El Topo

Great meal in a well-decorated, intimate space. The tacos combo is a good value considering the high quality of the food. The pastor and BBQ chicken tacos were delicious standouts. Solid homemade tortillas. Maybe the best mimosa I've ever tasted? Can't wait to go back and try the 3-course dinner menu with wine pairings.

Came here for a tasting collective event. Omg the best barbacoa I've ever had and the homemade corn tortillas put it over the top! Update 022823 - 4rh time here and it just gets better and better! We've now tried the burger and most of the tacos. Every dish better than the last. There's a dish with rajas and corn. Sooo good, tastes just like rajas from Mexico. Can't recommend this place enough. A hidden gem that you must try to believe.

Great place, I love restaurants with patios I think all restaurants need it it change for completely the experience... The guac amazing delivered with awesome blue corn tortillas with incredible flavor!!! I got an option of three tacos barbacoa espectacular, pastor omg sweet salty citric just in the right spot!!!! The crunchy taco im not a fan of crispy tacos but I got and it was good it came with a side of esquites that are really good !!! Definitely a place for a different proposal for Mexican food!!! I'll came back to have brunch and try!!!

Great place for Mexican food. Lovely ambiance and decor but more importantly friendly staff. We ordered the tacos de pastor, chilaquiles and milk bread french toast which was all so good especially the flavors which were on point. We will be going there again for sure.

Such a cute little neighborhood cantina. I came because of the item thats on the truffle masters list - chicken truffle butter donut. It was really good and the glaze was nice but I didn’t get a ton of truffle. The rest of the food was amazing. I loved everything we tried- a few tacos, the ham sandwich, cantina burger, and papas wrapped in fried cheese. I definitely want to go back because all the food was so good. I think I loved the cantina burger the best because of how saucy and juicy it was. I want to go back and try some other things!

If I could give 1000 stars I would. The amount of love, thought, and intention that goes into this food actually blew my mind. 10/10 would recommend the redfish ceviche- total knockout. Everything that we ate was delicious - I can’t wait to go back and try more food ! Its kind of one of those “I’ll take one of everything” places - which is so incredibly rare. There’s a lot of thought put into sourcing, preparation, and flavor development. Each bite was its own experience. I was also very impressed with the wine list - just as a heads up they don’t have liquor on the menu, the cocktails listed are wine-based drinks. I would skip those if you are a “boozy” cocktail person, but who doesn’t love a good Bellini ? This place has been on my List for over a year, and I’m so glad that I found my new Houston favorite

The barbacoa taco changed my life...Honestly teared up. Everything about this place is great from the chefs to the marketing to the atmosphere, but most importantly the food. I had El Topo catered for an event and they were amazing with the setup, their personalities and punctuality!

A friend and I tried this place out for brunch and we were disappointed. They didn’t have mimosas or the Benedict that my friend wanted. The manager was in a virtual meeting next to us and she was speaking very loudly, which really killed the vibe.The restaurant is very small and everyone could hear her conversation. Lastly, the waiters seemed clueless about everything and didn’t check on us. I give it two stars because it’s super cute, my food/drink was pretty good, and it has potential.

Called ahead on a Saturday night & they had room for me (treating myself to dinner solo tonight)! I tried the papa costra which was very interesting and delish. The fingerling potatoes were expertly rolled in cheese and topped with green onions. Yummy! I am glad I tried it! I was thinking of ordering the Texas Two Step Taco Plate and asked the server which tacos are his favorite. He said he could not say because that is like picking a favorite child (I instantly thought of one of my brothers who is my mom's favorite child). I decided on the mushroom power and the Houston taco. I heard great things about the barbacoa here so I decided it was a must. The rice was nicely seasoned (not too much) and topped with Finley chopped cilantro. The black beans were wonderful and topped with finely chopped red onion and cilantro. Great taste! I tried the margarita which was the best "wine marg" I have ever had!

