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La Cruderia

4.6 (273 reviews)
ModerateMexican
Closed • 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

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LA CRUDERIA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Divey
Casual
Trendy
Moderate noise

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Recommended Reviews - La Cruderia

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Agua Fresca de Melón
Lou C.

I was craving for birrias one day and really didn't know where to go. After I found La Cruderia in the middle of Chinatown, I raised suspicion. I drove by dozens of times but didn't realize it was a Mexican restaurant. I was there on a Monday afternoon and there were a few customers. I sad by the big mural. I enjoyed the taste of the birria beef. It was very tender and flavorful. The consomé was perfectly seasoned, not overpowering. I also ordered Agua Fresca de Jamaica (hibiscus tea). It was delicious and just right amount of sweetness. When I looked at the menu, menudo popped up in the soup section. I would definitely try to come back on weekends. So, I came back the following Sunday. The restaurant was packed. tVs were blasting soccer match. People, mostly male customers, filling the tables inside and a few tables on the patio. The only open seats were at the bar. I had a nice view of the TV and wait staff bring food from the kitchen. The menudo was served in a big shallow bowl on a big tray filled with chopped onions, chopped cilantro and oregano flakes. Thank goodness no jalapeños. The flavor was down right, not too thick and not greasy. Temperature was perfect. The freshly made tortillas were great. I also ordered Agua Fresca de Melón. Mmm... so delicious. Service was excellent. Every staff carried a big smile. I completely forgot that I was in Chinatown. I wish every restaurant in Chinatown could be this good.

Kelly P.

Cute, cozy taco spot tucked away in Bellaire. Service was attentive and quick. What we ordered: - Chicharrón con guacamole - Pork belly was a little tough to chew, but still tasty. The guac was the highlight. 7/10 - Esquites - Creamy and flavorful overall, but the corn tasted a bit stale. 7/10 - Cochinita tacos - Slow-roasted pork was tender and juicy, loved the pickled onions. Sauce packs heat, but I liked it on the side. 9/10 Solid spot for a casual taco craving!

Tacos Cochinita Pibil
Wallace A.

Our first visit. We have been looking forward to eating here for a while, but just seem to have forgotten about it. The food was top notch. For apps- Conchita Pibil on black bean stuffed tortillas Lunch- Carne Asado tacos Amazing Service left a little to be desired. Only 2 tables and rarely checked on. Went to bar to get tea refilled. Server was helpful with knowledge of food. We will be back!

Sope
Jando S.

Though it's only been around a handful of years, La Cruderia has made a lot of noise as a bonafide destination in the city, which is no small feat for a restaurant in the heart of Chinatown. A family run affair from siblings Norma and Jorge Laredo, they've managed to showcase regional Mexican cuisine resuilting in small plates, fresh ingredients, and big flavors. The place isn't large, but they've managed to make something out of the space. There are handful of tables surrounding a nice large bar, complete with outdoor seating and no shortage of parking spaces. The staff is friendly, bilingual, and undoubtedly hip. They have a steady stream of regulars, a solid portion of which are from the surrounding area (#1). There are too many Mexican restaurants that end up serving the same thing, but La Cruderia is going coastal with their offerings, along with a good number of Yucatan and eastern Mexican cuisine. I had heard of their legendary ceviche, but the menu was so much more robust with items such as tacos de chapulines (#2), one of my all-time faves in cochinita pibil, aguachiles, and an excellent vegetarian selection. The drinks are also a highlight, from micheladas to an excellent tequila selection, this is definitely a place to enjoy adult beverages with what amounts of a nice food spread. The menu is so vast that it's truly an adventure and one should seize the moment with every visit. I'd recommend bringing other mouths to spread the love and food, but if a solo visit is a must, then let it be during lunch where they have various specials. Things have been on the up and up for the Laredos, who have taken their botanero approach to another location in Spring Branch. I've been impressed with their efforts here and look forward to checking them out again sooner than later. ___________ (#1) When one can win over the local crowd and still attract outside interest, it's a bonafide winner. (#2) They can jump and they can be eaten. Just sayin.

Empanadas de Camaron
Nicolas F.

La Cruderia is a great place to visit. The shrimp empanadas were crispy, fluffy, and a nice twist. Street tacos were fresh and authentic. The enchiladas were good but fell a bit short than the other dishes. I felt the chicken was a bit dry and sauce not as flavorful as I hoped. Overall it had an authentic atmosphere, great lunch specials, and happy hour make this spot a must-visit. Definitely want to come back.

