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Texas, United States Food Guide: 10 Mexican food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Pasadena
Discover Restaurants offering the best Mexican food in Pasadena, Texas, United States. Pasadena /ˌpæsəˈdiːnə/ is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, within the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the city's population is 149,043, making it the seventeenth most populous city in the state of Texas, as well as the second-largest city in Harris County. The area was founded in 1893 by John H. Burnett of Galveston, who named the area after Pasadena, California, because of the perceived lush vegetation.
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10. Casa Ole'
Overall Ratings
4 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Antiquetuck
While visiting friends in the Houston area my wife said she wanted some good Mexican food; our friends said they 'knew a place.'From the reception to the table was friendly and fast, and our server, Joe, was there within moments. Beverage orders were taken, water was poured, salsa and chips were delivered - we were on a roll. I want to add that, unlike most 'Mexican' restaurants we've eaten at, where they provide Hot and Medium or Mild red salsa's we got a red 'strong medium' and a green salsa/guacamole sauce that was just right. The chips were still warm - they make them there, we're told. I found the chips a bit thin when compared to most. They were excellent, fresh and crispy but to my dismay they were so thin they didn't stand up to 'scooping' salsa as I'm accustomed - they wouldn't support the dip and broke easily.I had a margarita that was typical for a restaurant and found it good; the others had sodas or tea.We ordered a Quesa dip for an appetizer. It was good, hot, and flavorful though it wasn't as 'chunky' (with add-ins - diced peppers and such) as I like.I don't remember what everyone ordered had but I got an order of stuffed Poblano's. They were substantial, hot, really good tasting and terrific! Oh, and they came with some bean soup that was excellent too. All of us cleaned our plates proving everything was good. We were too stuffed to order dessert.All of the food was great but the most exceptional part of the meal was the table service. There's a fine line between hovering and being obnoxious and being prompt, thorough, attentive and taking care of business. Joe was spot-on! There wasn't a time when the salsa cups got below half-full, the chip basket got down to a quarter, no water glass or soda got below a quarter, nothing sat empty and in the way for more than a couple of heartbeats. Joe was convivial, interesting, interested, knowledgeable and an excellent host.It'll be a while before we get back to Casa Olé but, I assure you, when we get back to Pasadena we'll stop here for food.If you get by there before us - please say HI to Joe for us!
9. Pappasito's Cantina
Overall Ratings
4 based on 110 reviews
Famous for more than thirty years of Legendary Tex-Mex, Pappasito's Cantina is known for the flavor, freshness and quality of their food and drinks! Pappasito's Cantina serves up succulent, sizzling fajitas, hand-crafted drinks and some of the best chips
Reviewed By Route66travel
OMG! Never thought Tex-Mex breakfast could be so good. They stop serving breakfast at 10 am; but they should serve breakfast ALL DAY! We had the Huevos Rancheros over steak and corn tortilla with papitas and beans. DELICIOUS and the meat was so tender and tasty, yum! Great service TOO!
8. Taqueria De Jalisco
Reviewed By sdf66
From the first bite I knew this place was going to be great. Homemade pico de gallo and you can sit and watch as they make the tortillas.
7. Taqueria Del Sol
Overall Ratings
4 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By Ryan C
I ate here once a week while working in the area. I took my wife for the excellent food, but got surprised looks from the locals, being two gringos. The food is always excellent as well as the prices. Have not been disappointed in anything I tried, but the fajita burritos are my favorite.
6. Johnny Tamale Mexican Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By raven349
I generally judge a Mexican Restaurant on a few a simple points......quality of chips and salsa, guacamole, margarita (on the rocks of course) and most important.....how are the fish tacos? Of course, there are other things I look for in a good Mexican restaurant, but these are the most important to me. I visited Johnny Tamales a few nights ago. Itâs conveniently located just off of the Beltway 8 at Crenshaw. Easy to get to....which is a plus. Upon entering, we were greeted by the hostess and shown to our table immediately....another plus. Our table was in a cavernous room with a very high ceiling which amplified any noise or conversation and made it very difficult to converse with the people I was dining with......a negative. Soon after being seated, the tortilla chips and salsa were brought to the table. The chips were COLD and unsalted......strike one but the salsa was OK. Personally, I like it a little hotter but it had good flavor. Our waiter took our drink and appetizer orders and I order a Patron/Contreau margarita on the rocks with salt and some guacamole. The margarita was perfect. No skimping on the tequila.... a great blend of lime juice, Contreau and tequila......definitely a winner. The guacamole, on the other hand, was blah. A tiny portion served on a leaf of lettuce. It was bland....no salt, no lime juice, no serrano / jalapeño peppers and no cilantro. Definitely a loser.....strike 2. Next, I ordered the fish tacos and they arrived shortly after. What a disappointment they were.....soggy tacos, no serranos, no cilantro and a tiny portion of mahi-mahi (I needed tweezers to find it). However, if you can believe it, there were plenty of mushrooms....are you kidding me. Everyone knows that there are NO mushrooms in a fish taco...strike 3 and youâre out. In summary, I might come back, sit the bar and have a couple of margaritas, as they were VERY good. As for the food, I would rate it a âBâ for beware........
