My friend and I made a reservation and was seated within 5 minutes; luckily we made a reservation because the restaurant was extremely busy. You can make reservation through the phone or directly from the website. The food was somewhat disappointing as I was expecting more of Mexican kick as it claims to be an upscale Mexican Kitchen. I got the gulf shrimp "diablo rojo" tacos which was supposed to come with guacamole, pickled red onion, habanero and mango salsa. When the food arrived, it was not was I was expecting. I asked the server why both the guacamole and salsa was missing and she said the guacamole would be an additional charge and they ran out of salsa. I'm confused as to why they would advertise guacamole on their menu if there is an additional charge - one would assume it would be included if it is listed on the menu. I got the blood orange mimosa and definitely felt as if the bartender filled the entire glass with juice. read more

The Painted Burro - Mexican Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Food was horrible in Davis Square. I recommend the restaurant in Waltham which is outstanding.

Everyone tells me this their go to Mexican spot and honestly I'm underwhelmed. The tacos are OK but nothing special. Enjoyed the shrimp taco (which the waiter recommended) but the swordfish taco was dry and overcooked. Drinks were good but nothing that leaves me wanting more. The guacamole almost tasted like vinegar. Highlight of the meal was the corn. Can't go wrong with elote. No reason to stay away but I won't be a regular. read more

The Painted Burro - Swordfish Taco (left) and shrimp taco (right) - Mexican Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

I enjoyed my meal here! We were able to be seated on a Saturday without a reservation (there is a fair amount of seating). I loved the à la carte taco selection-- lots of pescatarian friendly choices. I went with a sweet potato taco (my favorite) and shrimp taco. Complimentary chips are a plus too! read more

The Painted Burro - Sweet potato and gulf shrimp tacos - Mexican Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Unimpressed. The brunch food here is very mediocre BUT the potato's and drinks were pretty good. This is a cool looking Mexican spot that gets pretty crowded at brunch so I would recommend making a reservation if you come with a big group. Orders: Nachos : they overdo it on the chipotle mayo. I'm not a huge mayo fan, especially when it comes to nachos so If I got these again I would skip the chipotle mayo Baja style fish tacos : in one word - bland. Honestly they weren't terrible but they were lacking flavor. Only flavor I enjoyed was from the breakfast potatoes Chorizo & egg torta : over did it on the chipotle mayo AGAIN. And very heavy on thee egg Overall : come for drinks not food- the margaritas are good read more

The Painted Burro - Crispy "Baja Style" Fish Taco Plate Brunch - Mexican Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Can for cocktails pre another dinner engagement. Had the cucumber margarita with a salt rim and it was light, refreshing and tasty. Others I was with had beers or another margarita flavor and also enjoyed. The place was busy for a Tuesday and we had to cluster at the end of the bar but the waitresses were very accommodating and helped us make a space to be together as a group (about 8-10 of us) while we hung out before the actual reservation time (some were staying for dinner with another group and others were not). The chips and guacamole were good and the salsa was fresh with just the perfect amount of heat- not too mild and not too heavy into medium. Next time I may stay for the dinner but a great place to hang out for happy hour for sure. read more

We tried their bottomless brunch on a chilly Saturday morning. Prior reservations are highly recommended considering how busy they get over the weekend. We started off with some coffee which I felt could have been better as it was not hot and tasted bland. We were also told that they don't have any non dairy creamer options when one of our friends asked for it. They have a variety of food options on the menu so we decided to order a few (tacos, chilaquiles, french toast, pancake, chicken wings, tortas, huevos rancheros). The portion sizes were just perfect which allowed us to try multiple things on the menu. Service was quick and there is ample parking at the back of the restaurant. read more

The Painted Burro - Mexican Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Stopped by here after dinner drinks at the bar. I got a hibiscus margarita and beau got old fashion. I'm soo picky when it comes to old fashion and the bartender did a good job. It's a cute spot, the food looked good also. The drinks were yummy. The bartender was very cute and nice. She was a sweet heart. Will definitely come back and hang at the bar and apps again! read more

