Candente is value including to your Houston bucket listing for Tex-Mex institutions.
Communicate to any Houstonian, and likelihood is they’ll let you know their glad place is a desk at a neighborhood Mexican spot, chips and salsa inside attain, and a margarita sweating on the aspect.
As Houston’s eating scene has boomed, so, too, have its Mexican meals choices. Tex-Mex reigns as a staple—main shout-out to Ninfa “Mama Ninfa” Laurenzo, who put fajitas on the nationwide map from her East Finish kitchen. However the choices immediately go far past that. There are native gems championing regional Mexican fare, daring fusion menus, bakeries stacked with pan dulce, brunches with salt-rimmed margaritas, white-tablecloth locations, tasting menus, and taco vehicles slinging late-night bites. With a lot to select from, narrowing it down can really feel daunting. That’s the place Houstonia is available in.
Take into account this your bucket listing of Houston’s must-visit Mexican eating places. Whereas we’ll quickly bid farewell to Picos with its impending closure, there’s a mixture of recent new sizzling spots, like Mayahuel, and longtime establishments, like Molina’s Cantina, that can make your Mexican eating expertise in Houston magical.
Bakeries
El Bolillo Bakery has grown to 5 places throughout the Houston space.
El Bolillo Bakery
A number of places
What began in 1998 as a small bakery within the Larger Heights has now grown to a sequence with 5 places throughout the Houston space. Right here, Houstonians will discover tres leches, flan, cheesecake, and pan dulce like conchas, orejas, panaderos, or carcoles (spiral pastries with candy cream cheese). For anybody craving a savory deal with, order the kolaches or tamales, and seize some tortillas to-go.
La Imperial Bakery
east finish
Within the colourful Tlaquepaque Market strip, Irma Perez is quietly making a few of Houston’s greatest conchas. The small joint has just a few circumstances of pan dulce made recent every day. Come early and cargo up a tray. Diners not pressed for time, sit down for a dish of comida casera–fashion cooking earlier than taking up the day.
Breakfast and Brunch
A breakfast taco from Brothers Taco Home is the proper approach to begin your morning.
Brothers Taco Home
East finish
They are saying breakfast is a very powerful meal of the day, and that is very true with regards to the breakfast tacos from Brothers Taco Home. This East Finish spot has tons of choices to select from, however diners can’t go mistaken with the traditional chorizo, potato, and egg, or the bacon and egg. Weekends are important for anybody seeking to fulfill a barbacoa or menudo craving, however honest warning: the road will get lengthy. Put together to attend. Don’t neglect to snap a photograph in entrance of the restaurant’s colourful mural as a memento.
James Beard Award semifinalist Victoria Elizondo is the mastermind behind Cochinita & Co. within the East Finish.
Cochinita & Co.
east finish
James Beard Award semifinalist Victoria Elizondo carry a slice of Mexico to Houston at this East Finish restaurant and cafe. Thought-about the last word spot for group gatherings and lotería evening, Cochinita & Co. welcomes diners every day for dishes together with its signature cochinita pibil, served as a plate with beans and rice, or in taco kind, plus espresso drinks and fruit-forward agua frescas. Weekend brunch is successful with chilaquiles (a vegan choice is offered), mimosas, a nopalitos scramble, and El Desayuno, an final breakfast platter that comes with two eggs, bacon, potatoes, black beans, queso fresco, pico, and buttered toast. Convey a style of Cochinta dwelling by purchasing Elizondo’s market, which options retail frozen tamales, crisp totopos, and her signature Tacotastic cookbook.
Pair your pastry of selection with a espresso at Casaema within the Heights.
Casaema
heights
From a beloved pop-up store to a brick-and-mortar restaurant, it’s no shock that this 2025 James Beard Finalist for Greatest New Restaurant is one among Houstonia’s go-to locations for Mexican meals. Previously generally known as Ema, Casaema affords world-class pastries crafted by Beard semifinalist Stephanie Velasquez. Discover horchata berlinesas, canela espresso panques, and conchas—or order the suadero chilaquiles and taco de zanahoria from the primary menu. High your morning off with one of many caffeinated drinks, which incorporates piloncillo chai and lattes in flavors like café de olla, horchata, and agave.
