I had a very disappointing and frankly unacceptable experience at El Meson Restaurant in Houston. I booked this reservation through Resy. From the moment we arrived, the valet experience was unprofessional. The valet demanded payment upfront in a rude manner, did not return the correct change, and responded with a disrespectful tone when I asked about it. This immediately created a negative and uncomfortable impression. Unfortunately, things only got worse inside. The staff were unwelcoming and dismissive from the beginning. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Despite multiple empty tables, we were seated right next to the entrance where cold air was constantly coming in, making it very uncomfortable for my family.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] When we politely asked for a different table, we were refused without any reasonable explanation. Instead, we were told that because we had a child and needed a high chair, this was the only table available, which made no sense at all. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The table itself was cramped and clearly unsuitable for four people.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] What made this even more concerning is that a manager appeared to be present, yet no effort was made to resolve the situation or assist us. At that point, we decided to leave. This experience was not only frustrating, but also embarrassing in front of my family. I expected a much higher level of professionalism from a restaurant listed on Resy. I chose this restaurant based on my trust in the Resy platform and its association with American Express, and I expected a certain standard of professionalism that was clearly not met. I will also be reporting this experience to both Resy and American Express. I do not recommend this place. read more

Man, this was one restaurant that I was really looking forward to trying, and it simply didn't live up to what I was hoping for. As with several other restaurants I've reviewed recently, this is one that I normally wouldn't frequent, but since they were participating in Houston Restaurant Weeks they were on my radar. We got a table for three for the volunteers in one of my service groups to check it out. One of us had been here before, but the rest of us hadn't. The appetizers were pretty good, but nothing spectacular. The tapas variadas were more of a charcuterie plate than actual tapas, but were still a nice appetizer for the rest of the meal. The calamari was different from what you normally see (fried and served with marinara). Instead, this was boiled in garlic butter and onions, almost like a shrimp scampi type of dish. It made the calamari a bit more gummy than we'd like, but still worth trying. The item I was looking forward to most was the paella langosta, which I'd heard amazing things about. I'd been told that this was one of the best places to grab paella in Houston. Sadly, out of four different restaurants, this was by far the worst paella I'd had. It was lacking in flavor, seemed to be thrown together at the last minute, and just didn't live up to the hype. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere seemed like it would have been nice if not for an absolutely obnoxious table right next to us. They were boisterous and completely oblivious to the negative experience they were providing to the people at neighboring tables. On more than one occasion they got up and bumped one of our tables. The worst part is, we later found out that it was the owner entertaining some friends. You would think he'd have known better than to have other patrons treated like that[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. Service was a bit of a mess also. The waiter disappeared several times, never refilled our drinks, and we practically had to go searching for him after 20+ minutes of sitting around waiting for our checks. At least two of us were completely disappointed in our visit, and even the third, who had been there before, acknowledged that it wasn't quite what he'd experienced in the past. Oh well, he might be back, but we definitely won't. read more

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This place is amazing! Its located in rice village so there is some street parking also some relatively low cost parking (get the park mobile app if you don't already have it and set it up before you get here). We tried out lunch which I would recommend although dinner here would be great too. The food was delicious and generous in portion. The wine was heavenly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]And the overall ambiance was very tranquil with lots of warm friendly service.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Relative to the service and quality of the food it was great value for our meal. This is another one of those hidden gems since there are so many places in rice village. I highly recommend trying out El Meson for lunch as well as the lamb chops try and save room for desert sadly that was the only thing I wasn't able to try out the first time so looking forward to my next visit back there. read more