Writing this as I'm waiting for the check. If waiting for service only to be given bland food and terribly crafted cocktails with loud music in the background is your thing, you'll love painted burro. Overall the experience was very underwhelming. Where is the flavor and the service? read more

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Really liked this place. Made a reservation here for a Saturday night at 8 - got seated right away. Was pretty busy but we were served quickly. I started with a watermelon margarita which was very good. We ordered the zucchini chips to start and they were SO good - I would definitely recommend to try it! I then ordered the roasted achiote chicken enchiladas which were good but I wish I just went with tacos. My sister ordered a quesadilla for dinner - she liked it as well. I will definitely be back to try out more of the menu. read more

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Bottomless brunch is unreal!!! Huevos Rancheros, Pork Carnitas, Chicken torta, margaritas, chips & salsa, street corn, queso dip, and the French toast w Carmel & plaintains. Omg! Great place, great service, great food!!! read more

Food has long been going downhill in terms of quality, but I kept going because their brunch was still pretty decent. Now an additional 5% "kitchen appreciation fee" has been added to all of their checks, and I have zero interest in participating in this. There are plenty of other options for brunch in Davis Square, and this place will no longer get my money. read more

Line the rim with salt and pour me a spicy margarita at Painted Burro and I am a happy girl. I feel in love with The Painted Burro as soon as I tried their margaritas, and stayed in love after i tried their amazing food. Whether you're stopping by for dinner or brunch, it will surely be a tasty time. When it comes to the margs tho - i have to pay tribute to my favorite. The Spicy El Diablo Marg is delightful. Made with jalapeño infused tequila its the perfect spicy start to your evening. As for the food - both brunch and dinner are awesome. You must get the corn. Slathered in mojo mayo, with cheese and cayenne pepper it is what street corn dreams are made of. I also love their guac. It comes with pork belly, so I'm not sure what more information is needed to know about this app. The menu is filled with tacos, enchiladas and heavier entrees. On my most recent visit I ordered the quesadilla and it was MASSIVE! I loved every bite, and also snuck a few bites of the enchiladas on my right. Both were solid choices. Painted Burro has a nice dining atmosphere as well as a pretty large bar area. The bar area is great for a few drinks and snacks, which is where I can snack on the corn and guac over a marg with some good conversation. read more

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I had their chicken bowl with all the fixings and it hit the spot. They offer many menu options so check them out

We tried the $21 Bottomless All-you-can-eat Brunch served over the weekend and had a tastebud blast! Everything is delicious! My favorite (as a sweet brunch person) is the *French Toast*! Thick, soft and fluffy with syrup and whipped cream, just OMG. Appetizers - we ordered a couple veggie dishes: fried brussel sprouts, cauliflower, corns. All good (not amazing) BUT the plate is kinda big (full hand size). My dark mind thinks this is to trick you into getting full early and order less expensive entrees. So don't get too crazy on that! Entrees - on the other hand, are smaller, each order of taco is a tiny taco (palm size) but you can order as many as you like! I heard complements for each of the five flavor of tacos on the table. My personal favorite is the *Short rib taco* which is wrapped in both crispy and soft tortilla. The *Chilaquiles* is worth mentioning too, very nicely executed! Drink - my absolute favorite is the gigantic cup of *Horchata Iced Coffee* which in my opinion is the best creation from Painted Burro! Note that drinks are extra charge. All said, it's not all perfect nor amazing but def worth every penny. Solid 4.5 stars to my opinion! Try the Bottomless Brunch option with a couple friends sitting on the patio on a Sunday morning, what more can you ask for? read more

The Painted Burro - Gulf Shrimp "Diablo" Taco, El Montanero "Superbeasto" Brunch - Mexican Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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I had to think real hard on this review. Came here for a family birthday dinner. Heard a lot about it. But, in the end it is a college bar that serves up some samplings of "American" Mexican food. There are tacos (the fish was salty), Burritos, Enchiladas (they were heavy and covered with sauce), a few entrees (no fajitas) Tortas. (where one of the group said were great and what they always get) and some appetizers. The drink menu is larger. The sangria was heavy. The drinks sweet. The desserts were fine, although the tres leches cake tasted of strawberry milk. Sorry I could not give this a better review. But I have had better in small places in Harvard Square and even in Arlington - where there is a small hole-in-the-wall place that is truly authentic. read more

