Tia Maria's

"With the perfect ratio of chili con carne to cheese to corn tortillas, a single bite of the cheese enchiladas at Tia Maria’s will make you feel like a kid again. Just like the enchiladas, this classic Tex-Mex spot on the border of Spring Branch and Garden Oaks has gone unchanged for decades. A thick blanket of vinyl and plastic covers every table, the queso is more liquid than solid, and the warm salsa arrives in a little plastic molcajete. So bask in the glow of the neon chili lights as you sip a mind-erasing margarita alone at Happy Hour, or with 20 or more friends. And don’t forget to load up at the free soft serve machine on the way out. " - gianni greene, chelsea thomas

"Drink: House Margarita If this list were solely weighted for potent margaritas, Tia Maria’s house marg would top the list. Effectively the cocktail version of a nuclear bomb, this drink will obliterate your ability to act like a normal human if you drink more than two. Served in a chilled chalice, frozen or on the rocks, and filled with as much everclear as tequila, two things are necessary if you want to have a few margs at Tia’s: a can-do attitude and someone strong to drive you home." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene

"While most Tex-Mex restaurants are equipped for children, both food and decibel-wise, Tia Maria’s in Spring Branch takes it one logical step further. It has a free soft-serve machine right by the front door. So if your children aren’t loaded on too many cheese enchiladas and refills of Sprite, you can let them explore some creativity by attempting to pour a vanilla-chocolate swirl themselves. Just make sure to grab extra napkins for the car ride home. " - chelsea thomas, gianni greene, julie takahashi

"When you need a little social lubricant to get the conversation going, Tia Maria’s has the margarita (or six) for you. This Tex-Mex spot in Spring Branch serves nuclear-grade margs, truly nostalgic plates of cheese enchiladas, and bowls of thick, gooey queso. For a classic budget-conscious scenario, hit up Tia’s for Happy Hour, which lasts until the dinner hour of 8pm on weekdays. Maybe show your sort of friend you care and suggest splitting a steaming plate of fajitas, you know, ‘cause regular friends do that. Breaking bread, or better yet tearing tortillas, together never felt so good, but that’s mostly the margaritas. " - chelsea thomas, gianni greene

"Tex-Mex restaurants must share some kind of bylaws about being built to feed an entire army battalion were it to show up for a table. Tia Maria’s in Spring Branch obviously takes these-unconfirmed-if-they-actually-exist bylaws very seriously, because you could stack up a party of 30 in the side dining room and still have most of the tables left. Want to roll in with a big group without a reservation? No problem. Need a place to gulp margs and queso for a bachelorette or birthday party? Yes, of course. Tia Maria’s will uphold its duty. " - Gianni Greene, Chelsea Thomas