This review is for their tacos they sell at the mercantile market. Incredibly TINY and sad for $7 tacos. Would not recommend purchasing from their pop ups, unless you want a tortilla with no filling :(

You ever walk into a restaurant and are blown away by its beauty? That's not going to happen with El Topo. Instead, you're going to walk in and feel transported to another time and place--maybe 1998, west Texas. And it's going to feel like home. The staff will welcome you, and as you sit in your chair or booth, there's a lot to take in. During a recent visit, my booth was adorned with a succulent while a clown cowboy with a ufo flying in the air watched me eat. Of course, I'm talking about the art hung on the wall next to me. The tacos. Can we talk about the tacos? The corn tortillas are the most flavorful pillows to wrap around the filling of your choice. I prefer the BBQ chicken--which is smoked to perfection--and the mushroom power--which will turn mushroom haters into lovers. I've had various other dishes throughout the years and they are always flavor bombs in the best way. There's also the funk, aka natty wine. How can I resist drinking something called "the Pedro Pascal of wines?" As with anything I've ever loved, El Topo is being discontinued. And I can't wait to see its next iteration.

Stopped by this place for a late lunch/early dinner on Saturday afternoon at around 4:20pm. Upon arriving we noticed that they are closed from 3-5pm in between lunch and dinner. It was a super nice day out so we decided to just walk around and enjoy the day while we waited. I am so glad we did!! Upon arriving we noticed reserved signs on 90% of the inside tables so I am assuming this place gets pretty busy...making a reservation is probably the safe way to go! This place is small and cozy with a super cute southwestern decor. They offer outdoor seating which I noticed to be very pet friendly! Immediately upon arriving, the servers at this place were warm and welcoming and open to any questions we had as first timers. To start off we ordered the guacamole which comes with their heirloom corn tortillas with a side of chips along with their sweet and sour brussels. Guacamole tasted very fresh and paired perfectly with both the heirloom corn tortillas and the chips we got. The brussels were the star of this meal though. The Mexican sweet and sour sauce is SO. FREAKING. GOOD and the pickled fresno chiles add the perfect amount of spice. Truly a perfect dish. For my entrée I ordered a suadero taco. This is some of the best suadero I have ever had. It was seasoned to perfection and literally melted in my mouth. SO GOOD. My friend ordered the bbq chicken taco and let me try it and its smokey flavor was also perfection. Additionally, we had a couple margaritas to accompany our perfect meal. They don't actually serve liquor here so these were wine based but they were definitely not lacking in flavor. We loved them so much we ended up having three rounds. This is one the best restaurants I have visited in while. Midway through our dinner we even made plans to come back for brunch the next day and we did! It was just as good! I have already recommended this place to anyone who will listen! A must try for anyone looking for great, creative mexican food!

Incredible food and location. I love this shop! The servers are friendly and always willing to help. And the coffee was great too!

I don't know why I'd been wanting to return here for so long. It's a pretty limited/basic lunch menu which makes decision making easier. I've had breakfast tacos from the truck at urban harvest farmers market. Food is good but nothing wow for me- though I do love the homemade tortillas! The patio seating and location just make for a nice calm meal- I feel like time slows down around here which is a welcome change of pace. Dinner seems to have some interesting options? Might consider giving it a try.

Great lil taco restaurant the tacos are like upscale taco truck tacos but not pretentious. I say that because they were taco truck tacos we had Al pastor and Barbacoa. No ostrich or bison taco. Not that that would be bad. But it's these we're not typical but both did not disappoint. Here's where they left the truck went up a few notches. They were larger than usual taco truck tacos and they were in house made tortillas. Flavor was spectacular we order another set of the Al pastor and said if it weren't for the fact it's a restaurant walk right to the kitchen plate counter and order like a taco truck. Letting them know this is a high complement!!! The service is super relaxed easy going had best sweet tea cause they don't have it... BUT THEY WILL MAKE IT!!! It's so cute has a western them set in a contemporary vibe real Lo-key but nice not shabby. Has outdoor seating with garden landscaping and shade trees. Just go have lunch take somebody or not bring work a book order taco get a house made we'll shaken iced cafe' Mexican chocolate latte or something relax that's what you get here.

San Antonio sandwich (barbacoa grilled cheese) $10 - decent size. Crispy, buttery bread, good cheese, excellent barbacoa Street corn $8 - 4 corn on the cobs. Tasty. Reasonably priced Tacos were $5-6 and pretty tiny. Apparently they make their own corn tortillas. My friends shared 5 of them. Friendly service but slow. Food took awhile even when it wasn't busy at 7pm Friday night. Free street parking was easy to find.