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Food was just excellent!!! Soooo tasty!! Ambience was rich and luxurious!! Service was great too!! read more

Good food -- I got vegetarian tacos (a variety) and liked one very much and the second one just fine. Delicious margarita. Friendly service, and the wait for a table turned out to be shorter than we'd feared. Be aware, though: this place can be loud. If you need to have an intimate conversation, it's not gonna happen easily here. But festive, lively conversation-- perfect. read more

Cute spot in Davis Square with pretty good food. They left side is seating for the restaurant and right side is more of a chill vibe with a bar, but also has some tables. Waited around 30 min for a table for two on a Sat night. Food is nothing special, but not bad. Got the nachos (but asked for chorizo on the side) and subbed the pork beans for vegetarian black refried beans. They were pretty big which is appreciated, and flavorful. Loved everything except for all the pickled vegetables/slaw--there was way too much of that, it made every bite super tangy. There were huge pickles carrot slices in there that felt so out of place. Also ordered a plain chicken and cheese quesadilla (off the menu) and the chicken was simple but well seasoned. Overall would probably go back to try some other things on the menu! read more

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In my time in Boston, the painted burro has never crossed my radar as a good place to get Mexican food. Now I know why....this is not authentic Mexican, not even close. Painted Burro is Located in the heart of Davis square, where there is never a shortage of options. I really can't think of another area in or around the city with this many restaurants within a 3 block radius. Food: -The duck enchiladas: not an enchilada at all; more like a sweet potato casserole with zucchini. Did I mention no enchilada sauce and barely a hint of seasoning? -Zucchini fritters: this is the perfect appetizer. Four pretty big fritters, crispy on the outside while pillowy soft on the inside. The zucchini flavor does not overpower the fritter while the dipping sauce is the perfect compliment. Hands down the best part of my meal. -Double decker tacos: I won't even go here. Just forgettable.... Painted Burro is a good spot to grab a drink or hang out with friends. As far as food goes, if you are looking for real Mexican, I would go to Anna's across the street; a third of the price and probably five times more authentic.... 1 star for the friendly staff and another for taking care of my toddler(kids menu available). read more

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The Painted Burro is a place I've come a lot over the last 6 months, since I moved just outside of Davis square last year. Quite often, friends suggest it as a place for us to meet for dinner and drinks, and I always agree. I'd say that it's certainly one of my local favorites, because my experience is always consistent. Fast service, you don't have to wait long for your food, the food is fresh, and the flavors are wonderful. The prices are also extremely reasonable. Their salsa is to die for. I love it. So much fresh cilantro, and the chips are great, too. I brought my husband's family here recently to have dinner and drinks, and they were raving. We brought home leftovers and ate them all the next day. Success! read more

Highly recommend! It's def tough to find solid Mexican food in New England, but painted Burro cuts it! I feel like it's def a little more fusion than traditional, but it's still good! The chips and salsa are good, I normally like to also get the habanero sauce (but be warned - it's spicy!). Most recently I got the cauliflower and short rib tacos and really enjoyed them. The short rib was out of this world and a must order. A friend of mine got the mole enchiladas and I personally found the mole to be a little sweeter than I typically enjoy but it was still tasty. I love getting a spicy margarita when I come in. A spicy margarita? I meant many spicy margaritas. read more

