It's a classic. Nuf said. And yes, everything was better in the 70's 80's 90's 00's but in the 20's you'll be praising the 10's. It's great cheap Mexican food, nothing better in traditional Omaha flair. read more

The enchiladas are just like the original recipe. the sauce is wonder Service was great

Decided to try this place on a whim because I was driving by and I loved it!!! Was kind of second guessing when I walked in but our server was super sweet and fast. He was always laighing and made us feel right at home. The food was amazing and there was a ton of it! Tasted just as good as left overs the next day! Will definitely go back and take my friends! read more

This is by far the best MEXICAN eating establishment West of the mighty missouri. My daughter and her entire family former Arizonians (12yrs)and now Coloradoans eat at howards every time they visit. Why? Because it's Mexican, not Texmex. You know they dont grow black olives in mexico. Not a lot of wheat grows down there either. That's why they are not noted for their french pastry most places smother their food in tomato sauce which makes it taste like Italian and sour cream yuk I mean why would you? If you're into the real thing go to Howards. Oh one more thing...MEXICANS EAT THERE..nuff said. read more

First off, it's authentic. I've lived in 5 different states now and Howard's is still the best Mexican restaurant. For starters, get the cheese dip. It's nothing special but at the same time IT IS! As for my favorite meal...3 enchiladas smothered in red chili and with two sides of rice cannot be beaten. Last but not least, the hot sauce is addicting! read more

This place is absolutely horrible. They refused to take four of our valid ID's and refused to serve us. The server was high and they were very rude. I would NOT recommend this place at all. The Mexican food is also not authentic. Less than impressed with this establishment. read more

I feel like this place is hit and miss. If you come make sure it's on the weekend when the food is made fresh. I visited during the week and my taco meat was legitimately hard... gross!!! Spanish rice was super bland. I also ordered Cheese dip as an appetizer the cheese was gross! Tasted like it had been cooking all day it was gritty and burnt. read more

Been a regular for 36 years. Best Food in town! My favorites are the cheese dip, the enchiladas, and the rice. But you can't go wrong with anything you order! read more

There are a lot of mixed reviews on this place, so I'll try to cut through the bull for you guys. This place is somewhat of an acquired taste. If you're a Mexican food snob (and there's no shame in that) you probably won't like it. It's not really authentic-style Mexican, but it's not really West-Mex either. I like it, but full disclosure, like many of the reviewers, my family has been going there since forever. The owner, Joe, is a great guy, and many of the workers there are (or at least used to be) his family members. He has told us in the past that the recipes were passed down to him from his dad, who got them from his dad. Anyhow, I'm one of those people that likes to try any Mexican place I can find. The darker and grungier a Mexican restaurant is, the more likely I am to try it. I find they almost always have the best and cheapest foods. Howard's is a bit dark/grungy looking, and I could see how it would be off-putting for people. But give the food a shot, and don't be afraid to tell the staff if you are unhappy with something. They're usually very happy to correct any issue with the food, which is pretty reasonably priced considering how large the portions are. My advice: Give it a fair chance. Order the smothered potatoes, they're to die for. I'm also a big fan of the steak burrito dinner with gringo sauce (sour cream). read more

This is not Mexican food. Please do not eat here. The waitress did not know there were different types of tequilas. The food came out in less than one minute which means it's all prefabbed in the kitchen. It was really horrible. read more

I've eaten at Howard's numerous times throughout the years... It is (was) a South Omaha classic. After bragging the place up to my fiance, we decided to go for dinner... Quite possibly the worst service I have ever experienced. Anywhere. 2 stars because the food is still pretty decent. We ordered our food... and after waiting for about half an hour, started to notice that people who had arrived 10-15 minutes after us received their food, which is when I realized there was something wrong. Waitress then brings over my meal and tells us that my fiance's meal hasn't even been started. I was basically finished with my meal before his arrived. One apology from the waitress and that was it. No offer to fix anything, or make the situation right. That's fine, I'm assuming that's something that the manager handles. We finish our meals and head to the front to pay, where a man (who I am assuming is a manager or owner?) asked us how everything was. I replied that it was okay... and was interrupted by the woman running the register (another owner/manager?) who stated: "Oh, it was just a little late". ...Just "a little late"?? They didn't even start cooking his order until mine was served! Clearly, our definitions of "little" differ... No apologies from management, we paid, and left. I won't ever return. I understand that people make mistakes, but when you're running a restaurant, you do whatever you can to make it right with your customers so they continue to do business with you. At the very least own the fact that your staff made a mistake. So, if you're looking for the Howard's service from a few years ago, don't bother. This place has gone downhill fast, which is super unfortunate. Another South Omaha tradition down the drain. read more