The perfect little restaurant! I visited El Topo a little over a year or two ago. I needed a last minute Mother's Day brunch reservation and found availability at El Topo on OpenTable. I love that the restaurant small and inviting yet unique in its decor/vibe. It was the perfect spot for a semi casual brunch. I love that the menu is a lot more extensive than the first time I visited. We ordered a Papa Costra and The San Antonio to share amongst the table both were great but The San Antonio was for sure the star of the show. 2/4 of us had the milk bread French toast and absolutely loved them, my brother had the chilaquiles and mom 2 tacos. Everyone enjoyed the brunch and the atmosphere. The only reason I'm giving 4/5 is the server was hard to get ahold of and he seemed a bit irritated when we called him over for different things. The cantaloupe mimosa was in a container that was tediously annoying to pour out of lastly it was really warm like sweat your foundation off warm. Minor inconveniences but will definitely be visiting again.

Great food & very nice service! Cute small hidden restaurant, family friendly and they have an outdoor patio you can eat at, as well! We were all very impressed by their brussels , can't wait to come back!

A little slice of Marfa in Houston. The service and food were great. The entire aesthetic of this place was to die for. We really enjoyed it. Loved the homemade pop-tarts & the late night latte I was able to order!

Now these are some great tacos!! $6 a pop is steep but the tacos are double the filling you normally get in a street taco so it's like 2. The tortilla is perfectly thick and sturdy to hold up all the filling but not too thick that it's overwhelming. They already come sauced up which I don't mind but some people might. I had the al pastor which was perfectly seasoned and the barbacoa that was juicy and tender. Both tacos were not at all salty or greasy like these type can sometimes be. The barbacoa needed a little more something, some red salsa did the trick. I could do without the aioli. I loved El Topo. They even have a cute little patio but minus one star for no margaritas. It's not their fault. They can't get a permit because of the school. Highly recommend this place!!

I met friends for a late lunch at El Topo recently and was pleasantly surprised by this hidden taco house in West U. The building itself resembles a white adobe cantina and seems more at place in the middle of the West Texas desert (or perhaps South Congress Austin) than across the street from West U Elementary. The interior carries that same desert western theme throughout with decor, but it's not so overdone that it feels kitschy. There's ample seating inside and outside. Outside seating is covered for rainy days, which is always nice. The lunch menu had a number of tacos, a burger, a couple sandwiches, salads, and various sides to choose from. There are no substitutions or modified orders allowed. The tortillas used in the tacos are all house made, starting from scratch as in grinding the corn in house, which is impressive. I opted for the 2 tacos and a side combo, for somewhere around $15 and it was ample portions. The big standout for my meal was the crispy beef taco. It sounds super simple but is was perfectly crunchy, lightly greasy/savory but still balanced with a bite of acid. Awesome taco. Service was friendly and prompt. There was a lady working behind the counter who was also wrestling all tables simultaneously, but everything came out in good time and we never found ourselves craning our neck. Long story short, if you're looking for a taco fix and want to support a local restaurant versus one of the taco chains seeping into Houston, give them a shot. You'll definitely find a favorite or two.

Had great experience. Service was very good and everything I have tried has been fantastic. Tacos Houston and Suadero were excellent. French toast it self was maybe 3 stars. Migas were very crispy and big serving! Also had the smash burger and fries which I highly recommend.

So good! A little gem of a place in Rice Village with outdoor seating. I really recommend the $14 2 taco and one side combo if you're looking for a hearty portion. My favorite is the Houston taco which has the most tender meat and is packed with flavor. The Austin is alright, but doesn't have as much flavor as some of the veggie tacos I've had. My favorite side is the street corn which is messy but so delicious! Great for breakfast too. The torta comes out steaming hot with a soft bun and enough textures to keep things interesting.

Cute little restaurant with Southwestern and Mexican decor. I took a star off because I was disappointed in my black bean quesadillas. They need guacamole and more flavor. Furthermore, the cheese needed to be more melted. The whole black beans might just not work for a quesadilla. The red salsa served in this small clay container at least gave the dish a kick. My friend had two tacos and a salad plate. I believe it's called "Big Tex Two Step." He liked his. I wouldn't order the quesadilla again though.

We love this little place. The food has always been good. I like the little "twist" they have on various familiar dishes. I am a Migas worshiper, and theirs is not my favorite, but it was creative and tasty. Though the genre is suppose to be Southwestern/Mexican, they have a pretty good burger. The vibe is pretty good too. Cecelia is always cheerful and accommodating. This is a great little place in West U., definitely an alternative if you are not into the bougie vibe down the block at T_ _ _ _.

