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Michele Griffin went to Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen after restaurant critic Alison Cook’s recent column naming it one of Houston’s best Mexican/Tex-Mex restaurants.
Michele writes:
Is this too bland?: Photo by Nick de la Torre
We visited Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen today for lunch at the original location on Westheimer. We were so disappointed. The salsa was like warmed-up tomato sauce, and the $8 queso was bland. We were a party of three and each ordered different items. They all tasted the same, and that wasn’t a good thing. Our food tasted like it had been cooked in old pork lard. I have read the reviews for years about this famous spot and have even contemplated joining one of the cooking classes offered. I am so glad that I didn’t waste my time. The place was only 20 percent full. We arrived at 12:15 and expected to wait for a table. The service was unfriendly and almost nonexistent. I ordered the chili rellenos. The menu said please expect a longer wait as they are prepared fresh per order. They came out soggy and tasted like nothing I have ever had. I can’t explain how bad they were. The other entrees my party ordered had the same odd taste, even though we each ordered completely different items. Critic’s pick? It makes me never want to go to a place that receives great reviews again.
I reached out Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen for a response and received this email from owner/chef Sylvia Casare:
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to Ms. Griffin’s letter.
First, I would like to say that I am sorry Ms. Griffin was unsatisfied with any of the menu items she was served during her recent lunch at my restaurant.
Unfortunately, from time to time we do have a guest that dines with us who feels our food does meet their expectations. Throughout my 35 years in the food business, from research and development as a food scientist, to sales and marketing for a national food company, to owning a three restaurants and a food truck, I have concluded that food is very subjective, and it is impossible to please every single guest that we serve.
I worked tirelessly on each of my recipes to create the most authentic flavors possible. I use only the highest quality of the freshest ingredients available to create each dish that we serve. Through years of interacting with our customers, I have concluded that our most loyal customers are those with roots in South Texas, people of Mexican decent, and those that are knowledgeable about food. Our customer base is comprised of people that drive from all across our great city to dine with us.
In reference to some of the points made in Ms. Griffin’s letter:
1.) We do not and have never cooked with lard.
2.) Our complimentary salsa is served warm because it is freshly cooked with plenty of fresh herbs and spices, and we only use fresh tomatoes in the recipe. We do not use canned tomatoes. Our salsa is a favorite of our customers and is “medium heat,” which is what the vast majority of our customers prefer. We do offer a fresh habanero salsa for those customers who want more heat in their salsa, and it is available on request.
3.) Our chile con queso is described as cheesy and creamy, not spicy. It is a recipe that was recently selected as one of the top three chile con quesos in Houston, and our customers love it so much they buy it by the quart!
4.) Our chile rellenos are made fresh to order and have a light batter. Additionally, the recipe was never intended to be crispy nor does the menu describe the batter as crispy.
5.) The day of the week Ms, Griffin dined with us was a Tuesday, which is normally our slowest day of the week, yet we had a full restaurant at 11:30 am. By the time she placed her order at 12:40 p.m., the lunch rush was ending and that is the reason for the less than a full dining room.
6.) Her dining companions ordered the Mission Enchiladas, ... and the Encino ... . Our cheese enchiladas, with my signature chile gravy was selected by Texas Monthly as one of the ‘Top Ten Iconic Foods of Texas’ in its April 2011 issue, so both dishes had the same chile gravy, so of course “everything tasted the same.”
As a restaurant owner and chef, I have dedicated my life, as well as all my energy, passion and thought to providing the highest quality of food available to my customers.
READER RANT
Gail Walsh writes, “Should a wine bar that advertises happy-hour specials limit the special prices to the actual bar stools? I can understand a restaurant limiting happy hour prices to the bar area, but it seems that an establishment that holds themselves out to be a wine bar should offer the happy-hour prices in the entire establishment. I am a frequent visitor to Oporto wine bar with friends and family, and they offer happy-hour prices to every seat in the house during (the special). However, last night I visited Vinoteca Poscol for the first time, which advertises as a wine bar, and they told me they only offer happy-hour prices if you sit at the bar there. Their bar consists of about eight stools. We sat at a table next to the bar because the stools were full and were told we could not have happy hour prices.”
Wow, what a great way to entice an unhappy customer back to your restaurant - tell them how wrong they are while you rest on your laurels!
I've been to Sylvia's over he years and have never been wowed and have never had her come to my table...like I care.
For some Sylvia's could be the best, but to me, she's average but manages to WOW her customers.
Heck, I remember when Monterey House and Pancho's was considered the "best".
I'd stear people away from Sylvia's only because there are so many more BETTER examples of TexMex in the area...down the street, around the corner...anywhere you look, really.
I went to this restaurant several years ago and found the food not good, nor the service. My mother went a few months ago and thought that same thing. My brother was visiting in town and had read about Sylvia's because he had heard about how good it was. He was very disappointed. I cannot believe that the parking lot is usually full at this restaurant. I have to agree that the service was also lacking. I will never go there again.
