Tacos Doña Lena ( Spring Branch )
Mexican restaurant · Spring Branch Central
8788 Hammerly Blvd G, Houston, TX 77080
Highlights
Birria tacos & quesadillas, vibrant decor, flavorful sauces
Birria tacos & quesadillas, vibrant decor, flavorful sauces
"Chef-owner Magdalena Cabrera, also known as Doña Lena, sold tacos out of her home for nearly 30 years before opening this Spring Branch taco shop in 2020. Tacos Doña Lena quickly gained a cult following for its quesabirria, with the restaurant’s Heights location opening four years later. Find birria street tacos, tortas, and agua fresca on the menu, along with breakfast items like the chilaquil taco, featuring a fried egg, tortilla strips in green sauce, Mexican sour cream, and queso fresco. Breakfast is served on weekends starting at 8 a.m." - Brianna Griff
"The birria ramen at Tacos Doña Lena, a casual Mexican restaurant on the northwest end of The Heights, is a thing of genius. We think about this ramen often, even on Houston’s hottest days. One spoonful of tender birria, earthy, chile-spiked consomé, and spongy ramen noodles transports you to a flavor-induced ethereal plane. It’s also covered in cheese and comes with an adorable mini corn cob that makes the experience of enjoying this bowl even better." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas, julie takahashi
"In a town with no shortage of spots to score tacos, Dona Lena is an impressive choice with great prices to match. The tacos at this vibrant, family-owned restaurant start at $2.75 and are built on warm, corn tortillas. Options include beef, chicken, barbacoa, tinga, or a meatless option like soy pastor, available at either its Spring Branch or the Heights location." - Brianna Griff
"The consomme at Tacos Doña Lena is so beefy and concentrated, but somehow light and not at all greasy. If you decided to drink it straight from the bowl, no one will judge you. In fact, you might inspire others. The electric-orange restaurant in Lazybrook is the second location of the birria-focused taco shop. And it’s even better than the Spring Branch original thanks to margaritas with a Goldilocks ratio of tequila, lime, and sugar. Along with making the best birria tacos in town, Doña Lena also has crispy machetitas, gorditas stuffed with refried beans, and beefy bowls of ramen topped with fried eggs. Split a hulking combination plate with a special someone (and by someone, we mean yourself), load up on quesabirrias, and make sure to try all six of the salsas brought to the table." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas
"There isn’t a taco — or torta, for that matter — not worth trying at Tacos Dona Lena, but if you had to settle on the most iconic dish, it would be the tacos de birria. Corn tortillas are generously stuffed with beef birria, dressed with cilantro and onion, and presented with a homemade consomé for the dipping. If you prefer things a little cheesier, opt for its quesabirria tacos — corn tortillas packed with birria and cheese, then grilled to molten perfection." - Brittany Britto Garley
