How Mama Ninfa Brought Fajitas to Houston — And the World | Eater Houston
"Founded in 1973 when the family converted part of their tortilla and pizza factory into a 10-table eatery, this restaurant popularized sizzling fajitas in Houston and beyond. Its skirt-steak fajitas are grilled over wood-fired coals to develop a distinctive char and smoky aroma, and are traditionally served on homemade tortillas with rice, beans, pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole; a signature green salsa made from tomatillo and avocado is a hallmark of the menu. The founder, Maria Rodriguez Laurenzo, combined fierce business drive with warm, maternal hospitality—inviting the neighborhood in and insisting on high standards—which helped turn early lines into lasting community loyalty. The simple, nostalgic cooking method, hands-on way of eating, and the restaurant’s mentorship of employees and other restaurateurs helped cement fajitas and the green salsa as Tex‑Mex staples, even after the original location was sold following the brand’s financial troubles." - Brittany Britto Garley
