EJ H.
Yelp
As a military person, we like to write the bottom-line up-front, or the BLUF. The BLUF on Ambriza is delicious food, vibrant decor, and attentive, fast, and friendly service!
Now, for the details.
In Houston, we are used to Tex-Mex, and it's a staple food that everyone has a very emotional and deep connection with. What one person may say is the best Mexican food, 10 will pop up and say, "Well, that place is good, but I know this one place..." and the conversation quickly devolves into personal preference. One restaurant that nearly everyone I've talked to about who have also had the pleasure of experiencing agrees on is that Ambriza is special.
First of all, it's not traditional Tex-Mex. Heck, it's not even Tex-Mex. They call themselves "Social Mexican Kitchen," and it fits. The food are traditional Mexican foods from all over Mexico, and they are full of flavor, cooked to perfection, with high-quality ingredients all made from scratch right in the kitchen. Yes, that includes the flour and corn tortillas and the chips! The guacamole is probably the best I've had anywhere, ever. For an appetizer, I highly recommend the Pork Belly Chicharron. It's crunchy friend pork belly cut into little cubes and served with some of that incredible guacamole.
My favorite lunch or light dinner there is the Conchinita Pibil tacos on corn tortillas. It's pork that's seasoned incredibly well and slow-cooked served on the home-made corn tortillas. Everyone I've recommended these to love them.
The decor is fun and lively with sugar skulls and paintings in bright colors all over. The ambiance is lively, and the bar makes delicious drinks that are Mexican takes on some classics. I love the smokey mezcal Old Fashioned!
The service is always spot-on. We've never encountered any delays or issues at Ambriza, and their waitstaff are among the best we've experienced anywhere.
Call ahead for a reservation on weekends and holidays. The word is out on Ambriza, and they're almost always full.