Because I'm currently procrastinating three different deadlines, and because there's a strong chance work will send me to the OSU/MSU game, what's your pick for the best Mexican meal possible in Houston? I haven't really spent any time in that city in almost ten years.
Best Mexican in Houston?
- Thread starter Godfrey
- Start date
Wow--that's like asking where can you get the best Gumbo in new Orleans--it's ALL good. If what you mean is Tex Mex then you'd like Mambo Parrilla or Santa Fe Flats. If you mean authentic Mexican, consider Hugo's or Pico's Mex Mex, though these are more expensive and "nice."
Lupe Tortilla. Get the steak fajitas, chips and queso, and a top shelf margarita on the rocks. Best in Houston no question. Your belly and cholesterol will thank me later.
Hugo's is very nice, especially for Sunday Brunch.
For "scenery", go to El Tiempo on Washington. Thank me later. I'm a big fan of there, as well as Pappasitos (great enchiladas and fajitas here).
Very tough call....
Every suggestion on here is great. I would add two: Guadalajara Hacienda (there are 3 or 4 scattered around) and the one I swear by, El Gallo (local place in my neighborhood that is out of this world good and inexpensive). El Gallo is in the Spring Branch area.
Every suggestion on here is great. I would add two: Guadalajara Hacienda (there are 3 or 4 scattered around) and the one I swear by, El Gallo (local place in my neighborhood that is out of this world good and inexpensive). El Gallo is in the Spring Branch area.
I cannot believe all of these comedians on this site missed this golden opportunity.
Your question was loaded for these jokers and so far no one.... has even passively taken their best shot.
Your question was loaded for these jokers and so far no one.... has even passively taken their best shot.
I will also give a thumbs up to Lupe tortilla. There are a few different locations. Lime pepper marinated steak fajitas on fresh made tortillas are some of the finest food I've ever put in my mouth.
The original Ninfa's is on Navigation. I went there a while back, it was pretty good. I'd recommend going at lunch though, because it's not really where you wanna be when the sun goes down.
Tex Mex or Mex Mex?
There are 1,000's of awesome mexican places in Houston.
If you really want to get great food in Houston that you cannot get other places. Try the Chineese on Bellaire near the Beltway, Vietnamese anywhere, Korean on Long Point. Look at the Houston Press, Houstonia Magazine, and 29-95 for reviews.
I like Lupe Tortillia, but I don't consider it near the best and Chuy's is horrible. It's like saying the Olive Garden is the best italian. Yeah it's crowded, and popular that doesnt mean it's good. All the Pappas Resturants are solid choices.
Best Mexican Bakery:
El Bollio (This place is Awesome)
Best Sit Down Tex Mex places are:
Escalante's
El Tiempo
Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen
Ninfa's on Navigation
Doneraki
Best Quick service Tex Mex:
Chacho's
Tacos a go go
Taqueria Jesus Maria
Los Dos Amigos
Best Mex Mex:
Hugo's (James Beard agrees)
Best Old school Tex Mex:
Molina's
El Real Tex Mex
There are 1,000's of awesome mexican places in Houston.
If you really want to get great food in Houston that you cannot get other places. Try the Chineese on Bellaire near the Beltway, Vietnamese anywhere, Korean on Long Point. Look at the Houston Press, Houstonia Magazine, and 29-95 for reviews.
I like Lupe Tortillia, but I don't consider it near the best and Chuy's is horrible. It's like saying the Olive Garden is the best italian. Yeah it's crowded, and popular that doesnt mean it's good. All the Pappas Resturants are solid choices.
Best Mexican Bakery:
El Bollio (This place is Awesome)
Best Sit Down Tex Mex places are:
Escalante's
El Tiempo
Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen
Ninfa's on Navigation
Doneraki
Best Quick service Tex Mex:
Chacho's
Tacos a go go
Taqueria Jesus Maria
Los Dos Amigos
Best Mex Mex:
Hugo's (James Beard agrees)
Best Old school Tex Mex:
Molina's
El Real Tex Mex
I live in Houston currently, and any time friends or family come visit Lupe Tortilla is the first place I take them. I've been living here for 2 years now, and I have yet to find a better fajita place than Lupe. Like a few others said they have awesome margaritas and the patio is a good place to sit around and drink while you wait on your table.
