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    Pappasito's Cantina

    3.4 (579 reviews)
    ModerateTex-Mex, Seafood
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    PAPPASITO'S CANTINA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Chips and salsa
    Karen B.

    CON -We had a party of 3 and were told that there was a 45 minute wait. We watched people that came in after us be seated. When asked about it got blown off. Talked to a manager and was told that it is because they didnt seat small parties at the bigger tables. Originally told 5 parties were ahead of us. Now when checked told there is 4 parties in front of us - even though saw people come in after us th get a seat. Told they probably had reservations- only thing is we knew one of the parties and they didnt have reservations. Manager finally got a table for us after 1 1/2 hrs. PRO - chips and salsa give it a top rating. Our server Brandon was great. Knew we were in a time crunch and put our order in fast and gave us our bill early so that when we were done eating didn't have to wait for a bill. The fajita steak tacos were delicious.

    Peach Sangria.
    Jazz B.

    This one is going to be a hard pass for me. We checked out the one on Lamar, and I can say it's probably some of the worst Tex-Mex I've ever had. The food just wasn't good. I think the best thing we had was the grilled veggies. I don't know if it's just me, but I expect to have a little flavor and spice when it comes to any type of Mexican food, even Tex-Mex. This was just blah, straight salt only. I had the lunch fajita, big miss. I just think it needs a little more flavor. What can I say, I'm a Louisiana guy. I really can't judge the service on this one. I went in a group of 20, and I know what can be a little tricky. I will say the bar tenders were nice and friendly, but the table service- not so much. The restaurant was nice and clean, so that's a plus. I just wish I could say more for the food and service.

    Guacamole dip
    Hazel B.

    Great food and service. Marcos did a great job waiting on our party of 8. The large chicken and steak fajita was big enough for 3 people and we still had left overs. Everything was delicious.

    Combination Enchiladas (chicken & beef)
    Areeba Z.

    We were looking for some Tex mex near the convention center after a full conference day. The convenience of this location is unmatched. Ample space to accommodate any size party. We were seated right away and our hostess went over the menu. We got a round of drinks and went straight to the mains. The chips and salsa on the house were super fresh. The salsa had a spicy kick to it and probably one of the best charred tomato salsa I have had! My coworker got chicken fajitas and I got the combo enchiladas. My god, there was enough food to feed 4 people! But im not complaining! The enchiladas were cooked to perfection. The rice and beans were well seasoned. We did find that this place was a little overpriced, but given it's connected to Hilton, the prices made sense. Will be back for some enchiladas and salsa!

    Chicken Fajita Flautas (2)
    Pla C.

    This is a must try.... Great food and atmosphere. Waitress suggested these items and they were 10/10. Great flavor in the beans, shrimps... everything. Fresh salsa and chips. Everything was great.

    Braised Beef Enchiladas
    John C.

    The food was excellent! Bar service was very slow. Especially since the was hardly any patrons at the bar. The bartenders were hanging out. But the food was worth all the wait. The braised beef enchiladas were on point! Absolutely worth going back for.

    Seafood Combination is superb!!

    This Houston Pappasito's is the best Papaasitos's. Our server's name was Frederick and he did an excellent job of suggesting dishes and we settled on the Seafood combo (shrimp & scallops)with "crème' sauce and the Beef and shrimp fajita. The beef fajita was the most well prepared and delicious fajita we've had in decades. No joke! It was so good it's not even in the photo. It was so tasty that we asked to speak to the chef. Chef Mathew came to our table and we were amazed to see that he's 19 years old. He worked his way up from dishwasher and not chef. His meticulous way of presenting the food and its presentation is memorable. We travelled from the DFW area and will most definitely return to "our" new favorite hotel. The entire team is 5 star. In addition, the lining in my Kate Spade purse got caught in the zipper (annoying) and I couldn't get it open to get my hand sanitizer and I was really famished. I was about to rip it and our waiter Frederick tried and he couldn't get it open and he called a colleague named Matua (said he'd didn't want me to rip my Kate Spade. Mataa opened it without having to rip it. Overall, from greetings at the door to the food customer service I'd top notch. We shared our experience with Jacob the manager and he was very proud of his entire team. When in the Houston downtown area visit this little gem. They don't have the full Pappasito's menu ;but with service and delicious food, who needs a full menu to waste time looking at. The food was delivered very quickly and as I've said before the presentation matched the deliciousness of the food we ordered. Two thumbs up and five

