El Tiempo Cantina

Tex-Mex restaurant · Upper Kirby

El Tiempo Cantina

Tex-Mex restaurant · Upper Kirby

2

3130 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77098

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El Tiempo Cantina by El Tiempo Cantina
El Tiempo Cantina by El Tiempo Cantina
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null
El Tiempo Cantina by null

Highlights

Hearty Tex-Mex, potent margaritas, sizzling carnitas  

Featured in The Infatuation
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3130 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77098 Get directions

eltiempocantina.com

$20–30 · Menu

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3130 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77098 Get directions

+1 713 807 1600
eltiempocantina.com

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 20, 2025

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@infatuation

The 15 Best Tex-Mex Restaurants in Houston

"The original location of El Tiempo in Upper Kirby is a great reminder to fear your successors. Started by the son of Mama Ninfa (of Ninfa’s on Navigation), El Tiempo has been a Tex-Mex institution for 25 years. And the Houstonian debate about which spot is better has raged on for about the same amount of time. While these two family-run restaurants are strikingly similar (family relics line the walls, high archways, and wooden tables ready for the hottest of enchilada plates), at El Tiempo there’s all the fun and food of Ninfa’s but you can hear your own thoughts, even when it’s busy. And only El Tiempo serves smoking hot carnitas served over a bed of coals. Let them sizzle while the table knocks back pitcher-after-pitcher of house margaritas and bowls of queso. " - gianni greene, chelsea thomas

https://www.theinfatuation.com/houston/guides/best-tex-mex-restaurants-houston
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@infatuation

El Tiempo Cantina Review - Upper Kirby - Houston - The Infatuation

"The original location of El Tiempo in Upper Kirby is a great reminder to fear your successors. Started by the son of Mama Ninfa (of ), El Tiempo has been a Tex-Mex institution for 25 years. And the Houstonian debate about which spot is better has raged on for about the same amount of time. While these two family-run restaurants are strikingly similar (family relics line the walls, high archways, and wooden tables ready for the hottest of enchilada plates), at El Tiempo there’s all the fun and food of Ninfa’s but you can hear your own thoughts, even when it’s busy. And only El Tiempo serves smoking hot carnitas served over a bed of coals. Let them sizzle while the table knocks back pitcher-after-pitcher of house margaritas and bowls of queso.  " - Gianni Greene

https://www.theinfatuation.com/houston/reviews/el-tiempo-cantina-upperkirby
View Postcard for El Tiempo Cantina

Kara Murphy

Google
Friendly staff, food that was amazing. My chicken fajitas had a little cup of garlic sauce to dip them in. How strange yet delicious! Tortillas were fresh, homemade. The margarita was strong!!

Randy Witt

Google
This location always delivers an excellent dining experience, and after a few visits, I’m finally sharing my thoughts. Parking can be a bit limited, but the free valet (tip optional) and additional free parking along the back row make it manageable. Inside, the atmosphere is lively and bustling, with servers skillfully balancing trays of mouthwatering food and drinks. It’s always fun to watch the action while soaking in the vibrant vibe of the restaurant. This time, we opted to sit in the tented outdoor area. It was a cozy setup—heated and well-protected from the elements, which made for a comfortable experience despite being outside. The food was absolutely fantastic. I ordered the enchiladas—one steak, one chicken—with a flavorful pepper sauce. While I wouldn’t have minded a touch more spice, the quality of the steak and chicken was top-notch. Every bite was balanced and satisfying. To pair, the mango margarita was perfect—refreshing, not overly sweet, and exactly what I needed to round out the meal. Overall, El Tiempo Cantina is a great spot for a lively atmosphere and consistently delicious Tex-Mex. Highly recommend giving it a try!

QueenSof

Google
Typically, this place has good service. However, our server today was, for lack of a better word, nonexistent. We didn’t even catch her name, and she seemed rather harried the entire time despite the lack of other customers. The place looks abandoned, and the lighting is quite dim. Food was excellent but expensive, especially the guacamole, which was $16.00 for a small plate of what appeared to be a gram total of two avocados.

Andreina Bencomo

Google
Not that this spot needs another positive review, but I cannot ignore how great of an experience. Everything was delicious and service was wonderful. Recommend the filet mignon fajitas, guacamole & xochitl (spelling?) soup. Come hungry!

