp and cheese dip
    Katherin O.

    We went for some drinks and the we ordered the shrimp and it was amazing! Margaritas were tasty and they were friendly. We had a good time.

    Margarita " Tropical "  $14.95
    Poncho O.

    This place was for me a great discovery and a very pleasant surprise! Everything is excellent !! Starting with the perfect and professional service, in addition to very delicious suggestions that Miss. NADIA gave me. They have many menus and endless options to please each and every one of the different palates attendees. "Such as Sushi, Mexican Food- TexMex, Seafood, Lunch menu, Happy Hour menu (in food and drinks) And plus** All portions of the dishes are really big! The prices in general are very good, it's just right! Trust me,...: 1* Service is PERFECT & friendly in all moment. 2* Quality 100% 3* Delicious Taste and Great Portions! Congratulations to all the team that works in "El Pacifico" I can't wait to come back!!! =)

    Destiny F.

    For service I wish I could give this place a 1. They aren't nice here, the host had a really bad attitude when telling us we couldn't wait inside when we where sitting on the couch. Mind you it was freezing outside. I just think they could've been nicer when asking us to wait outside. We also didn't have anyone come to our table to ask us for our drink order for a good 10-15 mins and when they did she said I'm not your server but I'm going to help get you some drinks which was nice. But we didn't see our server again for almost another 20 mins....I understand staffing issue is a thing right now, but there's a difference of being under staffed and simply just being rude to customers. However, aside from the negatives, there are a lot of different food options here which make it very convenient for large groups, there's a little of everything. I think they also make great drinks and they are strong! So it's worth the money. It is a cool place to just grab drinks and small bites to eat before heading for a night out too. It does turn into a bar/club seen starting around like 9:30ish/10pm just a heads up. However if service was better I would give this place like a 4.5. Foods okay, drinks are great, music is good but service is

    Sampler platter
    Frances L.

    Do not listen to the bad reviews on ElPacifico! We've been here twice now and it's become one of my favorite restaurants! Sure, the service can be a little lacking but when you're used to China Town quality service this is not that bad. First off the food! We started with the appetizer sampler and it was amazing! The empenadas were pretty good. I loved the shrimp stuffed peppers and the wings were spicy. Such a good deal for $9. My husband got the spicy tuna roll which was jut average but still fresh. I loved the mescada which is a type of seafood soup in a thick broth. They do not skimp on the seafood. There were mussels, shrimp, baby octopus in a rich tomato broth. It comes with rice kind of like a gumbo and a piece of garlic bread. Wonderful on a cold night. EL Pacifico is now in our food rotation! We will be back.

    Oasis G.

    Love this place but is a hit or miss kind of place. You won't know if you get great food or great service . Went in today no greeting until 10 minutes later and no it was not busy at all. My food looks great but wish it had more stuff on the taco . All there other tacos from here are fully loaded and have alot of flavor , this is just dry and no sauce what so ever or toppings .

    two plates of food on a table
    JT A.

    Came down from Dallas and found this place; excellent food, awesome menu, great service, no wait, inviting casual atmosphere, and on certain days/nights they have live music and karaoke! All at a reasonable price. Can't go wrong.

    Piba colada
    Isis G.

    I love coming here their food it's awesome and love their drinks. Love going on Sunday they have kareoke show.

    The caravan roll - absolutely fantastic!!
    Kiah G.

    This place is amazing! I had the BEST PULPO ever here. Cooked perfectly. I've had octopus in Asheville, Atlanta, Cancun, LA, etc. and this one was by far the best! Hats off to the chefs at El Pacifico. I also throughly enjoyed my sushi roll, got to LIGHT IT ON FIRE!

    Jalapeno poppers stuffed with seafood
    Lisa R.

    Everyone is right on with their reviews - it is an average joint in an interesting neighborhood and an unusual concept - a Latin-Japanese fusion restaurant advertising seafood and sushi. Sushi options are limited - a few types of fish can be ordered by the piece. The menu is heavy with cooked foods, like tempura, noodles, sandwiches. There are some sashimi/tiradito platters that can be ordered by the fish, a list of specials and then on weekends, the $5 roll menu. Between 3 of us, we had the jalepeno poppers stuffed with seafood, a small ceviche (crab, shrimp, oyster and octopus), 4 $5 rolls, and the yuzu yellowtail special. They gave me a big amount of spicy ponzu sauce with green onion. Props for having nanami togarashi on the tables. Big space, loud Tejano music/TV in background, lots of big screen TVs, we were seated at a half-moon shaped booth which was a bit weird. Pros +1 Togarashi +1 spicy as hell ponzu +1 yuzu sauce on menu +1 raw fresh jalepenos used +1 cheap cheap cheap (next time, 6 oysters is $3.99, poppers were $3.99, rolls $5...) Cons -1 Tiny glasses so we required constant refills -1 limited sushi menu I would probably go back and give it another shot, because they have "Tako Tacos" aka Octopus taco appetizers.