The Painted Burro - Cauliflower taco and short rib taco. Both were so good but the short rib taco was AMAZING! - Mexican Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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We were surprised with the bill because we weren't informed that chips and guac offered at the beginning would be an addtl' $10 on top of the bottomless brunch cost. This was BEFORE we even got the menu or even the chance to look at it. The server had just asked "do you want to get started with chips and guac?" Who says no to that :) We assumed this was the equivalent to complimentary bread like many restaurants. But after pointing out this miscommunication, the server refused to take off the $10 saying "it was on the menu" "I can't take it off" "you already ate it". The manager that came over was sweet and understanding, so she took off the $10, but our server then decided it was smart for her to come back with an evident attitude to make a rude comment. "No place gives guac for free" as if that was common knowledge and we were stupid for not knowing. There's a reason she knows and we didn't: we don't work there. There's no way for us to know the workings of every restaurant- that's just not humanly possible. We couldn't even tip her less than 20% because the POS device she held for us to complete the payment only had the options from 20%-25%. If she hadn't made her condescending comment at the end, I wouldn't even be on Yelp writing this. But her unnecessarily condescending and rude comment/ behavior at the end compelled me to post this. The food was fine, so that's why it's two stars not one. read more

People on Reddit are posting pics from this place and ripping them apart for their kitchen appreciation fee. They also calculate their suggested tip based on the total, not the subtotal(why would you tip on taxes)... AND their suggested tips on receipts start at 20%.... Damn, that's crazy.... Based on their receipts alone and their business practices I wouldn't recommend read more

This spot is within walking distance of my cousin's apartment in Boston, so she's been here quite a few times. We came right before the dinner crowd, so we had our choice of seats in the bar area. As soon as we sat down, they brought us chips and salsa, which were quite tasty. I opted for the cucumber margarita, which I was pleasantly surprised by. I wasn't sure how cucumber and tequila would combine, but it was really bright and refreshing. We also tried the mango margarita, and the hibiscus margarita, both of which were nice and fruity and not too sweet. We split some mango guacamole as well, and were practically licking the bowl by the time we were done with it. We didn't get any other food, as I thought the price point was a little high for the portion sizes. read more

The Painted Burro - Hibiscus Marg on left and cucumber on right! - Mexican Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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I had high hopes for this place but left feeling a little disappointed, especially given the prices. If I were to come back, I'd stick to just drinks, as there are plenty of upscale "Mexican" restaurants in the Boston area with better food. Service - Just ok. After about a 30-minute wait, we were seated at the worst table at the restaurant (pro-tip: if they ask if you want to sit in the lounge, say no). Luckily, we asked for a new table and they were happy to move us. Our waters were refilled instantly and the first batch of chips and salsa were complimentary. Our server was nice and food came out fairly quickly, BUT they kept on taking our food before we were done with it. Food - Somewhat disappointing. At $7 or $8 each, I'd expect the tacos to really leave an impression. We ordered four tacos: chicken tinga, mahi-mahi, shrimp, and carnitas. For the most part, the meat lacked flavor or the right texture. It seemed like they tried to overcompensate with a ton of sauce or a ton of topping (ex. coleslaw). Chicken Tinga was the best taco, and the carnitas was the worst, which was overloaded with somewhat flavorless meat. Chips and guac we ordered were just ok. Chips lacked salt and guac portion was small (it was $11). Drinks - Definitely the best part of the experience. I got the spicy watermelon margarita and my boyfriend got the cucumber one. Both drinks were strong, well-made and came with generous garnishes. Ambiance - Pretty nice. Dim lighting, wooden tables, quirky art on the walls. Try to avoid the lounge, it's not as nice. read more

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Service : sucked Food : just okay Margaritas : terrible I appreciate our frontline workers just as much as the next person. The waiter was terrible though. Thank god the chick in the ponytails came over to help out towards the end. Most likely wont be back. read more

Came here with a friend the other night for dinner. It was pretty good! I'm a pescatarian and was happy to see so many fish and veggie options. I had 3 tacos (swordfish, shrimp, baja) and a margarita to drink. They were all great! The swordfish was so meaty, I thought it was chicken at first . I would definitely come again. read more

The Painted Burro - Swordfish Al Pastor Taco, Crispy "Baja Style" Fish Taco, Gulf Shrimp "Diablo" Taco - Mexican Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

We found the place to be ok. Advise reservations but they turned tables over quickly and no one seemed to wait too long. I'm not a Mexican food fan and there are some options to accomadate. The service was good. The food was just ok. Served hot. The swordfish dish was good. I loved the coconut rice. But the mango in the crabmeat atop the fish didn't jive for me. My date described their dish as "not cohesive". May give it another shot. read more

