Don Carlos Mexican Restaurants

Private events

Catering service

Fast seating even when full. Enough time to walk to the bar order margaritas then be seatedread more

Wow. Definitely the best beef and chicken fajitas I have ever tasted. Our server Manuel was…read moreamazing. Ninfas, the magic of food in every bite. A legend of seasoning and flavor.

5.6 mi•Midtown, Fourth Ward, Montrose

Decor

Cochinita Pibil

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Margarita

Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina

4.2(296 reviews)

Food was great, drinks were so good, vibes were so chill and service was great, definitely…read morereturning for brunch!!

Not my first time at Maderas. That's why I came back because it was excellent and my friends heard…read moreme rave about it and they suggested we come here. Arrived on Sunday evening around 7:30. Was sat immediately. Not my first time here so I knew the menu, my friends did not. So they needed time to see what drinks they wanted because they like cocktails and the menu is not small and they had to choose which ones they wanted because the options are good. When they decided, the cocktails straggled out. Two came out but the other two did not, They just sat at the bar as my friends sat with there with their drinks in front of them waiting on ours so we can toast to a wonderful day with a new member of the group. You would have thought the other staff would step in or at least the bartender would see that the waiter was in the weeds and needed help. That's when I knew we should have not come. The food was all lukw warm. The appetizer of queso was like warm with chunks of cheese floating around and some of the chips were fresh and others stale. A mixed bag you can say. My Flautas where luke warm, so was the side of beans and rice. My friends said their tacos were okay. My friend who got the Caesar Salad, there was no dressing on the salad not was there a side of dressing that came with it. We had to ask for it. I did not have the energy to try to keep wrangling the waiter. If you want to shut the kitchen down early because the day was long I get it. Let the customer know, I get it. I used to wait tables to but I would never give people luke warm food or luke service. The staff seems not to have one anothers back. I did not eat my food, I took my food home to reheat it so I could eat it at the proper temperature. My friend took his salad home because he had more Caesar dressing at home. Left a bad taste in my mouth and very disappointed. The service and food from the last time compared to this visit was night and day. Total miss. $200.00 thrown away. I paid because I could not let my friends waiste there money on someplace I raved about. Maderas is really a small cute spot. It's rare I have bad service when I go out to eat because I am not a difficult customer and I know I am not the only one they are serving. I will wait for good food and sit back and enjoy the atmosphere and my friends until it arrives. I would not put pressure on the staff or the kitchen. Also I will not arrive just before closing and make a resteraunt and it's staff stay open late because I am hungry. I rather come when the staff and the restaurant wants to recieve customers.

Right side entry

Rice & Beans

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Chicken Enchiladas

Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe

3.9(896 reviews)

7.2 mi•The Heights

When they say "everything is bigger in Texas," they weren't kidding. The size of the margarita was…read morebigger than my hand. If you want leftovers, this is your place to go. It was my first time trying out Tex mex style. It was so busy on a Saturday evening. The chips that were given to each table was incredibly warm and the sauces paired so well. I ordered the el manarco which is this giant piece of steak that was well charred, included this avacado and seafood grit sauce, rice + soup + gauconole/salsa. They gave me 4 giant house made tortillas which was also fresh and warm. This meal can be finished by two people. Definitely come here on an empty stomach and the portions are absolutely massive.

Guys, you know I dont post a review unless a dish is a straight 10/10…read more The breakfast I just had warrants a 10/10 review at the Airline blvd location. I just had the Machacado con Huevo breakfast dish here and it was so incredibly good-So good! it was one of the best breakfasts Ive ever had. seriously.I will definitely be back for this breakfast. I recommend getting it with red and green sauce on the side and a side of tortillas ro make your own tacos with the eggs, salsa and refried beans. just wow! And that tamale needs its own menu. That tamale was amazing. I would get several orders of that soft white tamale by itself to go. And the service was a 10/10. They kept refilling my red and green sauce and kept checking up on me throughout. Ambience was great as always. Its a life changing dish. Thanks Teotihuacan for the great breakfast and great service! Yall deserve a well-earned review!