I quit going to Sylvia's when she got in trouble charging her employees to cash their paychecks....It was awhile ago but I think she was employing illegals and not paying them minimum wage as well.....check the fact...I'm sure they can be found online. However.....I think her response letter was not a very good one.....she is basically telling the people she doesn't care and they don't have good taste in food cause she knows she is a good cook....whatever....I never see your parking lot full anymore and I'm across the street.
"check the fact...I'm sure they can be found online."
And yet you did not bother to check them yourself before spouting them off.
My family has been eating at Sylvia's for years (at both locations) and we have NEVER had a disappointing meal or dining experience! Sylvia's menu items are always flavorful and cooked to perfection. Chips are fresh and the salsa always satisfying. We often see Sylvia making her rounds from table to table making sure that her guests are having an enjoyable meal and great dining experience. When we have guest we want to show off local flavor, Sylvia's is where we go! Michele are you sure you weren't Sylvia's? My only gripe about her restaurants is that the closest is 40 minutes from our home but always worth the drive!
"Michele are you sure you weren't Sylvia's?"
Funny
My reaction exactly. We have been going there for years, and think it's one of the best restaurants in Houston. We especially love the warm salsa. In fact, when we go abroad for a while, the first meal we have after coming back home is at Sylvia's!!
Sylvia's is good and has off days like everybody else! Get over it.
@Gail. Happy Hour should cover the whole restaurant.
Thats exactly right. I've been there many times and once, the product is not as good a ususal. Its just a reality one encounters and certainly doesnt warrant this major gripe put in a paper. I appraciate Sylvia sticking to her guns on this one.
Ms. Sylvia Casare is a dilutional restaurant operator. Criticism should never be taken personal, but rather in a way of improving oneself. It takes very tough skin in order to be a very successful restauranteur. Crybabies need not apply!
I've been to Sylvia's Enchiladas twice hoping for some kind of over-the-top mexican food at first the Westheimer and then the Woodway location. My first experience was mediocre. There wasn't really anything from the food to the service to the sauce that made me want to go there again. I went to the second location thinking it might be better. I was wrong again and the staff was unfriendly and unattentive. I read Michele Griffin's review with pure knowing. I am hispanic and I know good food. My mom could open up her own restaurant in her kitchen and people would drive there from miles around to eat there. They already do. I think that Sylvia's probably started off great and then through the years, the quality of service and food went south. People who probably like this place, probably have been going for years and don't know that better mexican food is out there.
Cynthia, you are absolutely correct. There are so many TexMex Restaraunts in Houston, why not try others instead of just going to Sylvia's. Warm Salsa is Yuck!!!!!!!
I don't think any restaurant should deny happy hour drink prices to patrons when they do not have adequate space in their bar.
I use to be a faithful Sylvia's customer until the prices went up and the service and food quality went down! One of the last times I ate there I got extremly sick. The service was bad! The waiter would disapear for what felt like forever!
I did not go back until a friend of ours insisted we go back. The service was about the same and all four (4) of us got really sick again. I don't know if things are be kept off temp or what. I even called the Health Services on them but the result was they were ok. I had a feeling he had become buddies with them or something.
The place looks and smells clean. I can't figure out what has happened. If you go there I hope you have better luck then me. I do miss the old place before it got in the papers.
Good Luck!
Seems like Miss Sylvia and Miss Michele won't be crossing paths anytime soon :/
I have also dined at Sylvia's and my reaction to Michelle's experience was a resounding I AGREE...I have eaten there only twice, the second time because I gave them another chance. This is not a place that remotely appreciates its patrons or their opinions. Even the rebuttal from Sylvia was layered with ego and arrogance. Apparently we should bow down to her tremendous expertise and eat food that is awful in both taste and variety.
Nice response Sylvia....errrrrr
That is such a wrong response, please come down off your high horse Miss "food scientist" and remember who pays your bills-customers.
Maybe your operation had a bad day? it happens!
What about the "unfriendly" service ? Wow how about just apologize and ask for a chance to "make it better" ?
Instead you blame your guest ? Nice job !
i agree with the writer of this article. i recently went to the restaurant and was diappointed in the quality and taste of the food. maybe sylvia's needs to re-invent itself. i won't be going back, too many better authentic restaurants to enjoy.
I agree about the poor quality of food at Syvlia's. It is great for people that have no knowledge of Tex-Mex or Mexican cuisine. Great for the person who cannot handle the true spicy flavors of food.
Sylvia should have offered her guest to come back in for a meal instead she is on the defensive about everything.
Sylvia, Sylvia, Sylvia.
I've been to Sylvia's one time. That's all it took. I must agree that the salsa was horrible! I live near this establishment, and have a great friend from Brownsville that knows Sylvia. He won't return either. The food is extremely over-priced based on quality. As for the "enchilada gravy", well if you've ever had an enchirito from Taco Bell, the gravy is the exact same flavoring, color, and consistency. Made fresh? I must disagree. Please save your time and money.