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Been here a couple of times for work dinners. The space is nice and spacious and it's easy to get reservations for a large group. They seem to have an extensive drink menu, my coworkers tell me the drinks are good. The food is expensive for what you are getting, specially the tacos ($7 a piece). If the quality was really good, maybe you can justify it, but I find the food to be nothing special... its a bit bland and no distinct flavor. Overall, I wouldnt come here for the food, but its a good spot for drinks and big groups. read more

Highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who's looking for some good food and drinks! Not to mention that on Sundays, they have an all you can eat brunch. read more

I ordered vegetable fajitas at the Davis location. I love Mexican food and I can say they were the worst and most tasteless fajitas I have ever had anywhere. First of all the fajitas were bland, almost no taste. The veggies were neither grilled nor sizzling. The plate came with a large topping of boiled cauliflower and brussels sprouts. There were scant servings of grilled onion and peppers. The cheese was tasteless. The worst part was there no taste, no sauce no dry rub nothing. What a waste, that too for $24!!! Very disappointed. read more

Thanks to Yelp, we stumbled across the Painted Burro on a Saturday night. Without a reservation, they quoted our party of two a 15 minute wait; 2 minutes later we received a text stating our table was ready! The food was delicious!!! Starting with the complimentary chips and salsa, I was a happy camper. We decided to split the Cubano Torta and share three tacos- the chicken lime, BLT & cheese and the double stack short ribs. The Torta had a surprisingly delicious apple slaw on there that I thought was just so unusual, but phenomenal. The chicken lime taco is better than any I've had in Chicago (and I've had far too many....); the BLT, similar to the Torta, was something you think would never work but totally does; and the Double Stack was very authentic in its Mexican flavors. 5 stars for food without a doubt even though I was initially hesitant about $7/piece tacos. The downfall? Service was so SLOOOOOW. It's only about a 20-table restaurant, so I'm not sure if they have too few servers or if our server just wasn't attentive. We saw her a total of three times- to place our order, to bring our food, and to bring us the check. Our empty plates sat on the table around 15 minutes before anyone came to get them. Just all around, very slow service which is surprising for a busy Saturday night. I would without a doubt return for their food, but I do hope they speed things up the next time around! read more

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Finally getting around to reviewing the Painted Burro. Love the decor, the bar and the service. Been here a handful of times for dinner and I'm a fan! Most recently, went here for my sons 5th birthday. First of all, yah for him picking this place vs Chuckie Cheese! He really wanted them to sing happy birthday and get to wear the sombrero, ha! Who am I to deny him, right!? We started out with fresh, hot & salty chips & guac. The guac could use some flavor and salt. Empanadas were ok but the sauce was very tasty! I've had different kinds of tacos and street cart chicken (SO good) before so I thought I'd try the enchiladas. The smoked chili sauce was very tasty and although the entree was only 3 enchiladas, it was very large and filling. I was only able to eat half. Every Monday night they have a Tex mex special. Tonight was a special steak or pork tenderloin. The fajitas came it sizzling and smelling amazing! It was huge and filled with roasted peppers, onions and cabbage slaw and came with all the fixins. For dessert it was hot fresh churros and the anticipated happy birthday and sombrero! Really appreciate the staff making his birthday so special! I really want to go back to try brunch soon! Parking is limited as there are metered spots which are hard to find during peak hours. Give yourself time to find a spot. read more

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I came here on a Monday night and it was so busy! Seems like a popular place. I loved the atmosphere as well, they played some good older mostly-popular music, but it wasn't overbearing or loud. Service was good, I never had to ask for a refill. We got free chips and salsa (the chips were so warm and tasty!) but we didn't get plates with it, which I thought was odd. The spiced cranberry margarita was excellent, highly recommend that! The waiter made sure I knew it was spiced and not spicy which I appreciated, seems like it could be a common mistake! And the food was great too with a good-sized portion. I got the pork enchiladas which were coated in a tasty mole sauce. Overall I enjoyed the experience and would come again! read more

