10 Best Tex-Mex Restaurants In Houston, According To Reviews
Whether you're a seasoned local or just passing through the city, Houston is a great place to get your Tex-Mex fix. The city is home to countless restaurants serving classic Tex-Mex dishes, from sizzling fajitas and cheesy enchiladas to hearty chilis and fully loaded nachos. But, with so much choice, it's hard to know which spots are really worth visiting.
Tex-Mex food can be hit-and-miss, and while some eateries have been dubbed bang average or even disappointing by diners, there are plenty of gems scattered across the city. So, we set out to find some of the very best. By sifting through customer reviews, we've singled out the top-rated Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston. Each has earned an impressive number of glowing reviews for its excellent food and service, with diners often highlighting standout dishes, making repeat trips, and wholeheartedly recommending a visit. Here are our top 10 picks for any Tex-Mex fans looking to experience the best food on offer in the largest city in Texas.
1. Candente
True to its "Tex-Mex done right" slogan, Candente has received hundreds of rave reviews for its fresh, flavorful food. This Michelin-recommended restaurant offers a whole host of elegantly plated Tex-Mex classics, plus a vibrant selection of cocktails. There's an expansive dining space with indoor and outdoor areas, where you can enjoy hearty Tex-Mex dishes with a decidedly upscale vibe.
Diners are incredibly complimentary about Candente, and amidst the glowing feedback, a few particularly enthusiastic reviews caught our eye. "I had an amazing experience at Candente! The patio seating, service, and food were all amazing," wrote one happy customer in a Yelp review. Others note the reasonable pricing of the dishes and attentiveness of the staff, and one diner even dubbed Candente "hands down the best Tex-Mex spot in Houston."
Many of the restaurant's signature dishes have been highlighted in reviews, too. One diner described the experience as outstanding, and recommended beef fajitas, cheese enchiladas, and queso, while another took to Yelp to share, "Their Tampiquena ribeye was so flavorful I couldn't stop eating it." And, the margaritas, which come in a variety of fruity and tangy flavors, are also a big hit.
(346) 867-1156
4306 Yoakum Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006
2. Ninfa's
Ninfa's is another star of Houston's Tex-Mex scene. With two locations in the city, this restaurant is a reliable choice for those in search of flavor-packed food and some fun, casual dining experience. It was founded in 1973, when Mama Ninfa Laurenzo began serving tacos al carbon (aka fajitas) from her family's tortilla factory. Her legacy is still evident, and the restaurant describes its approach as combining a "commitment to comfort and tradition with a sense of culinary adventure." Clearly, it's working, because customers are consistently impressed by Ninfa's offerings.
A Tripadvisor reviewer summed things up perfectly, writing, "the menu is expansive and the food is top notch." Customer recommendations include mole enchiladas, seafood platter, and chicken tacos. One satisfied diner also confirmed that the steak fajitas were the best in America. And, it's not just the food that delivers. Another enthusiastic visitor commended the experience as a whole, sharing their thoughts in a detailed five-star review. "Whether you're dining inside the cozy, history-filled dining room or on the lively patio, the atmosphere is just as comforting as the food," they wrote, describing the experience as akin to "sitting down at your family's dinner table."
Multiple locations
3. Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner at four Houston locations, Teotihuacan (aka Teo) Mexican Cafe is a go-to for quality Tex-Mex cuisine. The menu includes vibrant soups and salads, zesty carne asadas and meaty parrillada plates. There are plenty of decadent desserts to choose from — think creamy tres leches cake or crispy fried sopapillas. Food can be ordered online for collection or delivery, but opting for a sit-down meal is the best way to get the full Teo experience. Plus, if you time it right, you can take advantage of the restaurant's daily happy hour specials.
Multiple reviews for this restaurant mention generous portion sizes, yet the prices remain very reasonable. One Tripadvisor review – titled "Best Tex Mex in Houston" — stated that everything from the tortillas to the dipping sauces was great, while the service was described as "fast and courteous." Over on Yelp, the praise continued. "I don't post a review unless a dish is a straight 10/10," claimed one customer, and he continued to rave about Teo's breakfast offering, explaining they'd been wowed by the machacado con huevo, which features shredded beef, scrambled eggs, tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños.