I having been saying what Michelle said for years....Very mediocre (at best) and over-priced. There is nothing that would make me want to re-visit Sylvia's. Margaritas expensive and sorry, chips, salso, food...all equally mediocre-bad. I have no idea why this place wuld ever receive "rave reveiws"....these "reviews" are almost always flawed anyway.
I introduced an out-of-town friend to Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen on Woodway for dinner on Friday, April 15th. She loved the food as much as I do. She was especially fond of the salsa and said it was the best she had ever had. We love that it is served warm. Sylvia's chips have a nice texture also. We had an devine appetizer of grilled white cheese served with pico de gallo, guacamole and some of the best flour tortillas I have ever eaten. My entree was Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde & Sour Cream. I am hooked on them. The margarita was wonderful as well. She said she can't wait to introduce her husband to Sylvia's when he comes to Houston.
The best she ever had? you two should dine at McDonald's that's more your pallet
Sylvia's is the most overhyped, overrated, and overpriced Mexican restaurant in Houston. There are plenty of places that serve better food at much more reasonable prices. She's the Dave Ramsey of enchiladas.
Michele just got the same slap down Sylvia's employees receive daily and I hear it can be vicious
I tried Sylvias a few years ago at the Westheimer location. I did not enjoy the food because it is not mexican style at all. I don't think she realizes that sometimes people of latin decent want authentic cooking. Being innovative is ok, however, it is not what I expect from a true mexican or enchilada restaurant. I have never been back after the first and only time I ate there.
I tried Sylvias a few years ago at the Westheimer location. I did not enjoy the food because it is not mexican style at all. I don't think she realizes that sometimes people of latin decent want authentic cooking. Being innovative is ok, however, it is not what I expect from a true mexican or enchilada restaurant. I have never been back after the first and only time I ate there.
chron likes sylvias and tillman fettita, they both have lousy overrated rest.
Maybe they advertise a lot?
Ha! I agree about Tillman Fertita's restaurants but I SERIOUSLY doubt that Chris Pappas would actually post something about that in a public forum.
now thats funny go pappas
You are not Chris Pappas!
I agree with the writer. I went to the original location because of the great reviews I had read for years. I thought the food was okay at best. When the Woodway location opened, I thought I would give them another try. Never again! There are too many GREAT restaurants in Houston to pay high prices for mediocre food.
I wish Sylvia great success, but I will not spend another dime of my money there.
4.) Our chile rellenos are made fresh to order and have a light batter. Additionally, the recipe was never intended to be crispy nor does the menu describe the batter as crispy.
-----------------------
Maybe if you put "served soggy" on the she would have avoided the item.
Yeah, um, chiles relleno are not supposed to be crispy.
I have been to Sylvia's many of times, even before they moved to the location where they are now. I can't say that it is a favorite of mine. All of the times that I have been it has been at the request of my colleagues that are from Louisiana. Prior my finding of Lupe(which is far more "commercial" than authentic) I would say Sylvia's is one of the better Mexican restaurants around that area but I can't think of any real competition around but Taco Bell. For the past 10 years I have lived 5 minutes away from that westheimer location and when I wanted good Mexican I would drive to el tiempo on washington where for the same price I can get a great tasting meal, fresh ingredients, and a satisfying portion(if you don’t know what I mean order any enchilada plate). I don’t think Sylvia's the worst thing around but it certainly nothing to write home about.
"For the past 10 years I have lived 5 minutes away from that westheimer location and when I wanted good Mexican I would drive to el tiempo on washington"
///////////////////
That is funny since the Washington location has only been open a small portion of that time.
While no fan of Sylvia's, my tab has never been padded at her restaurants. Cannot say the same about El Tiempo
If you're 5 mins from Westheimer location, then you can't be more than 15 mins from Lopez on Wilcrest/FM 1092. They can do enchiladas, although they are not as ambitious as Sylvia's enchiladas, but maybe that's the point.
blahaha. El Tiempo is not Mexican. Tex-Mex yes, but not Mexican.
PR Lesson 101. Never respond to a CUSTOMERS opinion of your establishment with a pompous self righteous rebuttal. I don't know where you learned your skills in customer service however you should know that the right response would have been to offer a meal at your location and an apology for an unsatisfactory visit. Nothing is going to be perfect, that's expected. But it's how you handle these things that shows your professionalism and expertise; not some diatribe of your numerous titles from who-gives-a-dang for whatever dish.
Your customers can giveth and taketh away.
Amen!
Never been there. Her response doesn't make me want to go.
I concur with the author of this article. My wife and I noted the same things. There are much better Mexican restaurants in the same area. Overpriced and underflavored.
I've always wanted to try Sylvia's, but I won't now. By the list of reviews most people agree that this place is overpriced and the food and service is not good.
I'll keep going to Tia Maria's where both food and service is always excellent.
I went to Sylvia's once and I'm not interested in returning. It was blah. As for that letter, way to entice the customer to return.
