El Tiempo Cantina serves quality Tex-Mex cuisine and the best margaritas in Houston! We welcome each of our guests as part of the family, providing the same impeccable customer service Mama Ninfa instilled years ago. At El Tiempo Cantina, we make everything from scratch. From the tortillas to the salad dressings, the salsas to the desserts, we cook all of our food using generations-old family recipes. Our attention to quality and exceptional friendliness is our driving force. Enjoy Every Moment!
Lively branch of a family-run cantina chain known for its margaritas & hearty Tex-Mex dishes.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 5602 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
Phone: (713) 681-3645
Website: https://www.eltiempocantina.com/
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El Tiempo Cantina | Authentic Tex Mex Restaurants in Houston
El Tiempo Cantina is a Houston favorite for authentic Tex Mex cuisine, sizzling fajitas, enchiladas, and margaritas. Visit our Houston locations today.
El Tiempo Cantina – Gessner – Houston, TX en OpenTable
Información adicional · Ambiente. Informal · Precios. De $31 a $50 · Cocinas. Tex-Mex, Mexicana / Americana regional (Suroeste) · Horarios. Lun–Jue 11:00–21:00 …
El Tiempo Cantina | Restaurants in Houston, TX
The menu features classics like tacos, tamales, chalupas, enchiladas and combo plates while house specialties involve the mesquite wood fire grill.
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Reviews
Tristan Zheng
I got the shrimp tacos. They were good, but I wish it came de-shelled. Also, one of the peppers was spicy, but that’s my fault for ordering. I liked the margs and the bar area was great for food and drinks + watching sports.
… moreRafael Santana
Absolutely outstanding experience! From the moment we walked into this Mexican restaurant, we were greeted with warm smiles and the rich aroma of authentic cuisine. Every dish was bursting with fresh flavor—the tacos were perfectly seasoned, the guacamole tasted homemade, and the salsa had just the right kick. The margaritas were great and just what I needed—balanced, refreshing, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere was vibrant yet relaxed, making it a great spot for both date nights and family dinners. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, and you can tell they truly care about their guests. I can’t wait to come back and try more from the plenty of options in the menu!
… moreFernanda Restier
Best fajitas meat on the market! If you looking for a good meat and authentic Mexican atmosphere you need to come to this location for sure.
I stop by with my family every single week! Monday 5 dollars margaritas, wed fajita specials! Can’t miss if you like Mexican food. You gonna leave smelling Mexican food but happy and satisfied!!
… moreI stop by with my family every single week! Monday 5 dollars margaritas, wed fajita specials! Can’t miss if you like Mexican food. You gonna leave smelling Mexican food but happy and satisfied!!
veronica lopez
At first I didn’t want to visit this place because it does have a rating that it’s kind of expensive. I will tell you now why they pay close attention to their customers in a way that one feels pampered. Before I could even have an empty cup, they were already refilling if I had a bottle on the side of my table as soon as I would put it down they were already there to pick it up. It seemed like you would have two waiters in each table remarkable! Food is outstanding. I’ve never had green rice before but it was delicious. Some of the sauces are mixed with oils some are creamy with sight of toasted bread and they changed it up in a very good way. I’m always used to chips and salsa in every Mexican restaurant.
… moreAlex Merecka
Update 10/27/25:
I decided to return to this location a few months after I wrote the original review below because my mother was in town and she wanted El Tiempo. And unfortunately I was also overcharged this time again (second time in a row). We dined on a Tuesday which is the ‘Taco Tuesday’ special where the 2X Taco Plate is offered for the price of the 1X Taco Plate. Me, my mother, and my son all ordered the 2X Taco Plate. When I received my bill I noticed that I was charged the higher price instead of the Taco Tuesday special price. When I notified my server of this he looked at my bill and told me that it was the correct price. Then after taking my payment he returned with my credit card and receipt and said he “checked with his manger and verified that it was correctly charged”, which it wasn’t because I know how to read a menu. Then magically as I was signing my receipt, the manager came up to our table and told me that I was getting a refund for the overcharged amount because she “discovered” that I was actually not given the special price.
