Taco de zanahoria - 9/10 - Vegetables were fresh, loved the flavors Mushroom tostada w/egg - 8/10 - Spicy with a tasty flavor, mushrooms were cooked well, but could use more sauce or salsa Chori-papa skillet - 8/10 - Good balance of seasoning and spice Hoja santa french toast - 5/10 - Didnt have much flavor and wasnt toasted If youre looking for a Mexican brunch spot, this spot is a good one to try. Their dishes had spice and flavor, and the quality was definitely there. Ill be going back to try some of their pastries and horchata next read more

Stopped by CasaEma for brunch today with two friends and we all had a delicious experience! They have been many times but it was my first time and everything I tried was delicious. We arrived a little before 10AM on Tuesday morning and first got some caffeinated beverages and a horchata donut to split; my horchata matcha latte was great! Not too grassy or sweet but had a very nice cinnamon flavor from the horchata. The donut was super fluffy and soft yet somehow not soggy from the filling; not too sweet either, which is perfect for me. Once it was past 10 we got back in line to order some kitchen items to split. The staff at CasaEma are super accommodating of change requests and allergies, so we were able to get a salsa verde replacement in the huarache de pollo. The papaya salad and the carrot taco were probably my two favorite brunch items but the mushrooms in the tostada were incredible, and I loved the masa cake in the chicken dish. The inside of the space is super cute and there was plenty of room to hang out while waiting for and eating our food. Definitely loved this spot a lot and would love to visit again the next time I'm in town! read more

Had a good first experience here, loved the concept and really liked some of the stuff we got. The coffee was good and worth getting for sure, going to try something different though next time (hot horchata matcha and blue corn cold brew cold) I think the matcha was better. The chocolate concha was good but im not sure i love conchas are my favorite will try something else next time. The papaya salad is a must get, fresh, light and unique. I loved the pombazo and will always get this. I thought the chilaquiles were just okay unfortunately. My wife liked the French toast and would get it again. The line moves fast, id aim to get here as close to 8am as possible. Family friendly as well. Plenty of kids in there eating breakfast. read more

Quick service and all menu items we ordered were absolutely stellar. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Dedicated parking lot across the street and street parking. Ordered the avocado salad, carrot taco, and chilaquiles with brisket with their agua Fresca and marzipan latte. Will absolutely be back! Casual eatery that's great for brunch read more

CasaEma - Chilaquiles, avocado salad, carrot taco, marzipan latte - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

If you haven't been here, I am not sure what you are waiting for. One the parking is small, but it's the heights with patience there is always a spot. The line looks long but moves quickly. They have a bakery counter and yes you have to go early or all the goodies, traditional muffins, conchas, breads are gone because they are so well made. They have a full coffee bar with Mexican inspired lattes, yes try them. I love the mocha and chai, and yes they have oat and almond milk. Their entrees are amazing. My favorite has been the chilaquiles and yes it's chilaquiles but Ema style so flavorful. The chips are fresh and crunchy, the salsa is flavorful and spicy. The chorizo version happens on the weekend and it's delicious. The mole is always so good as well. Overall I need to go back to try the other traditional Mexican offerings. Plenty of space is fine inside and it's counter service and they are so good at what they do. Thank you for existing! read more

We had the SUADERO CHILAQUILES w/Chorizo, CHICHARRON, and MOLE VERDE CHOCHOYOTES. Their HORCHATA latte is amazing. My son and I loved the chilaquiles, hubby loved his chicharron, and I thought that chochoyotes was ok. Flavors were good, but I'm not a big fan of large cut onions and mushrooms. read more

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We arrived at 9:30am and got through the line to order quickly. There is a window looking into the kitchen where you can see the goodies on their menu being made fresh. The space is airy and stylish with large windows and plants accenting throughout. The cortado was exactly what I was hoping for. The elote muffin was my favorite thing from the pastry cabinet, it reminded me of cornbread, but better! read more

