This decades-old, family-owned Mexican restaurant, tucked in the middle of a nondescript retail strip in Spring, has not changed much over the years. Warm chips with red and green salsas precede meals like chicken with mole sauce, carnitas, and platters of tamales with crispy tacos. Fajitas are a house favorite and can be had with beef, chicken, shrimp, or a mix of all three.

Just as its name suggests, this Heights restaurant is reminiscent of a real Mexican hacienda. Colorful paper strands drape from the ceiling, and a large space peppered with banquettes and tables is anchored by a grand staircase. The menu is old-school with a number of combo platters, like the La Hacienda Special, which combines a chile con queso puff, beef taco, stuffed bell pepper, cheese enchilada, and tamale with rice and beans.

This time-honored family-owned restaurant continues to shine in a city rich with Mexican dining choices. Barbacoa from 44 Farms often serves as the filling to tortas, tacos, and more, and saucy enchilada plates include house-made toppings like herb butter Suiza sauce and chili gravy.

From the unassuming, no-frills storefront to the naughty name, La Chingada is bound to bring some raised eyebrows — though once inside, it’s easy to focus on the food. The restaurant prides itself on its made-to-order recipes. Passed down by generations from Oaxaca and Mexico City, there’s something for everyone — breakfast tortas; tacos of all kinds, including birria-style; and empanadas stuffed with your choice of cheese, chicken tinga, or picadillo. Stop by for their lunch specials, available on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and down a three-taco platter for under $10.

Bring a date and indulge in one of the parrilladas, or platters, at this popular Mexican cafe. Sixty dollars scores diners the Teotihuacan parrillada — piled high with chargrilled quails, beef short ribs, grilled jumbo shrimp, and beef and chicken fajitas. A cheese-stuffed poblano pepper gilds the lily.

This Spring Branch restaurant dishes out vegan renditions of Mexican and Latin favorites. The menu features pozole rojo, burritos, tortas, creamy chile con queso, and tacos that can be filled with a variety of proteins, including soy al pastor, jackfruit, Mexican brisket from hibiscus, fajita-style mushrooms, soy bistec, and more.

At Hugo Ortega’s newest restaurant, the spotlight is on Mexican street eats. The fast-casual Uptown Park concept, which offers counter-service by day and a full-service format during dinner and weekend brunch, is known for its slow-roasted meats like birria and barbacoa that are used to build tortas and tacos. Urbe houses its own on-site bakery, too, producing fresh bread, tortillas, and pastries, plus large, spiral-shaped churros — presented just like in the mercados in Mexico.

With its splashy, Mexican resort-style dining space, La Fisheria is a Downtown oasis focusing on coastal cuisine. This means there is a multitude of ceviches to consider, from shrimp, scallops, and stewed octopus, to fish that is fried, char-grilled, or pan-seared.

This charming Montrose cafe often has a crowd gathered outside of it on weekend mornings. Open only until 2:30 p.m., locals love it for its cozy space and hearty Mexican breakfast options. Both sweet and savory dishes are represented well on the menu, with highlights like cajeta toast cooked in caramelized goat’s milk, handmade sopes, churros, and chilaquiles with housemade salsa. Just add a fresh green juice or cafe de coco.

What it lacks in curb appeal, La Guadalupana makes up for in its beloved menu of baked goods, hearty breakfast plates, and friendly service. Pair a concha with the rich, chocolaty champurrado, or for a complete meal, try the chicken flautas with rice and beans.

Chef Hugo Ortega’s namesake restaurant combines Mexican cuisine with top notch service and a chic dining space in the heart of Montrose. This inventive restaurant is known for its playful renditions of Mexican classics. (Think: squash soup, duck tostadas, and two types of mole.) The agave-roasted barbacoa has earned accolades, but for a truly unique dining experience, try the chapulines — crispy fried grasshoppers served with guacamole and tortillas.

近四十年來,Arnaldo理查德的海岸邊has shed a light on the seven regions of Mexico through its cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the all-day restaurant offers plenty to get excited about — menudo on the breakfast menu, seafood enchiladas for dinner, and traditional tres leches or rice pudding for dessert. Stopping by during your lunch hour? Try the 2-course power lunch for $29, available on weekdays.