If you are looking for Tex Mex I would suggest 'El Real' on Westheimer, it is probably my favorite Tex Mex in Houston. The food is incredible for the price that you are paying, and it has a really good atmosphere.
If you are looking for quick authentic Tacos you gotta go to Laredo Taqueria on Washington
If you are looking for Tex Mex I would suggest 'El Real' on Westheimer, it is probably my favorite Tex Mex in Houston. The food is incredible for the price that you are paying, and it has a really good atmosphere.
If you are looking for quick authentic Tacos you gotta go to Laredo Taqueria on Washington
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For a margarita, go to the Cadillac Bar at I-10 and Shepherd. Get the sangria margarita. Fantastic.
My vote would be Escalante's.
My vote would be Escalante's.
I love Lupe Tortilla's for their beef fajitas. If it's not the best in town, it's probably only second to El Tiempo's Tenderloin Fajitas. If you don't want beef fajita's, I would go somewhere else. As many have mentioned, there are dozens of great options. One I haven't seen mentioned is Berryhill Tamlaes. Multiple locations. More of a casual place but it's worth visiting if you can.
Long time listener, first time caller
To answer the original question, any of the places mentioned are legit but let's not make this complicated. It's all meat/cheese/tortillas/tequila. The city is spread out so just pick one that agrees with you plans afterward.
Mullen's favorite place is Pappasitos. Last year on the road dawg tour, a buddy of mine was asked to drive the coaches from/to the airport. Right before the 'show' starts at Texans Grill, Mullen turns to us a says something like "don't eat here, we'll go somewhere after. There's a Pappasitos like 2 miles away." Apparently he recruited the area while at Utah. He knew the high schools and every Pappasitos location.
So the whole MSU contingent, me, and some buddies go out to eat afterward. Joe, Mullen, Vann, Ray, and Stricklin just hanging out in the back of Pappasitos. It was pretty damn cool.
Dan even boxed up the rest of the queso to take back to Starkville for the Mrs.
To answer the original question, any of the places mentioned are legit but let's not make this complicated. It's all meat/cheese/tortillas/tequila. The city is spread out so just pick one that agrees with you plans afterward.
Mullen's favorite place is Pappasitos. Last year on the road dawg tour, a buddy of mine was asked to drive the coaches from/to the airport. Right before the 'show' starts at Texans Grill, Mullen turns to us a says something like "don't eat here, we'll go somewhere after. There's a Pappasitos like 2 miles away." Apparently he recruited the area while at Utah. He knew the high schools and every Pappasitos location.
So the whole MSU contingent, me, and some buddies go out to eat afterward. Joe, Mullen, Vann, Ray, and Stricklin just hanging out in the back of Pappasitos. It was pretty damn cool.
Dan even boxed up the rest of the queso to take back to Starkville for the Mrs.
Individual preference of course
Have lived in Houston for 30 years and eaten at all the ones mentioned by others. Not a bad one in the bunch but still hard to beat pappasitos - any location. Whenever I go out with work groups at lunch and tex mex is picked, pappasitos is almost always chosen. And I am not usually the one selecting the place.
Have lived in Houston for 30 years and eaten at all the ones mentioned by others. Not a bad one in the bunch but still hard to beat pappasitos - any location. Whenever I go out with work groups at lunch and tex mex is picked, pappasitos is almost always chosen. And I am not usually the one selecting the place.
You Houstonians are spoiled.
Your meat/cheese/tortillas are way better than the same in Memphis or most any other non-Texan city. The meat is smoked well and the tortillas are fresh out the oven. Here it's just grilled whatever slapped on a stale tortilla that's been under a heat lamp for 3 hours.
Your meat/cheese/tortillas are way better than the same in Memphis or most any other non-Texan city. The meat is smoked well and the tortillas are fresh out the oven. Here it's just grilled whatever slapped on a stale tortilla that's been under a heat lamp for 3 hours.
i feel so validated by being the 1rst to suggest papasitos in this thread. Furthers my thinking that I'm a food master genius
