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    Dona Chela

    4.0 (51 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Dona Chela Photos

    Business Info

    DONA CHELA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Dona Chela

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    a table and chairs in a restaurant
    Mike M.

    I had dinner a couple of weeks ago on a weeknight for the first time while in the general area. It's located in a run down strip center (with parking in front) and close to the Gulf freeway. The interior is well lit and clean and is a table service restaurant. I ordered chicken fajitas with homemade corn tortillas and charro beans for $12.49. Yes, that price is correct! First to arrive were the complimentary chips and red salsa. The chips were of the firmer kind and the salsa was warm, salty and tasty. The entree arrived about 10 minutes later and consisted of a sizzling platter that had a decent amount of chicken along with onions, bell peppers and a tomato slice and lime too. I started with the charro beans. They had a good amount of content that included onions and peppers along with the beans and I enjoyed them. The fajitas with the homemade corn torts was also good tasting and while my table service was slow that night I enjoyed this meal giving it a 3.5. I round it up to a 4 due to its price. A real value. Nothing fancy here but Dona Chela is a value oriented Tex Mex restaurant if you are in the area.

    Menudo
    Eddie C.

    The authentic Mexican food was great, and the customer service was friendly and attentive. Cecil, our waitress, was excellent--always checking on us and making sure we had everything we needed.

    Refreshing topochico and small Chile con queso
    Kim K.

    This place is a hidden gem! Found this place with a coworker and decided to have lunch here. I ordered a la carte taco and a quesadilla. The tortillas are fresh and the fajita is well seasoned. My coworker ordered the burrito and it was the size of Texas! The burrito was filled with your choice of meat, he chose the chicken fajita, beans, rice, lettuce, and topped with Chile con queso. Sour cream optional. Food is delicious and definitely a bang for your buck.

    Migas plate
    Amanda C.

    This place is one of my husband's favorites. They recently made updates to their tables, chairs and menus, and it looks good. Their food is authentic and they have a variety of dishes to choose from. I believe they order their tortillas. They're not the best but they're close to being handmade. Their salsas are also pretty good. The green one is spicy when it's not diluted and the red one tastes better when served warm.

    Machacado was incredible
    John S.

    Pulled up on a Sunday mourning and the parking lot was nearly full , every waitress was going at full speed with huge bows of menudo going to almost every table. I read thew many yelp reviews of breakfast in the area but choose Dona chela because the pictures of the potato's looked interesting. Those thick sliced potatoes are delicious the perfect companion to the muchacado. Tortillas were screaming hot right of the griddle . Such a reasonably priced meal , portions are huge! After that breakfast I wasn't hungry for ten hours!

    Mexicana Style Eggs w/jalapeno and onions.
    Angelo C.

    Dona Chelas is a hidden gem Mexican restaurant. It has great Mexican food with hand made tortillas. The tortillas are fresh and perfect for any delicious dish. The salsa (green and red) have just the right spice. Great breakfast, lunch and dinner.

    Fideo small
    Desiree B.

    What would I do without this amazing hole in the wall Mexican restaurant. The service is always amazing but then again we have been going to this place for years. I have gotten multiple items for their menu and have never been disappointed. My grandmother and I probably go once or twice a week and of course I've introduced plenty of friends and family members to this place. And they also have one of the best micheladas in my opinion. The place looks a little fishy from outside and the inside may not be up to your standards, but when you come from the hood, it's all about the food. I'm actually going here today for lunch :)

    Horchata
    Aron G.

    First time here and it was great. Pick this place from others reviews. Staff is friendly and great service. The food portion are big and at a good price. Everything we ordered was home made. The only I didn't like was the horchata. It was not home made. Overall I would definitely recommend this place. Safe Travels. Prost

    Fajita burrito, yummy!
    Sylvia R.

    My husband and I decided to try Dona Chela restaurant for the first time after reading the positive reviews. And we are so glad we did. My husband had the Super Burrito Juarez w/fajita and he loved them! He is very hard to please when it comes to food... So for him to love this burrito you know it gots to be good! I tried the Enchiladas Suizas (chicken enchiladas w/green sauce). They were so good! This is definitely our new spot. The food was very good and very authentic. I posted pics of the burrito and enchiladas, check them out!

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    2 years ago

    Food was great service was ok got the chicken enchiladas.Also got a tostada everything taste good and price was affordable

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food is amazing!!!! This is my go to Mexican spot right down the street from my house, and their prices aren't over the top

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Food is always good, service is a little slow. Parking can be a pain in the ..... sometimes but overall I would recommend this place.