Thuy P.

I was excited to find out they serve taco de chapulin ( grasshopper taco) and it was good. Price range is very reasonable or on the cheap side . Service was nice .

Chilaquiles Verdes
Brandon R.

Amazing ceviche - best in Houston. Cant get enough of this place. Try the mango habanero shrimp and fish (upon request) and you shall not be disappointed. So good that we keep coming back. Also pictured chilaquiles. Tacos are fantastic and a great lunch and happy hour menu too. A+++ I would give this place 6 stars if I could. Great friendly service not a flashy place but high quality food and a fantastic atmosphere nice TV's a friendly bar and small patio. This place is legit.

Tortilla soup best in Houston!!
Suzanne T.

Top of my list for authentic Mexican food!! Their tortilla soup is the absolute best and we love their taco's gobar. I can go on and on! We bring our friends and family here and they love it! Those that are out of town and super impressed with the flavors! Don't skip this one. They are located close to Chinatown in houston. Just off of 59/69 before guessner. Love this place

Taco de Chapulines
Phu L.

Service was top notch. Food was even better. Spicy salsas. My wife loved the aguachile and street tacos. My empanada and burrito were delicioso. The tres leches was tres bien. Come check them out!

Chris H.

Very good food!! Super affordable! Love their happy hour deals! Highly recommend the ceviche here!

Playing his German Polka Banda on blast from his phone. Mohow

Food? Absolutely solid -- fresh, flavorful, and surprisingly affordable. Service and atmosphere? Completely missed the mark. A customer sat a few seats away blasting music from his phone on full volume while the restaurant already had music playing. It was disruptive the entire time and made it hard to enjoy the meal. What made it worse was the staff response. We mentioned it when checking out, and instead of addressing it, we were met with a dismissive smile and nothing was done. That tells me everything I need to know about how this place is managed. Good food can only carry a place so far -- if you're going to dine in, expect a "anything goes" environment. Great flavors, but not a place I'd return to for the experience. ¿La comida? Muy buena -- fresca, con buen sabor y sorprendentemente a buen precio. ¿El servicio y el ambiente? Muy por debajo de lo esperado. Un cliente estaba sentado a unos asientos de distancia con música a todo volumen desde su teléfono, mientras el restaurante ya tenía música puesta. Fue molesto todo el tiempo y arruinó completamente la experiencia. Lo peor fue la reacción del personal. Lo comentamos al pagar y, en lugar de hacer algo al respecto, simplemente lo ignoraron con una sonrisa. Eso dice mucho de cómo manejan el lugar. La buena comida no lo es todo -- si vas a comer ahí, prepárate para un ambiente donde "todo se vale". Buen sabor, pero no regresaría por la experiencia.

Wings
Ellie L.

First time trying this place cause we had no idea where to eat and it was an absolute 10/10. Place was clean and we were immediately attended. Our waiter was so nice I wish I had gotten her name cause she was awesome. As for the food we loved every bit of it even my little ones enjoyed it especially the dessert!!

Enchiladas Suizas
Carlos M.

Good people/service with a relaxed setting. All our food was fresh and great tasting. It's a perfect place for getting together with a smaller group of friends/family for some good Mexican food. The specialty seems to be seafood dishes and micheladas.

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4 months ago

I came for happy hour. The margarita was tiny, but the ceviche was well worth the visit. Fresh food and a lively atmosphere.

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5 months ago

it was okay, the ceviche was delicious. The birra tacos was amazing. The steak taco was pretty blend season wise.

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Best Mexican food in town! Totally recommended! Thumbs up! Micheladas are also awesome!