El Meson Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]We were greeted and given an wide option of seating. Great. The host was very polite.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Now the 'experience' the waitress was not welcoming , polite yes, welcoming no. Her responses were very flippant. I commented the the menu had changed and she quickly responded with' "that happens" as if to indicate that I should expect things to change. Felt like a dig or an nsult. We received no complementary chips and salsa . Like have in the past, nor was any offered. The three other tables received chips, salsa and bread while we were waiting to order. One table multiple refills of chips. The server was eating the whole time. You could see her chewing when she approached our table. There seemed to a a manager of sorts sitting at the bar wearing a blue cap. But he was unaware of any of this it seems. Maybe he was a kitchen only guy.‍ The food was good but it was warm and not hot. Cooled quickly. But back to the chis and salsa, that was part of the reason I visit this establishment. Sooo disappointed.. my wife and I have been dining here for over a decade, and by far this was the worst experience by far. She has decided not to dine here anymore. I am torn and want to give it another go on another day. We will see. read more

I actually waited a long time to write this, because I really needed to reflect on how I wanted to word this, because the experience was baffling and terrible. Let's start with the food. I felt that some dishes were okay and others were disappointing. I went to try the paella and I kept thinking, we're spending money on this? Like, this is flavorless paella. Not fancy restaurant weeks paella. Nothing about the food stood out, other than how I kept thinking it was way to plain and not living up to the rave reviews of everyone else. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The owner definitely knows many regulars, but some of those regulars were just oblivious to their behavior. A group seated at a booth near our table, was talking and laughing loudly. Normal, attention seeking, but normal. Then they decided to get up and hug and congregate as they socialized some more completely invading our personal space as we were at the table next to their booth.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was spacious and mostly empty, so there was no reason for them to crowd us like that.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It was as if they were unaware of how rude and inconsiderate their behavior was. Like why is your purse and elbow that close to my face? What made it worse was the owner joined in, not thinking - hey let's guide the people away from the table, so they're not crowding them. Instead of addressing the situation, the owner joined in their conversation, standing just inches away from me. The amount of times I got bumped by those patrons was ridiculous. And why we were placed in a table, next to a booth, when there were other tables that could have been taken...I dunno. If I'm being generous maybe the owners were overjoyed at seeing people they hadn't seen in a while and they were all just like standing right next to people we don't know is normal. Okay, maybe that was their rationale...maybe. You know what actually made me just hate this place? The wait. We ordered the food and it took about an hour to get it, on a day they were clearly not busy. Then when it came to get our check, the waiter went missing, and then took forever to get our check. We were stuck there for over two hours, not cause we were having the time of our life, because everything took forever and no one could explain why. The fastest part was the seating with reservation, that was immediate. Everything else, no. Like at one point, the owner, came by to say hi to a friend at our table, didn't realize that was the owner, and had I known, I would have been like, "Bro, y'all gotta change..." I just can't see myself giving this place another chance. Between the food and the being elbowed, this is a skip for me. read more

Party of 4, 6pm, a chilly Saturday. We were greeted by an extremely rude, unwelcoming hostess who turned out to be the owners daughter. Against our better judgment we asked for a table anyway. We asked for a booth and was scolded. There were three other tables dining in the restaurant. But its fine because she's the owners daughter. She can do what she wants. The server was nice enough but his recommendation on the squid ink paella was DISGUSTING. It was salty and the scallops were full of AMMONIA. Would NOT recommend. Seafood not fresh. Manager's daughter uninviting. Give your money to a place that appreciates you. read more

The service was great as usual. Always enjoy dining there. There is free parking in front of the restaurant. The food was delicious. read more

Ishrael was a great server who was knowledgeable and friendly. The food was fresh and [[HIGHLIGHT]]we enjoyed the ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Food is good but price too high. This restaurant needs a happy hour from 4:00 - 7:00 pm Great margaritas read more

Ate dinner here with a work colleague. Nice atmosphere, friendly and efficient servers. Varied menu ... tapas, Cuban, Mexican, seafood, meat, and pork. All tasty. We had the Albindigas (meatballs), squid, and gambas (shrimp) with garlic to start, and then the Sea bass and lamb chops for entrées. Bread tasty too. Not inexpensive, but I thought it was decent value. Fairly empty just before 6 pm on a week night, so did not need our reservation. read more

