Nice for a lunch out with Mom, the Cuban Sandwich was almost as good as the one in Puerto Rico.

I got the green enchiladas To-go and they were so so so good! I wish it weren't so pricey so I could go all the time! The service was very prompt and the hostess was a complete sweetheart. Definitely coming back soon and trying their lunch! read more

Horrible, rude hostess. I host so I know how boring it can get, but that's no reason to give attitude...especially if that's your main job. She got an attitude because we had an infant and preferred to sit at a table over a booth. The food, drinks, and atmosphere were good. The service was a bit slow, but it was understandable because he was the only server during a somewhat slow lunch hour. read more

This was the place of choice for my mom's birthday. The place was very clean and it looked expensive. As it was! Mom and I each had a Paella del mesón very delicious and also had a few margaritas and a flan... It was expensive but it was all worth it. Will be going back soon but for another special occasion. read more

Love la tortilla española! Right sizes and great price! Cozy environment. Definitely an authentic tapas restaurant

Really disappointing for the price of it all. Ordered the snapper ceviche tapas as a starter and for a small portion it wasn't with 12.00 because it was about 4 little cubes of fish with some tiny pieces of bread and one tiny piece of smaller. In terms of taste it was great! Flavors exploded in your mouth but just when you crave some more it's all gone. For the main dish we ordered the paella marina at 28.99 however it's 28.00 a person for paella. The portion nor the flavor is not worth the price. I am from NY and I've tasted delicious paella for 27.00 at a very fine restaurant and the portion was not only bigger but so was the flavor. This place - not with it. Save your money and go have a decent meal somewhere else. The dessert - only three choices - flan, tres leche and creme brûlée. I can't vouch for the taste because we were not willing to pay more money for mediocre food! Really disappointing as I was really looking forward to good Cuban food. read more

One of my favorite places to eat when visiting Houston. The Masitas is my favorite dish, but so many great ones to choose from.

The price is too high for the quality of the food. Wife had the Lechon which as dry with no taste. Six dollars for local beer is too much. No comment on the non service. Meal was $58 For a $30 dinner. read more

Enchildas del mar, carne asada, yummy rice, black beans and plaintains and shrimp albarino are consistent favs. Great wine. Wait staff inconsistent read more

This restaurant was good but not great. The service was well meaning but with poor timing. For example, I ordered a glass of wine to have with my dessert but it was almost 20 min before a dessert menu came my way. I ordered the vegetable stuffed poblano and it was very tasty but the poblano was raw. I personally like a raw pepper but I'm not sure that's the way it was supposed to be. The menu has flare and many creative items but the kitchen had not mastered them yet so I would certainly go again with high hopes. When I finally received my dessert it was terribly dry and clearly was a previously frozen item. All in all I would say give this place a chance and see what you think, also try the plantains. I was told they were good by the table next to me! read more

We were in Houston for a hospital visit and the hotel recommeded this place over a similar nearby restaurant. We were not disappointed. We walked past the other place on the way and it was loud and wild. We were looking for laid back and we got it. Everything was delicious and the service was excellent. read more

The food was great but the service poor. Our waiter was mostly out of site and when in view it took a big gesture to get his attention. The other wait staff seemed to be quite a bit more professional and attentive to their customers. read more

Great location in Rice Village. Staff was very friendly and attentive. Nice, fairly wide selection of wines. Wife had the Osso Bucco, and I had the Medallones. Both were excellent. Finished with Tres Leches and espresso. This is our new favorite place to eat in the Village. read more

This place never disappoints. I recommend the Masitas, the Ropa Vieja or the Carne Asada ala Tapiquena. I've had their paella and it's just kind of so-so. They need to work on their socarrat. If you are in the mood for really good, simple Tex-Mex, order the Enchiladas al Gusto, although the Tapiquena dish I mentioned above does the same trick. This place has some pretty sophisticated food but I seem to gravitate to the simple stuff. read more

