Velvet Taco

Taco restaurant · Greater Heights

Velvet Taco

Taco restaurant · Greater Heights

1

2001 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77008

Photos

Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null
Velvet Taco by null

Highlights

Globally inspired tacos with inventive flavor combinations  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

2001 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77008 Get directions

velvettaco.com
@velvettaco

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

2001 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77008 Get directions

+1 346 895 8226
velvettaco.com
@velvettaco
𝕏
@velvettaco3

$10–20 · Menu

Features

wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations

Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

Velvet Taco Wants to Open More Houston Outposts - Eater Houston

"Expect to see Dallas-based taqueria Velvet Taco popping up more in locations around Houston, starting with a new shop at 2001 N. Shepherd Drive in the Heights this fall." - Adele Chapin

https://houston.eater.com/2019/4/10/18305135/velvet-taco-houston-expansion
View Postcard for Velvet Taco

sonia glaster

Google
Food was okay.. but service was amazing.. you guys were great..

Matthew McDermott

Google
I’ve gotta say, this place absolutely slaps. Every single time, it’s just perfect. I genuinely love the cheeseburger taco (something I never thought I’d say). Getting to the point now where I’d pick Velvet over Torchy’s pretty consistently

Josh Ramirez

Google
Love this location, food is always delicious and the service is great. Definitely recommend you stop by!

Chace Ellis

Google
Amazing food! It was all so fresh and the amount of options is great! Will for sure be coming back to try the different options. It's not your traditional style Taco but it's still excellent! The staff and manger was friendly as well. And the food comes out super quick!

Faith Pineda (MuddGripProductions,llc)

Google
The shrimp tacos are amazing, they were fresh and the ingredients enhanced the flavor. I also had the cauliflower taco it was good but not my favorite. Several unique tacos I can’t wait to try on my next visit.

Bigtymeplayer 85

Google
I love velvet taco, I do here at least once a week for the new weekly taco. The food is good, there is a wide variety of ingredients, and the atmosphere is even better at night.

R Williams

Google
Omg DJ was so sweet. He checked on us the entire time to make sure we had everything we needed. Great customer service and great food . This was my first time at this location. I invited my friends and they loved it . I will definitely be back !!! Thank You DJ ♥️

Jordan Perez

Google
Velvet Taco exceeded my expectations in every way. If you're looking for bold flavors, top-notch service, and a lively atmosphere, this place is absolutely worth a visit. I can't wait to return and indulge in more of those delectable tacos!
google avatar

Sandra K.

Yelp
Fast service in the drive thru and really tasty tacos. Had the two pictured and then the birria duo which was tasty but idk if I would do it again but only because Houston has such good birria places.
google avatar

trevor l.

Yelp
The Velvet Taco is a popular spot known for its creative and globally inspired tacos. The menu features a variety of unique options, from the classic chicken tikka taco to the spicy tikka masala chicken taco. The tacos are served on fresh, homemade tortillas and are generously filled with flavorful ingredients. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides and desserts to complement the tacos. Overall, The Velvet Taco is a great choice for those looking to try something different and indulge in delicious tacos. The cashier was awesome! He gave me a fist bump !! Hahaha. Cool classic and cozy!!

Mercedes P.

Yelp
This is my third time at Velvet Taco this week, all the tacos I have ever tried have been amazing. I like the option to have your taco in a lettuce wrap, it's a great way to have the quality ingredients for less calories. They have a featured taco this week that is the pride brunch burger, you can taste the quality of the burger meat, the crunchy from the tater tots, the yummy of the egg and the sweetness of the rainbow waffle. I'm in love with all the flavor and texture. The staff is super friendly and it's always clean
google avatar

J W.

