Tacos Doña Lena (18th Street)

Mexican restaurant · Lazy Brook

3

@infatuation

"Tacos Doña Lena is a technicolor fantasy world you must be a part of. The birria-focused, electric-orange restaurant—filled with papel picado banners and family photos framed in flowers—in Lazybrook is even better than the Spring Branch original, thanks to their margaritas with a perfect tequila, lime, and sugar ratio. The menu has every known birria concoction, from consomme-drenched tacos, crispy machetes, and gorditas stuffed with refried beans to beefy bowls of ramen topped with a fried egg. Split the hulking combination plate with a special someone (and by someone, we mean yourself), load up on quesabirrias, and don’t be ashamed to drink the consomme straight from the bowl. photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen Food Rundown photo credit: Quit Nguyen Margaritas Unlike the original Spring Branch location, this one serves margaritas. And while these are the standard lime, the flavors hit a sweet Goldilocks balance. They’re light on the sugar and citrus and heavy on the refreshing factor. photo credit: Liz Silva Salsas Before the food arrives, someone brings six different squeeze bottles of equally delicious salsa to your table, arranges them from mild to the spiciest, and explains the taste of each one. It’s a small gesture that will keep you from dousing your birra taco in fiery La Mocoso Habanero when you’re really a mild tomatillo person. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Street Tacos If you’re all about the birria, go straight for the street tacos. Other meat options exist, but birria is what Doña Lena does best. For these tacos, stewed beef gets stuffed into tortillas drenched in consomé, and every plate arrives with even more consomé. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Machete Shaped like the handheld tool that bears the same name, this huge crispy taco is a mash-up between a taco and a quesadilla. It’s massive, full of meat and cheese, and just another incredible way to eat birria. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Quesabirria The ratio of cheese to meat can make or break a quesabirria, no matter how much chile-rich consomé the tortillas are marinated in. Tacos Doña Lena’s quesabirria is about fifty-fifty melty cheese to birria. Dip into the hot cup of consomé on the side to keep the cheese gooey and rich. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Birria Ramen We think about this ramen often, even on Houston’s hottest days. The pairing of birria and Doña Lena’s earthy, chile-spiked consommé is a thing of genius, even more so because it’s smothered in cheese." - Chelsea Thomas

Tacos Doña Lena are Houston's birria specialists - Review - Houston - The Infatuation
Quit Nguyen

1805 W 18th St, Houston, TX 77008 Get directions

donalenatacos.com
@tacosdonalena

3 Postcards

See full details

More Places For You

Kim Son

Vietnamese restaurant · Downtown

Kim Son serves a delightful mix of Vietnamese and Chinese dishes, perfect for families and groups, with an extensive buffet that never skimp on flavor.

3 Postcards

Brasserie 19

French restaurant · Neartown

Brasserie 19 is a chic River Oaks French bistro with a vibrant social scene where you can savor classic dishes and sip cocktails while indulging in top-notch people-watching.

27 Postcards

Hugo's

Restaurant · Montrose

At this chic Montrose eatery, modern Mexican flavors shine alongside handcrafted margaritas and a lively brunch buffet, making every meal a fiesta.

48 Postcards

Pi Pizza

Pizza restaurant · Washington Avenue

DoBro’s Pizza and Sandwich is a hip haunt known for its massive deep-dish pies, delicious sandwiches, and inventive cocktails, making it a great spot for pizza lovers.

3 Postcards

El Rey Taqueria

Mexican restaurant · Greater Heights

Mexican & Cuban fare, including torta sandwiches & tacos al pastor, served from breakfast to dinner.

2 Postcards

Kin Dee

Thai restaurant · Greater Heights

Casual restaurant serving Thai dishes such as drunken noodles and flower dumplings, plus cocktails and live music.

14 Postcards

Pink's Pizza

Pizza restaurant · Independence Heights

Pink's Pizza is a local Houston favorite where you can grab hefty slices of hand-tossed pie, including specialty options and a full bar for a laid-back meal.

2 Postcards

Arnaldo Richards' Picos Restaurant

Mexican restaurant · Houston

At Picos in Upper Kirby, dive into a colorful array of authentic Mexican dishes like handmade tamales and rich mole, all while sipping expertly crafted margaritas in a festive atmosphere.

23 Postcards

Brothers Taco House

Mexican restaurant · Downtown

This beloved downtown spot serves up hearty breakfast and lunch tacos with homemade tortillas, and though the line is long, the flavors are pretty satisfying.

13 Postcards

Beaver's West

Southern restaurant (US) · Briargrove

Beaver's Gastro-Icehouse is a trendy, laid-back spot in Tanglewood, known for its inventive comfort food, craft cocktails, and relaxed outdoor vibe.

8 Postcards