Molina's Cantina
Categories:
Bars & Pubs, Taverns, Mexican Restaurants
Details:
Family-Friendly Dining, Happy Hour, Lunch Spot, Margaritas
Message from Molina's Cantina
Molina's newest incarnation in the hottest eatery area in town, Washington Avenue Corridor, has one of the coolest patios around. Sit beneath the thatched palm roof and sip margaritas with friends while digging into a big bowl of their legendary Jose's Dip (creamy queso with a heaping of spicy taco meat). No matter what you order you'll get complimentary hot corn tortilla chips, three kinds of salsa and escabeche (lightly pickled carrots, onions and jalapenos), plus a sugary praline with the check. On the menu, there is great old fashioned Tex-Mex, the kind the Molina family has been cooking up since 1941, (think big nacho plates, cheesy enchiladas, crispy tacos and fantastic combo platters), as well as new lighter offerings including mesquite-grilled fajitas, redfish, shrimp and quail.
Editorial by Citysearch
In ShortSince 1941, the Molinas restaurants have been a part of the local Tex-Mex landscape, as generations of Houstonians can attest to. The menu includes the famous Jose's Dip, a queso and taco meat concoction that goes perfectly with fresh-squeezed margaritas and the table's trio of salsas. Sample tacos al carbon, carne asada, enchiladas, sizzling fajitas and handmade tamales in addition to other cheese-laden Tex-Mex faves. The dining room isn't overly large, but the bar provides extra seating during peak times.
Key Points
- Quintessential Tex-Mex
- Handcrafted Margaritas
- Relax on Palapa-Covered Patio
Insider Pages Reviews for Molina's Cantina
Molina's Cantina has a good grip on Tex-Mex. Nice atmosphere and going here for lunch is always makes my day. If I wasn't on a diet I would probably eat here twice a week. Great place to try!
Posted 10/30/09 | Report Abuse
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I love going to this place at lunch time. Food is okay. You aren't rushed in and out but you make great time. One of my favorite Friday lunches. It is also nice to come on a Friday evening and relax sit outside enjoy their famous margarita's. One does me just fine and two...well they do me right. If you are looking for a hanging atmosphere with some chips and salsa, then this is the place.
Posted 09/28/09 | Report Abuse
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I have been eating at Molina's since my Father started taking me to the old downtown location back in the mid 50's. I still fondly remember the large bags of food we would bring home from there. I was devastated when they closed the Buffalo Speedway and then the Highway 6 locations, but it is worth the trip to the Westheimer location to get the best Tex-Mex food in town.
Unlike some of the other reviewers, I am in love with their original recipe fresh salsa. It has the freshest, brightest taste of any salsa I have had. To be honest, I think the salsa is one of the best things they have. I could sit and eat their chips & salsa for hours. I also love the Jose's Dip with the taco meat added, and their guacamole. My favorite dinner is the William's Special, which includes a large portion of grilled Carne Asada with grilled onions, two cheese enchiladas covered with Williams sauce and Chihuahua cheese, guacamole, rice, tortillas and Pico de Gallo. I have been ordering it since 1983, and it is so large I usually have to take some home. If I am less hungry, or for lunch, I order the Nancy Ames Special Nachos with spicy beef, beans, guacamole, cheese, diced tomatoes and jalapeos. Another favorite is the Mexico City Dinner with beef taco, cheese enchilada, and bean tostada, tamale with chili, guacamole, chili con queso, rice and beans. Make sure you finish your meal with their pralines, ask for some if your server forgets to bring them. They are great.
The prices have crept up over the years, but I still believe that they offer good value and quantity for what they charge. The service varies depending on the location and time of day you go, but I recognize most of the staff from their previous locations. They seem to retain them over the years. Molinas is one of my comfort foods. I dont consider it trendy or modern, but the traditional Tex-Mex food that I grew up on and I still love it. If that is what you like, try it and I think you will agree.
Posted 06/13/09 | Report Abuse
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
Great Tex Mex in The Heights
by FlyFlinger
I grew up going to the Molinas on Buffalo Speedway and Bissonet. I thought that when it was closed that it was the end of the brand as a whole. Then I saw the Heights location about a year ago. I know this one has been around for a little while but I just tried it. Glad to have it in the Heights! Great food. Jose's dip is the way to go. Tasty Margs too! We'll be back
Pros: Great food, service and drinks
Cons: Waited too long to check it out
Posted 10/27/09
What a Great 'Rita!
by waxdragon76
So I went to Molina's for the first time. Boy was I excited to have margaritas with my best friend! I look at the drink menu and ask my server what the difference is between the two margaritas, tequila wise, first listed. The server has no clue what tequila they use in their signature drinks?? Bad training! You cannot just shrug about tequila to a Latina, mi amigo.