5. The Don'Key Mexican Food
Overall Ratings
4 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By trinhv0803
You know I'm not from around Pasadena and I usually never try to go to Pasadena but a lot of my coworkers said this place is a "hole in the wall" but it has really good margaritas and decent Tex Mex. why not! Let's get it a try!Upon entering, there wasn't a hostess there I assume because she was walking other customers to their tables! When she returned my coworker had already gotten a table for us. Hostess was kind and assertive!Drinks: -Italian Margarita (5/5): DELICIOUS! Perfect blend! Creeps up on you!-Hornyrita (2/5): Gee wiz.. this one was STRONG. It tasted awful to me. Granted people love strong but it was unbearable in my opinion.Parking: MY goodness!! The parking lot is like The Chronicles of Narnia! It's never ending! You would think the parking lot is small because the restaurant isn't exactly large but the parking lot is massive. Plenty of parking space.Service: (3.5/5) I don't even know what our server's name was but he wasn't as attentive as I hopEd e would be. I understand they were sort of busy but it should not take over 15 minutes to get our drinks. The food came out faster than our drinks. He at least did ask us how our food was so there's a plus in that.Food: (4/5)-Fish Tacos Fried (Tilapia) I ordered the fried fish tacos. It was delicious!! I loved how they added the mango but I should've specified I wanted FLOUR instead of corn tortilla. In my opinion, I feel when you're eating a sort of wet taco you need flour because corn tortillas usually falls apart. The tacos were kinda spicy but they add a nice touch! It comes with pinto beans, I substituted with refried beans.My coworkers ordered:-Chicken quesadillas -Beef quesadillas -Nachos appetizer I didn't try any of their items so I can't rate that.Willing to try again, hopefully the service will get a little faster. Iâm
4. Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By condorchristi
First and foremost, Ninfa's comes in between the "cheapy" Mexican food and the "Mexican Cuisine" crowd. I'm not saying you have to moderate your expectations in any way but know that for $10.99 a plate, you're not getting cuisine or hoity-toity food. What you are getting is delicious Mexican food that is served in generous portions and is a good value considering what you get for your money at other places. The service on my latest visit in Mid October 2018 was exemplary. Could not be happier. Plenty of televisions are around your tables and at the bar. But it is, somehow, a more "classy" place than that entails. There is a seating area where you can wait for your party (I'm one of those who'd rather wait for the whole party before going to my table). One little snipe is that the chip basket is too small. They refill it constantly but the basket itself is too small. That's it! Love the place; can't wait to return.
3. Habanera & the Guero
Overall Ratings
4 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By AMiller7880
Oh wow! We stayed nearby after our connection flight was cancelled. After a quick search of nearby restaurants we decided to Uber here. The salsa is easily the best salsa weâve ever tasted. The carne asada and the tour of El Paso were FANTASTIC!!!!!!! Everything has such amazing flavor! My husband said âI donât like mole sauceâ. When his food came out he said âmmm... this mole sauce is great!â I said âI thought you didnât like mole sauceâ and he replied âwell I like THIS mole sauce!â
2. Gringo's Mexican Kitchen Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 196 reviews
Gringoâs Mexican Kitchen is a family of full-service Mexican restaurants in the Houston area. All restaurants serve the highest quality Mexican food, offer a full bar and are open daily Sunday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. The Gringoâs brand iden
Reviewed By delnorn
A friend from out of town was in the mood for some Tex-Mex and Gringo's was in the area. The food and service were good. Portion sizes were plentiful and the menu selection and prices were typical for a Tex-Mex restaurant. With several other restaurants sharing the parking lot parking was the only drawback.
What to do and see in Pasadena, United States: The Best Places and Tips
1. Jimmy Changas
Overall Ratings
4 based on 193 reviews
Jimmy Changas is a family of full-service Fresh. Mex. Fun. restaurants around the greater Houston area. All restaurants serve the highest quality Mexican food, offer a full bar and are open daily Sunday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, with a "Fresh
Reviewed By AmyLyn76
The patio is really nice to sit on and is first come first serve so no waiting in line if you like to sit outside. The food is good. Its a little pricey compared to others in the area. They have a nice bar selection and service is good. We had dirty tostadas and street tacos. We visit once a month or so.
Pasadena Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Pasadena