Gerardo’s Drive-In
close to northside
Launched in 1977, this taqueria is particularly beloved for its barbacoa, which is made with the normal mixture of beef cheek and tongue meat. For a lot of, the last word check for a Mexican restaurant is the way it executes its barbacoa taco, and Gerardo’s nails it each time. Every chunk is flavorful and never too fatty, simply the best way we prefer it. However plan correctly. You will have to attend till the top of the week to attain its specialty. Gerardo’s is simply open Friday by Sunday.
La Guadalupana
montrose
This beloved neighborhood staple has been serving Montrose for 30 years, and it is so widespread that diners can usually be seen spilling out into the car parking zone whereas ready for a chunk of its Mexican consolation meals. Should-try dishes embrace the chilaquiles, migas, huevos rancheros, and buttermilk pancakes—however let’s be sincere, the whole lot from the menu is nice. Finish a dine-in go to with some pan dulce from the pastry case, or take some dwelling to devour selfishly at dwelling.
From huevos rancheros to a chorizo and egg breakfast taco, there may be a lot to like about La Mexicana’s all-day breakfast menu.
La Mexicana
montrose
Though La Mexicana is thought for its lunch and dinner, too, the all-day breakfast menu is its largest draw. Anticipate large parts—an order of three tacos is greater than sufficient. Different favorites embrace the chorizo and egg or bacon and egg tacos, the huevos rancheros con tocino (bacon), migas, and chilaquiles. It is at all times enjoyable so as to add La Mexicana’s margarita into the combination, whether or not its frozen or on the rocks. It is 5 o’clock someplace proper?
Laredo Taqueria
washington avenue, northside
This cafeteria-style taqueria deserves all the popularity it will get. The breakfast tacos listed here are reasonably priced and made with love. Seize a potato and egg or chorizo and egg taco, or order a bigger dish just like the huevos rancheros. Regardless of the day, it is best to point out up early to skip the road—particularly on weekends, when menudo is served.
Villa Arcos
east finish
This East Finish family-owned operation initially opened in 1977 and has been a longtime Houston favourite. Following a hiatus through the top of the COVID pandemic, Villa Arcos reopened in 2023, serving its hits, together with its Tremendous Bacon—a supersized taco with bacon, egg, beans, cheese, and potato—and the equally giant Tremendous Chorizo. Diners preferring a plate for breakfast or brunch: the migas or ranchero plate are at all times protected bets.
Tex-Mex
Candente is likely one of the many locations you possibly can go to in Houston in the event you’re itching to get pleasure from a margarita and scrumptious Tex-Mex.
Candente
montrose
From the house owners of the neighboring barbecue joint Pit Room, Candente at all times affords a good time meals with to match. Deal with your self to smoked rooster flautas, brisket enchiladas, tortilla soup, tacos al carbon, and the black bean enfrijoladas with avocado. Seafood can be widespread right here, with mesquite-grilled redfish and newly debuted ceviches. For the last word sip, order the Premium margarita, a traditional mixture of Don Julio reposado tequila, Grand Marnier, agave, and lime. Weekend brunch, hosted from 10am to 2pm, is an entire ordeal, with loads of boozy drinks and plates like enchiladas de huevos, tamale con heuvos, posole rojo (pink), and pancakes.
El Tiempo
A number of Places
A spin-off of Ninfa’s launched by one among Mama Ninfa’s sons, El Tiempo has served Houstonians Tex-Mex since 1998, and it simply retains getting higher and higher. Begin by sharing recent guacamole or one of many quesos flameados; then, order one of many large crispy tacos like the meat picadillo. Indecisive diners ought to order a Tex-Mex plate to get a well-rounded pattern of the menu. The Las Vegas, comes with one cheese enchilada, one crispy beef taco, and fajitas. Craving breakfast tacos? Cease by El Tiempo’s taqueria on Washington Avenue.
