Hugo's, an award-winning restaurant located in the vibrant Montrose neighborhood of Houston, stands as a beacon of the city's thriving culinary scene. Spearheaded by Chef Hugo Ortega, a James Beard Award recipient, Hugo's brings the authentic flavors and rich traditions of Mexican cuisine to the heart of Houston. From the moment you step into Hugo's, you are greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere that exudes rustic charm blended with modern elegance. The restaurant is housed in a 1925 building renovated with attention to detail that preserves its historical allure while infusing it with contemporary sophistication. The decor incorporates rich, earthy tones and traditional Mexican elements, creating a sense of warmth and intimacy. The culinary journey at Hugo's begins with the delightful menu that presents a cornucopia of Mexican delicacies. One of the standouts is the Cabrito, slow-cooked baby goat served with a fragrant guajillo pepper sauce. The tender meat falls off the bone, and the robust flavors of the sauce make for a memorable dish. Another must-try is the Tamales de Pato, duck tamales served with a tangy green mole sauce. The tamales are soft and flavorful, and the sauce adds a zesty touch that elevates the dish. Hugo's is renowned for its seafood offerings. The Pescado a la Talla, a grilled red snapper served with a duo of sauces, is exceptionally fresh and perfectly cooked. The contrasting sauces, one tangy and herbaceous, the other rich and smoky, beautifully complement the mild flavor of the snapper. The Coctel de Mariscos, a vibrant seafood cocktail with shrimp, octopus, and avocado in a tomato-based sauce, is a refreshing and satisfying appetizer. No culinary experience at Hugo's is complete without sampling their dessert menu. The Pastel de Elote, a sweet corn cake served with whipped cream and fruit salsa, is a unique and delicious end to the meal. The beverage program at Hugo's is equally impressive. The restaurant offers a vast selection of tequila and mezcal, with knowledgeable staff ready to guide you through the options. The handcrafted cocktails, particularly the margaritas, are skillfully blended and beautifully presented. The service at Hugo's is superb. The staff is attentive and professional, demonstrating a genuine passion for Mexican cuisine. They provide detailed descriptions of dishes, offer excellent pairing recommendations, and ensure every guest feels valued and taken care of. Hugo's provides a captivating culinary experience that showcases the richness of Mexican cuisine. Its combination of delicious, authentic food, top-notch service, and a warm, inviting ambiance makes it an unmissable part of Houston's dining scene. Whether you are a longtime lover of Mexican food or a curious newcomer, Hugo's promises a meal to remember. read more

I went to Hugo's for a Sunday buffet with a group. The parking lot is valet only, which is a drag. The parking lot is crammed with multiple crowds of people waiting for their cars at the door of the restaurant. So I decided to park on the street. There is free street parking within a block or two. The table was not ready even 20 minutes after our reservation. They overbook and let people wait, defies the point of reserving a table. The food is not great, Every dish is extremely salty, a classic buffet tactic for feeding poeple salty food and filling water glasses constantly to make them eat little and fill up on salt water. There are only two types of meat: lamb chops and slow cooked pork. Poor for a $30 buffet. The sides are good, but definitely did not meet my expectations as Hugo's was very much recommended by friends. Spanish rice, refried beans, tortilla chips, guacamole are OK. Octopus salad is very fresh and tasty. Did I mention all the dishes are very, very, very salty? I really liked the desserts, tried a little bit of everything. Tres leches is extremely sugary, churros are dry with no syrup, but all the other desserts are pretty good. Overall, it was an OK Mexican restaurant. Their dinner might be better, but this restaurant is certainly way overhyped. It does not live up to its reputation and the awards that decorate its walls. I would not recommend the Sunday buffet. read more

The brunch buffet at Hugo's is a delightful experience that brilliantly showcases the rich flavors of classic Mexican cuisine. From the moment you step in, the variety and quality of dishes impress. The ceviche stands out for its freshness, a perfect start to the culinary journey. The meats, including succulent ribs, brisket, and carnitas, are exceptionally juicy, each bite infused with traditional spices and cooked to perfection. The paella, a true highlight, is deliciously prepared, offering a harmonious blend of seafood and rice with just the right touch of saffron. Desserts like the thick, creamy flan, and the tres leches cake, perfectly soaked in milk, provide a sweet finale to the meal. Beyond the food, the service at Hugo's is commendable. Attentive staff ensures a seamless dining experience, promptly clearing plates and accommodating every need. This combination of exquisite food and excellent service makes the brunch buffet at Hugo's a must-visit for anyone looking to savor authentic Mexican dishes and desserts in a welcoming atmosphere. read more