Wow, not a good way to win a customer back Sylvia. I have been to the Westheimer location and the food was just not good. It did not live up to the hype that it is given in reviews and is very over priced. There are plenty of other mexican restaurnats in Houston that are much better and that work hard to pelase their customers (not blame them or tell them they do not know what they are talking about).
Wow. Sylvia may have oodles of technical experience, but she obviously decided she was just too darn good for a course in customer service! She does score high in the "lack of accountability" department, however. I've never been to Sylvia's Kitchen and never will, based on her response alone. Any business owner who discounts how important their customers' experiences are is no business I want to frequent. Adding insult to a bad experience, she pretty much says the group who went had no taste or knowledge of food. Way to go, Sylvia!
Sylvia’s is a mystery to me. It gets such critical acclaim and yet every time I have tried it I feel like it’s one of the poorest examples of Mexican food in the city. I’m a serious “Foodie” and have been for 30 years and find what they serve to be very ordinary.
I have a theory that it might be because there are no Mexican food critics in Houston.
I have eaten at Sylvia's a number of times and have never had a bad experience. My family and I thoroughly enjoy the food, the service, and the atmosphere. Yes, Sylvia's is a different style of Americanized Mexican food. But it is quality Mexican food. I have traveled to Mexico and have eaten authentic homecooked Mexican food. Sylvia's reminds me of this style of cuisine. It is very authentic. Unfortunately for those who have not traveled south of the Rio Grande, they do not know what true Mexican food actually is. Most people in Texas are used to Tex-Mex, which is vastly different from authentic Mexican food. Sylvia's is a great combination of the two. I would recommend it to anyone who loves quality food.
Over the past year I have been to Sylvia's at least 6 times. I love their enchiladas. They have so many unique options. I usually get a sampler. Also important note their are many options for non-beer eaters too.
The service has always been just ok, not bad but not great. But the food was so good we didn't mind.
For Ms. Michelle, queso isn't supposed to be spicy! I do agree that Syliva came across as super arrogant and isn't that friendly in person. But that doesn't mean what she said wasn't true.
mmm bear eating
non-beef! "there" damn auto correct for failing me in many ways.
You wouldn't know good food if it fell on you!
I think Gordon Ramsey needs to pay Sylvia the Big Head a visit! Listen to the CUSTOMERS! WE ARE ALWAYS RIGHT! See you back in a taco truck on the east side of town with that attitude!
I would like to add that Sylvia would do increase her chance of success if she didn't believe previous reviews or "awards" are the formula for success. Every critique and every compliment is an opportunity to improve a negative or expand-on a positive. As the saying goes, if a customer is happy, they'll tell two people on average; if they are not, they'll tell ten.
If a customer is happy, they'll probably tell 2 people; if not, they'll tell 10.
Let us eat cake indeed - after all, we're only the paying public! What do we know? I'll take good attitude-free Tex-Mex and friendly service at Chapultepec's for $100, Alex.
Haha, I guess no one's palate is sophisticated enough for Sylvia's. Psyche.
We dine at Sylvia's on Westheimer almost every week and have never had a bad meal there. The salsa is one of the best in Houston and I love that it's served warm. I'd be curious to find out where "Michelle" normally has Mexican food - Casa Ole?
I've been to Sylvia's before. All I can say is they likely step up their game like a lot of restaurants do when they recognize a restaurant reviewer on premises. As for the response: Being condescending and essentially blaming the customer is no way to handle a situation like this. Claiming the long list of credentials Sylvia does not speak to the quality issues her restaurant is obviously experiencing. See, I know someone who graduated from Hamburger U and his hamburgers still suck.
Bravo to Sylvia for standing up to "Michele Griffin" who was obviously just having a bad day and decided to take it out on Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen. Is it possible that Ms. Griffin was going out of her way to try to discredit a multiple-award winning establishment for a vindictive reason?
Sylvia is exactly right on all of her points. Her food is always delicious and flavorful. I have witnessed some of the most thoughtful and considerate service I have ever received in her Woodway location.
Lard is almost impossible to come by these days.
Chile Rellenos that are crispy would be overcooked.
Chile Con Queso almost anywhere is rarely spicy - at least it wasn't runny like some places that use less-than-quality cheese or add liquid to extend it.
I'm sure that if any of the diners had requested a spicy version of the dishes they ordered, including the salsa, queso or any other part of their meal that the staff would have been happy to co-operate. Very few restaurants DO gear their mainline products to be spicy unless otherwise noted because customers can always request to step up the intensity but it is impossible to back it down once it's there.
I have known Sylvia for many years and have worlds of respect for her, her food and her staff.
Ms. Griffin needs to grow up.
Thank you, Sylvia.
I hate to tell you this, but my husband witnessed a couple of Latinos in the line at SAM's with a huge container of LARD. It's out there.
