El Real

Tex-Mex restaurant · Downtown

El Real

Tex-Mex restaurant · Downtown

4

1100 Louisiana St Suite T80, Houston, TX 77002

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El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
El Real by null
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El Real by null

Highlights

El Real serves up fiery Tex-Mex classics in a vibrant Montrose spot with friendly vibes and a touch of local edge.  

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1100 Louisiana St Suite T80, Houston, TX 77002 Get directions

elrealhouston.com

$10–20 · Menu

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1100 Louisiana St Suite T80, Houston, TX 77002 Get directions

+1 713 224 2400
elrealhouston.com

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 30, 2025

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@eater

Houston Chef Bryan Caswell Closes His Revived Seafood Restaurant for Good - Eater Houston

"Last month, he suddenly shuttered his El Real Tex-Mex Cafe after an eight-year run in Montrose in order “to focus on Reef, my family, and my health,” per a statement from Caswell. El Real servers who claimed they were missing paychecks staged a week of protests and were then paid in full." - Tierney Plumb

https://houston.eater.com/2019/11/26/20984107/chef-bryan-caswell-close-reef-houston-restaurant-closure
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@eater

After Its Closure, Former El Real Employees Plan More Protests Demanding Unpaid Wages - Eater Houston

"Montrose Tex-Mex restaurant El Real was announced closed. Former employees protested for unpaid wages. A GoFundMe account is raising funds for those impacted by the sudden closure. Several former workers alleged bounced paychecks and missed payments leading up to the restaurant's shutdown. Some incurred fees from their banks due to bounced checks, others were owed hundreds of dollars, and the restaurant couldn't pay vendors for key ingredients like tomatoes. Former El Real employee Evelyn Barrios addressed the Houston City Council about the unpaid wages. Owner Bryan Caswell provided conflicting statements about the payments, initially denying issues, then promising to pay by the end of the week. Affected employees can also seek assistance from chef Chris Shepherd’s Southern Smoke Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund." - Amy McCarthy

https://houston.eater.com/2019/10/29/20937679/el-real-closed-staff-protests-continue-gofundme-impacted-employees
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@eater

Montrose Tex-Mex Restaurant El Real Closes As Former Employees Allege Unpaid Wages - Eater Houston

"El Real, a Tex-Mex restaurant in Montrose, Houston, has abruptly closed after eight years of operation. The closure was announced by restaurateur Bryan Caswell, who cited the need to focus on his other restaurant, Reef, as well as his family and health. Multiple former employees have claimed that they are owed unpaid wages, with some reporting bounced checks and others being paid in cash at Reef. Caswell denied any back pay issues, but the situation remains contentious." - Amy McCarthy

https://houston.eater.com/2019/10/28/20930556/el-real-montrose-closing-unpaid-servers
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@eater

Restaurateur Rallies El Tiempo Supporters to Dine at the Embattled Tex-Mex Restaurant - Eater Houston

"Montrose Tex-Mex institution El Real used its prominent outdoor marquee to display a cheeky, not-so-subtle criticism of El Tiempo’s decision to welcome Sessions with open arms despite his anti-LGBT views and involvement in the Trump administration’s family separation policy." - Amy McCarthy

https://houston.eater.com/2018/8/14/17689158/russell-ybarra-el-tiempo-cantina-support-controversy
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Heather Cheung

Google
The cashier was very friendly. I never knew lettuce could be salty. I got the steak bowl and the meat was a bit salty, the salsas were a bit salty. The rice and beans were subpar. The quantities of the meat rice and beans were on the low side. The rice & beans are cheap, so they could have at added more of those. I had to go order something sweet from another place to clear my palette.

Rebecca Lipp-Reed

Google
El Real Tex Mex in the downtown tunnel is the bomb! The lady that works the register is so sweet and personable. She emits a positive energy so strong that you can feel it the minute you walk through the entrance. The food is great and at a very reasonable price. 5 ⭐ and 2 👍👍

Elizabeth Mercado

Google
I really wanted to like this place so that I had another option for lunch but unfortunately I will not be coming back. I had the steak nachos, I think that the meat was dry and bland. The nachos included beans, these were also dry. The cheese was very thick and the chips were not the right type for nachos. They would benefit from changing the chips to a thinner chip, serving juicy meat, adding lettuce, tomato, and guacamole. All in all the food lacked seasoning and was very bland. I was there with a friend and she also thought the food was bland, she had a chicken quesadilla.

Robert D

Google
Previous 2 visits have been excellent the lady at the front is super nice. The food is great i had steak bowl meat was juicy and it was a hearty portion. Check them out!

Kathy Weatherly

Google
When they first opened, the food was good...last few times I've ordered it's been horrible. Just spent over $20 on steak quesadillas with a few extra toppings...the meat was nothing but fat. I couldn't eat it.

Michael Hughes

Google
Chicken nachos were fantastic, and the service was fast and very friendly! I'll definitely be visiting again!

Laura R

Google
Great place for a quick lunch! Enjoyed the chicken enchilada plate with rice and beans!

Tyler Horn

Google
Great taco salad, very friendly staff.
google avatar

Luke C.

Yelp
The food is excellent and the prices are super reasonable. That's about all you can say about a place except that El Real has an edge, their staff. Not just really good food but awesome people work here. I love Ms. Evelyn and Ms. Stephanie and they keep me coming back as much as the food does! Try it!