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What an unexpected nugget we found today! We originally left the hospital heading to Shake Shack, but waiting in traffic turned our attention to this elegant little place, so we pulled in to try it. The parking is super convenient, directly located outside the door. This is a must mention as places in this area are not always easy to park in/find parking. It was mid day after the lunch rush, so that possibly helped us. Tapas, TexMex, Cuban, Latin flare, they have it all! I was super impressed with the decor of this restaurant. Just walking to the doors, you step into a small little Latin world on their pretty patio. Upon entering the doors, there is a wall of crawling ivy that is simply stunning. I love my ivy plants, so this was immediately impressive. We were warmly greeted and seated in a lovely large booth. A Giara (flip-top swing stopper) bottle with water was brought to our table. I thought that was a nice touch. So much more elegant than a regular glass of water. The music playing set the tone for a little Havana scene. You really feel the atmosphere! Our server was excellent. He provided several suggestions on popular items. I ordered the cheese enchilada dinner and my aunt ordered the Tacos al Carbone. We contemplated getting tapas, but decided to keep it with TexMex. Our meal was delicious! Presentation was nice, everything was cooked well, the seasoning was on point, and the portions are a nice size. I was very impressed with our entire experience. I still can't say enough about the restaurant decor. Everything was top-notch and detailed. Even the table settings were detailed and elegant. I love the ambiance. Though we stopped in for a late lunch wearing our capri pants and flip flops, I can see this place also being a great date night spot. It's on the finer side of Spanish restaurants, but still cozy and comfortable to be dressed down. Very impressed! Our total for 2 meals and one glass of wine before tip was $68.00. Highly recommend. read more

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I recently visited El Meson on a Sunday evening. We were greeted by the hostess into a welcoming atmosphere...cozy lighting, comfortable booths, and pleasant decor. Our server was reserved but professional and cordial. He was well-informed on the menu's offerings and answered our questions quickly. Everything we ordered arrived fast! My Osso Buco was decent, but a little pricey for "decent." In all fairness, I'm not typically a veal eater. The meat was tender and juicy. It had a subtle flavor that wasn't bad at all, but it definitely wasn't my favorite. It may be right up someone else's alley. The goat cheese mash and spinach were fantastic. The nachos, enchiladas, salad, etc. were also enjoyable. Overall, the service, ambiance, and food were worth the visit. I'd be open to returning to try additional options on the menu. read more

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The food was very good but nothing to say wow. Had the lechon lunch plate. Great combination. The tortilla española was excellent. The Sandwich cubano was dead on. I think it is overpriced specially since I've been to Miami a few times and you would buy the same food for 1/3 of the price. The flan was very well made. The service was ok. Lost of seating and I assume the Havana Room is for smoking cigars. Overall I do recommend this place and would come back just not as often as I would like. read more

El Meson Restaurant - Lechon Asado - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

Great food. Service was ok. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Love the ambience. Nice and quiet[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] . [[HIGHLIGHT]]Do recommend it kids friendly.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Sleeper restaurant to be honest. Food is great. Service is decent. Ambiance is very "walk to your neighborhood restaurant" which is one of the things I love. The food is a variety from Cuban, Tex-Méx, seafood, and Tapas. I always order the same thing the Lubina (sea bass in a garlic butter sauce. Vegetables and potatoes). I also ordered a mango margarita this time which was perfection! I tried the plantains and they have the perfect sear! Sharing my sleeper restaurant but don't crowd it up ok? read more

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Service wasn't welcoming for it being in the Kirby drive area. We ordered the lobster & shrimp paella and it was delish. The Cuban saucey shrimp with rice & beans were not great. Beans tasted old and possibly out of a can. read more

El Meson Restaurant - Shrimp & lobster paella - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Great atmosphere, quiet on a Wednesday night! We enjoyed the pork belly, nacho cabana, cuban salad, and the pork cutlet. read more

El Meson Restaurant - Our table and the view. - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