Just ate here, party of one. I just wanted a quick bite as I was tired from shopping. Service was B+ , food was B+, will I ever go back? Maybe, I will make sure I do not go by myself, for them to provide service to a party of one you have to purchase two dishes. I ordered a dish to go. Perhaps I was expected to leave or does this really happen? I understand the economics, the place is located in a high value area but it was 20% full. I've gone there several times, but remember this is not a typical fast food restaurant , it is a classier place if you feel not welcome leave. I don't drink wine but demanded a booth and I was accommodated by the hostess, the server was B+, and the manager was friendly and polite. If tired of shopping and you want a glass of wine and spend $100 for food for your party this place will do. read more

We had to review this since we've been checking out the Cuban scene in Houston. If you want ambience, this is your place. If, however, you crave good authentic Cuban cuisine, save yourself the trip and try Flor De Cuba or Cafe Piquet...you'll be glad you did. read more

Good food and good wine. I recommend this place mostly because of the tapas; morcilla al ajillo, gambas al ajillo and the setas de cardo are amazing!!!!! We also try the paella, it was good but not as good as the appetizers. Environment is great and you can order 1/4L of wine which is much more that the glass for a couple of box more... read more

Just perfect. Nice combo of Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban. Great service. Great goat cheese mashed potatoes. Really good black beans. We didn't have the paella, which requires at least two people to order. Nachos Cubanos appetizer was unusual and so so good. Chicken with garlic was also great. read more

This is our favorite TGIF hang out. Excellent tapas, wines to die for and the best service in the world. The world.

I used to go to El Meson about 10 years ago and had good experiences. It seems to have changed a lot since then. Last week I went with 3 other people. The ambience was a little off. Dark and uninviting. The food was pretty good. Service was slow and the waitress gave us the wrong checks twice. Instead of offering to correct it again, she just shrugged. By then we had waited too long, so just paid. Later, we all found that our credit cards were charged twice. For the price you pay to eat here, it was not worth it. read more

I was looking to take my mother to a Spanish restaurant and found El Meson. We were sooo... disappointed. We were directed to a parking spot by an attendant directly in front of restaurant for a $5 charge. El Meson has very few authentic Spanish dishes. You should also know you must order a minimum of 2 paellas of the same flavor or NO paella for u. The food was just ok not great. Prices I found to be very reasonable until I got my bill. The charge for the pitcher of sangria was $54. What a ripoff!!! I will never be back. read more

Great Cuban food! Had the Solomiilo which is pork w/onions, rice, black beans & plantains. Another in our party had the filet-medium which I didn't taste but it was reported to be superb. If you go to enjoy the company of your friends you will have a wonderful meal while you visit. If you go expecting it to be a professionally run Carrabba's level operation, you will be disappointed. Don't waste time looking for parking. Go straight to the excellent valet. $4. Good restaurant. I'll be back. read more

Cuban/Spanish cuisine that will not change your life, but is always what you want it to be. The paellas are excellent. Standards (ropa vieja, masitas, osso bucco) are all very good. Rarely over-crowded and great for larger groups (with reservation). read more

always consistent. great top shelf margaritas. I always get the shrimp in olive oil and the lamb meatballs.

Excellent place!!! Delicious and vegetarian friendly, we had 8 tapas a salad and a sangria pitcher for 4 people and was perfect. The price rating here thought is incorrect, this is a $$$ for sure. read more

I have been eating here since I was born. This is one of the best places in the Rice/Med/Village area to eat Cuban and Tex-Mex.

This place is great, definitely better than three and a half stars. I think people don't like the higher price points but if you take into account the location it's kinda like why did you come here then. It is an upscale Cuban restaurant so if your looking for a high value, hole in the wall, that's not what this is. The food is high quality, the Cuban nachos are unique and delicious. Entree wise it is hard to go wrong but the ropa vieja steals the show, it would be my hands down recommendation for a first timer. I will be back and you should give it a shot too. read more

Went here from restaurant week. HUGE portions and super yummy! Can't wait to go back for lunch and try a Cuban sandwich. read more

Food is awesome always , we order take out twice a month . Customer service SUCKS!! That's my last time spending money with that establishment . Voy a tomar mi culo puertorriqueño en algún lugar que quiere mi dinero! read more

Not coming back The owner just cares about raising the prices every time he wants.. I had been a customer for the past 10 years.. but enough is enough.. Look at their prices people... for the type of food is way too high. After 10 years I have not find out if is Mexican, cuban or spanish... I will say isTexmex food. read more