GD- Are you on Sylvia's paycheck? Ms. Griffin's response was not vindictive, it was honest and should have been taken constructively. No one's food is ALWAYS delicious or perfect and as we are all human our staff can let things slip. Also lard, or more commonly known as grasa, is used in Mexican food to obtain the authentic flavor. You state it is impossible to come by however are mistaken as it is what makes refried beans and other foods so blessedly wonderful. Regarding Chile Relenos, they aren't supposed to be soggy or over cooked and crispy. I believe she mentioned they were soggy which is not how they are supposed to be if you know how to make them.
Also the review of this persons visit to Sylvia's was not personal, it was business. I think you and Sylvia need to understand that and know that any feedback is good feedback for an establishment.
Never been likely never will
Any time I've asked friends about Sylvia's it's always the same, "it's ok but not worth the price."
I'll stick to Del Pueblo in Pearland. Great food, awesome prices, nice atmosphere
Just go to CHUY'S!!! 10 times better than this place and the service is AWESOME!!!
+1 for humor??
Our one and only visit was mediocre at best. Everything was mediocre, chips...salsa...entree...margaritas...service. It certainly didn't match the hype. Furthermore, Sylvia's arrogant and elitist response to criticism doesn't make me want to visit again either.
I have never figured out the attraction to Sylvia's. It's just mediocure food...and she teaches lessons on making mexican food?
Been to Sylvia's a few times with the first at the original location off Westheimer years ago. Never been impressed with the food. Always left a little disappointed at the enchiladas.
I've had better Mexican out of the frozen meals section of the grocery store. Avoid Sylvia's and frequent a more consistent, better tasting, establishment such as Taco Bell.
i don't know how this rathole of a restaurant stays on anyone's best list. i've eaten there twice over six months, both times for lunch and i could have gone to any grocery store and gotten better mexican food out of the frozen food section.
1/2 on a scale of ten....close the doors
Forget the food aspect, if it is true that she was allegedly taking advantage of her employees by paying them less and then charging them to cash their paychecks then forget her. There are plenty of good Mexican restaurants in Houston and plenty of good employers that will not gouge their employees. Peace Out.
The Cabrito is pretty good...plus they have caldo de Fideo
GD Wed, 04/20/2011 - 1:09pm
Lard is almost impossible to come by these days.
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Someone who makes a statement like this has never been to a grocery store. From your other comments sounds like you're on the payroll.
You're right about that. You can find lard at any grocery store in Houston and most Mexican markets sell the lard that hasn't been processed and hydrogenated.
Matt -
Someone who makes statements like those must be too small minded to realize that there are some people who appreciate authentic Mexican cuisine. Sylvia's is not "Tex-Mex", it is hand-crafted authentic Mexican food.
While Lard may be readily available at the Grocery store, it is rarely used in restaurants anymore for many reasons.
I assure you that I am NOT on the payroll, nor do I have any interest of any kind in this restaurant, the owner or any of it's employees. I do, however, know quite a lot about the restaurant business and Sylvia, her Chef and her team accept nothing less than the best. Restaurant owners are under more pressure than ever with rapidly rising food costs, higher labor costs and nut jobs that want to take their anger out on restaurants by posting meaningless nasty reviews online. Most diners are miserably uninformed and many wouldn't know a Burger King from a Jack in the Box, much less have even the most remote clue about what they are talking about in a fine quality restaurant.
I'll bet that Ms. Griffin didn't even have the guts to say anything at all while she was there that day. Instead, she went home perturbed because something nice happened to one of her girlfriends that didn't happen to her so she decided to post this nasty little review online to make herself feel important. She thinks she's some kind of amateur Allison Cook when she's really just a whiny little girl looking for attention.
So, all you back-seat-driving wanna-be food connoisseurs. Try getting on the other side of the grill sometime, every day, all day and then prepare to save opening your mouth for food and drink intake.
Thanks for making the wait for a table at Sylvia's a little shorter. Now I can get seated more quickly and enjoy a great, authentic meal at Sylvia's. My only complaint has always been that there weren't enough tables.
This isn't about being knowledgable! People know what they like to eat and what is simply bad tasting and/or tasteless. I've been all over Mexico and eaten everywhere, this is in no way Mexican food! Maybe Mexican American. By her own admission she is cooking the way they do in the Valley. The valley's food is Tex-Mex also! When I go to the valley I eat across the border just for that reason! You do not know what you talking about plus I think you are on the payroll!~!
I have known Sylvia for a while now and I love her food. Yes, she is right. Her food, while it is very fresh and delicious, may on occasions appeal more to the South Texas folks, but lately, her customers are raving about her food. It is what you are used to. As an example, there are Mexican restaurants that I do not like and it is because everyone is used to a certain type of spices, etc. She cannot please everyone. In my opinion, her Chile Rellenos are the best in the City and I have not found anything better not even in Mexico! Her Mole Poblano Enchiladas are so addictive, I try not to go too much because they are just that good. Mole is a sauce that if you do not make it right, just like it's made in the state of Puebla in Mexico, it will not work. Give her another chance, get suggestions from the wait folks, and if all else fails stay with your favorite restaurant. I give her a thumbs up and believe me, I live only about 20 minutes from her restaurant on Woodway but I prefer to drive to her restaurant on Westheimer. I don't know why. Either way, Sylvia's Enchilada's Kitchen is the best in Houston.
