Salt & Pepper Mexican Restaurante Calgary
• 6515 Bowness Road NW | Calgary, AB | T3B 0E8
Average User Rating:
6.48/10
6.48/10
Recommended by:
48%
48%
Sort Reviews by:
"My Favorite"
Helio
December 2011 — "Have you ever needed a "fix" so bad that everyone who knows you knows that you will suggest only one place every time they ask you "Where do you want to eat?". Well, this is my fix and it has been for as long as I can remember. "
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"Big Disappointment"
December 2010 — "Had our staff christmas party at the Salt and Pepper in Bowness. The service was okay but the portions were very small and way over-priced. We paid $40 for the Chef's plate and left hungry. I would not rush back."
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2.50/10
2.50/10
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"Will never return"
penny
July 2009 — "Yesterday my boyfriend and i visited the macleod trail south location for an anniversary. The4 restaurant was less than half full so we proceeded to seat ourselves at the very small and uncomfortable tables. We waited a full ten minutes before being acknowledged and another 10 minutes before being asked if we would like a drink. The food was brought quickly but was barely edible and overpriced for portion size and quality. Service was hostile. Truly horrible experience. Would not recommend."
User Rating
1.50/10
1.50/10
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"Truly disappointing"Frank
July 2009 — "We went to the Bowness location having been told that the food was good. Not so. Food is overpriced, portions are small, and taste is ok at best. For $20 fajitas, amount of food was ridiculously small (2 tiny tortillas, a tiny scoop of rice and small cup of pepper and meat). Calamari was also very small portion and tasteless. Definitely will not be going back to this restaurant."
User Rating
3.75/10
3.75/10
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"Tiny patio but great food"
Nicole
June 2009 — "We arrived late for a birthday party at this restaurant and so we missed out on the really good seating on the patio. The patio had one little section that is in the sun and the rest of it is in the shade which is fine for some but I love to sit in the sun. The food was great, very authentic. I had the chicken fajitas and they were really good. The chicken was really moist and they have all the fixings for the fajitas that most places charge you for. Good guacamole and really good mixed veggies to with it all. Once it got busy it was really cramped and the waitresses had to squeeze in between all of the chairs. Drinks were good, after dinner coffee was really good. They do have the authentic beers like sol and xxx lauger which is nice and reminds me of mexico."
User Rating
7.83/10
7.83/10
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"Excellent Food and Service"Liz
April 2009 — "We always eat at the Salt & Pepper in Cochrane. The food is excellent and the service great. The staff are friendly and attentive. Can't wait for summer so we can sit on the patio!!"
User Rating
9.67/10
9.67/10
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"bad customer service"
Adele
February 2009 — "I, and two friends, chose to go to Salt and Pepper last week on the recommendation of a friend who had not been there "in a few years" (Bowness location). When I got there, I got seated in the "overflow" area. My two friends arrived, and because there was a drinks menu, we were able to order drinks fairly promptly. However, we had to ask for menus three times, from three different waiters. We were never asked if we wanted our drinks refreshed (either the Margarita's, or the water), and we had to ask the bill 3 times as well (waiting almost 20 minutes to get it). What should have been a nice evening turned into a very trying time. While the food was ok, it was quite expensive for what you got. The chips (free) did not taste very fresh, but we were not sure if this was because they were cooked too long ago or the oil was a bit off. Yeah, not a good experience..."
User Rating
4.17/10
4.17/10
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"Si Senior! Ignitiado!"Marc
September 2008 — "Ooooooooooooh! Salt N' Peppa is better than the mid-ninties pop duo "Salt 'N Peppa". Such good food, and the best servers. So entertaining. The best spot for a get together with friends. Margarita's fo life. soda'licious. These guys rule. They have the best food, and the best atmosphere. Always a good time! "
User Rating
10/10
10/10
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"Better than I remember!"
