Santos The Taste of Mexico

I was excited to find a good margarita, like the ones we used to get at Ninfa's years ago. This place has them. So far, I've tried the enchiladas (Verdes and Spinach), tostados and taco al carbon and the food has always been delectable. Chips are fresh, not greasy and the red and green sauces are good. The drinks and food are what keep me going back. However, on the last few visits the noise level from the LOUD piped in music is keeping me from regularly visiting this restaurant. On one weekday evening visit, the music was so loud that I could not even hold a dinner conversation with my dining guest. When I asked if it could be turned down some, the waitress informed me No and that I should hear how loud it is played on the weekends. Well my wife and I just returned from a Sunday lunch, and the previous waitress had been correct. With only a handful of people in the restaurant, the music was blaring, as if we were at a dance club. The folks at the larger round table next to us were shouting at the tops of their voices in order to be heard across their table. Also, know that the service is very inconsistent between waiters/waitresses. Go here knowing that you'll get good food, but find the service and ambiance lacking.

Pros: Great magaritas

Cons: Noise level way to HIGH

Posted 11/30/08

I love Mexican food and like to try new places. My friend and I had passed this place on numerous occassions and kept saying that we would try it. We walked in and it was just about empty, which should have been our first clue, it was a Sunday afternoon. We did finally get seated, andeven after being seated it took some time for our orders to be taken . The chips and salsa were brought out and my friend pointed out that the red sauce was hot it was heated, I don't know what the green sauce was, but it was terrible. I love chips and salsa, this was the first time both were not refilled and barely touched.We both ordered the chicken soup, how could you go wrong with soup, well it was greasy and had no flavor, I added all my pico de gallo and it did nothing for it.
Our food came and you could smell it, her food had a strong odor. I looked down at mine and I don't know what kind of sauce it was but it was yellow, it was not green and it had no flavor. The beans were overcooked and the chicken was cubed. I have never experienced any thing like this and I hope to never experience it again. We should have left after the soup. Waste of time and money and an insult to the palate.
My friend ordered the Crab Quesadilla and I ordered the Chicken suiza enchiladas with the green sauce.

Pros: parking

Cons: price taste service

Posted 10/13/08

I've been going to Santos weekly for the last year. It seems to be getting better and better. Richard Santos works his tail off keeping the quality at such a high level. The fajitas are to die for and the tortilla soup is great. Everyone I bring has raved about the food. Don't take my word for it, give it a try.

Posted 09/15/08

Food was above average, but, then should be for the price is above average,also. Fajitas, 1/2 lb. $16.95, 5 butterflied shrimp..$21.95. Margaritas were above average. Biggest complaint,,,noise. When you are paying above average, you expect better that "cafeteria" atmosphere. WAY too noisy. Even though it was hot ,we sat outside as the noise was overwheming. Food was rushed, we felt hurried....like we were in a cafeteria, not a fine restaurant. So..Good food, prices would be totaly acceptable if atmosphere were more like fine dining.

Pros: food very good , margaritas good

Cons: too high prices for Cafeteria-like atmosphere

Posted 05/11/08

Santos is just another tex-mex joint in Houston and not one of the best. It is not authentic mexican. The service was fine; drinks were refilled promptly. The overall food quality was poor. Carnitas were overcooked and dry. The salsas were also pretty weak. The best thing they have are they're corn tortillas; they are fresh and tasty.

Posted 03/17/08

I was skeptical because the newspaper said it was great and these reviews were mixed. We went there at 6:45 and were seated almost immediately. It had a warm inviting atmosphere. Chips and sauces were great. Drinks were perfect and prompt. The appetizers and dinner were as ordered and great. I couldn't ask for better service or food. I met the owner as I was leaving and enjoyed a short conversation with him. I recommend it highly.

Pros: Great food and service

Cons: none

Posted 03/08/08

The service is horrible. My wife ordered soup. It came with an obsene amount of mushrooms in it. When she told the waiter that she didnt like the soup, he started arguing with her that the menu said it had mushroom in it. He then proceeded to shove a menu in my wife's face to prove she was wrong. I told the waiter to stop and that he made his point. After that i gave my wife the rest of my plate. She had lost her appitite by that time. When i complained to the Manager, who was some young guy, he seemed indifferent. He did take the soup off but never said sorry or anything. He sent the same rude waiter out to take care of the bill. Considering the quality of the food and the service, this place is way over priced. The margarita's were average at best. I WILL NEVER GO BACK AGAIN and you shouldn't either!!!!!

Pros: Nothing

Cons: Service Horrible Food and Margarita's average at best

Posted 02/18/08

I went there for my Birthday Lunch because I had heard nothing but good things about it. The place was empty yet the service was slow. Slow to refill drinks, and never brought more tortillas even though we asked for them. Also, the margaritas were lacking flavor and were very sour/bitter. I tried the "World Famous Lump Crab Quesadilla" and not only were they expensive, they were VERY FISHY!!! I could not even finish one. I told the waiter about how bad they were and his only response was OK. Not worth the time and definitely not worth the money. My birthday celebration was dampened and I was embarrassed for picking such a poor restaurant. I will not recommend this place to anyone.

Pros: Has outside seating

Cons: Overpriced for quality of food and service

Posted 02/11/08

I heard about this on a automotive radio program and I must say that I'm glad I did.
I was an original Ninfas lover and sure missed the food until I found out that Santos had Ninfa family member that brought the original recipes to them. I was in heaven!!
Great food good service and large portions.
It is a weekly event now.