Burak Irez

Google
Best Mexican food ever. I don’t remember how many times I ate fajita in my life but this time was totally different. First, the meat was really tasty and tender and they serve it over a small barbecue to keep the meat warm. Second, the tortillas they bring is house-made tortilla which you feel the difference from a regular supermarket tortilla. The service is exceptional. Every five minutes they asked if we needed anything more. The sauces and tortilla chips were really tasty and abundant. Portions are big and prices are reasonable. To sum up, if I ever go to Houston again, this will definitely be a must visit spot.

Luis Garcia

Google
Very average place, was expecting more from this brand. Paid $67 without tip for a meal for 2. Portions were big but food was very bland. Charro beans tasted burnt so I switched them for refried and you could tell no pork was used to cook them. Rice tasted very flat, no savoriness. It was definitely missing chicken stock. For the main, BBQ Brisket Enchiladas, brisket had not even a small hint of anything BBQ. Had too much cheese. Very much an ok dish that would be passable if it was $5 dollars cheaper. Would I come back to each here, No. Would I recommend this place, No.

Illan Shnayder

Google
The food at El Tiempo Cantina was absolutely perfect — fresh, flavorful, and well worth the visit. However, the service was a bit slow, especially when it came to taking our order. It felt like it took forever just to get started. That said, once things got going, everything else was great. Would definitely come back for the food!

Jon Thurmond

Google
The steak and ribs were both under seasoned. They were both cooked perfectly. However, the bed of onions on the hot skillet were charred. I would also not recommend getting the large order for 2-3 people. It was appropriately enough for 2, but not for 3 normal appetites.

Spencer B.

Yelp
Fantastic food and experience. Restaurant is abundantly staffed and servers were incredibly kind, respectful, and helpful, timely checking on our table to ensure our coffees and drinks were never empty and food was exactly how we wanted it. Very impressed with the gentlemen running this ship and will certainly be returning!
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Yazminn V.

Yelp
Th food was amazing! I ordered the steak and shrimp fajitas and the steak was PERFECT! We have queso fundido as an appetizer also PERFECT! and the mango margarita had the perfect amount of liquor. we felt very welcomed, and sat as soon as we came in. our servers were amazing, definitely a very homey vibe. when i visited htx again i would love to go again?
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Trish D.

Yelp
Happy hour margaritas are a whopping $1 off. I asked for the habanera salsa, but I had the sense to inquire if it cost extra...yep $5. No thanks. Escalante's doesn't charge extra, and their large happy hour margaritas are $6. Oh, and taco Tuesday... El tiempo charges $13.99 for two. Escalante's charges $5. Nuf said. I also asked about the fajita Wednesday special, and it was only for a large. I was dining alone, so I ordered the single size steak fajitThis portion of steak fajitas cost $26.99 plus tax plus tip. Notice the few THIN strips of beef on a giant bed of onions. Not worth the price at all.
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A And B G.

Yelp
This place feels outdated and unkempt, with insulation still visible on the ceiling. Unfortunately, we all felt a bit off after our meal. We each had the chicken fajitas, and the rice was disappointing--poorly prepared for a Mexican restaurant. If you can't get the basics like good rice right, it raises concerns about the overall quality. We won't be returning.
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Priya R.

Yelp
We went to lunch here on a Friday at noon and were able to be seated immediately. There wasn't a long wait or anything so that was great, especially right during peak lunch hours. The parking lot was a bit small though for the crowd. Parking fills up very fast and they have valet for tips, but if you are like me and don't carry cash around, you could park down the street and walk a few minutes to get to the restaurant. They have a lot of vegetarian options and these options do include actual vegetables! Most veggie options in a lot of Mexican restaurants would just include beans, rice and cheese. I got the lunch special vegetable fajita and it didn't disappoint! It had a wide range of different vegetables, even eggplants and mushrooms! They also let you choose between corn or flour tortillas. I chose flour tortillas, which came out soft and warm. They gave a large portion for the small lunch option I picked. If you have a smaller appetite, this could definitely be shared by two people! Overall, I really enjoyed the food and the service!
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Lupe M.