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Mexican Sugar Houston Montrose

4.2(697 reviews)
8.6 mi•Montrose, River Oaks
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The world is full of Mexican restaurants…read more Most are some version of Tex-Mex in a family-friendly, relatively similar environment. Nothing wrong with that. Mexican Sugar breaks that mold completely. This is the most legit, wonderful, bougie, over-the-top Mexican restaurant I have ever been to, and I mean that as the highest compliment possible. This was my second trip to Mexican Sugar. The first was in Grapevine. After this visit to the Montrose location, I have officially decided that when I am in Texas, I will seek these places out. They are that good. First, dress up. I doubt there is an actual dress code, but this is not the place where I am showing up looking like I just finished mowing the yard. Come here to be seen. Come here to show out a little. The place is beautiful and has that kind of vibe. Second, the drinks. Hell yes. Fancy, creative, excellent, and impressive enough for even the person who has seen every ridiculous cocktail presentation imaginable. And then there is the food. My God, the food. The salsa and queso are legit AF. The street corn is heaven in a bowl. Get several orders. I am serious. One is not enough. The carne asada was amazing. Honestly, I could keep going, but at some point this review is just going to become me yelling about how much I love Mexican Sugar. I LOVE MEXICAN SUGAR. OK, YOU GET THE IDEA. WHY AM I YELLING? BACK TO THE REVIEW.... Service was excellent too. The place is huge and was absolutely packed, but our server stayed attentive and the food came out surprisingly quickly. Make a reservation. Park in the nearby garage. Dress nice. Order the drinks. Get the street corn. Then get more street corn. Who is ready for another trip to Houston? I'll book the reservation at Mexican Sugar.

Went to Mexican Sugar for a friend's birthday with a pretty big group, and overall we had a great…read moretime! Our server was really nice and did a good job keeping up with such a large table, especially with the restaurant being so busy. The restaurant was pretty packed and definitely loud, but it made for a fun, lively atmosphere for a birthday celebration. The food was solid, and the drinks were definitely a highlight--they were fun and had some creative options. Overall, I'd say it's a good place for a group celebration if you're looking for good food, fun drinks, and a lively atmosphere!

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Maximo - Tostada

Maximo

4.6(184 reviews)
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Maximo is always great! Highly recommended for anyone looking for brunch or dinner. The ambiance is…read morechill, the service is great, and the staff are friendly and very attentive. The food is excellent, and honestly, everything is great! If you're in the area, you should definitely stop by. The photos look great, but experiencing it for yourself is even better. Self parking next to it and reservations are best . I've been before and was seated outside due to not having reservations.

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Dona Leti's - Mini fajita steak street tacos

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Taco Tuesday at Don Leti's and BABYYYYY, they understood the assignment!…read more Being from LA, we're a little picky when it comes to Mexican food. We know good Mexican food, so our expectations were definitely high! We arrived and had about a 10-minute wait for a table, which wasn't bad at all. They also offer complimentary valet parking (tips suggested), which is always a nice little perk! Our waiter, Alonzo, was great! Friendly, attentive, and made sure we were taken care of the entire time. Now let's get into these drinks! We ordered the Henny Margaritas, and when I tell you those drinks were DRINKING! By the time I finished mine, I was only operating with ONE eye! They were not playing around with the Hennessy! We started with the Surf & Turf Queso, and OMG, it was soooo good! It came with both tortillas and chips, but personally, I preferred the tortillas. Something about scooping up that cheesy goodness with a warm tortilla just hit different! For my entree, I ordered the Combination Plate because I'm the type of girl who wants a little bit of EVERYTHING! I chose the Al Pastor Taco, Chicken Enchiladas, and Carne Asada Quesadilla. My husband went with the Birria Sampler Platter. Let me tell you, EVERYTHING was delicious! The portions were HUGE! We honestly could've ordered one plate and shared it because it was that much food. Needless to say, we left with leftovers! Between the delicious food, strong margaritas, generous portions, and great service from Alonzo, Don Leti's definitely earned our approval! And coming from two LA folks who take their Mexican food seriously, that's saying something! Would we come back? ABSOLUTELY! But next time, we might share a plate... although knowing us, we'll probably still order everything!

I ordered a surf and turf burrito, and for 25$ I expected a better tasting burrito…read more I dont know if that's how the burrito is supposed to come but mine only included meat cheese and rice. The menu stated it would come with cheese, sour cream, lettuce and tomato. Maybe it was just so busy I got the wrong food.

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Candente - Museum District - Beans and rice

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4.1(651 reviews)
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Anytime you greet me at the door, it's a plus! Another hidden gem in Houston, the customer is Grade…read moreA and the food along with soft and not too loud music playing to fit restaurant. I love the fact that they were ready with vegan options and they did not miss. My dish was the Bow tie pasta loaded with veggies and flavor that transport you what you would think fearing in Italy would be like. Me thinking I would need a doggy bag and my stomach saying not today. The food freshly prepared and served. Also my cup stayed filled as well. They also have sufficient parking at the facility, so no valeting or pay meters. This one definitely goes on the list of returns. So, until the next time!! Bye - Bye!