I find it rather ironic that this place says they serve Mexican food and cocktails considering their 'food' is hardly edible. Upon entering this establishment I was greeted with dingy outdated decor and stale air. The hostess stood right in front of us chit chatting on the phone while we waited to be seated. After being seated, our group ordered margaritas and appetizers. My fiancé and I were presented with our 'cheese dip' that in no way resembled cheese. This dip was lukewarm, mushy, and bland. The closest thing I can compare it to is lumpy hummus. I managed to gag down a few soggy over salted chips with this stuff before I came to the conclusion that there was no way I could force myself to like it. The guacamole completely lacked flavor, it's like they smashed up an avocado, threw it in a bowl, and slapped $5.50 price tag on it. Not once did our waiter check on us or ask us how our food was (probably because he knew it wasn't any good). I do not understand the positive reviews on this restaurant. This is by far the worst restaurant I have ever eaten at. I will never return and warn all my friends/family. Taco Bell is more appetizing than this place. Save your money and your tastebuds by hitting up one of the authentic spots on 24th St. read more

Loveeee Howard's :) I've been going here since I was a little girl. The fried tacos are excellent ! The enchiladas have a gravy sauce which is unique. The rice is rice moist and different as well :) Howard has always owned this place so nothing has changed ! read more

One of my favorites. Excellent service and food every time. If you come here to eat, I recommend getting some cheese dip for starters, their flour deep fried tacos and fideo. read more

Meh. All i can say is meh. It is sad when the rice and beans are the best part of your meal. Bland margs, bland indistinguishable dips, bland greasy burrito...you get the point. read more

We finally found a place that has fantastic green chili! Can't beat a smothered beef and bean burrito with the green chili. Didn't love the margarita special but the iced tea is good. Will be back! read more

This is the second time I've been to Charro's since the new ownership and it is terrible. I like the old world atmosphere and staff is friendly but the place now has a old moldy smell the owners don't seem to care at all . I went there one afternoon on a whim when it was owned by the previous people .the tortilla shells were delicious and tender and the carnitas was delicious. now it's dried taco shells, dried meat my husband had steak lots of gristle I had pork all dried up like it had been reheated five times the rice was dry the beans were probably the best thing on the menu. I don't know if the owner just doesn't care or what. There is a lot of competition in South O and this place is terrible read more

Howard's has always been a tradition for my wife's family, and now it's transcended into our family. Howard's is a fun place to go for great enchiladas and if we're lucky the Mariachi band comes by our table. Some may scoff at the decor, but in reality it's doesn't take away from the food or fun. Finally, the prices are great, most Mexican restaurants will charge anywhere from $12-16 for a combo, whereas Howard's typically offers them up for around $8-10 a piece. read more

Terrible compared to previous visits. How disappointing. The new owners and changes are not good. First What Mexican restaurant makes you pay for chips and salsa?!?! Secondly, the service was slow and disinterested. We loved this place and recommend it to people often. Twice people have come back to me to say what an unpleasant experience they have had. The charros special was as good as usual but the other people with me had terrible food. We loved this place and now I don't know that we will go back. The new owners need to do something quick before they are beyond recovering. read more

The food at Howard's was okay, and the pricing was decent. Our waitress seemed to be ignoring us. Who knows, maybe she had a lot on her mind. After dinner two older guys followed us up to the counter where we were paying and started making comments about us. When my girlfriends and I finally left (in a hurry), they guys and the waitress all followed us out into the dark, screaming at us. It was scary and kind of weird. read more