I dined here last night with a group of colleagues and had a fabulous time. It had been several years since dining here, and I might have forgot how delicious it is. There were so many tempting dishes to choose from and luckily, I was able to try almost everyone's dish at my table. I would say you cannot go wrong with any of their seafood dishes. The shrimp with pistachio mole was outstanding. The grilled octopus appetizer was also very surprisingly tasty and cooked perfectly. To drink you also cannot go wrong with a house margarita, shaken at your table to perfection, not overly sweet like many margaritas in this city. The service is always incredible and they are never too far from reach if you need anything. The atmosphere is lively and decor is upscale and clean. A great spot to take anyone for a special treat. Cannot wait to return. Make sure you go hungry! read more

The bar is excellent and the tequila choices are top notch. Bartenders are skilled, although not super friendly -- they were busy though. As for the food, I believe that there's a certain price point above which Mexican cuisine should not go above, and if it does, it becomes a waste of money. An enchilada is an enchilada, there's nothing like "the best enchilada in the world" IMO, granted there are plenty of TERRIBLE enchiladas out there. Anyway, ended up dropping a bill on a dinner for two, had the scallops dish...it was WAY too sweet. The lechon taco was good, but parts of it were too overcooked, and a big chunk of fat was also present. Upscale Mexican is a bit of an oxymoron in my opinion, so I guess I am a bit biased. I would come back for happy hour or an appetizer, but for the money I can think of MANY other places I'd rather eat around town. read more

Just finished up Sunday buffet brunch at Hugo's with a group of 6. Underwhelming to say the least. The service was very slow (to order mimosas and other drinks) and had to wait 30 minutes for the bill. The buffet had a wide selection of brunch items and desserts, but the line is soooo long and by the time you get up to the migas...they are all gone :-( I suggest getting good at swooping in and only hitting those items you know you want (as opposed to being a good citizen and waiting in line) but know that you will get some dirty looks. Must trys are the migas, carnitas, tamales, and stuffed peppers. For dessert tres leches! Also, do yourself a favor and MAKE A RESERVATION! Wait times easily pass the 1 hour mark starting at noon. read more

Very impressed with our meal here. Our waitress pointed out and recommended various dishes on the menu to us and it seems that everything is based on authentic Mexican recipes so this was (and is) the real deal. I went for the day's special which was a pork shank, cooked slowly for several hours. The meat just melted in the mouth - absolutely delicious! But why not a five star rating? My only criticism is that the overall cost of the meal was quite high (we only had a glass of wine each). That said, I would definitely recommend this restaurant and will go back again as the food is of a high standard in my opinion. We sat outside and enjoyed the warm afternoon air. Very pleasant dining experience. read more

The food and service was fast and friendly and the salsa was spicy. Just how I like it! Expecting a little more heat and flavor to my enchiladas - I was a little underwhelmed. Not to say they're weren't cooked properly, I just like a little more heat and zing tome ocean cuisine. Per usual - the enchiladas were drenched in red sauce and paired with the requisite rice and beans. My favorite part was the guacamole with fresh diced jalapeños in the mix. You could not only taste the heat but tell they were fresh and newly added. What's the fun in eating Mexican if you're nose isn't gonna run a little :)? read more

This is not your typical Mexican restaurant. This is your upscale Mexican restaurant. With that, there are a few things one should expect when dinning here. Pros: Great good with intricate flavors Very attentive staff, fitting to be an upscale venue Large selection of fine wine A very comprehensive menu Cons: Expensive, fitting to be an upscale venue Valet parking only Can be very loud making table conversation difficult Some might consider the portion small For $30 to $45 a plate, this probably isn't going to be a daily visit. But for a meaningful gathering, Hugo's got my vote! read more