Let us start by saying that if you can find a place to park - then the interior of the space is quite pleasing. It's new, clean and a cool space. There's greenery and flowers everywhere. Very nice, but obviously oblivious as to the related wasted money. Whatever, I don't own the place. The music played in the background was purely awful. I have no idea how the restaurant chose its ambient vibe - but they seriously messed up. Every song was loud and had some grumpy dude in it. It is folk music, but music should not serve as a distraction - and this DOES. It says tacos in the window - and is listed a breakfast spot, so I decided I would give her a try. One breakfast taco option. No corn tortillas. And the bacon in the taco was so weird (not bad, just chewy and weird) that I could hardly choke them down (and I'm not one to have issues eating tacos). So, I'm vexed. Great space, parking is suspect, soundtrack is oddly annoying and the food is weird. If this were a stock - I would short it. Unless they get the food right - if they do, West U will line up around the block.

Beautiful space with that seems like it's straight out of Austin - a bit of SoCo in WestU! We were really excited to try out some of the tacos, but disappointed to see that a small street taco goes for $6-$8. That being said, the street tacos and "casual eats" were very good. The mushroom taco was the best thing that we had on the menu. If we were to go back, I'd order off the casual menu again. The weekend only menu can be ordered as a series of 3 courses with wine or a la crate, and is a bit more expensive per dish. Overall we found the ceviche and fried tomatoes very underwhelming. Service was ok, and atmosphere was nice. Would go back for the causal eats if I wanted a nicer taco spot for date night, but you can certainly get better tasting tacos for less in Houston.

We first tried El Topo at the farmers market and it was an explosion of flavor in your mouth. When I found out they had a brick and mortar location, I dashed over there first chance I got. The food is the same. The thought put into the quality of the ingredients and the mix of textures and flavors is evident in each bite. I do think they could be priced better especially since they're so tiny but I'll splurge once in a while.

Ran into the food truck at the Urban Harvest Farmer's Market. The frijole and queso taco was just understated greatness!! Incredible. That is a fresh tortilla with a flat top grilled cylinder of cheese enveloping black beans. So fantastic.

Um.. best tacos ever!!! And I eat a lot of tacos.. . I got the Houston (barbacoa) & it was honestly close to being the best barbacoa taco I've ever had (I need to do a blind taste test one of these days!). We also had the Maria sandwich, & cheesecake.. omg, this cheesecake! So light & not too sweet.. perfection! It's not a huge space so seating looked like it was going to be a challenge, but once we ordered something became available. This isn't a place where people have long, drawn out meals, so the table turnover seems to be pretty quick. Parking can be a challenge, especially if you're competing with the baseball traffic on the weekends, but you always have the option of parking in the neighborhood & walking (if you're physically able, it'll be ok.. exercise is good for you & your heart!). Enjoy, you won't regret eating here!

I'm so glad one of our neighbors brought el topo to our street during covid and since then we've made quite a few stops to their west u location. The spot is small but very well decorated. We've had every single one of their tacos and our favorite is the barbacoa, but I definitely would eat each one again. They also have a vegan option that's quite good for those who aren't meat eaters. We recently tried their new Filipino fried chicken on their menu that was amazing. And of course you can't forget about the basque cheesecake. My only complaint and recommendation, however, is to thoroughly check your order prior to leaving. We ordered on the phone and when we got there our order was different than what we put in, that was fixed but once we got home we realized half of our family meal was missing. I was able to talk to a manager quickly and got a refund (A+ customer service) but the amount was less than I expected and I would have much rather had more of the delicious fried chicken. The price per taco is average but other items can add up quickly. We weren't told the price of the family meal and were shocked when our casual 2 person takeout dinner came out to be almost $120. However, the food is great and they're always changing things up. I highly recommend stopping by!

