Lopez Mexican Restaurant

09/25/09

Not too bad...

by Eclectic Lee at Citysearch

There's a reason I'm giving this place a 3 even though I eat here quite often. I usually travel to a lot of different restaurants around the Houston area and I've come across many that are absolutely fantastic.

Lopez is a decent place. The prices are very accommodating to any size family. The service is pretty on par, but the waiters aren't extremely excited by any means or really put themselves out there as salesmen.

The food is consistent. Which is a plus. If you find something you like on the menu, you're guaranteed to have it the same way almost every time. Without fail. However, the choices and options aren't really "out there". It's a condensed menu, I understand...and sometimes it can be hard to play out of the box with Tex-Mex. But it's nothing grand by any means.

Yes, a lot of people come with hyped expectations and walk out with them...which is something I don't understand. A previous reviewer said the same thing. I don't get it either. I've eaten at some places that I are way better than this and the atmosphere reminds you of a dark alley in 3rd Ward. With service that was actually better. But still, by any means am I really saying this is a place to avoid, go ahead and try it. However, if you're looking for something more developed in flavor, or outside of the box, you won't really find it here. It's just a run of the mill Mom 'n' Pop Tex-Mex dive.

Yes, it's under construction, however for a while there I was almost certain they were losing funding over it because it was delayed at least 6 months to a year. But that's semantics.

Good luck!

• Pros: Consistancy, Tacos Rancheros
• Cons: Long Wait, Loud

06/26/09

I dont understand why?

by bmwm5driver at Citysearch

We have friends and neighbors that love this Lopez, but my family does not understand it.

The pricing is reasonable, the rice, refried beand and salsa were really good. They use a lot of velveta cheese in thier ground beef enchildas, the margaritas are tart.

The place was paked wit ha long wait time for a table. I just dont get it. Pappasitos and El Tiempo restaurants are better.

• Pros: Fast service, easy parking, rice and salsa were excellent
• Cons: Childrens meals were low budget and Entre's were average

11/01/08

My newest favorite Mexican Joint!!

by MzzzG at Citysearch

This is my first messsage because I had my first trip last Saturday. It is suuuuuch a pleasure. The chips were thin and crispy, the salsa perfectly seasoned and fresh, the margaritas, well, let's just say IM OBSESSED! The food just gets better from there!!! I made my second trip on monday....I am doing my best to get back asap! The waitstaff is family from the second you come in the door. I have only one realy complaint....they are NOT open on Sunday...ugh that is one of my most favorite days to hang out, watch a game, and linger over a coool and lovely margarita! I have told SOOO many people! Way to go Lopez, but could you please get one closer to Memorial or Westheimer even?? I'll say my prayers! =]

• Pros: name something...its amazing an d wonderful
• Cons: um not open on sundays and not close to where i live

07/31/08

I love this place!!!!

by Houston77056 at Citysearch

My old boss Jay brought me here 5 years ago and I bring everyone I know here and start their trend. The service is AWESOME! The food is GREAT! The atomosphere is WONDERFUL! I order the beef enchilada dinner everytime it is my favorite meal. The margaritas are delicious! You have to check out this family dining restaurant!!!

06/26/08

Houston's Best Kept Secret!

by MsPcantini at Citysearch

I agree with Tripadvisor; best Mexican food in the city of Houston; fresh, delicious, perfectly seasoned, and the staff is more than accommodating. If you folks over on the other side of town would like a taste of something apart from Pappasitos and the like, I highly recommend you make a trip to Lopez - now THIS is what I'm talkin' about - genuine tex-mex, the REAL DEAL. You'll not regret the trip to the southwest part of town for this tasty Mexican cuisine! Enjoy:)

08/16/07

Best Mexican

by erickson70 at Citysearch

I can't believe I haven't been here before. I've eaten at Lopez twice now in 2 weeks. Just moved into the area so I'm not familiar with the history. Great food and service and the portions are huge. The margaritas are small but good. I'll definetly keep going back.