So long story short, this place is notorious for ripping off customers even though their prices are already astronomical (ex: $20 for a medium queso). It’s pretty pathetic they do this but they do so my advice is triple check your bill and make sure it matches the actual price it’s supposed to.
Original Review (8/18/25):
Firstly, I am a born & raised Houstonian and have been coming to El Tiempo since before it became the ritzy, high class Tex-Mex it is now. Tonight (a Monday night) I decided to dine here with my son. It happened to be National Fajita Day and they were offering 1lb fajitas for $48.99 and since it’s a Monday they also offer $5 house margaritas all day. So we arrive and are seated and of course I order us the fajitas and myself a house margarita. Then during the meal I order another house margarita. Now before I forget, when our waiter took our initial drink order I confirmed with him that they had the margarita special. So fast-forward to when we finished our meal and I ask for the check. On the check is the $48.99 fajita special, one $5 house margarita, but then one $10.99 house margarita. So when our waiter comes back I ask him why I was charged full-price for it and he kind of hesitates, stutters, and then gives me a made up excuse about how maybe after 7pm it isn’t the special anymore (but he thinks the special is all day). So he says he is “going to check with his manager” to confirm. So about 3-4 minutes later he returns with my check and he corrected it to both margaritas at $5/each.
Now I wasn’t born yesterday and I can clearly pick up when someone is lying / trying to be deceive me and this was obviously the case. This waiter had been serving margaritas to numerous tables around us the entire evening and it was clear it wasn’t his first day on the job either. He obviously knew about the special because they do it EVERY Monday. I guess he just figured I wouldn’t notice or care enough to bring it up.
So I will end it by saying, come on El Tiempo, you are literally making record profits on your food & beverages and have increased your costs every year for the last 5+ years. But to intentionally deceive your customers is uncalled for. You can do better.
… moreI decided to return to this location a few months after I wrote the original review below because my mother was in town and she wanted El Tiempo. And unfortunately I was also overcharged this time again (second time in a row). We dined on a Tuesday which is the ‘Taco Tuesday’ special where the 2X Taco Plate is offered for the price of the 1X Taco Plate. Me, my mother, and my son all ordered the 2X Taco Plate. When I received my bill I noticed that I was charged the higher price instead of the Taco Tuesday special price. When I notified my server of this he looked at my bill and told me that it was the correct price. Then after taking my payment he returned with my credit card and receipt and said he “checked with his manger and verified that it was correctly charged”, which it wasn’t because I know how to read a menu. Then magically as I was signing my receipt, the manager came up to our table and told me that I was getting a refund for the overcharged amount because she “discovered” that I was actually not given the special price.
So long story short, this place is notorious for ripping off customers even though their prices are already astronomical (ex: $20 for a medium queso). It’s pretty pathetic they do this but they do so my advice is triple check your bill and make sure it matches the actual price it’s supposed to.
Original Review (8/18/25):
Firstly, I am a born & raised Houstonian and have been coming to El Tiempo since before it became the ritzy, high class Tex-Mex it is now. Tonight (a Monday night) I decided to dine here with my son. It happened to be National Fajita Day and they were offering 1lb fajitas for $48.99 and since it’s a Monday they also offer $5 house margaritas all day. So we arrive and are seated and of course I order us the fajitas and myself a house margarita. Then during the meal I order another house margarita. Now before I forget, when our waiter took our initial drink order I confirmed with him that they had the margarita special. So fast-forward to when we finished our meal and I ask for the check. On the check is the $48.99 fajita special, one $5 house margarita, but then one $10.99 house margarita. So when our waiter comes back I ask him why I was charged full-price for it and he kind of hesitates, stutters, and then gives me a made up excuse about how maybe after 7pm it isn’t the special anymore (but he thinks the special is all day). So he says he is “going to check with his manager” to confirm. So about 3-4 minutes later he returns with my check and he corrected it to both margaritas at $5/each.