Rita
April 2008 — "We visited the Bowness location of Salt and Pepper and were very pleased with the food and service. We especially enjoyed the new patio. The quality of the food was excellent and certainly similar to the dishes we have enjoyed on numerous visits to various parts of Mexico. I recommend "Carne Asada a la Tampiquena". "
User Rating
9.67/10
9.67/10
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"fun in the sun"sarah
March 2008 — "every time i have been to any of the salt n pepper locations (mcleod tr, bowness and cochrane) i have been more than satisfied. recently in calgary the restaurants have been so trendy and expensive i have often been disapointed. all my experiences in these fine mexican establishments have been enlightening. to eat "just food" was a pleasure. no muss no fuss just good eatin.
the staff were great and freindy, the bathrooms were clean and the food was quick and delicious. you will get me going back always, and yes i am a foodie!
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User Rating
9.17/10
9.17/10
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"Well done"Alex
March 2008 — "Despite some of the poor reviews posted here I chose to give the Bowness location a try based on rave reviews from colleagues.
Excellent and fast service with a smile, colorful decor, live music, and good solid food in more than reasonable quantities -- we were not disappointed. Call me a simple man, but what's not to like about a dining experience like that?
One of our coffees that was much too weak to defend itself was quickly replaced with a stronger brew that did the trick. The two in our party with sophisticated and discriminating palates (sounds nicer than calling them foodies) thoroughly enjoyed themselves too. In response to a question the manager gave us an unexpected gift on leaving.
We'll all be going back for more excellent hospitality. "
User Rating
8.83/10
8.83/10
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"Very weak service - food just okay"G
January 2008 — "We tried the Bowness location - we had already been to the MacLeod Trail store and like it alot. We were extremely disapponted - we went to the trouble of making a reservation for 5, and we just got put in the regular lineup to get a table. We were ignored while we were waiting, and then basically just told to go into the main part of the restaurant and sit down - they could not even be bothered to walk us to our table. At least 15 minutes before drink order, and only then because I grabbed one of the busboys and told him we needed some service.
Food was just okay - could almost get the same at a Mexican cafeteria.
I love Mexican food and have tried dozens of places - this was by far my worst experience. I will never go back and would suggest to others to avoid this place.
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User Rating
2.50/10
2.50/10
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"Mediocre at best"Philip
October 2007 — "Enjoyed the mojitos, service was good - food unfortunately disappointed. The Ceviche was not fresh, had little if any flavour and the "leche de tigre" was undrinkable. Mussels were not fresh and had a dry texture usually caused by microwaving. The main courses, chile rellenos and spicy sirloin tips were what you would excpect to find in a low cost fast food restaurant, not a place that advertises the best Mexican food in Calgary. Altogether a mediocre experience, would not return."
User Rating
4.83/10
4.83/10
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"Very tasty"Lauren
August 2007 — "I'll admit straight away that I have not been to many Mexican restaurants (2 in my life I believe, Salt and Pepper being the second) but based on both of my experiences I'm becoming a big fan.
I tried out the McLeod Tr. location this past weekend and was very pleased with the entire experience. The restaurant was fairly busy but not full (despite the small size) so we were able to seat ourselves immediately. The servers were both quick and very friendly -- lots of smiles all around. We started with lime margaritas, which were very good. I thought there could have been a bit more lime flavour, but to each their own. Still very enjoyable.
My friend and I shared a small order of tortilla chips with salsa and pickled jalapeņos. I'm still getting used to spicy foods so found the salsa quite hot but I still enjoyed it. When we tried to order the large portion our server was quick to recommend we try the smaller one, explaining that the large was huge and would probably be too much. I appreciated his honesty, even though it meant that we would be spending less money!
I had a veggie enchilada with tomato basil sauce for my entree and my friend had the beef version. Mine was delicious! Lots of cheese, and the dish also came with a small amount of rice and re-fried beans. I was very full at the end of the meal but not overly stuffed. The servers gave us lots of time to chat after we were finished, which at some restaurants would seem like inattention but at Salt & Pepper, I could tell that they were just being polite and giving us space. As soon as we gestured that we'd like our bill, we only had to wait about a minute, and the server took our payment right away as well. My only complaint is that I had to get up to ask for a glass of water but even then it was only because I felt I needed it right away because the salsa was so spicy!
Overall though, it was a very enjoyable experience and I would definitely go back!"
