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    El Tiempo Cantina

    4.4 (17 reviews)
    Closed • 9:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Jose L.

    The taste & experience we're familiar with from El Tiempo, now has made its way to downtown Houston. Located on the second floor of the atrium, follow the signs if you're inside of POST HTX, or from street level has its own entry. Also can look for Column J18. You're welcomed to the energy and ambiance that is El Tiempo, but with more space and newer. Ambiance: 4/5 It can be a little tricky to navigate to get here if you're at POST, it's ina hidden corner, but just follow the signs and if you're walking down a sketchy tunnel, don't worry, you're going the right way. Parking is available around POST, while that is paid parking, El Tiempo offers 2 hour validation. Dress code is relaxed with space good for groups, solo or dates. The music is a bit loud so talking loud would be necessary. But if you don't mind that, then you'll just be vibing. Food/Drinks: 5/5 Came on a Sunday and they gave a lunch menu that has something for everyone. Beef Fajita quesadilla plate: it was well seasoned beef, the only thing with beef is that it greasy but the flavors are all there along with the poblano rice which is a cilantro type rice with pork cooked into it. Almost like fried rice. Michelada: had the right mix that made drinking the whole beer enjoyable. There are other places that make it too lemony or too watered down, that wasn't the case with this one. Service: 5/5 It was a slow early afternoon I got to chat with Giselle and Romeo, very friendly and attentive. I told them it's dangerous for me because Monday's El Tiempo has $5 margaritas (including the house skinny margarita) and I work downtown so they might see me often... Overall it's good to have a well known spot where you know what you're getting and before a concert, theatre performance or just fun in downtown you can stop in and enjoy.

    Lots of sides for our fajitas
    Sophanny S.

    The spot had a unique concept. I liked the decor, I just didn't like how red everything looked inside. But the service and our server were great. She was very helpful and kind. We all shared the fajita combo large. That feeds 2-3 people. The meat was so juicy and tender. That was definitely the best part. Ah and me and the girls got margaritas on the rocks. Everyone enjoyed that too!

    Lawton D.

    I live across the street and can't tell you how excited I am to have an El Tiempo downtown. Priscilla the bartender is an expert at her craft and the prices are amazing. $5 margs Monday and half price on Wednesday. Catch me here for happy hour as often as possible. The food is the same (if not better) quality. And the prices can't be beat.

    Fajitas

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    5 months ago

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    19 days ago

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    1 month ago

    The food is not bad, but the prices for what you get are very high. A small caso for dipping was 14$

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    5 months ago

    Isaac and Miguel are on point! Best service in any El tiempo. Very hard working and attentive customer service.

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    6 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Great place to have fun with friends and family. Would love to come back again in the future

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    Review Highlights - El Tiempo Cantina

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    The Original Ninfa's on Navigation - Steak

    The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

    3.9(2.3k reviews)
    1.5 mi•Warehouse District, Second Ward
    •$$
    Private events
    Catering service

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

    FAJITAS 7. As a native Houstonian, I was 10 when Ninfa's opened (1973). Growing up, we ate there…read moreseveral times each month. We'd rotate with Los Tios or Chinese every Friday or Saturday. As there is not a location near me any longer, we traveled to the original location. It was bustling with an attentive waitstaff and lots of people watching. Complementary valet (of course we tip) is a great benefit as parking is slim. Our waitress was Kady. She's been there for 50 years! Talk about an original. She was attentive to our needs but all business. We started with guacamole and queso. Guac was a huge portion with all the add ins. Queso was delish and served with fried flour tortillas (my fav). The gratis green dip, red sauce, and thick, crisp chips were on par. The fajitas. Just so so. Honestly, it reminded me of Taco Cabana. Very disappointing. Very little flavor and tough. The rice was yucky, the refried beans were the worst! Reminded us of the frito lay bean dip in a can. Even the Borracho beans were bad. HEB's in the can are far better. We received 2 corn and 2 flour tortillas. Fajitas served with pico, guac, sour-sour cream (I didn't even like that). Iced tea was fair. All in all, Fajitas very disappointing. If we had not been on the best fajita quest, I most likely would have ordered the chicken caldo soup. That never disappoints.