Read the comments above NO ONE is raving about her food
The cabrito is pricey but very good and the caldo de fideo is huge. It is a good but expensive place for a tex-mex restarant
cadillac bar much better
It was until it got "Fertitta'd"....
Most of the negative posts here reek of an ingorance of Tex-Mex. Sylvia is not from Mexico...she is from the Valley where Tex-Mex came from.
GD seems to really believe Sylvia's is authentic Mexican. You seem to say it is authentic Tex-Mex. Which is it? I'd just call them fancy enchiladas that come up short.
Sylvia's is way overpriced. You can get better food at better prices at other restaurants. Sylvia got a big head when certain people started praising her food. I guess some of the illegals she employed are no longer with her business.
We've been to Sylvia's once. Granted it was the Mother's Day Buffet and sometimes buffets don't live up to ordering off the menu. But the buffet was just so horrible and the service so bad that I asked to speak to the "manager". I got Sylvia herself and she was every bit as arrogant and unpleasant in person as she was in her response to Michelle. We left unhappy and hungry. And trust me, I've told as many people as would listen about Sylvias and none of it was positive. It's astonishing to me that the place is even still open.
Hugo's Sunday brunch buffet is beyond good.
that place sucks! if i want over priced mexican food ill go to El Teimpo on washington
"1.) We do not and have never cooked with lard."
Then they can't make authentic tortillas........
There was recently a Top 20 TexMex restaurants in Houston. I scanned the list and saw Silvias and many others I've been to, but not my favorite.
My favorite has the rest beat hands down...the rest are sitting on their laurels and fail, mine keeps on with the keeping on.
Secretly, I was glad my restaurant did not make the list, it's crowded enough as it is.
After Ike, this restaurant was OPEN and served until they ran out of food...I'm talking on Sunday, the day after IKE!
The people who live in the area KNOW about this restaurant, and I'm not about to let it slip so hipsters and mavens can ruin it.
It's a place where the mariachi's play the songs and the people sing along to the old folk tunes.
The top 20 is clueless and I'm keeping it that way!
As winner of the Nobel Prize of Food, I am here to say that Sylvia is no Food Scientist.
NOTE TO OTHER RESTAURANT OWNERS: NEVER COMMENT TO SYD KEARNEY ON ANYTHING REGARDING THE WHINE AND DINE COLUMN, YOU'LL JUST GET BLASTED BY EVERYONE.
Dear bs,
When I took this column over six months ago, people were allowed to rant in print about mom-and-pop businesses with no oversight whatsoever. I'm not going to do that. I give the restaurants a chance to respond. Some do; others choose not to. I don't edit those other than for length.
Yes, I agree that owners more often than not "get blasted" online, but it's easy to post something negative when you're anonymous. I generally get calls and hand-written letters of support for the restaurant owners after Whine & Dine runs in print.
I've never been to Sylvia's but after reading the comments here and Sylvia's self-promoting, arrogant response, it is highly unlikely that I would be inclined to try her food.
Sylvia points out that her most loyal customers are those with roots in South Texas, people of Mexican descent, and those that are knowledgeable about food. Is she implying that if someone is not happy with their meal, it is because they are not knowledgeble about food?? Personally, I do not care for warm salsa but that is my preference and has nothing to do with being knowledgeble about food. I would imagine that most people who order chile rellenos are not expecting a crispy batter but they probably are not expecting something soggy either. Light batter and soggy batter are two different things.
Perhaps Sylvia needs to realize that whatever she has accomplished in the past does not mean squat if her customers are not happy with the way their food tastes.
We used to live close to the Westheimer location and given all of the rave reviews from the critics we thought we'd give it a try. We usually give any new place we try at least two visits just to make sure we didn't hit a "great" or a "off" visit. Both times we felt ignored by the wait staff. Sylvia was there and she was visiting with what I assumed were the regulars constantly. I still remember her walking by our table multiple times on both visits without even acknowledging our presence, asked how our food was, etc. We weren't overly impressed with the food enough to go back after the second visit. It's been five years and while I don't remember exactly what we ordered, I still remember the bad service and the warm tomato sauce that passed for salsa.
After reading her response I have no intention of ever going back even though a friend is trying to convince me to take the tamale making class with her.
We recently moved back to Houston after living in New Mexico for a few years. Thought I'd give Sylvia's another try but see that it's still the same. I thought it was just me but I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who isn't impressed.
My biggest problem was the point-by-point denial that there could be ANY validity at all to any of the customer's comments. Michele, it seems, was 100% wrong, period, according to Sylvia. Sylvia learned nothing from Michele and Michele learned that she will never go in there again. I think a gracious hostess could have found some middle ground there.
