Cafe Piquet Cuban Restaurant   5757 Bissonnet St Bellaire TX 77401 713.664.1031 You might also be interested in these:     Cuban Food    ZIP 77401   Add Review       MY REVIEW: As a Cuban, I can say that this is the only place to get Cuban food in Houston. There have been times in the history of the restaurant that they have changed chefs but now that the owners have gone back to cooking themselves, the quality of the food has risen exponentially. I will agree that the service is certainly lacking. They always seem to be understaffed even when there are only a few tables occupied. The ropa vieja has gotten better and better everytime I go. The batidos are great and the espresso is pretty good too. I'd rather have my grandmothers flan but it's still worth ordering. NAME: erut145 SUBMITTED: 6/4/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 06/08 FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name... MY REVIEW: A group of us went to this restaurant, hoping to find some good, authentic Cuban food. The restaurant had quite a bit of character...the walls were covered with memorobilia from Cuba. The menu was quite extensive and some of the dishes had pictures next to them, which helped in the ordering process. The items we ordered included the Arroz Con Pollo (special of the day) and steak with grilled onions and black beans (#8). Both were served with a side of plaintains, which made us so happy! All in all, most of us were satisfied with the food. The Arroz Con Pollo was good..not great, but good. The steak was also good but it could've used some more seasoning. The black beans were great! We also ordered the Tres Leches cake and bread pudding for dessert. To be honest, both were a bit disappointing...they were on the dry side. The one big beef we had with this place was the service. For one thing, the service was super slow! Our waiter only came when he needed to take or bring our order. He didn't offer us any refills and we had to hunt him down if we needed anything. By the time we placed our order and received our food, 30-40 minutes had gone by. So, would we go back again? Probably. Would we go back when we're super hungry and in a hurry to get our food? Probably not. NAME: Pocahontas SUBMITTED: 4/14/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 4/13/08 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: The only true Cuban joint in town! Although not expensive, prices are a bit higher than normal Cuban Restaurants, but ONLY by Miami standards. This is a treasure, a treat for Houstonians that want the real deal and homesick Cuban Americans. El M*eson and L*atina Cafe cannot hold a candle to this Cuban owned landmark of authenticity. NAME: Dante SUBMITTED: 4/2/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: March/2008 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: Don't know what all the fuss is about. The food is average, the prices are high and the service is lacking. Don't under estimate the customer, if we can get better Cuban food, service and prices somewhere else we will. NAME: Hatuey SUBMITTED: 4/1/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 2/2008 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: Piquet is the best of the best in Cuban food.....its family oriented and the staff is terrific.....they always make it a point to stop by our table to say hello. Service is great and food is even better....the Palomilla, black beans, rice and maduros are fantastic. The Flan is pretty good too. We try to come in at least 3 times per month....I even brought in co-workers who rave about the restaurant and food....we try to make it in for lunch meetings as often as possible. NAME: Fabi SUBMITTED: 2/5/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: January 31st FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name... MY REVIEW: Great food. Picadillo, ropa vieja, bistec empanizado, fried platains (ripe and green),yuca...all fantastic. Best Cuban food we have found in Houston. Aramis, our waiter, is most pleasant and simpatico. NAME: Cruz family SUBMITTED: 9/18/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name... MY REVIEW: Came here feeling a little home sick and wanting a “back home” snack. Started off well with a Batido de Mamey (which was really good) but then the service was horrible. The food was ok. Had the Cuban sampler: tamale were good the croquettes and papas rellenas were a little below ok. Then just had some rice and bean with yucca and ripe plantains: the rice was ok but that’s pretty hard to screw up but the beans didn’t taste anything close to my Lita's or to any Cuban place I’ve ever eaten at back home, the rest was fine. My friend had a Cuban sandwich and a salad that I didn’t try. Back to the service, had to ask twice for a diet, twice for a lime (the second time I asked the waitress she just rolled her eyes at me as she chatted with some guy at the bar) also had to ask twice for the check. When I ordered a cafe she brought it to me with out a spoon I had to get up and go up and ask someone else for one (which I didn’t even drink). Waited so long for the check just ended getting up and telling another waiter to get it done. All that and $50 (my friend did have a glass of sangria but still feel ripped off). I am going back to try a few things that I don’t know how to make but will likely get take out next time. I’m very sad and disappointed about the whole experience. NAME: MiamiGirlnTX SUBMITTED: 6/29/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: June 2007 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: Love the restaurant. The staff was very friendly and the food was the best Cuban food in the city. I ate an order of their Palomilla Beefsteak with tostones, white rice and black beans. After I ate this