Houston's Best Margarita - Installment #2 - Pico's Mex Mex

Restaurant Ambiance

When we first arrived at the restaurant, our eyes were immediately fixated on the outdoor patio, which was designed with bamboo poles, a grassy roof, and decorative colored lights, resembling the digs you’d find at a Hawaiian luau on Christmas Eve. Obviously, we thought this was an odd décor for a Mexican eatery, but with two pages of margaritas scurrying through our minds, we thought little of the architectural errors and plopped ourselves down at the first available table. As soon as the friendly waiter arrived, the first words out of our mouths were, “What’s your best ‘rita?” Without hesitation, his response was “get the Perfect Margarita. You’ll love it!” We quickly glanced down at the menu and were surprised to discover that he had not recommended the priciest drink available, a concept we long believed that all waiters were programmed to promote. With the pleasantries out of the way, we ordered a massive 32 oz. Perfect Margarita on the rocks to kick off the evening’s festivities. The drink had no positive discerning qualities whatsoever. We found ourselves sorely disappointed in the waiter’s recommendation, and suddenly coveting the notion of donning a hula skirt. (We hope that was just the alcohol talking. If not, we have a whole new topic to discuss with our psychiatrist on Tuesday!) However, our disillusionment was quickly forgotten when a mariachi band appeared and began to serenade the crowd. Amidst the music, the colorful lights, and the free-flowing booze the night became a cheerful affair and the diametric opposite of our evening at Las Alamedas. Now that's no knock on the soothing environs of the first establishment we visited on this journey, for there is a time and place for everything. But if you’re looking to party like its 2008 with a band that will play La Bamba if you grease the guitarist's hand (he won't accept burritos, just trust us on this one), Picos Mex Mex is the place to be!

Restaurant Ambiance - Score: 12 of 15 points

Miscellaneous

In our earnest zeal to dive lips first into a margarita, we've found that we're really ill equipped at tracking the prices of our drinks. For some strange reason our receipts always seem to disappear as well. If we didn't know any better we'd think the Geto Boys were right and our mind really was playing tricks on us. Luckily all of this is going on our expense report, right boss? Right? Bueller? Hello?

Regardless, after moseying over to the bar we were pleased with the liquor selection and with the primo brands that the bartender used. Coupled with the fact that we awoke this morning with only a slight hangover that a single Tylenol was able to cure, and Picos Mex Mex finds itself scoring admirably in this category.

Miscellaneous - Score: 10 of 15 points

Picos Mex Mex earned a final score of 38 out of a possible 55 points.

Picos Mex Mex
5941 Bellaire Blvd
Houston, TX 77081

The next stop on our journey is Armando's. Stay tuned!

As always, please use a designated driver or “cab it.” Stay safe and smart out there, Houston.

Houston's Best Margarita Archive
Houston's Best Margarita - Introduction
Houston's Best Margarita - Installment #1 - Las Alamedas (39 of 55 points)
Houston's Best Margarita - Installment #2 - Pico's Mex Mex (38 of 55 points)
Houston's Best Margarita - Installment #3 – Armando’s (34 of 55 points)
Houston's Best Margarita - Installment #4 – Canyon Cafe (21 of 55 points)
Houston's Best Margarita - Installment #5 – El Patio (41 of 55 points)
Houston's Best Margarita - Installment #6 – El Pueblito Place (37 of 55 points)
Houston's Best Margarita - Installment #7 – Kobain (22 out of 55 points)