Tio Pepe Restaurante Baltimore MD. (410) 539-4675 Mediterranean $$$ Reservations Recommended: This restaurant is Spanish Mediterranean, NOT MEXICAN, serving European cuisine in a... More

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 evening, as is his custom. Entrees are too numerous to mention. If you desire meat, the ‘Three Amigo’s’ will satisfy the most robust appetite. Order medium rare for this generous portion of lamb chop, petite filet mignon, and veal chop. The sauté veggies and sauce are rich and complementary. Each day one suckling pig (and only one) is roasted. Order this when you make your reservation or you may be left out. For the seafarer, three succulent soft crabs are “to die for”! I prefer hot lemon butter to the almond sauce. The sole with banana is both rich and rewarding. Like many of the entrees, this one is a never to be forgotten experience. Linger over Tio’s generous deserts. Fresh raspberries in Sabayon Sauce, are delightful. However, a single order of half pine nut, half walnut cake is perfect. Share with your companion and neither of you will be disappointed. APETITO BUENO ! Bernie Dvorak Towson MD. PS: Overheard at BWI: “TIO PEPE?…. NO ONE GOES THERE ANYMORE……IT’S TOO CROWDED!” Pros: GREAT FOOD / EXCEPTIONALSERVICE / ROMANTIC AMBIANCE Cons: CROWDED / LONG WAIT TO BE SEATED / NOISY
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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... 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. Pros: Spanish Paella and Sangria in charming setting Cons: What are the drawbacks?
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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... More

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 else. Being Spanish and Spanish food have allot in common. The food should explode with all the great flavors of Spain. The food should visually be beautiful and draw you in, and most importantly you should not have to sell your house to pay for your tapas and a glass of sangria. Its a real shame that Tio Pepe's has faded into a mist that was once one of the greatest Chefs in all of Europe's dream. The owners of Tio Pepe's should release ownership of the restaurant and return ownership to its last surviving true founder, Chef. Angel Sanz who still resides in Baltimore, MD. As a Spaniard I feel that Tio Pepe's does not represent Spain in its true glory. I just though that everyone should know the truth about the restaurant. First, the people working there are not Spanish, which means they are not from Spain. That is for those of you who do not know the difference between Spanish and Hispanics, they are rude and not so friendly, in Spain that would not be allowed. The Food is ok at best. The Paella, the true main Spanish dish is a 3 on a scale of 1-10. Garlic Shrimp is great, thanks to Chef Angel Sanz. Drinks are crazy high in price, Sangria is $45 a pitcher and they use cheap wine. If you want real Sangria please feel free to come by my house. The Pine Nut Cake and the Flan, well you should try Chef Angel Sanz, that is all I have to say on that. And if you just so happen to know the current owners, do not expect them to give you any kind of deal or special treatment while you are there, they will just treat you as badly as they do everyone else. Now that is what I call not being Spanish at all. Very soon a new truly authentic Spanish restaurant will be opening, and none other than Chef Angel Sanz will be at the helm. Are main focus, well I guess you know who.. Tio Pepe's, get ready...... Pros: Garlic Shrimp Cons: Out of control prices, not truly Spanish Anymore
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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... 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 this is by far my favorite dish. Please Please Please get the trio/ Mariscos al Cava - even if it is not listed, they can make it. Then, you feel special because you will be the only one in the restaurant to have that plate and you know that it is fresh. Also, the desserts that are really good are the Walnut Cake, Chocolate Mousse (my favorite ever), and Chocolate roll. Pros: Quality Food, Great atmosphere, Chef Emiliano is great Cons: Nothing
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Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....... More

Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois....Pois.... Pros: Bons bifes Cons: nenhuns, nunca lá fui
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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... More

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 the waiter told me the beef was the best of the night...it was airplane food with a brown gravy over green beans and sirloin tips. at least the rice was actually rice...separate grains. most of the group ordered fish, which general concensus was average, but the presentation was so mediocre with a browned cream sauce topping reminiscent of cafeteria style entrees. The desserts were just as sketchy, nothing truly 'authetically' spanish, they are ho-hos with whipped cream or pudding fillings, a true disappointment. the service was fine, the treat was when i ordered a specialty coffee, they put on a fire show that burns off much of the alcohol, but you still pay $11.00 for the drink. at least the whipped cream topping was fresh. will not return and will dissuade friends too. Cons: poor food, not good value for price
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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 garlic shrimp appetizer and know many who turned it into a... 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 garlic shrimp appetizer and know many who turned it into a main course which the restaurant was willing to do. I had one of the most memorable meals ever at this restaurant and if it's still as good as twenty years ago, I suggest you go if you happen to be in Baltimore. I also loved Gampy's and the Cultured Pearl. Great eateries.
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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, anniversary or other life milestone, there are not many places... More

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, anniversary or other life milestone, there are not many places that are better. I always threaten to make a meal of the shrimp in garlic sauce with a loaf of bread, but the menu is too tempting to stop with the appetizers. Desserts are amazing and there's something for every taste. Contrary to what the previous reviewer said, this place is authentic Spanish through and through, from the food to the feel of being in one of the mesones below the Plaza Mayor in Madrid. If it was listed as Mexican somewhere on the web by another diner, it's not the fault of the restaurant.
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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 their 80's or have never traveled out of Baltimore. The... More

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 their 80's or have never traveled out of Baltimore. The food was horrible. Watery, bland, you name it. The vegetables were those diced peas and carrots like you get at the grocery. And our bill came to over a $100. It is not romantic, authentic or good. And I have no idea why this restaurant is listed under Mexican in this review. Oh, wait, I do. Spanish= Mexican to people who like this place. Tio Pepe is bad, bad, bad. Yeah, it's an institution in Baltimore but only with people who have really limited views or experiences of good food.
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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 stairs into this basement restaurant, you're in a new... More

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 stairs into this basement restaurant, you're in a new world. The setting is beautifully romantic, and the wait staff is very polished. The seafood paella is the best. The menu says it feeds two, but it could fill up even three or four people. I also recommend the sangria, which is very strong, but very fruity. A wonderful Baltimore secret.
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