food I started making numbers and thinking about flying solo and becoming a daily customer. (but that's another subject:) If you like Cuban food, Piquet is the way to go. NAME: Will SUBMITTED: 5/30/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 04/07 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: I love the food!!!! I always have trouble deciding on just what to get because it is so good from the appetizers to the desserts. I love the new location, the ambiance is great. The service is a little slow, but the food definately makes up for it. NAME: michelle SUBMITTED: 5/20/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: may/2007 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: The ambiance was very nice. Family friendly too. Nice staff. The food unfortunately was not good. It felt like the roasted pork or lechon had been prepared the day before. Very dry. Likewise for the beans. Price was reasonable. Overall not worth returning for me. NAME: cris SUBMITTED: 5/11/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: December 06 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: The food is tasty and the portions are really nice. I always order #9 the Cuban (Ground) Beef. I love the ripe plantains and the plantain chips with garlic. Yes, the service is slow... but I think the food makes up the difference. I like the charm of a family owned establishment. NAME: CJ SUBMITTED: 3/16/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: March/2007 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: I love Cafe Piquet, and I am Cuban. The taste is so similar to what my grandmother used to cook. Order the bistec palomilla. Yes, the service is slow, and they close early on Sunday, but the taste is authentic. I know for a fact that the family who owns the restaurant is going through a rough patch right now. The owner passed away and his wife is trying to run the place on her own. I imagine she is doing her best. Please don't stop supporting this amazing local treasure because they are having a hard time and don't fill your water as quickly as you'd like. If you ask for it, they'll do anything for you. NAME: jen_in_houston SUBMITTED: 3/4/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: may 2006 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: We too were disappointed with the service. All the comments below concerning no refills, slow service, being ignored were all the same for us. Ambiance on the other hand was very nice. We ordered the cuban sandwich to be dry and disappointing. Our entree of eye of round was better, although rice and beans were dry. All in all with the service very poor and the food barely adequate...we will not return nor would we recommend to other people. They really need to concentrate on making their customers feel more welcome rather than feeling ignored. NAME: p&d SUBMITTED: 11/29/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: November 2006 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: The outside is nice and clean for the area it's located in. The ambiance is warm and inviting. The food was served hot and fresh. The bad point we sat near the bar and the watriess was no where to be found. I didn't get a refill on my water until I was finushed with my food. She only came around once to ask if the food was alright. Then some other lady brought us some bread and didn't bring extra butter nor did she ask. I really like the setting and the food. This is a good place to take a date or family. I want to bring my family, if they come for Thanksgiving, but I'm still depating because of the clueless watriess NAME: Lo H SUBMITTED: 10/28/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 10/06 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: Although I do love the food that they serve (especially the grilled chicken and papa rellena) I have to say that service is lacking.. I also, dont agree with the idea that they close so early on Sunday! That is such a let down when my husband and I would like to end our week with some good food! I do recommend the food, but the service does need some restructure. NAME: avf SUBMITTED: 9/23/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 09/2006 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: I recomend to any body who is looking for really Cuban food to avoid coming there, the food flavors are not cuban, we tasted (I mean me and my family), we are Cubans, and the result was terrible, Who said that Cuban Pork use to taste like that? I recomend the place owner to check for the product quality in that way, if He or she is Cuban, I'm sure they never use to eat there. Thanks NAME: Orlando SUBMITTED: 9/18/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 07/2006 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: Very disappointed. Cuban sandwich was dry & boring. Other entrees were OK but nothing special. The service was almost non-existent. There are many good places to eat in Houston....this isn't one of them. Party of 6 - no one was impressed. NAME: mickey&maks SUBMITTED: 3/31/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 3/2006 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: omg.. You people have got to be living under a rock if you think Cafe Piquet is the best Cuban in Houston. When they were a little cafeteria on the side of piquet market..that's when it was actually food and it was such a warm atmosphere. Now the lechon is too dry, the beans are Goya (red can) type, and the service.. well the service is the service. I just don't feel about piquet like I used to. Wish you would go back to the way it used to be. NAME: Redneck Cuban ;) SUBMITTED: 3/9/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 03/01/2006 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: