Went for a dinner meeting. The private dining room is very cute and cozy. Parking was so easy. Meeting started at 6:30. Nice to get a sparkling water, chips, salsa, queso and guacamole to start. And then we waited and waited. Speaker started talking. He was great. At 7:25, they served us one cheese enchilada. It was delicious especially with a little guacamole. Thought that dinner would be served soon, but we were yet to order. And I was getting full at this point. But we waited and waited. Asked to order dinner. Asked for dinner to be served. Usually at my professional dinner meetings, we eat while the presentation happens. Got through the talk and then we waited and waited. The talk ended at 8 or so. Finally at 8:20, dinner was served. The fajitas, beef or chicken served on a sizzling skillet with grilled onions, peppers, and tomatoes, were delicious. But, by that time I was full, so I took them home along with fresh flour tortillas, black beans, and Mexican rice. The portion was huge, enough for dinner and a couple of lunches the next day. And...then there was the tres leches. A sweet treat that went straight in the to go box. Overall the meal was very good. Appetizers, entrees, dessert. All delicious. Service was also very good, but a dinner meeting should not take almost three hours. read more

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I made the mistake of coming here without reading the Yelp reviews first, definitely a rookie mistake. Starting with parking, it is valet only. There is a lot behind the building, but it has many towing signs and says it is for Chuy's customers only. We took the chance and parked there and did not get towed, but I would not recommend risking it. I really do not like leaving negative reviews, but I feel I need to share our experience. I needed an emergency reservation for 9 people on a Friday night, and I was having trouble finding a place that could accommodate a large group on short notice. I was able to book a table here through open table which made everything super simple. When we arrived, the restaurant was beautiful inside. We were seated in a semi private area, which was nice since our group likes to talk and the restaurant was pretty loud. Service started off well. Our server quickly took our drink orders and brought out queso to start.The drinks were hit or miss. Some people at the table enjoyed theirs, while others didnt. My sister ordered a spicy mango margarita, but it did not taste like mango and was not spicy at all. As for the queso, I hate to say it, but it was not good. It was watery and lacked flavor. For my entree, I ordered the mixed fajitas. The steak and chicken were just okay, the shrimp was actually very good, but the tortillas seemed undercooked and the rice and refried beans had very little flavor. My sister ordered the grilled snapper and unfortunately ended up getting sick later that night. Most others at the table felt their meals were just average. On a positive note, they gave my mom a free brownie for her birthday, which was a very nice gesture. She loved it, and the brownie was honestly delicious. We also ordered a flan to share, and that ended up being our favorite item of the night. When it was time to pay, our server was hard to find. It took a long time for him to return to the table, and even longer to bring back the check. The total bill was around $510, which felt very high for the overall quality of the food and drinks. In my opinion, the experience and food quality were below what you would get at a place like Lupe Tortilla. I really wanted to love this restaurant, especially since we were celebrating an important occasion with family, but I left feeling disappointed and wishing I had chosen somewhere else. read more

ARMANDOS - Margaritas - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

The ambiance and the service were stellar. Very cool interior. I had high hopes when we entered and were seated. The food? Bland and boring. Chips were super hard and salsa tasted like stewed tomatoes with zero flavor. I am one who normally finishes my plate but to be honest, I only ate half of it bc I got bored. My husband and I both had Panchita. Meh. A way overpriced tostada. Just take a look at the photos of food that people have posted on here and I think you'll get the idea. They had a dining room full of people so obviously they have a following and regulars. But for the money my husband and I can most definitely find actual flavor somewhere else in Houston. read more

I went back and forth between giving it 3 stars vs 4. The queso was very average - kinda tasted like Velveeta. Doesn't mean it's bad but when you're paying $10+ for that it's not really worth it. The beef is pretty good! The beef quesadillas had a lot of cheese... again not a bad thing but didn't leave for many pieces of beef in them. The salsa was interesting - kinda just like warm rotel... and watery. My spicy marg was really good and strong- it was a good portion size and so were the quesadillas. The chips are the thick kind. The churros were really good and they come with a chocolate dipping sauce. It's a different style Mexican restaurant- white table cloths and very upscale feel. Our waiter was great, it wasn't too busy so they were able to get things to us pretty quickly. read more

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Armando's on a Thursday night is certainly an experience. This normal looking restaurant turns into a dance floor around 10:30pm which changes the vibe completely, so if that's not what you're looking for, then be sure to come dine earlier. The food was alright, definitely not one of my favorite Tex-Mex spots in Houston. The drinks were strong and delicious. Armando's is more for the atmosphere than the food to me, so if you're looking for good food alone, this may not be the place you want. read more