8.1 mi•Upper Kirby, West University

Queso + Beef

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Fajita Salad

Guadalajara Mexican Grille

4.0(593 reviews)

We were greeted and welcomed warmly and received excellent service. Our glasses were never empty. I…read morehad the amazing Mixed Green Salad with Cilantro Lime dressing and Grilled Salmon - the salmon was seasoned and grilled to perfection, easily one of the best grilled salmon fillets that I have ever tasted. Hubby thoroughly enjoyed the Beef Enchilada and Chicken Taco Al Carbon with rice and charro beans. I had to photograph our friend's Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes with Shrimp and Lump Crab because it was so beautiful. She assured me that it tasted as good as it looked.

Guadalajara's is one of our favorite restaurants. We have picked up a few to-go orders as well as…read moredined in and normally always have great experiences. I will say, if you are within happy hour, sit in the bar area. We typically don't so we sat in the main dining area our last visit and ironically ordered everything that was on the happy hour menu and spent double what we would have. Our loss though and learned our lesson. Otherwise the food always seems like good quality, fresh, flavorful and delicious. Margaritas are great and service is usually good. We visit multiple Guadalajara's because we think they are one of the best Tex-Mex in Houston.

7.0 mi•Montrose, River Oaks

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Mexican Sugar Houston Montrose

4.2(686 reviews)

•$$$

Visited for Houston restaurant week…read more It was our first time trying this place out. After being seated, it took 20 minutes for the server to come to our table and take our drink order. It took another 20 minutes to get the restaurant week menu we had asked for. The food and drinks were good and the ambience was nice, however, the service really tainted the whole experience.

Had a great time with the family! The place is beautiful and the food is exquisite ask for Monica…read moreif you want a good dining experience!

Machete Margarita

Arepas

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Mexican Sugar - beautiful lighting

Maximo

4.6(174 reviews)

8.8 mi•West University

•$$$

Maximo looks like someone invited the desert inside and poured it a drink. The room is colorful,…read morewarm, and genuinely inviting--pots of cactus, cowboy paintings, and Mexican art. At brunch, the papas bravas come as small cubes of fried potato with an airy crunch that gives way to a soft, pillowy center - the kind of deeply satisfying bite that makes conversation briefly irrelevant. Crisp prosciutto adds salt, aioli brings richness, and smoky chile sauce keeps it lively. They're served with cactus-handled toothpicks, which are almost offensively adorable. The chilaquiles divorciados are another hit. The chips are dressed with salsa rather than drowned beneath it, so each one arrives ready for the perfect bite. It's a small distinction, but an important one. Then there are the enfrijoladas: rolled quesadillas in fluffy tortillas, covered in creamy black bean sauce and plated with more care than bean and cheese might seem to warrant. The dish is fundamentally simple, but that's the point. Soft tortilla, savory beans, melted cheese, bright salsa. Familiar ingredients transformed into something deeply comforting--the culinary equivalent of curling up beneath a warm blanket on a cold morning, even if Houston rarely provides one. Dinner shifts into another gear. The crudos are sensational, especially the tuna tiradito - a rolling wave of flavor and texture. The tacos are excellent across the board, but the crispy maitake mushrooms are unmatched. The short ribs arrive juicy and tender on a mole negro that doesn't sit politely in the background. It lands dark, complex, and full of flavor. And then there's the masa cornbread, a masterpiece of unapologetic indulgence. Humble cornbread meets savory-sweet mole, smoky, earthy butter, and caviar. It sounds like too much. It isn't. Every element earns its place. The cocktails deserve their own warning. They're the kind that convince you to keep ordering the same drink all night. By the end, you may have forgotten what was in it. What you'll remember is that it was refreshing, perfectly balanced, and exactly what you needed. Maximo makes ambitious food feel generous rather than fussy. Come hungry.

