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It came as little to surprise that Alison Cook’s Top 100 Restaurant list was dominated by Tex-Mex and Mexican restaurants. Seventeen made the top 100. The highest ranks was Hugo's, 1602 Westheimer , at No. 4.
This week we’re asking readers to pick their favorite Tex-Mex/Mexican fare.
Vote for your favorite now. Voting closes at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, and we’ll announce the winner online Wednesday and in the print edition of 29-95 on July 12. You can also vote via Twitter @2995. Twitter submissions will be counted at the poll close, so check back for final results.
You can also enter to win a $100 dollar gift card by writing a ‘review’ of you favorite Tex-Mex/Mexican restaurant in the comments below. We will choose the best comment review. For complete contest rules click here.
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The fajitas, burger, and margaritas.
surprised that "Los Cucos" is not one of the choices.
Los Cucos is blah.
I don't understand why Mexican and Tex-Mex were lumped into the same category here. That's like setting up a poll asking, "What's the best burger, steak, or chicken fried steak place in Houston?" Plus, this poll leaves off some obvious contenders from both categories that are widely viewed to be among the best in Houston.
You are so correct!
Where's Tony's (in the Heights) ?????? Best place to eat ever !!!
I just got a great review from an associate who went to Tony's. He had lobser and shrimp quesadialla's. I am going Saturday to give them a try!
Mexican and Tex-Mex really is apples and oranges. Very different things...
None of the above.
These lists seem to be dominated by downtown or northside upper crust establishments. I understand there's more of a "foodie" scene in those areas but us simple folk outside like good food too. What are the good choices south of the loop in the 'burbs?
I second Los Cucos. Nothing beats the $1.99 margaritas on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Tony's on Ella is mediocre at best. When you are headed store packaged tortillas. It is no thank you.
The cheap margarita's are good but the food isn't.
My wife has been to Los Cucos twice, and I've been once. When my wife went the first time, she found the food bland and unappetizing. She was willing to give it a second try, so we went together a week ago. The margaritas were decent, and so were the stuffed jalapenos, but that was about it. I may not be an expert on Mexican food or even consider it my first choice (horrifying for a Houstonian, I know), but I expect fajitas to be flavorful and juicy. Their fajitas were bland and dry to boot. It wasn't just their fajitas, either; my dish came with a small rack of ribs that was equally dry and tasteless, other than the barbecue sauce that had been poured onto them. My wife found her dish equally unsatisfying. After two trips, we've decided we can't understand what people see in the place, especially when there are much better places around.
thats about as bad as calling the mcrib barbecue it aint the same thing
Taqueria Del Sol on Park Place.
You guys need to get out of Southwest Houston.
(also.... best pizza in Houston, is George's Pizzeria on Park Place.)
Mi cielo, Pico's es el único que esta en el Suroeste de la ciudad. Pico's es uno de los pocos sitio que tiene comida autentica de México. El consejo debe ser para ti, salte del "South East Houston" de vez en cuando!
Oh and taqueria del sol is overrated. Alison actually did a story on taquerias and she probably named 5 that are better.
Amen on George's!!!
Los Gallitos on 1092 is the best hands down. If you haven't tried it; give it one chance and I bet you'll vote for it next round. Same menu as Los Cucos; but kicked up a notch.
LOL... that's the cheap margaritas talking. Fajita Flats and Lopez, both within a mile, are MUCH better options.
Went to both those places. Hated em both. Los Gallitos so much better.
This list is complete clown shoes.
The original Ninfas wins in my book because of their excellent tamales and margaritas. Teotihuacan is a close second!
Been going to the original Ninfa's since the early 1970's and still enjoy it very much. Sure, the menu and food have changed over the years but it is still "the" place to go to enjoy great Mexican food and service(Hugo)and our out of town visitors insist on it. It's always a special treat for us.
ESCALANTES @ HIGHLAND VILLAGE..helllloooo!
PAPPASITTOS?
This list is lacking...
Yes it is lacking, its lacking crappy places like Escalantes and Pappasitos.....