User Rating
8/10
8/10
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"Never Again!"
Sarah
June 2007 — "We had been to Salt and Pepper (Bowness location) last year and were very displeased with the service and thought the food was just okay. This past weekend we were in the vicinity and thought maybe something had changed so decided to go back - nothing wrong with giving someone a second chance. Amazingly enough we were greeted by the same server we had had last year! This should have been the sign to just leave, but we waited for a table and sat down. We waited over 10 minutes and were not even asked what we would like to drink. While we waited we watched the adjacent table try to choke down their food. The bad service, paired with the apparently bad food made my husband want to just get an appetizer and leave... I said, let's not waste a cent in this place and instead, we just got up and left. I will never be back to the Bowness location. The service is HORRIBLE and the food isn't worth it. "
User Rating
3.40/10
3.40/10
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"Hit and miss"Jim
May 2007 — "Being a fan of Mexican food in Calgary is tough, and the main reason I have been forced to return to Salt and Pepper many times over many years. That said, although I like the decoration of the Bowness location, I will never go back there. The food was usually pretty good and sometimes excellent, but the service was slow,and even hostile at times. The Macleod Trail location is not as nice, but is far more reliably pleasant and the food has always been good. The only issue I wish they would address is the portion sizes. Salt and Pepper is definitely on the pricy side and you still only get tiny amounts of rice and beans. I am an average size with an average appetite, and I have had to snack immediately upon returning home. "
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"Athentic Mexican Food!!!"Rachel
May 2007 — "It was the best mexican food I have tried yet!!! I loved the food and service!!! AWESOME!~!"
User Rating
9/10
9/10
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"Customer service great, food debatable."Randi
May 2007 — "We went to the restaurant for the first time on Sunday, May, 20th, 2007. We were there by 1730 and the place was rapidly filling up.
They serve food dishes made with either corn flour or wheat flour and as a Celiac I explicitly told them no wheat flour even near the food or untensils. The good news is they did adhere to that and I did not get sick because of wheat flour.
I had chicken enchiladas with mole sauce. The sauce was just like sauce I had in a Mexican restaurant in San francisco and it looks like they made their own refried beans. However, the chicken enchilada itself the inside was very dry and hard the cornflour tortilla it was served did not taste like they made it. It was yellow cornflour and tasted like the store bought ones.
If one likes the store bought ones that, is okay. I am used to making the original ones myself with white corn flour. I was also used to Mexican restaurants in San Francisco serving up home made ones.
The person who was with me also had chicken enchiladas in tomatoe basil sauce, they liked the sauce but also was not amused with the inside or the enchilada.
They come with a small clump of homemade refried beans which is much better than store bought and some spanish style rice which was quite nice.
If I eat there again I would probably try the cirviche miramar, just to see if it is like in San Francisco. The staff and service were very good.
The price of each of our meals with a "JUGO" orange juice. Which is a huge glass of orange juice was $16.71 each.
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User Rating
6.83/10
6.83/10
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"Diamond in The Rough"
Laura
April 2007 — "Some of the best authentic Mexican food you'll find in Calgary. We were served by the owners and given great service. The menu selection was excellent and prices were very reasonable. Location is easy to get to although not much to look at from the outside. Nice atmosphere, will definitly go back for more!
Thanks!
Jude and Laura"
User Rating
8.33/10
8.33/10
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"Terrible Service"Bonnie
March 2007 — "My boyfriend and I had heard that the food at the Salt + Pepper restaurant was supposed to be as true to authentic as you can get. Both of us loving mexican food where very excited to try. Upon arriving at the restaurant we realized that it was very busy and that we would have to come back at a later time and make a reservation. We decided the following weekend we would invite some friends and try out the restaurant. We made reservations for four well in advance and when we got to the restaurant with 10 minutes to spare we were turned away very rudely they said they were to busy and oh well go somewhere else and being in the service industry this is one time i was very insulted when we asked to speak to a manager we were shown the door. I will never go there again."