Went for lunch with my husband and our dog (dog friendly patio - yay!). I'm so glad we tried this spot! Delicious tacos and taco salad. The mushroom taco was drool worthy! I still think about it. Nice menu offerings and very fair prices. Salad portion was huge! Wait staff was promptly & friendly. The inside decor was so inviting and well decorated. Can't wait to go back and try more menu items, saw they have brunch too, and of course, a mushroom taco. :)

We were visiting from South Florida and needed a chill place for brunch. The service here was great and the food was so yummy! We went with the mimosa deal (bottle of champagne with the juice). I has the breakfast nacho and oh my it was good. I have no idea what the gravy sauce thingy that was on the plate but darn it, it was good. Now my partner had the French toast with a side of scrambled eggs. We also had dessert because why not. Lol.. Everything was fresh and well done.

Easily my favorite restaurant in Houston. My family and I go every weekend and the staff are exceptionally friendly. The food while on the expensive side is worth every dollar and is a cleaner flavorful take on Mexican food.

I got such a kick out of the names of their menu items in honor of Texas cities (Austin, Houston, even Marfa gets a shoutout since the influencer crowd stormed in). Y'all see the Dallas quesadilla though? Lmao it's literally just tortilla and cheese and nobody would ever order this because it sucks. Just like Dallas sucks. Don't @ me. When I suggested tacos for dinner, my papa was like ewe, no. He has never had good Mexican food because he's mostly lived in Asia. He had no idea it wasn't limited to Taco Bell (objectively shitty) and I just couldn't let him go on living like that. To be fair, El topo isn't authentic Mexican at all- it's Tex mex with a gourmet spin. But this niche is exactly what a millennial like me wants - innovation on the old traditions. The Houston taco with barbacoa was sensational and I experienced genuine joy eating it. The gringo breakfast taco was eggcellent as well, even as a next day leftover because I couldn't finish it. We also got broccoli and street corn (elote) as sides and my papa was so impressed, "even the BROCCOLI is this flavorful?!" The outdoor seating area is adorable with string lights and colorful furniture. It was empty when we sat down so presumably this is more of a takeout spot for residents in the neighborhood. These people really have it good with these tacos and tiny's milk and cookies within walking distance. I guess that's what buying a million dollar house gets you. One annoying thing about their online ordering system is that I got the 2 taco meal and couldn't choose corn tortilla for one, and flour for the other. They ended up giving me flour for both and I asked for an extra corn one to try it. The reviews hyped it up so much, and it didn't disappoint. It's indeed slightly sweet which enhances the overall flavor of the taco. With torchy's, taco deli, velvet taco all veterans of the gourmet taco trend, el topo has some stiff competition. But I think they totally measure up and I'm pleased this was the place to open my dad's mind about Tex mex.

I really enjoyed visiting this place for lunch. I sat outside with my friend, they outdoor space is very casual and it was a nice day so it was very enjoyable. The server was kind and helpful. We went for the tacos and we did not choose wrong. I tried the Houston, the BBQ Chicken and the Al Pastor. They were a little bit unorthodox with the pineapple and the sweet BBQ, but I really liked the mix of flavors and the presentation. They also have homemade corn tortillas that were delicious. We got a side of their guacamole and it was freshly made and tasted perfect. I will definitely go back to try some other things in their menu.

I honestly don't know where to begin. My brother found this place and almost decided to not stop by for dinner. I am so glad that he changed his mind. When I say they have the most amazing food. I hands down mean it!! We ordered basically the entire menu and literally every bite of every taco and everything we eat had me excited. Honestly the 3 of us where so stuffed yet we all said we could eat more because the flavor of every bite was that good. Example the bbq taco had an amazing smoky flavor the gringo had an amazing home made bacon. The tortillas fresh made from scratch. I could go on and on trust me you won't be disappointed with anything you order. The owner also is very hospitable and he knows what he's doing.

My boyfriend and I arrived on a Friday at 10am. We were not greeted or treated politely. All the tables were empty from what I could see we could easily have been taken care of. But the host said they were all reserved. I told her we just want a quick breakfast. But she implied again about not having any room. But she did ask if we wanted coffee to go. No thanks lol She could of tried to be friendlier. It left a bad impression that they provided no other solutions. As a Mexican woman that was trying to support my local neighborhood restaurant. I was disappointed because it's my cuisine and it's not authentic in my opinion this is a modern texmex at its "finest". It clearly caters to a certain group and if you're lucky to try it please keep adding truthful reviews. I've enjoyed reading most of them!

