50 Best Tex-Mex Restaurants in Houston

“Peter's bartending skills are absolutely incredible! He knows how to mix up the perfect drinks with precision and flair. Every cocktail he creates is a work of art, and the flavors are always spot-on. Not only does Peter have the skills, but he also has a warm and friendly personality that makes you feel welcome at the bar. He's definitely a master of his craft!Now, let's talk about Nino, the hilarious and knowledgeable waiter. Nino's expertise in the menu is impressive, and he's always ready to answer any questions you have about the food or drinks. But what really sets Nino apart is his fantastic sense of humor. He knows how to lighten the mood and make your dining experience truly enjoyable. You can count on Nino to bring a smile to your face while providing excellent service.Overall, both Peter and Nino are exceptional in their respective roles. Whether you're looking for an expertly crafted cocktail or a delightful dining experience, you won't be disappointed with these two. Cheers to Peter and Nino for making every visit memorable!“

“I have to say the tacos in the food were delicious everything. I don't think anyone will complain on something that's has flavor. I'm thinking if this place has a long line. It's popular because of the good tasting food. They should do something about speeding up the line. But I guess Management has not thought about that. Has your business growth and it has more in more people coming. You should make plans to make the kitchen area larger with the buffet section larger. So you can have 2 extra servers. I'm assuming they made it investment in the parking lot next door which is huge and full of cars. Trust me this place is making money. Not complaining about the price, but this is not a dollar tacos. Those days are over. This location, and one Laredo on Patton Street street are making money. It would help if it also had a larger restroom to accommodate more than one person. It's a business not a home. I hope management reads this. And will maybe answer the review“

“Great Atmosphere , Awesome Service from the server Ivan and the busser Joan. The Manager made sure we were taken care of he made us feel welcomed he is so professional definitely we will be back so recommend the chicken and beef fajitas. Dessert Tres leches is the best cake.Vegetarian options: A lot of variety of vegetables“

“Wow!!! Excellent smoked brisket. Super generous portions. $14 feed my friend and I, no way I could finish the brisket grilled cheese by myself. Although the brisket needs no BBQ sauce, the sauce they make is fire. I pray they bottle their BBQ sauce one day. The owner was super cool and blessed us with stickers in addition to the fabulous food. My friend recommended them, and El Pobre Tex Mex BBQ did NOT disappoint. Highly recommend. I will be comparing all other smoked brisket to El Pobre. Counting the days until I can share a smoked brisket grilled cheese with a friend again.“

“WOW! We love this location. Delicious food, fabulous beverages and wonderful people. Our server, Alberth is a treasure! Each visit he provides an impeccable experience. Naim, the manager, always visits the table to make sure everything is perfect. Thank you for the outstanding service.“

“Yadira always treats my family and I well, she’s amazing and gives great menu recommendations! The food is always delicious. Maria Rita’s is the perfect place to take your family out or to chill at the bar, have a few GREAT drinks and enjoy a game.“

“The bartender at Cyclone Anaya went above and beyond to craft delicious cocktails with precision and flair. His friendly demeanor and attention to detail truly elevated our experience at the bar. I highly recommend him for his outstanding service and mixology skills. He deserves that free shirt and more for his exceptional work at Cyclone Anaya!“

“I am not from the area, not even from Texas! The food, service, and ambience here are great and I am a little tired from my 3.5-hour flight.Quality starts from the top in terms of leadership. Everyone is pleasant and just formal enough to be professional enough but toned down to be family-friendly. Diana is the manager and she leads by example. If she were to leave the shoes would be too big. Our server, Juan, is a great ambassador for the restaurant and menu; a great server.Compared to where I live I am happy not to hear foul language from the tables around us. Pleasant music is playing too.What a great place to eat. Sincerely.“

“We are regular customers. Usually everything is consistently good with food and service but today the young lady greeting guests at the host stand was awful. She was probably new and she was not friendly or smiling at all. I can appreciate a new employee but it does not take training to be friendly and smile with people arriving for dinner. I did not get her name but she was the host greeting people Wednesday evening March 6th around 6:00pm.“

“So the food looks amazing , but it did lack a little bit more flavor than I’m used to , it was good though . Absolutely loved loved their salsa . Not your traditional tortillas ,a little on the thin and crispy side . Pricing seems great for how much food you’re getting . I think overall place was great but just didn’t have much of like that popping flavor you’d expect .“

