Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Johnny Tamales - Pasadena

    3.6 (243 reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Tex-Mex
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Johnny Tamales - Pasadena Takeout or Delivery

    Johnny Tamales - Pasadena Photos

    JOHNNY TAMALES - PASADENA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Johnny Tamales - Pasadena

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Margarita
    Abby C.

    Love the fajitas here! Great margaritas, if you get a Grande you are limited to two per person, regular sized are four drinks per person. The queso is great as well.

    Fajita Salad and a pick 2 in the background
    Nick S.

    Just along Sam Houston Parkway you can I'll find this Tex Mex cantina. It is a chain of at least 2 locations, and it's a solid spot for work lunch, happy hour, family dinner, date night, etc. It terms of Tex Mex it is so-so. The meals are good, but we live in Houston where you can find so many incredible Tex Mex, Mexican, and fusion restaurants. The restaurant is inviting and vibrant on the outside, but somewhat dim and less inviting on the inside. Also, the service was on point, but our server wasn't particularly upbeat or pleasant. I will say that their lunch menu is fairly impressive, and the portions will leave you wondering if you accidentally ordered from the dinner menu. Also, they come by to check on drinks, chip baskets, and salsas which is nice so you don't have to feel bad asking for more. Some tips: Try the green sauce, it's delicious. It's a creamy green salsa, and if you ask for more they will most likely bring one for each person at the table. And on Tuesdays it's Fajita Tuesday where you can get mixed fajitas for two for $32.99 (normally $38.99). Also, there's a self serve soft serve (tongue twister) ice cream station at the door. Help yourself to a little complimentary dessert on your way out. Cheers!!

    Fajita Compliments!
    Chris M.

    Cinco De Mayo Review: Knowing Cinco De Mayo is more like Cinco de Drinko at every Tex-Mex in town, we had to get there early, and yes, I was right because the parking was starting to get full at 4:30. For starters, we got a JT Rita and some Dos XX's. The server was very cordial and offered us the queso special, and we jumped on that along with the fajita nachos and chips and salsas. All of these were delightful to our tastebuds! I was ecstatic that they offered mixed fajitas for 2 at a special price of $34.99! Man, these were fresh, hot, and sizzling upon making its entrance to our table. We were able to get both tortillas de maiz and harina after my request to do so. My only gripe was that we only got 2 of each kind, but oh well. The platter came with caramelized onions and peppers. Spanish Rice and Refried Beans also complimented along with Pico, shredded cheddar and jack cheese, and sour cream! We were more than full after polishing it off! Will most definitely return for more any time!

    Ponderosa Enchiladas
    Ashley W.

    Let me start by saying... they serve cold salsa something rare in TX... but sooo good. I had enchiladas... they were good but kind of on the dry side... on the inside. Nachos were perfect size and had all the goodies on them and fajitas were really sizzling when they came out. Our waiter was on it.... Never had to ask for a refill or anything, it was just already there. Margarita was strong enough and good flavor. The restaurant itself could be a good place to watch sports at the bar but it also has like a family area. Very fun vibes. Overall really enjoyed the place.

    Del Mar
    Antonette F.

    My team of 30 came for dinner and I'm sure this was not expected. We were seated promptly and drink orders were taken immediately; however, it was about an hour before our dinner order was taken. Mind you, there was only 1 waiter serving all of us. Mario was very accommodating. The food finally started coming out and the presentation was nice but my meal was overly seasoned. All in all the overall consensus was 3 out of 5. .... I will say the manager came out to apologize for the over seasoned dish which was much appreciated

    El Dorado Style Grilled Chicken
    Jason A.