CasaEma - Cortado - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Waited about 30 minutes in line on a Sunday morning, but it was totally worth it! The space inside is a bit tight, but it gives off a fun, friendly vibe -- definitely a spot where you eat, enjoy, and then get on with your day. We started with the French toast for the table, and let me just say -- that brioche with the fresh whipped cream was everything. I scraped off the strawberry compote and went to town on the bread, no regrets. For my main, I ordered the Huarache de Pollo. It was just what I expected in the best way. I love a good black bean spread on a masa cake, and the salsa around the plate had this unique spice that I really liked. I actually wish there had been more of that specific salsa on the huarache itself! It was a little tricky to eat with all the components piled on, but the flavor made up for it. My friend ordered the Suadero Chilaquiles, and I got to steal a few bites -- whoever came up with dill sour cream deserves an award. I'm already planning my next visit so I can order that for myself! read more

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First time here and wanted to try something different. Parking is very scarce however they have a fairly large seating area inside and out. There is only one menu posted on a stand. They should either provide more or offer a QR code to view on your phone. This would be beneficial especially with a long line. There is also only one order line. So if you decide to order more after your initial order, you have to wait in line. The food was ok. I believe the sweets and coffees tasted better than our main dishes. I was hoping for more spice and less sauce. I ordered the Mushroom Tetela with half red and half green sauce. I appreciated the option of either or both. My husband had the Suadero Chilaquiles. Both of our orders were supposed to be sunny side but came out over cooked on the bottom and both dishes were too saucy for our liking. If we go back, it will be for the coffee and desserts. Both were very tasty. read more

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Really cute cafe with absolutely outstanding food for a great price! We all loved it. We came on a Wednesday morning and it went too crowded when we got there, but there did end up being on a line after a while. To start we got the horchata latte and cafe de olla latte. Both were delicious! Next we tried several pastries. We got the guava and queso empanada, corn concha, and the horchata donut. All delicious, but the guava and queso empanada stole the show. So so flaky and delicious without being too sweet, and I've never had anything like it. We split a couple of the main meals. We got a couple tacos de zanahoria, suadero chilaquiles with brisket, and the puerco mole enchiladas. It was all delicious and my family all had different favorites. I liked the chilaquiles and tacos the best. Both were super fresh and bright and delicious. My husband and dad loved the enchiladas! Would order them all again, but there are so many things on the menu I'd still like to try! Wonderful place, small and quaint. Only gripe is that parking can be hard. There are a couple spots reserved just for Ema but they were full, so we were able to find street parking luckily! read more

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Ema is a small, cute café. Parking-wise especially - it can get crowded if it is particularly busy. You can probably find a spot nearby for free and walk across, though. We came in later at like 1:30-ish, so it wasn't really busy at all. You order everything at the counter and then wait for your order or take the pastries right away. The woman behind the register was very helpful in offering recommendations on what to get based on what was available and our preferences. We got the Chilaquiles without meat (comes with egg on top) and the Mushroom Tetela along with the Cajeta Canela Roll and the Horchata Berlinesa. For drinks we got a regular coffee and an Horchata Latte. The drinks were both great - I really liked the latte. Both of the main dishes were delicious. The chips in the Chilaquiles were crunchy but also soaked up the sauces well along with the perfectly-cooked egg on top. The Tetela was crunchy and the mushroom-carrot filling was divine. I was REALLY craving corn & Mexican food after being out of state for ages, and Ema scratched that itch for me. The pastries were so good; my favorite was the Berlinesa. The filling is good but the sugary dough is to die for. I want to come back to try more of the dishes! read more

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Heard a lot of great things about this place and it did not disappoint. The papaya salad was simple but delicious with incredibly ripe and fresh papaya. The chilaquiles was super flavorful and the pork belly on the chicharron was perfectly crispy and fatty. We gobbled everything up. The worst thing about this place is the parking. There are not that many spaces in the parking lot for Ema customers so you either have to get lucky or find street parking. read more