Yelp
I had been hesitant to come here because every description I ever heard sounded totally fru-fru for a taco place. The menu just looked too complex and sophisticated. Taco joints should be simple. I was wrong. My wife and daughter had some delivered and I had some. Crazy good. So far I have tried the spicy chicken tikka, chipotle barbecue pork, Kobe smash burger, and fish-n-chips tacos along with the elote and chips and curry cheese and chips. The burger taco is definitely my favorite (basically a really good smashburger in a tortilla) but all were great. Can't wait to try 5 more varieties. Bummed I fought it as long as I did. I'm a finicky eater but you can easily customize everything to eliminate any ingredient you don't want. Great place.
google avatar

Cassandra W.

Yelp
If you're looking for an eatery with traditional tacos this isn't it BUT if you're looking for an eatery with a unique spin on traditional tacos you'll love it here! More pricey for the artistic twist, upwards of $5-$7 per taco however, the sizing is over average. Tacos are flavorful and there are many creative selections and spins on comfort foods-turned-taco. Restaurant is alfresco with a great selection of music. Not a table service place but easy to order and maneuver. Good for small group gatherings and open late. There are gluten free and vegan options.
google avatar

Nicole C.

Yelp
My coworker and I had this door dashed to us. It was excellent!! Their to go containers are perfect for holding the tacos together. The picnic chicken taco has moist delicious chicken, wonderful crispy chicken skin pieces to add a nice crunch, a great sauce, and mild potato salad that doesn't overpower the other flavors. The slow roasted Angus brisket taco has a nice spice and the avocado is a good balance. The fried cauliflower tacos are so delicious and fairly healthy. They also give the option of having lettuce wraps rather than tortillas. Their queso is excellent with several different options. They have a white queso and another with red curry and coconut. They also keep things new by having a weekly taco feature (WTF), a different unique limited time taco every week.
google avatar

Sagar S.

Yelp
Some of the best tacos around! Great vegetarian tacos - plenty of options. Fast and friendly service. Easy recommendation to get your taco craving fulfilled!
google avatar

Lisa N.

Yelp
I literally did a taco crawl from Taco Stand to Velvet Taco. I was excited to see that they were right across the street from another. They are definitely different. One is more of street style tacos and Velvet is more of unique flavors of tacos. I spent ~$26 on 4 tacos. Kinda expensive but the portion makes up for it. Some flavors were a hit and a miss. I ordered the fried chicken and waffle taco, which was very good!! The gravy sauce and in a waffle taco? WOW. Great flavor! My second fave was the shrimp n grits -- who would have thought this was possible? Quite interesting.. fried grits?? I actually liked it. Grilled salmon -- just ok. Not memorable. I like the bits of corn salsa. Fish n chips tacos -- just ok. I was expecting more. I felt like something was lacking. Needs more sauce but not a fan of that yellow mustard(?) sauce. When I went there was literally no one there.. Maybe cause everyone thought it was closed due to construction. Service was meh. Could need some work on hospitality skills. I'd come back for the fried chicken and waffle tacos or try some other tacos.

Mr. V.

Yelp
Hate to say but order some antibiotics with your food here. The guy who is at the cash register wearing his hat backwards walks around scratching his crotch and is handling food without gloves. I know it's fast food but this was not okay. Will never come back.
google avatar

Dawn G.

Yelp
Innovative high quality tacos and queso with a global fusion. Drive thru is order ahead on phone app. There is inside and patio dining at The Heights location. They have monthly specials, as in new taco recipes. This month they had a crab cake taco. -Was excellent came in a shell of lettuce.if you like a change of pace, definitely give it a try.
google avatar

Victor H.

Yelp
Velvet Taco continues to spread its taco wings as I'm seeing more and more of these locations in the Harris county area. No complaints since most of my experiences at their spots have been positive, just like my experiences here. Taco concoctions are unique and have some great flavor combos. Favorites for me are the Kobe burger, Nashville hot tofu, Brisket taco, and the Fried paneer taco. They also do a taco of the week which is hit or miss. The last one I had (salmon salad I think) was decent but I was a bit turned off by the mayonnaise ratio. Not that I hate mayonnaise, quite the opposite. But felt more filling would've been necessary. They have a drive thru and outdoor seating plus they are open late if you're having one of those nights. While I fear they could suffer the same fate of those who've expanded too quickly (looking at you torchy's), it seems they have their quality under control.
google avatar

Hannah S.

