It’s no secret that Texas has great Mexican food, but few cities can beat Houston when it comes to Tex-Mex. From Mama Ninfa’s introduction of fajitas to the Bayou City in the early 1970s to the near obsession locals have with melty cheese enchiladas and brisket nachos, the fusion flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine are well engrained in Houston culture. From corner to corner of the sprawling metropolis, there are countless places to experience Tex-Mex food in all of its glory. Compiling a list of all the great places to satisfy cravings for queso fundido and tacos al carbon in Houston would be voluminous, but here is a list of 10 places that standout among the masses.
Teotihuacan
Irvington Boulevard has long attracted folks seeking out bona fide Mexican and Tex-Mex fare. Founded by the Galvan family in 1996, Teotihuacan has two locations on Irvington, and two others around town. Guests are treated to thin crispy chips and both red and green salsa upon arrival. The massive menu features breakfast dishes like huevos rancheros ($12) and breakfast tacos ($5); plus daily specials and lunch deals. Mixed plates like El Bonny ($19) that includes a chicken and cheese flauta, chicken fajita taco, and three ounces of pork carnitas is more than satisfying when you can’t decide. Multiple locations, teotihuacancafe.com
The Original Ninfa’s
While the origins of Tex-Mex can be debated, one certainty is that “Mama” Ninfa Laurenzo was on the forefront of introducing tacos al carbon to Houstonians at the Original Ninfa’s. Mama Ninfa passed away in 2001, but the restaurant continues to have a strong woman at its helm with chef Patti Delgading leading culinary operations for its two locations. The fajitas are a must-have, with guests given the option to choose from beef, chicken, or veggie, and add-ons like wood-fired grilled quail and shrimp a la playa. The Tejas combo ($24) offers a delicious mix of Tex-Mex flavors with sizzling fajitas, a crispy beef taco, and cheese enchilada. The Original Ninfarita ($11) is legendary, while fresh aguas frescas ($5) are a refreshing non-alcoholic alternative. Multiple locations, ninfas.com
El Tiempo Cantina
El Tiempo was born from the Laurenzo family legacy, having been opened by “Mama” Ninfa Laurenzo’s son, Roland, in 1998. It has since expanded across the greater Houston area and even has an outpost in Arlington. Its turquoise exterior with wrought iron decor is iconic, as are the traditional Mexican furnishings inside. The large menu includes loaded nachos, quesadillas, enchilada plates, parilladas, and sizzling skillets of premium meats. For something a little different, try the chile relleno a la Ninfa ($22), an egg-battered poblano pepper stuffed with carnitas, cheese, raisins, pecans, and cinnamon. Multiple locations, eltiempocantina.com
Molina’s Cantina
Molina’s has been serving its version of Tex-Mex in Houston for more than seventy years, and is one of the oldest family-owned Tex-Mex restaurants in town. Founded by Raul and Mary Molina in 1941, its legacy remains in the hands of their grandchildren today. There are three Houston-area locations where guests can enjoy enchilada platters galore; the restaurant’s original recipe for old fashioned chili con carne; and “Jose’s dip”, a blend of chili con queso and spicy taco meat. Multiple locations, Houston, molinascantina.com
Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen
With 19 varieties to choose from, based on styles popular in Texas and Mexico, Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen is like the Baskin-Robbins of enchiladas. Explore choices from north of the border like cheese enchiladas with chili gravy ($18) and spinach enchiladas with tomatillo sauce ($18). South of the border varieties include shrimp with Espanola or Veracruzana sauce ($20) and chicken mole poblano ($19). Casares’ sopa de fideo ($13) is a bowl of Tex-Mex comfort on a chilly day, while the tres leches cake ($10) is a sweet way to end the meal. 6401 Woodway Dr., Houston, sylviasenchiladas.com
Pappasito’s Cantina
Pappas Restaurants owns and operates a number of different concepts, and every Houstonian has a favorite. For many, Pappasito’s is the place to go for top notch Tex-Mex. Get your fill of fajitas with protein choices like quail, filet mignon, jalapeno sausage, and pork ribs. If enchiladas are more your speed, consider the seafood enchiladas with shrimp, scallops, and avocado in a mild cream sauce; or the pork and green chile with a spicy kick from rancho verde and quesillo queso. Multiple locations, pappasitos.com/home
Los Tios
Los Tios has been around for more than five decades, but was acquired by the Adair family in 2000, who now operate its six Houston-area locations and one in Fredericksburg. Taco shells and flour tortillas are made in-house daily, and fajitas are offered by the half or full pound. While the menu features plenty of Tex-Mex staples, Los Tios is best known for its puffy queso. The puffed corn tortilla shell, smothered in chili con queso, can be ordered stuffed or customized to your heart’s desire. The chile relleno 1970 is another favorite, still going strong after 50 years. Multiple locations, lostiosrestaurants.com
Candente
While thoughts of a Tex-Mex eatery might conjure up images of brightly-colored walls adorned with serapes, this Michelin-recommended restaurant from Sambrooks Hospitality is a welcome alternative with subtle decor, an open kitchen, and a sprawling patio bedecked with string lights. Like its sister restaurant down the road, the Pit Room, Candente puts the spotlight on smoked meats. Guests can add mesquite-smoked brisket to their queso, or get brisket nachos ($25) layered with a half-pound of meat, refried beans, cheddar cheese, and barbecue sauce. Putting the Texan in Tex-Mex, the menu features epic grill combinations like the Laredo ($41), which combines a half rack of ribs with carnitas. 4306 Yoakum Blvd., Houston, candentehtx.com
Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina
The Goode Co. family of restaurants, known for their Texas barbecue and Southern cooking, opened a dedicated Tex-Mex concept called Goode Co. Kitchen & Catina in the Woodlands in 2017, and have since added three more in River Oaks, the Heights, and Memorial. The sceney restaurant offer a festive backdrop for sipping margs and noshing on fajitas and enchiladas. Pork tamales ($18) are topped with homemade beef chile gravy, while the tacos al carbon are served on handmade tortillas. Goode Co. loyalists will also find familiar menu items like redfish on the half shell ($36) and campechana extra ($19). Multiple locations, kitchenandcantina.com
Superica
Celeb chef Ford Fry debuted Superica in Atlanta in 2015, and opened the Houston outpost in the Heights three years later. Its high-energy dining room and bar, quaint courtyard patio, and menu of comfort classics continues to draw in locals today. Find six varieties of enchiladas, including chicken verde ($19), pollo con mole ($20), and vegetable ($18); plus a Texas-sized fajita platter called the Superica Supreme, ($110) which is large enough for four to share, with steak, chicken, pork belly, smoked brisket, sausage, brochetas, and shrimp. 1801 N. Shepherd Dr., Houston, superica.com/heights