“My family and I went to eat Sunday night and we hadn’t scheduled a reservation. We get there and they were able to accommodate a table of 15 with no issues. The servers were so great And explained everything in detail and even separated checks by numbers (which a lot of restaurants don’t do). They had great music, my fave Frida in every corner of the restaurant, great decor the chandeliers looked awesome, it was so clean and smelled so good upon entering. They gave us complimentary appetizers and desserts which were awesome like the queso. I really wished I would have taken pictures of everything but even the most picky family members loved it and said they will def be back. The prices were super reasonable definitely not as expensive as other restaurants. My husband and I shared a parrillada for 2 beef and omg the homemade tortillas de maíz were amazing! It came with a good amount of beef, onion and bell peppers all fresh. We both had our own beans, rice, sour cream, avocado and tortillas. I had a mangonada and it was delightful and the miches were great! Everyone was helping us with great spirit and over all made us feel welcomed! Definite will be back specially because it’s so close to home! Gracias por el servicio y la comida espectacular!“

“I decided come by and try Mi Tierra as it is around the corner from my office in the up and coming Oak Forest neighborhood. When you first walk in you are greeted by very friendly staff. There were a few other tables enjoying their meals already, but was able to be sat with my party right away. We ordered the "award winning" tacos al pastor as well as the mahi mahi fish taco's. Both were great choices. Light and refreshing the perfect amount of taste. Paired with Mi Tierra margarita. The meal was satisfying. I wish I would have come in sooner. Can't wait to come back and try the rest of the menu.“

“Arcade has a great attitude. He greets us with a big smile every time we come here. The food and service are exceptional. Arcade is also very attentive to detail and always repeats our order to check for accuracy. Way to go Arcade and the Rice Village Torchy’s!“

“Me and my girlfriend were pleasantly suprised by this place. The food is absolutely phenomenal. My girlfriend got the Mac loving burger which is homeade mac n cheese smashed on a burger. Whats not to love about that. Great flavors. The street corn was also really good. We got that as an appetizer. I got the Blazing Chicken Wrap and the Turban Taco. The turban taco was unreal. It bursted with flavor. The blazing chicken wrap in the picture was great! Its a bunch of flavors meshed together into the perfect wrap. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a top tier place to eat. This really surprised us and took us out of our food comfort zone.“

“Very Solid Mexican food and drinks.I usually go for Quesadillas and margaritas. Both very nice, the beef quesadillas are my favorite as well as the frozen house margarita.I can really much recommend this place!Parking: You can easily park in front of the supermarket“

“Teotihuacan, I can never pronounce the name I've been coming here since I was a teenager! Although the pricing has drastically increased the food is still amazing. I like to order the fajita taco mixed with chicken and add chile con queso on the top! They have so many food options and the staff is usually the same staff at the Irvington location (Great staff!) The service at this location will always be top tier to me! Sometimes it can be a little crowded because it's not that large of a space but definitely worth waiting around for. You can seat yourself wherever you'd like. The breakfast is just as good as the lunch/dinner menu. Steak & Eggs!!!! Ahhhh super delicious steak is always cooked to perfection. Tortillas are very homemade and super yummy. I will never stop eating here, a great local spot on the Northside of Houston!“

“Oh man we have wanted to go to this place for a while but we were always in a hurry and not able to ...this was freakin awesome.This is quality food and friendly people.everyone we passed welcomed us in it was a refreshing change in this day and time.The prices are a little higher but well worth it .I ordered Camerones Diablo which is shrimp grilled with Mexican butter rice and beans and guacamole ? oh man it was delicious.Mu husband ordered enchiladas chicken and cheese .You get a lot of food and we were so stuffed we couldn't eat dessert.But we did get it and took.iy with us it was Tres Leche cheesecake .it looks awesome I'll let you know how it is .You have to go here if you're close and ask for Abi she was so attentive and nice ...“

“Really cool spot, love the atmosphere, really creative outdoor seating. The food was excellent, corn tortillas are some of the best I've had. The nachos were piled high and were not light on toppings. The salsas were good, I plan to return and try more of the menu. The photos don't do it justice but the setting was very cozy. The server was very friendly, very nice bar if you're a drinker.Kid-friendliness: They have some activities for kids.“