I agree. Obviously Ms. S needs a class from Miss Manners. Sylvia's is so 1980's.....so many better places....just drive down Airline Drive....
Well said!
I thought it was a TABC rule that is you had Happy Hour prices, it had to be in effect for the whole establishment.
As Michelle notes, I did put Sylvia's on my list of top Houston Mexican restaurants and I have had consistently good experiences there over the years. However I must note that I dropped in to sample the queso last week and found it far less appealing than in the past. It was sludgy and pasty and bland, quite unlike my recollection of it. The same afternoon, even the pico mole that I have loved there in the past was bland, so who knows? Even good restaurants have their ups and downs. I really respect Sylvia and I am hoping that next time I visit, things will have improved.
Hi Alison,
Just want to concur. I live nearby and had been there a few times in the past...very mediocre place.
Also, stay away from the very watered down Margs....horrible.
I forgot to mention "Josie's Mole and Enchilada Shack" in the Northside off Irvington. It is a bit difficult to find and not many tables but it is the best.
I really dont know Sylvia, I live in the woodlands and we drive to the Westheimer location at least 3 times a month. I get the chille rellenos mexicano about 90% of the time I go there.(They are the best). This Michele whiney baby doesnt even mention if she tried to reach out to management, before she went to her computer to whine to the whole city of houston. I really feel for Sylvia being a business owner (specially the restaurant business). Yes Sylvia did defend her business and has the right too. I dont get it why the houston chron. can put such negative garbage in there paper, Yes if they recieved tons of complaints about the establishment, but 1 complaint no. Come on Syd give people a break. I do believe I will cancel my Houston chron.
The Whine & Dine column has been a part of the Chronicle for more than 10 years. We tried killing it years ago, but then the whining really started.
As I stated in earlier comment, I have changed the way the column is handled. In the past, readers would rant and the restaurants owners/chefs could only respond after the fact. Now for the most grievous of rants, I give the restaurant owners/chefs the chance to respond in the same column.
I think this is fair. Some owners/chefs choose not to respond or offer a quick (and I truly believe) heartfelt apology. Others go with long responses. Their choice. I don't edit except for length.
I do appreciate the format of the column and I like the way you offer the chefs/owners a right to respond, but I really think its becoming a pattern to completly rip the restaurant in question.
Before a chef/owner responds in the future, they NEED to read this and especially previous columns (for example, the GROVE fiasco) before deciding what, if anything, they should say in order to avoid this unbelievable bad press....
I don't mind other restaurants defending themselves. But how can you defend your food if somebody doesn't like it? It was an opinion.
Sylvia's response came off as pompous and arrogant. Would have been better if she just said sorry if our flavors/tastes weren't what you were looking for. End of story.
Based on the rest of reviews posted here and other places, Michelle is not the only one who thinks this place is sub-par. That doesn't make her a "whiny baby", it makes her in the majority.
The problem is that Sylvia's is not a Mexican restaurant, it is a Tex-Mex restaurant. Tex-Mex foods are always flavored with the same spices,specially a lot of cummin (comino), hence everything tastes almost the same. If you want the real flavors of Mexico, try Hugo's in Westheimer. There are many Tex-Mex restaurants that serve food as good and often less expensive and better, as Sylvia's in Houston. On the other hand, Sylvia's response is arrogant and shows her true character. She is (in)famous for her temper and lack of respect for her employees, and by what we can read in her letter, for her customers.
I guess I'm piling on after all the other writers, but we've been to Sylvia's twice in a 3 month period. Both times were for lunch. The wait staff was good, the food was okay, but the prices outrageous! Most places ask you if you want tortillas but here we had to ask and were charged for 3 flour tortillas. For 2.00$. Prices were not listed so we didn't know how much till we received the bill. I wrote an email to Sylvia's from their website complaining about nickel and diming but never got a response. Now I'm glad I didn't because it would most likely would have been some arrogant, pompous, condescending comments as posted here from Sylvia.
Sylvia's is an outstanding restaurant. Michele and the other trolls posting comments were raised on Casa Ole and Mild Sauce. This is a trollathon. By the literacy level of these commenters, it's obvious that most were written from their mother's basement and have zero knowledge of interior Mexican OR Tex-Mex. Suck a chalupa.
I've been a Gun and Tacos reader for about a year.
And now, I'm not.
When we disagree with Allison Cook, her response is inevitably classy (witness her response within this very page). You piled on with name calling because you hate that other people don't like some particular variety of food that suits you. As a popular food blogger, you get to guide and educate people, and that is awesome - but browbeating them about what to like is as useless as telling the sun when to rise. Might as well call people cretins for liking the color green.
I sincerely thank you for a fun year. You're an enjoyable writer. Bye.
You're welcome.
Quit doggin' on Casa Ole'! I seriously cannot believe outstanding and Sylvia's is being used in the same sentence by G&T. Weird. I guess that's why there's no E at the end of G&T.
Sylvia is on its last leg just like Los Tios is! Have you seen and tasted Los Tios on Memorial/Kirkwood.......Its a joke for mexican food!
