The Original Ninfa's on Navigation
The original Ninfa's in Houston Serving Authentic Mexican Cuisine
(713) 228-1175
2704 Navigation Blvd
(at Canal Street)
Houston,
TX
77003
29.757213
-95.34266
Neighborhoods: South Central, Second Ward
What People Are Saying About The Original Ninfa's on Navigation
The Owner
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation
Owner
Located on Navigation Boulevard just minutes from the heart of downtown Houston, the Original Ninfa's was all started with Mama Ninfa Laurenzo's creative TexMex recipes. These led to the introduction of fajitas & Mexican cuisine to North America which gained immediate success.
If you're looking for a Houston Mexican restaurant, Ninfa's on Navigation is not only a local icon, having serviced politicians, celebrities & even visiting royalty, their Mexican food is unbeatable. Chef Alex Padilla uses only top quality ingredients, like Mama Ninfa herself did, & fresh Gulf of Mexico seafood like red snapper, jumbo shrimp & more.
Voted Best Margaritas, you can enjoy Ninfaritas on the outdoor deck, dine on the best Mexican dishes & fajitas around & truly enjoy the great restaurant experience.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
Ask anyone who's ever been to this original Ninfa's if it's better than the franchises around the city and you'll get a resounding "yes." Local socials know to flock here by 7pm Sunday nights for the high-energy scene. Tex-Mex purists delight in the kitschy decor and Tecate. Still, those looking for great fajitas and love to watch the women make the tortillas are content with the whole enchilada.
User Reviews
edglor2009
July 07, 2009
A very kind hotel driver recomended this place to us as one of the kind restaurant, so it seemed like a good idea until we met Jose L. our waiter who I think he knew we were from out of town, well long story short , when we place our order for individual drinks (original margaritas) he in fact got us 2 pitchers with some sweet syrup shoots, we just said oh well, but suddenly unrequested appetizers arrived to our table at that point when we ordered with him our main meal things only got worst specially because we follow his recommendations and got food for 12 people when in fact we were only 5, which at the end got 20% grattuity added,service overall was ok, I noticed that you only get water if you ask for it, go figured that one... I will be having second thoughts about coming back there again unless I get the guy on the video to wait on me.
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amywerst
June 25, 2009
If you end up with "Ernesto" for your waiter, turn around and leave immediately. My family went out for a nice meal and ended up with probably the worst restaurant experience ever. We didn't even see our waiter until he showed up with another table's food. We sat their waiting for him to notice the NINE new people in his section for about 20 minutes before my husband finally flagged him down and told him we were ready to order. He NEVER asked about beverages, forcing us to beg him twice to bring us glaaes of WATER!!!! Thank goodness the food arrived quicly, though he never even asked what kind of dressing I wanted for my salad, so I had to use the green salsa. Once the food arrived we literally never saw him again. IF GRATUITY IS GOING TO BE MANDATORY FOR PARTIES OVER 6, THE WAITER CAN'T BE INCOMPETENT!!!!!
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swyzlstyx
May 04, 2009
I've been a few times over the years (usually not by my choice), and with each visit it seemed to go a little downhill . Last time we were in a group of eight, which I knew would be a mistake, but I figured my family members from the suburbs knew of the place and wouldn't be scared to eat there. The dining room was so cramped, we could hardly get up to use the bathroom...which would probably be a good thing since the bathroom was so disgusting I felt like I was at an old truck stop. The floor of the dining room was so slippery with grease that I nearly fell. Service was not good. Food was average....I mean...it's just tex-mex. The prices last time I went were WAY more than what most Mexican food places in that area charge. The prices would be expensive even if it were a fancy place in the 'burbs! It's pretty obvious why. The parking lot was filled with high-end SUV's and I didn't actually see any Mexicans eating there. This place is purely a "ghetto-chic" trandy place for out-of-towners to get the Tex-Mex food they know from the suburbs. If you're wanting to impress your friends by taking them to a Mexican place in a neighborhood where they wouldn't normally go to, try any of the countless other places in the area. Don't be scared...just pick any one of them and simply stop in...most of them have more authentic food, and WAY better prices. I mean, really, $18 for some beef rolled up in a tortilla and some refried beans and rice?
read full reviewThe Details on The Original Ninfa's on Navigation
What to Drink:
The lime-laden Ninfaritas. But watch out, because they pack a punch.
Category:
Mexican, Restaurants, Catering
Payment Methods:
Check, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Late Night Dining, Lunch Spot, Group Dining
General Info:
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
Yes
Message from The Original Ninfa's on Navigation
- Houston Mexican Restaurant
- Voted Best Margaritas
- Weekend Brunch/Outdoor Dining
Located on Navigation Boulevard just minutes from the heart of downtown Houston, the Original Ninfa's was all started with Mama Ninfa Laurenzo's creative TexMex recipes. These led to the introduction of fajitas & Mexican cuisine to North America which gained immediate success.
If you're looking for a Houston Mexican restaurant, Ninfa's on Navigation is not only a local icon, having serviced politicians, celebrities & even visiting royalty, their Mexican food is unbeatable. Chef Alex Padilla uses only top quality ingredients, like Mama Ninfa herself did, & fresh Gulf of Mexico seafood like red snapper, jumbo shrimp & more.
Voted Best Margaritas, you can enjoy Ninfaritas on the outdoor deck, dine on the best Mexican dishes & fajitas around & truly enjoy the great restaurant experience.
