Canyon Cafe

Doesn't Recommend

TeresaMo

Joined 5 years ago

Mediocre and Expensive!. This is located in the Galleria area. Having frequented the area it looked like a neat place to try, and when we looked it up on our phone, it was tagged with "vegetarian" so we headed there.

The chips + salsa are awesome. Our waiter was nice but made a few mistakes. The chef sent out free white chocolate pecan tamales which were good but super sweet, they made my teeth hurt. Other than that, all over our food was extremely bathed in butter. I try to eat healthy and this wasn't what I expected. In fact my stomach didn't feel normal for 2 days.

On the other hand, the cocktails were good. I enjoyed a margarita on the rocks with cranberry and prickly pear juice, it wasn't strong but that didn't bother me.

We won't be back unless it's just for drinks!

Doesn't Recommend

veronica_vielma

Joined 5 years ago

NEVER ... ever... Again. So, first time I go to this Place... My first thought is Yum... since I moved to Houston I have always wanted to visit this place... So, as we come upstairs we are greeted by this very unprofessional, raggedly staff... we are seated outside, the weather was perfect! But the ambiance was very disappointing (tables were dirty, chairs were everywhere, and well it just didn’t look right)… The waiter that came to attend us seemed to be very nice… as a matter of fact he was very courteous… so our first appetizer arrived; I only have one word YUCK! Their Sonoma spring rolls had a hateful taste… Our second appetizer came and well to have asked for Carne Con Queso I kept wondering where was the “Carne…” So my companion’s plate arrived he had requested the Tequila Trout Dinner Special… OMG tasteless fish, how can you mess up a fried fish??? The rice was disgusting, and the presentation said it all… My plate arrived I decided to go for simple Tex-Mex Beef Fajitas and well… I swear it tasted like 100% Worcestershire sauce… the Tortillas were RAW and guacamole wasn’t green it was brown ,the rice was so not appetizing, and the beans… I couldn’t find them… So… I kept wondering what was good in this restaurant… As our waiter noticed our discomfort he sent the manager to our table who was kind enough to apologize and remove all the charges from our check… I would NOT try this place again… the only way you can ENJOY this food is after you have drank 2 pitchers of their so famous Margaritas!

Doesn't Recommend

36Isabel

Joined 3 years ago

Ick. Nice to be able to eat outside if the weather is cool enough.

Inconsistent waitstaff-some are horrible-some really care and provide a good experience.

Food is NOT good. I don't think it is prepared here. Maybe it comes frozen or something.

Margaritas are decent, but kinda expensive.

Parking can be a hassle.

Recommends

houstongirl1010

Joined 8 years ago

one of my favorite restaurant for years. Ive gone to Canyon Cafe a dozen times and have always left 100% satisfied. The service is always wonderful and enjoy the rustic and woodsy environment. I love their food, its spicy, zesty and authentic. Their chips and white chocolate after dinner sticks are things I always look forward to when Im there. I like that their food is influenced by a native american flair as well. Their prices are affordable and they give generous portions.

Though, eek, the tuna thing freaked me out, Im so sorry that happened to the reviewer before, yikes.

Doesn't Recommend

mrocio1984

Joined 4 years ago

Made me sick with Scombroid!!. I had the tuna and it was delicious. About an hour after I left I got nausea and my face and chest were splotchy red. I then started having trouble breathing, so I went to my doctor. Turns out I had scombroid po isoning, AKA histamine poisoing. When certain fish, including tuna, are not kept at under 40 degrees F, they are susceptible to a natural process that makes them dangerous to eat. So basically, someone left this fish out and then cooked it (even cooking fully does not get rid of this). When I called to restaurant to let them know (they should throw away their tuna) the manager said, "Oh yes, I have heard of that before. Someone else got sick not very long ago". I regret not reporting them to Health and Human Services, because other people have probably gotten sick.

Recommends

rootiebaga

Joined 5 years ago

The best experience. Intriguing entrance. Warm atmosphere. Exceptional food. Exceptional service. Our waiter (Matthew) provided the best service above and beyond the norm. I was with an out of town guest and was very proud to have your restaurant leave such a favorable impression. Not only will I be back, I will recommend you to as many as I can. Thank you very much.

Doesn't Recommend

lindsay83

Joined 8 years ago

Fast service, but food and drinks not worth your time. The atmosphere here is interesting, a little less rusticity and a bit more sophistication would make it even better.

Service was fast and friendly, and that might have something to do with the lack of customers and the poor waitstaff that are trying to make rent.

The food and margaritas are disappointing, I was expecting at least mediocre tex-mex and a great margarita. Sadly, the margarita tasted strongly of mass produced "pre-mix", the salsa tasted like it had been sitting out all day, and the food was questionable.

Don't waste your time, skip Canyon Cafe and go straight to Pappasito's.

Recommends

houston_aggie

Joined 6 years ago

Fast lunch!. I went there with a co-worker for lunch. We were greeted and seated quickly. Nice, cozy, casual atmosphere. Food was good, but portion sizes are on the small side (co-worker had fajitas and got 5 pieces of meat). Fast, friendly service. Entire lunch only took 30 minutes!

Recommends

jsmi54

Joined 6 years ago

Great food, great customer service. We had our son's rehearsal dinner here and they did an outstanding job. Christina, the event planner was very helpful and gave great customer service. Oliver is a great waiter, always ask for him. The room was decorated nicely with their menus printed with their names and date on it. Everyone was having a great time, it was hard for us to get them to go home.

They let us try everything that we wantrd to serve and more. It was hard to make a decision, it was all so good.

A big issue with my husband was that there were enough servers, he did not want people waiting for drinks or dinners and they supplied enough waiters that theyservice was very prompt and courteous

We have returned many times.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

The Houston outpost of this Southwestern favorite features a prime Galleria-adjacent location and tangy "limit two" margaritas.. The Scene
The second-story restaurant is open and airy, filled with a mix of couples and lively groups of margarita imbibers. Dark woods and Southwestern-style decor add to the welcoming atmosphere. A large curved bar with a number of small tables sits off to one side.

The Food
Starting with the chips and salsa (a mix of sweet potato, corn chips and spicy won tons with warm salsa), the Southwestern menu stands apart from average Tex-Mex. Start with the egg roll-like shrimp Del Rio, a rolled tortilla filled with roasted corn, Jack cheese and Gulf shrimp then fried. Chile relleno is stuffed with fajita meat, mushrooms and snakebite beans, then topped with ranchero sauce and melted cheese. Fish tacos are vibrant and flavorful, the zesty margarita slaw perfectly complementing blackened fish. Salads, fajitas, quesadillas and pasta dishes round out the menu. Don't miss house margaritas by the pitcher, or the hand-shaken, top shelf Conmemorativo.