Cafe Adobe - Houston, TX - Great Tex-Mex With Ex-tras

Cafe Adobe

Location - Houston, TX

Meal - Dinner

Date - February 15, 2010

The Set-Up - We found Cafe Adobe early on our trips to Houston and return often for a quick, tasty and inexpensive Tex-Mex meal. Upon arriving in Houston on February 15, we had just enough time for dinner before heading to the nearby McGonigel's Mucky Duck for a 9:30 show.

The Meal - Kay went with the reliable Tacos al Carbon. I'm glad I ventured from my usual order pattern as the Fish Tacos were wonderful. The broiled tilapia pieces were marinated in chipotle cilantro and garlic butter sauce. The tacos were the soft kind and filled with red cabbage, so I had to deconstruct the dish to eat it, but no problem. They offer a plate of the same fish, Tilapia Cozumel, which I'll definitely consider next time.


Drinks - It was margarita time. We inquired about happy hour and to our happiness, the half-priced drink special was still on. More later on this part of the meal, but drinks were delicious.

Ambience - We like the area nearest the door for a number of reasons. Less walking in a big restaurant, near the rest rooms, and the area seems a little more open and brighter than the back of the restaurant.

Service - Always cheerful and efficient. The staff was especially helpful when our bill came with the margaritas at full price. We pointed this out and instead of correcting the price, which would have saved us $6.25, they gave me my fish tacos for free ($8.99 value), saying that it was too difficult in their system to correct the drink price.

The Check - With the credit, we got out of Cafe Adobe full of food and drink for an amazing $30, including tax and a nice tip.

The Scoreboard (one-to-five scale)

Food - Five - I think I found a new favorite dish.

Drinks - Five - Hard to beat frozen margaritas in a good Tex-Mex place.

Ambience - Four - Our preferred seating area also includes the stairs to the club on the second floor.

Service - Five - Three cheers for their makeup on the mispriced drinks.

Price/Value - A big Five on this occasion - pretty close every time out.


Overall Assessment

Special Occasion

Favorite - Definitely merits Favorite status with its combination of tasty food and drinks, reasonable prices and extended happy hour. We'll be back!

Very Good

Good Enough

If Hungry Enough

Keep Driving and Looking


Other Info -

2111 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77098 ... Phone: 713.528.1468 ... Fax: 713.528.5127

There are three other Cafe Adobe locations in the Houston area (Sugar Land, Spring Branch and The Woodlands) and one opening soon in Clear Lake.

Hours:

Call for hours. I know they're open Monday through Saturday for both lunch and dinner. They're probably open Sunday as well.

Cafe Adobe

Lupe Tortilla - Houston, TX - Happy Enchiladas

Lupe Tortilla

Houston, TX

Dinner

January 4, 2010

The Set-Up - Our first trip to this Houston-based restaurant chain came in June 2009 at the suggestion of a hotel clerk, who said it was good, reasonable and close by. Our GPS didn't realize there was more than one location (or maybe we didn't) so we drove around awhile before finding the one nearby. Everything else the man told us was right on and we've returned many times to Lupe Tortilla's downtown Houston location.

This visit came at the end of a five-hour drive from Baton Rouge for a medical appointment the next day.


The Meal - A meal at Lupe Tortilla always begins with their fresh chips and salsa. The chips are hot so they must be baked on site and the salsa is chunky and tasty with lots of cilantro. I've gotten stuck on the combination enchilada plate ($10.50) which includes three enchiladas, beans and rice. Not being a bean person, I asked for extra rice and no beans. Even with three enchiladas to consume, I can usually work my way through most of a double helping of rice. They offer four kinds of sauce to go with the enchiladas. My favorite (I think) is the Ancho chili con carne sauce, which is dark, rich and spicy. Kay got the chicken flautas, which she enjoyed. I'd eaten too much other food to offer a reliable opinion.

Drinks - We stuck with non-alcoholic drinks on this visit, but my recollection is that the margaritas are outstanding. I'll update based on a future visit.


Ambience - The rambling wood structure, though no doubt designed by an architect, gives the homey feeling of having been expanded room by room as the business grew. The sombrero hat lampshades are a comical touch.

Service - Diners are well cared for at Lupe Tortilla. In addition to efficient and friendly waiters, a manager tours the dining room on a regular basis to ask if all your needs are being met. On one trip I told him that my only need that was not being met was for a Lupe Tortilla in Baton Rouge. He replied that they're still working on expanding in Texas (San Antonio in particular).

The Check - With no appetizers, margaritas or dessert, the tab for two came to a slim $28.50 including tax and tip.


The Scoreboard (one-to-five scale)

Food - five (assuming that everything else is as yummy as the enchiladas)

Drinks - four (could be a five - will have to revisit the margaritas and report back)

Ambience - five (busy, friendly, fun)

Service - five (unobtrusive manager visits are a nice touch)

Price/Value - five (enchiladas are a bargain; other food seems to be priced below Pappasito's, which serves similar food)


Overall Assessment

Special Occasion

Favorite - could be a special occasion place for a large group that likes Tex-Mex food. Not so much for a romantic dinner.

Very Good

Good Enough

If Hungry Enough

Keep Driving and Looking


Other Issues - There are eight Houston-area locations. Make sure your GPS is taking you to the one you want. San Antonio and Austin are in Lupe Tortilla's expansion plans. Maybe Louisiana after that? Or maybe I'll move to Houston.

Hours of Operation
Sunday - Thursday - 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday - Saturday - 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

2414 Southwest Freeway (near Kirby)
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-4420

LupeTortilla.com

To Go Menu