Pepitos Mexican Restaurant - Destin East — Restaurant in Destin

Updated review: sadly we have given up on this location. We still love the FWB and Niceville locations, but this one has failed us the last 3 times we've went so we had to give up. They used to be our favorite and we dined there often, but something has changed there. Not sure if it's under new management or what but here's what happened one of the last 3 times we went... When we were seated the table hadn't been cleaned so we asked our waiter if he could wipe it down, no biggie, but it should have been a big red flag after what continued to happen the rest of the night. The salsa they brought out that night looked and tasted like some Pace Picante stuff from Walmart. It definitely was NOT their usual salsa. It was awful but we didn't say anything (yet). The chips were cold and stale and the margaritas tasted terrible. So bad that I asked if they changed their recipe, to which the waiter replied that it was the same recipe they use at all their locations. I know that wasn't true because we dined there very often. I knew what they usually tasted like. It was very sour and watered down with hardly any tequila. It was so gross that I didn't drink it after the first 2 sips and asked for it to be removed from my bill and I NEVER do that. Now let's talk about the horrendous conditions of the bathroom. There was actual poop smeared on toilet and there was soggy toilet paper and water (or something else) all over the floors. The sink was filthy. Soap and napkins all over it and hair in the sink. One stall didn't even have toilet paper and the other bathroom was so disgusting you couldn't sit on the toilet. And ro make matters worse a staff member came in there to use her cell phone while I was in the stall and she did absolutely nothing to clean up or rectify the situation. She just used her phone snd then left the restroom and went back to work. When I brought this to the manager's attention SHE BLAMED THE PATRONS by saying that her staff "can't fix a problem they aren't aware of and that if customers don't tell them then they don't know the bathroom needs cleaning". Umm hello it's YOUR job as the manager to make sure the bathroom is clean and stocked and that your staff is doing regular bathroom checks. She claimed that they check them every 30 minutes but that was clearly a lie because there is no way that bathroom got in to that disgusting condition within the last 30 minutes. They weren't busy either so I don't know why the bathroom hadn't been cleaned. The food we ordered that night was also very bland and didn't have the same flavor that we were used to. We always get the Big S burrito and it's usually delicious, but the last few times it was different. Bland. Not much seasoning or something. Also the food didn't seem fresh. Even the kid's menu pizza that I ordered from my child was cold. It was just an all around train wreck in there and we were very disappointed with how the manager (well she said she was the manager but she definitely didn't seem like one) reacted to the situation. They used to be our favorite place. Now our new favorite is Pedro's which is right down the road. The restaurant is beautiful inside and out, the food is delicious and very reasonably priced and the margaritas were delicious and beautifully decorated. Most importantly their bathrooms were spotless. So, unfortunately Pepito's, it pains me to say this, but I'm not sure if we will ever be coming back to your Destin/Miramar Beach location.

Original review from 2 years ago: Excellent food and a stellar server staff! Highly recommend the Big S burrito. Also, the margaritas are great! They don't rip you off on the tequila! Will continue to eat here. They're are the best in the area for delicious...

A Memorable Dining Experience at Pepitos

As locals, our companions have frequented Pepitos countless times, and each visit has been an absolute delight. There is one exceptional employee, Alex, whom we exclusively request as our waiter. However, it is important to note that the entire staff at Pepitos exudes friendliness and hospitality. What truly sets Alex (Alex from Destin) apart is his remarkable ability to remember our orders from our very first visit. Without any knowledge of our eventual return, he effortlessly recalled all four of our meal preferences, even down to the beverages we had chosen. It was truly remarkable to witness his attention to detail and dedication to providing a personalized dining experience. On one occasion, some of us couldn't recall the exact details of our previous meals, yet we had an undeniable craving for those specific dishes. Astonishingly, Alex was able to recreate our orders flawlessly, as if he possessed a telepathic understanding of our desires. The precision with which he replicated each plate was truly awe-inspiring. Beyond his impeccable memory and culinary intuition, Alex's customer service skills are exceptional. He consistently exhibits attentiveness and a genuine desire to ensure that every aspect of our dining experience exceeds expectations. Whether it's promptly refilling our glasses or anticipating our needs before we even have to ask, Alex consistently goes above and beyond to make our time at Pepitos truly remarkable. Of course, the outstanding service is complemented by the exquisite cuisine that Pepitos offers. Every dish is crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail, resulting in a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate. From the freshest seafood to perfectly seasoned steaks, Pepitos showcases a menu that caters to a variety of tastes and preferences. It's a true gastronomic delight that leaves a lasting impression. The atmosphere at Pepitos further contributes to the overall charm of the restaurant. The cozy and inviting ambiance welcomes guests, creating an atmosphere that feels like an extension of home. The warm lighting, tasteful decor, and comfortable seating all contribute to a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience. Whether it's an intimate date night or a lively gathering with friends, Pepitos sets the stage for unforgettable moments. To both locals and tourists, we wholeheartedly recommend Pepitos. This hidden gem not only offers delectable food and a cozy atmosphere, but it also boasts an outstanding employee, Alex, whose dedication to exceptional service elevates the dining experience to new heights. We eagerly look forward to our next visit, knowing that Alex will once again make our evening truly...

We went to Pepitos on Wednesday evening at around 7pm. It was not crowded at all. We were seated right away and brought chips and salsa right away. This was our third time to Pepitos…we came last year twice during our week-long stay in Destin…so you know we liked it!

We ordered the Big “S” Burrito and a buy-one, get-one small house margarita. The first margarita took a minute to come out (unusual for an uncrowded Mexican restaraunt), but it was good. Our waitress was not super friendly but instead was direct and to-the-point.

Our Burrito, which we have ordered before, came out, and after a few bites we realized it wasn’t hot around the edges of the plate, so we spent a few minutes cutting through the middle of the burrito, and it was warm, at best. Our waitress did come when we first got the burrito, so obviously we got everything we had ordered and were picking through the burrito. The second time she came, she could tell that we hadn’t really eaten any of it and she asked if everything was okay. We responded that it was just not hot…the flavor was good…but it was warm in the middle and cool everywhere else. She went to get the manager.

The manager got to our table and asked what the problem was. We repeated our experience, and he told us that he walked passed us twice and asked how it was and that we said good. That didn’t happen. He may have walked passed us and we were picking at it, but that’s it. He then proceeded to demean us and tell us that it’s cool because of the lettuce and guacamole. We suggested that perhaps it sat at the window for a minute before being brought out. He said that wasn’t possible. We told him that with hot meat, hot beans, hot rice, hot cheese sauce, how peppers, and hot enchilada sauce, it should be steaming when we cut through the middle of the burrito. Either it sat there or the ingredients they used weren’t hot. He told us that the next time we order it, ask for the cold stuff on the side. Essentially, at first he was denying that anything was wrong and then spent the rest of the conversation justifying why it was cold.

In the end, he took some money off the burrito and we went about our way. I don’t think we have that high of expectations especially for a not-busy, weeknight Mexican restaurant visit. We will definitely be trying a different establishment for our Mexican fix on...