Multiple locations
4. Los Tios
Established in 1970, Los Tios is a family-owned chain with six restaurants across the Houston area. It boasts a friendly, inviting atmosphere, and uses traditional recipes to craft its array of tempting Tex-Mex dishes. The restaurant is famous for its puffy queso — crispy deep-fried tortillas smothered with chile con queso. It was also the first restaurant in Houston to offer a frozen margarita, which remains a staple on the cocktail menu today.
The photo-illustrated menu on Los Tios' website quickly gives you a feel for its eye-catching approach to presentation and the use of bold, colorful ingredients. Whether you're ordering a generous portion of the house guacamole, tucking into a fresh tostada con ceviche, or going all out with a plate of cheese-smothered enchiladas, the food is sure to impress, as confirmed by countless reviews.
One Tripadvisor review praised the enchiladas, claiming they were the best they ever had, but they also spoke highly of the steak fajitas, noting that "the sauces, guacamole and chips were spot on!!" Reviews on Yelp were equally positive, with diners commending the restaurant's warm customer service, lively vibe, and fair pricing.
Multiple locations
5. Irma's Southwest
At Irma's Southwest, the dining experience is widely touted as outstanding. This downtown restaurant is one of the more expensive picks in this lineup, but many reviewers argue that the higher price point is justified. The atmosphere has an upscale feel, and while the menu features a varied selection of Tex-Mex classics, there are also some more exotic options to choose from. For a Tex-Mex feast with a twist, consider sampling one of the Texan wild game dishes, such as the nilgai enchiladas or wild boar tamales.
"From the moment we walked in, we felt so special and knew we were in for such a treat!" shared one diner in a five-star Yelp review. They went on to highlight the attentive service and delicious food, shouting out the salsa, queso, and guacamole. Another fan, who ordered the Wild Game Combo, recalled that "the sausage had that rich, savory flavor you want from boar with just enough snap in the casing." He described how nilgai barbacoa taco was "tender, juicy, and packed with flavor that felt different from your usual beef taco but still super approachable."
(713)-247-9651
1475 Texas Street, Houston, TX 77002
6. Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina
You can't go wrong with a visit to one of the Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina's four top-rated restaurants. Here, food is cooked over a traditional mesquite grill, which imparts a wonderfully rich, smoky flavor, and tastes especially great with dark meats. The chain chars batches of chiles and tomatoes, makes fresh tortillas from scratch daily, and makes its sausages in the dedicated butchery. Equally well-suited to casual dining and special occasions, this restaurant takes reservations and online orders, and even caters to private events, with large rooms available to book at locations in The Woodlands and The Heights.
You'll find all the usual suspects on Kitchen & Cantina's menu, plus gluten-friendly options, and Fiesta Packs, which are perfect for feeding a crowd. Take the Fajita Pack for example, which comes with beef and chicken fajitas, tortillas, Mexican rice, refried beans, and chips and dips, plus a selection of toppings.
Reviewers frequently speak highly of the food and service here. One diner, who ordered the red fish tacos as per their server's recommendation, called the dish "hands down the best" and "absolutely delicious" in a Yelp review. Another reviewer suggested trying beef fajitas, assuring everyone that they will be impressed.
Multiple locations
7. Maria Rita's Tex-Mex
If you're after fast service, affordable prices, and a relaxed vibe, Maria Rita's is the place to be. Despite its casual atmosphere, this restaurant doesn't skimp on quality. The menu packs all those bold flavors you'd expect from the self-proclaimed "best Tex-Mex in Southeast Houston." The customer reviews match up to the hype.
Whether you're visiting for lively celebration dinner or a slow weekend brunch, Maria Rita's delivers crowd-pleasing Tex-Mex food with generous portions and heaps of deliciously smoky, spicy, and zesty flavor. There's an extensive selection of appetizers, such as bandito wings, street tacos, and empanadas, plus spicy soups, hearty chicken-rice bowls, and a variety of fajitas, enchiladas, and tacos.
