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    Dona Chela

    4.0 (52 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Dona Chela Photos

    Business Info

    DONA CHELA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Dona Chela

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    Caldo de reyes with plenty of meat and vegetables that might I note were not over cooked nor soggy.
    Elena V.

    Excelente!!! Authentic food for sure. I've been under the weather so soup was on my radar. Did a quick search and this spot was recommended. The location is close to another neighborhood favorite so I don't think I would have ever considered this place but the reviews won me over. We went on a Thursday evening for dinner. Parking was easy and we were greeted and seated upon our arrival. It wasn't packed but there were other customers which is a good sign. Since it was our first visit we decided to order several options. I tried the caldo de reyes and my husband ordered the enchiladas. Both dishes were prepared with love and care as the taste was on point. We also tried the 3 taco plate. I'm certain the tortillas were not made in-house but that's not uncommon so no biggie there. I doubt I'd order this again although my husband enjoyed the plate. I also noted the freshness of the onions and cilantro. They served the salsa warm, the food hot and the agua fresca was chilled. I was not disappointed. The overall look of the building itself is dated and needs some TLC. However do not let that keep you from trying it out.

    a table and chairs in a restaurant
    Mike M.

    I had dinner a couple of weeks ago on a weeknight for the first time while in the general area. It's located in a run down strip center (with parking in front) and close to the Gulf freeway. The interior is well lit and clean and is a table service restaurant. I ordered chicken fajitas with homemade corn tortillas and charro beans for $12.49. Yes, that price is correct! First to arrive were the complimentary chips and red salsa. The chips were of the firmer kind and the salsa was warm, salty and tasty. The entree arrived about 10 minutes later and consisted of a sizzling platter that had a decent amount of chicken along with onions, bell peppers and a tomato slice and lime too. I started with the charro beans. They had a good amount of content that included onions and peppers along with the beans and I enjoyed them. The fajitas with the homemade corn torts was also good tasting and while my table service was slow that night I enjoyed this meal giving it a 3.5. I round it up to a 4 due to its price. A real value. Nothing fancy here but Dona Chela is a value oriented Tex Mex restaurant if you are in the area.

    Menudo
    Eddie C.

    The authentic Mexican food was great, and the customer service was friendly and attentive. Cecil, our waitress, was excellent--always checking on us and making sure we had everything we needed.

    Refreshing topochico and small Chile con queso
    Kim K.

    This place is a hidden gem! Found this place with a coworker and decided to have lunch here. I ordered a la carte taco and a quesadilla. The tortillas are fresh and the fajita is well seasoned. My coworker ordered the burrito and it was the size of Texas! The burrito was filled with your choice of meat, he chose the chicken fajita, beans, rice, lettuce, and topped with Chile con queso. Sour cream optional. Food is delicious and definitely a bang for your buck.

    Migas plate
    Amanda C.

    This place is one of my husband's favorites. They recently made updates to their tables, chairs and menus, and it looks good. Their food is authentic and they have a variety of dishes to choose from. I believe they order their tortillas. They're not the best but they're close to being handmade. Their salsas are also pretty good. The green one is spicy when it's not diluted and the red one tastes better when served warm.

    Machacado was incredible
    John S.

    Pulled up on a Sunday mourning and the parking lot was nearly full , every waitress was going at full speed with huge bows of menudo going to almost every table. I read thew many yelp reviews of breakfast in the area but choose Dona chela because the pictures of the potato's looked interesting. Those thick sliced potatoes are delicious the perfect companion to the muchacado. Tortillas were screaming hot right of the griddle . Such a reasonably priced meal , portions are huge! After that breakfast I wasn't hungry for ten hours!

    Mexicana Style Eggs w/jalapeno and onions.
    Angelo C.

    Dona Chelas is a hidden gem Mexican restaurant. It has great Mexican food with hand made tortillas. The tortillas are fresh and perfect for any delicious dish. The salsa (green and red) have just the right spice. Great breakfast, lunch and dinner.

    Horchata
    Aron G.

    First time here and it was great. Pick this place from others reviews. Staff is friendly and great service. The food portion are big and at a good price. Everything we ordered was home made. The only I didn't like was the horchata. It was not home made. Overall I would definitely recommend this place. Safe Travels. Prost

    Fideo small
    Desiree B.

    What would I do without this amazing hole in the wall Mexican restaurant. The service is always amazing but then again we have been going to this place for years. I have gotten multiple items for their menu and have never been disappointed. My grandmother and I probably go once or twice a week and of course I've introduced plenty of friends and family members to this place. And they also have one of the best micheladas in my opinion. The place looks a little fishy from outside and the inside may not be up to your standards, but when you come from the hood, it's all about the food. I'm actually going here today for lunch :)

    Fajita burrito, yummy!

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    2 years ago

    Food was great service was ok got the chicken enchiladas.Also got a tostada everything taste good and price was affordable

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food is amazing!!!! This is my go to Mexican spot right down the street from my house, and their prices aren't over the top

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Food is always good, service is a little slow. Parking can be a pain in the ..... sometimes but overall I would recommend this place.

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    5 years ago

    my grandma kept recommending this place so I finally tried it for lunch one day. i love how the huevos rancheros came with potatoes.

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    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe - Queso + Beef

    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe

    3.9(895 reviews)
    9.9 miThe 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!

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    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe
    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe - Queso + Beef

    Queso + Beef

    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe - Fajita Salad

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    Fajita Salad

    Maximo - Tostada

    Maximo

    4.6(173 reviews)
    9.5 miWest 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!

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    Maximo
    Maximo - Tres Leches

    Tres Leches

    Maximo - Paloma Coconut Punch & a classic Margarita.

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    Paloma Coconut Punch & a classic Margarita.

    Dona Leti's - Mini fajita steak street tacos

    Dona Leti's

    4.0(674 reviews)
    11.0 miThe 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.

    Photos
    Dona Leti's - Bar

    Bar

    Dona Leti's - Street Taco

    Street Taco

    Dona Leti's - Passion fruit margarita with a shot of Grand Marnier.

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    Passion fruit margarita with a shot of Grand Marnier.

    Candente - Museum District - Beans and rice

    Candente - Museum District

    4.1(641 reviews)
    7.6 miMuseum District, Montrose
    $$

    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!

    Ambiance: The restaurant is huge and there is tons of seating. The service was also decent. There…read moreis a wide selection of food on the menu as well. Queso: The queso was pretty good! I saw the social media videos of them using real blocked cheese. It was good if you like white cheese queso. There was some tomatoes in there and you can add any meat. The chips were also good they weren't too greasy. Chicken/beef fajitas: This is such a classic dish! The onions on there were really good and had a slight smoky flavor. The beef was good as well and it was cooked to like a medium rare. The chicken was okay it lacked depth.

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    Candente - Museum District
    Candente - Museum District - When in Rome

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    Candente - Museum District - Skinny margarita (large)

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    Skinny margarita (large)

    Dona Chela - mexican - Updated September 2026

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