I came here to celebrate my friend's birthday, and I'm so happy I finally got to try this…read moreestablishment! I would definitely recommend making a reservation, as it can get pretty busy, especially during Saturday lunch. There is also plenty of parking available across the street. The interior of the restaurant was beautiful and felt so authentic to Mexican culture. Our server, Kylah, was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and so kind throughout our entire dining experience. Now onto the food; everything was absolutely delicious. The Avocado Mollete and Chilaquiles Divorciados were both packed with so much flavor. Every bite was amazing. I had heard that the pancakes were the star of the show, and they definitely lived up to the hype. I have never had pancakes this crispy before, and they were so good! Our server also brought out a birthday surprise, the Chocolate Cremoso, and it was delicious! It was such a sweet touch to the celebration. Honestly, everything my party ordered was so flavorful and delicious. We had such a great experience, and I genuinely cannot wait to come back!

Tres Leches

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Paloma Coconut Punch & a classic Margarita.

Dona Leti's

4.0(677 reviews)

9.0 mi•The Heights

Dona Leti's is truly one of Houston's absolute gems, and it will ALWAYS be my go-to! From the owner…read moreto every single member of the staff, the hospitality is unmatched. You are not simply served here--you are welcomed, appreciated, and treated like family. Three weeks ago, I was actually headed here wanting to celebrate, but life changed in an instant with the passing of my dad. Today, I finally made it back, and what a beautiful full-circle moment it was. One of the greatest gifts was being able to see Julio, the owner, celebrating his own special day. That made the experience even more meaningful. The food is consistently AMAZING, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the service goes above and beyond every single time. You can feel the love, pride, and genuine care that has been poured into this establishment. I love EVERYTHING about Dona Leti's--the food, the people, the energy, the hospitality, and the way they make every visit feel special. Five stars simply aren't enough. If you're looking for incredible food and an experience that feels like home, Dona Leti's is the place. Forever a customer and forever recommending this Houston favorite!

I had an extremely disappointing experience here yesterday--unfortunately, we never even made it to…read moredinner. The experience started poorly with the valet attendants, whom we found to be rude, dismissive, and very unprofessional. It was such an unpleasant first impression that my wife and I mentioned it to the hostess when we went inside. Unfortunately, things did not improve. The hostess seemed completely unconcerned about our experience and simply informed us that the wait for a table was approximately two hours. While deciding whether our party should wait or go elsewhere, I went to the bar to order a drink. After ordering, the bartender told me that if I was only having a drink, I needed to move. Apparently, sitting at the bar required ordering a meal. At that point, we had experienced enough. Between the unpleasant valet experience, the indifferent response at the hostess stand, the two-hour wait, and then being told I couldn't sit at the bar simply to have a drink while we decided what to do, the overall message was clear: we did not feel welcome here. My wife, the rest of our party, and I decided to leave and have dinner elsewhere. A busy restaurant is understandable. A long wait is understandable. What is much harder to understand is making prospective customers feel unwelcome at nearly every point of contact. Needless to say, this was an exceptionally disappointing experience, and we will not be returning.

Bar

Street Taco

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Passion fruit margarita with a shot of Grand Marnier.

Ambriza

4.5(1.8k reviews)

24.6 mi

Family-owned & operated

Veteran-owned & operated

Get the pork belly bites and their cocktails are delicious…read more If you're here on a Sunday for brunch and have a sweet tooth the French toast is unforgettable. No other French toast will come close. Their homemade sauces make more tantalizing. If you like salty spicy, get the jojo sauce. I don't think it's on the menu And to finish, personally I like cocktails but their fresh filled churros are super fun. And can't beat the fresh factor! Brandon is an excellent attentive server. He knows the menu in and out. He'll steer you right. It's a neighborhood gem

Visited Ambriza for the first time and it honestly impressed me. The ambiance is really nice --…read morewarm, lively, and just a cool place to sit and enjoy a meal. Service was top‑notch, especially from Maritza, who took great care of us the entire time. Since it was our first visit, they surprised us with complimentary street corn, and it was fantastic. We ordered the veggie and the Pastel Azteca. Everything tasted fresh, and the chicken was cooked perfectly. I didn't love the Pastel Azteca, but I've never had it before, so that's more about my taste than the dish itself. Overall, great service, great vibe, and really good food. I'd definitely come back.

