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: 12440 Northwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77092
Phone: (713) 821-9027
Website: https://www.eltiempocantina.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
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 …
Fajitas & ‘Ritas (@eltiempocantina) • Instagram photos and videos
WE’RE SOFT OPENING Monday, January 19, we’re excited to begin our soft opening lunch service at El Tiempo Cantina inside POST Houston! POST Houston isn’t …
Last Updates
Reviews
Rick Evans
Had a fantastic lunch experience at El Tiempo!! Ordered the Carne Asada fajitas and they were awesome!! Steak was the Outside Skirt cut. Super tender and cooked perfectly Medium Rare. Fresh homemade flour tortillas bring it all home. I had black beans and the cilantro rice on the side. Great dish. Will definitely be back.
… moreDavid Pham
Nut allergy friendly: No issues with my order.
HEB was providing coupons for a buy-one-get-one-free BOGO entree at El Tiempo for January, so I decided to hit a few El Tiempos around Houston. I avoided any inside the loop because of the required valet parking. This was my second El Tiempo to visit.
Time to Entree: 25 Minutes
We arrived at around 7:20PM on a Thursday afternoon and there was reasonable parking here. Seated quickly and got drinks.
Coupon interpretation: This El Tiempo was much more restrictive than the others I went to. We were only allowed combination plates, and we had to order nonalcoholic drinks to meet the requirements. At other locations we were allowed anything except fajitas and could order margaritas to meet the drink requirement.
Margarita (4.5/5): I got a frozen mango margarita as I usually do. The margaritas are relatively consistent at El Tiempo and they do a nice floater of tequila. This one was very well blended with only one or two chunky bits clogging my straw.
Las Vegas Chicken Combination Plate (3.5/5): Definitely huge. We both ordered this and I got it with potatoes and beans, and my friend got his with rice and beans. We got through about half our plates and took leftovers home. The food was flavorful and filling – a lot of carbs though, not much protein or vegetables to fill the tacos. Things were very saucy and cheesy.
I paid via inKind with no issues. You have to manually write in your check total instead of using a check number, and then the wait staff will take a photo with their phone so don’t close the screen (or take a screenshot yourself).
Overall, a solid tex-mex staple of Houston that remains quite pricey. Suggest checking for coupons or using inKind for a discount.
… moreHEB was providing coupons for a buy-one-get-one-free BOGO entree at El Tiempo for January, so I decided to hit a few El Tiempos around Houston. I avoided any inside the loop because of the required valet parking. This was my second El Tiempo to visit.
Time to Entree: 25 Minutes
We arrived at around 7:20PM on a Thursday afternoon and there was reasonable parking here. Seated quickly and got drinks.
Coupon interpretation: This El Tiempo was much more restrictive than the others I went to. We were only allowed combination plates, and we had to order nonalcoholic drinks to meet the requirements. At other locations we were allowed anything except fajitas and could order margaritas to meet the drink requirement.
Margarita (4.5/5): I got a frozen mango margarita as I usually do. The margaritas are relatively consistent at El Tiempo and they do a nice floater of tequila. This one was very well blended with only one or two chunky bits clogging my straw.
Las Vegas Chicken Combination Plate (3.5/5): Definitely huge. We both ordered this and I got it with potatoes and beans, and my friend got his with rice and beans. We got through about half our plates and took leftovers home. The food was flavorful and filling – a lot of carbs though, not much protein or vegetables to fill the tacos. Things were very saucy and cheesy.
I paid via inKind with no issues. You have to manually write in your check total instead of using a check number, and then the wait staff will take a photo with their phone so don’t close the screen (or take a screenshot yourself).
Overall, a solid tex-mex staple of Houston that remains quite pricey. Suggest checking for coupons or using inKind for a discount.
J.R.
