50 Best Tex-Mex Restaurants in Houston

“The food is so delicious & so fresh ! My waiter was one of the best , Jose Luis ! He was very attentive & took my order & had ny drink of choice served to me in less than 3 minutes . He made sure my meal was the way I wanted it & thanked me for coming in . Very pleasant“

“Great Mexican food and marguerites!“

“Nate was great!! Will be back!!“

“I had a fantastic experience at this Mexican restaurant! The ambiance was warm and inviting, with comfortable seating and a great overall vibe. Our server was incredibly attentive and took such good care of us throughout the meal. The food was absolutely delicious—flavorful, fresh, and beautifully presented. The cocktails were also a highlight, especially the Wild Strawberry—it was refreshing and perfectly balanced. Highly recommend this place for a great night out!“

“Best Tex mex I’ve ever had“

“Outstanding food and prices“

“Our waiter was very friendly and the food was amazing“

“The staff was very helpful and accommodating. Our party of 6 got a table right away even though it was 7:30 on a Saturday night.
The food was delicious, we had queso with ground meat, enchiladas, and beef quesadillas.
The restroom was small but very clean, especially since the restraunt was so busy.
The valet was very fast and accommodating and only worked for tips.
We have been to El Tiempo several times over the years, always a good time with great food!“

“I added a Shrimp taco to my order to go with my favorite Brisket Taco...I still love the brisket taco but now the Shrimp taco is equally as good. Shrimp was perfectly cooked with an exceptional flavor. SHRIMP taco is a Must try!!!“

“The Meyerland Escalante's is a regular spot for our family. After this week, we needed a chill dinner and some ritas and Liliana, our server, was warm and attentive all night. Honestly the empañadas are my wife and daughter's favs, while the ritas for me put the heavy on me.
Marvin knows our family well and always stops by to welcome us, is upbeat and very service oriented. Try Escalante's today.“

“I ordered the Alambres and the beef was inedible. The House Margaritas were watered down, not much flavor. Squeezed lots of lime in the glass. If it wasn't Happy Hour I would have sent them back. I let the waitress know about the beef being fatty and grainy. Everything else was okay, the shrimp were good as was the chicken.“

“Amazing food and service!“

“We stumbled into this restaurant on a Saturday looking for breakfast and fell in love. Everything was excellent, atmosphere, food, staff and service. We liked it so much that we went back the next day for lunch. It truly is a gem of a restaurant!“

“Great food and even better service wish we had one in Kansas City“

“Great atmosphere, friendly people and food is delicious and served with large amounts. Waitress always coming by if we needed anything. Parking can be a problem sometimes but they have valet.“

“EVERY-TIME we come to Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, we leave smiling, full and wanting to come back. The food was fresh, delicious and portioned NOT to engorge me! Sometimes, ya even bump into the woman herself!!! Sylvia is absolutely delightful, charming and intelligent. If you’ve not been, definitely start with enchiladas!! I like “The Alice” but it’s not always on the menu….. ask anyway….. nudge nudge!!“

“Love it’s burgers 🍔 and comfort atmosphere“

“CUTEST place with great atmosphere, deeeelicious food AND aaahmazing service! Our entire party enjoyed every thing we ordered - the queso (most important), the pork skins, the chicken & waffles were toooo die for, the bacon wrapped shrimp, rice & beans and the burgers! Thank you so much!!“

“Love our Spring Branch icon !!❤️❤️“

“The staff at the Westheimer location has great customer service and they have a unified work relationship. I love the way they greet other with hugs and hand shakes. They are also very personable with their customers.“

“Mr. Isaias Galvan is our favorite waiter. He is super friendly & is very accommodating with dietary preferences. He always makes us laugh. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is bright & welcoming.“

“We went to the new location for the first time last night. I’m happy to report they have the same delicious food and friendly staff. There were 6 of us at the table. All food came out fairly quickly from ordering time and we were all served at the same time. It is saying a lot because the restaurant was packed at the time on a Sunday evening. The food was served piping hot. My teens are very particular about their tortillas and fajitas …they were very happy with the food quality and taste. The price is fair comparing to today’s food prices. I had the enchiladas en molé, mom had fish tacos, and dad had tortilla soup. So good! We will be back soon!“

“Nut allergy friendly: No issues with my order.