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We've been visiting the area for about a year for the unfortunate reason of MD Anderson appointments. Rice University Village is close to the Hilton where we stay and there's a free shuttle so we keep trying new places. This was our first trip to this restaurant and I wish I had skipped lunch so that I could've tried a few tapas selections. The wine list, or should I say book, is comprehensive and will please any taste. I can see this as a place to explore the tapas offerings and try new wines with friends or family. It has a real neighborhood feel and family owned vibe, although I don't know if that's true. We were surprised to be served a light dinner salad before the meal. The dressing was delicate and delicious and my only complaint is that I wanted more of it. I had the Solomillo which was fantastic. Butterflied meat is so easy to overcook but mine was done to perfection. It was well grilled and very juicy. The onions were a delicious addition to the meat. I don't know how you're supposed to eat them but I added the white rice to my black beans (served in the little bowl). It was a wonderful bite to me. My husband had the Pollo Salteado which was perfectly grilled chicken served with fragrant green bell peppers and onions. I snuck a little bite and both of us chose well. There was no room for dessert but I was definitely tempted. My advice is to go hungry and they will fix that. read more

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Went to El Meson for my birthday. For starters, my wife and I split the pulpo al ajillo (octopus sautéed in EVOO with garlic and peppers). For our main, we had the arroz negro paella (cuttlefish ink infused bomba rice, shrimp, squid, scallop) and we split a bottle of Albariño (white) wine. There was more than enough food for two people and we didn't even make a dent in the serving size! The food was excellent and I've wanted to try black paella forever. Parking is a little tight around Rice Village so you might have a block or two walk. First time to El Meson, but definitely will go again! read more

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Very average food for a higher price. Paella was a Cuban fusion and a complete miss. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance was not in line with the price point either.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

My friend and I had dinner here last weekend and ordered from the HRW menu. I was a little worried about the service from reading some of the recent reviews, but we had a really good experience. Our waitress was attentive, water glasses were kept full, etc. I had the award winning Caesar salad and it was okay. It tasted fine, but I don't know what made it award winning lol. The salmon with asparagus and mashed potatoes was amazing! The salmon was crispy on the outside, but very tender on the inside. Not sure if it was cooked medium but it was so good. The seasoning was great and the asparagus was al dente which I love. I would definitely order this dish again. The tres leches cake was decent, but not the best I've ever had. It could have used a little bit more milk. I need the milk to ooze out of the cake when I press my fork into it lol. read more

Food was average, service perfunctory; and that's being kind. Their 'award-winning' Caesar salad was bland, lettuce, a few stale croutons, nothing else other than a dressing that tasted like it came from a bottle; paella that was uninspired, followed by a desert (rice pudding) that finished off the bland meal with a further blandness. This was part of the 'restaurant week's $55 fixed price menu that, having never dined here, was made up of child-sized portions, which left me hungry. The sign on the window says 'since 1981.' Either new owners, absentee owners or run by people that lost their excitement about delivering on otherwise-thrilling Spanish cuisine. Say 'no gracias' to this place. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]I love this place!! They always make you feel at home!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food is excellent!! I especially love the tapas! They have some of my favorite salads in town! The margaritas are made just to your taste. Wonderful from start to finish! read more

Great paella, and of course I forgot a pic--you do have to order for 2 though, so if you want paella, plan accordingly. Ours was great! We did have some sublime ceviche, and nice croquettes too, as tapas, and the wine list is serviceable. The flan was worth the order for dessert. Next time, I'm going to try one of the Cuban entrees and my wife is going to hit a fish entree with a few tapas more too. Can't wait to return to Houston, as we live in Austin. read more

El Meson Restaurant - croquettes, ceviche - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I was really looking forward to this restaurant but was extremely disappointed. The prices are not worth the quality of the food or service experienced at this restaurant. The prices for a cups worth of one tapa is 20 dollars. The patatas bravas were soggy and plain. 20 dollar soggy bland potatoes. In fact the Paellas should be part of the tapas section because the size of them are ridiculous. Bland and small. Honestly, a disgrace to Spanish culture and flavor. The Hispanic waiter and or manager was rude and insisted I order more of this food. Horrible service and horrible food. read more

Great food, margs & service. Thank you!! If you haven't eaten here you are missing out. The best kept secret. We'll be back.

