Molina’s Cantina

My family and I finally tried this restaurant on 01/​25/​2016. My wife had the Carne Asada and I shared a pound of beef fajitas with my two young boys. The food was very good. My wife enjoyed her carne asada and my boys and I really liked the fajitas. They smoke their beef there which is something I never had on my fajitas, but it really added a spectacular flavor. The restaurant is very nice inside and the restrooms were very clean (something I really look for in a restaurant). The complaint that I had was this:
1. The charged $ 2.50 for cheese and sour cream. Now this isn’t unusual for a restaurant to charge for these items, however the amount of cheese and sour cream was very small and barely enough for the pound of fajitas we had. So not only did they not give enough but they charged $ 2.50 for it.
2. They brought 3 tortilla’s with the pound we got. So we asked for 3 more so that my sons and I could eat 2 fajita’s each. There was no way that we could eat a whole pound with just three tortillas. We wouldn’t be able to fit all the food in just 3 tortillas! To my surprise they charged us $ 1.50 for the 3 extra tortilla’s we received. No one mentioned that there would be an extra charge (that is not my issue though). My issue is that I have never been charged for extra tortillas. It’s not like we abused the amount we received, but there was just no way we could eat a whole pound with just 3 tortillas.
In the end, the place was nice, clean, and the food was very good. But I just have issues with a place that «nickle and dimes» the customers. It left a «bad taste» in my mouth and probably won’t go back just because of that.
Also, I do want to mention that we also got a piece of the Tres Leches for dessert that was very tasty and very moist. An excellent Tres Leches. The slice was generous and was only $ 4.50!!! That was a great value for what they served.
I’m not sure how they feel they should charge $ 2.50 for hardly any cheese and sour cream as well as $ 1.50 for extra tortillas, when they only charge $ 4.50 for a wonderful dessert.

I like the grilled veggies – not expensive. I prefer the house margarita to hornito’s margarita, and it’s a great deal.

Good value and quick service. I always order the Enchiladas a la Michael and it’s great. Not the best or most unique Mexican food by any means but a solid and consistent experience.

I am huge fan of authentic Mexican cuisine as well as Tex-​Mex. I typically love it all, but I was NOT impressed with this place. The décor is great, service was good, but the food is TERRIBLE and is wayyy over priced for the quality. For the first time in my life, I actually had to send back the queso! The food lacks all flavor and gave me the worst stomach ache after.

Good food. Service was FAST (we had our food about 10 minutes after ordering, even with a few special requests) and everything was perfect. We had a very nice waitress and all the staff was very nice. The restaurant was quite busy — 7pm on a Wednesday — but it was very clean, as were the bathrooms.
My husband ordered a margarita, and wasn’t too impressed, but that was our only negative for this place. We will go back!