That's it, I give up. I'm not eating food ever again.
Went to Sylvia's once - that was enough. It was after the lunch rush - the place was empty, but they seated us in the back as far away as they could. Salsa tasted like watery tomatos. There was no service. I actually had to get up and go get a waiter so I could get a refill on my iced tea. The food came out cold, which was interesting, since we were the only people in the restaurant. Haven't been back.
As far as Sylvia's comments - you couldn't pay me to eat there again if she owned the place. And some of the commenters saying Michelle doesn't know what she's talking about - well, it seems to me that there are a lot more people like Michelle commenting about how lousy the place is than how great it is.
That kind of response pretty much ensures that we won't be trying Sylvia's... as another person put it, way too arrogant. Besides, I'm not sure I would qualify geographically as one of her best customers.
I've read through most of the comments and don't understand why people are calling the response arrogant. She clearly says in the third paragraph that she has learned you can't please everyone that comes in. She then lists items that show there are a number of people who like her food. If she tried to adjust recipes based on every piece of feedback from customers she would go out of business. If she is happy with the number of people who eat there daily why should she try and reinvent the food? If business falls off then she has to make a decision, but apparently there are enough people that like it to keep her in business - even if nobody reading this column eats there. McDonald's makes millions of dollars serving food I won't eat but I don't think they care. When I lived in Houston I tried Sylvia's and didn't like it, so I didn't go back. That was 7 years ago and she is still in business so I guess she didn't need to change her food to please me. I do miss the Roma Dinner at Lopez though.
So while you may not like her food, I don't see why people want to bash her for defending it. And the truth is she doesn't need everyone on this blog as a customer.
They're bashing here because instead of trying to please a potential loyal customer and right what was OBVIOUSLY a bad meal Sylvia went on the defensive. Wrong move in the HOSPITALITY industry.
I think its telling that most of the suggestions for alternatives to Sylvia's are terrible. Sylvia's is the real deal and I have yet to have had a bad experience there (although admittedly I haven't been there the last few months).
I for one am a huge fan of both of her locations. I love the Chile Relleno and order it every other time I go to Sylvia's. My other favorites are the several different types of enchilada's. I have never been a real enchilada fan my entire life until I visited Sylvia's and tried hers. Fresh homemade corn tortillas wrapped around all that flavor? They are amazing, period. I recently took some out of town family members to the Westheimer location and they were equally impressed with the quality and freshness of the food. I live in north Houston and drive to Sylvia's on a regular basis when I get that TexMex urge.
To Michele, it's my opinion that everyone has a right to have their own "opinion" on the experiences and food they eat. However it's my opinion that basing a letter sent to this type of publication on one single visit to the establishment is just irresponsible and plain ignorant.
Good job on the response Sylvia!! You have a lot to be proud of.
Never cared for Sylvia's. And I wasn't really thrilled with her response. As for lard - El Real uses some of the best lard and the refried beans are the best. Great stuff to cook with. As for Te-Mex food, by hit or miss I've found some awesome ones (thx, Allison and Robbie) and I don't need to go to mediocre places. But to each their own.
Sylvia's does not serve Tex Mex...they have recipes from North of the Border and South of the Border. This food is fresh! If you want Tex Mex, go someplace else. If you want good, handcrafted Mexican food, especially enchiladas, then give Sylvia's a try.
you're an idiot!
I wanted to give Sylvia's a chance after reading these reviews. I should have listened and saved myself $100! My GF had the Chile Rellenos she ate 2 bites and would not take another in a word horrible! Just another greasy, batter fried, chile filled with bland ground beef. I had the Hildago Enchilada, not bad but not worth coming back. The salsa did taste fresh but it had no flavor. The Margarita's were terrible and over priced. This place is a terrible restaraunt. I have been all over Mexico, I've eaten in 9 states to be exact in way is anything in this place "authentic" you must be joking right? This is Tex-Mex as anything else. I am puzzled by anyone who would return to Sylvia's. As far as critics picks you must be an idiot!!!
"Through years of interacting with our customers, I have concluded that our most loyal customers are those with roots in South Texas, people of Mexican decent, and those that are knowledgeable about food." -Sylvia
HAHAHA! You sound just like one of those delusional owners on Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares. I know this syndrome, a place once good slowly settles into a rhythm, then a habit, then autopilot. The regulars KNOW it's not the same but the drift is gradual and they gotten used to it. And looking for a new place is such a pain, when they eat at the place they're chewing on memories. I've done it myself, you so badly don't want to admit a place you loved is now a sad shade of what you fell in love with.
Your numbers are down and you're blaming the economy, but while others are picking up you are not.
Don't rest on the past, stop attacking potential customers! Seriously who does that? Oh yeah defensive people who don't want to face the TRUTH.
Refresh! Reinvigorate! Revive! When was the last time you overhauled the entire menu? When was the last time you updated the recipes to common sensibilities? It's been a while, eh?