Now I wasn’t born yesterday and I can clearly pick up when someone is lying / trying to be deceive me and this was obviously the case. This waiter had been serving margaritas to numerous tables around us the entire evening and it was clear it wasn’t his first day on the job either. He obviously knew about the special because they do it EVERY Monday. I guess he just figured I wouldn’t notice or care enough to bring it up.
So I will end it by saying, come on El Tiempo, you are literally making record profits on your food & beverages and have increased your costs every year for the last 5+ years. But to intentionally deceive your customers is uncalled for. You can do better.
Bob Dhir
We are from Miami.
Our Houston family takes us to dinner to this fine Mexican Le Tiempo restaurant every time. Our valet was prompt and our family of 6 adults and 2 little kids were greeted politely and we were seated quickly for dinner.
Our server, it appeared, was not having a good night. Appeared to have an attitude! All of us didn’t quite know what the reason was, certainly not us since we had just been seated.
For a few minutes ALL of us family members thought our get together and dinner celebration might be not that exciting. BUT wait – right away Restaurant Management MAURICIO noticed our disgruntled looks and jumped right in to the rescue! He turned our family dinner to the BEST SERVICE experience we have had at Le Tiempo and for that matter any other restaurant.
Mauricio assured our drinks were perfect, appetizers properly prepared, and dinner entrees chicken & beef fajitas and kids’ meals were served with perfection! He ensured we were being serviced with attention and by himself for the TOP service we were being provided!
Restaurant Management MAURICIO brought in with him his co-management RACHEL, introduced her to our Houston family hosts, and requested that he be contacted for any and all restaurant reservation be made through him for best service and experience.
Finally, icing on the “service cake”, Mauricio treated us all with deserts – on the house! Super touch.
And, yes we will be back. Thanks Mauricio.
Bobby Dhir
Miami
… moreOur Houston family takes us to dinner to this fine Mexican Le Tiempo restaurant every time. Our valet was prompt and our family of 6 adults and 2 little kids were greeted politely and we were seated quickly for dinner.
Our server, it appeared, was not having a good night. Appeared to have an attitude! All of us didn’t quite know what the reason was, certainly not us since we had just been seated.
For a few minutes ALL of us family members thought our get together and dinner celebration might be not that exciting. BUT wait – right away Restaurant Management MAURICIO noticed our disgruntled looks and jumped right in to the rescue! He turned our family dinner to the BEST SERVICE experience we have had at Le Tiempo and for that matter any other restaurant.
Mauricio assured our drinks were perfect, appetizers properly prepared, and dinner entrees chicken & beef fajitas and kids’ meals were served with perfection! He ensured we were being serviced with attention and by himself for the TOP service we were being provided!
Restaurant Management MAURICIO brought in with him his co-management RACHEL, introduced her to our Houston family hosts, and requested that he be contacted for any and all restaurant reservation be made through him for best service and experience.
Finally, icing on the “service cake”, Mauricio treated us all with deserts – on the house! Super touch.
And, yes we will be back. Thanks Mauricio.
Bobby Dhir
Miami
Will Pritchard
Price was different on the Google menu from what they charged me when I came to pick up my order. In my opinion, they should have honored what is listed as their menu and prices on Google and request to have Google update. Apparently I’m not the first person this has happened to so maybe get it changed guys?? Super easy way to not turn someone off.
… morePaul
Maybe the BEST steak fajitas I’ve ever had. Get the regular steak, not the filet. Tender. Juicy. Sizzling. Just phenomenal
… moreHugo
The food tasted great, the portions are hearty but so are the prices. Plenty of seating inside with a nice old Mexico theme decor. Few parking spots available, so most people will use their valet service.
… moreKimberly Eason
Been to many El Tiempos around Houston and all are pretty good, definitely a solid choice for tex mex. Green sauce is excellent,fajitas are great. The service was excellent very attentive and helpful. Valet parking makes it easy to get in out. Watch out for the margaritas they are strong. This place is pretty much an institution in Houston so make sure you stop by one, my personal favorite is the original Navigation location ,but you cant go wrong with any of them.
… more