08/21/09

not the way to run a business

by cmk1126

I think Irma's is deceptive. It looks like your average Mexican place, and it serves perfectly acceptable Mexican food. The lemonade is pretty good as well. But there's no menu. This is an issue because prices aren't disclosed, and the bill is shocking. I've paid $19 for a three-course five star lunch at other places. At Irma's, it cost about $21.50 for a drink + one course of chicken fajitas without cheese, sour cream, or guacamole. I would have guessed it was a $9.50 meal.

• Pros: food is pretty good
• Cons: sneaky business practices; way too expensive

07/22/09

Great Food ruined by Horrible Host

by eatsleepandship

We go to Irma's twice a month. We went before a ballgame and the host did not recognize me with a baseball hat on. We were next in line for a table and a regular (they were on a first-name basis) walked in 10 minutes after us. The same host said he would take care of him. After 5 minutes, the "regular" said to us, "It sure does pay to know someone in here." Next thing I know, the host seats them before us. He then had the audacity to say the other group had reservations, which was clearly a lie. I don't mind a host being cordial to regulars, but to skip over our group to take care of him will not be tolerated by our corporation. We at 701 Louisiana, will NEVER go back to Irma's because of his error in judgment.

• Pros: Food
• Cons: Host gave a regular OUR table

05/09/09

Stay Away

by KennyP

Two buddies and I went to Irma's on a Fri before an Astros game. We were surprised that there was no menu, but we figured it was a mom and pop type of place, so no prob. Nothing about the location, decor, or anything else would lead you to believe it was overpriced. I had the pork enchiladas, as did one of my friends and the other had the chicken mole. We all agreed the food was good, but definitely nothing special. Between the 3 of us, we had 3 magaritas and 4 beers. So when we get the bill, there's no itemization what-so-ever. The only thing written on the white piece of paper was "$90". We looked at eachother and thought surely that meant something else. We thought a high end estimate of each entree cost should be $10. So we get up to the counter and the woman indeed says, "$90". We asked her how that could be, and she pointed to a sign hanging over the register that said, "Prices subject to change based on attitude." We'd noticed the sign and just thought it was one of those joke signs that you often see in casual restaurants. I couldn't help but let her know that we felt ripped off. It's not just the money, it's the fact that it all seems to tie together to their benefit, not having a menu AND it just so happens the food is over priced. We asked her to split it up 3 ways and we started telling her what we each had. Mine was $30, one friend's was $23, and the other friend's was $27. Now, add up those numbers and tell me what you get. I got $80. So what happened to $90? We asked why they originally said $90. Regardless of whether it was intentional or not, you'd think the response would be, "We're sorry, we must have added it up wrong." But instead they chose to basically ignore the question. So I told the woman behind the counter that they should really let their guests know what they're prices are. She said they'd been doing it that way for 20 years. I told her that she was looking at 3 people would never come back. She didn't seem to care and we got out of there. So, unless you like paying about $16 for a plate of food that really is worth about $8 and is about as good as a Los Tios, then STAY AWAY.

• Pros: Food was fairly tasty
• Cons: Obvious scam

02/24/09

Very Over Priced :(

by toothdent

Went there for lunch. No menu and the waiter was rude. He rambled off the food available then just stared at us until we ordered. Both of us ordered 2 cheese enchiladas. When we received the bill we were shocked! A glass of tea and a lemonade were $3.50 EACH! 2 small enchiladas were $11 each. This was such a rip off! Don't go there and go to Ninfas better food, service and alot cheaper!

• Cons: overpriced and you don't know it until your done!

02/06/09

Just OK....

by del102

Like with any other restaurant, I read the reviews before heading out to Irma's. It's true, they have no menu and their strawberry lemonade is delicious.

FOOD: It was good, although my friends tilapia was overly salted.

SERVICE: lame, pushy, & condescending, and not really attentive for the price you pay to eat there

COST: yep, like all the other reviews mentioned...it is pricey

In summary I don't think I would return to Irma's. I wouldn't mind paying (our cost was $50 for two!!!) some good money if the overall service was great and the food exceptional - none of which you'll find at Irma's. There's plenty other worthy mexican restaurants in houston for you to spend your money at and leave satisfied.

