I'm quite disappointed. The last couple of weeks I've ordered one of their bowls for lunch. They were packed with rice and beans and plenty of the protein (carnitas), lots of cheese. It was so large that I could make it last for 2 lunches. I get it this week (with chicken this time) and the bowl is a lot lighter, now with shredded cabbage and radishes to fill up the bowl and a lot less rice and beans and a bit less protein, with everything separated in the bowl instead of piled one top of one another. It will definitely not be enough for 2 lunches and is the same price as the last 2 times. I came here instead of Chipotle because it is a local business and the flavors are better. I am not sure I'll be getting a bowl here again, unless they go back to their original formula. Bummer. read more

I work nearby this restaurant and often pick up a bowl for lunch. Last week I ordered a chicken bowl, and when I got back to my office I realized it was pork instead of chicken. I called them and they asked me to come back for a replacement. It took about five minutes, and they were very kind about it. I don't like wasting food, so they told me I could keep the original bowl. I brought it home and my daughter was very happy to eat it. Both meals ended up being great. They also gave me an agua fresca to make up for the short wait, which I really appreciated. Mistakes can happen anywhere, and what matters is how they're handled here...they take care of you. Many thanks for the quick repair. read more

It is a nicely remodeled space. Its very large now, and has dining on two sides. The space is a bit cool but it was also winter. The tables were clean, and there is plenty of seating. There is a parking lot on the corner but street parking is available right out front. When you enter the restaurant you pay and find a table. Staff bring your food and drinks to you. Staff seemed nice. We dined on chicken enchiladas and fish tacos. Salsa is available in the frig near the door, and you can help yourself. The food was just okay but we're also not big fans of tex-mex style cooking. read more

Ex East Bay resident who dropped into one of my old go to spots for good Mexi. The configuration has changed a bit, but the food was delicious. I had the carnitas tostada and my son had a couple carnitas tacos. Carnitas was cooked perfectly. Braised and juicy with hints of orange and cinnamon perhaps ? They still have the self serve hot sauces (nice)!! Will definitely stop in next time I'm in town. read more

Been frequenting here from childhood. The grilled chicken is actually delicious.z very family friendly atmosphere and great food. They offer large party size trays as well. I have been to a few parties where picante was provided for lunch and it was awesome as everyone loves this place. Friendly servers as well. read more

We ordered from Picante for the first time for lunch, the food was delivered by Uber Eats. We ordered two things for lunch. A steak bowl and nachos with no meat, just refried beans. For these two items, no drinks we paid $67. We were shocked by the charge for 2 people to eat Mexican food. The food was average. We won't order from here again, because we can't afford it. When we attempted to review the receipt for accuracy , the app gave a message saying it would be available for 24 hours? It's unclear if the business or the app made an error or what the issue may be. Nonetheless the cost alone will keep us away. read more

Picante - Nachos - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Having lived in the Mission for 5 years, I know good Mexican food. Picante is legit. The space is freshly remodeled and the service is very friendly and accommodating. The prices are reasonable and the food is really good... I mean really good. Their chips and salsa are out of this world. I got a carne asada plate w refried beans. I would seriously just go back for the chips! read more

Shared a Friday lunch after a while to catch up. Great dining fare; had a carne asada taco, rice and black beans. Dining buddy had a grilled chicken salad. Food was delicious and came out promptly. Had so much food, we had to box the remainder for another meal later. Nice to see alot of folks and groups indulging on the outdoor patio. It was a beautiful sunny day. Will be back soon to sample other entrees. Complimentary chips with a sampling of pico de gallo. Selected Picante as they have an offstreet parking lot @ the end of the block & non-metered parking on the local streets. read more

Picante - Menu on the wall where you order - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

We had a good Mexican lunch and experienced great restaurant design. It creates a harmonious experience for both the palate and the senses. It honors Mexican culinary heritage while enhancing the meal. Not only did they satisfy my taco needs, but more-so, you can tell the care and consideration given to the restaurant redesign (been a fan since the 80's). Thank you, Picante! read more

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I randomly stopped by this Mexican restaurant for a weekday lunch and was pleasantly surprised by how big and clean the space is--there's a beautiful, spacious indoor dining room and a nicely decorated outdoor patio with great vibes. You walk in and order at the counter, they hand you a buzzer, and the food comes out quickly, brought right to your table. The servers were very sweet and attentive, even for a quick lunch stop. The food itself was pretty good for the price. I especially enjoyed the shrimp cocktail--its presentation was a little different but still really good, and they're very generous with the shrimp. The drinks were also great, and I loved their agua fresca options, especially the cantaloupe. Overall, this place is pretty solid, and I'll likely be back again for another quick lunch. read more