    Finally made it in for lunch and it is a really nice restaurant with a decent menu. Love the fact you don't have 50 items on the menu. The customer service was great, never an empty glass at the table which is a big plus. Seriously the menu is simple with plenty of great dishes. The chips are crispy and both the red and green sauce were really good. Neither were really spicy but had plenty of flavor to tantalize your tastebuds. The food was great, the taste and presentation were both on point. So off to the food we go. CHILE CON QUESO. 7/10 Small 6,49 Large 9.99 The queso was pretty good, had a nice flavor that wasn't just melted American cheese. EL DORADO STYLE. 9/10 Grilled chicken breast, sautéed shrimp, crawfish tails & bell peppers in a white wine sauce served with sliced avocado 16.49 Substitute falita beef +3.00 The chicken was cooked perfectly as well as the shrimp and crawfish. The white wine sauce was delicious and complimented the dish perfectly. The rice and beans were both really good. Definitely a dish I will be ordering again. CHEESE ENCHILADAS. 7/10 Three of the same, select cheese, around beef or shredded chicken: topped with chili gravy, Chile con queso, sour cream or ranchero sauce 12 50 The enchiladas were good, had sour cream drizzled over the top. It is a solid plate of enchiladas. If cheese enchiladas are what you want then you won't be disappointed. SEAFOOD ENCHILADAS. 9/10 Cheese enchiladas smothered in our white wine sauce with sauteed shrimp, crawnsh tails & bell peppers 15.29 The dish was simply great, the shrimp, crawfish, and white wine sauce over the cheese enchiladas made it down right yummy. If seafood is up your alley then this dish will fill the bill. TACOS AL CARBON 8/10 Three fresh flour tortillas rolled and filled with beef or chicken fajita. Served withquacamole, chile con queso pico de gallo 22.99 It's your basic fajita taco but the beef fajitas were really tasty. The pico was perfection. Overall a really good dish that was plenty filling. LUNCH QUESADILAS. 7/10 Lunch portion of our grilled flour tortillas stuffed with beef or chicken fajita and melted cheese, served with chile con queso 10.99 It's a basic quesadilla with good flavor. Had the beef this time around and it was plenty of food with the rice and beans . Johnny Tamales is a very nice restaurant with great customer service and great food. Stop in and get your grub on, your tummy will thank you.

    Mixed fajitas

    See all

    Photo of Patty Y.
    12
    60
    121

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    24 days ago

    They provide accommodations for large groups who want a place to meet with their friends. Thank you!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    I have be coming here since elementary!! It's a classic tex-mex restaurant. Always get the flautas in flour tortillas!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Abby C.
    1
    26
    68

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Ordered the beef fajitas for one. They was really good. Best charro beans I've had! The service was fast and good.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Food was better than I expected for a TXMEX restaurant definitely worth the price and taste would definitely recommend

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 3
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bill R.
    89
    306
    24

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D G.
    0
    3
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    LOVE Johnnys!!! We especially love the bartenders. They are so attentiv, funny. The food, setting, and vibe is always top notch!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gina D.
    159
    287
    220

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of C A.
    3
    81
    16

    2 years ago

    Good food, friendly service. Love their drink menu - it has more than just tequila drinks on it.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrew B.
    6
    53
    170

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 7

    Johnny Tamales - Pasadena Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Johnny Tamales - Pasadena

    You might also consider

    The Don'Key Mexican Food

    The Don'Key Mexican Food

    3.7
    (351 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    First time in Pasadena and we're looking for good local food. Don'Key was raved about in a few…read morearticles about local restaurants so we decided to give them a try. First off, place looks amazing. A down home joint. Tina, our server, was excellent. Water was always full, attentive but not overbearing. Wonderful lady. But the food! OMG! This place is heaven! Tamales are so flavorful and the chili sauce is tasty. The chalupas were delicious as well. We're going to be back-we HAVE TO! That drive from Georgetown will be worth it.

