Las Alamedas Mexican Rstrnt

03/31/09

Too bad it closed

by NiceMom1123 at Citysearch

Their website states that after 28 years they couldn't agree on a new lease and are looking for a place to relocate to. I tried calling them, but the number has been disconnected.

I took my family there for Easter brunch the past 8 years, and we always enjoyed it. I was disappointed that last year they began taking a $100 deposit for your reservation. Apparently they'd had so many cancellations that they were losing business.

Guess we'll have to find a new place for Easter...

• Pros: Excellent Brunch
• Cons: Deposit for a reservation?

12/16/08

Fabulous Food

by resale1mama at Citysearch

WHAT AN EXCELLENT PLACE TO CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY. YOLANDA FROM CHILDREN'S COLLECTIONS AND HER STAFF H HOSTED A GATHERING HERE FOR FRIENDS BIRTHDAYS. 12 girls. EXCELLENT FOOD, EXCELLENT STAFF, 5 STAR FOOD AS WE ALL HAD DIFFERENT APPETIATES,

THIS PLACE SHOULD OFFER MORE PUBLICITY AS I TOLD THE OWNER I WNTED TO HOST MY COMPANY GATHERING HERE. i AM SO HAPPY TO SHARE THIS PLACE WITH CITY SEARCH. tHANK YOU YOLANDA FOR THE EXCELLENT GATHERING . EXCELLENT MEMORIES

• Pros: Good parking
• Cons: Make Reservations

10/07/08

Overpriced, subpar quisine, dirty old furniture, very dark in bar area

by jjbraunius at Citysearch

I've been going to this place for over 1o years but lately things are not going so well. It was always more expensive than your usual restaurant, with dishes from $15 up to $40. I've ordered pretty much everything on the menu and was usually very well prepared.

Lately it hasn't been so - I was served and undercooked parilla, and a few other dishes that I would simply call cost cutting.

The atmosphere - the place has a spanish mansion feel to it which is great but the bar area hasn't seen a renovation since the place was probably built. The furniture is dusty and old, and lost of undusted plastic flowers hang from each side of the bar area lattice. When is dark this place is nocturnal, I mean really dark, barely able to see the plate kinda dark. Some ambient lighting would be nice!

The wait staff is usually friendly but the Ingles is so second language that oftentimes you can't even place an order properly. Several times I order J&B Scotch and they've returned with Jim Beam!

Overall - too expensive for what it is. For this money you can go down the street to a place like Escalantes and get better atmosphere and better service.

• Pros: The building itself
• Cons: Everything else

05/01/08

will not be visited again

by Guilbert at Citysearch

I have admired the restaurants outer apearance for some time, but after my experience I must remember "all that gliters isn't gold".

On my birthday I selected Las Alamedas to have my dinner with a few friends. I was told by "Wendy" the manager in a demanding tone that all guests must have cash no credit cards. I was puzzed being that most people do not carry cash. She advised me to inform all guests prior to and even suggested i have one off my friends pay for the bill and we then pay him/her the differance. That was a bold suggestion...I was turned off by her tone and verbage, but my heart was set on Las Alamedas. I was hesitant but decided to keep my reservation. The service and food were equaly disapointing. Most friends decided not to show after i shared the demand the MANAGER made. Service was not adequate nor the food. In adition our waiter informs me that my deposit would be reimbursed, but was not. I could go into more detail but space is limited. Never Again...All that gliters isn't gold!!!

• Pros: Ambience
• Cons: Poor customer service

04/11/08

Would visit many more time....regardless of the other reviews

by sephora_junkie at Citysearch

I went last week with my boyfriend on a sunday night and had a nice dinner. Great food with a nice view. Its a rustic style place but really charming. The server was decent. The only thing i didnt like was the drink glasses were small, its like 3 gulps and its gone and your left waiting for the server to come refill it. I had the Pollo Alcapulco which was fantastic!!! I highly recommend that dish. The portions were nice and we left satisfied with plans on returning again.