    El Sombrero

    Mid food and mid service with a premium price tag. Staff are standing around tables and talking. My flatware was dirty when I took it out of the napkin. $50+ fajitas come with a veggie plate that covers half the tray and three tortillas. My one of my enchiladas had no sauce on it. Absolute waste of money.

    Maya is awesome
    Mecede A.

    Very large portions! The server Maya was very friendly and provided great service!The steak fajita was very tender. The drinks were amazing! Overall had lots of fun eating with colleagues there.

    Taco dinner (chicken)
    Courtney S.

    This restaurant is attached to the Hilton, which is attached to the convention center. It was very busy at lunchtime, and service was very quick, especially at the bar. All wait staff were attentive, and moving quickly to get drinks and orders out of the kitchen. The menu is more geared towards dinner with the prices and sizes, although it was fair overall. The taco dinner was absolutely delicious, and the chips and salsa were fresh and hot. While it may be more commercialized than a mom and pop shop, the food was definitely worth it!

    Rex C.

    This is the first time I visit this location and I'll definitely give them four stars. I will say the parking here is quite the headache. You have to park at a parking garage then walk a few blocks. You must remember to get your parking validated and then walk back. In all honesty, I'd rather just go to your standard Pappasitos where I can pull up Park and walk in. That was quite the hassle. I will not lie. I will admit, though if you're coming to the Rockets game, it's probably a good deal. Service was OK. Took a little while to get seated. They were short service. No problem, I understand. The food was great. You cannot go wrong with Pappasito's food. The fajita nachos were top notch. No matter which location you go to. You can always expect great food. Their food is definitely five star rating. The only reason why I gave it four stars because the parking situation. Back to the food. The tortilla soup was also great as well. Once again, I'll definitely come back before Rockets game or maybe even come back and deal with the parking garage but nonetheless, this is great Houston, Texas food like always amazing nachos.

    Brian Q.

    Came after checking out of the Hilton and waiting for appropriate time to go to the airport. Being next to a convention center, it was packed! So make reservations! Had reservations so was seated immediately and was given chips and salsa. Always a plus! Taxi had said fajita nachos were good so opted for that and that was filling for 2 people. Lots of flavor and filled with toppings. Also got the Birria taco which was flavorful and spicy and the meat was very tender. All in all good food for the price!

    Tacos Al carbon
    Anisya N.

    The atmosphere is so fun and brightly lit! The six of us got seated quickly, and our server was friendly! Can't complain about free chips and salsa but the salsa is pretty watery and not my fave. Food came fast within fifteen minutes. I got their tacos al carbon with fajita chicken. Good portion size but I'd recommend getting their fajitas instead since it's basically the same dish with a little more money and extra food. Chicken is juicy and cooked well, while their guac paired well with it. Not a fan of how the chicken was rolled up in the tortillas which made it harder to eat. Nonetheless though pretty decent, good spot for Mexican food!

    Bloody mary

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    5 months ago

    Great food and service! Our server Noah W was amazing. Will be back for another visit when in the area!

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    Pappasito's Cantina Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Pappasito's Cantina

    Does Pappasitos serve Tex Mex or Mexican food?

    Tex Mex

    Good for large groups? Any vegan options?

    Yes and Yes

    View All 5 Questions

    Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition

    Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition

    4.3
    (310 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    I love this restaurant! And it's favorite spot to visit when I'm in Houston…read more The food is always fabulous, and I enjoy the libation. My last dish was étouffée with gold tile filet - delicious! TV screens in the background don't interfere with the table conversations. There's street parking.

