Pedro's Grill & Cantina — Restaurant in Cloquet

On Saturday January 28th 2023 my wife called Pedro's at 1:30 pm to make arrangements for 16 -18 relatives who were in the area visiting for a 6:00 pm arrival time at their restaurant. She was told our name was written down on their list. We assumed that meant we had a reservation. We arrived at 6:00 pm and were informed that we would have a 1 1/2 hour wait time. I found the phone call my wife made on her phone with the time index at 1:30 pm. I approached a employee of the business and asked to talk to a manager. Twice I was told there was none available. I showed my wife's phone with the time of her phone call to who I assume was the hostess at which time I was told they don't make reservations but you can call ahead. This bit of information was never relayed to my wife during her phone call earlier in the afternoon. I received the same answer from another employee. Needless to say at this point I was a bit irritated at the direction this conversation or lack of conversation was headed. I'm appalled at the total lack of professionalism of the employees in handling a potential customers concerns. Basically I was ignored and told to leave. Which we did. A couple of other concerns I have are when we were in the facility I noticed an excessive amount of smoke throughout the dining area. I'm sure someone with respiratory issues may have had some concerns with the environment. I like to smell my food not be marinated in it. Also the parking at this establishment is horribly inadequate made even worse with the onset of winter. There is maybe 12 parking spaces close to the entrance otherwise you have to rely on parking on the streets with a minimum walking distance of 1/2 block on ice covered sidewalks not ideal conditions for older people. Parking is not much better in the summer months. There are many other fine dining establishments around the Cloquet area besides this one. Establishments that will work with patrons to resolve an issue and not make an individual feel like a liar! Needless to say this family will never set foot in this restaurant ever again! Use this review as you see fit. But I feel this establishment is not friendly towards large groups nor competent enough...

This place was highly recommended to us by a few people so I'm sure others have had a much more positive experience than we did. I'm also willing to bet that my review alone will not deter someone from going, but it's worth mentioning so that people can get an idea of how it can go here. Especially with a large group of people. They did a great job at preparing adequate seating for us on a busy Saturday night. We were seated quickly but no one came to take our order for a very very long time. This is understandable because the place was packed but we watched other large groups of people come in at least 20 minutes after us, order their food and get their food while we were still waiting. And we waited and waited while we watched other people come in and sit down and get their food as well. I'm aware that serving any large group of people is challenging but it could have been handled better. For example, no one ever apologized to us for the unreasonably long wait times, the mix up with the food orders, forgetting to bring some of the meal orders out or not knowing what people ordered when it was time to ring up our bills. Any of this could have been communicated to us better by saying I'm sorry for the wait it explaining to us why things were not going right. On a higher note, the food was decent and very presentable when served. The ambiance was also satisfactory. Unfortunately, the service and lack of communication ruined it for our group. I'm confident this does not reflect a normal day for them and your experience will be considerably...

When we moved back here 7 years ago, we ate here twice and were very disappointed with our meals. Dry, and somewhat tasteless. I was surprised, because I ate here once several years earlier when visiting and had good food.

It took us a couple of years to go back, but we did because our kids kept insisting that their food was good. This time it was great. We have kept returning every couple of months, and everytime our food has been great. Huge tasty portions, and plenty of chips. They used to put cilantro in the picante sauce for the chips, but they don't now and that's a negative.

Prices are as expected, but they're really for two meals, because the portions are so large we always bring half home.

I like to explore, and usually order something new each time. My favorites have been the steak and chicken molcajete, the minero (sp?) burrito, and the pork burrito with cheese, red, and green sauces. I ask for extra cheese sauce on the burritos. My wife has liked the margaritas and daquaris, and the shrimp tacos.

The staff has always been great, from taking orders and serving, and following up.

I liked the old location, but I like the new one better. They usually want to seat us at tables where you first enter, but I like the booths in the main room much better.

Everytime, a great...