Tio Pepe

Still as great as ever. First time I've been in more than a decade, but I was pleased to see that it is still fantastic. Can't wait to go ag...

I hadn't been to Tio's in more than a decade, so I was a little nervous -- wondering if it would still be as good as I remembered. Lucky me (and my guests). The food, sangria and desserts were every bit as good as I remembered. Shrimp in garlic sauce is still a "must", as are any of the fish entrees. The chicken and lobster dish is still incredible, as are all their desserts (my favorite is the pignoli nut / custard roll). Not the least expensive place, but worth every dime. Don't hesitate to go.

We went to Tio Pepe's -Spanish Mediterranean- this weekend to celebrate my boyfriend's 33rd birthday and it was great. Start with the red Sangria, as it's the best I've ever had. We had the garlic shrimp for an app and it was wonderful, tons of garlic and had a great sauce to dip your bread into. My bf had orange veal tenderloin and I had their special, which was beef tenderloin with mushrooms and green beans. We both loved our meals fully and my meal had 3 pieces of tenderloin and I was very impressed with it. The restaurant is in a basement, so the reviews are correct. It is decorated old world style and it has not been updated in a very long time. Make reservations early, as ours was at 7pm and they were still busy as we were leaving at 9pm. Jackets are preferred, but not necessary. It is a very nice restaurant and most people were dressed up, but I did see a few people who had jeans on with nice sweaters or shirts and it was fine. Entrees were anywhere from $20 (chicken) to $... Read more

I love this old world classic restaurant. I celebrated my birthday there last year and it was outstanding. It was super crowded because I ha...

Tio Pepe Restaurante Baltimore MD. (410) 539-4675 Mediterranean $$$ Reservations Recommended: This restaurant is Spanish Mediterranean, NOT MEXICAN, serving European cuisine in a civilized manner! You will descend into a dimly lit world of stucco-sculptured walls and wrought iron appointments. It’s as if you were entering the ‘Caves of Drach’ on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Attentive waiters address your every need. Interested in ‘before dinner’ drinks? A pitcher of White, Red, or Champaign Sangria is a must. Order dry or sweet, custom blended to suit your taste. For me, a great beginning is the shrimp in garlic sauce, Sopa de Pescado y Mariscos (Mediterranean seafood soup) or the Champaign Oysters, the flavor of which explodes on your palette like nothing before. Mention ‘puff potatoes’ (not on menu) and you will be treated to the complementary creation of head chief Emiliano Sanz. Prepare for “Emilio” to visit your table sometime during the... Read more

Great place for a romantic dinner of paella and sangria. As a former resident of Spain and a lover of paella, I can say this is among the best paella in the USA and similar to the finest paellas of Spain. The delicious sangria is at the best price that I have ever seen for a massive pitcher.

I am going to try and be nice about this. I am from Spain and I was good friends with the man who started Tio Pepe's. He was one of the greatest Chefs in all of Europe (even cooked for Spanish royalty), and his two brothers that helped him start the Restaurant were just as good. The three of them together were nothing short of Gods of the kitchen. A family of true Master Chefs...(The Sanz Brothers) Its a shame that Tio Pepe's has turned into nothing more than a cash cow for the owners that truly should not even be the owners (Miguel Angel and you know who). They have been riding the Sanz brothers wave for a long time and I think its about time it hits the rocks. There is only one man that should be the owner at this time and his name is Chef. Angel Sanz, the last of the Sanz brothers, and the man who helped make Tio Pepe's restaurant world famous. Oh, and by the way that famous Garlic Shrimp that everyone loves so much, that recipe was created by Chef. Angel Sanz and no one el... Read more

Here are my tips for having a great time at this restaurant: Go early - 5:00P.M. when it first opens because you won't wait. Reserve a few weeks in advance Don't park in garage across the street from the restaurant- too expensive. Park on the street near the area or up the street in Mount Vernon. Order the Seafood Bisque soup or shrimp and garlic. Both are good. Steak with Bearnaise sauce and stuffed rockfish are very good, but the entree to get is below: If you want to have a great entree, you need to get this one. It's called Mariscos al Cava and usually is not listed on the menu. It is usually listed during the New Years Holiday, but if you ask the waiter, the chef will prepare it. The dish is also called the Trio and is shrimp, lobster, and crabmeat in champagne sauce. This is the best dish I have ever had in my life, the only problem is that it costs about $50 +/- , but it is worth every penny. I have been to many high end restaurants around Baltimore/DC metro and ... Read more

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We were seated as a large group and waited a very long time for the waiter to take our order. the room was intensely hot, we were all sweating terribly. after nearly 40 mins our food came. the appetizers were average we had lobster bisque and mushroom toast, nothing fancy, presentation was bare minimum. then a while later we got our entrees and the moment i saw worn white plates with aluminum covers that were stacked, i thought airline food or room service...but i've had better room service. I ordered their famous paella...which i thought you can't mess up and its their signature dish, right? It was the WORST paella I've ever eaten. Granted, I've been to Spain and France where they know how to make it. But when the rice is mush and looks more like mashed potatoes and you have to pull the paella apart to get sections or chunks of lukewarm rice mush, it is just aweful. the chicken was dry and room temp, shrimp was mushy and sausage dry, leathery and rubbery. i sent it back and ... Read more

I used to live in Baltimore and it's been 20 years since I had the pleasure of dining at this gem of a restaurant. I still dream about the ...