    I finally made it to Josephine's, a Michelin Recommended restaurant, for a late-night dinner with a…read morefriend last Saturday, and overall it was a good experience with a few things that could be improved. When we arrived, the host let us choose where we wanted to sit. I originally spotted a cozy booth by the window, but since we were asked if we'd like to sit where we could watch the TV during the Cup match, we opted for one of the high-top tables instead. Unfortunately, that turned out to be a mistake because there isn't any lighting at the high tables. We could barely see our food. Adding pendant or drop-down lighting above those tables would make a huge difference. If you plan to visit, I'd recommend requesting a regular table or booth for better lighting. The menu is definitely unique, though I found it somewhat limited compared to other seafood restaurants.To start, I ordered the roasted oysters while my friend had a dozen raw oysters with all the traditional fixings. The roasted oysters were delicious, but there was so much topping that it almost took the shine away from the oysters themselves. Next time, I'd ask for lighter toppings and no scallions. For my entrée, I had the Halfshell Grilled Redfish. The fish itself was cooked beautifully--moist, flaky, and perfectly prepared. The only downside was the chermoula, which leaned far too heavily on the citrus. The lemon flavor completely overpowered the fish. As my side, I ordered the Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo. Unfortunately, it had a distinct burnt taste, which made it seem like the roux had been overcooked. A good gumbo should have a deep, rich flavor, but this one was overshadowed by that burnt note. My friend ordered the Jerk Fish Collars, and we both agreed they would have been much better if the fish had been marinated to allow the jerk seasoning to really penetrate. I also ordered a Lemon Drop Martini, and I have to admit I was surprised when it arrived in such a tiny martini glass, especially considering the price. Overall, the quality of the seafood is evident, and the restaurant has a great atmosphere. I think a few adjustments to the lighting, better balance in some of the flavors, and more attention to details like the gumbo and cocktail portions would elevate the experience even further. I'd definitely return to try more of the menu and hope for a more polished experience next time.

    Photos
    Inside - back area seating
    Inside - back area seating
    Banana Pudding-$10. Would've loved more cookies! Rich and filling!
    Banana Pudding-$10. Would've loved more cookies! Rich and filling!
    Blue Crab Rice Bowl-$26. RICH!

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    Blue Crab Rice Bowl-$26. RICH!
    Yummy Seafood & Oyster Bar

    Yummy Seafood & Oyster Bar

    4.4
    (108 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    The yummy house sauce is the freaking best... it's so good... I'm still thinking about it a few…read moredays later... We got the 6 Ibs medium spice level with corn and potatoes. Unfortunately adding corn and potato's is an additional cost but it's so worth it. Curious to try the leftover sauce with the rice next time We also got the gulf oysters which came with your typical oyster dressings. They were so fresh and plump!!! Next time I would try the premium seasonal oysters :)

    I really wanted this to be a hit. Seafood, oysters, alcohol....vibes and a time right? It wasn't…read more I tried the bang bang shrimp, fried pickles, and chargrilled oysters. Something simple that should be an easy win. Unfortunately, everything leaned the same direction: either it was heavy, over-sauced, or overly garlicky. It tasted more like dressed-up frozen food than something thoughtfully prepared. And listen...I don't mind indulgent. But there still has to be balance and fresh food. Fresh like it was raw and delivered today, not fresh like fried in the last 15 mins. When everything is coated, covered, and competing, nothing actually stands out. The drinks didn't help either. They leaned hard on alcohol without much flavor behind them--more "this will get you there" than "this tastes good." Nothing was terrible. But nothing made me want another bite, either. And with seafood, that's kind of the whole point. The atmosphere is friendly, great music, and the service was very attentive. Even the presentation wasn't bad. It just wasn't enough. But at some point, you stop asking what's missing and just accept that it's not landing. I was still hungry so I went next door hoping for a better experience. I want to be clear: It's not bad. It's just not working.

    Photos
    Yummy Seafood & Oyster Bar
    Ultimate Seafood Platter was fantastic!!
    Ultimate Seafood Platter was fantastic!!
    Crawfish.