The delectable C.W. Particular comes with a taco al carbon and a cheese enchilada.
Molina’s Cantina
westheimer, bellaire, fulshear
At this storied Tex-Mex restaurant, household, pals, and prospects are the whole lot. Diners can get pleasure from menu staples that Molina’s has served because the Seventies, together with the customer-inspired Berlys Burrito, which is loaded with beef or rooster fajita and smothered in chili con carne. Different worthy dishes impressed by actual folks embrace the C. W. Particular (a taco al carbon and cheese enchilada with all of the fixins) and the Williams Particular, a hefty portion of tender carne asada, grilled onions, and two enchiladas topped with a particular sauce and Chihuahua cheese.
Ninfa’s Uptown govt chef Patricia Delgado is able to keep on Mama Ninfa’s legacy.
The Unique Ninfa’s
East finish, uptown
Credited with bringing tacos al carbon or fajitas into nationwide consciousness, Mama Ninfa created a legacy in Houston’s eating scene. To style Houston historical past, order the 2 tacos a La Ninfa plate, which options fajitas enveloped in a flour tortilla, with pico de gallo, guacamole, and chile con queso (ask your server for a complimentary aspect of rice and beans). Remember the restaurant’s signature Ninfarita.
Go to the Uptown Uptown location, which completely serves lunch specials, together with milanedsa de pollo, tacos al pastor, and a pollo fresco bowl loaded with Napa cabbage, charro beans, roasted corn and cherry tomatoes, cotija, poblano rice, and avocado.
Taco Vans
El Taconazo
close to northside
This taco truck is especially widespread amongst evening owls and followers of Houston’s late-night scene, which implies there’s sure to be a line after let-out. Don’t fear, it strikes rapidly, and there are many fascinating characters according to whom to share the expertise. Right here, it is all about sticking to the tried and true necessities: fajita tacos con queso Oaxaca topped with fiery, creamy inexperienced salsa; a cup of frijoles; and a bubbly Mexican Coke to finish the meal. There is no such thing as a seating, so discover a spot on the sidewalk, use the hood of your automobile as a desk, or get pleasure from your tacos with some tunes within the passenger seat of your journey.
Tacos Tierra Caliente
montrose
With about 20 years of service, this spot has become probably the most well-known meals vehicles within the metropolis. Positioned simply throughout the road from West Alabama Ice Home, it is a prime choice for anybody who needs a chilly one alongside a fajita taco. Different prime selections embrace the barbacoa, chicharron, and rooster tacos. This meals truck is beneficiant with its fillings, and affords a worth level that may’t be beat on this economic system. Be sure you ask for a aspect of salsa earlier than discovering a spot at one of many ice home’s picnic tables; then, dig in.
Wonderful eating
Though we love Hugo’s for its meals, we additionally advocate ordering a margarita to get the total expertise.
Hugo’s
montrose
It’s good to decorate up and splurge once in a while, and Hugo’s is the place to just do that. Government chef Hugo Ortega’s flagship has been a go-to for Mexican delicacies over the previous 20 years. Dinner affords a standout coronary heart of palm aguachile and a ceviche verde, made with the catch of the day, avocado, cucumber, jalapeño, olive, cilantro, and lime. For an entree that’ll depart you dumbfounded, order the cabrito. Roasted goat pulled from the bone, is served with tortillas, nopales salad, refritos, guacamole, and salsa habanero. The arroz a la tumbada, made with brothy rice, rooster, chorizo, shrimp, calamari, mussels, and clams, is one other meal to recollect.
Go for a refreshing aguachile made with cucumber, fennel, mint, pickled onions, and Atlantic salmon simmered in citrusy broth.
Mayahuel
montrose
Though this is not technically categorized as fine-dining, this Autry Park newcomer by chef Luis Robledo Richards is unquestionably on the ritzier aspect. The menu is filled with taste, with refreshing bluefin tuna tostada, slow-cooked carne asada, and the Tacos Mar y Tierra—tortillas stuffed with beef cheek confit, Gulf shrimp bathed in adobo, avocado, and a tacky crust. Given its named for the Aztec goddess of agave and fertility, Mayahuel’s cocktails are a should. All its signature agave drinks are made with additive-free spirits, together with G4 Tequila, agave-based vodka, and Derrumbes mezcal.