Yelp
We had lunch at Velvet Taco after getting off the plane. Relaxed atmosphere. We had an assortment of tacos that didn't disappoint. They tasted fresh and had ample meat on them. We also enjoyed ranch water and margaritas. The margarita was delicious! The service was quick, the restaurant was clean and on nice days you can enjoy sitting outside. We've been to multiple locations and keep going back!
google avatar

Grace H.

Yelp
my absolutely favorite place to get late night food!!!! I loveeeee their spicy chicken tikka taco with extra basil. it's sooo delicious and dare I say life changing!!!! I always top off my meal with tater tots and a red velvet cake slice. Immaculate. Everything together is the absolute best late night meal. The service is always great and a cool and lively ambiance. Get the spicy chicken tikka taco u won't regret it!!!!
google avatar

Jafet L.

Yelp
Awesome gourmet Tacos. I've tried several locations. All meet expectations but this one is outstanding in the quality of the food. Guive it a try. The hamburger tacos are absolutely phenomenal. Plenty of parking, friendly staff, quality attentive management. I come here quite often. Plenty of parking and easy to get in and out.

Andrew B.

Yelp
Love velvet taco in general; lettuce wrap chicken tikka! What makes this particular location amazing is the nice lady (maybe the manager?) that runs it. She's soooo nice, so helpful and extremely welcoming. Kudos to the owners for hiring this woman.
google avatar

Steve J.

Yelp
Anytime I travel to Texas, I look for the nearest Velvet Taco location. I wish they would add a location in Salt Lake! Their tacos are SO good! My favorites are the Buffalo Chicken, Spicy Tikka Chicken, Kobe Bacon Burger, and the Mexi-Cali Shrimp. Their Queso Blanco and Elote are both incredible too.

Bailey D.

Yelp
aesthetically pleasing AND delicious. got the #12 Slow-Roasted Angus Brisket & #8 Korean Fried Rice. got free chips & Queso Blanco with my first order.
google avatar

Kimberly C.

Yelp
Wow... just wow! I was visiting my daughter in Houston and we pride ourselves on being foodies. She asked what I wanted for dinner and I said something different! So she started telling me about the Velvet Taco. Talk about different. This place is like a Indian/Asian/Korean meets Mexico. We ordered the spicy Tikka Chicken taco, Korean fried rice taco, mexi-cali shrimp taco and the red curry coconut queso. Everything was absolutely amazing. We were definitely intrigued by the queso. Let me just say even if you don't like curry or coconut milk just try it. There was only a hint of the flavors and the cheese mixed with it made this a hit. It's served with blue corn chips. I can honestly say I never thought about putting rice on a taco either, but oh myyyyy the flavor it gave it. It was definitely different and definitely over the top. Prices were great for Houston as well. Definitely putting this on the rotation when I come to town! Wow!
google avatar

Misha J.

Yelp
Birthday lunch took place here while in Houston for an all girls trip. Super Cool even on the outside. Definitely some Instagram worthy content. Stylish modern unique twist to tacos. Walking in gives you take out vibes but I encourage you to sit and stay. Order the Margarita. On the Rocks!! The buffalo chicken taco was my favorite but they all were good. Also you should try the red velvet cake . (Random for a taco spot but it was very good) Would I go back ? Yea maybe just for the drinks Should you ?

Diane W.

Yelp
The best tacos! We come here every time we visit Houston! Give it a try - you won't regret it!
google avatar

Peggy H.

Yelp
We've just moved to the area and have been trying all the great area restaurants. Velvet Taco was great! We (2 of us) got 4 different tacos to try plus 2 kickass margaritas. All were excellent but I think the margs would be even better when the weather warms back up! We will be back! Additional edit: just had our first guests visit from out of town and took them to Velvet Taco and we tried 4 different tacos (and I upgraded to the large Marg). Loved it! 5 more stars!