I've been to this place a few times and the food and service are good. I love Mexican food and this place has to be one of the better restaurants in Omaha. You really can't go wrong with anything you order. read more

My family and I have been eating at Howards for many years and It is by far one of the best places in the metro area. It is a good family atmosphere and you can not go wrong with the authentic Mexican food. I have heard from many people that it is the best and they would go out no where else for the real thing. read more

After eating at Howard's for decades, I can't put up with the bad food and service any longer. I think it was nostalgia that kept me thinking the new owners would settle in and get it right. After six visits in recent months I have come to the realization it's not going to happen. The food is nothing but dried out leftovers. Howard's is dead to me. read more

We used to go to Howards all the time on the weekends to enjoy the gringo-style Mexican food and the Mariachi band on Friday or Saturday nights. The food has always been decent and we really enjoy the old-school vibe of this South Omaha spot. Our most recent trip however was not as great. We had a larger party (over 10 people) and we had reserved it in advance to enjoy some Mariachi music on a Saturday BUT the Mariachis weren't there :( The sign outside says mariachis on Fridays and Saturdays but inside, they have the disclaimer *When available*. We were pretty disappointed, I wish we had known before deciding to come there. My flauta was really under-cooked and some people in our party were almost finished with their meals by the time the other meals came out. I will definitely ask if the Mariachis will be there if we go again on a weekend. read more

Wasn't bad but the price is what they lost a star for. Howard's would not have got more than 3 stars anyway. The atmosphere is old and gross with a smell of fried food and mold. They had a special with an enchilada, burrito and rice and beans. I read a review on here that gave a recommendation to try the steak burrito. so I asked if they would substitute ground beef for steak. That made the special price go from 7.50 to 19.00 dollars. Holy cow that's a lot of money for a microwave style burrito. I could have ordered 2 specials for that price. However I don't feel too bad the 2 guys in front of me in line got over charged too. Food is ok everything else sucks. read more

This place was one of my favorite restaurants when Joe was still alive and running it. I have been there a few times since he has passed and it seems that both the quality of the food and to a lesser extent the service has went down a notch or two. Like most Mexican restaurants they use to always give you a bowl of Chips & Salsa to start you off. When I asked the waitress if I could please have some Chips & Salsa after she had brought my drink over, she told me that they are now on the Apprizer List and are no longer free. I still ordered and paid for them because they are delicious. My meal was ok at best. My lunch companions who were also huge fans of Howard's also said their food was not up to par. We had enchiladas, Charro Special, Jumbo Burrito and a few other items. We all shared and traded bits of our food. The Charro Special was the best of all the items and it still wasn't delicious like I remember it being in the past. There were several times we had to ask to have our drinks refilled. Maybe they had a substitute or new cook and maybe the waitress was having a bad day. She was pleasant, she just seemed extremely bored and not interested. There are numerous great Mexican restaurants in the Omaha and Bellevue areas and unfortunately I don't think that I can recommend Howard's as one of the top ones anymore. read more

Great place! Highly reccomend the meat and chili tacos and pork fajitas! Staff is super friendly and mariachis on fridays are the best. Such a great atmosphere read more

After one bite of the cheese dip and chips, we asked for our bill. There was no salsa and chips, the suace dispenser left on our table was so clogged nothing came out. Strawberry margarita was tart and undrinkable. We will not ever return, gross. read more

My family has gone to Howard's for YEARS! But with the new ownership, it seems to have gone downhill and no longer is a pleasant experience. Food was still decent ... although my flour taco was disappointing! The taco!!! Of all things. Service was absolutely horrible! Waiter wasn't interested at all. The people next to me who ordered much later than I, had their food long before me. I only ordered a taco and enchilada. Waited even longer for the ticket ....was finished and when I was sitting there ready to go is finally when the waiter decided to ask if I wanted a refill on my drink that had been empty since my meal was half eaten. Red head at the cash register couldn't even stay off her cell phone while ringing me up! Service was always outstanding prior to the new owner! read more

Great place for food, fun and friendly service. And the mariachi band is one of the best in town.

