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    Dona Chela

    4.0 (51 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 kids
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Dona Chela

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    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.

    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 :)

    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

    Fajita burrito, yummy!
    Sylvia R.

    My husband and I decided to try Dona Chela restaurant for the first time after reading the positive reviews. And we are so glad we did. My husband had the Super Burrito Juarez w/fajita and he loved them! He is very hard to please when it comes to food... So for him to love this burrito you know it gots to be good! I tried the Enchiladas Suizas (chicken enchiladas w/green sauce). They were so good! This is definitely our new spot. The food was very good and very authentic. I posted pics of the burrito and enchiladas, check them out!

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    13 years ago

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    8 years ago

    This is my to go restaurant when I don't wanna cook lol plus it's really really close to my house haha

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

    I had the Caldo de pollo! Very good great taste and lots is vegetables! Husband had mole and it was very Good also! We will be back

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    The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

    The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

    3.9
    (2.3k reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$
    Private events
    Catering service

    ernesto escobar was a great server, food was on point especially the carnitas and queso flameado.read more

    We're in Houston for the World Cup and were recommended Original Ninfa's by both a coworker and our…read moreLyft driver. We visited around 5:00 PM on a Sunday and were pleasantly surprised to be seated immediately for a party of two without a reservation. The restaurant is huge, and despite being very busy, the service was efficient. We were seated in one of the back dining rooms and greeted with complimentary chips and salsa, both of which were delicious. The atmosphere was fantastic--packed with World Cup fans, with what felt like everyone wearing a soccer jersey. As fellow futebol fans, we loved the energy. Being from California, we're fortunate to have access to some excellent Mexican food, so we were a little hesitant about trying Tex-Mex. I ordered the chicken fajitas with flour tortillas and a passion fruit margarita. The chicken had a smoky flavor and a sauce that gave the dish a distinctly Texas-style twist. The flour tortillas were outstanding, and the refried beans and rice were just as enjoyable. The passion fruit margarita was also a standout and something I'd definitely order again. Overall, this was a great dining experience and a place I'd recommend for the atmosphere alone. The restaurant appears well-equipped to accommodate large groups, making it a great option for gatherings. Next time, I'd love to return with a bigger group and take advantage of one of their margarita pitchers!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Cochinita Pibil
    Cochinita Pibil
    Margarita

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    Margarita
    Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina

    Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina

    4.2
    (292 reviews)
    7.4 mi
    $$

    Great food, nice ambience. We caught the happy hour special and sat outside. Generous and delicious…read moreportions. We got the flautas and the molcajete parrillada. We noticed most of the crowd was on the younger side 20s - 30s on the day we went and not many families.

    We visited Madera's for the first time recently and overall had a great first impression. The…read moreserver was attentive when needed but didn't hover or rush us. For drinks, my husband and our friends tried some of the margaritas from their large and unique margaritas menu, as well as their hibiscus agua fresca. All of the drinks were very pretty and it seemed like everyone enjoyed them, too! We started with their chips and salsa trio, which we all really liked. The chips were on the thicker side, but were crispy and not stale or chewy at all. Each of the salsas were quite different, and two were served warm, which we really liked! For the price, I'd consider getting the chips and salsa as a non-negotiable, honestly. For entrees, we tried the enchilada rojas, chilaquiles verde w/ chicken and beef, birria barbacoa ramen, and huaraches. My husband felt like his ramen could have included more meat, but aside from that everyone really enjoyed what they ordered. The highlight was probably the desserts, though! We got a quatro leches and two ordered of their giant and amazing churros. Both were incredibly tasty and reason enough to return for another visit in the future!

    Photos
    Right side entry
    Right side entry
    Rice & Beans
    Rice & Beans
    Chicken Enchiladas

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    Chicken Enchiladas
    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe

    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe

    3.9
    (888 reviews)
    9.9 mi
    $$

    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!

    Photos
    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe
    Queso + Beef
    Queso + Beef
    Fajita Salad

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    Fajita Salad
    Maximo

    Maximo

    4.6
    (163 reviews)
    9.5 mi
    $$$

    Great first visit to Maximo! Don't make it to Houston as much as I used to, but will definitely be…read moreback to visit. Really appreciate the staff and their recommendations on what to try. We had a few of the appetizers, mains, and beverage pairings. Favorites were the papas and pato! Happy hour from 4-6 on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. We enjoyed a family celebration, and although initially nervous to sit outside, it's plenty comfortable with their A/C setup! Look forward to the next visit!

    Unfortunately, our experience fell well below expectations. Upon arrival, the hostess was…read moreunfriendly and dismissive. We were simply told to "sit on the bench and wait" with no effort made to make us feel welcome or comfortable while waiting for our table. When making the reservation, we specifically requested either a quiet table or seating at the bar. Despite this, we were seated at a small table between two particularly noisy groups. On one side was a family with three young children playing a loud game involving frequent shouting and slapping on the table. There was intermittent drumming which the parents were oblivious to. On the other side was a large group facing us engaged in very loud ongoing conversation. The result was an atmosphere that made it difficult to enjoy the meal. Service was also inconsistent. Our server offered chips to accompany the Tiradito but she never brought them. Overall, the evening was disappointing. Between the unwelcoming reception from the dour hostess, noisy seating arrangement and lapses in service, the experience was far from enjoyable. Could not wait to leave.

    Photos
    Maximo
    Tres Leches
    Tres Leches
    Paloma Coconut Punch & a classic Margarita.

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    Paloma Coconut Punch & a classic Margarita.
    Candente - Museum District

    Candente - Museum District

    4.1
    (630 reviews)
    7.6 mi
    $$

    Great Tex Mex spot, been around for more than 10 years and they now have a Michelin star. Candente…read morehas a wonderful manager Nancy who is such a people person, great personality, and is always hosting events to make candente fun. There is Loteria nights and they announce this on their social media. All the staff are super friendly and attentive. If you need help anyone will help you. Restaurant is spacious indoor and also has a huge outdoor covered patio with fans and also an open patio. For their events I have been to Loteria nights and they give out prizes, it's fun while you grab a bite or a drink. They also have events where they bring in tequila brands and you can do free tastings of tequila! You meet the tequila brands ambassadors and learn about their brand. A great fun time during the week. A perfect spot for weekend drinks and Tex Mex food. My family and I love this spot and if you haven't been definitely stop by.

    We made reservations for Father's Day and got seated right on time. They were even able to…read moreaccommodate 4 more people at our table. Service was good especially with us being a big party. We were seated in the party room with several other large parties. I ordered the shrimp tacos. They were good and I actually finished them all, which is unusual. The chips were not hot, so I didn't eat as many as I normally would. I had a glass of cold beer and had a good time with my family. My husband got the Copa tropical margarita and it was delicious.

    Photos
    Candente - Museum District
    When in Rome
    When in Rome
    Skinny margarita (large)

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    Skinny margarita (large)

    Dona Chela - mexican - Updated July 2026

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