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The Original Ninfa's On NavigationThe Original Ninfa's On Navigation
(713) 228-1175
2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX | Directions
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- Neighborhoods:
- Second Ward, South Central
- Categories:
- Restaurants, Catering, Restaurants, Catering
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At a Glance
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76% ambiance
“There is a better family run mexican restaurant across the street that seems to use much more fresh ingredients, but the atmosphere is more family oriented and not as "fun" if you're out with a young group.”
0% drinks
“The food when I finally got it was cold portions are much smaller than they ever were and my drink was watered down.”
83% food quality
“the food was great and the service was quick.”
50% menu variety
“The prices are skyhigh, the tables are crowded together, the lighting so dim I had to ask for matches to read the menu, drinks TERRIBLY expensive”
78% overall
“Maybe "back in the day" this was a nice place with good food but let's face it - today, Ninfa's on Navigation is old, over-priced, and with nothing special going for it other than it was the original restaurant of a now unsuccessful chain of mexicanameric”
75% service
“The food isn't nearly as good as it used to be and the service is worse.”
56% value
“most of them have more authentic food, and WAY better prices.”
33% wait time
“the food was great and the service was quick.”
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The Original Ninfa's On Na…
From The Owner of The Original Ninfa's On Navigation
The Original Ninfa's
@ninfasoriginal
Happy Mother's Day! Mom's Brunch tomorrow at Ninfa's -- Rose Petal Margaritas and Chef Alex Specials like Mexican... http://t.co/Tlypto3nFX
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7 days ago
What Our Expert Scouts Say
December 13, 2012
Famous for their tacos al carbon, Chef Alex Padilla has upped the ante since joining Ninfa's a few years ago with higher quality ingredients and innovative dishes. Don't miss his wonderful ceviche (Chowhound Ceviche Throw-down Winner) or discover a dish from his native Yucatan, Cochinita Pibil. Tender pork is marinated in citrus and achiote paste, covered in tomatoes and onions and wrapped and roasted in banana leaves - served with habanero-pickled onions and Mexican crema - Cochinita Pibil, makes me want to squeal! Que rico!
0
Heart
December 01, 2012
The original. The best. Get queso flameado for the table, mixed fajitas with refried black beans and margaritas by the pitcher
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Heart
March 11, 2012
A Houston institution, this original manages a down-home, friendly vibe. The homemade chips with queso are a must. So are the margaritas.
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Heart
Tips for The Original Ninfa's On Navigation
October 09, 2012
Wow. Amazing. Everytime I have out of town friends in from places other than TX, I take them to Ninfa's! Always a memorable place!
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Heart
September 26, 2011
Beware of the Seafood. Took friends to Ninfas for dinner and was very disappointed. Ordered the seafood ceviche as an appetizer and beef taco carbon as an entree. I noticed that the seafood ceviche tasted a liitle strange, but I assumed it was just the marinade. I had eaten the tacos carbon before with no issue. Little did I know that I would be in for the worst night ever. I had stomach pains at night and all the next day. My husband had the appetizer as well and had some stomach issues. This was one dinner that I regret. Avoid the seafood and you should be fine.
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Heart
April 14, 2011
Houston's Worst Mexican Restaurant. Drove a long way to eat at the original ninfa's mexican restaurant on navigation street only to get the very worst service...not the first time it happens but since I had guest's from out of town that had heard of this FINE DINING MEXICAN RESTUARANT I chose to give them another chance to hopefully impress me. I once again had the same lady take our order and once again was overcharged by $30. Got home tonight and when I looked at the bill I noticed I had been overcharged yet again. It would have been fine if the Beef Fajitas were good ..but they were not. The Beef Fajitas were dry and overcooked and extremely hard to chew, it felt like chewing on plastic! The Tortillas De Harina were not even cooked...one side only and the other side was not...you could still see the lard and flour thru the middle of them. I was so embaressed with my Out of Town guests that are Professionals at eating at a Fine Mexican Restaurant since they live in San Antonio and own a very prestigious Fine Mexican Restaurant. It's a shame that Ninfa's is not the old Ninfa's that once had good food or for that matter even good service. If you do decide to go even after reading this honest review make sure you drink several margaritas so you won't notice the overcharge on the bill and the bad food and service. Good Luck, you will need it!
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Heart
March 12, 2011
Not Like It Use To Be.
Poor Mama Ninfa is probably turning over in her grave.
When her empire collapsed, she could often be found back where at all started on Navigation.
Even with a bum leg, she would still do the meet and greet stuff...it made you feel special, the food mybe because of her larger than life persona made the food glo as well.
This corp version with a just good enough taste isn't worth the trouble of getting there.
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Heart
February 05, 2011
Love this place!.
such great food and atmosphere!
all the reviews say it's not what it used to be, but to me its still wonderful!
highly recommended!
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Heart
January 02, 2011
Catering to a different palate.... In a nutshell, the "original" Ninfas of years past is LONG GONE. Over our last few visits (breakfast and dinner) the quality of the food and service leave MUCH to be desired, especially when "authentic" mexican or tex-mex is always around the corner. Let's say that: the salsa has lost its kick, the staff is spotty in its service (to say the least), mexican hot chocolate has been replaced with cappuccino, and they'll happily bring out substitutes when ingredients run out the door. Surprisingly, 'gringos' and others love to frequent it. Are they not tex-mex connoisseurs? or are they led there by a somewhat lively atmosphere? or did they come in from the Woodlands for a game and got caught in downtown?
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Heart
October 03, 2010
Overrated. Those looking for authentic Mexican dishes need to look elsewhere. Seems almost everything here is drowned in melted cheese. The prices are high and the service is overwhelmed by the large crowds. Unless you are absolutely looking for something in melted cheese , then best go somewhere else.
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Heart
August 05, 2010
Delicious!. It is crazy how the original just tastes so much better than the rest! The service is outstanding as well! I will drive 20 minutes out of the way just to get their wave margarita! Such a quality restaurant!
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Heart
June 20, 2010
Ninfa's Decline in Quality. I've been going to Ninfa's on Navigation for over 40 years. In the early 80's a friend and I even had a table next to Carol Burnett and a few of her guests in the small dining room one night. Ninfa's used to have the best pork tamales ever. However, they changed the recipe a few years ago and the tamales became just so-so. Tonight, they had changed the recipe again, and all I got was a couple of corn meal rolls with a little melted pork fat and juice for flavor...where's the pork??? I'm very, very disappointed at having driven 25 miles into town for a really bad meal.
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Heart
February 20, 2010
Great food!. Great food for a weekend afternoon! A picture of margaritas (just like in mexico!) I want to go now!!
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Heart
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