The Most Underrated Tex-Mex Restaurants in Houston

See that rock by your feet ? pluck it up and project it . Yep , you just hit a Tex - Mex place . Tex - Mex is Houston ’s most iconic culinary art , and while there are or so a billion restaurants where you could stick your human face into a vat of queso , it ’s often the same ones you discover about over and over again ( Ninfa’s , El Tiempo , etc . ) . Next sentence you desire to submerge your sorrows in frozen margs , think outside the box of Velveeta by dine at these unsung , yet still perfectly homey Tex - Mex spots instead .

Don Carlos

With three positioning in Houston ( plus one in Waco ) , this mini - empire is n’t talked about often . But it does draw in loyal sports fan that have been staying local since 1986 , and that ’s thanks to square Tex - Mex classic at seriously good prices . Chicken and steak fajitas for two come out sizzling on a hot comal , scat you a simple $ 25 to $ 30 on a regular day . Look out for specials because the prices can get even better at tiffin and happy minute when you’re able to get a gargantuan chimichanga for less than a Hamilton or a cockeyed nacho prevention and flautas for barren on quality days .

Andy’s in the Heights

This unassuming hole - in - the - wall may not be the very the good Tex - Mex restaurant in town ( chiefly because it ’s more like a buffet car ) , but it does serve out gaudy , vintage Tex - Mex 24 time of day a day , seven day a workweek – and for that , the later - nighttime institution earns our regard . After the bars closelipped , there ’s nothing like soak up your defective determination with some more bad decisions in the class of greasy , sleazy classics like asphyxiate high mallow enchilada and carne guisada burritos . For unspoilt results , add fiery salsa and an egg .

Tony’s Mexican Restaurant

await no falderol beyond the metric ton of gooey cheeseflower and rusty red chile gravy slosh over your mete flawless enchiladas here . Trust us , those are precisely enough gimcrack for one sit when you add in seriously wet margs . The bare bones eatery feels like it ’s been around forever , and if you count 1979 as everlastingly , it kinda has . May it live long and thrive .

La Tapatia Mex Cafe

This homegrown mini - chain of mountains started as a humble coffee shop back in 1989 . Ten years by and by , the restaurant made its way into the Guinness World Records for crafting the biggest fajita wetback ever made . Today , La Tapatia has grown to five locations , all of which knock it out the parking lot with no - jest stiff margaritas and greased up classics , from giant jalapeños stuffed with beef and cheese and wrapped in bacon to a nine - numeration of perfectly smothered enchiladas .

Spanish Village

While this throwback has been scarf out Houstonians Tex - Mex cravings for over 60 days , it often does n’t get the respect it has clear . Forget the PYTs and see why this local stalwart has stood the test of time , which you’re able to do through velvety , moony queso and chile - bunce - coated Enchiladas - A- La - Taylor , a house favorite . Even the fried chicken is on point ( because yes , they make deep-fried volaille , too ) . The dining room is adorned with former family photos and colored Christmas lights , a slightly tacky yet comfort touching that is old - school in the in force possible way .

Chuy’s

Do n’t knock this Elvis - obsessed position just because it ’s a chain ( an Austin - multiply one , at that ) . Their original green chile and jalapeño sauce is as addicting as it is fiery , and the eternal rest of the card accept you on a journey through New Mexico , through molding towns , across the Rio Grande Valley , and into the inscrutable Texas South . At the very least , you should attain up Chuy ’s happy time of day for free queso served straight from a " nacho car " alongside salsa and hot and fresh chips .

The Don’Key

Do n’t let its outside - the - loop location stop you , this Pasadena mental home has over 40 years of chronicle behind it for a reason . That grounds ? It ’s damn good . The toppingly tacky spot claim its famous Don’KeyRitas will “ quetch your ass ! , " and patriotic patrons seem to agree . Slurp ‘ em down , Sharpie your name on the graffiti bulwark , and go nuts on stretchable queso flameado or chile con queso that you’re able to ( and will ) add fajita heart to , plus slapdash enchilada and drunken kidney bean . You ’re also bear fried ice cream for dessert , so do n’t get too stuff .

La Mexicana

La Mexicana is often pretermit on many of the metropolis ’s “ full ” lists , and it turns out , that ’s o.k. – you ’ll notice the house packed on Saturday and Sunday good morning either way . Practice your Spanish as you make your way of life through el menú , which is complete with Tex - Mex and Mexican platos like chile con queso , carne asada , and overstuffed , jumbo - sized burrito . you may also tally the breakfast taco bar in the front of the house to grab flat , flossy tortillas sporting chorizo con huevos and pa y jamon , plus some of the most splendid , sleek refried beans in Ithiel Town on the side , and bank us , you want them .

Underrated Tex-Mex in Houston