“Pappasito's NEVER fails to exceed expectations! Great original location with a wonderful vibe. Staff are top notch and food is, too. Veggie options do exist and are delish! Did I mention the drink flights??? ??Vegetarian options: Had them make me a veggie quesadilla and we split their amazing, freshly made guacamole. If you've never had it, you haven't lived!!! ??“

“Nothing beats the original location of Lupe. The building may feel small in certain spots, but the atmosphere is always lively and cheerful. The food is hot, fresh, and definitely tasty. Their fajitas are definitely worth a try if you've never had them before.“

“Needed a quick bite near the airport, and this did the trick. Got a torta with Milanesa, and a quesadilla with Tampiquena - both were very good. The torta was toasted, and the Milanesa worked well (I always have issues with the chopped meats falling off the torta on the way to my mouth, so a single slab of meat is much more efficient, as well as tasty). The Tampiquena was really good, had a strong smoky grilled flavor. The chips were crisp and fresh and the salsa was warm (never had that before but it was tomatoey and spicey). Service was great!“

“I’ve been going to this place for about 12 yrs and I have never been disappointed with the food nor the service. The servers are always kind and inviting. I don’t live in this area anymore however when I am in the area I know where I’m going to eat! :-)“

“My mother and I ate here today and the food was amazing!!! The staff were very friendly and helpful and took really good care of us. We ordered the fried calamari, stuffed jalapeños, Camarones a la Diabla and Paella. Not only did it look good but the taste was absolutely amazing!!! EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS!!! Definitely our new spot!!!“

“The restaurant was very clean, staff was friendly, and service was prompt. Our waitress was very knowledgable, quick, and overall pleasant. The drinks and appitizers were good. We were not fans of our main entrees, however Bryan was very quick to address this issue for us. Everyone else in the restaurant seemed to enjoy their meal and time. It just could have been an off night for us. I would give this place a try if I was in the EADO area!“

“We needed dinner for 18 at the convention center. We called a week in advance, then gave a detailed complex order. They were ready on time for the pickup with everything and missed only one small drink in a $400 order. Happy well-fed kids. Fantastic professional friendly bilingual service. Nice clean restaurant with easy parking, too.“

“I’ve eaten here several times, and have always loved it! Jorge was our server today and he was awesome! Very attentive!I particularly like the cheese enchiladas and tamales. They are one of the only Mexican restaurants that still use the ole chile-based brown gravy on their enchiladas and tamales!And the Margaritas are phenomenal! Try this place!“

“Pappasito’s has been one of my favorite restaurants in Houston for many years.We have not been to Pappasito's in a while due to their ever increasing prices, but we tried it one more time on last Thursday.It was around 3:00pm. Not many people. The "Hostess" did not want to seat me. I looked around the empty restaurant and asked why she would not seat me and told me the wait would be 20 minutes. I called the manager. And he gave me an excuse that they were short in personnel and I have to wait, instead of seating us and committing to provide a good positive experience regardless as they have always done it. My positive experience has not been the same and they keep raising their prices to a point that it’s ridiculous high. Lunch for three people, a beef quesadilla, two tacos, a small tortilla soup, water and two drinks $40 per person? Something in their management has changed.“

“I'm so ecstatic to have a solid Mexican restaurant open up so close to where I live! I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here. The restaurant is pretty spacious and service was quick. You get complimentary chips and salsa, and the salsa was so deliciously spicy. I ordered the chicken flautas and loved them. They were neither too dry nor too oily. Perfectly crispy and they paired well with the salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Their rice was cooked well, and I'm a sucker for good arroz rojo. I also tried a michelada and that was the perfect, refreshing complement to my meal. I'm excited to come back here whenever I'm craving Mexican food so I can try their other dishes!“

“I was passing through and I stumbled upon this place. I sat at the bar and the bartender (Evelyn ) was very attentive and helpful. She suggested the margaritas which were delicious and tasteful. I will definitely come back and try the rest of the menu.“

