June 27, 2024 Now update any review, try one thousand two hundred ninety seven! Been in Auburn since April 20, 2024, leaving July 1, 2024! Recently after hiking, friends and I tried coming here! I recommended, yes it had child enchiladas! So sad to see is permanently closed down, I see last review is from a somewhat Local Person (neighbor town Roseville) January 23, 2024! I will for sure miss this Tio Pepes! I am hoping the employees are able to find other jobs! I am hoping the volunteers are able to find other jobs! Yes at time was Mister Corona Virus so I always took my order of child enchiladas and walked to Claude Chana Park to eat the order! Buena Suerte to the employees, Buena Suerte to the volunteers!

For nearly 30 years, Tio Pepe's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina has been dishing out Mexican favorites, to Auburn, CA locals, visitors to "Old Town" Auburn, and travelers on nearby Interstate 80. It's become a "go-to" restaurant for delicious Mexican cuisine, to locals, visitors and travelers on nearby Interstate 80. Tio Pepe's has been dishing out fresh, family recipe Mexican cuisine for nearly 30 years, and the restaurant has become a favorite of Auburn locals, visitors to historic "Old Town," and travelers on nearby busy I-80 freeway. The restaurant is just a short couple blocks off the freeway, and has become a favorite of travelers heading east to Reno and beyond. As you enter the restaurant, you'll see the bar, and you'll be seated by your server. The floor seems to be a tad on the irregular side, so as the sign advises, please watch your step as you enter. Did you miss the colorful, delightful Mexican patio, complete with fountain before you entered the restaurant? During warm weather, the patio offers an amazing outdoor dining experience. "Lunch" menu, which is offered weekdays, excluding holidays, from 11:00 to mid afternoon. Just for the record, the "portion size" is just about right for lunch. If you are adventurous, or if your appetite is "larger than lunch," you can order from the "Dinner" side of the menu, which offers a wide array of choices, and bigger portions. From the weekday "Lunch" menu, I went with "Chilie Relleno," along with rice and beans, which are included with every lunch. The "Lunch" menu is offered Monday through Friday, from 11:00 until three in the afternoon, excluding holidays. Like most selections on the "Lunch" menu, it was priced at a reasonable $9.95. The menu describes this delicious entree as, "Chilie filled with cheese, deep fried and covered in Ranchera sauce. Served with rice and choice of refried or black beans." Like the trooper I am, I went with refried beans as my choice of beans. My "Chilie Relleno" began as a medium size chili pepper, most likely a "Hatch," which was stuffed with Mexican cheese, and deep fried to absolute perfection. The "Ranchera" sauce reminded me of chili/tomato based sauce that I've enjoyed to trips in Mexico, as it was definitely tomato based, but enjoyed lots of chili, and seasoning... you guessed it... cumin and garlic. The sauce was on the thick side, which covered the relleno perfectly, with just a hint of "heat," but the flavor was simply delicious! A small side of shredded cabbage and carrot was on the side, which made for a nice touch to my lunch, and it mixed well with the "Ranchera" sauce. Cabbage is very popular in Mexico, as you'll rarely find lettuce as a side, unless you're in a border or tourist town. The Mexican rice was solid, delicious, and included a tidbit of peas and carrots, which is rarely found in northern Mexico. I was surprised... Did I accidentally make my way to Mexico City instead of Auburn? Tio Pepe's website advertises their refried beans are vegetarian, which means the beans are free of lard and other animal products. I'm used to enjoying refried beans cooked in lard, but one taste of Pepe's refried beans made a believer in the "healthier side" of me, as delicious refried beans CAN be made without using lard! The refried beans were creamy, flavorful, and garnished with just a bit of melted, shredded Mexican cheese to enhance the taste of this amazing side. OK... I'm a believer in the refried beans served at Tio Pepe's Mexican Restaurant! I hear the recipe is a long-time family favorite, and it's served at the restaurant. Now the secret is posted on the web! You can't beat the price of the lunch, as it was $9.95, which included a basket of freshly-fried tortilla chips, along with the bowl of salsa cruda. The $5.00 price of a bottle of imported Pacifico beer is in line with every restaurant in the greater Sacramento area. So for the price of $16.03, including state sales tax, I'd say this was a fair price to pay for a simply delicious Mexican lunch in Auburn. Tio Pepe's Mexican Restaurant serves a wide variety of delicious, solid Mexican cuisine, and the amazing food and the friendly, efficient service will make you come back again and again. Look to Tio Pepe's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina for delicious Mexican cuisine, located in historic, "Old Town" Auburn, CA. Great family dining, with delicious food and friendly service. Nothing fancy, but it's "5-stars" any way I look at it.

Awesome food! They have excellent flan! Family owned and the owners are great folks! Stop here for sure. This is an amazing Mexican restaurant and an awesome opportunity to have an amazing experience.

Stopped in on a fluke and wow it did not disappoint. I ordered a margarita, two item combo (beef taco and chicken enchilada), and my husband had the Jose's special burrito. All of our food was excellent. The enchilada sauce was delicious and packed full of flavor. The service was great and you can tell it is family owned and operated. The only warning I have is for the salsa....it packs a punch lol We can't wait to come back