    Pina colada
    Maggie G.

    This place has amazingly delicious food ! I love it food is just amazing After 10pm they have a DJ. Nice place to enjoy a night out. Drinks are good too they have an amazing pina colada. I love the sushi is fresh and tasty!

    Hurricane Roll
    Avi I.

    I usually don't eat rolls since I prefer sashimi or nigiri but this place is great if you're looking for maki. The drinks are a little expensive and bland. I love the fresh tuna, satisfied my raw fish craving. Our server was really attentive and made sure every thing was all right. Four stars because while the food is good , it's not the best.

    The "Hurricane" and "El Cielo" Sushi

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    5 years ago

    It was really good , although it comes in big servings , so you'll probably need a to go box , and the nachos are very good !

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    9 years ago

    I got the tilapia, squid, shrimp & vegetable cheddar pasta. Really tasty, lots of flavor!

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    6 years ago

    Never again!! I found a dead bug inside my food, I threw up and completely lost my appetite. Completely disgusting place

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    Page 2 of 4

    El Pacifico Reviews in Other Languages

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    Do they have live music on Fridays?

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    Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina - Barbacoa and Carnita Taco

    Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina

    4.2(296 reviews)
    6.6 miMidtown, Fourth Ward, Montrose
    $$

    Food was great, drinks were so good, vibes were so chill and service was great, definitely…read morereturning for brunch!!

    Not my first time at Maderas. That's why I came back because it was excellent and my friends heard…read moreme rave about it and they suggested we come here. Arrived on Sunday evening around 7:30. Was sat immediately. Not my first time here so I knew the menu, my friends did not. So they needed time to see what drinks they wanted because they like cocktails and the menu is not small and they had to choose which ones they wanted because the options are good. When they decided, the cocktails straggled out. Two came out but the other two did not, They just sat at the bar as my friends sat with there with their drinks in front of them waiting on ours so we can toast to a wonderful day with a new member of the group. You would have thought the other staff would step in or at least the bartender would see that the waiter was in the weeds and needed help. That's when I knew we should have not come. The food was all lukw warm. The appetizer of queso was like warm with chunks of cheese floating around and some of the chips were fresh and others stale. A mixed bag you can say. My Flautas where luke warm, so was the side of beans and rice. My friends said their tacos were okay. My friend who got the Caesar Salad, there was no dressing on the salad not was there a side of dressing that came with it. We had to ask for it. I did not have the energy to try to keep wrangling the waiter. If you want to shut the kitchen down early because the day was long I get it. Let the customer know, I get it. I used to wait tables to but I would never give people luke warm food or luke service. The staff seems not to have one anothers back. I did not eat my food, I took my food home to reheat it so I could eat it at the proper temperature. My friend took his salad home because he had more Caesar dressing at home. Left a bad taste in my mouth and very disappointed. The service and food from the last time compared to this visit was night and day. Total miss. $200.00 thrown away. I paid because I could not let my friends waiste there money on someplace I raved about. Maderas is really a small cute spot. It's rare I have bad service when I go out to eat because I am not a difficult customer and I know I am not the only one they are serving. I will wait for good food and sit back and enjoy the atmosphere and my friends until it arrives. I would not put pressure on the staff or the kitchen. Also I will not arrive just before closing and make a resteraunt and it's staff stay open late because I am hungry. I rather come when the staff and the restaurant wants to recieve customers.

    Photos
    Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina - Right side entry

    Right side entry

    Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina - Rice & Beans

    Rice & Beans

    Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina - Chicken Enchiladas

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    Chicken Enchiladas

    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe - Queso + Beef

    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe

    3.9(896 reviews)
    8.8 miThe Heights
    $$

    When they say "everything is bigger in Texas," they weren't kidding. The size of the margarita was…read morebigger than my hand. If you want leftovers, this is your place to go. It was my first time trying out Tex mex style. It was so busy on a Saturday evening. The chips that were given to each table was incredibly warm and the sauces paired so well. I ordered the el manarco which is this giant piece of steak that was well charred, included this avacado and seafood grit sauce, rice + soup + gauconole/salsa. They gave me 4 giant house made tortillas which was also fresh and warm. This meal can be finished by two people. Definitely come here on an empty stomach and the portions are absolutely massive.