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    12 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    5 years ago

    my grandma kept recommending this place so I finally tried it for lunch one day. i love how the huevos rancheros came with potatoes.

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    10 years ago

    The soup is pretty good, get it to go. Even better.

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    The Original Ninfa's on Navigation - Steak

    The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

    3.9(2.3k reviews)
    6.1 miWarehouse District, Second Ward
    $$
    Private events
    Catering service

    Happy Cinco De Mayo! Met the ladies here to celebrate, & break bread…read more Thank you Jamila for selecting this original location of the Original Ninfas, to host, (our last supper, before your relocation from Houston to Florida.). A place I grew up in as a little girl in Beaumont but never have I've visit this "original" location. Stepping in to this spot felt like a restaurant in the country of Mexico. I ordered the El Henry. I absolutely loved my dish, only thing I would've chance was the cheese enchilada definitely would've swap for a chicken or beef one, or maybe even a flaunta. I really like the Mexican rice, it had little potatoes and carrots in it. Some of the best Mexican yellow rice I've had. They offer a cinco de mayo drink special. The only thing that seem to make it special was the drinks apparently were limited edition menu items. Nothing was special about the prices. The regular menu drinks were a dollar(s) less. The margarita I ordered first was peach coconut. I didn't taste the coconut at all. I swap for the peach strawberry ($14 or 15) which was great, sweet& strong. One did me just right. You get to select up to two flavors for additional $2 (for both verse each, that's a plus. Not worded on menu). If you select a third flavor an additional $2 would be added ($4 in total) I appreciate separate tickets provided after confirmation and no additional gratuity automatically added, which he got tip equally the same or more. When asked about the "empty" patio that was available, he informed us that the entire deck was reserved. Upon departing I noticed from the parking lot individual tables, of separate parties were occupying only 3 tables. It was 8 of us sitting at 2 tables. Which the table was pushed up against the wall, and one side was inaccessible, which took away spacing. Service was lovely space was really tight. Good thing some of the ladies didn't order full meals. Definitely wouldn't have been able to fit every plate.

    Amazing fajitas, the steak and shrimp fajitas were fantastic, better than I remembered them. When…read morewe arrived at Ninfa's on a busy Friday night, we were greeted in the serving team did their best to get a seated within a few minutes. While waiting for a table to open, we've watched the two women team making and grilling fresh tortillas. With expert precision, they made hundreds of tortillas as we watched. Our server was efficient took our our order and in a few minutes, we had sizzling fajitas at the table....With all of the anticipated queso, chips, salsa, and condiments for our fajitas. The flavor of our steak fajitas was excellent, after dinner Ninfa's offers a free shuttle bus to the baseball park. They drop you off and pick you up after the game. Unfortunately, Houston did not win, but we thoroughly enjoyed the meal before the game. If you're looking for traditional Mexican dinner, do not miss Ninfa's.

    Photos
    The Original Ninfa's on Navigation - Inside

    Inside

    The Original Ninfa's on Navigation - Cochinita Pibil

    Cochinita Pibil

    The Original Ninfa's on Navigation - Margarita

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    Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina - Barbacoa and Carnita Taco

    Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina

    4.2(288 reviews)
    7.4 miMidtown, Fourth Ward, Montrose
    $$

    We visited Madera's for the first time recently and overall had a great first impression. The…read moreserver was attentive when needed but didn't hover or rush us. For drinks, my husband and our friends tried some of the margaritas from their large and unique margaritas menu, as well as their hibiscus agua fresca. All of the drinks were very pretty and it seemed like everyone enjoyed them, too! We started with their chips and salsa trio, which we all really liked. The chips were on the thicker side, but were crispy and not stale or chewy at all. Each of the salsas were quite different, and two were served warm, which we really liked! For the price, I'd consider getting the chips and salsa as a non-negotiable, honestly. For entrees, we tried the enchilada rojas, chilaquiles verde w/ chicken and beef, birria barbacoa ramen, and huaraches. My husband felt like his ramen could have included more meat, but aside from that everyone really enjoyed what they ordered. The highlight was probably the desserts, though! We got a quatro leches and two ordered of their giant and amazing churros. Both were incredibly tasty and reason enough to return for another visit in the future!

    This place was AWESOME!! I was in Houston visiting...and just found this place on Yelp…read more The service was great, the place beautiful, the flautas great, rice and beans were on point. If you're looking for authentic Mexican food, this is the place.