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The food is absolutely delicious! The appetizer I enjoy the most is Sikil Pa'k and chips it is basically, pumpkin seed dip. The entrée I would recommend is, the fish tacos. They are so flavorful with the mango salsa. The service is excellent. I have always encountered friendly employees. The ambiance I can't really speak about, I took my food to go. I went to the beach to enjoy a nice evening picnic & watch the sunset. read more

Picante - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I haven't been here for probably 15 years. It's changed a lot. Used to be a small place with a patio, no parking. Now it's huge and sleek with two parking lots and a separate To Go building. Prices have increased of course too. I had the battered shrimp burrito, way too much beans and not enough mango-jicama salsa. Order at the counter and they bring the food to you, do not really any service. The restaurant was beautifully renovated, lots of outside patio space with twinkly lights. If I came again, I know how to modify the shrimp burrito more to my taste. read more

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I have loved Picante for years, but the quality has gone down. This taco is soggy with, and swimming in grease. read more

Picante - I have loved Picante for a long time, but quality has reduced, and my food was inedible. This taco is soggy and swimming in grease. - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

Took friends from SF here for their 1st time & they loved it! The furnishings, service and FOOD- all ACE!! Such a fantastic place and we ate outside even though 85 in the shade there was a light breeze & it was completely comfortable with our nice cold drinks and delicious soft serve ice cream desserts read more

Been going to Pocatello for years. Recently the prices have gone way up and the portion sizes are down. While the carnitas burrito was tasty and the meat flavorful, it really only had about 4 bites of meat in the whole thing. read more

Picante - A burrito wrapped in aluminum foil with stickers labeled 'Pinto Beans' and 'Carnitas' is positioned on a white marble countertop. A serrated knife with a silver handle is placed to the left of the burrito. The background includes part of a black appliance or device at the top of the image. - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great Environment , Sooo Clean,Great Customer Service,actually it was kinda surprising for me see a Gringo Cashier Trying his Best to Speak that He doesn't know but ( Great 4 you Man ) Thanks a Million for the Chips that was very Good.. Me and my Bestie got a Sopa Azteka,,Ummm Deliciosa and Azada Nachos Sooooo GooD we really Enjoyed it,,my friend Looooove the Margarita with DON JULIO SIMPLE THE BEST. read more

Picante - Mis Carne Azada Nachos con Whole Black Frijoles. - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

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It's been while since my last visit and boy has it changed. In a good way, it has a clean, fresh look. Since today is a holiday, it was hard to decide on their brunch or regular menu items. So I went with a tried and comfortable choice, carnitas burrito and pineapple aqua Fresca. Order at the counter and food delivered to your table. My burrito came with chips and salsa. Without the salsa my meaty burrito was on the drier side. Pineapple aqua Fresca was refreshing. This visit was long overdue. I definitely like to try their brunch item on my next visit. read more

Picante - Carnitas burrito - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

First of all, they removed my favorite dish from the menu. And then they remove my favorite salsa. Mango salsa is no longer available. Last time I went in two days ago, I couldn't get a waitress to stop at my table and take care of our needs. Once they bring the food out and put it in front of you., that's it. After that, they have no desire to serve you. I had to stand up and wave my arms over my head and raise my voice in order to get service. That really sucks. The ambience and charm of this place is gone. Before Covid, it had all kinds of good vibes. The ambience and the feel and the service was outstanding. Now it just sucks. And the food is marginal. Whoever took over, this restaurant really has their heads of their butt read more

The place looks amazing since the renovations were completed. I enjoy going to Picante, the staff is nice and helpful and the food is good. I do feel like the food could be a little more original instead of the basics. The place calls for it. read more

I haven't been to Picante in Berkeley in years and dare I say, I can't wait to be back asap? Finding spots that have a more open indoor/outdoor concept to bring the baby, while staying consistent to their food, flavor, and portion sizes are hard to find in the East Bay sometimes. I'm a bit surprised by the other reviews for this spot because our meal and service was nothing less than stellar. The new renovations to this spot are beautiful. They still operate by register ordering, including beverages/bar service. We ordered margaritas, but would love to explore other speciality drinks next time like their piña colada. To start we had chips, guacamole, and an array of their salsas including a pumpkin seed dip and mango-jicama salsa. Chips were crispy and super sturdy, guacamole fresh and hearty, salsas all so flavorful. My main dish was a burrito bowl with manchamantales chicken (chicken in a grilled pineapple-chile sauce) served "super" with the works..sour cream, guac, cheese, over pinto beans and rice. For the portions, pricing, and palate pleasing taste, this alone has me coming back. Other dishes our party ordered: the manchamantales chicken plate served with rice, beans, and delicious tortillas, the grilled skirt steak plate, and the shrimp diablos plate (this dish is served with white rice and squash, diablos sauce isn't too spicy but packs a punch). For dessert we had the Straus soft serve with chocolate and caramel sauce. We got married on a Straus dairy farm, so anytime we see it on the menu, it's ordered! Lovely people. Lovely atmosphere. Baby friendly, dog-friendly. I noticed there is a kiddos menu and vegetarian/vegan menu as well. One huge plus is that Picante also has a take out menu available for curbside pickup, grab & go, or doorstep delivery. Anywhere that can help a new mom out and bring food to the car door, is a WIN in my book. Stay tuned for the next review when I try it! If you know of other spots besides Masa that do this, open to any and all new parent foodie suggestions! read more

