My sister and I were the first ones to arrive at El Pueblito Patio located on 1423 Richmond Avenue Saturday morning around 11 a.m. Since we were so early we were lucky enough to be seated in one of the many white linen cabanas. This restaurant is known in Houston as a cultural, Latin American-Caribbean fusion. As we glanced over the menu, several delicious items popped up, such as redfish, salmon, trout and chicken often paired with a fruit relish, yellow rice and vegetables.
The waiter brought us free appetizers, two bowls, one red salsa and the other a yellowish color salsa with some green specks. My sister took a bite out of the yellow salsa, I bit into the corn chips and red salsa. We were both surprised to find out that we enjoyed the tastes of the salsas which were uniquely different. However, we could not figure out what special ingredients were in the salsa but as soon as our waiter arrived we immediately determined the secret as to what the yellow in the salsa was and that was pineapple and a jalapeño blend which was the green specks in the salsa. Both were delicious and exotic. Being on a student budget, we decided the free appetizers were more than adequate for flavor and our budget.
Next up was the entrées, we came across many options including both Tex-Mex and Caribbean dishes but ended up with two great choices; the Caribbean snapper which is a fresh bay snapper which is infused with El Pueblito Patio house sauce which came with beans, rice, fried plantains and sour cream. We also had the chipotle chicken which is a grilled chicken with chipotle sauce which, of course, came with rice, beans, tortillas and something that Mexican places do not usually serve with their meals, fruit salad!
The service was average and a little on the slow side. We suspected it was because they were just opening or because they thought we should enjoy the tranquil time in the cabana tent and not rush eating. The fruit was a little dry and the salad dressing tasted a bit like honey mustard, something I could easily get at home. The rest of the food was very good. The sauces were delicious and the rice was phenomenal. I would recommend you try it just for the rice and meats! The creamy chipotle sauce on top of the chicken was perfect as was the fresh bay snapper.
With fun and flirty Spanish music playing in the background of the luxurious and mystical tents with pillows and fans overhead, it is a fun and coastal tropical escape from the seemingly never ending concrete paved sidewalks of Houston. Viewing the tents in the nighttime with colorful lights would even be more interesting than a day trip. A great place for a first date or an anniversary you can get your own cabana and have a romantic and exclusive evening. Or enjoy a large cabana with a group of friends. The total bill came to $37.10 for two people so it is not that expensive for college students looking for some good food and fun.
This is a good restaurant, with a very unique atmosphere, reasonable prices and within walking distance of UST. I can say with confidence that I will be back to El Pueblito Patio. If not just for the atmosphere but the food is incentive as well. This is not your typical Mexican- American restaurant they add a little bit of coastal and tropical flare to the food at El Pueblito Patio. The only other negative thing is that parking is not that great, I would recommend you walk from campus or carpool.