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I'd kill for a CARROT CAKE CORN DONA ($5) and CHORIZO SWEET POTATO CHEDDAR VOLOVAN ($6.85) from here. The pastries by Stefani are made fresh every single morning and you can taste the love in every bite. The food by Chef Nick is delicious as well and you can taste the quality of ingredients. My favorite dish has been the CHICHARRON ($16 Crispy Pork Belly, Sauteed Pearl Onions, Black Beans, Tortillas). Those black beans were insanely good and don't quote me, but I think they make their queso fresco in house. I'm not even a fan of mole sauce but the PUERCO MOLE ENCHILADAS ($14 Olotillo Blanco Tortillas, Roasted Pork, Mole Negro, Sesame Seeds, Arugula Salad) were delicious and I would order them again. Yes, the food tastes as good as it looks in my photos. And if you haven't tried their sister restaurant downtown, hit up Papalo Taqueria. Their masa is freshly ground there from imported blue corn. Their pork is juicy and crispy, the blue corn tortillas are nutty, and their queso fresco is the freshest I've had. read more

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Pork belly was by far my favorite but everything else was really good as well! The coffee was a tad sweet. I also enjoyed the cauliflower I thought the sauce it came with was really good. The french toast wasn't bad and it was super cute. The workers were really nice and even though there was a lot of people we were seated quickly. read more

CasaEma - Cafe de olla, horchata matcha and oaxaca latte - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Sunday morning brunch was a vibe here. I would make sure to come early as they can get busy and there isn't too much seating. You have to order at the counter first before finding a spot to sit down. There are a few spots to park in the lot but mostly street parking. The food was super flavorful and my favorite was the chilaquiles! Everything tasted fresh and full of flavor. It had a cozy and casual feel. I will say the price was a tad expensive at first but once I tasted everything it was well worth it. read more

CasaEma - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

This is a staple brunch for me, and it *always* hits. It's a super bright, but tight fit area with cute outdoor furniture and plants. There's a little window where you can see into the kitchen, too. My sister and I got the tacos de zanahoria, pipan roja cauliflower, pecan besito, and huarache de pollo. They somehow made cauliflower edible(it was one of my definitely no veggies turned into my fave bite). Highly recommended. Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. read more

CasaEma - Huarache de pollo - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

Located at an odd spot in the north portion of the Heights near Street Food Thai Kitchen. Parking is almost nonexistent in their parking lot so it would be street parking in an adjacent neighborhood and walking as the most practical option. The restaurant focuses on pastries, drinks, and Mexican street/ breakfast foods courtesy of the same team behind the spot in Finn Hall. Service is pretty much like a Torchy's; you stand in line and order up front and then try to a find a table. This lack of full service does take away a bit from the dining experience and getting a table is a hassle as well when things are busy. Drinks - ordered a horchata matcha; 4/5. Pastries- got a guava and cheese empanada and a strawberry based pastry; 3.5/5. Food- carrot tacos are great; 4.5/5. The torta sandwich was a bit underwhelming; 3/5. The pork belly dish was solid; 4/5. The chilaquiles were also superb; 4.5/5. Overall the food is solid for a Mexican inspired brunch experience. The subpar parking situation outside and seating situation inside takes away a bit from the dining experience. I didn't find the pastries crazy good but I'm also not a huge dessert person. read more

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Absolutely phenomenal food. Quick service and great coffee as well. There was a bit of wait on Sunday 11am when we went but still got seated within 40 minutes and got food in 10 minutes or less. Got their seasonal ribs and it was hands down the most amazing flavor, smokiness, and fall off the rib! Ambiance is casual and cozy read more

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I'm so glad my friend invited me here for a delicious brunch! It's upscale Mexican breakfast and their offerings are more than super delicious! First, my favorite drink is now the decaf horchata latte! That smooth coffee taste topped with delicious cinnamon goodness is super fantastic! I ordered one to go....I should have gotten 2. It was SO very good! Honestly I'm going to be more adventurous with decaf coffee. My friend forgot to order her drink so she just drank the free, cold, and filtered water they put out for their guests. For breakfast my friend got the bomb chilequiles. They were so good! I like mine with tortilla chips to be more soggy to take in the juice but some of hers were crispy and she said it added to the texture. She really really enjoyed it!!! She also added a dish were they pour like a green consume over it that smelled divine! I loved the presentation. I think it was vegetarian. I ordered the delicious grilled pork belly bites served with chips, salsitas, and Mexican beans with a sprinkle of white cheese. Soooo good! I know I shouldn't be eating pork buy I knew this was going to be very good and there were melt in your mouth creamy with a good amount of fat. ..... not to much at all! We did take some pastries to go: I got an elote corn muffin, a strawberry pastry, a slice of pumpkin bread. Sooooo good!!! Im ready to go back soon! read more

