Unfortunately Picante has gone downhill. It used to be a cut above typical Mexican fare with some unusual regional dishes. Now there are many other places to get authentic regional Mexican cuisine in the East Bay, and Picante seems to be aiming for the least common denominator. Food was pretty bland on last 2 visits, we are unlikely to return.
luv4phood
The shrimp tacos were a huge disappointment. The shrimp were neither beer battered or fried. And, the corn tortilla was rubbery and cold.
Laurie Aguin
had the chile verde plate. it was so good. i could taste so much flavor in the tebder meat and sauce. the beans and rice were a perfect compliment. the hot tortilla was divine. i should have asked for butter.
Carlos Carrillo
Food was delicious and the vide was great!! Def will be back.
Humberto Frias Castro
Good shrimp cocktails!!!!!
bbrown1036
Good variety of Mexican fare. Multiple dishes available, all I tried have been quite good. Informal environment, and outside dining available. Easy access by car.
Elizabeth Bostic
Nice and cozy outside eating area as well as a festive sit down restaurant.
Anita S
I enjoyed dinner here with family. This is a counter service restaurant that has great margaritas and outdoor seating Very popular with a long line to place your order. I don't care for counter service and usually avoid this kind of service, but the wait was well worth it. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is lively with many patrons, from students to families. The guacamole was one of the best I've ever had, chunky and velvety. I highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for a great Mexican restaurant in the East Bay.
hutchss
Stopped in today with a friend and we ordered luncheon items. LOVED our food - fish tacos for me, and some sort of chicken tacos for her. Iced tea, great chips and some of the best salsa ever. And there are TWO separate parking lots you can park in to go to lunch here - free parking - a huge plus for Berkeley. I'd return in a heartbeat!
474kathleenl
Last weekend we tried Puesto out in the Veranda in Concord and were decidedly underwhelmed. This place is less than half the price of that and the food and service are way better!
Driving north we looked for some yummy lunch and found this place just by accident. We had a chicken tostada that was huge and delicious but lacked any guacamole. A fish burrito that had only a little beer battered cod. I had s chicken taco and a fish taco and both were perfect. Service was fast. They had outdoor seating and one can bring their dog. We'll be back.
NaulaLe
The food is good, and the restaurant is clean. The staff is very friendly and always try to please you.
Lkezmoh
Great atmosphere, big portions, really excellent guacamole. Order at the counter and they bring your food. It was more expensive than we were used to for burritos but food was good quality.
jhdamm
What a cool place! Lively atmosphere and really good food. You stand in a queue to order then they bring the food out to your table. My wife wasn't very hungry so we just ordered the Manchamanteles platter and a basket of chips/pico de gallo. The corn chips are thicker and crispier than your typical mexican restaurant and the pico de gallo was super fresh and chunky, not soupy or watery. The generous portion of manchamanteles chicken was tender and very flavorful and complimented the black beans and spanish rice. They have a good selection of craft and imported mexican beers, both tap and bottle. Great service. Great value. I'd eat here again without hesitation.
LauranTony
This restaurant serves delicious and quite authentic Mexican food. I am especially fond of their chorizo and papas tacos and their steak tacos with very tender and flavorsome beef. Their burritos are generous and very tasty too.
Unfortunately Picante has gone downhill. It used to be a cut above typical Mexican fare with some unusual regional dishes. Now there are many other places to get authentic regional Mexican cuisine in the East Bay, and Picante seems to be aiming for the least common denominator. Food was pretty bland on last 2 visits, we are unlikely to return.
The shrimp tacos were a huge disappointment. The shrimp were neither beer battered or fried. And, the corn tortilla was rubbery and cold.
had the chile verde plate. it was so good. i could taste so much flavor in the tebder meat and sauce. the beans and rice were a perfect compliment. the hot tortilla was divine. i should have asked for butter.
Food was delicious and the vide was great!! Def will be back.
Good shrimp cocktails!!!!!
Good variety of Mexican fare. Multiple dishes available, all I tried have been quite good. Informal environment, and outside dining available. Easy access by car.
Nice and cozy outside eating area as well as a festive sit down restaurant.
I enjoyed dinner here with family. This is a counter service restaurant that has great margaritas and outdoor seating Very popular with a long line to place your order. I don't care for counter service and usually avoid this kind of service, but the wait was well worth it. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is lively with many patrons, from students to families. The guacamole was one of the best I've ever had, chunky and velvety. I highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for a great Mexican restaurant in the East Bay.
Stopped in today with a friend and we ordered luncheon items. LOVED our food - fish tacos for me, and some sort of chicken tacos for her. Iced tea, great chips and some of the best salsa ever. And there are TWO separate parking lots you can park in to go to lunch here - free parking - a huge plus for Berkeley. I'd return in a heartbeat!
Last weekend we tried Puesto out in the Veranda in Concord and were decidedly underwhelmed. This place is less than half the price of that and the food and service are way better!
Restaurantji Recommends
Driving north we looked for some yummy lunch and found this place just by accident. We had a chicken tostada that was huge and delicious but lacked any guacamole. A fish burrito that had only a little beer battered cod. I had s chicken taco and a fish taco and both were perfect. Service was fast. They had outdoor seating and one can bring their dog. We'll be back.
The food is good, and the restaurant is clean. The staff is very friendly and always try to please you.
Great atmosphere, big portions, really excellent guacamole. Order at the counter and they bring your food. It was more expensive than we were used to for burritos but food was good quality.
What a cool place! Lively atmosphere and really good food. You stand in a queue to order then they bring the food out to your table. My wife wasn't very hungry so we just ordered the Manchamanteles platter and a basket of chips/pico de gallo. The corn chips are thicker and crispier than your typical mexican restaurant and the pico de gallo was super fresh and chunky, not soupy or watery. The generous portion of manchamanteles chicken was tender and very flavorful and complimented the black beans and spanish rice. They have a good selection of craft and imported mexican beers, both tap and bottle. Great service. Great value. I'd eat here again without hesitation.
This restaurant serves delicious and quite authentic Mexican food. I am especially fond of their chorizo and papas tacos and their steak tacos with very tender and flavorsome beef. Their burritos are generous and very tasty too.