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    Crawfish.
    State of Grace

    State of Grace

    4.4
    (1.1k reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$$

    We recently celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday at State of Grace, and it was truly an…read moreexceptional dining experience. From the moment we arrived, the service was out of this world. The front hostess, Annabella, was incredibly welcoming and helpful, making us feel valued from the start. Our waiter was equally amazing and attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely dedicated to ensuring we had a wonderful evening. We started with the deviled eggs and crab beignets, both of which were absolutely delicious. Their French onion soup was hearty. Drinks were fabulous too. For our meal, we ordered the mashed potatoes, cacio e pepe, pork schnitzel, blackened fish, miso fish, and burger, and every dish was perfectly prepared and packed with flavor. The restaurant went above and beyond by surprising my mother-in-law with a birthday dessert (upon my request when I had originally booked it), which was such a thoughtful touch and made the celebration even more memorable. We also enjoyed the pecan ball and chocolate soufflé, and both were outstanding. Between the incredible food, impeccable service, and special attention to our celebration, State of Grace exceeded all expectations. Annabella, our waiter, and the entire staff made the evening feel truly special. Easily one of the best dining experiences we've had in Houston, and we can't wait to return! I will be planning a girls night there soon!

    The pickled shrimp was just ok. Not enough flavor to me, just a mix of some ingredients…read more The oysters and accompaniments were great. Presentation was nice. Hollywood, va voom and metagorda all similar in taste to each other. The maison salad was delicious. Butter lettuce with the toppings and sauce was just enjoyable. The butter burger sliders were good. Just would like it thicker as it's too much bun. The cookie on the way out was so awesome, I almost went back in to grab another. Gingerbread I think. Avery was a wonderful bartender and kept up with entertaining conversations and was attentive to all service needs. Tried the g4 tequila reposado and it was very easy drinking.

    Photos
    Beautiful bar area with great lighting for selfies
    Beautiful bar area with great lighting for selfies
    State of Grace
    Interior of restaurant

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    Interior of restaurant
    Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

    Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

    3.9
    (494 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    TLDR: Geaux here and tell them Jeaux S. sent you…read more You'd think a chain restaurant connected to a convention center would be an expected disappointment. Well, Pappadeaux's (as it's commonly known) in Houston was surprisingly amazing. I was in the area for a convention and this was as convenient as it gets. The staff was welcoming and friendly and we had a view into the open kitchen. We started off with a Large Garlic Bread and 6 Chargrilled Oysters and honestly, we should have gotten a dozen. They were pretty good and a great way to start the meal. And is Garlic Bread the perfect food? Just sayin' The dinner itself was also really good. I had the Grouper with Shrimp and Lump Crab and it was amazing. Nice piece of fish, shrimp cooked perfectly, and a few pieces of jumbo crab sprinkled in. I've been to this chain before but this version was just better to me for some reason. I'd go here even if I wasn't at a convention.

    $162 for a pretty disappointing dinner. We drove in from Clear Lake, paid for parking, and walked…read moreabout 3 blocks with two kids. Once we were seated upstairs, we waited about 10 minutes just to get menus -- my husband ended up pulling them up on his phone. When the server finally came by, we were already hungry and thirsty. He seemed very busy, so we quickly put in our drink order, but only half the drinks came out. I ordered a cocktail that never arrived initially, and my husband's Diet Coke was completely flat. The replacement was flat too, which makes me think the soda lines upstairs probably need attention. At that point we just focused on getting the kids' meals ordered. As the food started coming out, I noticed the kids weren't eating their shrimp and fries. After tasting the fries myself, it was obvious the fryer oil needed to be changed. I also asked for the restaurant's famous bread, only to be told this location didn't have any. My husband eventually just ordered a tea instead. The catfish my husband's friend ordered was not good at all, and while my dinner was okay, it definitely wasn't worth the price. The server dropped the check before even asking about dessert, and when we did decide we wanted dessert, it took another 15-20 minutes. To top it off, there wasn't even a bag provided for my to-go food, so I had to carry it the entire 3 blocks back. Overall, we were really not impressed and honestly can't believe we spent that much money for an experience where almost nobody enjoyed their meal

    Photos
    Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
    Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
    Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

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    Pappasito's Cantina - tex-mex - Updated July 2026

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