ARMANDOS - Chicken Enchiladas, Blackened Tilapia, margaritas - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

One of my favorite restaurants in Houston especially during Christmas!! The food is delicious and the drinks are strong. I absolutely love the ambiance. Very lively and sophisticated read more

After driving past this place numerous times for years, I finally said on Wednesday afternoon to go here for dinner at night. I ordered the Crab Enchiladas with double rice. Very delicious, rich, savory, subtly sweet and juicy meal. The enchiladas were easy to cut and full of that unique sweetness that good crabs often have. The cream sauce was a big star of this entree. It was like a bisque with a wine flavor in it and very buttery. Tangy, very aromatic, creamy, not too salty, a tad smooth and very addictive in each mouthful. The rice was warm, doughy and fluffy with a mild spice to it. The complimentary chips were so good and very crunchy from being fried hard enough like Ninfa's nachos. Very good taste and a nicely flavored, chunky tomato salsa to go with it. I still need to try the lobster and chicken enchiladas as well as a dessert here in the future. As for the service; very welcoming, kind, friendly and efficient from the valet guy near the outside entrance, the hostess, the server and the busboy. I was very impressed and initially hesitant of trying an upscale Mexican restaurant thinking it would be overly Americanized or like overpriced Tex Mex. The food flavors, ingredient quality and classy vibe of this restaurant were all awesome. read more

ARMANDOS - Fantastic Crab Enchiladas Meal !!! - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

The worst waiter at Armando's who spoiled our enjoyment. He did not come to us after we received the tortilla chips to ask what we wanted to order with them We tried to get his attention, could not - later he & other waiters and captain were chatting near front of restaurant - we started to wave our arms in the air and finally one of them noticed - THEN he came over so we could place an order for guac During meal he never checked beverages - I had an EMPTY glass of water to dine with and my guest wanted another of her wine order - we waited-nearly finished meal before we got his attention to top up our drinks THIS IS NO WAY TO DINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Note: we dined early so restaurant was NOT very busy NO EXCUSE - he is a POORLY TRAINED WAITER He did not give us his name SHOULD BE FIRED I advised Armando's of our experience, etc NO REPLY read more

A lot of people for small place , everybody talking at the same time, food is okay and the service is great read more

ARMANDOS - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

Armando's Mexican on Kirby never disappoints. The food is consistently flavorful and well-prepared, with standout classics like enchiladas, fajitas, queso, and fresh guacamole done right. Everything feels a step above typical Tex-Mex without losing that comforting, familiar taste. Service is attentive, professional, and polished without feeling stuffy--staff does a great job making you feel taken care of from start to finish. While it's priced on the higher end, the quality of the food, strong drinks, and overall experience make it a solid value, especially for a nice dinner or special occasion. A Houston staple for a reason. read more

Armandos has significantly declined in quality, especially on Thursday nights. It's now a waste of money and time. The manager is terrible, allowing staff to take full drinks from tables to force customers to buy more. When confronted about this, the manager was rude and used profanity. read more

Exceptionally wonderful experience. Armando's defines old school excellence from top to bottom. The Valet, hostess, servers and our Waiter Manny are true professionals skilled in making your dining experience at Armando's memorable. Cocktails were perfection. Proper and elegant glassware enhances the enjoyment. Salsa offered was delicious, warm and unique. Tortilla Soup is phenomenal - Spinach enchiladas - an absolute feast for the eyes and so satisfying. Key Lime pie was superb. First class Dining in Houston is an easy choice. Armando's. read more

We visited this restaurant for dinner on Friday to celebrate our daughter's birthday. We had red snapper, chicken fajitas, fish tacos, and Tres Leches. Great service and flavorful food. read more

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Came here to try the Thursday night dance party. My friends and I each got a margarita and we split chips, queso, and quac. The margaritas are DELICIOUS and are 100% worth the cost! The chips and quac were tasty too. Service was good as well, our server was very attentive. The dance party was tons of fun, I loved the dance floor! I will definitely be back for another Armando's Thursday night! read more

ARMANDOS - Regular frozen margarita, Strawberry margarita on the rocks, & Raspberry margarita on the rocks - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

This place looks much more like an Italian restaurant than a TexMex spot. Lots of very beautiful decor as soon as you step through the doors. Staff is super nice and knowledgeable with their offerings. Their beef for fajitas was next level. Didn't want to stop eating it! read more

ARMANDOS - Beautiful decor inside - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

