Tila's Mexican Restaurante & Bar

The Scene – Take it to Tila's tiny terra-cotta adobe for smooth margaritas and earthy, Santa Fe-style ambience. Expect a well-heeled clientele who are comfortable forking over extra pesos to hang in their element and nosh on designer Mexican food. – – The Food – Sophisticated eating starts with rosy, tequila-marinated smoked salmon or rich nutmeg-laced corn and carrot bisque. Don't let the poorly dressed ensalada No. 1 derail you. Keep it complex with engaging (albeit uneven) mains: stuffed chicken endive or spicy pork tenderloin medallions with basil-mint pesto. Or…

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Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:: It's easy to miss this hidden turn on the Shepherd curve (across from Backstreet Cafe). Look for the giant dragonfly on the building. Parking is tight; use valet.
What to Drink:: 'Ritas are smashing--rocks or martini-style. Also, count on affordable wines by the glass.

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User Reviews (38)

ambiance	91.66999816894531% positive	“The outdoor patio is fun to sit on, and the interior of the restaurant is decorated in a very fun way as well.” “The food may be good, but the atmosphere does not make up for it.” “plus the parking is terrible too!” “The food was perfection, the margaritas were great, the atmosphere was relaxing and fun, and the staff was supreme.” “Tila's has a very warm, inviting atmosphere.” “It has good atmosphere, and the service is outstanding.” “The atmosphere is softenend by the warm colors, and the outdoor deck, with its overhanging plants, offers a sense of intimacy while still being outdoors.” “The atmosphere is nice but the food is just average.” “great atmosphere and great margaritas” “You will enjoy the atmosphere outside on cool summer nights with the small chimeneas to the blankets and heaters available.” “We sat outside on the patio for brunch, and it was a very nice atmosphere.” “Only big drawback is the abyssmal parking situation, on par with it's tasty neighbor Backstreet Cafe.”
dessert	66.66999816894531% positive	“Their margaritas are excellent, and their triple chocolate cake is, well.” “The word "decadence" does not begin to describe this fantastic desert.” “So, the staff of Tila's then brings out a HORRIBLE raspberry flavored cake for the birthday girl.”
drinks	100.0% positive	“The host was very friendly and helpful in getting us seats at the bar for the few minutes we had to wait for a table.”
food quality	90.0% positive	“Chips and salsa very stale and bland.” “The salmon marinated in tequila and the trio of enchiladas was great!” “The food may be good, but the atmosphere does not make up for it.” “can only say ask for Frank, eat here, and be ready to have good food great service and a good time.” “The grilled chicken is the best I have ever had, the gazpacho is filling and delicious, and the ensalada one is a dream.” “Great food and friendly owner” “Although the food was alright, the customer service here is just so terrible.” “Great food and great sevice” “The atmosphere is nice but the food is just average.” “It has fabulous outdoor dining, and the chicken endive is to die for.” “This one is real authentic Mexican food and it is delicious.” “The food was perfection, the margaritas were great, the atmosphere was relaxing and fun, and the staff was supreme.” “We ordered several appetizers, carne asada and chicken enchilades, all of which were incredible.” “The food was excellent - unique dishes (particularly the specials), the right amount of spice and pretty healthy (at least on a relative basis).” “My boyfriend and I eat there frequently and we have never had a bad dish.” “We had the best time sampling tequilas and eating some great mexican food!” “The food tastes as great as it looks.” “While I would agree that Tila's is not the most authentic Mexican food in Houston, it is, however, extremely tasty fare.” “My 1st time experience was great for service, food, staff attention.” “The food is always fresh and not loaded down with cheesy oil (like other mexican food).” “love the chips and the warm salsa is the best I have had in public.” “Mexican standards are well-prepared, and for the vegitarians, Tilas offers a bevvy of tasty meal options.” “The food is simply divine and as i said covers a wide variety, which I love.” “had chilequiles with scrambled egg which was delicious!” “The service is usually very good, the food is really good.” “If you're looking for great food, service and tequila then Tila's is for you!” “It's packed with all sorts of interesting Mexican art, but is still full of room to relax and enjoy the excellent food.” “Only big drawback is the abyssmal parking situation, on par with it's tasty neighbor Backstreet Cafe.” “am a huge Tex-Mex fan and this is what I was expecting here, but I was pleasantly surprised by the food, which was still Mexican but definitely of a different flavor.” “The authentic quesadillas were amazing, as were the chilequiles with green sauce.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“Also, the tequila list is long and has a wide variety, which makes a great option for their margaritas.” “The food is simply divine and as i said covers a wide variety, which I love.” “Mexican standards are well-prepared, and for the vegitarians, Tilas offers a bevvy of tasty meal options.” “The menu is quite extensive for how small of a place it is.” “They have an incredible variety of tequila too - just ask for their tequila list and you'll see for yourself.”
overall	100.0% positive	“It is a great place to take a date.” “just recently went to a great mexican restaurant on the curve of south shepherd in the river oaks this weekend.” “It's a great place to go with a few friends.” “best waiter in a mexican restaurant” “recommend finding a nice up scale restaurant where customer service comes first, then making money.” “Overall, this restaurant is a nice place to check out but don?”
return potential	100.0% positive	“This restaurant is highly recommended and we plan to return this coming weekend!”
service	78.16999912261963% positive	“It has good atmosphere, and the service is outstanding.” “Our bartender, Roberto, was very knowledgeable, attentive, friendly and offered great advice.” “The service is usually very good, the food is really good.” “read below about the slow service and I wanted to comment on that.” “Service was terrible: took forever before we saw our waiter, he told us our plates came with items that they did not come with, came to refill our waters that he never brought us, and he charged us the worng amount.” “Although the food was alright, the customer service here is just so terrible.” “So, the staff of Tila's then brings out a HORRIBLE raspberry flavored cake for the birthday girl.” “Their valet service is wonderful and FREE.” “Great food and friendly owner” “In our experience, the service is outstanding.” “My 1st time experience was great for service, food, staff attention.” “The host was very friendly and helpful in getting us seats at the bar for the few minutes we had to wait for a table.” “We found the staff to be very friendly and concerned with making sure we enjoyed our dinner.” “recommend finding a nice up scale restaurant where customer service comes first, then making money.” “Starting of from the time you arrive until the time you leave the service is great!” “best waiter in a mexican restaurant” “Ask for Alex. Alex is one of the best bartenders in town, and with an awesome sense of humor, he can make anyone's bad day turn good.” “Our waiter was quite friendly but not overbearing, and he even sent a staff member over who had been to the nearby comedy club we were going to give us directions and make sure we took the best route.” “The food was perfection, the margaritas were great, the atmosphere was relaxing and fun, and the staff was supreme.” “can only say ask for Frank, eat here, and be ready to have good food great service and a good time.” “If you're looking for great food, service and tequila then Tila's is for you!”
value	100.0% positive	“Fresh ingredient, Value for your money.” “recommend finding a nice up scale restaurant where customer service comes first, then making money.” “The prices were also very reasonable.” “am a huge Tex-Mex fan and this is what I was expecting here, but I was pleasantly surprised by the food, which was still Mexican but definitely of a different flavor.”
wait time	66.66999816894531% positive	“The host was very friendly and helpful in getting us seats at the bar for the few minutes we had to wait for a table.” “read below about the slow service and I wanted to comment on that.” “Also, the tequila list is long and has a wide variety, which makes a great option for their margaritas.”