• Pros: Immediate seating, excellent food
• Cons: small margaritas, noisy but festive

03/05/07

Feels Like Home

by kaprkapr at Citysearch

I have never written a review about anything, anywhere. I am willing to make an exception for Lopez! I have been eating at Lopez since the "cave dwelling" days of the old place a block further down Wilcrest (since 1995 to be exact). Lopez has something that some reviewers have missed, and that's a distinct personality. If you have been to Lopez three or four times, the people there know you. It is a family business and it won't take long for you to feel like part of the family. Some people say the food was better before the move. I disagree. The food is still as wonderful as it ever was, but maybe there was something about waiting in line outside a restaurant, in a city with way too many restaurants, that just made the anticipation even greater back in those days. I have read a few reviews that mention that they cannot understand people's loyalty to this place. Here is what does it for me: every time I walk in, someone who knows me shakes my hand, and every time I think to myself "maybe I'll have another beer", someone I know asks me if I need another one. The food is wonderful, but the service is absolutely unparalleled. Oh, and here is my food review: Try the carne guisada!

• Pros: Service, Atmosphere, Mr. Lopez
• Cons: Not the best flour tortillas...

08/04/06

Best queso anywhere

by ut2002 at Citysearch

If you like queso, salsa, and enchiladas check out Lopez. My family has been going since the doors opened about 30 years ago. Mr. Lopez, Jonathan Lopez, Santiago, and the rest of the crew will take care of you as if you're family. The queso and service are unmatched.

• Pros: queso/service are the best

07/14/06

Heart and Magic

by luketushim at Citysearch

I was reading the Best of City Search for the Best Mexican Restaurant in Houston the other day and I was surprised to see Lopez Mexican Restaurant on Wilcrest listed at number one. I had expected to see Picos or Lupe Tortillas or even Chachos at the top. As a resident of Sugar Land, I have driven by this restaurant many many times with never the intention to check it out.

After reading the reviews, I decided to give it a try. Keep in mind, I have been in the restaurant business for most of my life and have managed and general managed some of the most popular and successful restaurants in Houston and Dallas. Here is what I discovered. Think of it as a mini shoppers report. I will try to keep it brief.

Arrived at 9:15 PM greeted by owner, welcomed me and shook my hand, seated me, and took my drink order.

Cold beer delivered within 2 minutes (ice still on the bottle) with chips and salsa. At least 2 people have checked on me by this point.

First course delivered within 5 minutes. Second course delivered within seconds of removing my first plate. They would almost have to be circling the dining room with my food waiting for the first plate to be taken. Food too hot to eat. (temp). Last taste of food was almost as hot as the first. Manager visits table, I tell him it's great. 2 beers 2 plates of food $13.

This place is successful because it has heart. Everyone cares, lots of staff, all are genuinely concerned about the customer. Place was super clean. Bathrooms immaculate. Owner dusting and polishing artifacts during downtime. Just had Enchiladas, rice, beans, queso, guacamole, and beef taco. Just what I wanted served hot, fresh and quick.

Keep up the magic and the sincere desire to take care of the customer and run a restaurant the way that it should be. Good Luck to Lopez, you will see me again.

Luke

• Pros: Value, Quality, Food

07/13/06

Overrated but very popular

by cbawlmer at Citysearch

If I live to be 100, I will never understand this restaurant's cult-like popularity. People in Southwest Houston/Sugarland all seem to love the place, but I've eaten there several times with friends and co-workers and I just don't get it. The food was inconsistently prepared from visit to visit; I suppose that means different people were in the kitchen those days, but if I have a dish I like, I want to be able to reliably have it anytime I go to a restaurant.

The staff is very friendly and the restaurant is almost always crowded, so I guess my opinion is in the minority. The food is not bad, just kind of "meh". I'd give it a C+.

• Pros: Inexpensive, lots of parking, friendly service
• Cons: Food is average at best, inconsistently prepared