Dining “Out” at Home in Houston: 5 Must Try Takeout Tex-Mex Spots

Per Governor Greg Abbott’s plan to reopen Texas, restaurants are among the businesses allowed to open back up. But as we all continue safe social distancing practices, many restaurants have chosen to continue to offer ways for you to “dine out” at home, rocking some mighty fine takeout and delivery options. In our Dining “Out” at Home series, we’ll cover some of the best to-go options in town, from the juicy burgers that hold up in transit to restaurants bringing happy hour to your door.

Whether you want fajitas to share or are ready to smash a vat of chips & queso all by yourself, Tex-Mex is a choice option for both takeout and delivery. These Tex-Mex spots have got all your takeout needs covered, offering reliable service and a variety of options that hold up well to-go.

5 Must Try Takeout Tex-Mex Restaurants

• Candente in Montrose – This young gun Tex-Mex haunt may not have been around as long as some of these other guys, but it’s been fully welcomed by locals thanks to some rockstar dishes and a little inspiration from sibling establishment and neighboring bbq joint, The Pit Room. Get your fill of staples like the smoked brisket nachos, chile and fajita loaded chile con queso, ribeye steak fajitas, and smoked chicken verde enchiladas. Call 346-867-1156 for takeout.
• El Tiempo around Greater Houston – With locations dotting the city, this local Tex-Mex darling is a longtime favorite and comes from Roland Laurenzo, a son of “Mama” Ninfa Laurenzo of Ninfa’s fame. You’ll find everything made from scratch here—just the way Mama used to do it—from the house tortillas and guacamole to salsas and enchilada sauces. Now, you can get your towering fajitas, jumbo lump crab nachos, stuffed and bacon-wrapped shrimp diablo, and tacos, chalupas, and burritos for both takeout and delivery. Don’t forget the to-go margarita packs. Call your nearest location or order fajitas and margs online.
• Molina’s Cantina in Bellaire and West Houston – The Molina family has been in the restaurant business since 1941, when husband and wife Raul and Mary purchased the Old Monterrey Restaurant on West Gray. Years later, a new restaurant, Molina’s Restaurant & Cantina, was born; and its two (soon to be three) locations are still operated by the Molina family today. Get a taste of familia and Tex-Mex tradition via Jose’s Dip—a chile con queso blended with spicy taco meat, loaded chicken fajita nachos, Tex-Mex combo platters featuring things like enchiladas, tacos, and tamales, plus grilled fajitas available by the pound and in-bulk. Order online for curbside pickup or call 713-432-1626 (Bellaire) or 713-782-0861 (Weshheimer) for pickup and delivery (home delivery also available via GrubHub and DoorDash).
• The Original Ninfa’s in East End and Uptown – Now with two locations (the Original on Navigation and the newer Uptown Park spot), Mama Ninfa’s o.g. institution is still going strong. Both are continuing to offer curbside service. The Ninfaritas are an obvious choice for those looking for an adult beverage, available by the half-gallon, gallon, glass, and mix. Tack on family-style enchiladas and chile rellenos, guac and chile con queso, and Ninfa’s famous fajitas and tacos al carbon. Order online for curbside service. Delivery is also available via DoorDash, GrubHub, and Favor.  
• Superica in The Heights– Curbside takeout continues at this Heights hotspot, with its regular lineup plus special offerings from Family Meals to Tommy’s Margaritas To-Go. Grub on chorizo-studded chile con queso, steak fajita nachos, twice cooked carnitas dripping in tomatillo salsa and Mexican butter, sloppy cheese enchiladas, “Rico Style” tacos al carbon with wood-grilled chicken and smoked onions, and kids menu items like crispy beef tacos and chicken quesadilla. Order online or call 713-955-3215 for curbside pickup.