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1/10
1/10
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"Terrible, terrible service! Mediocre food."Appalled
December 2006 — "Despite the fact that we had a reservation, we had to wait half an hour to be seated. I will take part of the blame for that as we were 10 minutes late for our reservation due to really bad road conditions and traffic. However, the guy at the door of Salt and Pepper who greeted (more like snarled at us) was unbelievably rude. Since it was a Friday night, we stuck it out and waited for a table as other restaurants in town would have been full by now. While waiting, another rude employee swiped a dirty mop over our feet as he was washing the floor demanding that we cooperate by lifting our feet! Unbelievable!!
Once finally seated it took half an hour to receive a simple order of chips and salsa and a full 45 minutes to get our meals. This is not a big restaurant, so I can't imagine why it took so long. The food was okay. Nothing special. I thought the price was out of line with the size of the portions that were served.
I will never eat there again and do not recommend it."
User Rating
4.17/10
4.17/10
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"Awesome service...Excellent Food"Devon
November 2006 — "My boyfriend and I ate here and were really impressed. The service was phenominal...fast and friendly. The food was excellent...it all tasted great. The fresh salsa was really good. My boyfriend's entree could have been a little bigger....but other than that it was great. Definately recommend to anyone!"
User Rating
8.67/10
8.67/10
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"A good find"Cat
October 2006 — "We ate at the south Calgary location, and enjoyed both the food and the service. It was very crowded (a Saturday night) and felt that they had the tables a bit tight, but we were not disappointed with the experience. Only feedback is that I would have liked my food more on the spicy side. When I ordered I asked if the sauce was spicy and was told it was a bit. I found it not spicy at all. My fault for not inquiring further, but my recommendation to others would be to be specific if your request is spicy. My husband's dish wasn't spicy either. They were VERY prompt with our orders though."
User Rating
7.83/10
7.83/10
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"Waste of money."Kim
September 2006 — "We have never had a good meal at this restaurant, and finally after a third visit, have vowed never to return (we're slow learners). The food is over priced, and is not served as advertised on the menu. The salsa was too salty to eat and the "veggies" said to come with my meal were non-existent. The service is also terrible. "
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3/10
3/10
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"Bad Service, Good Ambience!"Sarah
August 2006 — "I visited the Bowness location of Salt and Pepper Restaurant for the first time this past weekend. I was really impressed by the decor, the drink selection and the large patio. Although the server took awhile to greet us and take our order, I could tell he was busy, so I didn't mind much. I ordered beef enchiladas with bean sauce with a side of guacamole, while two others in our party ordered taco platters with extra tortillas and then the fourth person had the combination platter with the beef taco substituted for a chicken taco. Our food took quite awhile, but the drinks were tasty. I had an Alhambra beer. However, when we finally got our food he didn't bring the extra tortillas, the side of guacamole and then he argued with us that the beef taco was the so-called chicken taco that was supposed to substituted. I had to actually take the beef from the red-meat-intolerant person's plate and visually compare it to the beef that I had actually ordered. Even then he seemed unconvinced. When we finally got the chicken, it looked much different than the beef taco.
However, the meals were pretty tasty, once we got what we actually ordered. However, we sat for almost 15 minutes after we finished dining. By this time the restaurant was not that busy and our server looked in our direction and did not come over and clear the plates, offer us dessert or give us our bill. After waiting, I finally got up and asked a different server for the bill and also asked her to remove the side guac that he had charged us for and never brought. I gave my credit card and when he finally brought the bill and the cc slip to our table there was not even any table space where I could sign the bill.
It is really too bad that we had such a bad experience. I was looking forward to finding a good Mexican restaurant, but I won't go back anytime soon because of the horrible service. I have worked in the hospitality industry for years and it is just unacceptable to perform as this server did on Saturday night."
User Rating
5.50/10
5.50/10
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User Rating
6.67/10
6.67/10
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DescriptionSalt & Pepper Mexican Restaurante features a variety of traditional Mexican dishes based on family recipes. Both dinner and lunch are available, and the entire family is welcome. The restaurant is open Monday to Friday 11:30 am to 11 pm, Saturday from 3 pm to 11 pm, and Sunday from 3 pm to 9:30 pm.
Location Information6515 Bowness Road NW
Calgary
AB
T3B 0E8