    Photos
    Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina - Right side entry

    Right side entry

    Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina - Rice & Beans

    Rice & Beans

    Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina - Chicken Enchiladas

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    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe - Queso + Beef

    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe

    3.9(885 reviews)
    9.9 miThe Heights
    $$

    Food and service was excellent. Would love to be a regular and try rest of menu. Will come again.read more

    I used to eat here 3X a week. Tonight reminded me why I no longer do.I was with a new friend ,so I…read moreonly took 1 photo. The "queso" w/carne seemed to be out of a can-it was orange & didn't have the consistency of real cheese- wasn't really cheese & was disgusting. It was $9.99. I am including a photo of the overcooked beef fajita. A senior citizen can get the all beef lunch fajita special for virtually the same price as the fajita combo here ALL DAY at Pappasitos. It definitely is enough for 2. The meat melts in your mouth. EVERYTHING is better quality than here. Teo charged $1.50 for perhaps 4 or 5 slices of lime to make the happy hour margaritas made with a gross mix drinkable. That's outrageous. It reminds me that I had stopped going long ago when they charged extra for onions on enchiladas. Come on. You don't charge extra for chopped onions! I have never been to another restaurant that does so. Some even provide carmelized grilled onions gratis. I'm convinced that a $15. YUMMY mango margarita at Pappasitos would have given us the same buzz & tasted better than 8 happy hour margaritas here. I used to love the in house made flour tortillas at Teo. Tonight they were tough & uneventful. We arrived on a week night when they were not busy. Neither of the salsas were as good as they used to be.The water pitcher didn't even have ice when they refilled the water. I have absolutely no desire to return. Why would I?

    Photos
    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe
    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe - Queso + Beef

    Queso + Beef

    Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe - Fajita Salad

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    Fajita Salad

    Maximo - Tostada

    Maximo

    4.6(152 reviews)
    9.5 miWest University
    $$$

    The staff were genuinely warm and welcoming from start to finish. Our waiter walked us through the…read morebrunch menu and pointed out the vegetarian-friendly options, which I really appreciated. We shared the guacamole, chilaquiles divorciados with mushrooms, and a couple of maxi martinis - everything was fresh, flavorful, and really well done. They also brought out a tres leches dessert for my sister's birthday that was so good. You can tell there's a lot of care behind both the food and the hospitality here. Definitely looking forward to coming back!

    Believe it. It's true. This tasting menu is seriously the best value in town, and the wine/cocktail…read morepairing is an absolute must. Our culinary journey started with tuna two ways, and this first bite was actually my favorite of the entire meal. The flavors were impossibly punchy with well-balanced savory notes that were perfectly highlighted by the accompanying bubbly pairing. 5 courses in all, and all of it was delicious. Another highlight was the steak course and the heavenly chocolate dessert course, which was expertly paired with their take on an espresso martini. Chef's kiss! The restaurant is actually quite tiny, and I found it to be on the warm/muggy side, and it wasn't even that hot outside. Also, from a decor perspective, they could certainly use a "freshening up" though perhaps a newer larger location would be a better idea. Still, based solely on the food, my foodie friends and I agreed we would absolutely be back. Their Bibendum nod is well-deserved!

    Photos
    Maximo
    Maximo - Fish taco

    Fish taco

    Maximo - Paloma Coconut Punch & a classic Margarita.

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    Paloma Coconut Punch & a classic Margarita.

    Dona Leti's - Mini fajita steak street tacos

    Dona Leti's

    4.0(634 reviews)
    11.0 miThe Heights
    $$

    My husband and I ate here Saturday with 2 other couples. The food was incredible and so much of…read moreit! Our waiter DAMIEN was an EXCELLENT waiter, so friendly and knowledgeable about the food and restaurant. We will definitely be going back soon. Great atmosphere and experience !!

    Doña Leti's is considered one of the top places in the area for quality, authentic Mexican food…read more Many customers report that when they go there, it appears extremely popular, which is evident by the crowds entering. In addition to this, there can be a significant 2-4 hour wait to get seated during peak hours. However, all of the customers I spoke with stated that once you were able to sit down, the overall experience was worth waiting for. The main feature that makes Doña Leti's stand out from other restaurants is its focus on tradition in terms of how the food is made. Each dish has very unique flavors. The dishes are also very large portions and offer a great amount of comfort while still being high end. Additionally, the drink offerings are an excellent choice. They are made with the same attention to detail as the meals, and add to the flavor and enjoyment of your meal. The staff provides exceptional service even though the establishment is full. The staff keeps up with the large number of people coming in and out with a sense of professionalism and friendliness. One thing that Doña Leti's does exceptionally well is provide a lot of food for the price. As long as you don't mind waiting for your table, you will have a wonderful dining experience. The fact that Doña Leti's is so busy is proof that the service, food and drinks are all good, and well worth the wait

    Photos
    Dona Leti's - Bar

    Bar

    Dona Leti's - Street Taco

    Street Taco

    Dona Leti's - Passion fruit margarita with a shot of Grand Marnier.