I ordered one of each that night. The 'Frozen Gold Margarita' was light and tasty. The 'Molina's Famous Margarita?' Now THAT will send me back. Made with "I dunno" brand of 100% Agave tequila.. it is strong and really hits the spot! Whatever tequila that is, it's pretty good. lol
We ordered the Jose Dip. Excellent. The salsa was not as great as I think it could be. They claim to serve three types, we received only one. The fajitas were so tender that when you took a bite, there was not a little finger trick needed in order to keep the rest of the fajita strip planted in the taco.
We went there a few weeks ago on a Saturday. Our drinks, chips, and tortillas were a little slow to be refilled. I chuck this up to the fact that they were understaffed. Please, Molina's, hire some more staff! Our waiter was 'in the weeds' a bit but still kept his calm composure. Good job!
Molina's has a very nice decor with warm lighting. This mixed with floor to ceiling windows and the city lights outside make it a perfect place to just relax on the weekend.
As a finisher they give you a praline. I love these candies. It reminds me of my childhood. Thank you.
Sabroso!
Pros: The margaritas!
Cons: Understaffed, staff not knowledgeable
Posted 03/14/09
Excellent Tex-Mex
by CraigAlwine
I was so disapointed when the Molinas on Hwy 6 closed. It was one of our favorite places to eat. We ventured out to the new place on Washington Ave. and were very pleased. We were seated promptly, the waitstaff was attentive without being clingy, My wife's Margarita was as expected, EXCELLENT. We have had some of the new dishes, but the CW Special will always be my "go to" dinner. Price is more than reasonable for what you get and the taste is incredible. If you want a true taste of Houston Mexican Food Molina's is it!!! The cheese enchilidas are great too. I eat a lot of Mex food and can honestly say the gravy on Molina's is the best! Do yourself a favor and make the trip to Molina's, drag a couple of friends along too.They'll thank you.
Pros: Great Margaritas, Amazing food
Cons: Not across the street from my house
Posted 08/26/08
Average Mexican Food but Great Service
by gueneverejj
Okay this is NOT Pappasitos, it is average Tex-Mex. I have visited the one on Westheimer and was not impressed but when this opened up in my neighborhood I thought I would try it. I had the Shrimp Quesadillas and Ice Tea. It was okay but not fantastic. The Salsa is rather strange to me, they offer two types of deep red sauce. Not my favorite either.
However the service I had at lunch was exceptional. I was waited on by an older gentleman and it was some of the best service I have gotten at Mexican Restaurants which are not known for great service. The other redeeming thing was at the end he gave me a small plate of those wonderful " pecan sugar pralines". I love those and miss them at other places.
I will go back again and bring friends so we will have a wider variety of foods to try out and perhaps it will be better but if its like the other Molinas the best you can hope for is average.
Pros: Great Service, Nice Patio, Pecan Pralines at end of meal.
Cons: Average Food
Posted 12/19/07
Average to Poor Mexican
by chiceater55
My idea of great Mexican starts from square one - margaritas and salsa. Okay - I had both and was definitely not impressed! How can you mess up salsa? This is an essential first impression that must keep people intrigued. And at least a good margarita should ease the pain of bad salsa...but the margaritas aren't tasty either! And then to move on the the fajitas and enchiladas...very average...nothing to write home about! And these are staples - things that make you, not break you - but don't you wanna be made? I have been 2 times (always give something a second chance) and was sad that the mark was missed both times. I'm thinking all the people that go here are hyped up on the Jose Dip (which is fantastic) - because other than that, I'm not seeing the hype...
Pros: Jose Dip
Cons: Salsa, Margaritas
Posted 11/17/07
Great Mexican Food for a Reasonable price!
by jburney
I have been a patron of the Molina's Restaurants for over 26 years! My husband and I are so excited to have a Molina's just minutes from the house. We go early for evening meals about once or twice a month on weekends to avoid the crowds and if it's during the week, we wait until the Happy Hour crowd has departed.
Service is always above average, food comes promptly and the waitstaff is attentive without hovering! We get to eat leasurely and people watch!
Posted 03/06/07
best mexican food
by marshawiley
great atmosphere! new mexican dishes with an edge, friendly and attentive staff and fabulous margaritas!
will tell my friends about it.
Posted 02/28/07
Absolutely Terrible Service
by tallguyhou
I went here for lunch with a couple coworkers in January and won't go back. Let me first say that I'm not high maintenance or expect haute cuisine for $5.99, so don't think this is just another whiner. The service here on that Friday was deplorable. We were seated promptly but chips/drinks/ordering/food were heinously slow. The order was wrong, the waitress unapologetic, the food medicre, and forget about getting refills on water, ice tea or soda. Of all the Mexican places to eat in Houston, this is about the last on my list. La Mexicana on Montrose/Fairview is better, or La Tapatia on Richmond. Avoid this place for lunch for sure.
Pros: large dining room
Cons: service and food
Posted 02/22/07