Yelp
I'm not a fan of El Tiempo. I believe the price doesn't match the quality. With that being said this visit wasn't my pick. I was surprised how accommodating they were to our group of 7 as a walk in. The place was pretty pack but they were able to put tables together for us rather quickly. The waiter was very friendly and attentive. He did a great job ensuring everyone had a full glass. The food didn't take long to come out. We started with chips and Queso which was good. I order the Las Vegas plate which comes with a cheese enchilada, crispy beef taco and chicken fajitas. The red sauce on the enchilada was very salty and overpowering. The beef taco was disappointing. I could have gotten a better one from Taco Bell. The chicken fajitas were tender and juicy but the seasoning had too much pepper. The plate is served with rice and beans. The rice was mushy and I didn't even bother with the beans.
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Brian T.

Yelp
I always look forward to good ol' El T, as it's the best Tex-Mex in Houston, imo. I hadn't been to this location in years, but it was in walking distance to earlier plans so it was convenient. We came as a group of 7 on a Saturday night and luckily had no wait. Not sure if this location isn't as busy or because of White Linen Night in the Heights, but I'm used to a long wait at El T, especially with a group. Even though we requested indoor seating, one of the hosts was persuading us to sit outdoors in the covered and ventilated patio. When we politely declined, they put some tables together in the dining room, so I'm not sure why he was making a big deal about this in the first place. Normally at any Tex-Mex, chips and salsa hit the table seconds after you're seated. We waited 5-10 minutes for ours to come out. But the chips were super crispy tonight, red sauce was nice and warm, and green sauce was chilled. So maybe it was worth the wait? We also ordered a large chile con queso to share among the table. The queso was smooth and silky and came with thicker tortilla chips than the complimentary ones, but at $20, I's say the price point is a bit steep. I ordered a house margarita on the rocks with salt on the rim. One thing I like about El Tiempo - don't let the marg size fool you. They definitely are potent and pack a punch. I'm not sure if it's the seltzers we had at the pool prior to coming, but the marg definitely made me glad that we walked here. At $10.99, I'd say these are worth it (extra $1 to add flavoring). Three of us shared the filet mignon fajitas. Allegedly, these are a step above (~$12 difference) the beef steak fajitas due to the cut of meat. But again, at $87.99 that serves 2-3 people, I'd say the price point is a little steep. That broke down to almost $30 for each of us. The fajitas came out on the signature charcoal mini-grill that El Tiempo is known for (specific to the medium or large sized fajitas). Sizzling hot and you are bound to smell like them afterwards, but worth it! The filet mignon was super tender, however could have used a little more seasoning. The meat did taste slightly bland, which was a little disappointing considering the cut of meat. It's served with melted butter which definitely enhances the taste, but should not take the place of the basics of seasoning the meat itself. They brought the three of us our own bowl of rice and beans, and plenty of tortillas and accouterments for our fajitas. Overall taste was good but again, a little overpriced for the taste. Nevertheless, we had all filled up on the chips, salsa, and queso, and could only make it through half and took the other half home. The fajita meat will be good with eggs for breakfast! We all had a great time and enjoyed ourselves. One of the people in our party was visiting from out of state, so this was the perfect Tex-Mex experience when visiting Houston. I've heard the other locations, specifically the Montrose location on Westheimer, are better in quality compared to this one, but I'm always down for some tiempo at El Tiempo.
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Caroline R.

Yelp
We did door dash from here and it was delicious ! The chicken quesadilla is huge and so yummy. They are quick and efficient and definitely going here again!
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Kristine K.

Yelp
While living in Houston, I was a regular patron of El Tiempo, coming in to this location at least twice monthly and often more. Since leaving (almost 10 years ago), I have been back a handful of times. On this most recent visit, I was kind of... Well, disappointed. The memory of El Tiempo was better than in was in actuality. Maybe El Tiempo has changed... Maybe I have... Probably both. From a food perspective - Good (not amazing). Still difference makers: #1 The warm, spicy red salsa contrasted with the chilled, creamy green salsa served with their thin, crispy chips. #2 Tender, fresh tortillas served alongside the fajitas. Otherwise, everything else was no better than we can get in Michigan. And, the skinny margarita was notably worse than memory and others I have had. The restaurant dining room was extremely loud with conversation and I found it very difficult to hear my husband sitting across from me. When we arrived, there was essentially no wait but by 6pm a large number of people had congregated in the bar area waiting for tables. Service was impatient, clearly trying to hurry us through our meal to turnover our table. In the end, I wish that we had visited at off-peak hours, but even if we had, the food was still just "good."
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Corianne O.