“I frequent this Escalante’s location at Highland Village. When I come by myself, I grab a seat at the bar. The staff, led by GM Eden, is *always* excellent. And I receive consistent, superior service by Lisa and their newest bartender Sevi. (Jacob, one of the managers, does a fantastic job and is always nice to talk to.) There are several menu items that keep me coming back: chicken quesadillas, empanadas, enchiladas, tortilla soup, fajitas, and my favorite, the street tacos. I also love the table side guac that they recently brought back, as well as their famed queso blanco with its accompaniments. At Escalante’s, you really get a great value. The portions are generous, the food is always fresh, and they keep the restaurant immaculately clean. Parking can be a challenge, but depending when you arrive, you’ll be able to find a space that doesn’t require valet. I highly recommend this location. Five (enthusiastic) stars all around.“

“Don't go for the atmosphere, although it is a very comfortable place. Go for the food and people who work and dine there. The food is quality and satisfying, the service is so kind and the cook is interested in your enjoyment of the food. This is in my opinion a rare find.“

“The only bad thing about Gloria's is that they save all the tables by the dance floor for people who buy a liquor bottle. It was very expensive, so no one bought the liquor bottle, and the tables are all empty all night long while the customers stand up ALL NIGHT!! NOT GOOD.“

“I went in after work to unwind for a bit before my drive across town. The counter staff was relaxed and friendly. I got exceptional service from Kimberly who went out of her way to interact with me. My appetizer was hot and fresh. I didn't have a whole meal but this was a good time to visit, before the dinner rush. I'll be back again soon.“

“I came here for the first time. Everything was good. Good service. Tasty food. Comfortable seats. I asked for pictures of the menu but they don't have it. Hopefully they have the pictures for first time customers like me, who don't know about Mexican cuisine.“

“My first time visiting Houston and decided to have Mexican food for dinner, I saw this place near my hotel and stopped because we thought it was so beautiful. The outside patio was gorgeous, it was even more beautiful inside. Wow I'm glad we decided to stop it was Amazing! We ordered the chicken and steak fajitas the steak was so delicious and tender it melted in my mouth and the chicken also so delicious and tender came with a delightful garlic butter. The beans that came with were great. For dessert I recommended the tres Leche cake. The restaurant manager Cane was so friendly and visited with us making us feel so welcome. Our servers Genisis and Wendy were wonderful.“

“Inalwsys live the food at Gringos Pearland. The servers are organized and friendly no matter what day of the week. The staff are professional, courteous. You are seated as soon as a table becomes available. Your food is always hot and the presentation is right on. The drinks are awssome!“

“O-M-G! The vibe is awesome! I walked in and it is picture perfect for taking selfies! As I sit at bar in the middle of the restaurant with surround seating, I realize this bar is ideal for a bar-tesian like myself. The see-through kitchen was modern and sleek. It has the feel of a traditional Mexican restaurant from the menu to the music pumping through the sound system. The food is THE BEST I HAVE HAD IN HOUSTON. The Margaritas were delicious! Make sure to order the MARGARITA FLIGHT when you come! I am thoroughly impressed with the hostess, bartender, and the rest of the staff. Very professional and appreciated. I love the glass enclosure for private parties, OH and I can not forget the PATIO!!! This is truly a hidden gem. I will be here every time I travel to Houston!“

“Hector was a fabulous waiter. He was attentive, kind, and even brought me very small samples of the mole! Both moles I had were soooo good that I ended up getting food with both lol. The food was temperature hot, flavorful, and came out quicker than expected.Mango Margarita topped with grand marnier was mid and not strong after a long day of cleaning lol, I'll try a different next time. Yes, there will be a next time!!“

“Candente is a hidden gym - their fajitas are incredible and in my opinion rival some of the larger names (like el tiempo or pappasitos) here in Houston.If you get fajitas make sure to get the “steak” beef rather than regular beef - and definitely get a margarita!!Parking: There’s a tiny lot to the side of the restaurant and if that’s full you can street park“

“Service was great, friendly and fast! The place is cool, tons of local events up on the billboard and bright colors making it feel both fun and comfortable. The food is where it really shines though, I got the Tater Taco and the Baja Chicken Taco and they were hands down one of the best things I've eaten in the past year. The Tater Taco had a unique taste and the black beans were warm and delicious, it was a perfect choice for a non-meat taco!! The Baja Chicken Taco tasted as expected- fried chicken and a lime-y avocado, fresh tasting and the chicken had a great texture (from someone who is picky about chicken & meat textures). I asked for no jalapeños but that's personal preference, I'm sure they would be a nice addition for those who like jalapeño flavor. My partner got the Carne Guisada Tacos and said they were filling and exactly what she wanted from a good taco.“