We came here for Sunday brunch and thought the food was enjoyable overall. It was busy for brunch, and the line was long but it moved fast. They also have someone helping seat you once you order, which is always a nice touch and less stressful than scrambling to find a seat. We ordered a decent spread. For pastries, we tried the rosemary lemon muffin (?), black sesame strawberry roll, and the horchata filled doughnut (?). Not sure on the names since they're not on the website. All of them were decent, not dry, and had prominent flavors. While I liked the black sesame roll, the strawberry flavor overpowered the black sesame. It was good, just not what I wanted. For mains, we had the mushroom tostada and pambazo de puerco. The sandwich was okay...some of the flavors advertised didn't come through. But the mushroom tostada was fantastic. It was bursting with flavor from the red pipian, and had nice plump mushrooms. We also had a pineapple mint agua fresca. It was good! We had a latte too but all the sweetness was at the bottom of the cup. Typical though. I would come back and try more! read more

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The French toast is so decadent that it's what food dreams are about! Stuffed with Hoja Santa cream. Oh my!

Food and drinks were delicious! Loved the strawberry corn donut and the horchata latte. Cauliflower and chorizo were delicious but we did not love the chilaquiles, they were pretty bland. Overall, awesome place and would recommend a visit. read more

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I guess I didn't leave a review yet so here we are after my second time back. First visit was little later in the afternoon and I know they usually run out of pastries but they had the Horchata Berlin even then, which was delicious. Also loved the mole enchiladas we got the first time. The papaya salad was such a hit we had to get it again. Love this- so simple but with a nice ripe papaya is a perfect refreshing breakfast. Chilaquiles- good, but nothing super exciting. We got it half green half red and tried the chorizo second go around. I wish they had extra hot sauce/salsa on the side for those of us that need a little heat. The carrot taco- simple, would have liked a little more punchy flavour. The chicken on masa- nice mix of warm and cozy with refreshing salad. Matcha tres leches - if you love matcha I think it's a good match. But I still found it tasty after giving it a couple of bites. Would probably try the chicharrones and pork torta if I made another trip out. With more pastries of course! The lot is small so you gotta get in at the right time. Counter service but there is someone at the end who helps with securing table space for you; that was nice! read more

CasaEma - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

Soooo delicious. Got the suadero chilaquiles. 10/10. Definitely going back here to try more dish when I visit. You order first then sit down. read more

CasaEma - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

Finally got to try this spot, and it did not disappoint. The Heights isn't usually my go to area for Mexican food, but I put my trust in Michelin for this one and they delivered. Casual set up where you order at the counter, and they bring the food to your table. They also have a large selection of pastries which looked amazing and a variety of teas and coffees. Both times I've visited (weekday lunches), the place was consistently packed. I wouldn't recommend coming with a big group since seating is first come, first served and there aren't many large tables. Here's what I've tried so far: - Suadero Chilaquiles - The suadero was bursting with flavor, and the sauce brought a nice level of spice without being overwhelming. - Pambazo de Puerco - MUST TRY! The pork was insanely flavorful, and the guajillo salsa paired with morita mayo created an explosion of taste. The homemade bread sealed the deal. This dish was a masterpiece and my personal favorite so far. - Huarache de Pollo - Another dish great flavor--the chicken was perfectly cooked and the masa cake was delicious. That said, $13 for such a small simple dish seems a bit much to me. - Piloncillo Chai - Chai and Mexican brown sugar? Say less! This combo was perfection. Sweet, but not overwhelming. The place is spotless, the service is decent, and the food is great. Well deserved Bib Gourmand award. I highly recommend giving it a try! read more

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Been a couple of times and really enjoyed it! My only complaint is how long the line can be sometimes and how small the parking lot is. That's definitely deterred us from eating here a few times, but when we've managed to make the wait, the food is delicious. My husband and I love the huarache. I've been wanting to try their pan dulce too (specifically the conchas) but they've been sold out every time we've gone. Might need to get there earlier. Restaurant interior is nice but every time we've been it's felt very busy and crowded. It's probably a little more peaceful on a weekend. read more