Palmer E.

Yelp
OMG! The tacos I had today were to die for!! Having grown up in Texas, I've certainly had my share of tacos, but this menu is next level. We had the weekly special chicken taco with peanut sauce and the Smash Burger Taco. I swear I don't think I've had anything better, they were delicious!!! My wife and I were truly blown away with the service, the ingredients and the creativity in the menu. I can't recommend this place enough.

Josh T.

Yelp
Quite literally my favorite taco place in all of Houston variety of tacos and flavors is second to none and my wife and I come here all of the time. The service is amazing and the flavors are incredible.
google avatar

Derek L.

Yelp
I love Velvet Taco, but now I cant order my favorite taco without signing up for a "DashPass"? This is no way to treat regular customers.

Angela B.

Yelp
My first time ordering from their to go menu and the food was amazing. I will try to stop into a location to really get a feel of the service and environment. I will be ordering again! Thank you!

J F.

Yelp
By far my favorite velvet!!! I travel all the way from Katy to eat here. Atmosphere is super fun and food quick and delicious!! Manager here is on top of it. 1000%. Make your next taco run to This Velvet and you'll thank me later. Tip...... park in the back, there is plenty shade to protect your vehicle from this summer heat. Happy Eating !!!!
google avatar

Jay J.

Yelp
Everything I tried was pretty good. Had the Spicy Tikka Chicken, and Fish N Chips tacos. Tots, Chips and Queso Blanco. All fresh, hot, and quality ingredients. The service was fast and friendly.
google avatar

Kristin R.

Yelp
This was our first time at Velvet Taco and Michael G was fantastic. He made a lot of great suggestions about which tacos to try and recommended some sides, too. We tried the blanco queso and tater tots. For tacos: the #3.5 picnic chicken; #7 Cuban, #10 burger, #12 angus, #17 mexi-cali shrimp, #18 chicken & waffle. The absolute favorite was the #10 Kobe Burger taco. The least favorite was the #12. We would go back again any try more tacos and definitely get the Kobe taco again. Michael was awesome. Every place should have someone like Michael who is excited about the food and the customer experience.
google avatar

Joniqua S.

Yelp
Let's start off by the service, which was amazing. For my first time we were offered some great recommendations, explanation of the menu break down was beyond helpful. Lily and Tara took great care of my guest and I. We didn't feel rushed and we were very comfortable. I think we stayed there two hours or so. Then the presentation of the food was amazing. I'm a chef as well so I'm big on eating with your eyes first. Lol and we were offered the queso, and omg that just pops in your mouth first bite. The fish taco was my favorite my guest like the tikka chicken, and that had a really good kick and the taste lingering in your mouth. The least favorite was the brisket for us both but that meat was tender. Very tender. Over 10/10, I'll definitely be back .
google avatar

Lizette E.

Yelp
Definitely a give a five star service. mind you it wasn't busy and they had just open at 11 AM. But the guy working at the counter was very knowledgeable about the tacos the food and portions and the spiciness of the sauces. I also got a fabulous margarita to go. This type of drink is called Paloma, it was delicious. I definitely recommend this place for lunch or a late night bye I can't say that it's a romantic spot or that if you're really hungry you would show up and it wouldn't be busy . I recommend 100%. Tortillas were on point and so was the chicken.
google avatar

Roberts R.

Yelp
What an interesting menu! Definitely a fusion restaurant mixing tacos with almost any other flavor you can think of. Meat, chicken, fish, and even veggie options are available to order. There is also alcohol available if you're looking for it. The food was really good, not great, but definitely better then good. I would recommend this place for a date night or even large groups. Don't hesitate to grab a bunch of different flavors and share so you can try them all.
google avatar

Colleen S.

