In Houston, I'd say Pappasitos is the best Tex-Mex chain for tourists. @Cosmonaut if you want some really good Mexican food, find a place online that has no English on their menu or Facebook or whatever. The area may seem a little sketchy, but it's fairly safe in the barrio during the day. It will be cheaper, too.
Adrian Mexican Street food is on the rise. My Coworker said he spent 35 bucks for 2 people, margaritas, bomb food, and a 7 dollar tip.
Do NOT go to Spanish Flowers or Teotihuacan -- these are dirty restaurants for the poors. You might see a roach running across the floor. If you are going to eat Tex-Mex once in Houston, then go to the original Ninfa's on Navigation Blvd. It is close to downtown. If you want another option, look at El Tiempo Cantina on Richmond. These are exceptional experiences where you cannot go wrong. Lupe's is OK I guess, but definitely not my favorite and built to entertain kids -- so kids will be running around everywhere if you go for dinner.
That looks like a cool idea. Brings back memories of playing NBA jam, mortal kombat and street fighter. Arcades are a dieing breed here in Japan although there are some places similar to what you are suggesting, they don’t have pinball machines which I love playing! I am sure my son will enjoy. Are you asking me out on a date? Hello Kitty socks? I completely understand the no English Menu thing. It’s the same here in Japan. If they have an English menu its probably average food, no English menu more chance of it being more authentic and tasty. So I will keep this in mind while looking for places to eat. Is this considered cheap in regards to eating out in Houston? Awesome information and from the vets of the board. I would probably end up going to 2 or 3 places. So it is good that you guys have suggested a few options. Maybe I should put a poll up for tex mex But yeah one thing I have to consider is I have a 6 year old with me. So I have to be realistic about where to go. I have thought of another important question. Tipping - I live in Japan and from Australia, which are not traditional tipping societies. I have read about it on various websites and a lot of it is conflicting. So maybe you guys could shed some light on tipping. I don't really want to think too much about it. If I go to a restaurant or take an uber/lyft/taxi I kind of just want to have a default % in the back of my mind to make things easier for myself. What would you consider is the tipping % rate not being too generous and not being too cheap ass?
What would say the value be in Japan at current market value, if say, you were to hold a Cosmonaut for ransom?
If you like SE Asian food you should go to SW Houston on Bellaire. There is the new Chinatown there and Viet Cajun fusion.
How much are you paying per person at a nice restaurant in the US? Well a Cosmonaut is what Russians call their space guys and considering Russias standing in the world these days I'd imagine it's about the same value as Daishen Nix when he was playing for the Rockets. Might be lucky to get a packet of chips. Yeah I noticed that there is Little Saigon close to a basketball court I was thinking to go to. So I was thinking to go that way to check out that area for some lunch.
Everybody asks for tips here now-a-days. I'm sure we could easily end up in argument derailing your thread if the right people come in here lol. At a restaurant with waiter service - 18% to 22% of the bill is the norm. At a restaurant with no waiter service, you get your own drink and napkins, they only bring out the food to your table - I personally give 10%. I know many others are super generous and give the normal percentage that they give to waiter service, I don't see why you would do this, but I guess they are just good hearted people. Uber/Lyft - I have no clue, but you do give a tip. I tip based on how I'm feeling and how the car ride was. On a $10-$15 ride I'm usually tipping $5, on longer rides, I'm probably tipping $10 or more, it just depends. At starbucks and other coffee shops - I don't usually tip unless I'm feeling generous. At bars - It depends what I'm ordering, but usually I do the same as waiter service 18% - 22%.
@Cosmonaut Need to correct myself. I said Purple Line to the Thai place (Street to Kitchen). It’s the Green Line.
I mean for real. If you are gonna go to only one Tex-Mex place in Houston just go to Ninfas on Navigation. It’s a classic institution. Last time I went the food was still good.
