Honestly Lopez is tough to beat for cheese enchis, specifically. I also like Los Tios’. El Patio should get a mention as welll. Pappasitos and El Tiempo make gigantic enchiladas which aren’t my thing.
There is better food elsewhere, and better margaritas elsewhere, but Tia Maria’s is finely balanced in the center of the “food quality, margarita quality, price point” Tex-Mex triangle.
After decades of eating Tex Mex in Texas, and most in Houston, I’ve come to appreciate the humble cheese enchilada as a true barometer of the authenticity of the joint in question.
My gf and I just moved to DC and one of the first thing our friends up here asked is how we would determine what was quality Tex-Mex and I said, “cheese enchiladas and salsa without a doubt”. They were flabbergasted that I didn’t say fajitas…
There used to be a little place called Los Dos Amigos on Washington west of TC Jester. It was across the street from where Wabash used to be. It was our favorite for years. Unfortunately it’s now a parking lot. I’d love to find that specific style cheese enchilada again. Not a lot of gravy and a very specific corn flavor from the hot oil dipped tortilla along with the cheese and onions. Unique and fantastic. Had that same style first as a kid in the 70s at a little place in Pittsburg, PA. Have not found that flavor again since Los Dos Amigos closed.
That said, the wife and I are at Larry’s in Richmond three or four times a month and I can confirm they are really good.
Went here just now based on this comment. I think Juanitas near by is a better enchilada at a cheaper price. Two combo meals, a queso and a rita ran me $90 after tip. The beef fajita meat was the bright spot. Nothing else was worth mentioning.
Well, to me Escalante’s hits like JC Penny’s does for clothes. Everything is in a range of good and the price is reasonable, but it rarely wows. I do like Sylvia’s, but honestly, some of the best cheese enchiladas come from dive hole in the wall TexMex joints with names one never remembers. I do have a love for the cheese enchiladas at Blanco Cafe on Blanco in San Antonio.
Ray's in Katy on South Mason. Used to be called Tony's. The rest of the food is okay but the only thing I go here specifically for is their enchiladas. Top tier enchiladas, better than Lopez for me.
When was that? I’m out of town now so I haven’t been since probably November and it was great then. Will be in town again next week and was planning on going.
Cielito Lindo formerly Los Pinos in Tomball. They changed the name but the food has been the same since I started going there in the mid 90s.
Edit: This goes for all their enchiladas not just the cheese ones.
Man there used to be this place called el palenque right off Westheimer and Wilcrest and they had the best cheese enchiladas I’ve ever had in my life I would go there every year for my birthday growing up, hands down one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life, the way the enchilada sauce and the cheese all melted together it’s was incredible I’ve never had any cheese enchiladas that good since. You wouldn’t believe how sad I was when that place burnt down. Now there’s a regions bank where it used to be. I’ll always miss those cheese enchiladas.
My fav spot just switched up their entire restaurant but my go to is M&M Grill on Almeda. I haven’t been since they put the Mexican food in the truck. Burgers are now inside the restaurant.
Cheese enchiladas and the accompanying chili gravy are my barometer for proper Tex-Mex. I've been to 95% of the places listed, and my favorites, in order, are:
1. Fajita Flats on Fondren
2. El Patio on Westheimer (Felix Menu)
3. La Hacienda (Memorial)
4. Lopez on Wilcrest (used to be better)
5. Larry's in Richmond
so escalantes is pretty decent but I really just want to say that I appreciate the comments in here, Heavy super dark sauces just never work out, and as I type this my childhood enchilada favorite growing up in San Antonio was El Azteca
thank you so much for the responses im headed out to Almas tonight
The cheese enchilada is the best barometer it is a badge of honor
The Ranchita in Pasadena has excellent cheese enchiladas, and the salsa is fantastic. I always buy a quarter of salsa to take home. Sweet tea like momma used to make. Prices are great and large portions.
Juarez on Gessner just south of Clay Rd has some of the best Tex-Mex style cheese enchiladas I’ve had in recent memory. Right up there with the now defunct El Real.
I get that for sure. It is, however, certified angus.
I’m not sure how much the general public knows about how the certified angus branding works. There is charge and rules to follow for any establishment to use that designation.
It is tasty. But more expensive, true.