Yelp
This El Tiempo is my favorite location. The interior is so well decorated and so colorful. I literally dream about the stairs to second floor. As all El Tiempos go, it's a safe bet you're going to have a yummy Tex Mex experience. Pretty standard, but pretty good. It's like... have I had better Swiss enchiladas? Yes. But it's still good. Still gets the job done. Haha I will say depending on which floor you sit will be a factor in the service you will receive. The second floor is a little neglected but it's also quieter so it's better for talking.
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Maggie S.

Yelp
I was visiting my sister in Houston and she was raving about this place. It was so amazing. The margaritas were so good and not too sweet. The green salsa that comes with the chips is so tasty I could drink it. I can't believe this is only half a quesadilla, it was still so filling! And the tortillas are so fresh!! Some of the best Mexican I've had in a long time.
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Seher B.

Yelp
El Tiempo is always a good time! We love coming here on a spontaneous meal out or even bringing family and friends! The margaritas are always great and food is always top tier! Servers has always been so kind and friendly! Always giving great suggestions. Food and service always feel so authentic and genuine!! It's such a welcoming atmosphere. Can't wait to return!

Louisito M.

Yelp
Food was ok ...needed more seasoning...other el tiempo restaurants serves better food...reason for this was the waiter "mauricio" was the worst waiter ever...did not acknowledge us,did not check up on us and we had to get 2 other people to help us,he was just standing around talking to other employees, we left without eating dessert just because of this waiter...he needs more training. Overall this place needs some help with cooking department and service department...and the flour chips were horrible and burnt all 3 times we ask for fresh batch...
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Taylor N.

Yelp
Great service but food and drinks were mid for the prices. I only ate here because I was offered a gift card. Their food could use a bit more flavor. Great place depending on your tex mex preference!
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Grant E.

Yelp
Very solid Tex mex. From the atmosphere being decked out with decor and lights to the food there is something here for everyone. The fajitas are piping hot with a healthy portion of meat. The tamales are ridiculously moist and the enchiladas are top tier.
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Ruth T.

Yelp
The service was mediocre and the food followed . Everything was cold except my Mexican hot chocolate that didn't even taste like Mexican hot chocolate just cocoa . Beans were potatoes were bacon and the ranchero plate came without sauce . Never coming back
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Sha C.

Yelp
#secretmenu #richmondeltiempo Fried chicken taco with carmelized onions, lettuce, tomatoes and small queso to dip. Only at Richmond bar with santos or marten. Delicious!
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Michael K.

Yelp
Absolutely the best Filet Fajitas in Houston. They melt in your mouth, throw in the sides and you will need help getting to your car.
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Esmeralda G.

Yelp
The Lorenzo tradition of deliciously prepared food is here. Fajitas were so savory and tender. Service was excellent and ambiance friendly and welcoming.
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Cliff S.

Yelp
The food is great. A bit pricey for lunch and dinner. But a great weekend brunch, if you can actually get it. The last two times my wife and I tried to go there for Saturday brunch, during the hours the place was supposed to be open, we were told they were 30-45 minutes away from being ready for customers. What good are hours of operation if you don't actually open when you say you'll be open. They have lost us as customers.
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Cat N.

Yelp
While in Texas we wanted some Tex-Mex food so decided to check El Tiempo Cantina out. I came as a party of 4 on a Saturday night without reservations and we didn't have an issue with a wait. We were instantly given their house made chips and salsa. They were delicious and we all were loving them. To start we shared their Chile Con Queso. The Queso came out with some thicker crispy chips which were really good as well. For dinner we shared their Chile Relleno a la Ninfa and their Old School Carnitas. Each dish came with rice and beans. The rice was a cilantro lime rice which was good. The Chile Relleno a la Ninfa we got came with meat inside. I thought it was pretty good except I did not like the raisins, pecans & cinnamon in it. it is simply not my thing. The Old School Carnitas were good though. It was slow cooked pork served with some sliced avocado, sour cream, and salsa. It came with some bomb ass house made tortilla and sauce. The portion for everything was huge and definitely shareable. Presentation of everything was also really nice. Our waiter was very attentive and welcoming. The food came fairly fast. What I did not like was that our Queso appetizer came out after our entrees. But other than that we were pretty satisfied. The restaurant is nice and I like the ambience. It has a high energy vibe about it which I like. Parking is easy since it is valet parking only.
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Alyson M.