DO NOT PARK IN THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS! Hugo's food and service was amazing. I was, however, unaware of the complimentary valet parking and parked at a nearby street. The signs in the streets are VERY unclear, but most of them you cannot park in without a permit and they WILL tow. Hugo's is thoughtful enough to have a sign at the door warning of this very problem, but I missed it. Hoping to prevent someone else from being taken advantage of by those evil towing companies! Otherwise, please visit Hugo's! A beautiful ambiance and a wonderful vegetarian food experience. read more

Three things were disappointing. The Lobster in the Appetizer was overcooked. The Pork wrapped in Banana leaves was dry not moist as it should have been. My wife ordered a seafood dish that included Lobster and Octopus. Even though we asked the Waiter to make sure her Lobster is not overcooked it was. The Octopus was missing from her plate as was the Garlic sauce over the seafood. The Octopus was promtly delivered when brought to the attention of the waiter and it was very good. Food was tasty but the experience was dissapointing read more

I tried Hugo's for a late lunch. Valet service was great. I was seated immediately. The restaurant wasn't crowded at all which is why I love late lunches. Service seemed a bit slow, but polite. I ordered the scallops, fried fish and goat cheesecake. I was disappointed. The scallops were cooked perfectly but not seasoned well. The fried catfish was freezer fish sticks quality. UNACCEPTABLE! The portions seemed quite small. The sweet cornbread that came with the scallops was delicious. Overall, it was an underwhelming experience. read more

We had one of the best restaurant experiences in our travels because of Ignacio. He is an exceptional manager and host. While sitting at the bar, he shared with us the background and history of the restaurant,'made succinct recommendations from the menu, made spectacular cocktails, and give us just an all-around warm welcome. He and his staff did an outstanding job of making sure we had the best experience possible and they work very hard to make it an exceptional. The differentiator though, is his warm and friendly nature. read more

I am not generally fond of Mexican food. Pappa's, Ninfa's are to me all indistinguishable and totally forgettable. This however is a real restaurant, with very fine cuisine - tuna tacos, crispy suckling pig, potato and herbs stuffed steak, churros with dark chocolate - and a very complete wine list to boot. Don't forget the chef was the executive chef at the Backstreet Café. As it gets busier, service slows down some what, but remains friendly. Highly recommended and easier on the wallet than first expected. read more

While the menu is limited I appreciate the creativity of it - really great choices for such a small menu, tells me they probably do everything on it very well. I had the pistachio mole shrimp - I wasn't crazy about the nontraditional mole, but it was good, the shrimp were excellent! The accompanying rice pyramid was more style than substance.The restaurant is noisy, not a great place if you're planning on talking to your companions. Atmosphere is nice. All in all a good experience. read more

Hugo's has some really great traditional Mexican food. It's a little more upscale than the Mexican restaurants I usually frequent, but not too bad. The drinks are not too expensive and the food is worth coming back for. Most of the best dishes are simple street food served in a more glamorous manner, but it is delicious none-the-less. The last time I ordered the Huevos Rancheros and, while simple, they are FILLING! Hugo's gets 4 stars for me - just personal opinion. read more

I mean, you really can't go wrong with this spot. I've been to a bunch of the other joints across town and this by far is my favorite. Every ingredient seems so intentional, serving one main purpose, to keep you coming back for more. They've got a different special every day but the must haves are: COD, Beef cheek, short rib empanadas (only on Saturdays ), Corn on the cob. Check it out you will be happy that you did. Oh the line up - get there early if you can. read more

Fresh ingredients, complex and simple dishes, with specials that are novel, for example lamb chops with a red mole sauce that was subtle along with mushroom tamales. Goat and lobster tacos were fantastic. Having only been to Mexico a couple of times I cannot vouch for authenticity but it doesn't matter. Aside from being a bit loud, the ambience was great, the service attentive and as mentioned, great food. They may have outdoor seating but it was late at night. read more

DONT BE FOOLED BT THE REVIEWS!! Too overpriced and the food isn't even good. I had the carne asada a la tampiqueña, carnitas and the carne brava...great presentation but the food is tasteless. I wouldn't recommend this place.No offense but tons of white folks go here so i guess they like it and its probably why they give good reviews for "authentic mexican food"....but trust me the food trucks tacos stands "los carritos" $1 tacos are better than this. read more