VEGETARIAN REVIEW: I would return for a Torpedo Margarita, but I'm not sure that I'd try their food again. They didn't have anything specifically labeled as vegetarian, and when that's the case, I always confirm with the server that my meal is vegetarian. I ordered the spinach enchiladas, and was informed that the refried beans contain lard. Ugh. That's usually a deal-breaker for me for a return visit. It's not that difficult to make refried beans without lard, and it's better for your health, even if you aren't a vegetarian. Anyway, the server was helpful and offered to substitute the black beans. I'm glad he did because that was the best thing on my plate. The enchiladas consisted of sautéed spinach, topped with a very stingy portion of mozzarella cheese. Was the cheese even there? I never found the cheese- that's just what the menu claimed. The enchiladas were wrapped in corn tortillas, and covered with a creamy leek sauce and slivered almonds. The corn tortillas were fine. The sauce was actually pretty good. The spinach tasted like dirt. I'm not sure if it was canned or frozen, but if it was fresh, it was the worst fresh spinach I've had in my life. This is an entree that I make at home, and I often order at restaurants. The Armandos version scored last place. Just terrible. The rice was dry and tasteless. The salsa tasted like pureed canned tomatoes. The chips were bland, but I would have eaten them if the salsa had been good. The black beans were okay. The atmosphere of the restaurant was upscale, but there were people wearing jeans. It's Houston. Expect a lot of loud, laughing middle-aged women drinking, but hey, they were having a good time. The service and valet were both very good. Maybe they need a new chef. Maybe they need someone who understands vegetarian options. Perhaps the chef called in, and it was just an off-night. If you decide to go, and you like margaritas like I do, try the Torpedo; it was freaking fantastic. It was one of the two best margaritas I've had in Houston (the other one was at Pico's on Richmond). EDIT TO RESPOND TO MATT J AT CUSTOMER SERVICE: It is the correct restaurant. This review is for Armandos located at 2630 Westheimer in Houston, TX. I have reviewed the reservation, address, and menu to confirm accuracy. The menu screenshots are from your website. Perhaps your comment was intended for a different review? read more

ARMANDOS - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Went for dinner on a Wednesday night. The only option for parking was valet. I pulled up and wasn't even greeted by the man at the valet stand. I opened my own car door and stood there waiting to hand the man my keys as he slowly walked over texting on his phone. The restaurant closes at 10. We were paying the bill at 9:45 about to leave and the valet man came over to our table, handed me my keys, then asked for the $5 payment. I retrieved my own car. The food and restaurant staff were fine, but the valet situation left a sour taste in my mouth. I won't be back because of it. read more

It's not what it once was...but it CAN be good once...every once in a while. The food is slightly not up to the standards this place used to maintain. The service is as great as it ever was. And, tequila heals all inequities! read more

Always one of my fav spots in Houston for high end Mexican cuisine and amazing margaritas. This place has it all. Tex Mex, seafood, steaks and so much more. Their tequila and wine list are very nice as well. Their service is always top notch and friendly. My wife and I love to come here and have margaritas and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere! The people watching is always fun too....especially Thursday nights. read more

ARMANDOS - Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

The food was delicious, the wait time is a little long but overall a great experience for a fun date night. With amazing servers. read more

ARMANDOS - Carne asada - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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My husband and I have been to Armando's many times. Before Covid we used to enjoy coming here for an upscale Mexican food experience. Post Covid they appeared to be having some problems with service and now here we are in 2023 and this was probably one of the worst dining experiences I can remember. Service has never been one of their strong points, but we sat and waited probably more than five minutes before our waiter came by to take our drink order. We still aren't sure who our real waiter was supposed to be, but luckily somebody stepped up to help. Oh, and by the way, their margaritas start at $14 and go up way higher. I realize this is a "fine dining" establishment and the drinks are good but nothing special. The reason our waiter didn't come by sooner is because he was chatting up another table for about 10 minutes. I realize sometimes clients can tend to chitchat with their regular waiters but waiters need to learn how to extricate themselves from those situations to take care of their other customers. Anyway, moving on. We were celebrating on this particular night as we had just sold our vacation home. We started with guacamole and queso, which were good, but nothing special. I ordered lobster tail which I have had here before, and was very good previously. The lobster tail I got on this night was bad. It was mushy like a baked potato and had a bad taste to it. I sent it back and since my husband had already received his food and by this point, I wasn't really that hungry so I just ordered the appetizer crabcakes which were awful. They tasted like blobs of breadcrumbs, stuck together with some thing and nary a piece of crab meat to be found. Hubs had the ribeye and enchiladas which wasn't particularly hot or tasty. Our dinner was well over $200 with tip. Definitely could have eaten elsewhere for a better experience at that price. I will give props to the manager for coming by to apologize about the lobster tail, and they did not charge us for it. Lesson learned. I guess this place is the spot for all the river oaks crowd who just don't know any better. This will be our last experience at Armando's. Too many other nice restaurants in this town to spend that kind of money. read more