    Guys, you know I dont post a review unless a dish is a straight 10/10…read more The breakfast I just had warrants a 10/10 review at the Airline blvd location. I just had the Machacado con Huevo breakfast dish here and it was so incredibly good-So good! it was one of the best breakfasts Ive ever had. seriously.I will definitely be back for this breakfast. I recommend getting it with red and green sauce on the side and a side of tortillas ro make your own tacos with the eggs, salsa and refried beans. just wow! And that tamale needs its own menu. That tamale was amazing. I would get several orders of that soft white tamale by itself to go. And the service was a 10/10. They kept refilling my red and green sauce and kept checking up on me throughout. Ambience was great as always. Its a life changing dish. Thanks Teotihuacan for the great breakfast and great service! Yall deserve a well-earned review!

    Photos
    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe
    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe - Queso + Beef

    Queso + Beef

    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe - Fajita Salad

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    Fajita Salad

    Maximo - Tostada

    Maximo

    4.6(174 reviews)
    3.0 miWest University
    $$$

    Maximo looks like someone invited the desert inside and poured it a drink. The room is colorful,…read morewarm, and genuinely inviting--pots of cactus, cowboy paintings, and Mexican art. At brunch, the papas bravas come as small cubes of fried potato with an airy crunch that gives way to a soft, pillowy center - the kind of deeply satisfying bite that makes conversation briefly irrelevant. Crisp prosciutto adds salt, aioli brings richness, and smoky chile sauce keeps it lively. They're served with cactus-handled toothpicks, which are almost offensively adorable. The chilaquiles divorciados are another hit. The chips are dressed with salsa rather than drowned beneath it, so each one arrives ready for the perfect bite. It's a small distinction, but an important one. Then there are the enfrijoladas: rolled quesadillas in fluffy tortillas, covered in creamy black bean sauce and plated with more care than bean and cheese might seem to warrant. The dish is fundamentally simple, but that's the point. Soft tortilla, savory beans, melted cheese, bright salsa. Familiar ingredients transformed into something deeply comforting--the culinary equivalent of curling up beneath a warm blanket on a cold morning, even if Houston rarely provides one. Dinner shifts into another gear. The crudos are sensational, especially the tuna tiradito - a rolling wave of flavor and texture. The tacos are excellent across the board, but the crispy maitake mushrooms are unmatched. The short ribs arrive juicy and tender on a mole negro that doesn't sit politely in the background. It lands dark, complex, and full of flavor. And then there's the masa cornbread, a masterpiece of unapologetic indulgence. Humble cornbread meets savory-sweet mole, smoky, earthy butter, and caviar. It sounds like too much. It isn't. Every element earns its place. The cocktails deserve their own warning. They're the kind that convince you to keep ordering the same drink all night. By the end, you may have forgotten what was in it. What you'll remember is that it was refreshing, perfectly balanced, and exactly what you needed. Maximo makes ambitious food feel generous rather than fussy. Come hungry.

    I came here to celebrate my friend's birthday, and I'm so happy I finally got to try this…read moreestablishment! I would definitely recommend making a reservation, as it can get pretty busy, especially during Saturday lunch. There is also plenty of parking available across the street. The interior of the restaurant was beautiful and felt so authentic to Mexican culture. Our server, Kylah, was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and so kind throughout our entire dining experience. Now onto the food; everything was absolutely delicious. The Avocado Mollete and Chilaquiles Divorciados were both packed with so much flavor. Every bite was amazing. I had heard that the pancakes were the star of the show, and they definitely lived up to the hype. I have never had pancakes this crispy before, and they were so good! Our server also brought out a birthday surprise, the Chocolate Cremoso, and it was delicious! It was such a sweet touch to the celebration. Honestly, everything my party ordered was so flavorful and delicious. We had such a great experience, and I genuinely cannot wait to come back!

    Photos
    Maximo
    Maximo - Tres Leches

    Tres Leches

    Maximo - Paloma Coconut Punch & a classic Margarita.

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    Paloma Coconut Punch & a classic Margarita.