This place did not disappoint. We were amazed at the quality of service and food. The inside was beautifully designed. Greeted warmly as soon as we walked in and approached at least 3 associates to make sure we were taking care of. We purchased the filet mignon fajitas, and it was some of the best fajitas I’ve had and worth every penny. This place came to us as a recommendation, and we are happy we listened. Also the restrooms and restaurant were clean and well maintained.
… moreModi K
We recently visited El Tiempo Cantina 290, and while the food and drinks were on point, the customer service could use some improvement. The chicken and beef fajitas were delicious–perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. And the margaritas? They were flavorful and refreshing, just the right balance. The vibrant colors and festive decor set a lively mood and make it a fun spot for dinner.
However, our experience was somewhat overshadowed by the service. Our server seemed a bit disengaged, and we felt rushed throughout our meal. It felt like they were more focused on turning tables than making us feel welcome. It was disappointing, as we were looking forward to a more relaxed dining experience.
Overall, we’d come back for the food and drinks, but we hope for a more attentive and welcoming service next time! I also realize there are other locations with Houston and so we will try other locations. I sure do miss the one in the Montrose area in the past.
… moreHowever, our experience was somewhat overshadowed by the service. Our server seemed a bit disengaged, and we felt rushed throughout our meal. It felt like they were more focused on turning tables than making us feel welcome. It was disappointing, as we were looking forward to a more relaxed dining experience.
Overall, we’d come back for the food and drinks, but we hope for a more attentive and welcoming service next time! I also realize there are other locations with Houston and so we will try other locations. I sure do miss the one in the Montrose area in the past.
Scott Poreda
I was there with a party of nearly 20 the food was tasty.
Yes did it take time to get drinks plate of beans and rice before the portable grills with quail, beef, lobster, shrimp, pork ribs and fried mushrooms to come out.
With a party of 20 you have to expect that.
There were a few waiters covering the food and drinks. I only remember Jennifer’s name.
Great job everyone.
It was loud with 20 people I wonder if they would put more soft decor in the room it wouldn’t be so loud????
… moreYes did it take time to get drinks plate of beans and rice before the portable grills with quail, beef, lobster, shrimp, pork ribs and fried mushrooms to come out.
With a party of 20 you have to expect that.
There were a few waiters covering the food and drinks. I only remember Jennifer’s name.
Great job everyone.
It was loud with 20 people I wonder if they would put more soft decor in the room it wouldn’t be so loud????
Saurabh Goel
Ambience was fantastic, margarita on hot day was nice, food was warm, fresh and delicious, with generous quantity in given price. they upfront asked for vegetarian option a rare experience in American Mexican restaurant. Will definately visit with friends.
… moreDani Breckenridge
Great place, fetias were awesome! service was friendly and quick. Drinks per just right. Will be back!
… moreLee Nordstrom
If in Houston, visit El Tiempo Cantina off 290. It was the most amazing dinner we had while in town. We were greeted by manager Juan Morales when we walked in the door and developed a friendship. He and his staff went above and beyond taking care of two Canadian “foodies”. The experience was higher than we even anticipated when the restaurant came highly recommended. The food was so fresh and juicy and we didn’t wait long. The cheesecake filled churros were outstanding and finished the meal off perfectly. The entire staff treated us like family and took very good care of us. We’re going back before we leave.
… morejosephine ledezma
The staff are very friendly and helpful. They were constantly refilling our drinks, cups, and salsa without us having to ask. The food portions aren’t overly large but the price is a bit steep. The restaurant was very dim which made reading the menu difficult, thank goodness for phones with built in flashlights! The food was enjoyable, especially the flour tortillas and green rice. I’d recommend passing on the refried beans, which tasted like they had burned on the bottom of the pan.
… moreCory Bowen
Honestly, save sometime and go elsewhere. If lunch specials total $60.00 and your food isn’t the best dont stop here. Taco Tuesday is a joke. I bought one get one free and you dont even season your beef. The chips were okay for starters. The beans not even up to par with more restaurants. If you want tex mex go to chuys or Los Lucos. A corporation tastes better than this place at half the price.
… more