Hard choice, by all accounts. I'm still a die-hard original Ninfa's on Navigation for beef fajitas (for those that are unaware, they were the original place for fajitas, period.) El Tiempo still has incredible food - Get their combo fajita platter (also from the Ninfa's family.) Cyclone Anaya's is pretty damn good. - My favorite for old school Tex-Mex platter. Kinda like the ol' Los Tios stuff, but better. Escalante's has always been solid. - Get the queso flameado here. Best in town. Pappasito's - Say what you want. It is the ONLY chain that has spread throughout Texas, and the reason is damn good food. - Order the "Matamoros" platter here (combo of fajitas and ribs. Trust me.) Chuy's - I'll be the first to admit that the food here is nothing special, but that jalapeno dip? Reason enough alone, and the patio makes it even more inviting. Cafe Adobe - Same thing. Food is nothing special, but I still recommend it based on that 2nd story patio on Westheimer. One of my favorite HH destinations. Tila's - I drove past this place a dozen times before tried it. Another place to people-watch while enjoying some pretty damn good Tex-mex. Los Tios - As much as I hate to admit it, every year, some old friend of mine will drag me here and, as arterial clogging as this place is, it still is fun to have some good ol' fashioned Tex-mex. El Real - The NEW restaurant being created by the Next Iron Chef Bryan Caswell along with our ol' HP critic Robb Walsh. - This is a place I probably have far too optimistic aspirations. BUT, if it only gets 70% of them, I'll be impressed. Slated to open this Spring. Those are the ones off the top of my head. I'm heading out to lunch at 1-ish, and she stated "El Pueblito" which is crap unless you like your drink served inside a coconut. Any other great Tex-Mex places I neglected to mention?
I'll trust your enchilada recommendation, but I've yet to have a good meal there. Of course, I would always order fajitas or crispy tacos, and both are disappointing there. Any preference on the enchiladas? Cheese? Beef? Spinach? Chicken?
La Mexicana may not be a fair contribution to your thread, as they might tilt slightly more towards Mexican food, rather than Tex-Mex. Enchiladas are probably more Mexican-ish, although they have a great tex-mex style salsa they put on top with chunks of meat. I typically get the beef enchiladas, but have gotten chicken, too, which were good. Fajitas and crispy tacos are more Tex Mex, and for those, yes, El Tiempo, Lupe Torillas (pls remove that stupid sandbox, TIA), and Pappasitos have very strong offerings.
For enchiladas, keep going East down Fairview a few blocks to El Paraiso. Order the Enchiladas Mexicanas. It used to be an off-menu item, but now they put it on. I think I had a little to do with that, once I saw the staff eating it. I'd order it at least twice a week. One complaint, the beef enchiladas use ground beef. Can't he fajita enchiladas. I usually get a combo of chicken and cheese. Best salsa and chips, too. both house made. Fresh chips are awesome. Carne Asada is unique, too.
Fatty...you have to try the cheese enchiladas at El Meson in Rice Village. No place comes close. The rest of the menu is okay (a lot of Cuban food as well), but I stand by the cheese enchiladas
My favorite salsa -- the red salsa they bring out with the chips at Cyclone Anaya's. I could eat that all day
I had a bad experience last time i was there but los cucos has the best green dip in Houston. Also the stuffed avocado is nutty.
Is it better than Ninfa's? good list of tex-mex. I'm a wee bit confused about the Chuy's patio mention. You're just sitting in a parking lot, pretty much. Cafe Adobe both 2nd floor (as you mention) and street level are great. Same with Tilas. No love for Spanish Flower and Chapultepec. Actually, I always thought they were both overrated. But in the day, Chapultepec's margarita happy hour with free chips and soup was a Friday afternoon staple for me. And Spanish Flower i worth a mention because of their weekend breakfast and patio.
El Tiempo has the best food overall. Chuy's has the best dip. Ruby Tequila's has the best chips (their steak is underrated, too). Lupe Tortilla has the best fajitas. Escalante's is always solid, but not overwhelming. Pappasito's earns the "used to be good but sucks now" award.
Queso flameado is best at Escalante's. As to the Chuy's patio? I've always enjoyed the atmosphere enough for Houston. Hell, if I wanted to eat on a pato based on atmosphere alone I'd go to Baba Yega's, Brenner's on the Bayou or the Rainbow Lodge. There is just something addictive about their damn jalapeno dip. I can make a damn good variation, and even I still go back!
That reminds me, let me know when you're available for lunch. I've got a $15 for 30 coupon at Laurenzo's, which is an El Tiempo establishment. Lupe is good, but I like my accompaniments; aka cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, guac, etc. The fact they aren't included has always brought it too far down on my list. Still, I should've mentioned them. Haven't been to Ruby Tequila's yet. Where is it?
umm.... teotihuacan? place is the ish. for beef fajitas, though, my #1 is still little pappisitos. i've actually become less and less impressed with el tiempo's fajitas the last 2 times i've been. lupe's beef fajitas just scream lime seasoning to me.
I used to be a big fan of the Molina's on Hwy 6. The outside deck was the place to be. I would always get the enchiladas with chili gravy, and they always gave you fresh praline cookies with your check. Damn shame that place closed.
Laurenzo's on Washington? Or Laurenzo's 1308 on Montrose? (An also underrated place) Ruby Tequila's is on Louisiana at McGowen in Midtown.