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Used to be my go to every two weeks. Now no more morita salsa my all time fav, smallest rice and beans portion I've ever gotten despite the increased prices. This is really bumming me out. The old picante felt like home. People were still very nice though. read more

Picante is a cute spot with okay food. I will admit that I haven't tried most of their menu so I can't vouch for all the dishes. The staff are great and were so helpful when I had a large birthday party here a few years ago. Today I just ordered a super burrito for pick up, which cost about $19. It seems kind of steep for a burrito, but it's also walking distance from my home so I just did it for convenience. Honestly it was not stellar, but not bad either. I had a craving for a burrito and I got one, but I wouldn't take a date here if I wanted to impress them. The burrito also came with a small bag of chips, which were overly salted and some pieces tasted stale while others did not. Very average experience. From what I recall, the items I've had in the past that I enjoyed were the flan, mango margarita, and pina colada. read more

I recently had one of the worst meals in all of my life. The vegetarian tamales were a shameful excuse for food. There were barely any vegetables inside the large tasteless tamales. I left most of it uneaten. Needless to say, I won't be back. read more

Great food, served promptly. When our food arrived, we thought we'd be unable to finish it all, but before we knew it, our meal was completely gone! Wonderful, friendly staff. We enjoyed our time at Picante and will return soon. read more

I still love eating at Picante, BUT: I have asked staff for "Jarritos Tamarindo" soda every one of my last ten visits ... and STILL -- ¡NADA! POR FAVOR: please return Tamarindo to your menu!! It is always available in México, and pairs perfectly with most of your dishes!!!! read more

I've been a customer for over 20 years and one thing I can say is, their consistency is amazing. This is a Berkeley institution and I hope they're around for 20 more years. read more

I only had the nachos with carne asada added. Visually it's most impressive. I like the idea you won't leave the table hungry. I took a while to finish this and I think it's better to eat it when it's still warm. After a while it seemed that it looked better than it tasted. I literally have not been here in several years. My previous impression was that you didn't get enough to eat. That wasn't the case this night. They had renovated this place a year ago according to the woman who took our order. I must say they did an impressive job of remodeling. Seems like a complete do over. I like the interior and it's most airy. There are tables outside too. I should give it another chance and try something differs next time. read more

Picante - Nachos with carne asada added. - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

Wow, I can't believe I hadn't tried Picante sooner! Don't be like me, and head over for a dish! I came on a Sunday afternoon, the back doors were open on this nice day. Plenty of seating inside and outside on the patio. Order first at the counter and then find a table. We ordered the tostada salad, nachos, and burrito. All vegetarian! The food came out quickly. I asked for several sides of salsa Verde, and had no issue. I heard they used to have a salsa bar, and I hope they plan to bring it back. Service was very friendly. Tables are cleared quickly for the next customers. Will definitely be back and try other dishes! read more

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What happened after the renovation? This place was known for its take on Mexican street food but today's chicken salad and chile relleno had no taste and were very expensive. The relleno wasn't even fully cooked and included only one chile relleno, a small puddle of beans, and a scoop of rice for $21! Plus, as we were having lunch, a family let their two young girls run around the upholstered bench seating with their shoes on and not one member of the staff said anything. Who was going to wipe down the bench afterwards? read more

Super amazing Shrimp tacos! And quick and excellent service. They even let us park our bikes in their courtyard. read more

Picante - Shrimp taco. - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

Returned after reading the bad reviews. Had not been there since the remodel. Not sure why the bad reviews. Food was good, plenty of meet in the tostada salad, just as I remember it.i liked the new dining room with all the interesting masks on the wall.salsa still free along with free chips with Tostada.i recommend the chicken mole, I don't care if someone is not making tortillas like they used to in the front. Yes the price has gone up. Be prepared to pay $25 forma meal and a drink but thats what it costs everywhere for decent food. My only complaint is no coke in a can unless you want diet. I-will never buy some off brand cola that is supposed to be better because it never is and i don't always want to pay more for Mexican coke. At least they haven't caved to The Pepsi generation. read more

