Pepe's Mexican Restaurants - Matteson — Restaurant in Rich Township

It is a sad thing to see a neighborhood favorite go down the drain because of lack of customer service and quality of food. I have lived in the neighborhood all of my life, and have been going to Pepe's since I was a kid. My family has supported this business through ownership changes, and all the ups and downs. Over the past two years, it has started to go downhill as it did in the 90's. The owners are cocky and rude, which influences the attitudes of the rest of the staff. Today I called in a simple carry-out for Chicken Ques' and it took over 30 minutes to get my order; I called in the order at 9:14 and did not leave the restaurant till 9:45pm!! I waited inside after paying for 20+ minutes, and had to inquire to finally get my order. I guess the staff was too busy serving up the half off margaritas to care about the front end business. Once I got home, I checked my order and it was wrong, there was NO CHICKEN on the chicken ques. Also, I had requested red sauce on my rice, and it was dry as dirt with no sauce, and the beans were cold as if they were being served from one big pot made mid-afternoon that had not been reheated. I called to tell the manager/owner that my order was wrong, and he asked me was I sure there was no chicken. How could I not be sure??? This was a ridiculous question, so I told him I would bring the order back to show him. As I was hanging up, he offered to re-make the order, but I had taken all I could by way of poor service for one night, after a long day. When I arrived at the restaurant I expressed my discontent, and that I was most disappointed that no one had apologized for the wait, and now for me getting all the way home with the wrong order and having to come back. The owner, Ricky, got very rude and asserted he apologized on the phone, but he did not. The only thing he said was, "are you sure there is no chicken?" and "Do you want me to make it over", no apology. Even when I got to the restaurant, no apology until after I insisted I should receive one due to all the issues for the night!!! Horrible experience!!! This used to be a nice family restaurant and one of my favorite places to eat, but now it is a teen hang out spot. The place was packed with teens and young adults throwing back pitchers of drinks. Seriously not a family friendly environment at the time I was there, after 9pm. While I was waiting on my order, another customer said she was disappointed with the service now provided, and has started going out of her way to the Tinley Park Pepe's. Mature adults steer clear, they have gotten used to serving teens, and your dollars are no longer appreciated here. Go to a different Pepe's or to La Mex in...

My wife and I stopped in for margaritas. We had just had dinner at Texas Roadhouse which was excellent. We were celebrating our 20 years together and while at Texas Roadhouse we had a margarita. On the way home we said hey let's stop by a place we like to go to it's half price Margarita day. We got there, the place was a little busy. Problem number one, they set us back in the corner in the booth in the dark near the emergency exit. There were plenty of other open tables we just joked about it, because we didn't want it to ruin our day. Throughout our stay I made several attempts to get a server at one point I was totally ignored by a staff member. Our server knew us very well, but because he was busy he forgot two requests we waited on and never received. The margaritas were salty with sour and lime mix, no alcohol whatsoever. I had to send back the first ones and the second ones weren't any better. We decided to leave and just add our own alcohol. Attempting to flag a server to get to go cups, I literally had to carry me and my wife's Margaritas across the entire restaurant . Four members of the staff watched me walk across the restaurant while my drink was spilling over the tops of my fingers. No one step in to give me any assistance. I got to the front, requested to go cups and voiced my frustration with management. He said that everyone was too busy. Mind you we just left Texas Roadhouse with excellent service and they were very busy. Texas Roadhouse margaritas were $7.50, and they were delicious, I regret we did not stay for more. We ended up paying Pepe's $18 and some change with two to go cups with Margaritas that didn't have any alcohol in them at all. I literally had to clean the rims of my to-go cups while waiting to pay, because it looks as though they just threw them together. These people are just hustling there a customers, especially on half price day. I am African-American and I did not appreciate having to listen to sit there while rap music was being played with the lyrics "for all my n**." Disgusting, and I'm a fan of rap music it found it offensive. I would encourage our people to stay far away from this place until they learn to treat us better. Buyer beware. My wife and I...

Update - Welp, I went back to Pepe's to update you on this family owned restaurant ... Ok, truth be told I have been coming to Pepe's restaurant in Matteson for years! I hadn't been there for a long time so I popped back in to see if anything's changed. Welp, I am sooooo glad to see something's haven't changed! I order the same thing every time I go - Nacho platter, no sour creme, extra guacamole, no meat with melted cheddar cheese (not the soupy cheese, it's still offered though. Our server Uli, was awesome!! He checked in on us several times, the food came to the table hot, we had chips and salsa and pop and water for our drinks. The atmosphere was light hearted with TV's playing sports and music later on. Everyone was very happy! I would tell you if you find yourself in Matteson, stop on by and say hello to Ricky and Uri ( if there's a birthday to celebrate having Uri sing was just the BEST. My granddaughter might disagree and say that being serenaded to and eating the fried ice cream was the best! The beverages range from: shot flights, Huge margaritas to pop and of course Horchatas!! My family has been coming to the Matteson, Illinois Pepe's Mexican Restaurant for over 20 years. I get the same thing every time .. Nacho platter, no meat, no sour cream, extra guacamole with baked cheese (not nacho cheese) and a side of RC. The owner Ricky is just the best and he has memorized my order. They offer tacos, burritos, quesadillas and more! They offer drink and menu specials as well. Definitely go and...