Very interesting place and food , service was good very attentive, place looked very peaceful and nice read more

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This tapas/spanish restaurant is located in Rice Village. Metered parking is available, and 2 hour free parking in one of the two garages within a block or two of the restaurant. There are a few spots that are free after 6pm but they're usually all filled up especially on the weekends. El Meson is in an old building; when you walk inside it smells old. The carpet is a strange dark color and there is just a musty feel to the restaurant. There is a rather large private room to the side that can be requested for any reservations free of cost. It's got its own dedicated built-in bar, but again sports that same sad carpet and smell. The room also has its own doors with large windows that open up onto the patio. The patio is directly adjacent to parking and the street, though, so I'm not sure in hot Houston how often it would actually be nice to sit out there. The food is, in short, mediocre. The highlights are 1) the drinks and 2) the dessert. But it's quite difficult to make bad dessert in my opinion. Patatas Bravas - sour; not very flavorful. bland. Nachos del Mar - soggy nachos. overcooked low quality shrimp. goat cheese mashed potatoes - surprisingly very little hint of goat cheese taste. flan - a bit too much on the sweet side. flourless chocolate cake - can't tell that it's flourless at all; definitely recommend this one. read more

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Food is salty and tedious... overpriced The service is average... [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance is good, near rice village, can have a walk after dinner[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Came here by accident but was not disappointed. My margarita was great and I tried the croquetas and those were delicious. The waitress had great recommendations of the tapas. My friend wanted some nachos of fajita so we tried those but I will say I would not have personally ordered that. The nachos were ok. There was so many more tapas that looked great on the menu. The crowd was definitely a little older but would try again if I'm in the area. read more

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This is a great place and a virtual Houston institution. They are celebrating their 40 anniversary as a business in Houston, serving eclectic mix of Spanish and cubano dishes....they are famous for their Great tapas and paellas. The ambiance is chill with spacious seating and low key lighting, tasteful artwork, the music is a tasteful Latin selections from across the continent. Give them a try, in the cut throat houston inner loop restaurant scene...they have thrived despite hurricanes, deep freezes, power outages and a year long pandemic....check them out ! There is a major celebration on Sunday, May 16th, they will be hosting a mega paella party in the front of the restaurant! Come on by! read more

I absolutely love the Spanish/Mexican restaurant. Everything about this restaurant is top notch. Their food and drinks are delicious. They also give back to the community certain times of the year- which I love. The restaurant is nicely decorated and the service was fantastic! I will be back soon read more

El Meson Restaurant - Outside - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

My girlfriend and I visited with a very good family friend on a Saturday night. It was easy for us to make an online reservation for our desired time. All three of us were excited to try the restaurant out for our first time. I will save you the drama; and just say that the food was very, very enjoyable, and we are looking forward to having another dinner at El Meson over the holidays. Now the drama; once we were seated it was easily 10 minutes before anybody greeted us at our table. I suppose another table was a couple of locals, because they got sat at least 5 minutes after us, but yet they were greeted, ordered, and had their drinks before us. Nonetheless; once we were greeted, the server did not seem very happy, energetic, or pleasant. We almost walked out after the servers first visit to our table due to our perception of the server's attitude. We stayed and really, really liked our meals with the exception that my girlfriend's salad had a "rubber band" in it. Once we notified the server, he picked it up without any apology and communicated with the food runner. They brought us a replacement and everything else was fine after that. I just thought it was odd to not even receive an apology from the server, or even better yet an apology from the manager. I was dumbfounded as to how this was not ever brought to the manager's attention, otherwise the manager would have surely stopped by our table. I did see the manager visit a couple other tables, and also saw the chef interact with a table. I originally ordered the "Ropa Vieja", but to my astonishment, they were not serving it that night. Wow! Kind of like a "Pizza Restaurant" not serving Pepperoni Pizza! I ended up ordering the Carne Asada Ala Tampiquena. It was FANTASTIC! Probably one of my best meals in the last few months. It will be difficult to order the "Ropa Vieja" after having the Carne Asada Ala Tampiquena! In Summary; Great Food, but service experience was completely lacking for a $200 dinner. We had a "Rocky Visit", but at the end of the day we left talking about how good the food was, and that it would be worthwhile to give them another visit and the opportunity to earn a 5 Star Rating. read more

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My first time there and definitely won't be my last. Their paella was on the spot. Their iberico ham reminded me of Spain.