Enjoyed dinner here with friends one of whom is a regular. Armando margarita is special - a perfect blend of tart and not overtly sweet - just sensational. Dinner items were spot on, desser sampling was delicious. A standard for delicious Tex-Mex. read more

Such a shame Thursday nights are not what they used to be. The manager, Matt, is a little pr1ck and seemingly on a mission to ensure this place goes downhill. The DJ needs to retire. The night began with a ton of people ready to dance and by 11pm, any remaining stragglers had given up on any remaining hope that some actual party music. What a disappointment. At least the service from the wait staff was good. Food was ok. read more

One of my absolute favorite go to restaurants. The staff is always accommodating. The food is on point. The ambience is understated elegance. Bravo. read more

Oh, Armandos. You're my once in a blue moon, Thursday night guilty pleasure. The few times I've dined at Armandos, it's been for a celebratory dinner of some sorts followed by a little bit of dancing on that tiny, tiny dance floor. Margaritas are a must - maybe even a few tequila shots. Servers are seriously on their A-game. Most have been there for years and know their regulars. The DJ and music options can be hit or miss. It's more of a rotation of Top 40 combined with an occasional Latin tune to keep the crowd dancing. Beyond their Thursday night dance party, this restaurant has been around since the late '70s. It's slightly more upscale than most Tex-Mex restaurants in town. Ceviche, flan and empanadas are my usual go-tos. read more

I went to brunch this morning and first thing you notice when you walk in is the blaring music!!! It is like walking into a 70's night club. Super loud and old music. We could barely hear the conversation above the loud music blaring on these massive speakers . Poached eggs were stone cold and coffee tasted liked hot tea with cream. read more

ARMANDOS - Papa con huevo y chorizo - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Nothing special here except the chips they serve when you sit down. Pretty much a "bread and butter" Tex-mex kinda place. Several people of our group ordered margaritas and seemed to enjoy them. I stuck with Negra Medelo - All of their prices are moderate read more

While eating my appetizer, I noticed there was a ROACH on the wall, a mere two feet from where I was eating. Although the staff was kind enough to kill it when I notified them, I do wish the situation would have been handled differently. I lost my appetite and did not order a meal, however my friend still ordered something in hopes of still enjoying our night. We understand staff does not have full control over incidents like these however there was no attempt by restaurant management to rectify the situation or make our experience better in any way (except having us move tables). It is not how I expected an "upscale" establishment to handle the situation. We paid full price for everything and did not even have management properly acknowledge the situation. We can only wonder if it would have been handled differently had it involved different patrons. Will not be back. read more

ARMANDOS - Roach on the wall by the booth - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I've been to Armando's many, many times and my experiences are either exceptional or underwhelming. Not much in between. I like that it's the most upscale Mexican in Houston and they do a great job with the drinks: Margarita (with sangria floater is amazing), wines, sangria -- great selection. I enjoy the food. My favorites are spinach enchiladas and shrimp tacos (off menu). Service is quite good and attentive. I've hosted an event I their private room and it went off beautifully and fairly reasonably. It was great and everyone loved the food, drink and atmosphere. But there have been some off visits. Tonight I arrived at 6 pm without a reservation and they gave me the hardest time. They were able to give us a bar table but we were rushed. Another time, we had an issue with a bottle of champagne on a Thursday night (which are crazy with DJ and dancing). You will likely see some Houston celebrity types, so usually some interesting people watching of some sort. Highly recommend making a reservation! Plan to give it another try at sometime in the future. read more

ARMANDOS - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

There is one woman who is a great server. The guacamole is the only thing worth it on the menu. All the other servers are horrible! They will mess your order up. The front door and valet are complete ********. Extremely rude people who need new elbow grease. I would not recommend this place as it has gone downhill quickly. read more

Good service. Nice ambience. My rating of food would be a two star. I have never tasted a Ceviche that bad. My fish dish did not deserve a three stars rating. read more

Last Saturday, i settled my bill with my visa card and after a 10 minute delay, the waiter informed me that he had misplaced my card and asked for my patience. He finally located my card and I paid the bill. In the middle of the night, I receive a text from my credit card company that they had detected a suspicious charge, asking if it was me (I responded that It was not me), which was (fortunately) declined, whereby they would cancel my card and issue me a new one. Coincidence?? Otherwise the food was good, although the menu is boring, the service was mediocre. Our waiter was amateurish for what is billed as an upscale restaurant. read more