Pros: Great food

Cons: I hate Westheimer

Posted 12/13/07

I have been to Santos many times and they have always done a great job of handling customers regardless of how many people they had. I can also say that when a restaurant fills up very fast you should not be in a hurry. They have waiters with many years experience and on a regular basis they give great service. I don't understand why people complain about an automatic tip for parties of 8 or more as it is very plainly written on their menu. I eat out everyday being single and I am very observant about how people act and when someone complains about the service they just don't want to tip and when you order extra sides how can you possibly expect to not pay for it. I have also eaten the Grilled Shrimp at Santos and every time I ate them they had grill marks on them and tasted like Mesquite as that is how they prepare them. The food is fabulous and many of my friends who have gone there have unslocited called me to tell me what a great dining experience they had at Santos.

Pros: Great food, great service, and great atmosphere!

Cons: Can get crowded at lunch ,don't be in a hurry at lunch time if it is crowded!

Posted 07/16/07

Poor sevice for group of people
-More interested in getting as many people in, than providing quality service
-Requested separate bills in the begining, when asked for cheque gave us one bill - not wanting to listen
-Requested condiments and did not give them and charged for it
-B/c it was a group of people, waiter knew he was anyway getting a tip so he slacked of
-Was rude to the customers, did not talk properly
- Waiter gave wrong order to the customer - showing he did not care to listen
-During the whole lunch, waiter did not even come and check on us
- When Manager was asked why this is happening, he said people make mistakes
-Could get better service at a hot- dog stand
-When we received the bill, waiter included the tip in it knowing fully well that his service was well below poor
-Would not recommend b/c of poor customer service,
-Poor professionalism,
-Do not go there during rush hour as they obviously cannot handle the stress of so many people in their restaurant

Pros: Ok food.

Cons: Poor customer service, rude staff, unable to handle large crowds and do not listen to clients

Posted 07/12/07

Wow, all I can say is that I will honestly never go to another mexican restaraunt in my life, cause this place is the best one around! The food was off the charts good I had the BIG Santos for 3 people and we had enough food for atleast 5 people. It has everything you would want all the meats all the seafood and it even came with a great lobster tail, and Im not a real big seafood fan but this was amazing. The margaritas were strong and cheap to during happy hour, trust me I had 2 of them and I was good. I would highly recommend this restaraunt to anyone that wants good authentic mexican food and great drinks!

Pros: Great food, great service, and great atmosphere!

Cons: Bathroom was to far from bar but not a problem

Posted 06/11/07

I've had the cheese enchiladas two times, and both times they were delicious. They use red corn tortillas, which give the dish a unique flavor. As the commercial says "salsa so good you can eat it with a spoon." This is so true. And the strawberry margaritas are just the right balance of tequila and sweet stuff. Richard and Mary, the owners, have done a fabulous job building a devoted clientele. I only wish they had a location inside the loop.

Pros: plenty of parking, spacious seating, friendly staff, variety of menu items

Cons: no inner loop location

Posted 03/16/07

This is not the best mexican restaurant you can go to!!!
I took my wife for her birthday to this place because it was close to our house, we order some grilled shrimp, it was the worst shrimp we ever had.. it supposed to be grilled.. did not test or look like it.. 4 shrimp boiled in a plate for $20.. it was boiled not grilled.. tested like rubber and all the onion on the side dish was terrible.. we called the manager.. a young man came to our table and we explain for him why we don't like our food... he was not helpful at ll... he simply said this is the way we do it... we paid our bill .. left a good tip for waitress.. (she was nice) .. NEVER WILL GO BACK to this resaurant again..

Cons: food quality

Posted 11/03/06

Great trays with fajitas, lobster, shrimp and quail. A+ magaritas and good service made it a good night.

Posted 11/03/06

I've been to Santos probably 5 or 6 times now, and each time its excellent all around. Their service has been perfect. I usually go for lunch and take clients and they always love it as well. The food comes out promptly and is always made to perfection. I haven't found anything bad on the menu yet. Only been for dinner once but the experience was just as great. Check it out if you are looking for someplace new to find great tex mex at very good prices.

Pros: excellent shrimp, great fajitas, excellent atmosphere

Posted 05/21/06

This is an exceptional restaurant and don't be afraid to try the seafood, it rocks! The crab quesidillas are exquisite. The fried shrimp topped with crabmeat ain't too bad either. Great menu, lots of choices and ALL great! I eat there about three times a weeks, slowly working my way through the entire menu and it's a great trip too! There just aren't enough superlatives to do them justice. Margaritas pack a bunch and taste like margaritas.

Posted 02/04/06

If you haven't tried Santos yet, you need to!! Food is excellent. Great overall experience.

Posted 01/01/06

The food was exceptional good. However, the noise level was a majpr distracting factor.
I geve this place a "not recommended" due to the intense noise level.

Pros: excellent food

Cons: intense objectional n, not a good place to

Posted 10/31/05

Santos is tucked back in Carillon on Westheimer, so you have to look for it a bit, but this is a great place for super Mexican food! We haven't had anything we didn't love, but our current favorites include the chicken with special sauce (can't remember the actual name on the menu) and any of the enchiladas.

Pros: Value, Flavors, Friendly atmosphere

Posted 09/14/05

My wife and I eat at alot of different Mexican restaurants and Santos is now definitely at the top of the list. We had the Santos Platter and it was wonderful. I recommend it to anyone. It contains beef/chicken fajitas, ribs, jalepeno sausage, quail, 3 types of shrimp and if your inclined you can even add lobster. You will also want to try the margarita. It was one of the best I have had. It was strong yet still had great flavor.

Posted 08/04/05