06/29/09

HORRIBLE place to Dine at!!

by mgarza2734

When i first got there the waiter told me he was recommending the fajita fiesta to our party of 30 because it was easier, and i suggested we needed menus because i was sure not everyone wanted that dish. He never refilled our soda, was extremely rude and sarcastic. The customer service was horrible, and to top it off there was only 1 waiter for our party of 30, and we were not his only big party. Then he overcharged one person in our party for the 1lb fajiata dinner that feeds two people when my friend pointed on the menu and showed him the 1/2 pound. This is not the first time i have heard of overcharging at this place, so beware and check your receipts. I am making a complaint to the SBB and have this restaurant investigated for fraudulent charges to customers. I was very unhappy. Had the waiter been nicer I would have tipped double what the gratuity was. The food was also not that great. The fajitas that my friend ordered were very fatty. Gross!!!! Horrible all over.

• Cons:  1 rude, sarcastic waiter for our party of 30,& overcharged

11/29/08

If I could give it zero stars, I would be all over that!

by diekosiskak

After combing through the bulk of the reviews and considering my own expierence, I have concluded that the management or the staff have been writing the deceiving "above average+" reviews. The food was way-way below par (judging based on food sampled on at least three continents). The meat quality was not even suited for canning!!!! If you order beef brisket, would you expect nicely cubed pieces of fat?! Moreover, I thought it was quite akward to receive a mixture of rice and past as a side ... After living in (and eating my way through) Houston for three months, I have to say that this restaurant is the worst in Houston. I feel cheated monetary wise and time wise! Putting it in perspective I have had better meals in Botswana!

07/24/08

Awesome Tex-Mex food...my favorite in Houston

by bulldog0711

I like to go to El Tiempo every time I'm in Houston because I miss good Tex-Mex up in New England. I know good Tex-Mex after living in Texas for almost all of my life, and I really enjoy the seafood-Tex Mex fusion at El Tiempo. It's the best Tex-Mex I've found in Houston. The crab enchiladas are a favorite, and the cheese enchiladas, drowning in grease like they should be, are amazing. The salsa and guacamole dip served with tortilla chips are great. Queso and tres leches cake are delicious too. I love sitting on the patio, which is covered and whimsically decorated. It's a lively place, a little crowded inside, but I still love to go with my family. It's not as good as the hole-in-the-wall places I've eaten at in other towns, but it's still very tasty.

The valet is pricey, but the food is appropriately priced and quite speedy. The service staff seems a little overextended and they forgot to bring my queso last time, although they were otherwise attentive with refills and whatnot. They are also very friendly and helpful. Also, we never make reservations but seating is usually immediate.

I recommend El Tiempo Cantina--it's a fun place with good food for a great value. It's always a nice experience to go.

• Pros: Food, lively atmosphere
• Cons: Pricey parking

06/06/08

Trashy, low class, horrible atmosphere‎

by africansicklet

Crowded with low class people. We had a reservation for a table of 10, we waited 1 1/2 hour to get our table. The food was worse than mediocre, I had the carne asada and I implore all those who come across it NOT to order it. It's made of poor quality meat that is stringy and fatty for a price of $17 or so. Margarita was awful, way too strong to taste like anything. I got sick shortly after leaving the restaurant. The food is a disgrace to the Mexican cuisine, the prices are way over what they should be, the service is pathetic and the host staff is incompetent.

I do not recommend this place for anything else other than sitting on the patio on a nice day (and we all know those days are rare in Houston)

Will not return, will not recommend, will not even eat there for free.

• Pros: NONE
• Cons: Everything: food, drinks, atmosphere, value, staff

06/04/08

I enjoyed it

by haleymarie85

Its not the best place in the world but it has great food and the sangria margaritas are good too. The place can get pretty crowded so it makes it difficult to park and get around the restaurant. I've never had a big problem getting in without a reservation, i dont even know if they make reservations. They have complimentary valet because the parking situation isnt good at all. I recommend it to anyone who is willing to put up with a crowd.

• Cons: parking

05/06/08

Waaayyy Overpriced!!

by Shaneye24

I went there last night for Cinco De Mayo and the Margaritas were terrible! Obviously they had made a big batch and nobody had tried it before they served them. I've never been a huge fan of the place but yesterday was the worst. The prices are so high for the quality of food that you get and they nickel and dime you for everything. I was charged $2.50 for some sliced jalape?os!! There are so many good Mexican restaurants in the Houston area and I don't know why people give this place so much hype. If you know what good Mexican food is supposed to taste like then you will not enjoy this place. Basically you are paying to people watch and the people are not all that!

• Pros: Valet Parking
• Cons: Too Expensive for the Quality!

04/14/08

Great Patio

by cigarsandscotch

We visited Tiempo after escaping from Tila's and what a difference. We were met at the door and seated on the patio immediately.The service was excellent and the food superior.It may be a little expensive for the selection, but the ambience and quality of food are a good value.Very good tequila selection.

• Pros: service, presentation
• Cons: price, needs some smaller, cheaper items

02/07/08

Yummy!

by chelseystar

El tiempo always has awesome waiters, the best chicken fajitias, the best homemade tortillas I've ever had.

But the most important thing... they have fantastic queso. Usually have to split an order of fajitias with my boyfriend because we can never finish 2 meals.

12/03/07

Still My Favorite

by gwendolbear

We have tried countless Mexican restauants all over Houston and the Richmond location of El Tiempo is still my favorite. Yes, it's always on the crowded side- but good places always are. Yes, it's usually noisy, but it makes it fun. Yes, the food is pricier than some places, but I'll pay it when the food, drinks, and service are consistently this good. Everything I've ever eaten here is great, but my favorite is pretty basic... the cheese enchiladas rock my world- great comfort food. My husban'd fave- the carnitas- and you'll love how they serve these (on a little metal tower type tray over hot coals-they serve several things this way). The ritas (always get mine on the rocks) are yummy and extremely potent. I would not recommend drinking more than 2... by 3 you'll need someone to drive you home... 4 or more and you'll really be hating life in the morning. El Tiempo also has a very good lunch menu, nice brunch, and is usually pretty fun for happy hour at the bar. I don't love the parking situation, but when you put it into perspective...you're already going to an upscale Mexican restuarant and will probably be splurging a bit on food and drink...so tipping the valet a few bucks is really no biggie. And one of these days, maybe I won't overdo it on appetizers, the fabulous chips and salsa, and my entree and finally get to try their tres leches...or maybe I should just plan to take it home with me. YUM!

08/31/07

quality!!!!

by dy100g

the food here is just exceptional. fresh, delicious ingredients make for exquisite dishes and strong but tasty drinks. food this good is usually paired with fancy attire, hushed conversations and stuffy staff, but here the atmosphere is relaxed and lively.

people who complain about the prices should frequent other places because the value here really is worth it.

i'm a regular as long as they're open!

• Pros: food food food, relaxed atmosphere, good drinks
• Cons: crowded sometimes