The Painted Burro - Chips and Salsa - Mexican Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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Had really high hopes for this place and they did not deliver. We were able to be seated immediately and the back tent we were in was basically a picnic area. Food: The salsa was bland and tasted more like pasta sauce than salsa. Each taco was $7-$8 for ONE normal sized taco. I got the short rib taco and a fish taco. The short rib taco was okay but was bland and not worth $8. The fish taco was better but still lacked flavor and again was not worth the price. Overall it was just bland, overpriced, gentrified Mexican food. Could be a good place to get drinks and hang out with friends. But there are better Mexican places in the area. read more

I had The Painted Burro bookmarked for quite some time - the opportunity to try it arose on a Friday night with my roommates. We arrived at The Painted Burro around 7 PM and put our name on the waitlist. For a party of 5, they said it would be an hour to an hour and a half (they take reservations but didn't have any left when I called earlier in the day; I HIGHLY recommend making a reservation). The bar area is first-come, first-serve and serves the full restaurant menu so we managed to snag a table in the lounge area after about 20 minutes. The place was PACKED! We started with an order of drinks; I ordered the El Diablo margarita. It was a jalapeño infused tequila and had a massive kick. But I really enjoyed it! My second drink was the spicy watermelon margarita and I wasn't impressed with that one at all. The drinks are pretty pricey, so chose wisely (about $12/each). For food, we started with an order of chips and guacamole. For $10, they give you the world's smallest order of guacamole - kind of disappointing. The complimentary chips and salsa were good so we got a couple rounds of those. For my entree I ordered the Pork Carnitas and Dos Salsas enchiladas. For $19, you get 3 decently-sizes enchiladas. The carnitas were tender and tasty - I wasn't a huge fan of the Coca-Cola enchilada sauce. Next time, I'll try the tacos. All-in-all, the food was decent but pricey, the drinks were decent but pricey, and the service was decent. This place gets crowded, so if your heart is set on coming here, make a reservation. read more

The Painted Burro - Pork Carnitas Enchiladas with "Dos Salsas" - Mexican Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

The drinks here were decent. I got the sangria which came out looking beautiful. We also got the chips and guac but the guac was not good. It tasted like it had been made days ago with already old avocados. We couldn't order anything else off the menu because it was bottomless brunch all day (it was 2pm on a Saturday). I wish I could have tried something else. read more

The Painted Burro - Sangria - Mexican Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

5% "kitchen fee" should be illegal. Raise your listed prices and remove the fee, Painted Burro. I won't be back until you fix this.

With margs on my mind, I returned to the PB on a Saturday night around 9. We went directly into the side room on the right side which has a long bar and smaller tables. They ID you at the entrance, and the vibe is much more bar-esque than the other side of the restaurant. With all the talking and the music, it's pretty loud, so don't go with a whisperer. We managed to grab two barstools in a corner by the front windows, but the tables were all full and the room was crowding fast. Our spot was cozy though, we had a nice view of the street, and we get a waiter! Who brings free chips and salsa! Me gusta mucho. Salud! I had a Margarita De La Casa (House Margarita for our non-Spanish speaking friends in the room) which was mighty strong, mighty acidic, and had me feeling mighty fine in no time. My drinking partner got creative by ordering a "Mango Diablo" which is half of their El Diablo and half Mango margarita. It was sweet. It was spicy. It was ideal. The fresh salsa and crunchy chips were the perfect accompaniment. And made us go for another round. Great tactic, PB. I'm not even mad. Now that I've gotten my marg fix, they have some seasonal options on the menu which have me curious. I go for the pumpkin sangria, which was a lovely blend of red wine, brandy, pumpkin, and spices. Served with a thinly sliced green apple on top, it definitely tasted the part and warmed me up despite being on ice. Co-drinker ordered the Palomita, which was lighter, fizzy, and grapefruity. I'd recommend it as a refreshing summer drink. But it's fall, so I'm pretty sure I won this round. Chips devoured and drinks drank, we left feeling pretty great. Each beverage is around $10, so it won't be a cheap night, but the quality and atmosphere makes me ok with that. Next time you've got margs on the mind, the PB has got you covered. With a free side of chips. read more