I have never been disappointed when eating at Tio Pepe. It's on the pricey side to be an everyday place, but to celebrate a birthday, anniv...

I had read rave reviews of Tio Pepe so my husband and I went. Bad choice. I honestly think the people reviewing it favorably are either in t...

Spanish restaurants are hard to come by, but this is the best. Tio Pepe doesn't look like much from the outside, but once you descend the...

In town on business from NYC, I stumbled upon Tio Pepe and thought I would have lunch. The gentleman at the door looked me up and down when I asked to look at a menu (I was dressed in business attire) and turned his back to me. When I decided to dine there, he apathetically walked me to a table, half attempted to pull out my chair and walked away before I could even move into the table to sit. The only reason I was truly mortified FOR HIM was that I have spent several years running some of the more upscale establishments in New York and would NEVER treat a guest that way. Especially if I were wearing a tuxedo and handing guests filthy menus. Food was wonderful, but what a shame it was tainted by a poor attitude and atmosphere of superiority.

Tio Pepe is a classic. It is absolutely perfect for what it is -- old school, rich sauces, a little pretentious -- its kinda like your Aunt Evelyn -- she shouldn't be as pretentious as she is because she's 30 years behind the times...but she is...and you have to love her for it. This experience is not cool and hip. It's not a Cindy Wolf / Tony Foreman restaurant. It's not delicate cuisine. It's heavy and filling -- the way food was in the old days. It's decadent. And, I think, a hell of a lot of fun. Again...go into the experience with an open mind and an empty stomach and you'll love it. All of these negative comments on here seem odd. I've never had bad service. Sure, you have to wait for your reservation now and again...but that's any busy restaurant.

I'm not quite sure what all the hype is about, it is okay. The food it very good, can't complain about anything I've had so far. We go several times a year, mostly for special occasions, but at least once for the heck of it, a craving for the Shrimp Scampi I suppose! I do believe it is quite expensive for what you get. I would also think by now they would have updated in some sort of way without loosing the ambiance. I do so enjoy when the chef makes his appearance! The food is quite good but in my opinion doesn't live up to all the hype! If you don't mind spending money on good food then you should go. If you're looking for a 5 star dining experience, save your money.

We have enjoyed this restaurant for over 30 years! The food is excellent - you can order anything and stay in your price range - if you are not up to ordering an entire meal - try two or three appetizers, they are outstanding and will do the trick. We have eaten all over the U.S. and would rate Tio Pepes as consistently the best in food quality. Lunch is great as well as evening dinners - the only downside is late Fridays and Saturdays if they are busy, you won't get the best service but that would happen in any busy restaurant.

FYI, this restaurant is not Mexican, it is Spanish. Just a little bit of difference in types of cuisines. You may want to update your listing.

My wife treated me to a dinner for my birthday. Tio Pepe is just a lot of hype and was a great disappointment, long wait, and noisy. Feel rushed to finish your lousy meal, pay up and get out. Baltimore can do a lot better. Don't go here just to say you've been there like it's some kind a Baltimore monument one HAS to visit.

because you're going to need them. The food can be great, but it is wildly inconsistent. Ditto the service, where one waiter is cool and the next has anger-management probs. Oh, and make reservations a month ahead and CHECK ON THEM!

I have been going to Tio's since it opened. We have all of our family gatherings at Tio's and every one of our guests is always completely satisfied. The staff and food are always wonderful!

Tio Pepe's is by far the most romantic restaurant in Baltimore...the restaurant is in a basement and has small alcoves that can be very roma...

Tio Pepe's does not look like the greatest when you drive by, but once you go down the stairs down into the basement level you see why peopl...

I heard so much about this fancy restaurant that they served good food and all, but after I tried it I would never want to go back there. At first I thought their foods should be delicate and delicious, but that was the major disappointment. I ordered some shrimp dishes, most of the shrimps contained sands, each bite I can feel the sands between my teeth. Then the entree finally came, paella, it was watery, all the seafood was too well done. I personally had spanish food in Boston before, and it was great, their price is not as expensive as Tio pepe, and they have great paella. That is the reason I wanted to try the paella again. Unfortunatly, it was horrible experience. Price does not equall to the quality, that's all I can say. So I am not recommend this restaurant to any of my friends.