As far as I know of one of the best Authentic restaurants in South Omaha. Discovered it by someone taking me there. On Friday and Saturday night's from 7-9 pm they have a live mariachi band playing. The food comes out right away and the people are always welcoming. A good laid-back family atmosphere for a meal that won't break the bank. read more

This used to be my favorite Mexican restaurant, but I left Omaha for ten years, and when I came back, things had changed. The food is so-so now and they have become VERY stingy with their margaritas. I have to agree with Daniel A.--this is very sad. read more

My favorite Mexican food ever!!!! I love everything about Howard's! My plate usually consists of 2 beef corn tacos and 2 corn beef enchiladas with a side of retried beans. My husband always gets the green chili feather bones dinner! Hard working family restaurant and I feel proud of them when I eat there! My Mom started coming in her late teens over on 24th street. So that means I have been eating there my entire 35 years! Thanks Howard's!!!!! XOXO read more

We have eaten at Howards for 36 years ever since they were on 24th street. While I still like Howards food, the restaurant itself is in deplorable condition. The front desk is disheveled and cluttered. The inside restaurant looks dirty which is why I have chosen to get our food to go instead of eating there. Which is where the real frustration is. 75% of the time I pick up an order, it is wrong. Why don't they QC the orders????? I think you have to have more than good food to attract people - too many other restaurant choices who run it as a business. My advice is for whoever owns the place sell it to someone who wants to run and grow the restaurant successfully. read more

Very disappointing. Hadn't been to Howards in some years and thought we would give it a try. Ordered the Saturday special which was a beef enchilada, beef taco, rice and beans. The rice and beans were very good. My margaritia tasted like lighter fluid. I found a hair in my taco before I had eaten any of it. I pointed this out to our waitress who took my plate and said I better show this to the boss. On her return she said that they would deduct the price of the taco. No "boss" came out to apolagize or offer compensation. Very disappointing. Will NEVER eat there again. read more

Been coming here since 1977 and I hardly have ever been disappointed. The BEST when it comes to these food items I always get: two beef and cheese enchiladas, beef taco with flour shell (hard), small cheese dip and chips (corn). You can't find enchiladas like this anywhere!, not even in Arizona. Hoping the new management (starting Feb., '17) does not change the recipe on these items. I don't really care about anything else! read more

Had dinner at Howard's last Friday, and found the food overall to be pretty good. We started with the cheese dip, since chips and salsa are not free like most places. (A little let down by that one) The dip was good, with a little bit of zing. The chips were fresh and tasted great. My GF had the flauta, and really enjoyed it. I had the grilled burrito dinner. The burrito was large, and came with pico, sour cream and guac on the side. All were good. The rice and beans tasted very good too. Overall service was good, but the Mariachi band made it hard to hold a conversation. Worth a shot for Mexican and very close to the zoo and the interstate. read more

Quite possibly the worst Mexican food experience ever. Since when did cheese on a taco cost extra? This place was not all that great when it was on south 24th street, but I tried over the years to give it a fair shake, and I just cannot find anything good to say about it other than there is plenty of parking and seating...probably because people just don't go there like they used to. the current location was much better when it was Marchio's Italian café, I miss that place. How can you mess up Mexican food this bad??? read more

Last time we went there- a couple years ago- someone stole our credit card number. I had given it to the waitress to run through- NEVER do that. Within a few days I was getting calls from my carrier that someone was charging stuff using my number. read more

I hate it when an old standby drops off the map, but apparently that's what's happened to Howard's. Four of us decided to have dinner there tonight, and I really think never again. We were there for an hour and 55 minutes, to have chips and tacos. The highlights of the meal, or maybe I should say the low lights, the beef in the beef tacos was charred , the fish in the fish tacos was fish sticks, and the blended margarita was a glass full of ice. They did take back the drink and take it off my bill, however it took over 20 minutes from the time we asked for a check until we finally got it and got our change. And by then the dining room was almost empty. I always get a receipt when I go out to eat, but I didn't even bother to ask for one this time or we might still be there. This used to be one of our favorite places, but it was very disappointing. The new management has had a little time to figure things out, but they have a ways to go. read more