The food was decent, pricey, but decent. What I didn't care for was the seating issues. First problem is entitled people thinking their party of 2 deserves to sit at a 5 person table. So in a way I'm glad there's someone monitoring that. The other issue is that because there's someone monitoring the seating, those of us with kids or strollers can't just go sit while our significant others order for us. You have to wait until you order to be seated. Double edge sword. Probably for the cost alone, I would not return. But it was nice to try at least 1x. read more

CasaEma - Mocha latte and horchata latte - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I see why this place earned a Michelin bib gourmand! It is busy with a long line to order midday on the weekend but the line moves at a reasonable pace and the staff are helpful in pointing out open tables. Servers are really nice and food comes out fairly quickly considering how busy it is. Pastries are beautiful! The cake donuts are quite tasty. The guava lime corn donut was so unique, the donut batter definitely had a prominent corn flavor similar to cornbread. The guava queso empanada was flaky and the filling was delicious. The coffee menu has some fun items. I really enjoyed the chai, very flavorful! The horchata latte was a little underwhelming, it didn't actually taste like it had any espresso in it. Only milk options are whole milk or oat milk. The French toast is beautiful, the brioche bread is fluffy and hearty. The jam and whipped topping are a nice pairing without being too sweet. The mole enchiladas are super filling and savory, the tortilla tastes homemade and has very nice structural integrity, it holds the meat well! The suadero chilaquiles was my favorite, the tortillas are crisp and thick, the serving is brisket is generous, and the green salsa is a perfect complement. The staff member taking orders also suggested trying it with chicken and red sauce so I'll have to get that next time! I'd love to come back and try the other menu items. There's a small parking lot with street parking close by. read more

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We sat outside. Great energized vibes. The food is super tasty and delicious with nice performance. I had Tetela mushroom and chilaquiles with Cappuccino and Guava queso empanadas.service is good but very controlling . read more

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We came here on a Sunday afternoon with some friends for a later brunch. The ordering style is casual - order at the counter and find a table to sit at. They recommend family style. The weather was nice so we were luckily able to sit outside- they have 4 or 5 tables outside and looks like they allow dogs too. They had several coffee and pastry items, but I opted for a pineapple agua fresca (delicious and refreshing) and we shared several plates. Chilaquiles: 4/5, decent - nothing to write home about. They were able to sub chicken in for the brisket due to our dietary restrictions, which was nice. Papaya salad - 4/5 - I feel like this is what I have seen a lot of pictures of when I see Ema mentioned, so I wanted to try it. It was okay - what you would expect for some papaya, granola and yogurt. Mussels - 4/5 - wish these had a bit more flavor, but they were good Cauliflower- 5/5 - definitely the best item we got. Mushroom tetela- 4/5 French toast - 4/5 Overall, it was good - but for it being a Michelin bib mention, I think we were expecting a bit more. read more

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Enjoyed breakfast here very much. It is not a very large space, it's in the corner of a strip center. It is counter ordering only. There is generally a line out the door to get to the register to order and NO you cannot go hold a table for your party while the others stand in line to order. They have signs asking you not to do this and a dedicated person watching to make sure no one does this. The elote muffin is exquisite!! I could eat a dozen by myself LOL The vibe is bright, clean and a lot of movement, of you are looking for quiet and intimate this is not it. They also have patio seating. It's nice if your not starving because the line is a wait and to find an open table can be a wait also. However, the food is great, the pastry selections are delicious and so are the hot dishes. Enjoy! read more

CasaEma - Hot chocolate, cortado, guava empanada, elote muffin & huchatah - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Very busy but worth the wait! There's usually a line out the door but it moves pretty quickly. Once you order the food comes out quick. Definitely try the pastries, they have some very unique flavors. The Chilaquiles and pap skillet was very flavorful. Highly recommend coming here for brunch. read more