    Me and my husband have been coming to the donkey for many years and we have never been treated as…read morebad as we were treated today, this review is strictly about the service only! Let me start out by saying I am a restaurant supervisor and my husband worked in the restaurant industry for 10 years himself, we understand the ins and outs and frustrations that come with it! As soon as we walked in SHANA the bartender seemed to be bothered with our presence, no smile very cold and to the point, we ordered 2 drinks and a queso and my husband asked her if she could turn the tv to the world cup game because professional skateboarding was currently playing, he also told her the exact channel it was on to make it easier for her, she paused and instantly seemed annoyed she also did not put it on the world cup like we asked she put it on some baseball game, she proceeded to not check on us after we had no chips and my husbands drink was getting very low, she seemed to be too worried about what we assume were regulars on the other side of the bar to even ask us if we would like anything else. Severall minutes go by and she finally asks if my husband would like another drink, we had to ask about more chips and salsa. We started to feel uncomfortable and even contemplated leaving and going to Jimmy changas down the road for food, we opted to stay and just order food Togo, we mentioned we were gonna get food in a bit, I looked at the menu to see what I was getting and put the menu down indicating that we were ready to order, SHANA still never came by, still talking to others. A man then came in and sat next to us and he had asked her to change the tv to the world cup she instantly did it without any hesitation or attitude which then made us feel more uncomfortable as we had been there for an hour and a half, at that point my husband chose to watch it on his phone which is UNACCEPTABLE! We further notice any new patrons that came in received a very much more welcoming experience than us, we never received a thankyou or your welcome throughout the whole visit. She stood by the margarita machines and I noticed her look our way so I politely told her we were ready to order and she gave us more hesitation, at this point we were feeling more like a bother. We ended up getting our food Togo and immediately left after paying. When she dropped off our check she then let us sit there for a moment before acknowledging that we were ready to go. I then asked if she had the card on file and she asked if everything was correct on the receipt but with an attitude and I said yes, you can run the card. She then took several minutes and opted to make the regulars more drinks before running our card on file which I know only takes a few seconds. Several times throughout our visit she wouldn't even look in our direction as she would speak, when it was time to return our check to us she looked to the ground and just handed me the check on the clipboard to sign and we NEVER received a thankyou, Not one word, at this point me and husband decided not to tip her anything at all. And as I said before he was once in the industry and I still am and we know how bartenders live off tips but our experience was so awful that I couldn't give her anything, It cost $0 to be nice and put on a smile. I again want to clarify this has nothing to do with the food or any other experience we've had there. It was just SHANA who was extremely rude and ruined our experience. This review shouldn't impact the business but she might impact your business with her bad attitude and rudeness to paying patrons! We will return of course but if we ever see her again we are turning away and going down the street.

    Photos
    The Don'Key Mexican Food
    The Don'Key Mexican Food
    The Don'Key Mexican Food

    See all

    El Tostaco Regio

    El Tostaco Regio

    5.0
    (21 reviews)
    4.4 mi

    Needed something before our movie and this place popped up. I noticed it was really little and I…read morelike hidden gems. I am so glad I picked this place. It looks like they just had the inside redone. It's small but very clean. We got the Pastor baked potato and quesabirria tacos with a Mexican coke and pink guava again Fresca. The potato was way bigger than I anticipated and SOOOO good! The birria tacos were excellent. There was only one waiter but for the size of the place he was the only one needed. He was very nice and let me taste the agua Fresca before deciding because I wasn't sure if I would like it. It was so good! I am already looking forward to going back. The price for everything was good and the food was excellent!!

    El Tostaco Regio is a hidden gem here in Pasadena. They had some of the best birria dishes I've…read moreever had! It's a small place, so it's not ideal for large gatherings and they're easy to miss. El Tostaco Regio does not serve typical Mexican cuisine. Their food is what you would find served on the streets of Mexico. So there's no refried beans, rice or a queso plate here. Most of their dishes comes with beans and a cup of broth. Their food is served fresh, but messy. Everything they make is packed with flavor, but not overpowered by spices. The tables have three complimentary sauces you can try with your dishes. If your other party is not in the mood for Mexican, El Tostaco Regio also have burgers and baked potatoes. Their menu is bilingual, thankfully. The staff are patient and kind. Prices are affordable. I will say that their AC system could've been better, considering we're in Summer now. They only have only bathroom. Aside from a TV playing Latino music, there's no decor inside at all. My major issue is that El Tostaco Regio is NOT wheelchair accessible. That's completely unacceptable!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    El Tostaco Regio
    Inside

    See all

    Inside

    Johnny Tamales - Pasadena - mexican - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...