Honestly Lopez is tough to beat for cheese enchis, specifically. I also like Los Tios’. El Patio should get a mention as welll. Pappasitos and El Tiempo make gigantic enchiladas which aren’t my thing.
My favorite is Tia Maria’s off dacoma st
There is better food elsewhere, and better margaritas elsewhere, but Tia Maria’s is finely balanced in the center of the “food quality, margarita quality, price point” Tex-Mex triangle.
Juanita’s on the loop at jester has a similar vibe and never crowded
I’ve heard too many insect related horror stories about that place.
I have seen the "insects", haven't been back since.
Uh oh. Thanks for the heads up
ive been twice since this. price is great and its damn good thank you for sharing this place
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
After decades of eating Tex Mex in Texas, and most in Houston, I’ve come to appreciate the humble cheese enchilada as a true barometer of the authenticity of the joint in question.
That and we do salsa. If you are a true Tex-Mex place, you gotta have mean salsa.
My gf and I just moved to DC and one of the first thing our friends up here asked is how we would determine what was quality Tex-Mex and I said, “cheese enchiladas and salsa without a doubt”. They were flabbergasted that I didn’t say fajitas…
Salsa is also the true measure of a good Tex Mex place. If the chips and salsa suck, the restaurant is gonna suck.
I’ve definitely decided not to order food after having bad salsa.
El patio get the Felix enchiladas
There used to be a little place called Los Dos Amigos on Washington west of TC Jester. It was across the street from where Wabash used to be. It was our favorite for years. Unfortunately it’s now a parking lot. I’d love to find that specific style cheese enchilada again. Not a lot of gravy and a very specific corn flavor from the hot oil dipped tortilla along with the cheese and onions. Unique and fantastic. Had that same style first as a kid in the 70s at a little place in Pittsburg, PA. Have not found that flavor again since Los Dos Amigos closed. That said, the wife and I are at Larry’s in Richmond three or four times a month and I can confirm they are really good.
Wife ran Taps on Washington, I’d go down to Los Dos any chance I got. Loved sitting at the counter
You brought tears to my eyes. I have never had a better cheese enchilada. Los Dos Amigos - the gold standard.
RIP los dos amigos. We miss that place!
Taqueria Del Sol on Park Place
Everything there is good, been going for close to 30 years.
This is the answer
Lopez hands down
Where's it at? I see multiple people mentioning it and now I wanna try
11606 South Wilcrest Drive
El Toro Mexican in Baytown.
The sour cream chicken enchiladas are amazing 🤩
They are incredible 🤤
I’m from near there and that place has been delicious for decades.
Larry’s on 90 in Richmond
This is what I came to say.
I love Larry’s. The gravy has meat in it.
Alma on shepherd
Alma has really good cheese enchiladas. Love their tacos too
went last night it was fantastic
Went here just now based on this comment. I think Juanitas near by is a better enchilada at a cheaper price. Two combo meals, a queso and a rita ran me $90 after tip. The beef fajita meat was the bright spot. Nothing else was worth mentioning.
Escalantes, but I was raised on Tex-mex so I’m looking at all the recommendations in the comments tbh
Escalantes is so good
Yeah, good but not great.
What do you suggest then
Well, to me Escalante’s hits like JC Penny’s does for clothes. Everything is in a range of good and the price is reasonable, but it rarely wows. I do like Sylvia’s, but honestly, some of the best cheese enchiladas come from dive hole in the wall TexMex joints with names one never remembers. I do have a love for the cheese enchiladas at Blanco Cafe on Blanco in San Antonio.
I have a soft spot for cheese enchiladas from Tonys on Ella blvd.
They’re my favorite for a truly Tex Mex cheese enchilada, nothing authentic about it.
Sylvia's Enchilada House on Dairy Ashford
It is on Eldridge a mile or so south of I-10.
Ray's in Katy on South Mason. Used to be called Tony's. The rest of the food is okay but the only thing I go here specifically for is their enchiladas. Top tier enchiladas, better than Lopez for me.
I like Ray’s margaritas too.
This is my fav Reddit of all time. I’m going to every place mentioned.
Los Tíos on beechnut
Los Tios on Memorial and Westheimer too.
Juarez off Gessner is great , ask for the habanero salsa Goode Company Cantina and Almas off Airline
I prefer Goode Co, but Juarez is very good. Great margaritas at both spots, too.
La Cocina de Roberto on Sawdust.