No doubt that Tex-Mex and Mexican food are not necessarily the same, but then one could get into a serious argument about what is Mexican food. A past president of the Mexican Restaurant Association once told me why he believes that Mexican cuisine encompasses aspects of many of the national food preparations in the world. Sylvia's gets my vote because Sylvia Casares' preparations do not get overly concerned about the Mex-Texmex divide. Cabrito and her mole enchiladas would readily be accepted as genuine in Monterrey and Puebla. Her original recipes for north-of-the-border enchiladas well represent the cities for which they are named. Sylvia knows her tequila, for which she merits extra points from me.
It's actually a good list. ninfas and teotihuacan (teotihuacan is a great deal on price for the food).
Sylvia's is the best because she serves authentic Mexican cuisine but still caters to the Tex-Mex crowd. Her authentic Mexican dishes are straight out of the kitchen from Mexico but the presentation and flavors are amped up. The mark of a true Mexican cook is found in the rice, beans and especially the red sauce. And she delivers! The red sauce is subtle, spicy and full of flavor. It crowns her enchiladas, my favorite dish, topped off with that special Mexican cheese. Not to be outdone, her Tex-Mex offers all the popular dishes that are Texas hybrids of the originals. Her cooking takes me back to my younger years but I also find it is an amazing gourmet experience as well.
One work describes Sylvia's.....GARBAGE!!!!!
Silvia's on Westhiemer is the best I have eaten the 5 years I have lived here. I have lived in New Mexico and San Diego. If I hadn't been spoiled by New Mexican food Silvia's would be the best for me.
I also like the speedy service and great atmosphere.
El Palenque!!!! Google it!
Have been eating at Sylvia's on Westheimer for many years. Menu contains many enchiladas - all very good. Also enjoy the grilled fish. Service is really good - Sylvia gives this a personal touch.
When I think Mexican food I think about Teotihauacan's. Why you ask? Cuz it feels like there is a mexican mom at the stove just waiting to make me the best of her dishes served with a big hug. Its the waitstaff always smiling and happy to help with suggestions and refills. The fajitas marinated in the best flavors possible, sizzling with flavor and served with soft, billowy tortillas, the flautas are mmmmmm crispy pillows with chicken tucked inside full of crunch and oozing with non greasy goodness. But the thing I often dream about and the first thing I order is the amazing, chunky, fresh, best ever GUACAMOLE!!! Its soooo good, full of cilantro (herb of the gods)onions, spices and creamy avacados. They need a 12 step program for this stuff!! I also love the fact Teos is nestled in the comfort of the Heights, so come as you are with no foo foo attached, just like coming home and having Mom fix your plate again!
What about Cyclone Anaya's? In my opinion, they arguably have the best beef fajitas in the city. And while I do love Teotihicuan, I am surprised to find Spanish Flower absent from this list.
I'm the new kid on the block. One chance at Tex/Mex during a recent first trip to Houston, so don't beat me up too bad.
A good friend and his wife took us to PappaSita's. I had the best Fajita's in my life there. Loud, brash, part of the fun. Margaritas were excellent too!
Next trip, back there to try some of their fine looking other dishes. Just sayin' !
Teotihuacan, cant pronounce the name but the food is really great...our family absolutely loves the great dishes and the great salsas .. no matter how much I try to go in with every intention on trying a new dish, I usually end up ordering my favorite: Pollo poblano. No other restaurant can even compare when it comes to this fantastic dish that makes me fall in love with it every time and the portion is huge and the price is great! Y'all should try it, the Airline location. Great food great prices..
Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe, often known as "The Pink Place" or simply "Teo", is the best Tex Mex in Houston! Their location on N. Airline stays packed and continues to add parking space and dining space to try to keep up with the demand for their great food, awesome drinks, great prices, and fun, casual atmosphere that we all love. They have all you can drink mimosas during brunch. They have great happy hour specials. They have amazing margaritas that will knock your socks off and for those concerned about calories they have a skinny margarita to fit your diet. They bring two different styles of salsas out with the chips and they are both so yummy I still can't decide which is my favorite. Although most people love Teo for their quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas and tacos; I encourage you to try their seafood too. It will not disappoint. All of their snapper and shrimp dishes are my favorite items on the menu. I am not sure I could pick a favorite item at Teo, as there are so many great ones, but I sure do love their shrimp salad, shrimp soup, shrimp quesadillas, and their snapper Veracruz. Oh and if you want to order food to share try their Parrilladas! They have options with chicken, steak, shrimp, BBQ ribs, T-Bone Steak, Sausage, and even quail. Super yummy and will feed a crowd for very little cash! I guess I should also mention that they have several grilled chicken options if you are trying to eat healthy. My husband is a huge fan of their Pollo Ranchero. But he, like me, is a huge fan of everything on the menu at our favorite pink restaurant!
My family and I have been coming here for years and we have never been let down! Personal favorite is pollo del mar. It's amazing!!! And I always pair it with one of their signature cocktails. The service is always friendly and the food is always good. It's definitely always on the top of our list when we want Tex-mex!
Mexican cuisine and TEX-MEX do not mix. They are as far apart as French and Chinese. They may share some ingredients, but that's about all they have in common.
Comparing Hugo's with a Tex-Mex joint is like comparing Tony's with Denny's.
i totally agree with you. Authentic Mexican cuisine is not all about
"tacos and enchiladas, rice/beans" Hugo's is the best example, go and try it, there's no fajitas, or yellow cheese nor chile con queso on the menu
Comparing Hugo's with a Tex-Mex joint is like comparing Tony's with Denny's.
A formidable array of worthy contenders; though none (but the one) quite reaches the sublime culinary pinnacle of the exquisite Enchiladas concocted in Sylvia's Kitchen: these, as she, are certifiably bullet proof.
There's a reason Hugo's Restaurant, at 1600 Westheimer,was a finalist in the James Beard Southwest Restaurant of the year award. Actually there are at least "3" reasons. I"ll explain later.
One would never know the economy has been shaky even in oil-centric Houston, based on the crowded dining room I've encountered on every visit to Hugo's.People-watching is a spectator sport here. You"ll see young long-legged women jumping off the pages of Vogue accompanied by Armani-clad gentlemen, as well as older casually dressed expatriates from Mexico. Former KHOU anchor Lisa Foronda and Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana have been spotted here. Taco Bell this is not!
To call Hugo's a Mexican restaurant is tantamount to saying the Mona Lisa is just another painting. The menu is diverse and owner Hugo Ortega emphasizes fresh ingredients. Vegetarians can enjoy "deconstructed" enchiladas with roasted potatoes and zucchini, or a $7 butternut squash soup with chile de arbol, pumpkin seeds, and pear. A $9 avocado and mango salad with blue cheese and pumpkin seeds provides a cooling respite from the challenging Houston summer.Carnivores will like $11 carne guisada stew or smoky grilled chicken with avocado relish for $18.
Now for the "3"reasons Hugo's is one of my favorite restaurant destinations. The first time I ate there I asked if they had tres leches, the "3 milk cake", on the dessert menu. I was told it is prepared only for weekend brunch. I am not a big brunch aficionado, but I decided to give their brunch a try. Well, I had always rated Churrasco's tres leches #1-until I tasted Hugo's. It's not only the best tres leches I've ever had, but it ranks as one of my favorite desserts in all of Houston, up there with such standouts as Goode Co. pecan pie and Brennans bread pudding souffle. The flan is excellent, and mocha-flavored pastries are delicious. Among the many non-sweet items offered are lamb chops, fish, octopus, brisket and soup. Brunch is a pricey $27, so you may go only for a special occasion, but it's worth experiencing at least once. I assume opening the heavy doors when entering the restaurant that would challenge the Incredible Hulk's strength helps diners burn off some calories from this gastronomic feast.