Yelp
Service was excellent. Menu is a bit confusing and did require some help explaining by the server. He was incredible and beyond helpful! The only removal of stars is because I was excited to try tex-mex here but felt like I've had better. I usually am someone who devours their meal, but I had a lot of leftovers and didn't leave that impressed. Ambience is what would be expected - nothing too crazy.
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NaPorshe R.

Yelp
5 star customer service for sure! I randomly decided to stop here while in the area.. a peak at their great reviews didn't make the decision hard. We were greeted upon entry with big smiles and welcoming vibes. They have outdoor seating with a nice view, but I chose to sit inside. It wasn't overly crowed, but definitely busy. Our waiter was absolutely amazing! There was a different man who refilled the waters without us having to ask, just great service all around. The food was a 5/5 for me, the person that accompanied me gave the brisket nachos a 4/5. I ordered a single soft taco since this was my first visit... once it came out I was shocked to see how huge it was! Sorry guys, I started devouring it before I could take a proper picture! But here's half of it! It was the softest and juiciest soft taco I've ever had. I'll definitely be returning when I have a bigger appetite, thanks guys for the awesome experience! The parking area is pretty spacious as well.

Miguel C.

Yelp
Food was so delicious service was impeccable worth the price for everything nice to come eat with the family when u feel a lil fancy i really recommend it.
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Melodi D.

Yelp
So impressed with El Tiempo Cantina! Probably the best Tex Mex restaurant I've tried in Houston so far. The vibes are immaculate--not too fancy, but still nice and well-decorated--and the service was very friendly. The prices are also very reasonable considering the portions and quality of the food. The highlight of the night was definitely the Old School Carnitas. We got the crispy option, and it was so incredible. The texture was amazing, with a perfectly crunchy outside and tender and moist inside. The flavor was bursting and paired well with the accompaniments of the dish (my favorite being the butter sauce). Overall, I really recommend El Tiempo Cantina if your looking for some great Tex Mex!
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Jodie Q.

Yelp
Went for dinner last night with some friends and I pulled up to a full parking lot but was able to find one at the very back. I walked in and noticed they had valet and a small tent set up for to go orders so people could just pull up like a drive through style. It smelled great when I walked in and the atmosphere was more authentic to the Mexican culture than some other places I have been to. I was seated right away and greeted and waited on. I ordered a margarita while I waited for my friends and based on how I read the menu, I thought that the frozen margarita mix was without alcohol and then you could order a shot of the tequila you preferred, but I was wrong. The frozen margarita already has tequila (not sure what kind) and then I had ordered another shot of the corralejos tequila. The mix is not that great so overall the margaritas was not very tasty. The chips we're good, not too salty or oily and the red and green salsa was good as well. I also ordered a chili con queso which was ok but not worth the price. For my meal I ordered the tacos Al Carbon, one chicken and one beef. They are really big and the tortillas are very thick so I had to take the tortillas off, it was going to be too much to eat. The meat was ok, I've had better fajita and the chicken was good but a bit dry, and the rice was really good. The charro beans were also just ok but not super good. Last I ordered a tres leches cake and was very disappointed, im not sure what type of cake they used but it was super spongy and not like a normal tres leches cake. Overall I give three starts because the food is overpriced and not that great but their service was really good. Also, it could just be my taste because I know this is a very popular place so if you like Mexican and haven't tried it, I say you should still give it a try.

Eddy H.

Yelp
Price is higher than other places around, but if your looking for a great meal and good service, then your at the right place. We were regulars at Gringo's and things changed, last three times since there remodel; things were not the same. Spoke to the manager and corporate, BAD RESPONCE !! El Tiempo Cantina is the place to go !!
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Rachel S.

Yelp
I'm a fan of this spot! I visited for my friend's birthday dinner several weeks ago. My friend booked an upstairs table for 12 in advance. I loved the ambience of both floors - the second floor has a bar of its own as well as a nice seating area. My friend and I decided to share the crab enchiladas. Our table had a lot of orders, and we received the shrimp enchiladas of one of our friend's initially. We realized about halfway through the meal and traded. I have to say I was a much bigger fan of the shrimp enchiladas! The seasoning was great and I liked the consistency of the shrimp. I felt that the flavor of the crab was a little more bland and the crab was on the dryer end. That being said, I enjoyed El Tiempo a lot and would love to come back. Their salsa and chips are great, and many of my friends enjoyed their entrees. I would love to try more items on their menu.
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Kisha H.