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Toca Madera

Toca Madera

4.0(698 reviews)
9.8 mi•Fourth Ward, Montrose
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We came to celebrate a birthday and the experience was one for the books! DJ was amazing! Super…read morefriendly, made sure that we were comfortable, and gave some excellent suggestions! The food was the delicious and and drinks were flowing! Definitely a hidden gem.

4/5 Stars | Delicious food, great vibes, but those PRICES?!…read more As a girlie who LOVES to eat and has no problem spending money on amazing food, Toca Madera definitely had me questioning some of these prices! I appreciate fine dining, beautiful ambiance, and a luxury experience, but WHEW! Maybe it's because I travel to Europe often, where I can practically buy two bottles of wine for the price of one glass here, but some of these prices felt like a reach. Let's start with the $44 truffle mac and cheese. FORTY-FOUR DOLLARS FOR A SIDE?! At that point, the mac and cheese better be the main character, come with its own reservation, and pay a portion of my mortgage. LMAO! I wanted to try it, but respectfully passed. Now, let's talk FOOD because they definitely know what they're doing in that kitchen! Fried Calamari: 10/10. WICKED delicious! I'm extremely picky about calamari, and they absolutely nailed it. Easily one of my favorites! Passion Fruit Fire Shots: 10/10. Of course, we had to try the trending fire shots! Delicious and such a fun addition to the experience. Salmon: My entrée, although I originally wanted the scallops. That changed REAL QUICK when I learned it was $59 for FOUR scallops. FOUR?! My bio literally says I'm a big back at heart. I came to EAT! For that price, I personally couldn't justify the portion. Sea Bass Tacos: My husband loved these! Generously sized with a nice spicy kick, but nothing overwhelming. Cilantro Lime Rice: 10/10. SO GOOD! We both ordered it, but honestly could've shared one side. Brown Butter Cake: 100/10. BABYYYY! This dessert deserves its own spotlight. Absolutely delicious! I'd genuinely return just for this cake. Might even attempt recreating it at home! Now, here's why I'm giving four stars. We were celebrating our nine-year wedding anniversary, and while the service was friendly and attentive, the dining experience felt rushed. It was very much, "Ready to order? Ready for your next course? Ready for dessert?" And I'm over here like, can a girlie enjoy her husband and her wine for a second?! Maybe European dining has spoiled me, but I appreciate taking my time, enjoying conversation, and savoring each course. Especially at this price point, I want to enjoy the experience without feeling like we're on a schedule. Then came the awkward anniversary dessert situation. We ordered the brown butter cake, but they brought out a brownie with ice cream that said "Happy Anniversary." Naturally, we assumed it was for us and started eating it. Our waitress realized the mistake and actually took it away from us MID-BITE! Having worked in the serving industry, I personally would've let the guests finish it, especially since the mistake wasn't ours. It was just awkward and unnecessary. And considering we were still charged for our anniversary dessert, the whole situation felt even stranger. For a restaurant positioned as luxury dining, a small complimentary anniversary dessert or champagne would've been a thoughtful touch. Not something I expect, but those little gestures elevate an experience. Also, this restaurant is DARK. And I mean dark as hell! Beautiful, sexy ambiance, but you might need a flashlight for that menu. I also witnessed drinks being spilled on guests at two different tables, so that was interesting! My final thoughts Food? Absolutely delicious! Ambiance? Beautiful, trendy, and definitely a vibe. Service? Friendly, but the pacing and attention to certain details could improve. Pricing? Definitely on the extreme side for what you're getting. For two people, we spent over $300, just FYI! Would I return? Yes, but preferably with a larger group so we could order different dishes and sides to share and experience more of the menu. I wish I could give Toca Madera 4.5 stars because the food deserves recognition. But between the pricing and a few service moments, I can't quite justify five. At the end of the day, I don't mind paying for luxury dining, but there's a difference between paying for quality and paying for the hype. Come for the food, stay for the vibes, and make sure your wallet has eaten before you arrive! Overall, a lovely anniversary dinner with some seriously delicious food, just a few things I wish had been different!

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La Cruderia - mexican - Updated October 2026

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