    Photos
    The Original Ninfa's on Navigation - Decor

    Decor

    The Original Ninfa's on Navigation - Combo Fajitas - Large

    Combo Fajitas - Large

    The Original Ninfa's on Navigation - Margarita

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    Margarita

    El Tiempo Cantina - Strawberry margarita

    El Tiempo Cantina

    3.8(969 reviews)
    4.3 mi•Upper Kirby
    •$$

    A friend was visiting Houston and wanted to try some local TexMex, so, we decided on El Tiempo…read more El Tiempo is definitely a vibe. There's so many interesting decorations and the atmosphere is always pretty lively. You can sit on the patio (covered), or at the bar inside, or at any of the other interior seating options I will say that the parking isn't necessarily ideal. There is valet parking, but the self parking lot is in the back and there's not much space (both to drive and spots available). Also, if you enter from the parking lot and go through the patio you will have to wind yourself throughout the busy restaurant to the front to get seated. Also, the lighting is a little interesting in that there's a colorful glow around the restaurant while still being somewhat intimate lighting The menu offers all your main TexMex staples like fajitas, chips and queso, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, margarita's etc etc etc etc. the portions are always hearty and everything is played relatively nice. Ordered a couple dishes to share and catch up. Everything tasted great Our service was pretty good. The food came out in a timely manner and our drinks were refilled. We had our plates cleared and they even wiped down the table for us so we were sitting in any mess. The strange thing (to me), was while clearing plates they never asked is we were interested in dessert, anything else, or the check. Then we were awkwardly waiting and trying to get the attention of our server for a while thereafter Some tips: If you live in the area you might want to either uber or valet to avoid the hassle of parking there. Definitely if you want to enjoy their wonderful cocktails and other libations I would consider a ride share Definitely order a starter like the queso. Also, you will get complementary bottomless chips and salsa. The struggle is always trying to not fill up on those prior to the meal coming out, but don't worry, they're fairly quick in terms of brining your order out so you won't be sitting idly too long The menu offers so many wonderful dishes, but it can be a little overwhelming. I would probably consider taking a peak online prior to heading that way Cheers!!

    Fajitas: 4.3/5. Amazing beef fajitas. Incredibly juicy and…read moretender. Service: 3.5/5. Nice attentive wait staff.

    Photos
    El Tiempo Cantina
    El Tiempo Cantina - Chicken Fajita Enchiladas Ground Beef Enchiladas

    Chicken Fajita Enchiladas Ground Beef Enchiladas

    El Tiempo Cantina - Mango margaritas

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    Mango margaritas

    Maria Rita's Tex-Mex - Inside of the "fajita enchiladas"

    Maria Rita's Tex-Mex

    4.4(199 reviews)
    8.8 mi
    •$$

    I was in a facility getting a minor procedure and I had to be lightly sedated which did not allow…read moreme to drive myself to and from my appointment, so my wife drove me there and hung out while I was getting the procedure done. Neither one of us had eaten and we were both starving. We had decided that when I was released we would just go to the restaurant that was in the same parking lot as the facility. I had been to the restaurant before, had fajitas and they were served bloody raw and was just disgusting so I Never went back. We mentioned where we were planning to go to some of the staff members and they said do not go there and that it was too expensive for the type of Mexican food that they serve you. Then they all suggested Maria Rita's. My wife and I had never heard of it before so we asked where it was and it was located 2min down the street. When we got there it was packed, but we decided to thug it out and wait for a table, this also gave us time to troll the parking lot and land a killer parking spot as people left. We finally got the notice that our table was ready. The inside was clean, awesome and had a savory aroma mixed with a Smokey grill Oder that just made us even more hungry than we already were. We both ordered this dish that came with fajitas and bacon wrapped shrimp with a cheese sauce that was Truly Amazing! When I finally was able to take a bite of one of the four gigantic shrimp after I completely destroyed my fajitas, I thought that I was going to pass out from the ecstasy that the flavor profile from that shrimp that overwhelmed my senses! We both enjoyed our meal,(obviously) and I can't end this review without mentioning how attentive, nice and unexpected table side manor that the staff had displayed despite being overwhelmed with a full house crowd. A truly epic experience. Please dig deep for a tip, they deserve it. Enjoy!!

    For the area, a decent Tex-Mex restaurant. Service is fast and friendly. I would have preferred a…read morebit more authentic seasoning on my fajitas.

    Photos
    Maria Rita's Tex-Mex
    Maria Rita's Tex-Mex
    Maria Rita's Tex-Mex - Hibiscus margarita

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    Hibiscus margarita

    Hugo's - Bistec oaxaqueno

    Hugo's

    4.1(1.8k reviews)
    2.6 mi•Montrose
    •$$$

    It was one of the great experience . Service was top notch , servers were well dressed and very…read moreattentive. Ambiance was great and well maintained . There is option of valet parking . We were five and half of them were vegetarian. Pan fried potatoes Tacos was very tasty . My son got two more . Presentation was awesome. Enchiladas was best . Fish was fresh and tasty . Churros was best I have ever had Cocktails were well thought .