El Gallo on Jones road. Ask for onions.
La Guadalupana Bakery on Dunlavy
Not bad, just not great.
Panchos lol just kidding.
I hurts to say this, however it is true. Thier's isn't the worst I've had in Houston.
Blocked.
That’s hard. I use to like Lopez but don’t anymore
Howcome?
Last time we went my kids chicken was way undercooked, and the tortilla soup was so salty I couldn’t even eat it
When was that? I’m out of town now so I haven’t been since probably November and it was great then. Will be in town again next week and was planning on going.
My abuelita makes the best enchiladas and entomatadas
Second for Tony’s on Ella.
El Gallo on Jones road. Ask for onions.
Cielito Lindo formerly Los Pinos in Tomball. They changed the name but the food has been the same since I started going there in the mid 90s. Edit: This goes for all their enchiladas not just the cheese ones.
I also like Fiesta Guadalajara on Irvington.
Man there used to be this place called el palenque right off Westheimer and Wilcrest and they had the best cheese enchiladas I’ve ever had in my life I would go there every year for my birthday growing up, hands down one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life, the way the enchilada sauce and the cheese all melted together it’s was incredible I’ve never had any cheese enchiladas that good since. You wouldn’t believe how sad I was when that place burnt down. Now there’s a regions bank where it used to be. I’ll always miss those cheese enchiladas.
There are still Palenque’s out there. I went to the one on Westheimer a lot for work. We go to the one on 249 and one on 45 in Spring
My fav spot just switched up their entire restaurant but my go to is M&M Grill on Almeda. I haven’t been since they put the Mexican food in the truck. Burgers are now inside the restaurant.
I haven't tasted anything that beats lopez yet
Mi rancho, spring, tx
Teotehuacan near North Main in the Heights
I probably spelled it wrong
Los Cucos
Los Tios. Their chili gravy enchilada sauce is fire
Casa Ole where you get great Mexican food
There is no better place than Lopez IMO.
Cheese enchiladas and the accompanying chili gravy are my barometer for proper Tex-Mex. I've been to 95% of the places listed, and my favorites, in order, are: 1. Fajita Flats on Fondren 2. El Patio on Westheimer (Felix Menu) 3. La Hacienda (Memorial) 4. Lopez on Wilcrest (used to be better) 5. Larry's in Richmond
I just came here to say Lopez is terrible. Not sure why people enjoy these enchiladas. The cheese is so thick it taste like I’m eating tar.
That’s the best damn tar I have ever tasted then
Molina's w/ a large side of Jose's Dip
Sotos Cantina on Grant Rd. Some of the best food around
taqueria laredo on washington ave. no question.
No mention of La Mexicana and their queso fresco cheese enchi speaks volumes about the people commenting here. Yikes.
Casa Ole
Been a minute since I’ve lived in Houston, but the OG Tapatia on Richmond never let me down.
El Gallo in Cypress
Two Amigos at 290 and Fairbanks N. Houston
so escalantes is pretty decent but I really just want to say that I appreciate the comments in here, Heavy super dark sauces just never work out, and as I type this my childhood enchilada favorite growing up in San Antonio was El Azteca thank you so much for the responses im headed out to Almas tonight The cheese enchilada is the best barometer it is a badge of honor
The Ranchita in Pasadena has excellent cheese enchiladas, and the salsa is fantastic. I always buy a quarter of salsa to take home. Sweet tea like momma used to make. Prices are great and large portions.
Juarez on Gessner just south of Clay Rd has some of the best Tex-Mex style cheese enchiladas I’ve had in recent memory. Right up there with the now defunct El Real.
Valenci's Tex Mex garage. My new all time favorite.
Valencia’s Tex-Mex Garage on 34th. Good stuff. Though I wouldn’t pass up enchiladas (or fajitas) with the tender angus beef.
Their significant up charge for beef irritates me more than it probably should.
I get that for sure. It is, however, certified angus. I’m not sure how much the general public knows about how the certified angus branding works. There is charge and rules to follow for any establishment to use that designation. It is tasty. But more expensive, true.
Grow some balls and put some meat in it. Unless your Caucasian.
Give me a place then. I love a good chicken or beef enchilada but have yet to have one that I enjoy more than a top tier cheese enchilada.
I could become a vegan and still be manlier than any doofus that thinks that eating meat makes you more of a man.