Yelp
The 2 stars were for the service and the drinks. The food had no seasoning. We had the beef quesadillas and beef enchiladas.

Scott S.

Yelp
A really high-quality Tex-Mex restaurant with great food and excellent service. Would love to go again. (A)
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Daisy S.

Yelp
I went for the first time today and it was a really nice experience. Our waiter was super nice and attentive. The salads were huge. They checked on our drinks a number of times. I liked the decor. There's valet and self-parking.

Shawn O.

Yelp
great food but don't waste your money on filet mignon fajitas because although steak not filet, same as the steak fajitas. great margs and service.

T B.

Yelp
This is a good Mexican restaurant with beautiful ambience and really good service. The food was OK, I prefer fresh chips and a little more spicy salsa. All in all, though, I think it was a good experience and the service could not have been nicer.
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Michael C.

Yelp
I got a takeout tonight of one of my 3 favorites here being the Ranchera Chicken Enchilada with two green rices. The whole meal was very delicious, fresh n unique. The enchilada was juicy, flavorful and had just the right amount of sauce, cheese and dough with plenty of juicy shredded chicken in the filling. The flavor of the sauce on it was a mix of savory, salty and tangy. The rice was moist, aromatic and a bit earthy n slightly tangy. I love this enchilada selection here along with the jumbo crab enchilada with marisco cream and the ground beef chili con carne enchilada. The service was great as well.
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Victor H.

Yelp
Someone mentioned that El Tiempo should be the first restaurant I go to when I come to Houston (obviously it was not). But better late than never in checking it out right? Had the pleasure of checking out this location on my birthday with some friends a few weeks ago. As soon as we walked in, I knew I would be enjoying the meal as the smell of melted butter and food sizzling on the metal serving platters were being whisked right past me to tables. I knew as we got seated that's what we wanted. So we ordered 1 pound of beef fajitas which came out very quickly and we started digging in. I've had fajitas at Pappasito's which aren't bad and these hands down surpassed those. The meat, onions, and peppers had a nice char and temperature. Spoon some of that melted garlic butter on top inside the tortilla and I was one happy birthday boy. I paired the fajitas with some margaritas which were pleasant and hit the spot. We also started with some guacamole before our fajitas; nothing special but it's a must order when you're in a place like this right? We ended the meal with a tres leches cake which my friends were kind enough to order for me; great way to end the meal with the softness of the cake and the sweet drizzle topping. Parking can be tricky as we had some issues with the valet people who let someone take a parking spot that I was planning to park in. That led me to parking on the street which was a bit far but sometimes we have no control over it. The manager came by and said he would speak to the valet people and ensure this didn't happen again so props for handling it. El Tiempo has multiple locations in the Houston area which is a good sign. This'll be in rotation when I'm feeling in the mood for fajitas!
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Todd B.

Yelp
The service was quick, the food was delicious. I had BBQ Brisket crispy tacos. The atmosphere is also very pleasant. I would recommend here. The valet at the hotel I'm staying at recommended this place and he was correct!
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Sankit G.

Yelp
This place is really known for their fajitas. Their portions are quite huge too. For appetizers we ordered guac and queso whereas the chips and salsa is complimentary. Even their small guac is big for 4 to share. While I found guac portion huge, I want to point out that all the guac ingredients are served in a plate and you've to mix it yourself. So I thought the ingredients were missing lemon. The queso was ok whereas the salsa was really nice and tasty, a bit on spicy side though. For entrees I got a quarter pound veggie fajitas whereas my friends got a mixed platter of half pound of seafood, beef and chicken. The food was enough to share among four. Each quarter pound comes with a side of 4 tortillas, a bowl or rice and beans. I really enjoyed my sizzling platter of veggies loaded with onion, mushrooms, zucchini, pepper, etc. I'll surely recommend this place for their fajita platters.
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Corey H.

Yelp
Food and service are great! The handmade tortillas are perfect with the fajitas! Bartenders are great!

Danielle C.

Yelp
It's good but I don't visit the established enough to provide an honest review. I've been a few times, but it's not a place I would pick on a nightly basis.