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My God! What a place. Exquisite traditional Mexican flavor with an elevated elegant "chef like" taste. You order at the counter and the food is brought to you. They have an elegant selection of sweet bread. They have a wide coffee selection. I had the cortado which was top notch. Would say their coffee game is excellent. The chilaquiles were exquisite and filling. Home made and authentic yet still a step up from what I had before. Accompanied with a spicy savory chipotle sauce you can add. The french toast was also great. For ambiance, it's a cool relaxing atmosphere but it does get busy! Parking can be a headache as it is not entirely clear what's fair game to park and there are limited spots (3) right next to the place. Must come! read more

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super yummy and sweet staff! i got the chorizo skillet and it was a bit spicy but so yummy. a little on the salty side read more

CasaEma - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

Food was amazing!! Excellent service, quick and efficient. Top items to order - Horchata Latte - Chicharron(pork belly) very good - Chilaquiles great flavor! Accommodating for kids as well. read more

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I've followed them since they first started as a pop up at urban harvest and I love the recognition they've recently gotten since they've opened up Ema. I've stopped by a few times during lunch and it's usually pretty crowded. The line can be a little slow but the food comes out fast once you order. Drinks: I've pretty much enjoyed most of the drinks they've had here. They usually have a seasonal special on the menu Food: Chilaquiles: 5/5 the flavors are great and the chips stay so crispy even with the sauce Huarache de pollo: 4.5/5 the masa cake wasn't too heavy and the toppings complimented each other so well Chicharron: 4.5/5 the sautéed onions were so good. Pork belly was a little on the fatty side but still enjoyed it Mole enchiladas: 4/5 solid mole but other dishes stand out more to me Papaya salad: 3.5/5 this isn't your Asian papaya salad but more like papaya with yogurt like a fruit bowl I've also had a few of their pastries. I'm not a huge fan of conchas but theirs are the best I've tried. I also enjoyed the guava pasty and horchata berlinesa. Overall, this is a great spot for a lunch catch up or brunch. Customer service has always been helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. I love the flavors and food that they serve here and it's one of my favorite spots to show my friends! read more

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3.7 stars. Along with several others, I've had Ema on my list since they received a Michelin Bib. Came as a group of 3 at 12:30 pm on a Saturday and waited approx 20 minutes to order. You have to order at the counter before you can take a seat. From our most to least favorite: Suadero chilaquiles - 4.5/5 This had great flavor and a generous amount of brisket. Only complaint was the amount of sauce given, which caused the chips to become soggy quickly (and we ate this as soon as it was served) Mushroom tostada - 4.2/5 This was packed with flavor and definitely has a nice kick! The tostada stayed crispy despite all the toppings. Huarache de pollo - 3/5 Chicken was dry and I wasn't a fan of the smoky flavor - left an odd aftertaste Drinks: Iced horchata latte - nothing spectacular but maybe I'm just not a fan of horchata. Wouldn't get again Aguas fresca - this was so unique and refreshing! citrus-y with a hint of guava Overall it was a satisfying and unique meal! read more

Amazing food, reminds me of CDMX! Go early enough for the pastries, they run out on the weekends before noon.

I was finally able to try Ema for brunch today, and it was worth the wait! I parked in the very unassuming, shared parking lot 20 minutes before they opened. At that point, there were at least 2 cars already parked. Once they opened at 8am for weekend service, I was the 4th in line to order. I used the 20 minutes in the parking lot to decide what I'd order, which includes the puerco mole enchiladas, piplan rojo cauliflower, and taco de zanahoria. Without a doubt, the carrot taco was my favorite dish. It was savory and the tastes and flavors went extremely well together. The cauliflower was a close second, and included a sauce that had a little kick. All in all, it took about 10 minutes to order and about 12-15 minutes for me to get my to-go bag. Definitely one place I'll try again. read more

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I love this spot for coffee or Matcha or brunch!! One of my favorite because it's very close to where I live, and because it's so tasty! The restaurant has a lot of seating but fills up VERY quickly. The space isn't that large, and you have to line up to order drinks and food. If you plan on going with more than 2 people you definitely need to get there fairly early if you would like to sit. There is also not a lot of parking, so you may have to park a few streets over and walk. I love the horchata latte, Matcha latte, the Chilaquiles, Chicharron, and pastries. The food always arrives hot and fresh and is perfect for brunch. Definitely recommend!! read more

CasaEma - Matcha and Latte - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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