6.3 mi•Museum District, Montrose

Veggie enchiladas

TEQUILA Wall

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Street corn

Candente - Museum District

4.1(643 reviews)

What better way to kick off a Texas trip than getting some highly-regarded tex-mex! Some coworkers…read morerecommended this spot to me so I had to try! It's in the Museum District/Montrose area, so pretty accessible and with plenty of parking. We got seated immediately, and there was a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating, the latter of which was great even on a humid day. The menu was pretty extensive with your Tex-Mex classics like fajitas and enchiladas, with a special for every day of the week. This time was a free upgrade to a large fajita, so I went with the chicken fajitas! It came out after about 20 minutes with all of the fixings and this very yummy buttery sauce. I haven't had too many fajitas, but I'm pretty confident this is a top spot!

More like Can't Dente…read more Not a fan. The food actually isn't bad, by any means, it's just not my thing. I'm not into Tex-Mex. Houston has some of the greatest Mexican food in the world, and for me Tex-Mex never compares. But of course it is beloved by some Houstonians, plenty of Texans and lots of tourists, and as far as Tex Mex goes, Candente (where I've only eaten 3 times) is around average. A little higher priced and higher end than some of the busier and more well known local chains, but similar in quality and bland taste. The Fajitas are my fave thing on the menu, but nothing to write home about. The reason I took off a star (was going to give 3) is because of some personal issues I have with them. When picking up an order here, you get a notification to say, come to the store. That happens to me when I pick up take out in a lot of places, these days, and when I do, it is either ready, or it takes 5 more min or 10 more min (because they mark it ready when it is not. Generally I'm okay with it, if it's less than 10 min. Candente? 20 min or 30 min. Even when it's not busy. They'll mark orders as ready (to make themselves look efficient I imagine) even when they are completely dead, and then will not actually start cooking the order until you get there to pick it up (I know, because I see people come in at the same time I'm there to pick up, order a similar thing, and 20-30 min theirs and mine comes out at a similar time). So just frustrating, is all. The owner is a Texan guy from Kingwood, he also owns the Pit Room BBQ nearby, which is similarly very fancy and successful. Don't let my bad experiences here put you off from trying it. If you want a list of real Mexican gems (and mostly dirt cheap), ask me, but you won't find any Tex Mex on there at all, to be honest. Just not my thing, in the same way that I think American Chinese take away has nothing on Chinese Chinese, such as Sichuan or Xi'an or Hunan cooking.

5.9 mi•Fourth Ward, Montrose

When in Rome

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Skinny margarita (large)

Toca Madera

4.0(666 reviews)

•$$$

Free WiFi

Live music

Food was excellent Services Amiyat and Ashley make…read morewonderful experience Nice place the ambience Is phenomenal

Fabulous queso, Fresh tortillas. Salsa awesome, I had filet my girlfriend steak tacos also awesome…read more It's her new favorite place and she's a native Houstonian.

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7 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Serge G.

629

21

0

9 years ago

Great place to go with friends and family. I've been to a lot of Mexican restaurants and this one is among my top 5 favorite places. The waitress was nice and friendly to us. She was very accommodating to our specific needs. The food was good and very well priced for what we get. The live music gives a great atmosphere in the restaurant. We really liked it and definitely a place to go again for great Mexican food! read more

Leia G.

10

68

122

8 years ago

Absolutely delicious! Love the service and the food and margaritas! I ordered chicken flautas and they were delicious and tender and not over fried. Been coming here for years and I've never been disappointed! I've order the carna guisda as well! So tender and no over salted. It also comes with a chicken soup. read more

Steven C.

0

8

0

11 years ago

I love this place. Great Authentic Mexican food as well as Tex Mex for friends. You have to try the Shrimp Cocktail. It is fantastic! What other Mexican restaurant brings queso to every table when you sit down??? Don Carlos rocks! You guys need one in the Clear Lake area! read more

Mr F.

1

29

11

11 years ago

I came here plenty of times as a kid. Loved their food at one point. Now, it seems as if they quality of the food has taken a hit. Wouldn't recommend. read more

Grey L.

0

1

0

4 years ago

wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww restaurant

Minh N.

0

9

0

12 years ago

This is a really good gem. I went the other day and got the echiladas. They were amazing!!! Great prices too!