A customer who called Maria Rita's their "new favorite Tex-Mex Restaurant" took to Tripadvisor to share their go-to dishes, which included the Don Pollo chicken tacos and flautas. A second fan wrote, "The best queso I have ever had. This is a fabulous restaurant!" Others praised the outstanding desserts, with churros and sopapillas both earning excellent feedback. And, you might even be lucky enough to catch the mariachi band performing.
(281) 888-1909
8445 Gulf Fwy, Houston, TX 77017
8. Lopez Mexican Restaurant
Lopez Mexican Restaurant has been serving delicious Tex-Mex meals since 1978, when Mexican immigrant Rodrigo López and his family first set up a shop in Southwest Houston. Over the decades, the restaurant has stayed true to its focus on excellent service, and it remains one of the best-loved eateries in the city today.
On the menu, you'll find familiar picks like chalupas and chimichanga, grilled specialities such as asada steak and sauce-smothered chicken breasts, plus decadent combo plates that allow you to sample a selection of favorites. There's happy hour every weekday from 2pm to 6pm, where you can get discounted beers and margaritas, and if you visit on your birthday, you even might get free sopapillas.
The reviews for this place are a testament to its welcoming, family-run feel and top-notch food. "Their food is delicious and they give huge portions," one visitor shared on Yelp, while also noting the friendly staff and spacious, well-decorated dining area. They recommended ordering the signature Lopez combo, which comes with cheese enchiladas, a beef taco guacamole salad, a chile con queso puff, and a chile relleno. The Ocampo combo also earned a mention on Tripadvisor, with the reviewer advising: "Pricing is surprisingly low, especially considering the quality and how popular this place is."
Multiple locations
9. Cenas Kitchen
Run by brothers Sam and Masood Sahragard since 2024, Cenas Kitchen prides itself on providing cozy home-style food and the warm, welcoming atmosphere to match. On its website, Cenas describes its goals as being to "cook it like you'd cook it for your own family" and "treat people like guests in your house." Customer feedback certainly seems to echo this sentiment.
From the taquitos and enchiladas to the impressive seafood plates, everything on the menu is handmade from scratch, and many dishes come highly recommended by visitors. "The meat had the best flavor and so tender," commented one Houston local on Yelp after ordering fajitas and nachos. "The easiest 10/10 I could ever give a restaurant," commented another diner, explaining that the mango and shrimp salad was the best thing they'd ever tasted, while the (generously sized) chicken empanadas were "packed with flavor and sooooo yummy!"
Cenas Kitchen has two locations in Copperfield and Tomball. You can also order food online for pickup or delivery if you'd prefer to enjoy your Tex-Mex feast from the comfort of your own home.
Multiple locations
10. La Viva Tex Mex
La Viva Tex Mex is a great pick for family dinners and date nights alike, with a casual, chilled out atmosphere and a wide range of hearty dishes to try. This is one of Houston's newest Tex-Mex restaurants, having opened in the Oak Forest neighborhood in March 2024, and it's already built an excellent reputation.
There are many special offers at La Viva, including $3.99 margaritas on Mondays, buy-one-get-one-free tacos on Tuesdays, and the kids eat free deal, which runs every Sunday. The restaurant has a build-your-own fajita bar, and an easily customizable menu with an impressive selection of vibrant dishes on offer, such as honey-ancho-glazed wings and spicy diablo shrimp.
The reviews speak for themselves, with high praise from customers all round. "Do yourself a favor and visit this place," advised one diner on Yelp, adding that food and margaritas are amazing. A second reviewer was equally impressed by the entire dining experience, writing how "the ambiance was amazing, food was amazing and the service was phenomenal." Fish tacos, tres leches cake, and queso were also dubbed as standouts by various happy customers.
(346) 240-2692
1201 West 43rd Street, Houston, TX 77018
Methodology
Tex-Mex is understandably a popular cuisine in Houston, so we carried out plenty of research to successfully identify only the very best restaurants in the city. Customer reviews were our main source, and we used platforms like Tripadvisor and Yelp to single out Tex-Mex eateries with impressive numbers of rave reviews. The praise for these 10 final picks covered everything from the service and atmosphere to the pricing and, of course, the quality of the food, with diners often highlighting standout dishes, generous portions, and reasons to come back.