    Mildly frustrating. However I had patience. The server JESUS acted like he didn't like his job…read more We went in for my cousins birthday on Saturday , reservations at 630. I didn't want to order off the restaurant week menu so I ordered off the regular. My cousin and his friend ordered off the restaurant week menu. I was last to order and then Jesus goes "you don't want a salad or anything?" I said no thank you. Then he goes "but every body else is going to be eating and you're not." I said I understand and he chuckles and says "ok"Like mf I know what I'm ordering smh ‍. Then he says at the end of the meal that he cannot bring out the dessert for my cousins birthday because he already ordered off the restaurant week menu. Then he says "you know what I'm going to bring you all a dessert." Then Jesus bring us A Spec of a piece of flan. as if it was a joke to him. Please get a server that has light inside of them and that actually wants to make the experience memorable for their guests. Jesus needs work. God bless him tho. I can only hope management brings this up to his attention. I tip well too btw

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    Hugo's
    Hugo's - Lechon

    Lechon

    Hugo's - Special margarita

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    Special margarita

    Superica - Delicious flautas!

    Superica

    4.1(562 reviews)
    3.7 mi•The Heights
    •$$

    Superica didn't impress me on a first dinner visit, but since then I've been back multiple times…read morefor weekend brunch, and each time has been consistently good. Parking can be challenging on weekends, but there is complimentary valet and a few extra spots in a lot across the street. There's interior and exterior seating, with cozy booths and tables. Service is friendly. Chips and salsa: Superica has some of my favorite chips, crispy and thin and perfectly fried. The avocado crema salsa and warm serrano pepper salsas are delicious with a mild kick. The bottled red salsa is fresh and green salsa packs a nice punch. Migas: Scrambled eggs with tortilla chips and cheese, choice of chicken versus chorizo on top, finished with fresh avocado. I really enjoyed this combination and the generous portion for the price. The eggs are well scrambled without being dry, and the pairing with cheese is proportional. The chicken was a touch dry, but some salsa solved that well. I enjoyed stuffing each component into a fresh tortilla and devouring it as a breakfast taco. Refried beans and rice: Really delicious. The refried beans are of the smoother variety without as much chunkiness, which I prefer, and topped with creamy cheese. I could have used a touch more tomato in the rice, but overall enjoyed the texture and flavor. Patatas with salsa roja, topped with egg: I enjoyed the flavors in this dish, but there was sooo much salsa. The potatoes were thus a little soggy, though still cooked well. The over medium egg was cooked nicely and complemented the potatoes with creamy yolk. Bacon: Really generous portion for $7 as a side, and cooked well. Crispy potatoes: I enjoy that these are fingerling potatoes smashed and roasted, but they could be crispier. They seem to be on the blander side on purpose to allow seasoning to taste, and I really like pairing them with the red bottled salsa provided at each table (probably due to their association with ketchup). Hotcakes: The literal star of every brunch, these hotcakes are consistently delicious. They're massive yet somehow cooked perfectly through so that they're fluffy and soft on the inside and just with a slight crunch on the outside. The pairing of the creamy warm (!!!) maple syrup is heavenly. Because of how huge these are, usually one is enough to share between two people, although they also come in stacks of two and three. For reference, we finished 3/4 of three between four healthy and hungry people and it wasn't for lack of trying. Whenever I crave weekend brunch, Superica is always a top option.

    Came here for an early lunch. This place was very busy, but didn't have to wait too long to get a…read moretable. My issue with this place is it seems like the entire lot was used for valet. So if you don't want to pay for valet you would have to park a little further out behind the building. We started off with their Chile con Queso. Anytime I visit Houston, ordering fajitas is a must. We did just that, ordered half steak half chicken. Most places however sell it by the pound, here it seemed you only got one option and it came with one side of rice and beans. Everywhere else I've ordered these, they serve it family style. Usually everyone at your table gets their own rice and beans. No here though. Here the fajitas are offered as an individual entree. The food was very delicious though. Both the chicken and the beef were seasoned snd cooked perfectly. The chicken was very tender and the beef had a nice char to it. The grilled onions were also very tasty. Overall we were really satisfied. It is a bit on the pricey side compared to other Tex Mex, and the unnecessary use of valet utilizing the parking lot through me off a bit. Not sure I'd return on my next visit, especially when I've already enjoyed other experiences a little more. At the least the food here is delicious and ultimately will always be the most important thing.

    Photos
    Superica
    Superica
    Superica - Amazing Sauces! The salsa was my favorite! Flavorful with a nice kick!

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    Amazing Sauces! The salsa was my favorite! Flavorful with a nice kick!

    El Tiempo Cantina - tex-mex - Updated September 2026

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