Steven C.

0

3

0

11 years ago

Great Fajita Nachos and much more!

Don Carlos Mexican Restaurants - mexican - Updated September 2026

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El Mesquite

4.6

(30 reviews)

I've been coming here since 2016. My family was first introduced to this restaurant by the owner of…read moreCompean Funeral Home while we were planning my grandma's funeral. Because of that, this place will always remind me of her. A lot has changed over the last 10 years, but one thing that has remained consistent is the great service. They've expanded their menu, updated their prices (which is understandable with how expensive everything is now!), added more decor, and even added margarita machines. Everything I've tried here tastes authentic, but my favorite part is their walk-up food station because it's the food that reminds me most of home. My go-to plates are the carne guisada and asado de puerco, both served with rice and refried beans. Their flour tortillas are delicious (sometimes a bit hard) but still fresh and tasty. The staff is always friendly, and the food is consistently good. Whether you're stopping by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this is a great spot for homey Mexican food. I'll definitely continue coming back for years to come.

Where did we stop?! This is legit a diamond in Broadway! We arrived and were greeted immediately…read more We were offered the food bar with a menu as we sat. Of course I went to look at the food and to my surprise they had chiles rellenos, guisados and more. Well, let me tell you, the BEST CARNE GUISADA we have eaten! And that chile relleno was filled with carne molida con papas and queso, WOW WOW WOW. We got a Gordita, we got tacos de tripas, the fajita was tasty. I give this diamond a 100! I will come back!! We asked Roman how long that restaurant had been open and he said "31 years" what!!!! Where have we been!!! Come you won't be disappointed. Now I want to come on Sundays for their live music from 11am to 2pm.

Don Rey Mexican Restaurant

3.8

(56 reviews)

Food was just ok. Reviews were off! Why use that fabuloso crap next to me when im eating? IDGAF…read morethat yall are close to closing. I don't need that smell all up and around me trying to eat. A big let down!! Consider this a zero star rating.

Food was soo yummy. We ordered 5 burritos (3 fajita, 1 pastor, 1 barbacoa), a chicken flauta plate,…read moreand a mini taco plate. We all loved the food. The burritos are HUGE! So price:portion ratio is so good. Only thing tho, their drive-thru was down. There was a paper posted that told us to call a number to order which was a big inconvenience for us. The parking lot is quite small and made us hard to navigate to find a parking spot. The restaurant was packed! Which is good! Service was great they brought our food to our car since we had ordered over the phone due to the drive-thru being down.

El Charro Mexican Bar & Grill

3.7

(126 reviews)

We love this place, drive from Pearland to Magnolia for the good food, good prices and…read moremargaritas!!! My only complaint is TOO MUCH chicharon in the charro beans. I want more beans please.

First time here, and I had breakfast. The service was excellent! The huevos rancheros were…read moreexceptional, and the coffee was great. The restaurant was very clean, and it's just about 200 feet from the metro rail stop.

Don Chile Mexican Restaurant

3.8

(76 reviews)

After a disappointing cheese enchilada plate at another place last night, en route back from Clear…read moreLake, I remembered I had made a note about a place at 635 McCarty. I don't know how it had come to my attention. I decided to give cheese enchiladas one more try before I got back on my calorie counting. And today was the day. Steam rising from the piping hot salsa picante. Like being in a little restaurant along either side of the border in South Texas. I wish that I could remember who had mentioned this place to me. I learned that the restaurant has been here for 37 years. Several of the ladies on staff came over to visit and see how everything was going. Super friendly staff. Big smiles. How were the cheese enchiladas? CLASSIC VINTAGE AND RETRO TEX-MEX ... and that is high praise from me

If you are looking for real authentic Mexican food do not come here you will be disappointed. The…read morerice tasted like the pre made rice bags from the grocery stores.. I usually don't write reviews but this was absolutely unpleasant food. Our server was great! unfortunately the food was not good :/.

Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant

3.9

(298 reviews)

Of the three Mexican restaurants in South Houston I've tried, this is my favorite. To be fully…read moreup-front, this meal was an employer-paid dinner for about 30 people, after a training, so the food (but not drink) was pre-selected. The decor is quaint with dark wood and colorful tile, so it can get pretty noisy, especially in one of the party rooms, but it was fun. The service was fast, especially given the size of our group. The food was tasty and flavorful. Our appetizers were nachos that had two kinds on the same plate: chicken with white cheese and beef with cheddar, and a generous dollop of fresh guacamole in the middle of the plate. So much better than cheese sauce! The chips came with fairly standard red and green salsas. Flavorful, but not hot. A nicely smoky and spicy habanero sauce was available on request (the first decently hot food I've found in Houston). The main course was chicken and beef fajitas, with beans, rice, cheese and pico de gallo. The flavors were robust, with nice, warm and fresh tortillas. A mix of the regular salsa and habanero sauce paired beautifully. Lastly, the margaritas were tasty: fruity with a nice kick, and Tajin on the rim.

The reviews are right. This is an outstanding authentic Mexican restaurant. The food was so…read moredelicious, that we bought one extra to take home.

Taquerias El Alteno

3.3

(57 reviews)

Nice workers good authentic mexican food Very safe they…read morewill decline service to ice agents who try to intervene with anyone in restaurant The people there are nice

The charro bean soup was excellent with chicharrón in it and very well seasoned. The homemade…read moretortillas were pretty good for a restaurant, and the salsa was warm and not too spicy. You can ask for green salsa ; I didn't. I heard other people asking for it. My caldo de res was good. I am a hard critic but the amount and flavor hit the spot. Service is good. Restaurant can accommodate big groups

Casa Morales

4.3

(45 reviews)

Just updating my review with another hugely positive experience! This is hands-down, my favorite…read moreMexican restaurant in Houston. The tortillas are unbelievable and today I had the carne guisada and it was incredible! The cafe de olla is on point and the best in Houston! The owner is always there and greets everyone in the restaurant. It's a perfect spot. What can you say? It's great!

Revisited Casa morales. Disappointed in the taste of the food and the cups used to service their…read morepopular cafe de olla. On this occasion, the café was too sweet(cup was chipped) and the chicharrones plate tastes bland. I ordered a taco of chorizo con huevo to help with the taste. The flour tortilla was too raw and still had too much flour powder, that it looked like baby powder on my hands. I used the tortillas that came with my wife's plate of chilaquiles to eat the egg. That afternoon I got sick and decided to fast the next day. This use to be a go to place on my list, but I think I'll try the new options in town. Hopefully if I revisit in the future, it will be better experience.

Taqueria El Nopalito

3.9

(14 reviews)

Amazingly fresh and authentic Mexican food. Great atmosphere and customer service with affordable…read moreprices.

I ordered the burrito supreme, only ate maybe half of the burrito because it's giant, and my…read morestomach has been hurting for the last 3 1/2 hours. Had to stop eating the food because I felt so nauseous while eating it. All the people that I went have been complaining of stomach issues as well.. one ordered the quesadilla, another one ordered the mini taquitos, and a kids pizza. All had the same thing in common except for the pizza which was beef fajita. Do what you want this information.

El Mirador Mexican Restaurant

4.1

(16 reviews)

Good food, friendly great service, love the variety. Love that its located in what looks to be a…read moresonic that moved its very nice, new and clean inside.

I dined with a group of 7 friends here for lunch. We had been on the Houston ship channel boat tour…read moreand were looking for something not to far away. We saw that this place had overall good reviews and what better to have when on Houston's east end than Mexican food! Service was prompt, the place is very clean and while it has a decor reminiscent of the 1960's with it's metal trimmed Formica counters and brightly painted walls it had a nice homey feeling like a good neighborhood diner should! We all got something different, I opted for a lighter lunch and had the grilled fish which came with rice and a salad and some steamed vegetables. The fish had nice spice to it, not to hot or anything but aromatic. I think it might have been tilapia but it was very fresh. Others has enchiladas and tacos and all were good. Our server kept our drinks refilled, we were so hot when we arrived. Was this the best Mexican food I have had? Well, maybe not but it was cooked and served by people who apparently love what they do and want to please their customers.

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4.5

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