M C.

Yelp
Crab Nachos, Xotchil Soup w/all the trimmings...haven't had a bad margarita or bad meal but the service understaffed during rush. Unacceptable for the prices they charge.
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Dedo K.

Yelp
The food here is spectacular. I happily enjoyed dinner and every course. During my visit to Houston I wanted to experience Tex-Mex food with my good friend. I found the restaurant on yelp due to the readings. All of the ratings and reviews are correct. Prior to the meal we were given chips and salsa. We ordered the ceviche which was plentiful and very tasty. It came with an assortment of carbs to eat the ceviche with. I ate the toasted bread and discontinued my use of the carbs to eat the ceviche by itself. We then ordered the Carnitas and the bacon wrapped shrimp. Each dish came with rice and cold veggies (lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and sour cream). We asked for one plate of cold veggies because two plates were too much for two women. For dessert I ordered the sopaipilla and my friend ordered the orange flan. I also ordered a house margarita on the rocks which was tasty and not too strong because I am a lightweight. Overall wonderful experience! Great customer service oriented staff. The decor was very nice. It was a little difficult to take pictures because of the mood lighting but we solved that problem using the light from our phones without flash. The next time I visit the restaurant I would love to eat at this restaurant again.
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Jeeba J.

Yelp
We love the fajitas! It's a Sunday after church stable. The meat is tender and getting a half pound is enough to share with another person.

Tafaun S.

Yelp
Very disappointed with food and drinks. The Margaritas hardly had any tequila. My husband enchiladas were hard and the chicken was overcooked. Will never return or recommend this establishment to anyone.
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Global Elite Reviews N.

Yelp
I love this place and I've been coming for 12 years. The queso is amazing and so is the Carne Asada. I don't suggest anything that has filet mignon on the menu but they're normal. Steak is really really good. Also, the fresh jalapeños are fantastic.

Shubha P.

Yelp
Service was terrible. The restaurant was quite empty in the afternoon but the waiter took forever to get the food. On top of that, they made a mistake with my order. Not going back there again!
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Reggie E.

Yelp
This was my favorite and go to restaurant of the El Tiempo chain. This receipt kept reappearing, so I thought that was my sign to post. Yes, it was some time ago, but I didn't appreciate the attitude of the young man cleaning the bar when I asked him to clean the area, he raised his voice and said, "I'm going to do it if you give me a minute." The guy who has been working there for as long as I've been going made eye contact with the young man and began speaking Spanish. As I am disgusted by their poor customer service, I will not be returning to the Richmond location. I had half of my one drink and left.

Alison T.

Yelp
Best food in Houston. The meat is so tender it melts in your mouth. Service is awesome. We sat outside and they put on the game for us.
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China D.

Yelp
El Tiempo is a Houston tex mex staple! I've been here a few times and they are always very courteous and consistent with good service. Because of covid all of the staff wear masks and gloves at all times. They also have big bottles of hand sanitizer on every table. The Richmond location has an enormous outdoor patio as well so we all felt very safe. Their queso is solid; velvet taco is my favorite in Houston but i have no qualms w the queso here. It comes with big puffy chips instead of normal tortilla chips. We shared a 1lb mixed fajita (beef, chicken, and shrimp) between 3 people and it was a good ratio. We had some leftover but 1/2lb wouldnt have been enough since we were all hungry. The shrimp fajita was my favorite, especially dipped in the lime garlic butter . Steak had great smokey flavor and everything came with rice and bean which they served individually so we did not have to share! I love this place, but the only thing keeping them from a 5 star review is the high prices for tex mex.
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Hannah N.

Yelp
Houstonians love them some El Tiempo and I have to say, I just don't get it. I know there's got to be better hole in the wall Tex Mex places in Houston charging half the price. If I could pull myself away from satiating my Asian food fix while in town, I'm sure I can find a few places. I suppose you're paying for the ambiance which is definitely fun and lively. I met up with my friend here while In town as it was close to her work place. We sat in the nicely decorated patio. I do enjoy their salsas that they serve with their chips. The drinks are nice and strong. The tortillas come out hot and melt in your mouth. The fajitas are good but sooo overpriced. I will say, the service here is great compared to the other location I went to last year. Everyone works as a team. For that, 4 stars for an otherwise 3 star review.