    Dona Leti's - Mini fajita steak street tacos

    Dona Leti's

    4.0(676 reviews)
    5.9 miThe Heights
    $$

    Dona Leti's is truly one of Houston's absolute gems, and it will ALWAYS be my go-to! From the owner…read moreto every single member of the staff, the hospitality is unmatched. You are not simply served here--you are welcomed, appreciated, and treated like family. Three weeks ago, I was actually headed here wanting to celebrate, but life changed in an instant with the passing of my dad. Today, I finally made it back, and what a beautiful full-circle moment it was. One of the greatest gifts was being able to see Julio, the owner, celebrating his own special day. That made the experience even more meaningful. The food is consistently AMAZING, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the service goes above and beyond every single time. You can feel the love, pride, and genuine care that has been poured into this establishment. I love EVERYTHING about Dona Leti's--the food, the people, the energy, the hospitality, and the way they make every visit feel special. Five stars simply aren't enough. If you're looking for incredible food and an experience that feels like home, Dona Leti's is the place. Forever a customer and forever recommending this Houston favorite!

    I had an extremely disappointing experience here yesterday--unfortunately, we never even made it to…read moredinner. The experience started poorly with the valet attendants, whom we found to be rude, dismissive, and very unprofessional. It was such an unpleasant first impression that my wife and I mentioned it to the hostess when we went inside. Unfortunately, things did not improve. The hostess seemed completely unconcerned about our experience and simply informed us that the wait for a table was approximately two hours. While deciding whether our party should wait or go elsewhere, I went to the bar to order a drink. After ordering, the bartender told me that if I was only having a drink, I needed to move. Apparently, sitting at the bar required ordering a meal. At that point, we had experienced enough. Between the unpleasant valet experience, the indifferent response at the hostess stand, the two-hour wait, and then being told I couldn't sit at the bar simply to have a drink while we decided what to do, the overall message was clear: we did not feel welcome here. My wife, the rest of our party, and I decided to leave and have dinner elsewhere. A busy restaurant is understandable. A long wait is understandable. What is much harder to understand is making prospective customers feel unwelcome at nearly every point of contact. Needless to say, this was an exceptionally disappointing experience, and we will not be returning.

    Photos
    Dona Leti's - Bar

    Bar

    Dona Leti's - Street Taco

    Street Taco

    Dona Leti's - Passion fruit margarita with a shot of Grand Marnier.

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    Passion fruit margarita with a shot of Grand Marnier.

    Candente - Museum District - Beans and rice

    Candente - Museum District

    4.1(643 reviews)
    5.7 miMuseum District, Montrose
    $$

    What better way to kick off a Texas trip than getting some highly-regarded tex-mex! Some coworkers…read morerecommended this spot to me so I had to try! It's in the Museum District/Montrose area, so pretty accessible and with plenty of parking. We got seated immediately, and there was a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating, the latter of which was great even on a humid day. The menu was pretty extensive with your Tex-Mex classics like fajitas and enchiladas, with a special for every day of the week. This time was a free upgrade to a large fajita, so I went with the chicken fajitas! It came out after about 20 minutes with all of the fixings and this very yummy buttery sauce. I haven't had too many fajitas, but I'm pretty confident this is a top spot!

    More like Can't Dente…read more Not a fan. The food actually isn't bad, by any means, it's just not my thing. I'm not into Tex-Mex. Houston has some of the greatest Mexican food in the world, and for me Tex-Mex never compares. But of course it is beloved by some Houstonians, plenty of Texans and lots of tourists, and as far as Tex Mex goes, Candente (where I've only eaten 3 times) is around average. A little higher priced and higher end than some of the busier and more well known local chains, but similar in quality and bland taste. The Fajitas are my fave thing on the menu, but nothing to write home about. The reason I took off a star (was going to give 3) is because of some personal issues I have with them. When picking up an order here, you get a notification to say, come to the store. That happens to me when I pick up take out in a lot of places, these days, and when I do, it is either ready, or it takes 5 more min or 10 more min (because they mark it ready when it is not. Generally I'm okay with it, if it's less than 10 min. Candente? 20 min or 30 min. Even when it's not busy. They'll mark orders as ready (to make themselves look efficient I imagine) even when they are completely dead, and then will not actually start cooking the order until you get there to pick it up (I know, because I see people come in at the same time I'm there to pick up, order a similar thing, and 20-30 min theirs and mine comes out at a similar time). So just frustrating, is all. The owner is a Texan guy from Kingwood, he also owns the Pit Room BBQ nearby, which is similarly very fancy and successful. Don't let my bad experiences here put you off from trying it. If you want a list of real Mexican gems (and mostly dirt cheap), ask me, but you won't find any Tex Mex on there at all, to be honest. Just not my thing, in the same way that I think American Chinese take away has nothing on Chinese Chinese, such as Sichuan or Xi'an or Hunan cooking.

    Photos
    Candente - Museum District
    Candente - Museum District - When in Rome

    When in Rome

    Candente - Museum District - Skinny margarita (large)

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    Skinny margarita (large)

    El Pacifico - japanese - Updated September 2026

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