HEB was providing coupons for a buy-one-get-one-free BOGO entree at El Tiempo for January, so I decided to hit a few El Tiempos around Houston. I avoided any inside the loop because of the required valet parking. This was my second El Tiempo to visit.

Time to Entree: 25 Minutes

We arrived at around 7:20PM on a Thursday afternoon and there was reasonable parking here. Seated quickly and got drinks.

Coupon interpretation: This El Tiempo was much more restrictive than the others I went to. We were only allowed combination plates, and we had to order nonalcoholic drinks to meet the requirements. At other locations we were allowed anything except fajitas and could order margaritas to meet the drink requirement.

Margarita (4.5/5): I got a frozen mango margarita as I usually do. The margaritas are relatively consistent at El Tiempo and they do a nice floater of tequila. This one was very well blended with only one or two chunky bits clogging my straw.
Las Vegas Chicken Combination Plate (3.5/5): Definitely huge. We both ordered this and I got it with potatoes and beans, and my friend got his with rice and beans. We got through about half our plates and took leftovers home. The food was flavorful and filling - a lot of carbs though, not much protein or vegetables to fill the tacos. Things were very saucy and cheesy.

I paid via inKind with no issues. You have to manually write in your check total instead of using a check number, and then the wait staff will take a photo with their phone so don't close the screen (or take a screenshot yourself).

Overall, a solid tex-mex staple of Houston that remains quite pricey. Suggest checking for coupons or using inKind for a discount.“

“The food was very good. We drive about 45 minutes to find here. The shelf margarita was great! I had the shrimp,steak, and chicken fajita with salad- very enjoyable. Since I don't eat pork, I was extremely happy that the waitress was familiar with the menu items and could tell me food products with bacon/lard.“

“I love this place! The food is incredible and the staff is so attentive and friendly. I always get the fajita combo with chicken and beef. Their salsa + meat are honestly phenomenal. I love that they added the new sautéed spinach as a side- super delish. Matt, the GM, is so kind, attentive, and just has the best customer service! The staff looks like they’re having a great time, which makes the environment a lot more inviting. Definitely recommend!“

“Fresh avocado on tacos and perfect maduros.“

“Fajita Flats is a family owned business. A small business like this is TOUGH to run and keep running. No one is perfect, but these guys work hard to make it the best they can. They have a fantastic staff who have been with them for years who all part their heart and souls into keeping that business alive though great food and service. It is truly a place where even a stranger can feel welcome and at home.“

“First went to The Original El Gallo on Jones Rd around 1984. It was a frequent place to get Tex Mex for my good friend Mike Logan & his family. Have loved going there ever since. The best thing is it tastes as good today as it did the first time. Only complaint is we don’t live close enough to go as often.“

“Lupe Tortilla at 5482 FM 1960 within Champion Forest Plaza delivered an experience that was truly exceptional and played a major role in making Day Two of our 2025 Family Alliance Network’s Winter Around the World Therapeutic Program absolutely unforgettable.

Our second stop on this global journey was Mexico, and Lupe Tortilla brought it to life in the most delicious and authentic way imaginable. From the moment the food was served, it was clear this was not just a meal—it was an experience. The fresh, crunchy tortilla chips, warm soft shells, perfectly grilled chicken, and tender steak with peppers and onions were cooked to perfection. And the toppings—every topping you could possibly imagine for tacos, fajitas, or nachos—were abundant, fresh, and full of flavor.

The authenticity of the cuisine truly stood out. Every bite reflected care, quality, and true Mexican flavor. Our children were excited, engaged, and thoroughly enjoyed being able to build their own tacos and fajitas, making the meal both interactive and memorable—an absolute win for therapeutic programming.

What made this experience even more meaningful was the exceptional team behind it. William and his entire team, along with our incredible point of contact, Tracy, went above and beyond to ensure everything was seamless. Their professionalism, kindness, and genuine support did not go unnoticed and made us feel valued and welcomed every step of the way.

Lupe Tortilla didn’t just provide food—they helped us create joy, cultural connection, and lasting memories for our children. If you’re looking for authentic Mexican cuisine, outstanding service, and a team that truly cares, Lupe Tortilla on Champion is the place to go or get catering.