Great restaurant with amazing food and drinks! The calamari is delicious and the Spanish nachos with plantains are the BOMB! read more

El Meson Restaurant - Calamari - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

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It was my first time trying Cuban food and I really liked it. I already love plantains so, I ordered a Cuban dish that included it and was delicious. The service was great and the food came in a timely manner. read more

Really bad experience and NOT a good food for how much we paid for the special plate for that night. $60 dlls each (3 people) for a white fish with nacho cheese . It was suck . I made a reservation for my wife birthday. I ask them when I did the reservation if they had something for her and they told me Yes. After I pay $300 dlls for the bill MY WIFE NEVER GOT ANY PIECE OF CAKE FOR HER BIRTHDAY On the top of that, when we got there no body was in the area where I park the car. I man walk all the way to our table asking for his money for the parking . He made me go outside and pay him at front. Also I had to call the waitress more than 3 times because, never put attention to our needs. En Español: Realmente una mala experiencia y NO es buena la comida por lo que pagamos por el plato especial para esa noche. $60 dlls cada uno (3 personas) por un pescado blanco con queso nacho . Fue una porquería . Hice una reserva para el cumpleaños de mi esposa. Les pregunté cuando hice la reservación, si tenían algo para ella y me dijeron que sí. Después de pagar $300 dlls por la factura MI ESPOSA NUNCA RECIBIÓ NINGÚN PEDAZO DE (pastel, cake )PARA SU CUMPLEAÑOS Además, cuando llegamos, no había ningúna persona en la zona donde estacioné el coche. Un hombre camino hasta nuestra mesa pidiendo dinero para el estacionamiento (sin nada de ética). Me hizo salir y pagarle al frente. Además tuve que llamar al mesero más de 3 veces porque nunca prestó atención a nuestras necesidades.. read more

Saturday, February 3 my family and I decided to try a new restaurant My husband picked the restaurant El Meson, We walked in, and we seated ourselves, which was fine. Our waiter was very pleasant. He brought us our menus. we were trying to make a decision on what to order when I had to leave with the baby because both my husband and I forgot the diaper bag. Needless to say I had to leave and go back home and take care of some business and come back with the diaper bag. When we come back into the restaurant I met with a very rude hostess she asked oh, can I help you? and before I can even answer she actually placed her body in front of my baby and I to wear we would have to walk around and she looked at me. She goes oh am I in your way? very rude very rude and the only thing I could say was yes, you are in my way. She stepped aside we went back to our table where my husband was sitting, you know out of all the restaurants we have in Houston I don't wanna go back and especially with her attitude, The hostess is basically the gatekeeper of the establishment she needs to be retrained or fired. I noted other customers coming into the establishment and she would greet them. I'll take my business somewhere else thank you. read more

This restaurant is a traditional Spanish style that offer indoor and outdoor seating. The have a lunch special with affordable prices. Of you would like guacamole you would have request for it as it is no longer on the menu. The salsa was hot in temperature and very tasty. The salad had a really good dressing:l we orders the snapper with roasted vegetables and potatoes and it was mediocre as a whole. However the potatoes were seasoned well. The other entree was chicken with garlic and white rice back beans and plantains. The experience as a whole was mediocre and I don't see myself c visiting this establishment again unless all the other Spanish restaurants close. read more

El Meson Restaurant - Hanging out - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

Great food and a reasonable price. Service is also great. Love the roasted pork, like the Cuban style. It is delicious.