• Pros: their lemonade
• Cons: service & price

10/28/08

Best Pork Enchiladas I ever had

by bstullos

My friend suggested this place and I have to say after reading the reviews, I was not too hopeful. I warned her about it, but she assured me she knew people who had been and loved it. So, we dediced to make up our own minds. I am so glad we did. So, now I'd like to address some particular issues from earlier reviews: Yes, it's true, the waitresses are not fawning all over you trying to make conversation, but certainly they were not rude, and they provided good service while the place was very busy. Yes, it's true, there are only a few options offered, and no menu. Apparently, the options change daily, and are made with fresh ingredients. I did not think the portions were too small, and even took home a doggie bag. It is not cheap, but I've paid more for less. They do charge for their queso and guacamole...as does every other restaurant I've ever patroned...have to say tho, the queso is very nice with meat, tomatoes and peppers...not at all like velveeta!! The food was excellent, like homemade, and no fat and grissle. Ya know, sometimes you get what you pay for, and I thought this was worth paying for. As for the person who made reference to Irma's car....not sure why she shouldn't be trying to make money? The soup kitchen is around the corner if you'd like a free meal, Irma is a business woman and should reap the rewards of providing a good product. It is the American dream. Anybody know a guy named Bill Gates??? This is now on my list of places to take visitors.

• Pros: Food & service
• Cons: Price if I have to give a con, but honestly it was worth it

08/21/08

Best mexican breakfast i've ever had!!!!

by deputysgirl

As a native Texan, I've had my fair share of breakfasts at "hole-in-the-wall" mexican restaurants. On August 18, 2008, after trying to get OUT of downtown Houston, I stumbled upon Irma's and to my extreme joy, the sign said "Open"!!!! My best friend and I walked in and were quickly told to pick a table while we were taking in all of the novelties in the building. Our greeter, who turned out to be Irma, not only took our order, she also asked what brought us to Houston, how we found the restaurant and where were currently live. She advised that while they do not have a breakfast menu, they would cook us anything we wanted. We told her that we just wanted some good mexican food and to surprise us. She did just that!!!! Not only was the food exceptional, but the other waitstaff was friendly and checked on us as well. It was awesome to see her collectibles from floor to ceiling as well as original newspapers showing everything from Kennedy's assassination to the current politics of Houston!! The only disappointment was that her restaurant closes at 3pm. We would not be able to make it back for lunch. I travel to Houston only about once a year, but I will make sure to detour to Irma's each time from now on!!!!! Go, but make sure you have enough time to check out everything there is to see!!!

• Pros: The greatest Mexican food breakfast ever!!!!
• Cons: A little expensive, but TOTALLY worth it!!!!

07/17/08

Worst Mexican Restaurant in Houston

by born2travel

My boyfriend and I decided to grab lunch there today (7.17.08) after hearing about it from some locals. We stood for about 10 minutes before someone finally ushered us to an already seated table while we waited for that table to be rushed to another. There were 3 other groups that walked in behind us, also having never been there. The service was horrible and when I asked for a menu, I was rudely answered in Spanish by a server walking by, not even stopping.

Our server who never smiled, but acted like we were imposing, gave us the heads up. No menu, only a few dishes served to choose from and oh yeah, try the lemonade. We ordered beef fajitas thinking you couldn't go wrong there. Nope! Horrible small portions with only one tortilla given. The queso we asked for was a very small dish that tasted like velveeta...gross. We ordered dessert, the banana pudding on recommendation and tres leches. That's all that they had going for them. Our bill was freaking 50 dollars! We could have had good Mexican food from Ninfas on Navigation with several margaritas, a larger queso, and much better dessert for that. Surely a place this bad will be gone soon. It gives Houstonians a bad name. Its clear that their reputation is going downhill with all of these other similar reviews.

AVOID THIS PLACE!!! THE WORST IN HOUSTON!!!

• Pros: Close to the stadium?
• Cons: Horrible food, service, WAY OVERPRICED!!!

07/10/08

Over-rated RIP OFF

by malibu17th

This place is very over-rated. To add to the misery of all the other reviews, Irma's double charged my credit card! When I call, I am greeted by a very unfriendly & quite arrogant person. I don't see how this place is going to "make it." What once may have been, is no longer!!!!!! ................................

06/30/08

Barely better than average tex-mex not forgiven by extremly pricey addons.

by technofiend

I've been to Irma's many times and always enjoyed the food because she cooks everything fresh daily.

However recently I've noticed a drop off in service; for instance at my last visit (6/27/2008) I waited

10 minutes for tortillas that should have been delivered with my carnitas. By the time they

arrived my food was cold. Similarly I had to badger the waiter or staff for refills.

However the real disservice arrived with the bill. When we originally sat down, someone asked us

if we wanted guacamole and queso. Imagine my surprise when it turned out one tiny salsa bowl of

queso and a partially filled bowl of guacamole were each $6.50. As was a 4 piece order of sopapillas.

Irma finally took $1 off the cost of each appetizer and gave some tepid song and dance about

rising costs and the fact Pappasitos or anyone else would charge me the same. Of course that's

simply not true. Not only is Irma willing to rip you off, she's willing to lie about it.

Consider carefully if you want to eat there, and even more so if you want to order anything besides chips and a diet coke!

• Pros: Fresh food cooked daily
• Cons: Poor service, pricey entrees and pricier appetizers means zero value for your money.