My friend and I came here for Sunday brunch, and it was overall a good experience. Service was a bit slow despite the restaurant not being super packed that day, but the server we had was really nice and accommodating. I got the big Tex two step with the Houston and al pastor tacos, as well as the papa costra on the side. The tacos were delicious and a good size but the papa costra was underwhelming and just tasted like salted cheese (didn't really taste the potatoes). My friend enjoyed her migas but felt like the price was a bit much for what she got. The outdoor seating was a plus as the weather was beautiful and there was ample space outside. Would recommend as a brunch place if you're in the area but wasn't anything extraordinary. Parking available along the streets by el topo.

Fancy tacos at a high price point but to be expected in this area. Tried the Houston, crispy beef, al pastor, and mushroom power tacos. All were flavorful and delicious, but I wish portion sizes were bigger. I also tried the Oxacan black beans side, but it seemed like nothing more than mashed black beans to me. The recommended wine was great, but I wish there was a cocktail list too. Service was slow due to only one person acting as cashier and waitress on the evening we visited. Overall, this was a letdown since both my husband and I left hungry despite spending close to $70.

My husband rarely says "this is delicious" and he said it multiple times. Excited to come back!

Although a bit overpriced, the food was excellent. And it was a nice day so we were able to sit outside and enjoy their patio area. Our waiter was very attentive as well. I gave 3 stars because I was surprised to see the automatic 20% gratuity added to each order..we had a party of 2 and I was planning on tipping 20% anyways, but they automatically add this amount to every party, no matter the size. Seems like a strange policy so just a heads up if you're planning on visiting.

I wanted to like El Topo so much because it's Mexican and so cute. It is true, it is indeed picturesque and a very hipster version of a Mexican cafe. Selena was playing the entire time we were there. Now for the food. The gringa taco was really well made and authentic. The potatoes in it were done perfectly. The houston is a Barbacoa taco which was really yummy. I ordered it with an egg and I was glad I did. Skip the Austin as it is literally just vegetables on a tortilla. The bottomless coffee was a nice touch. The morning buns is a savory muffin with barbacoa inside, I did not enjoy it to be honest. The croissant too was a let down. My three star rating is related mostly to the corn tortilla. It was done well but has this subtle sweet flavor that my palate was not thrilled with. Overall it is pricey at $5 per taco not my favorite but great location.

People. This place is magic. The decor is amazing. The staff is personable and kind. For those of you who don't know the El Topo food truck then you might not know how unique it it. From their website - El Topo is a New Western restaurant founded in January of 2020 in West University Place. Our cuisine features sophisticated tacos on hand-pressed tortillas, delicate pastries baked from scratch, and quality-sourced meats and produce draped in old-fashioned cowboy campfire cookery. Tony and Michael are so creative and passionate. Not just about their food but where it comes from and who they are serving. This place is a gem for so many reasons. It's not just Mexican it's a unique creation that should be cherished.

The crispy beef tacos are amazing here, as are the Houston tacos. Beware of lots of greasy fingers though! Cute patio area right in front, you can sit inside but I personally have only been outside. Cute location in West U across the park. I wish they had a larger menu.

I've followed Tony and El Topo for a few years now on instagram via his food truck, and was so excited about the El Topo restaurant opening up RIGHT in my neighborhood. I was not let down by my breakfast experience! They open right at 8 AM, and on this Wednesday there was already a line out the door. Everyone knows already just how great El Topo is. Looking at the menu for breakfast/brunch there are tacos, sandwiches, toast, sides and specials. I was craving tacos and the Austin taco came highly recommended. Don't let the fact that it's veggie deter you because this taco is slammin' with flavor, and has a delicious crunch. They had flour and corn tortillas both- and the corn is grilled and honestly so tasty that I'm still thinking about it days later. I also got the chilaquiles (the special for the day), which is a mouth watering concoction consisting of a layering of tortillas, black beans, barbacoa, cheese, all topped with a sunny side up egg, and half an avocado. It was to die for. Tony came out and asked every table, how they were doing and if he could get anything for us. Anyway, I can't wait to go back and try more things. Great location. Great service. Alcohol served in the morning (hello night shift medical professionals, Mom's after drop off, and everyone else!)

I went here with a vegan, vegetarian and omni and everyone loved it! I had the black bean quesadilla and it was so delicious. We all left happy and wanting to return.

