My Top 5: Sylvia Casares of Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen

Sylvia Casares_365 Things to do in Houston
Photo courtesy of Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen

Our My Top 5 feature showcases Houstonians who are shaping the culture in the city and impacting people’s lives. In turn, they share their own favorite things to do in Houston when they’re not hard at work. This week, we’re very pleased to feature Sylvia Casares, owner of Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen.

My Top 5 Things to Do in Houston

by Sylvia Casares

  1. “Guilding” at Montrose Resale Shops – Shopping or “guilding” (as I call it) at Montrose area nonprofit resale shops is one of my favorite forms of fun and relaxation. Whether it’s shopping for décor for my home or the restaurants getting out to the resale shops, I choose the Charity Guild of Catholic Women consignment shop, Blue Bird Circle Resale Shop, and The Guild Shop. I never know what I will find when I make my rounds on my day off.
  2. Baba Yega Cafe – I love this Houston institution and have been enjoying their Reuben sandwich served with special dill potato salad since 1978. It’s always a treat to lunch there on my day off when I’m shopping at the Guilds.
  3. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston – Through all my years in Houston, I have enjoyed their permanent collection as well as the amazing exhibitions they have brought to Houston.
  4. St. Francis Episcopal Church – St. Francis Church has become my second family here in Houston. This is a small church community in the Memorial area where love and caring are abundant. I particularly enjoy Sunday services with the beautiful music and seeing my children and grandchildren there every Sunday.
  5. Grocery Shopping at Sprouts Farmers Market & HEB Texas Grocery – I love to get into my “cocoon” at home and cook or grill good old South Texas-style BBQ while spending time with the people I am closest to. I love to shop at Sprouts Farmers Market and HEB which are both conveniently located from my house. Sprouts has so many great products (especially their produce) and the service is always friendly. HEB was my favorite grocery store for my cookbook recipes and it’s a lovely reminder of my mother since she was a faithful HEB customer since the early 1950s in Downtown Brownsville. Shopping there is always nostalgic for me. Plus, the meat and service at HEB is always fast and friendly.

About Sylvia Casares

For nearly 18 years, Sylvia Casares has lovingly prepared and served the traditional Tex-Mex of her native Brownsville at Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, with three locations in Houston. With her passion for the humble enchilada, fans began calling her the Enchilada Queen soon after she opened the first Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen in 1998. There are 18 varieties of made-from-scratch enchiladas on her menu, as well as enchilada tours that offer four varieties on a single plate. Houstonians can learn some of her recipes and techniques at her cooking school, located at her Eldridge location.

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365 Houston Staff
Secrets, favorites, tips and fresh ideas for enjoying daily life in and around Houston