• Pros: Nice scenary, Great food
• Cons: Small drinking glasses

02/14/08

Old and Funky

by feregrinob03 at Citysearch

My boyfriend made reservations for us at 8:30 and we only arrived thirty minutes early (the place was empty!) and the hostess made it seem like we had to wait to be seated. Then it took over five minutes for our waiter to even acknowledge us but maybe that was due to us being seated in the back corner!

When we ordered, I requested my plate to have the crab meat aside, and it was still brought out on top of my filet. The backed potatoe was horrible and the mixed veggies was mostly yellow squash and nothing else!

The chips were greaser than a whole in the wall mexican taqueria (which still tastes better than what they serve) and the bread were harder than rocks.

This place really needs to hire a decorater to revive the place and new chefs.

i will never recommend this place to anyone or ever go back. Each place was $24< and nto worth any of it!

I would've had better food, service, and atmosphere at a Chilli's or Outback.

• Pros: View of trees outside
• Cons: food and ambience

12/10/07

"Entertainment" Ruined Experience

by nineeightylunchclub at Citysearch

The table side "entertainment" ruined our evening. Las Alamedas was selected for a business dinner, because the dining room was expected to be quiet and enable dinner conversation.

Upon delivery of our meal, the table side entertainers (2 guitarists) during a slow (Tuesday) night in the dining room chose to play at our table. We were told they were paid by the restaurant. We didn't ask them to play. Nevertheless, they played and played and played. The whole while, standing over us asking/demanding a tip. We couldn't talk and everyone, EVERYONE, was very uncomfortable. These guys were hustling for tips and we were one of 3 or 4 tables in the main dining room.

The evening started very well and then went terribly down hill upon delivery of our meal. The waiter should have taken control of the situation after we informed him and the manager. Nevertheless, the waiter asked for a 20% tip (presumably, to pay the "skakedown" from the "entertainers". The entertainers were not good guitarists anyhow. It left a bad taste in our mouths, which reflected on the food.

This was awful service and was an "experience" not to be repeated"! Perhaps Tuesday nights would be more busy in the main dining room if Las Alemedas took better care of patrons. It seemed the staff was overly focused on the private parties in their private dining rooms.

This was not an official "NineEightyLunchClub" event. There never will be one.

• Cons: Entertainers hustling for tips ruined night.

03/11/06

Best Tex-mex in Houston hands down

by alam at Citysearch

Beautiful restaurant with great service and by far the best tex-mex I have had in Houston. I took my girlfriend to Las Alamedas for her birthday and she's very particular about tex-mex, since she was raised on it. She agrees that this is the best in town. Everyone from valet to the waiter were very friendly and provided great service. Finally, the food was great. With so many tex-mex restaurants in Houston, it was hard to say which one stands out among such a huge crowd. That was until I came to this restaurant. It's simply the best at any price.

• Pros: Best TexMex in town, Prompt Service
• Cons: None

11/21/05

The best Mexican restaurant on the planet

by gordjohn at Citysearch

Growing up in Houston and moving away has put me on a constant quest for great Mexican food. Although my favorite is Tex-Mex, Las Margaritas would probably be best described as authentic Mexican food, which is very hard to find North of the border. The front, bar-area is very impressive and will make you feel as if you have been transported to Spain. In the dining area, there are floor to ceiling windows, where you gaze out on a serene view of lush green vegetation. My waiter was from Mexico City and knew the menu very well. I had the Red Snapper, which was incredible, and a corn and avacado soup, which was also delicious. The chips are thin and crispy and the salsa is warm and delicious. I'll continue my quest, but so far this is the best mexican restaurant that I have found. Enjoy!

• Pros: Exquisite food, Beautiful view
• Cons: Not cheap

07/15/05

Don't watse your time or money...

by trishrandolph at Citysearch

The service was slow. The food was below average, and over priced. Looking at the menu prices are expensive, but I thought oh well the food must be really good. That was a mistake. There were three of us dining, one from out of state. What a way to welcome an out of state guest, bad Mexican food. I would rate the food the worst I have ever had. We have went to happy hour before, that was good.We will not be going back.