I had previously tried El Topo's food truck, and its brick-and-mortor location did not disappoint! The restaurant is darling, and the patio out front is casual and dog- and kid-friendly--it's right across the street from West U Elementary. You MUST order the Houstonian barbacoa taco--SO good. The barbacoa is super tender and tasty, and the masa thick corn tortilla is delicious. I also tried the sweet grits--it was surprisingly delightful, topped with a dash of yogurt and a dash of jam.

I came here for brunch on a Saturday to celebrate a friend's birthday (and mine too as it was a few days before) and it was just ok. I will say, it IS an improvement from the pizza place that was here before. However, we got the brunch items and my Barbacoa Benedict was slightly overcooked (esp the eggs) and my friend's French toast was more like cornbread. It was SO dry; honestly the least flavorful French toast I've ever tasted. The wine spritzers weren't anything special either. I think it would be helpful if the greeters explained how to order and how to pay etc. because their to-go window (although cute!) was a little confusing. Also, it would have been nice if they had done something (literally anything) when I mentioned we were celebrating our birthdays. They didn't recommend anything special which was a bummer. Chic decor, clean restroom, so I would consider trying this place again, just not for brunch and not for a special occasion.

Houston taco was fine until a few bites in the rest of the taco turned into a pile of fat

We have been wanting to eat here but every time we would go it was closed. They don't open until 10am. So we planned accordingly today and went. Nice staff which were attentive. The food is delicious. Tacos al pastor and the Houston are great! We also ordered guacamole which was ok but comes with tortillas instead of chips and was a tiny portion for $14! The drinks were also just ok. For two tacos, 2 cocktails and a guac we paid $60!! Too expensive for what you get. We won't be back :(

Great ambiance but food is okay. Hash and gringo taco were okay. The Al pastor was delicious especially if you really like pineapple

AMAZING! This place is a hidden treasure great food mimosas are amazing the breakfast makes a delicious and absolutely greatest brunch!

Delicious contemporary Mexican cuisine, attentive service everything was perfect! server gave excellent recommendations.

El Topo was recommended to us by a dear friend and Houston chef for a date night spot -- our first in many months. We are coming up on the 1 month anniversary of displacement from our Austin apartment due to Winter Storm Uri, and we were hoping for a night out for reprieve. El Topo's management, staff, food, ambiance and service far exceeded our expectations. Their restaurant is situated to provide both indoor as well as outdoor dining. They offer a range of dining experiences -- food truck, takeout, casual or fine dining. Each table is situated as to provide adequate space made more intimate by the hospitality and home away from home-like decor. There are small touches everywhere. Handmade tortillas, table setting, dinnerware, and the exceptionally unique flavors -- I could go on and on. El Topo's owner is a generous, gracious host. He cares for the community and restaurant patrons. This place is a gem, and Houston is better for having such a place! Thank you for everything, Tony!

Cute little spot in Rice Village! The food was so good, definitely recommend. The French toast had this really yummy whip cream that paired really well it. The meat in my tacos were so seasoned and tender, i will definitely be going back.

We went here on a Thursday night at 6:30, and not a soul was in sight on the patio or in the restaurant (a bad sign in a foodie city), but we had reservations so we decided to give it a try. When you walk in, the decor is cute and fun, Mexican-themed but laid back chic. We weren't greeted very kindly, but were immediately led to one of probably 15 empty tables. The waitress was rude and impolite when someone in our party asked for a type of sparkling water (Topo Chico) and told they didn't have that, and when I asked if they had margaritas I was treated like an idiot. Deciding to order off their (very expensive) wine menu, I asked the waitress what made these wines different? She responded with literally what the menu said "All natural," before rolling her eyes and explaining that they were organic. Fine. I ordered a glass and it was probably one of only two good things on the menu that night. All the other food was overpriced ($20 for 4 baby quail legs), and honestly it was bland. The only reason I'm giving it 2 stars instead of none was that I really loved their al pastor take. But of all the food we ordered, ONE STREET TACO (at $8) being the only good thing on the menu isn't going to cut it. TL;DR: Rude service, no drinks other than organic wine and beer, overpriced food. Won't be back.

I had visited El Topo's food truck several times and had been wanting to stop in at the brick and mortar when they opened. Finally getting the chance and I was not disappointed. The food was fantastic, per usual, and my brother (who is a vegan) was able to eat here as well. Looking forward to coming back soon!