05/17/12

we'll be back!

by klappjenn

Amazing chilaquiles tradicionales- perfect! we will be back again!

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05/01/12

Tila makes me feel so welcome!!!!

by ReggieBibbs

This is a review not only for Tila's Restaurant but also a testimony for the wonderfulness of its owner, Tila. The food is terrific! Every time I go I get something different which quickly becomes my new favorite. I probably have had the Pork Medallions the most and each time they've been incredible. I would have licked the plate if I wasn't in public! So the food being outstanding is a given. But what makes Tila's truly unique is, well, Tila! Before I continue, I should tell you that I am somewhat disfigured by a disorder called neurofibromatosis. In fact, I have what is considered a severe case. Because of this disfigurement, I don't like to go out in public because I don't want anybody to feel uncomfortable around me. Luckily, a friend of mine brought me to Tila's after the Art Car Parade last year and I almost cried! When we entered the restaurant, we were immediately welcomed by Tila as if we were old friends. She guided us to a great table by the bar and fussed over us for about 5 minutes. I told her about my disorder and I could tell that she was about to cry before she left the table. Five minutes later, the waiter arrived with complimentary appetizers; ceviche, guacamole and queso with tortillas! During the meal, she came by to make sure everything was good and surprised us by picking up the check!!! I asked if I could take my picture with her and she said, "No, let me take a picture with you!" Then she invited all the servers that were nearby to join us in the photo. When we left she made me promise to come back as soon as I could and now we are Facebook friends. I think sometimes it just as important to rate a restaurant by how they treat you as much as how good the food is. I love Tila as much as I love her food, which is a lot! My name is Reggie Bibbs and I approve of this review.

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04/04/12

Carne asada to die for!

by acmefish

I've known Tila for over 20 years and have always enjoyed the presentation of her entrees almost as much as tasting them. If you've never been to Tila's, I recommend her carne asada with creamed spinach and roasted potatoes. It is quite phenomenal. In fact, I can't even think of the appropriate adjective to describe the juiciest, most flavorful meal I have ever had. Oh, by the way, order it with the garlic sauce! Guess where I'm going after I send this comment?!! Yep!

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02/28/12

Great experience at Tila's

by MHedemann

I love Tila's unique spin on mexican food. Their food is always fresh & flavorful. I especially love their ceviche, gazpacho & stuffed avocado. Their margaritas are some of the best in the city...using fresh lime juice. Their warm salsa is to die for! We will be returning soon!

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01/14/11

Warning: Dont G!!!I wish I had read the reviews before going

by Teege

Will never go back.

My fiance and I went on a Friday for Lunch. We had driven by a few times and thought it looked interesting.

I have eaten every level of Mexican food and not only was the food not interesting, but how do you mess up Poblano stuffed with Mango... you add some kind of gritty /chewy/bland ingrediant that is unidentifiable. The creamed spinach had so much cheese (and I think it was Kraft Slices) there was no other taste. And to make it worse we really overpaid for the lack of quality.

Now the Waiter, who we rarely saw, could not even work the credit card machine. We never got water refils. and then t took him 26 minutes to run the credit card and had to finally have the other waiter run it. we had no idea why he was walking outside and waiting on other customers when he had taken my fiance's card back.

Tila's Mexican Restaurante & Bar

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What People Are Saying About Tila's Mexican Restaurante & Bar

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Editor's Tips

05/17/12

we'll be back!

by klappjenn

05/01/12

Tila makes me feel so welcome!!!!

by ReggieBibbs

04/04/12

Carne asada to die for!

by acmefish

02/28/12

Great experience at Tila's

by MHedemann

01/14/11

Warning: Dont G!!!I wish I had read the reviews before going

by Teege

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