The service and food here was great. I loved their appetizers and their veal was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and music and would definitely come back again. read more

I will never go back to this restaurant. The food is average, and quite overpriced for what it truly is. Also, we were a party of 4, and our waiter, who had been inattentive, spacey, and irritating all evening, added an 18% gratuity to our bill. When we questioned this amount, he told us, "We work hard and deserve to be paid for that service, and people who aren't from the US don't know to do that." Excuse me, but we are American and the one member of our party who does have a South African accent has lived in the country for 25 years. It is rude and presumptuous to assume someone is foreign and therefore does not know how things work. Not only do we know how to tip - we also know not to. Not a place to go for a fun, relaxed, or delicious evening. read more

This is a long time favorite of my son, but we had not visited in a while. Went today for lunch and both of us were very disappointed, and said that was the last time for us. First of all, Yelp needs to adjust the $$. Their prices have increased SIGNIFICANTLY. Seems like an increase of up to $10 for some entrees. I had the Ropa Vieja, my son and the chicken enchiladas, other two persons had fish. Both liked the fish, but my son and I really had issues with our meals. First of all, the restaurant had maybe 3 other tables filled, yet it took forever to get our meal. My issue with my meal was that it seemed microwaved. I say this because it was mostly lukewarm, but hot in a couple of places. If this was made this morning or to order, it would have been the same temperature throughout. My son said his was just not good at all. Service was absent and not at all what you would expect for the price of this meal. Won't be back. If you want good Cuban food, see Cafe Piquet on Bissonnet. read more

We went for a friend's birthday and the food is really good-similar to the kind of Valencia paella they make in Spain. It was a party of 8 and there was food left over-generous portions. The calamari was some of the best I've ever had and the sangria tops as the best in town. The flamenco was good but really loud so it's fun to go if you want good food but not a lot of conversation. read more

Awesome. The house cilantro vinaigrette is particularly tasty. Will be talking about this place for a long time.

Great service, friendly waiter who looks like Pitbull. Our order was a bit unconventional, not off the menu, exactly, and everything was correct and delicious. I liked the atmosphere, the ambience. Classy place, and the final price, with an eight buck tip, was $43, for two. We'll be back. read more

The only place in Houston that I can find paella negra - rice cooked with squid ink. Since there's a minimum for 2 orders, we had to gather a bunch of people to try it; but, everybody agrees that it was worth it. The paella portion is big - 1 order is good for 3 to 4 people, + I don't think 2 people can finish it since it's so rich. We tried a bunch of tapas: meatball, iberico ham, croquette, cheese plate, mixed platter, and blood sausage - the croquette is 1 of the best I've tried in Houston! However, those tapas dishes are pretty pricey considering the portion. Some of us tried the osso bucco, roast pork, sea bass, and salmon but nobody raved about any of them. Just like any other restaurants in the same row on this area, parking is valet only if you wanna park right in front of the restaurant or next to it. You have to go around to find street parkings or park in the Village Arcade garage and pay. For reservation, there's a deposit and minimum order requirement if your party is above 14 persons. read more

Delicious!! Recently new to area, we were interested in trying a tapas restaurant. This fulfilled the quench!! Their ceviche is one of the best and I used to live in Florida (Keys and Northern coastline). All their tapas are really flavorful! To top it off, our server was a great girl from Chicago, extremely personable and attentive!! Excellent all around!! read more

Honestly, I don't get it. We've tried El Meson twice and I really think it's not worth the time or money. I didn't like the salad, the dressing had an odd taste. I asked the waiter for "your favorite Cuban thing on the menu" and I went with his recommendation of chicken with garlic. When it arrived, I had to scrape the garlic off - it was completely overpowering. I do have to admit that the plantains and beans were pretty tasty. I'm not going back. read more

This restaurant may have some Spanish accents as far as food, but please do not call this a CUBAN restaurant. We were very disappointed by the slow service and the lackluster food. Our waiter was very nice, however the service was extremely slow. Other than the Ceaser Salad and the Croquetas, the food had no flavor. We will not be coming back here. read more