Yelp
Wednesday night and while waiting to pick up food from inside my car was broken into. Inside for maybe 20 minutes and did have my work bag and laptop on the passenger side floorboard. Driver side window smashed in and on the ground. Yes, signs are posted on the fence leaving notice to not leave valuables inside the car. A frustrating and expensive lesson learned! Be aware where you park! Oh - and dinner for the family in the car while I wait for HPD.
google avatar

Lynn L.

Yelp
I went on a weekday afternoon and it was pretty quiet. The service was quick polite and the restaurant is clean. I ordered the chicken and waffle. Delicious, if you like sweet and savory flavors this will hit the spot. The waffle taco was moist and paired well with the crispy chicken. The shrimp and grits was ingenious. To fry the grits and top them with shrimp and put it in a taco is just wonderful. The shrimp were plump and flavorful and the grits provided a crunchy yet creamy aspect. The nashville hot tofu was surprisingly delicious. The taco had all of the flavors of hot chicken with a firey sauce, crisp pickles and slaw. All of these tacos I would try again but they have so many on the menu I'd like to choose from. The patio outside is also very spacious and there is also a drive through if you'd prefer that as well.
google avatar

Melanie M.

Yelp
First time trying this place and OMG I was thinking about it the whole day. Amazing selection to choose from! They have the tacos grouped into different meats and they also have Vegan options. First impression was good as there was no line when we walked in. The girl at the front even helped me order letting me know customer favorites and most popular on the menu. My favorite was the Spicy tikka chicken! The flavor was different with a little kick and was just the perfect combination. They also came out with a "WTF TACO" where they release a new taco each week. I will definitely return so I can try out more of the tacos! They red velvet cake was a bit dry but when paired with the cajeta, it makes up for it!
google avatar

Tina J.

Yelp
I'm amazed at all that you can do with cauliflower and I still haven't lost any weight. Hmmmm!! DELICIOUS, if you can't tell by the lack of Cauliflower Taco available by the time I remember to Yelp, let me tell you. That cauliflower taco, was mouth watering good. It knocked the salmon taco right out the running for this review. So let me first tell you, and save you the trip before placing your online order. The drive thru at this location is for online and pickup orders only. Now, you are caught up. Let's talk about how delightful the young lady was, when she put that little bit of information out there. She was superb... After placing order, running three blocks to HEB, my order was hot and ready. Less than 15 mins. Parking lot and outside patio, nice and clean. It's In a great location, the corner of 21st and Shepherd/Durham. Stop by and enjoy, happy yelping!
google avatar

Khaled B.

Yelp
Great tacos terrible customer service. My go to is the chicken tikka. My preferred locations are the Rice Village & Galleria. This location is slow and the management is terrible.
google avatar

Jennifer M.

Yelp
I went here on a Sunday around 4pm. No crowd and I got my food pretty fast. This was my first time here. Pretty pricey for just tacos. Bout $11 for two. On a scale I give the tacos a 6.5 out of 10. Not that it wasnt good...the price just doesnt match the quality and quantity. It it was cheaper the ranking would be higher. But would I eat there again.....sure why not but its not a go to spot for me. The fish and chip taco was just ok..a 4/10..no taste really. The spicy chicken was really good..an 8/10. The grilled salmon was tasty 7/10.
google avatar

Alaina N.

Yelp
Velvet Taco in The Heights is finally open! My husband and I stopped in on a weekday night. This new location is beautiful, and it has the bonus of a large patio with heaters. They're doing well with Covid protocols, the biggest difference I noticed is that hot sauces are now served in small containers, rather than the big communal bottles. There are a couple additions to the menu here. First- they have an 18oz option for margs. We each ordered one of these, it was very good and a little sweeter than the margs at the Washington location. They also have brisket nachos, which we got as an appetizer. They were a little underwhelming... there was barely any brisket or queso. Probably wouldn't get these again, we'll stick to the tots in the future. After the nachos, we ordered some tacos to go and walked home with the rest of our (enormous) margaritas. We ordered 2 tacos each- one WTF (chili shrimp), 2 brisket tacos, and the picnic chicken. The to-go packaging here is great (it's much better than other locations), everything made it home in great shape. All the tacos were great, trying to compare them to each other is like apples to oranges. The picnic chicken is great if you're looking for something mild, and brisket/chili shrimp if you're looking for something a little heavier and more savory. We'll be back!
google avatar

Oscar H.

