El Buen Gusto

CLOSED? I’ve always really enjoyed this restaurant, but it looks like they might be closed now. Went by for lunch yesterday and the store front was empty.

I’ve been here on numerous occasions. This place is awesome. The service is always friendly and helpful. The food is freshly prepared, and always spot on. Flavorful, authentic Mexican food, made by authentic Mexican people.
This is the go-​to spot in H-​town, for Mexican. When you go, order anything at all on the menu — its going to be delicious, and do yourself a favor and get the tres leches cake for dessert. You won’t be disappointed.

It is with a broken heart that I need to rewrite my review for El Buen Gusto. We have been coming occasionally for years and always walked away happy. Unfortunately, ownership has changed and the result was one of the worst meals of my life.
The pupusas were dry and thick with masa. No cheese to be found in them and the little bit of chorizo had no flavor. The tamal de elote was like dry cornbread. These are Salvadoran staples. If you can’t do those right, you have no business running a restaurant. The mofongo con carne asada was sweet from yellow plaintains instead of with green plaintains and instead of having carne asada cooked in, a dry burnt chewy piece of meat is served on the side (no marinade, no seasoning). Even the chips and salsa were off.
We knew ownership had changed and heard it wasn’t as good, but should have walked right out when we caught whiff of the questionable smell in the air. Everything was wrong. Won’t be back. I would welcome any worthy Central American recommendations, because not having this old favorite to go back to makes me sad.

The food here reminded me of the family owned and non-​frill restaurant meals we had in Galapagos Islands. All signs in and all customers speak Spanish added another level of authenticity. Buen Gusto, buen trabajo!

I ordered a large tray of rice and peas from this place for a party and it was delicious! My guests love it. I also tried a cannoli while waiting for the rice and it was really good. There were many delicious looking pastries and tres leches cakes. I plan to try next time.

My wife and I were exploring Main Street when we were staying at the Holiday Inn down the road. In a cluster of 4 or 5 restaurants, we spotted El Buen Gusto. We grabbed the last open table in a small room filled with families enjoying their Friday dinner. Our server recommended Molcajete which serves two: Chicken, beef and shrimp, deliciously sauced, and probably enough to feed four (we’re troupers and finished it all.)
Tasty food, very reasonably priced and quick, friendly service. 5 stars all around.

I love this place! The only thing I don’t like is how each time I go there, they charge a different price. My bill is never the same yet I order the same thing each time. Sometimes it’s cheaper, other times it’s twice the price. If they would fix that, I would give it 5 stars! Check your receipt each time!

Don’t be fooled by the name of El Buen Gusto. Although they say they are a bakery, they offer so much more! While visiting the area to go to Six Flags, my husband and I were in the mood for some good Latin food and ended up visiting the bakery. They offer a nice variety of Latin food, and it’s all delicious and cheap too. I ordered steak and onions, and it came with rice, beans, plantains, a salad, and homemade tortillas… all for under $ 12! We could have easily split one meal between the two of us, it was such a big portion. Plus, they offer lots of great Caribbean and Latin drinks, like Jarritos, to wash it all down. I would just recommend taking your food to go because although they do have tables to sit at, it’s more of a simple bakery with little ambiance. And don’t forget to get something sweet! I mean, it is a bakery too you know.