Mexican fare, usually in the guise of Tex-Mex, is a regular cuisine preference for many residents of Houston. People are passionate about freshly fried chips and salsa, frozen margaritas, fajitas and other piquant preparations that have long found a home here. El Palenque is a local chain of three sprawling Tex-Mex restaurants located in and around Houston, sporting nearly identical menus that offer something beyond that of the typical suburban Tex-Mex palaces.
This location in Spring--just south of The Woodlands, a suburb of Houston--is where the chain got its start in 1987. It is one the three El Palenque locations. These are fairly large and attractive cantina-themed restaurants, similar in appearance to many other local Tex-Mex spots, and popular with families and locals.
Their large menu includes both popular Tex-Mex and Mexican dishes. The entrees here are hearty, but several appetizers might tempt. There are nachos, quesadillas and queso flameado preparations. The Jalapos are large jumbo shrimp stuffed with jalapeno slices and cheese, marinated, then breaded and deep fried. The Papa Nachos are beef or chicken fajitas served over slices of deep-fried potatoes that are covered with gravy and cheeses. The Camaron Brochetta, one of the restaurants' specialties, is four jumbo shrimp that have each been stuffed with Monterey Jack cheese and a jalapeno slice, wrapped in a long slice of bacon and then cooked. Originally an entrée, it is now listed as an appetizer. Hearty choices for entrees include fajitas, Mexican-style steaks, quail, enchiladas, flautas, gorditas, pork chops, several mixed grills, additional shrimp preparations and old-fashioned Tex-Mex-style combination plates.
The food is just one draw, another is their inexpensive plus-sized margaritas (served in 20-ounce schooners).
El Palenque
1485 Spring Cypress
Spring, Texas77373
281-353-4055
gopalenque.com
A second location of El Palenque is on Tomball Parkway in northwest Houston, close to the large Hewlett-Packard campus.
El Palenque
21161 Tomball Parkway
Houston, Texas 77070
281-376-6960
gopalenque.com
The third El Palenque is on the west side, on busy Westheimer, past the Beltway. Near a number of office buildings that help make up the Energy Corridor, this is a popular lunch spot.
El Palenque
10803 Westheimer
Houston, Texas 77042
713-706-4485
gopalenque.com