“(Translated by Google) Today May 5th we wanted to eat tacos in HoustonWe used Google map and it brought us here!Next time I will bring my camera to take better photosDavid was awesome ?? very cool broTacos were delicious ???The tacos were super tasty, very good to recommend to everyoneLong live Mexico Long live May 5th.(Original)Hoy 5 de Mayo quisimos comer tacos en HoustonUsamos El Google map y nos trajo aca!Proxima vez traere mi camara para tomar mejor fotosDavid was awesome ?? very cool broTacos were delicious ???Los tacos estuvieron super sabroso muy bueno para recomendar a todosViva Mexico Viva 5 de Mayo.“

“I love the tacos here. They are great since they open. They have good service. But recently, I’ve been buying tacos and The tacos are getting smaller and the price is going up I got 6 tacos for 20 bucks I don’t mind paying for the tacos . I just want my Tacos to be like they used to when they first started opening. . I expect well taco….. overall they are good tacos just do them like y’all used too plz thanks“

“I had been traveling all day to get here for a work trip. I was hungry fir dinner, my hotel didn't have a restaurant, I don't have a rental car as meeting up with several co-workers. This place is tight across the street. An easy walk, nice to stretch my legs after being on airplanes.Efrain was super friendly. I ordered the Baja salad with chicken and a horchata. The salad was topped with all kinds of fresh toppings. The tomatillo sauce was amazing and the perfect touch to the salad.Portions were generous and prices reasonable.I wish we had this near home.“

“Great Tex Mex place, attentive service, vegan/vegetarian options. We did the fajita party and it was defenitly enough food for all of us.The margarita variation is a great opportunity to taste different flavours.Vegetarian options: Bean Burrito, Guacamole, vegetables“

“stopped by while visiting Houston and it was such a great experience! They do allow pets on the patio and I was able to bring my dog and they provided treats and water for her. Our server Santiago was so nice and attentive to us, he went above and beyond to make us feel cared for. the place itself is very cute and fun for gatherings with friends. food was also delicious! Would definitely recommend if you’re in the Houston area and looking for Mexican food.“

“We use to go a lot to the old location but today was my first time at the new location. So many great things to say about this place from the service, ambiance, and the food. This place is truly one of the best fusion restaurants you can eat at. We got the nachos, chicken fried chicken, and quesadillas. Although I wasn't a fan of the nachos, I thought everything else was very good.“

“Their street tacos are good! I know, I know, you do a double take to even stop like, "I don't know if I even want to stop here." But if you do, man, I'm telling you. It's super good. My wife loves the fish tacos. She does the grilled ones, but we've tried the fried ones too. The shrimp grilled and fried ones were also good as well. The Torta was delicious. Had all kinds of meats. Been there twice already, and there definitely will be a third visit down-the-line. Atmosphere could be better, but you do what you can with the streets as your dining hall. I almost forgot the churros. They're just right! Not like those hard rock ones you find at other places where I feel like I could knock someone out with it....“

“We were here for a KC State Council meeting. The staff worked well amongst the crazy lines and crowds. Thank goodness for the good staff experience and delicious food. We had a good experience overall. Very impressive!Get Outlook for Android“

“Went there on a Saturday night. The food was good and our server was great! The drink menu also looked exciting. However, the drink I ordered was supposed to be strong, which definitely wasn’t. But the reason I have to take away one star is the environment. It is a huge restaurant with multiple flanks which was super crowded to the point of being unorganized. Also the floor was not clean enough, which wasn’t a surprise given the number of people there. It really felt like a crowded street inside. Overall, it is decent place, but the environment lacks the desirable character to provide a memorable experience.“

“I've been coming here since college and was sad they had to close during COVID but now they are back and Villa Across is by far a Houston staple. Yes, the price of one taco is $3 but my god they fill it all the way it's like eating 2 tacos and they a hella good. They definitely don't skimp out on anything.“