Molina's Cantina

"Molina’s Cantina is a staple of the Houston Tex-Mex scene, and its homemade, thickly frosted tres leches can’t be missed. If the location at 7901 Westheimer Dr. isn’t in your neck of the woods, check out one of its other locations on Bellaire Boulevard and in Fulshear." - Lane Gillespie, Sean Hekmat

"This time-honored restaurant, which dates back to the early 1940s, continues to be one of the best bets for Tex-Mex in Houston. The menu is vast, and the prices are hard to beat. Start off with a bowl of chicken tortilla soup or a platter of taquitos — both under $10 — and then finish strong with one of the Tex-Mex platters. A staple menu item since the restaurant’s very beginning, the Mexico City dinner is a filling platter featuring a beef taco, a cheese enchilada, a bean tostada, and a tamale, served with guacamole, chili con queso, rice and beans." - Brittany Britto Garley

"Opened in 1941, Molina’s Cantina is Houston’s oldest still-operating Tex-Mex restaurant and a venerated institution. The original location at 1919 West Gray was known as Old Monterrey. It was purchased by Raul Molina Sr., who had worked there for a decade, originally as a dishwasher and busboy, and his wife Mary. Today, the business is helmed by the family’s next generation—Raul III, Ricardo, and Roberto. Start off your Tex-Mex feast with staples like the original “Jose’s Dip,” which blends queso with taco meat, and the spicy tortilla soup with chunks of avocado. On the entree front, consider the house enchiladas, which have stayed the same since 1941. Or, if you want to order like former president George H.W. Bush, who regularly frequented Molina’s while acclimating to Houston, try the fajitas: hand-trimmed skirt steak flame-grilled to order. Other local legends who dined here? Former mayor Annise Parker, who proclaimed July 1 to be Molina’s Cantina Day in 2011. Molina’s is renowned not just for its longevity but notably for its commitment to a family-like atmosphere, where many employees have tenures stretching over decades. This familial approach extends to the customers, many of whom have been dining at Molina’s for years with their parents and now children. Now with multiple locations across Houston, including on Bellaire and Westheimer, Molina’s Cantina remains a cornerstone of the local dining scene. Know Before You Go The restaurant’s earliest menu items are designated on the menu with a red “Since 1941” callout. For the true taste of Tex-Mex, try its most essential and time-honored dishes." - Fred Cherrygarden, Dan Q Dao

"This stalwart Houston Tex-Mex spot has perfected queso during its decades in business, and it’s impossible to go wrong with “Jose’s Dip,” a bowl of queso that’s mixed with spicy taco beef. Order a side of fresh tortillas for dipping, and be transported to Tex-Mex paradise. Of note: during Happy Hour, which runs from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, diners in the bar can score free queso and chips alongside budget-friendly drink specials." - Amy McCarthy