Irma's food by far always tastes the freshest of the various restaurants in the contest. No other restaurant listed in the lineup has the owner cooking AND overseeing the customers while they're dining to make sure everyone's food is good. Irma is a little dynamo, and it's fitting that she has all those soccer balls in the overhead fixture at the restaurant being so close to the Dynamo Stadium.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Tex-Mex is defined as good, authentic tastes of Texas with a big Mexican influence. Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen is the best place to eat Tex-Mex. Starting with her different types of Enchiladas such as Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde topped with sour cream, her famous Cheese Enchiladas and a favorite of mine, Mole Enchiladas. Additionally, she has the best grilled fish tacos, excellent Fajitas, grilled Shrimp, delicious soups and the best Tres Leches cakes! Stop by at her Woodway or Westheimer locations!
You forgot Mexico's Deli tortas on Dairy Ashford, but since it's not in the Heights, I guess you forgot about it.
What's a girl to do when she wants superb Tex Mex and Mexican? Take a ride down to Bellaire, where some of the best food in the city is served! If succulent tender fajitas aren't your thing, you can chose from an array of enchiladas, moles, mariscos that will make the eyes roll to the back of your noggin. If nachos are your thing you MUST try the Nachos Jorge. House made tortilla chips are piled high with retried black beans, delicious melty queso blanco, and topped off with cochinita de pibil. Plus, Jorge comes with generous scoops of guacamole, jalapeños and escabeche. It truly is a meal on it's own. It is only in my dreams that I could actually enjoy an entire Nachos Jorge on my own. I know my husband would never let me have that luxury but he did let Picos cater our wedding! They did a fantastic job! I even had a queso fountain, my wedding dream that Picos made a reality! I have been going to this restaurant since 2000 and have never had a bad meal. Plus, the margaritas are some of the very best in the city. Not too sweet, perfectly balanced little gems of joy! If a month goes by without my fix , I start having Pico's withdrawal.
El Tiempo? Really?
Should be an honorable mention Spanish Village. Interesting choices out of hundreds of possibilities. Guess they have to be Houston originals.
The tacos al carbon plate at The Original Ninfas with queso, guacamole, and rice is my go-to. The meat is incredible. The queso and rice are the best in town. Yum. Yum. Yum.
I can only assume that this will also be printed in the 29-95 insert on Thursday, I can't wait! LOL...
Pico's es SABROSO! Hands down Pico's serves consistently the Best Authentic Mexican food in H-town---like my sainted Mother used to make. Their sauces are complex and fresh; beef, poultry and seafood delectable; their ingredients are highest quality! I drive MILES to eat at Pico's because they are crazy good! The atmosphere is cozy and waitstaff knowledgeable. I have tried them all and I Always go back to Pico's Mex-Mex because it is so dreamy good.
Tex Mex culture in Houston developed as a unique response to being a colony in isolation from its cultural roots. In the days before refrigeration and even automobiles, Houston was a draw for workers from Monterrey and San Antonio to build the ship channel and eastside neighborhoods after the devastating hurricane of 1900 wiped out Galveston as a port city. The city boomed with the port, and the new Hispanic demographic thrived in its East Texas isolation because of it cultural integrity. They did not have access to many ingredients from back home and Houston Tex Mex food was born out of colonial isolation, using locally available produce and cheeses as a substitute for many indigenous Mexican ingredients. We didn’t have avocados, but yellow cheese, beans, rice, and chili powder were available at any grocery store, and all the grandparents from Mexico, now first generation Houstonians, had the culinary roots to make the local flavors pop with authenticity.
With all the ingredients now available and the pan-Hispanic-cultural reinforcement of 24/7 multi-media, we are losing the Tex-Mex culture of our youth as the local Hispanic population amalgamates into a demographic fusion of traditions. What was a culture developed as a colony in isolation and segregation is now fiercely reinventing itself with all the potential of folks in an international port city and a hub for all things American and beyond. There is now a restaurant in Southwest Houston that specializes in sushi and civiche. Is this the new Tex-Mex? I don’t know, but if you want old fashioned Tex-Mex, go to a family owned restaurant where the duenos don’t speak Spanish very well, but still have a heavy Spanish accent.
My favorite is Teotihuacan on Belfort because of the fresh spinach enchiladas with a creamy white wine and mushroom sauce and the fire grilled fajitas taste like the ones from my own back yard. Make sure you ask for the home made corn tortillas, truly the best in Houston.