Molina’s Cantina has been a Houston tradition since 1941. There are 3 locations to choose from: just west of The Galleria on Westheimer, one on Washington and the one I visited on Bellaire just east of the 610 loop.
Molina’s Cantina is the oldest continually operating Tex-​Mex restaurant in the city. Raul Molina Sr. and his wife Mary built this fine eatery back in the day and the family has continued operating it with great success for over three generations. The Molina family understands the importance of close family relations and the culture here reflects these values.
Some members of Molina’s loyal staff have over 20 years invested in this iconic Tex-​Mex restaurant. One of their chefs had been working here for over 50 years. Our server, Art, told us he had been working at Molina’s for over 20 years! A pretty impressive track record and it shows that these people are doing it right here in Houston.
There are some very notable fans of Molina’s around the Houston area, but none more so than former President George H.W. Bush. He has been known to enjoy their fajitas, their enchiladas and a cold beer from time to time — just like every other proud Houstonian!
We started off with some wonderful Bohemia’s and Molina’s legendary margaritas — a potent beverage known for its proper blend of fresh lime juice, Triple Sec and 100% agave tequila. Both were excellent choices, but watch out as the margaritas here are not for the faint of heart and they can really sneak up on ya.
As the adult beverages arrived, so did the warm crisp chips, salsas, spicy escabeche carrots and Molina’s famous «Jose’s Dip». This wonderful chile con queso and spicy taco meat combination was named after a server by the same name. Jose would always add taco meat to the queso for his faithful customers. Management found out about this while Jose was on vacation and patrons began inquiring about the beloved taco meat Jose had been secretly providing for them. So, Jose’s Dip was added to the menu in the name of its inventor. You definitely want to order this creamy, cheesy, meaty delight as a starter for the table.
After discussing some menu options with Chris, who already knew the menu by heart, we decided to order the Nancy Ames’ Special Nachos. Many publications over the years have claimed that these nachos are the best in Houston. I have to agree. Every chip is built to form its own full nacho, just the way my mother used to make. Each chip is first spread with refried beans, then piled high with spicy ground taco meat, and finally covered with melted shredded cheese, homemade guacamole, diced spicy carrots and jalapenos. Nancy, you are a sweetheart for inspiring such a work of art. Check out the photography… pictures don’t lie.
We decided to split three of the most popular entrees: the William’s Special, Enchilada de Tejas and the Cancun Shrimp Platter — a pretty good range of menu items to get a taste of the full Molina’s experience!
First up was the Enchilada de Tejas: a delicious cheese enchilada, topped with chili con carne, melted cheese and chopped onions. The chopped onions really sent this dish through the roof. It’s funny how the simplest of ingredients can make such a big impact. Cheese enchiladas are one of my absolute favorites and the chile con carne was amazing. Molina’s Cantina has used the same recipe since they began… why change a good thing?
Next in line was the William’s Special: savory carne asada with grilled onions served over two cheese enchiladas, topped with William’s sauce and Chihuahua cheese and served with sides of guacamole and rice. It’s the best of both worlds: you get the unforgettable cheese enchiladas but only after you make your way through the perfectly marinated carne asada. Need I say more? I would have to say this is my go-​to here at Molina’s!
And last, but certainly not least, came the Cancun Shrimp Platter: fabulous jumbo shrimp stuffed with fresh jalapenos and Chihuahua cheese, wrapped with sliced bacon and grilled to perfection, and served with rice, charro beans, pico and guacamole. This dish is always a no-​brainer here on the Gulf Coast where you find the largest, freshest shrimp in the country. I’m definitely a fan and give it my highest recommendation. It makes a great appetizer as well.
As always, in my book no meal is complete without dessert. And at a Mexican restaurant, my all-​time favorite is the Tres Leches Cake (Spanish for «three milks cake»). This classic Mexican treat is a sponge cake soaked in a mixture of different types of milks. I have to say that the Tres Leches Cake at Molina’s ranks up there with the best. Save room, save lots of room as it was enough for all three of us to share.

If you like plain old tacos with ground meat, don’t get them here. The meat left a strange lardy after taste, absolutely no flavor. Came with just meat in the crispy taco and lettuce on the side.

What have you guys done to your cheese dip. It was horrible!!! My meal was ok but not great. Very disappointed.

Best enchiladas in Houston! Friendly service and very strong margaritas. Great atmosphere authentic Tex-​Mex cuisine.

I don’t understand why they only have 3 stars!!! The staff is soooo friendly! The hostess at the front was sooo sweet. And the manger had us laughing on the way out!!:)
The food was amazing!!! My daughter just loves the food, and wants to come back tomorrow.
Plus they are opened on Easter!!! Major points!
Happy Easter:)

This place is right down the street from my apartment. A lot of times I’ve passed by they have been super busy. Any place that’s consistently busy has got to be good. So I put it on my bucket list of restaurants to check out.
It’s located close to the corner of Bellaire and Stella Link. Right before where Bellaire turns into Holcome. I like the décor. It’s kinda like that dark wood Spanish look. It’s cute.
The hostess at the door was very friendly and seated is right away. We got there at 11 on a Monday, so there was no wait for a table or anything.
My friend and I both ordered off of the lunch menu and the food came out in a timely matter. And all of our modifications were correct. The food was delicious and not expensive at all. I will definitely be a repeat customers.
Photos:
Enchiladas A La Michael
Berly’s Burrito
(Both on lunch menu)

Their queso is really good. We normally order the fajitas for 2. We get the half beef and half chicken. Their margaritas are super strong! We are regulars here.

Molinas could be a four star restaurant, but sit at a booth near the bar and it’s a solid five all day.
Of course you get the same food, but the atmosphere is just plain cooler. Walk in the side door, grab the booth and the wait staff will get to you quickly. Good drinks, excellent queso-​beef (I forgot the name) with chopped jalapeños for starters. I had the grilled chicken breast and sampled the grilled beef of the other party in my group. While the chicken was fantastic quality and the ingredients were all fresh and flavorful, I kinda wish I went for that steak. It was rare, it was close to perfect especially when you consider the price.
Molinas has never served me a disappointing meal, but this time the service at the bar made it truly outstanding.