We are beyond grateful and cannot recommend them highly enough. Muchísimas gracias, Lupe Tortilla, for taking us to Mexico through flavor, culture, and heart!

— Family Alliance Network“

“Our waiter Jose was amazing, so polite, patient, and professional. He took the time to explain the menu, checked on us often without being intrusive, and made our dining experience wonderful. Truly one of the best servers we’ve had! I had the chicken enchiladas with avocado cream and two margaritas, absolutely delicious!“

“Great experience here on a quick trip to Houston: my server Christopher was kind and helpful, giving recommendations that made the meal and taking time to talk about the Texans when I started the conversation. Fajitas were tops, chips and salsa really good too. Zero complaints, will definitely be back.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Tex-Mex Institution You Can’t Copy Molina’s Cantina Westheimer has been serving authentic Tex-Mex for over 80 years, and it’s easy to see why. The house margarita is legendary — truly one of the best in Texas. Many have tried to copy the original salsa and the iconic Jose’s Dip, but nothing comes close. The dedication shows: some staff have been here 40–50+ years! Last night I had the Bubba de Tejas Hambergueso con Queso, and it was absolutely over the top — possibly the best burger I’ve ever had. A true Texas classic.“

“This place is absolutely amazing
The food rocks
The service rocks
The staff rocks
They even do breakfast and it's amazing!!!

Go get some it's awesome

Jay lambs remy
Of rock rage radio“

“Rachel Chou was our waitress who took care of us 4 at the Westheimer location! We celebrated my dad’s birthday and had some delish veggie entrees and Churro bites to celebrate. I am disabled, but Rachel was accommodating! I was able to use my buy 1 get 1 free meal on Us voucher on Sunday, November 9th 2025

On Friday, Dec. 12th 2025
Ramon took care of us vegetarians
At the Westheimer location and was a big help. I know we were Brain buddies“

“I love this place and go there about once a month. The food and margaritas are hard to beat. To the management... can you PLEASE do something about the smell in the front of the restaurant near the host stand? It smells like sewage gas and is quite off putting. It's been ongoing for months.“

“This location has always been a hit with so many over the years. The staff are always friendly, the service is right on and the food has always been fantastic. This place is great for all seasons as there is a patio area in the front, complete with a gas-fired fire pit and cozy chairs. There is also outside patio area that is adjacent to N. Shepherd, that has evaporative fans to cool the air and umbrella shaded seating. There is also an all seasons covered patio area for additional seating away from the bar area, perfect for parties and large gatherings.“

“The chicken fajitas dinner for 2 ! Chicken fajitas, spanish rice and charro beans with flour tortillas was seasoned so good. The food was so Great !! we will be definitely be back🫶🏼 #firstvisit #lunchtime #texmexfood #hiddengems“

“I have been going here before the fire. I still see the regular customers same as myself still going. Very good food and service!“

“Me and my husband go here for our anniversary and our birthdays best mexican restaurant and food in spring branch ?“

“This is my favorite restaurant! The food is consistently delicious! The salsa is my favorite, and it's made fresh everyday. The staff is phenomenal! They are friendly and very attentive, making us feel like we are home! I LOVE this place and cannot recommend it enough! 5 stars!“

“What a great way to start my day. I was there when they opened today and the food hit the spot. Best tacos in Houston. And the smiles and welcome from the friendly staff only made it better. 5-stars for sure“

“We had a wonderful dinner with friends last night at Good Co. Cantina! Everything from the service (Jose was our waiter), to the cocktails (Mexican mule was delicious), and the Parrillada Familiar was excellent.“

