The State Food of Texas is Certainly Tex-Mex

Despite having a judgmental and discriminating palate, I don’t like to write “Best Of” and “Top” lists because I’m not a food critic, at least not professionally.  I’m just a Realtor that eats out, a lot! Instead, I prefer to share with people the places I enjoy most. Cheese, cheese and more cheese make Tex-Mex great and Houston has a lot of it. After all, I’m pretty sure it’s the state food of Texas – some great and some not so great. Here’s the list of my favorites in no particular order.

Lupe Tortilla is a chain, but it can still be found only in Texas; so, it doesn’t feel like a chain. The general manager is part owner and stops by every table. If it’s a busy shift, the head kitchen manager also helps to check in with guests. I love that they make this small personal effort to ensure you love your meal before you ever even leave the restaurant. However, what really makes this place stand out are the charro beans they serve with the chips and their queso that is pure liquid gold. Add to that the margaritas taste like spiked lemonade and the bartenders never let you run dry, and you have a winning combination. $$ http://www.lupetortilla.com/

Pappasitos is a family owned nationwide chain. They’re not in every state and that may be part of what makes them feel small and local. Or perhaps it is because their parent company, Pappas Restaurants Incorporated uses vertical integration. This means they own their restaurants, the delivery trucks of their fresh produce, fish and meats, the company that manufactures their uniforms, the company that builds their tables, chairs and restaurants and they employ the contractors that keep the lights on.  The quality of food and service you’ll find at a Pappasitos is well worth the higher price you’ll pay for what you may think should just be cheap Tex-Mex. The absolute greatest thing on the Pappasitos menu is the Watermelon Margarita (seasonal) with freshly muddled watermelon instead of some syrupy juice and big ol’ slice on the side. They also offer one of the most affordable brunches in town. $$$ http://pappasitos.com/home/

Laurenzo’s El Tiempo is a newer spot compared to Pappasitos, but mixed up in the history of the founding fathers of Houston restaurants. You’ll soon discover that many of the same families have their hand in most of the great restaurants in the area (all but the Pappas.) It seems the Carrabbas are related to the Mandolas who also happen to be related to the Laurenzos and it just keeps going. All the great local restaurants are somehow in bed with each other. Perhaps it is simply a matter of great minds thinking alike. Like the Pappas family, Laurenzo cares about quality; it’s been rumored that he walked into one his restaurants one night and threw out all the jumbo lump crab because it didn’t meet his standards. I can’t think of one other restaurant that would do that instead of try to find a way to use subpar product anyways. Thank goodness he expects greatness because the most amazing dish at El Tiempo is the crab nachos on the appetizer menu. At around $13, you get 6 crispy tortilla chips smothered in black beans and topped with massive chunks of fresh jumbo lump. It doesn’t get much better. $$$ http://www.eltiempocantina.com/

Ruchi’s El Rincon de Mexico (or Ruchi’s Taqueria at some locations) is a seedy little chain open 24 hours and rumored to serve adult beverages long after 2 AM. I can’t confirm that, of course, but it doesn’t really matter. After 2 AM when you need something to soak up the alcohol before you try to find your way home, Ruchi’s will be there with cheap, greasy Tex-Mex. Opinions of Ruchi’s vary from “eww, gross” to “that beef taco has crack!” As for me, I pop in there when I’m sober in the middle of the day; so, take from that what you will. The beef tacos really do seem to have something special in them and it’s one of the few places you can get Zanahorias en Escabeche (spicy pickled carrots.) The Westheimer location has live music most nights, too! $ http://ruchistaqueria.com/

La Tapatia is also open pretty late and happens to be a very cheap local chain. The difference between here and Ruchi’s is I’ve never met anyone to say “eww, gross” about La Tapatia. The food is served almost faster than Speedy Gonzales runs, hotter than a Houston summer, and greasier than your pant leg after eating a bag of Lay’s potato chips. It’ll stick to your ribs and you’ll enjoy eating every single bite. The Montrose location has been so successful over the years, they bought out their strip center neighbors and expanded, adding a massive circular bar. Their cheese enchiladas are the best around and a top shelf margarita is typically on special to be only $1 more than the house margarita. $ http://www.latapatiahouston.com/

Is there a Tex-Mex restaurant you would like to see on this list? Leave a message in the comments below.