Yelp
Feel in love with the food and atmosphere!! Food was amazing too tire and so was Kim's customer service! Will 10/19 go again and I hope Kim is there!
google avatar

Taylor W.

Yelp
This location leaves so much to be desired. Drive-thru and deliverer didn't have a mask on. I called to try and change the location for pick up, and the staff informed me I could change it online. I sucked it up and chose to drive the longer distance here, where I originally placed the order. All good, except they CANCELLED my order without asking me first. Awesome service, y'all. Not so much as a "sorry about that" and deflected the blame onto me for not specifying I ~didn't~ want my order cancelled. Save yourself some time and headache and stay away from this location. EDIT: removed unnecessary name-calling.
google avatar

Shawna W.

Yelp
Love the tacos and queso. My go to place for lunch when I'm craving a taco. My favorites are the fish taco and chicken thika, but I haven't had a taco that I didn't like.
google avatar

Sanya G.

Yelp
I love going to Velvet Taco for a quick bite to eat! I ordered my usual spicy chicken tikka tacos from the app and was able to pick them up via their drive thru. The staff was super fast and my tacos were delicious and still warm by the time I got home. The spice level was just right!
google avatar

Pauline F.

Yelp
Went by and realized I needed to order online to go through the drive-through window pulled in the parking lot placed my order from my phone for a fish taco a Cubano taco and A picnic taco with crispy chicken skin all three were wonderful the crispy fried fish had a curry sauce on it with slaw The Cubano had a nice spicy mustard and wonderful pickles and the picnic had everything else you need to make you happy They told me to be ready in 10 minutes it was they texted my phone I drove through the window was greeted very pleasant cashier and my order was perfectly made very convenient to get in and out
google avatar

Jennifer N.

Yelp
Velvet taco is our fav taco place. We drive 30 minutes to get it for dinner when torchy's taco is just down the street. We usually order more than we can eat but still love it. Everyone we introduce velvet taco to loves it.
google avatar

Anna S.

Yelp
2 words. Brisket Taco. Enough said. Oh and the frozen margaritas too! We also had the Korean Taco, Tikka Chicken, Fish and Chips, and Green Chili Pork. The Korean Taco was bomb!! Spicy and stuffed with meat. The Green Chili Pork had good flavor but the rice to meat ratio was off, too much rice. Fish and Chips was good as well, tasted light even though the fish is fried. Service was quick, friendly, attentive and they are taking social distancing seriously. Will be back!

Caroline C.

Yelp
Pretty solid tacos. Atmosphere is upbeat and fun, and the food is great. I'd recommend to anyone wanting fast casual tex-mex.
google avatar

Gloria H.

Yelp
Yum! Our office ordered lunch from here today and I chose the rotisserie chicken and the Korean beef. Although they were both flavor explosions in my mouth, I wish VT would make their own, thicker, corn tortillas. I'm sure if you eat at their establishment the tortillas probably hold up better but for to-go orders, not so much. Both of my tacos came in corn tortillas but by the time I was able to eat them, they were soggy and falling apart. Thankfully, we're only a mile away so at least it was still warm! I'd try it again but for dine-in.
google avatar

Cynthia C.

Yelp
Love this place. Really unique options for veg -- cauliflower and paneer? Yum! The elote queso alone is worth the trip!
google avatar

Alan H.

Yelp
Tremendous place!! Love how they all use gloves to prepare the food. Taste and size is just perfect. Is just perfect if you are in the area don't waste time stop by you will not be disappointed.
google avatar

Cornelius S.

Yelp
Nice tacos and very nice atmosphere. The people were great. Very knowledgeable. The margaritas were great. We will be coming back soon.