“Great staff and the chiles rellenos were so good!!“

“I hope this message finds you well. My wife and I visited your Lamar Street location on December 26th, and I wanted to take a moment to share how truly extraordinary our experience was, thanks to your incredible staff. We had arrived at your restaurant after a frustrating experience earlier in the day. We had been scammed out of tickets for the 3:00 showing of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and while my wife was trying to resolve the issue with Ticketmaster, I thought we could at least enjoy a drink and try to make the best of it. My wife had been really excited for the performance, so needless to say, she was disappointed. What followed, however, turned what could have been a discouraging evening into something unforgettable. Our server, Carlos, came over and informed us that his manager had overheard our situation and wanted to offer us a free appetizer. We were so touched by this generous gesture. As the night continued, my wife was still on the phone trying to resolve the issue, and at that point, Kayla, another member of your team, came over and offered us a free dinner. Again, we were so grateful, and the kindness shown by your staff really started to lift our spirits. But the incredible service didn’t stop there. Later on, Kayla asked if we had any plans for the evening, and when we mentioned that we were heading home due to the day’s frustrations, she smiled and said, “Okay, so you have no plans. Good to know.” We had no idea what was coming next. Jon, your General Manager, then came over to our table with some astonishing news. He had purchased two tickets for us to attend the 7:30 showing of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra! We were completely taken aback—shocked, in fact. We thought we might be on a hidden camera show. But that’s not all. Jon didn’t stop there. When he learned that the digital tickets hadn’t come through, he walked with us to the Toyota Center Box Office, personally bought us two tickets, and handed them to us with a smile. “Enjoy the show,” he said. We were floored by his generosity and thoughtfulness. This act of kindness truly went above and beyond anything we could have imagined. We’ve been loyal customers of your Lamar Street, NRG, Sugar Land, Little Pappasito’s, and Webster locations for quite some time, and we’ve always considered your restaurants among the best in Houston. But after this experience, we feel even more connected to the Pappasito's family. The care and heart shown by your staff, particularly Carlos, Kayla, and Jon, made all the difference in our night. We can’t thank you enough for turning what had started as a disappointing evening into a truly memorable one. Please pass along our deepest gratitude to everyone involved. Thank you again for your exceptional hospitality and for going above and beyond to make us feel valued. We will continue to be loyal patrons of your restaurants, and we’ll be sure to share this incredible story with friends and family.“

“This place is a must visit ! It’s always good to go to Lupe’s.
I’d Recommend to get the steak, fajitas or burrito are my picks always
I wish the tres leches have a little more milk so the cake would be more moist. ( it really need more milks)
And the drinks, they make really nice margaritas.
Wondering if they sell aguas frescas…“

“Nut allergy friendly: No issues with my order.

HEB was providing coupons for a buy-one-get-one-free BOGO entree at El Tiempo for January, so I decided to hit a few El Tiempos around Houston. I avoided any inside the loop because of the required valet parking. This was my first El Tiempo to visit.

Time to Margaritas: 15 Minutes
Time to Entree: 25 Minutes

We arrived at around 7:00PM on a Thursday evening and there was reasonable parking here. The staff were very accommodating in finding us a table with an outlet for charging my laptop.

Coupon interpretation: This El Tiempo let us order anything except fajita plates, which was in alignment with the coupon. We were allowed to order margaritas to fulfill the drink requirement.

Margarita (4/5): I got a frozen mango margarita as I usually do. The margaritas are relatively consistent at El Tiempo and they do a nice floater of tequila. This one had some chunks of mango and ice that clogged my straw a bit more, but it was still pretty good.
Full Chicken Quesadilla (4/5): Definitely huge. We both ordered this and both took home half as leftovers. I found the chicken a tad dry, and I'm disappointed that they don't include guacamole for the price.

I paid via inKind with no issues. You have to manually write in your check total instead of using a check number, and then the wait staff will take a photo with their phone so don't close the screen (or take a screenshot yourself).

Overall, a solid tex-mex staple of Houston that remains quite pricey. Suggest checking for coupons or using inKind for a discount.“

“Andy made our first time experience amazing! We are from New Mexico and enjoyed trying all the sauces as they are all different in their own great ways! Ordered steak chuychanga and steak burrito , refried beans all great flavors! Service and food was extremely fast! We will definitely be back!“

“We showed up at about 10am and were a party of 5. We had to ask our waiter twice for the breakfast menu, which was unusual. The food was very good and reasonably priced. Coffee was also very good and came in a nice, old-fashioned ceramic mug. The freshly-squeezed OJ was one of, if not the best, that I've ever had. Lovely Mexican atmosphere! I will be back if I'm ever in the area! PS, make sure to lock your vehicle, cause car theft seems to be a regular occurence at this restaurant. They even have a large sign saying that they're not responsible for theft...you'd think they'd want to prevent it, not encourage it?!“

“agradeciendo por su excelente servicio en nuestra celebración de graduación de mi hija, la comida muy buena y la atención de la mesera Tania! se lo recomiendo“

“Great! Just like old times.“