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    Passion fruit margarita with a shot of Grand Marnier.

    Ambriza - Street corn.

    Ambriza

    4.5(1.7k reviews)
    27.4 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Veteran-owned & operated

    Get the pork belly bites and their cocktails are delicious…read more If you're here on a Sunday for brunch and have a sweet tooth the French toast is unforgettable. No other French toast will come close. Their homemade sauces make more tantalizing. If you like salty spicy, get the jojo sauce. I don't think it's on the menu And to finish, personally I like cocktails but their fresh filled churros are super fun. And can't beat the fresh factor! Brandon is an excellent attentive server. He knows the menu in and out. He'll steer you right. It's a neighborhood gem

    We had a 70th & 60th birthday celebration at Ambriza's Vintage, and we were very impressed and…read moresatisfied with how beautiful and perfect everything turned out. Rodrigo & Araceli were amazing, ensuring everything was going smoothly and according to plan. Our servers Augusto and Christian, were very attentive, kind, and on point with our food and drinks. Food was exquisite and portions were generous, cooked to perfection. The churros with chocolate and the complimentary photos for the birthday girls was the cherry on top. Ambriza's management & staff truly know how to make their guests feel special. They went above and beyond, exceeding all of our expectations. Definitely having more celebrations here in the future! On behalf of me & my family, THANK YOU again for the excellent service and making this a memorable night!! Barbie Artiga

    Photos
    Ambriza
    Ambriza - TEQUILA Wall

    TEQUILA Wall

    Ambriza - Street Corn

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    Street Corn

    Candente - Museum District - Beans and rice

    Candente - Museum District

    4.1(623 reviews)
    7.6 miMuseum District, Montrose
    $$

    A Cali girl-lala enjoying some Tex Mex…read more While in HTX I was able to meet up with a friend from college. He mentioned margaritas (not pictured) and food! So we met at Candente. Upon walking in the restaurant was clean it was pretty packed for a Wednesday night but the aroma of the food! OMG! Our server was really nice and patient because my friend and I talked for about 30 minutes before we finally ordered our food. He has the beef enchiladas with rice and black beans. He cleaned his plate...literally not a grain of rice in sight! I had the smoked chicken verde enchiladas and WOW! What an amazing dish. I consider myself a Mexican food connoisseur especially being from California. I have always said Tex Mex?.....eeeeyuck! But Candente has changed my tune! I will definitely be back to visit when I return!

    Glowing red. Burning. Candente…read more Let me start by saying that I'm not into Mexican food unless it's an auntie or grandma making it at their house. I prefer traditional homemade Mexican food but here we are. (Oh I googled and suggested this place lol) Went in for a team lunch on a Friday. Coworker's birthday lunch and she wanted Mexican. Party of 9 and we were seated promptly. They have a lunch menu and a happy hour as well as a full menu and full bar. The interior was nicely decorated. And open. There is bar seating and patio seating as well. Our waitress was Aisha and she was amazing. Friendly, helpful and patient. And able handle our large group and a few more tables with a smile. There were a variety of options. Salads, fajitas, nachos, enchiladas, etc. Also complimentary chips and salsa. My Order: chicken tortilla soup, lunch fajitas combo - chicken and beef. Chicken tortilla soup (3.5/5) - it was a bit salty for me but I am not a salt person so most things are salty to me; everyone else said it was tasty, there were tons of shredded chicken, avocado pieces, tortilla strips Fajitas - combo (4/5) - chicken was seasoned well and the beef (medium rare) was perfection and so tender and juicy, mexican rice was fluffy, and normally I would pass on the beans and get extra rice but my coworker suggested the charro beans and wow, that was a win - the seasoning was great, there were chunks of meat and the texture was nice, the only thing that could have been done better is the flour tortillas - they over-charred them making them too crispy and left them with a burnt taste. A couple of people got the elote salad and raved about it. So that will be a next time try. Def will be back. Everyone enjoyed their meals and some even ordered food to go. Would recommend.

    Photos
    Candente - Museum District - Open Kitchen cooking on wood.

    Open Kitchen cooking on wood.

    Candente - Museum District - When in Rome

    When in Rome

    Candente - Museum District - Skinny margarita (large)

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    Skinny margarita (large)

    Dona Chela - mexican - Updated May 2026

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