Sad to report blatant, downright unprofessionalism from event coordinator Lisa Jordan. I called and left voicemails relentlessly for 4 days, trying to coordinate with the restaurant a party in the private room. By the time our calls were returned we had only two days to plan the event. We had agreed on a meal option of fajitas and quesadillas for the party. This was not at all present. It was simply embarrassing to have told guests to show up hungry (as I had picked out the menu and was expecting more than enough food) for there only to be bite sized appetizers. When we texted Lisa that we were unsatisfied with the absence of the food we had planned on having, she responded unapologetically, stating that there was more than enough food provided at the party. Nonetheless, it was a great night. I am most upset that this woman spoke with so much disrespect to my mother and I, for what was her own mistake. If Lisa did not plan on executing these requests, that needed to be clearly communicated. Armando's is a great Houston restaurant, with an exceptional, top-notch staff, that desperately needs an event planner that is capable. I would highly recommend not planning events with this restaurant as long as Lisa Jordan is coordinating. read more

I don't get it. The salsa should be cool and the fajitas sizzling-- here it was the other way around. It's disappointing when neighborhood spots are totally lackluster, but I suppose that serves its own purpose for the neighbors. It's a skip for us! read more

This was an unfortunate worst experience of my life. My friend and I were wanting to have a nice dessert with coffee nearby the restaurant we had dinner from... it was an hour until closing and I informed the hostess our purpose of coming in for. She says the kitchen is already closed... ok, coming from the restaurant industry of over 14 years in experience including fine dinning, the kitchen stays open until O'Clock of time advertised of closing. To make matters worst, I had my 2 daughters of ages 8 and 6 with us and the hostess is looking at them that at same time I notice the atmosphere of ALL WHITE ppl. So then now I'm thinking we are being discriminated. Thank you for making it uncomfortable and not a worry at all because I will never give my business to this place. read more

ARMANDOS - The time on my phone says before 9pm which then the hostess says the kitchen is closed. - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I don't know where to even start. This food is not good at all. The chips were great. The margaritas were excellent! That's about it. We came here for our anniversary. I told them it was out 30 year anniversary and we weren't even offered a slice of cake!!! What the heck?? Poor choice for a celebration!!! read more

ARMANDOS - Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

Five stars for the shrimp fajitas! The salsa is also amazing. Very upscale and perfect for a date night with the hubby. The service is also on point! read more

Heard so much about this restaurant I had to try it out while in the area. Was surprised and Totally Disappointed in the Food. My meat plate had zero spices the most tasteless supposed meat I've ever had. After that disappointment upon leaving the restaurant I stopped by the restroom and to my surprise was the most filthiest, unhealthy, unsanitized, restroom I've been in. Even had to carefully step over Puddles of urine throughout the floor. I had to mention this to the Host as I left. The Host stated they would "Look into it", Never once even looked up from her podium and seem to be irritated and upset that I even mentioned this. Absolutely no more Armando's for me. read more

My husband and I went to Armando's on a Saturday night for a couple drinks before our night out. It was our first time there and was recommended to us by a friend. The outside of the restaurant is misleading in that it seems pretty plain and boring. But the atmosphere inside was fun and really nice. It is a more upscale Mexican restaurant. We did not try the food but the margaritas were amazing! We sat at the bar and the service was great. I definitely want to go back and try the food and update my review with more items. I would recommend checking it out for the drinks and ambiance. read more

ARMANDOS - Margaritas! - Mexican Near Me - Houston, Texas

This place is expensive and definitely not worth the price of there food. Went there for restaurant week and the only thing that was good was the margarita and desert. The place is beautiful, the ambiance got good after dinner. It turned into a club with a dance floor and lights. Just don't eat the food. I started with a ceviche. I swear this was the nastiest ceviche i have ever had. I am Mexican and eat ceviche around town at least once a week. The ceviche was cold but the sauce they make it with was warm and warm ceviche is never good. Then I moved on the main plate which was enchiladas with beans rice and steak. Again this was the gosses plate i have SEEN in a Mexican restaurant. The enchiladas was just american, yellow cheese melted all over the enchiladas that had the same american yellow cheese. It was so gross i took one bit and left it. I also tried the beans and it had a funny flavor like chirzo taste without the chorizo. Not good and greasy. I gave the meat one bit but I was so grossed out that i told my friends i was full. I told them i would take it to go. I lied of course and threw the whole plate in the trash. I ate the tres leches (desert) which was good and that is why i gave this place a star. I also liked the house margarita (frozen). read more