Picante

Picante is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Berkeley. Their food is good and tasty, but it’s a bit pricey, which is why I knocked their rating down a star. Street parking is difficult during most of the day, but there is a small parking lot across the street and to the south about half a block. That often fills up too though. They have a bar and a lot of alcohol to select from and I see people drinking margaritas, but I’ve never tried them. The chips are just so so, they’re thick and a little greasy. I suspect there are some people that like them as they are not the normal chips you’d get in a Mexican place, but they’re just too greasy. The salsas are in the fridge by the door and they are pretty good. Everything else I’ve had here has been good, my favorite are the mole enchiladas, which are probably some of the best mole that I’ve had. They make good guacamole, and good salads as well. If it’s not too cold out, there’s an outdoor seating place.

It's a legacy Mexican restaurant in Berkeley. I've been there many times during pandemic in outdoor parking lot seating and take aways. Location is great with huge settings 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). Food look and taste cheap but pricy! Perhaps burritos are the best out of everything else. Nachos are oily. Generally foods are salty and oily again look and taste cheap. Decent amount of chic indoor and outdoor seating. Exclusive parking lots. Easy accessible inside and outside. Separate vegan menu with many veggie options. I'll for sure be there just because my niece loves the place and I occasionally take her there but I don't enjoy the operation and food.

Picante is such an amazing restaurant, and always has been! A Berkeley classic with high-quality food and ingredients that never disappoints! I am proud to say me and my family have been coming here for almost twenty years :) They have such a wide variety different dishes, and a whole vegetarian/vegan menu too! Their chips are phenomenal, as goes with their drinks, and all the main food as well! My personal favorite order is the carne asada (grilled steak) plate, chips, and a watermelon agua fresca! They had a remodel relatively recently and it looks great! I highly recommend Picante to anyone wanting a delicious meal :)