This is the first time I've tried Cuban. I walked in, surprised it was so crowded for lunchtime because the outside seemed so modest. Took 5-10 minutes for anyone to notice I'd come in, not because they were SOO busy though. Finally sat down, then ordered. We were offered fried plantain slices with sauteed garlic on top. I was very intrigued and interested in it....but after a few minutes I was tired of the garlic. First time I'd ever refused oil and garlic. My family ordered the Super Cuban (a sandwich w/ ham and cheese and pickles and other stuff) and I ordered roasted pork with rice and beans and yucca. Pretty good but again, garlic was overpowering! The Super Cuban is supposed to be a specialty of Miami...not so impressive for this Houstonian. How is ham and cheese and pickles a delicacy? Over all, the pork and the rice was really good but pretty heavy, not recommended as a date place. Probably go back if I'm feeling garlic-deficient. NAME: R U Ready Foodie SUBMITTED: 1/9/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 01.06 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: I have eaten at Cuban restaurants from South Beach to San Diego; and this is without exception the best authentic Cuban cuisine. The exquisite flavors of these dishes will entertain your palate like never before. The wine selection is great with recommendations next to each entree on the menu ! The Tropical music and lively environment only enhances a great dining experience. I highly recommended. NAME: foodcriticwithtaste SUBMITTED: 12/20/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: 12/05 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: I was very impressed with Cafe Piquet and apparently their new digs. I went with a friend who told me this location was relatively brand new! We both split a Cuban Sandwich and the plate of pork with yucca, black beans and rice. The food was very good, the pork was moist and stringy and the garlic sauce mixed in was divine! This same garlic sauce was also sprinkled over the fried plantains. I was very impressed with Cafe Piquet except for the fact that with all the wine they offer, they only serve a few by the glass. Cafe Piquet needs to open the wine cellar and offer more single glass varieties. Service was good, but apparently they don't listen well. We asked for mustard on our Cuban Sandwich, didn't get it, we also asked for some of their tropical hot sauce (made with mango or some other fruit) and instead we were presented with a bottle of conventional hot sauce. The server even acknowledged our requests and still failed to comply. Regardless of all that, the food was outstanding, the prices were affordable, portions adequate and I will return for future meals. NAME: GH SUBMITTED: 12/3/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: 12/05 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: I am a native houstonian with a carribean background.Houston does not have many good carribean resturants but as cuban and westindian foods are very simular I can appreciate the food.Everything on the menu is excelente.I live 30 minuites away buy I go all the time.Try a Materva or a Malta Goya too see what the Carribean is all about.If youve never had the food and are not shure,try the pechuga de pollo a la plancha. Highly recommend. NAME: Jo Antonio SUBMITTED: 10/1/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: 9/05 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: Strong points - All the food I have tried has been excellent. The pork chops are some of the best I have ever had. Also the fried yuca is to die for !! Weak points - The service is the worst. They will not refill your drinks, unless you ask. You must also, ask for extra napkins, as the small paper napkins they give you will not last long. When I was trying to pay the bill, the waiter took over 15 minutes, to pick up my payment. The place was not that crowded. Needless to say I was very disappointed with the service. But, the food is so good, I will give them another chance. NAME: gdwag SUBMITTED: 7/25/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: 7/2005 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: Simply put, Cafe Piquet has the best Cuban food I've had outside of South Florida. Even better, it is very reasonably priced, and has huge portions. The service was also good on my visit. I had a stuffed potato and fried yuca as appetizers, and the ropa vieja as an entree. The stuffed potato was excellent, with a delicate breaded shell. Sometimes, the picadillo inside a stuffed potato can be greasy, but CP's was light and tasty. The yuca had a little garlic and olive oil. The ropa was definitely the highlight of the meal. It was a generous portion, and spiced perfectly. Like the potato, it had enough oil for flavor, but was not at all greasy. The ripe plantains were fresh tasting. The black bean rice was a bit bland, but mixed well with the ropa. I didn't have high hopes for CP; finding good Cuban food in Texas is like finding good Tex-Mex in Maine; I was very pleasantly surprised to have an such an excellent meal. NAME: Dallas Guy SUBMITTED: 5/25/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: 5/05 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: This has got to be the best Cuban restauarant in the Houston area, my son told me about El Piquet, and i'm gladi tried it. The inside is extremely clean, the chef/owner came over to my table and asked how the food was. The food is awesome! I had the chicken and it had no grease! It was delicious. I definitely will be returning! NAME: jw SUBMITTED: 4/3/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: March-05 FREQUENCY: Visited once ©Copyright 1991 - 2008 B4-U-EAT.COM. All rights reserved. Design and database by B4-U-BUY