Pepito’s Mexican Restaurant is the go-to spot in Destin for people who have had their fill of basic seafood dishes and are hankering for something a little different. In serving both lunch and dinner, they make it their goal to provide the widest array of protein options imaginable, offering everything from ribeye steak to gulf shrimp. They build upon those flavors using traditional recipes and only the freshest ingredients. They even make their salsa fresh throughout the day, keeping the flavors on point bite after bite.
To complement their many amazing appetizers and entrees, they serve margaritas galore with nearly every flavor represented. They have orange, tropical, and more in their regular margaritas along with many additional flavors for their frozen varieties. Wine, draft beer, and non-alcoholic drinks are also on tap, including the full range of Jarritos.
Their welcoming dining room can accommodate big groups of 10 or more, though service quality might be lacking at times. As a prime tourist spot, they are known for getting too busy to take orders and deliver drinks as quickly as guests might want. The quality of their food and drinks well makes up for that, however, keeping everyone satisfied with their overall dining experience.
Here are some of our favorite menu items:
Dip Sampler
Their flavorful dips bring people in from far and wide — and by ordering their Dip Sampler, you can try all three of their most popular varieties. This sampler comes with their original queso dip, which is made from white American cheese, herbs, and jalapeno peppers. You will also receive their bean queso dip and choriqueso dip along with a ton of crispy tortilla chips.
Cozumel Shrimp
The flavors of the gulf are all present and accounted for in their Cozumel Shrimp appetizer. In ordering this dish, you will be treated to 10 grilled gulf shrimp that are lightly breaded and simmered in a chorizo chipotle glaze. Pair with a small order of guacamole dip to compliment the rich flavors of the shrimp and glaze.
Mar y Tierra
Surf and turf at its finest, the Mar y Tierra promises to take you around the world and back again with every bite. This dish comes piled high with grilled ribeye steak, fish fillets, chicken, and gulf shrimp. Although with all that tasty meat and seafood, you get rice and beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, limes, and three tortillas to stack it all on.
Canasta de Marisco
If seafood is all you need, then the Canasta de Marisco is definitely calling your name. This amazing dish comes with breaded gulf shrimp and a fish fillet fried in hot oil until golden brown. Alongside those tasty treats, they add fries, hushpuppies, and fried pickled jalapenos, completing this smorgasbord of fried deliciousness.
Grilled Enchiladas
The masterpiece known as their Grilled Enchiladas starts with three corn tortillas, warmed and ready for filling. Then, they stuff those tortillas with your choice of grilled chicken, fish, or steak and sauté them in pico de gallo. Once they are done, queso dip and salsa are poured over the top along with fresh red onions, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and queso fresco. The rest of the plate is filled with rice and black beans, balancing all the zesty flavors of the enchiladas.
As their team changes often, service can be spotty while they are training staff on their policies and procedures. They are dedicated to making it right, however, ensuring other servers assist tables that are not getting quite enough attention. So, when coming here, bring along your patience and let the chips and salsa keep you occupied while you wait. Do not fill up too much on chips, however, as all orders come in quite large portions.