Maximo
rice village
Tatemó
Spring department
Three-time James Beard nominee Emmanuel Chavez started promoting his tortillas through the pandemic by way of his Instagram DMs and on the farmers market. His dream has since blossomed right into a one-of-a-kind tasting menu that focuses on heirloom corn and goals to showcase the range of Mexican delicacies past the taco. The menu recurrently adjustments, however diners can count on one thing fried, one thing greasy, one thing refreshing, and one thing you possibly can eat along with your arms. Previous dishes have included a bluefin tuna tostada, enmoladas, a plantain tortilla served with an irresistible mole, and its staple Mexico Metropolis–fashion quesadilla. Notice: the restaurant solely takes pay as you go reservations ($175) by Tock.
Regional
El Hidalguense
spring department
Houstonians who drive on the uber-industrial stretch of Lengthy Level Highway know they’re sure to discover a gem or two in Spring Department. El Hidalguense is one among them. Right here, you will discover all the same old suspects, however you should definitely flip to the menu’s Hidalguense part, which options specialties from the state of Hidalgo. The autumn-off-the-bone barbacoa de borrego is a should for any newcomer: chile-marinated lamb is cooked with maguey leaves in a barbecue pit and served with an irresistible consommé and refreshing cactus salad.
Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen
better uptown, power hall
Welcome to Houston’s enchilada vacation spot. Enchilada Queen Sylvia Casares earns a point out right here for her meticulously curated picks of the traditional dish which are from North and South of the border. Strive the McAllen (North) rooster enchiladas with chili gravy or the Hidalgo (South) carnitas enchiladas. Can’t determine? Go for an Enchilada Culinary Tour, a sampler of both 4 Northern or 4 Southern enchiladas for $21.
Xalisko Cocina Mexicana
The woodlands
It’s robust to strike the steadiness when serving high-quality meals in a high-volume restaurant in a mall, not to mention, The Woodlands Mall, however Xalisko has carried out simply that. Chef Beatriz Martines, a mentee of Hugo Ortega, explores the delicacies of her dwelling state of Jalisco with on-point method and daring flavors. The ceviche borracho of pink snapper, served in tequila-citrus juice with smoked pineapple, is the proper palate cleanser earlier than transferring onto extra concerned plates, together with the birria tatemada; lamb shank slow-braised in an agave leaf with adobo; or the mini trompo al pastor that’s lit aflame tableside. Better of all: tortillas and tostadas are made in-house with completely different kinds of heirloom corn, making each assembled taco a particular expertise.
Tlayuda de Res at Xochi.
Xochi
Downtown
The place Hugo’s is taken into account a spot to expertise Mexico delicacies’s biggest hits, Xochi affords a extra zoomed-in focus. Chef Hugo Ortega’s Downtown restaurant celebrates Oaxacan delicacies with an emphasis on seafood. A spotlight consists of the grilled octopus, served with purple potatoes, inexperienced chorizo, and pink tomatillo sauce. You may’t go mistaken with the catch of the day. A latest preparation featured expertly cooked fish served inexperienced chileatole with inexperienced beans and cilantro pesto.
Fusion
Twisted Turban
Eldridge/west oaks
In typical Houston style, a number of restaurateurs impressed by Mexican delicacies have gone on to create new dishes fused with their very own culinary traditions. At Twisted Turban, tacos are merged with Indian meals, with fillings wrapped in a paratha as an alternative of a tortilla. That features the Turban Tacos, that are stuffed with slow-cooked braised beef, fried onions, and coleslaw and mango slaw, plus veggie, rooster, beef, and shrimp quesadillas, and the Wrap-Stylish, a taco that options rooster that is marinated for 48 hours, and a garnish of carrot slaw, tamarind chutney, and raita.