I'd read about and was looking forward to a meal at this long established Spanish outpost in Baltimore. In a word, weak. Having spent a fair amount of time in Spain, this is no where near as good as the weakest. The place was absolutely jammed with drunks. We arrived at 9:20 for a 9:30 and were promptly seated at 10:15. The waiter was very rushed. We has shrimp in thick brown garlic sauce and smoked salmon (lox), both good, but also nothing distinctive. Red snapper with clams, mussels and another thick sauce was OK, but way to filling for fish. Sauteed spinach with pine nuts and mushrooms was good. Lobster and chicken breast also had that thick sauce. Dessert was completely forgettable. But the cappuccino was very good. The bill was exorbitant for what it was.   Don't bother.

The Scene Whitewashed brick walls, white tablecloths and soft lighting lend a serene touch to this cozy labyrinth of subterranean dining rooms. Brightly colored Spanish pottery adorns the walls and most of the tables in the form of Sangria pitchers. The Food Generously portioned, exquisitely presented entrees range from juicy sole sauteed with bananas and covered in hollandaise sauce to veal medallions simmered in a sweet, creamy port sauce. Tio Pepe's filet mignon is 3 inches thick, served with a savory bearnaise sauce and accompanied by delicious side items. The star of the show is the paella a la Valenciana para dos (for two), an authentic Spanish dish with chunks of lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams, veal, chorizo and chicken in fragrant saffron rice. Try the popular pine nut cake-roll for dessert, one of several lighter-than-air, whipped cream-based concoctions.

Having had a nice experience at this restaurant years ago, my partner and I thought to impress our friends from Germany with a meal here. What a mistake! Despite having made reservations, we waited nearly an hour in a cramped noisy entry. The food was fair at best and the service terrible--and all at a very steep price. A dim and noisy dining room to boot.

Crowded and noisy. A hang out for the well-to-do. Definitely not the place for a romantic meal.

Often before symphony concerts I dine with friends or family at Tio Pepe, and I've never been disappointed! The food is outstanding, the service tremendous. I can only fault the price, but a great dining experience comes with a price: a price that I will continue to gladly pay.

tio is simply the best in food quality, service,the best dinning experience on the east coast period the filet of sole with bannanas over holindaise sauce is an experience of its vey own

Tiny, smoky entryway where you wait to be seated, and boy, will you wait. On weekends often 60-90 minutes after your reservation. Several of the seating areas are in very cramped sections of this below grade whitewashed plaster wall catacomb. Can't get out of your seat if the desert cart is nearby. Food is hit or miss. Have had great and mediocre. There are many finer places in town at less cost with higher quality food and more friendly service.

I have travelled and dined in 42 states out of 50 and nations of Europe, middle east and Asia. Dined last night with wife at this restaurant. My opinion: Appetizer and wine were perfect, entres & desert were far below average [ chichen with skin on was a punishment to palate and eyes ] and prices were exorbitant. My Spanish knowledge is very poor but rude comments can come thru like their frozen butter through stale bread. Baltimore deserves better.

I have eaten here for the page 25 plus years and have never had a bad meal. Sometimes the service will lag, but if you have ordered the pitcher of sangria, why hurry. The steak Toledo, the salmon, all great. For dessert, there is always the pine nut cake.

special, unique place with excellent food and a lot of style.

Dining at many restaurants in Baltimore, I always find myself back at Tio Pepe for a fabulous dinner. The quiet and elegant atmosphere is a must when dining for two or on a special occasion with a larger group. The food is excellent and any meal is perfect with a glass of thier famous sangria. I just adore this restaurant

I arrived at Tio Pepe with friends from work and from the street it is very unassuming. However, as soon as you come down the stairs you realize you have been duped as you are greeted by the Formally Clad wait staff and quaint romantic decor. The food was excellent as was the service. My thought as I walked out the door was, I am bringing my Fiance here for a quit dinner before a night on the dance floor.

We visited Tio Pepe expecting a great experience. I knew I was in trouble when the waiter, who barely even said hello to us, couldn't even deliver Diet Coke and Iced Tea correctly. Our soup appetizers were just OK. The waiter never came back to ask how our soups were. I ordered Prime Rib, and my companion ordered a version of Veal Cordon Bleu. Mine was not spectacular; my companion's veal was salty and uninspired. Dessert was likewise a refrigerated chocolate mousse cake, lacking originality, with a bland taste. My iced tea remained empty for the majority of the meal. The table was never cleaned of crumbs. The entire experience was exhausting, a very loud atmoshphere with no acoustical treatment. That was the hardest $80.00 dinner bill I ever had to pay, and without a doubt I will never be returning. Tio Pepe failed miserable in almost every way.