Had fajitas and sides. The meat was very flavorful and juicy. Rice, beans, queso were bland. Service was excellent. Overall, okay restaurant.

Was very disappointed with Molina’s Canta. I had the Cancun shrimp, a bacon wrapped shrimp with i slice of jalapeño inside. I thought, no way they could cook it wrong. Turns out i was wrong. The shrimp was hard, and the bacon undercooked. I couldn’t finish it. My mom had chicken mole that was almost raw in the middle. A friend had redfish that was covered in pico de gallo and cheese?
I don’t like to give negative reviews. However, this place seems to not know how to cook or doesn’t care. Potentially dangerously undercooked pork and chicken seem to be commonplace.
Almost any other Mexican restaurant would be better choice.

The atmosphere and service were great, but in terms of the food the rating pretty much sums it up «Meh. I’ve experienced better.» With all the great Mexican restaurants this city has to offer, I do not plan on ever coming back to Molina’s Cantina.

Sad for a tradition to fall by the side. Worst House Margarita ever. Decent Poblado soup. Pasty queso. Obviously relying on reputation and not the ability to deliver quality food every time. Regulars may keep it open awhile but not their best effort tonight. Thirty five bucks of mediocre. Plus tip.

This place was good. the food was spiced well and the service was good. It was nice because it was a walkable location from where I was staying while in Houston.
The chips and salsa were tasty and plentiful!

The staff was very friendly and helpful as we came right around 5:30 for their so called happy hour. That’s all the positive. I’m here to tell you that there is nothing happy about their margaritas.
You go Tex-​Mex and you automatically think Margarita… Fail Molina.
The glasses are ridiculously small and for the price of six dollars, I hoped for so much more. Our bartender for the evening gave me an overloaded salty glass that remained in the drink until the bitter end. That among the extremely crowded bar area leaves me in 2-​star disappointment.
The margarita needs a major makeover.

Friday nights are for Mexican food, and it has been that way my entire life. My family began frequenting the Westheimer location before I was even born, and that is where my parents would take me and my brother on Fridays when we were kids. Every Friday night I would look forward to Molina’s cheese enchiladas and making a paste out of Spanish rice and refried beans.
Now my husband and I come to the Bellaire location every Friday night and sit in the bar together. The bar is WONDERFUL! It is completely separate from the rest of the restaurant, and no one under 21 is admitted, ever. It is a large room with a rectangular granite bar and several booths along the perimeter. The bar stools are the most plush I have ever sat on, and the booths are comfy and private. There are several large televisions which my husband enjoys watching (yay, sports!). The bartenders — Alejandro, Yesmin and Victor — are very attentive and will do their best to remember the likes of their frequent customers. Maria is the sweetest girl and she is always making sure your chips & salsas never run empty. The bar serves free queso (not Jose’s dip) during happy hour, which you can’t get in the main dining room. We have made a couple of bar friends over the last year, whose names we haven’t learned, but we give them a wave each time we see them. Apparently we are not the only one who make this a regular Friday night spot.
We have eaten with family in the main dining room a couple of times, but it tends to feel like a zoo in there. There are kids running around in the waiting area and occasionally your booth will back up to a family with a screaming baby, so it’s not our preferred dining zone for now… I’m sure our opinion of the dining room will change when we have a couple of our own someday.
Anyway, the food is consistent, which is one of the main reasons we love Molina’s. The cheese enchiladas with chili gravy are my absolute favorite, and arguably the best in Houston. The pickled carrots, onions & jalapenos are so addictive, and a healthier alternative to chips. They’re free but you typically have to request them from your server. The fish tacos are crispy without too much breading, and the pieces of fish are large. The caldo de pollo soup is great on a cold day, as is the chili. The beef fajita meat (carne asada) is tender and flavorful, and comes with a heap of grilled onions. The carnitas are very tender, too. All of the specials named after patrons are good… C.W. Special, Nancy Ames Nachos, Berly’s Burrito, Enchiladas a la Michael, etc. The grilled redfish plate is one of my favorites, albeit a bit of a splurge. You can’t go wrong with any of the food here. The margaritas are strong, and the frozen margaritas are even stronger. I shouldn’t really be driving home after drinking 2 of them, but that’s what my husband’s there for. Don’t forget to ask for a few pralines on your way out!