Sorry, to say but a very firm no... never again My kids are now 24 and 22 out of school but from a time they were a very young age here but can't they used to be one of our reasonable stop in points after a game or a night out... Always calm and inviting with many families with kids... Reasonable prices But that is certainly no longer... As I am sure it is with many other restaurants right now in this market... But this one is a firm no I went with a friend and paid $40 last night for dinner and one drink... The margarita... Though the nice attendant person told us in depth about how they brew it, it tasted like a popsicle melted in a glass of water thought it was too sweet and too fake limey tasting. It was in a short shaker glass and it came with... I actually measured it. It was a 2" x 2" x 3" ice cube in the glass... There was definitely not more than 3 ounces of drink in that glass. The food... Again I shouldn't perhaps judged by past remembrances, but it was a small plate with some beans and rice on the side... Very mediocre... I wouldn't say it was bad if it were $10 plate I would've thought it was an OK deal but it was a $21 plate The staff was very friendly... I don't like their new upgraded ambience, which is a little cold and sterile. I really liked the older place with okra walls in a feeling of charm... But that said in this market, their price might have been fine if it was actually good and for the price, the food is which put it at a pretty standard Mexican joint, it's just not a mix I would go back to. It wasn't worth the price for the quality of food they now serve. read more

I bought a single carne asada burrito that cost me 17.00 and it was filled with rice and it was super dry. They forgot the sour cream guacamole and the picante. Jeepers The lady who brought the food to me was nice. read more

A quality restaurant off the beaten path. This place has been here for years and the people who serve food here knowledgeable. West Berkeley is one of the most random neighborhoods, but you should try this establishment anyway. read more

I just went to the newly remodeled Picante restaurant last night. It took them 4 years to remodel the inside. Amazing nice. Feel like a pretty cool restaurants. Food is very good also. They redo the outside seating in the patio also. Will upload photos to show. 1) inside, decor is nice 2) clean and modern look 3) Food is also very very good as usual 4) super nice employees working there. 5) saw their new outdoor pickup food area also, very nice. read more

Picante - Inside Decor on wall - A series of decorative masks with diverse styles, colors, and facial expressions are mounted on a plain white wall. The masks include animal, human, and abstract designs, some with intricate patterns and bold colors. They are arranged in a loose horizontal line, with shadows cast by the lighting. The setting appears to be an indoor space, possibly an art gallery or cultural exhibit. - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

I hadn't been to Picante since before the remodeling. I see a lot of people don't seem to like the new look. I actually found it to be an improvement. The interior space has much more natural light and it feels less cramped. I ordered a tostada with flour tortillas, carne asada, and black beans. The salad was enormous, so it felt worth the cost. I was surprised to see there was no salsa on the salad so I used the salsa they brought when I was seated. (I didn't like the chips that accompanied the salsa. Way too thick and hard.) The tostada was quite good. I'm glad I finally made it back. read more

Picante - Tostada with carne asada and black beans over flour tortillas. - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

It's a legacy Mexican restaurant in Berkeley. I've been there many times, specially during pandemic in outdoor parking lot seating and take aways. Location is great with huge setting and now renovated beautifully inside. Staff are welcoming and attentive. Operations stays the same as before renovation (order to seat) where IMHO doesn't fit with this renovated restaurant anymore unless they want to keep it cheap / loose otherwise it's a pricy place for the quality of the food you get. This place has a potential to be fine dining Mexican (given highly improve the food and operation beforehand). Foods look and taste cheap but pricy! Perhaps burritos are the best out of everything else. Nachos are oily. Foods are salty and oily, again look and taste cheap. Decent amount of chic indoor and outdoor seatings. Exclusive parking lots. Easy accessible inside and outside. Separate vegan menu with many veggie options. I'll for sure be there again just because my niece loves the place and I occasionally take her there but I don't enjoy the operation and food. read more

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One of my fav Mexican restaurants in the Bay Area, hands down! This place has grown and evolved considerably since my first visit about 15 years ago, but the food and drinks have remained as good as they've ever been.. a testament to the growth of their physical restaurant space. Everything here is so fresh, and the little things like chips, salsas, and tortillas real look y make their main dishes shine. read more

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I haven't had a wet burrito in YEARS so I finally decided to give this spot a try. I came here for a work holiday party and honestly I don't understand why people are bashing on this place. First off, wet fish burrito was a hit. The sauce for it really helped pull all the flavors together compared to it being a plain burrito. I can still taste the crunchiness of the fish as well. My only thing is, it's too much sauce even thought it's "wet" for a reason. The compostable containers kinda got mushy when I let my burrito sit. Guacamole wise, pretty comparable to Chipotle. They are very generous with the portion. Chips were shaped differently which excited me. NOT PICTURED: Margarita and watermelon agua fresca. Watermelon agua fresca wasn't too sweet but a great chaser for my margarita. Marg was super strong oh my! Definitely a solid spot for when you're in the area! read more

Picante - guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Food is mid, the price of the food absolutely does not match the quality that you are served, and service was not that great at least the people interacted. read more