The Original Ninfas

The Original Ninfa's
2704 Navigation Boulevard
Second Ward
Houston
Texas 77003
United States Of America

1700 Post Oak Boulevard #1-190
Greater Uptown
Houston
Texas 77056
United States Of America

https://ninfas.com/

Chili Con Queso (USD $13)

Culinary Icon Going Strong

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 9
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 9
Value for Money: 9
Spent about USD $74 / SGD $99 per person.

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Opened by Ninfa Rodríguez Laurenzo in July 1973 as part restaurant, part tortilla factory, The Original Ninfa's is widely credited with popularizing 2 iconic Tex-Mex dishes - the Fajitas (or Tacos Al Carbon) and the Salsa Verde (or Green Sauce). By 1977, the news reported of The Original Ninfa's that "no other Texas restaurant dictates the dining-out habits of so many of its city's inhabitants". The Original Ninfa's was so influential, that by 2001, just about all Tex-Mex restaurants served a version of their fajitas.

Ambience at The Original Ninfa's is casual with a rustic vibe. The neat rows of sturdy wooden furnishings are lit with ample natural light, the warm tones of the walls and floors offset by vivid, colourful, larger-than-life mural paintings and Mexican decor. They attract a good crowd, and the place is buzzing with energy and chatter.

Service at The Original Ninfa's is friendly and attentive. Staff are quick to greet and seat guests, and they demonstrate good product knowledge as they patiently explain the menu and offer recommendations. Conversing in English and Spanish, staff clean up tables quickly when diners leave, and the kitchen fulfils orders with good speed.

Food at The Original Ninfa's is Mexican cuisine, with dishes made with fresh ingredients. Of note is their house-made flour tortillas, hand rolled fresh daily, and freshly fried corn tortilla chips. Quality of dishes is consistently good. Portions are large for individuals. Prices are premium but good value for money, budget about USD $74 / SGD $99 per person.

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The Original Ninfa's Signage

The Original Ninfa's Exterior

The Original Ninfa's Exterior

The Original Ninfa's Interior

The Original Ninfa's Interior

El Charro De Las Calaveras Movie Poster

Decor

Takeaway Boxes

Coaster

Coaster

Tortilla Making Area

The Cocktail Margarita Original Ninfarita (USD $11) lays claim to being the most famed in Houston. This classic has punchy zesty tangy sour fruity sweet bitter boozy flavour. Highly recommended!

Cocktail Margarita Original Ninfarita (USD $11)

Cocktail Margarita Original Ninfarita

The Cocktail Margarita On Navigation (USD $15) takes the classic margarita and adds orange liqueur and agave nectar, levelling it up with additional fruity sour sweet notes. Good!

Cocktail Margarita On Navigation (USD $15)

Cocktail Margarita On Navigation

Enjoyed a glass of Cocktail Sangria (USD $9), this had bright fruity earthy sour sweet flavour. Highly recommended!

Cocktail Sangria (USD $9)

Cocktail Sangria

The Abuelitas Hot Chocolate (USD $5) has a noticeable grainy texture on the surface, an effect from melting it into hot milk. Typically flavoured with cinnamon and vanilla, this has a deep chocolatey sweet floral spice flavour. Good!

Abuelitas Hot Chocolate (USD $5)

Abuelitas Hot Chocolate

They serve diners Natura Filtered Water (USD $Complimentary) after being seated.

Natura Filtered Water (USD $Complimentary)

Natura Filtered Water

Greatly enjoyed the Chili Con Queso (USD $13), we finished all of it! The thick creamy smooth melted cheese carries cheesy salty savoury spice flavour, but it's nicely balanced. Stays warm for quite awhile, we kept going at it with the tortilla chips. Highly recommended!

Chili Con Queso (USD $13)

Chili Con Queso

Loved the Guacamole (USD $12) and its delicious freshness, with its chunky juicy gloopy thick texture and vegetal sweet sour earthy herbal spice flavour. Great when paired with the crisp tortilla chips. Highly recommended!

Guacamole (USD $12)

Guacamole

The Nachos (USD $Complimentary) feature a large basket of crisp crunchy tortilla chips, with grainy salty savoury flavour that was just right. Made in-house, it wouldn't be nachos without accompanying dipping sauces, of which there were a couple. The 1st is a pico de gallo / salsa fresca, with bright vegetal sweet earthy spice flavour from the blend of tomatoes, red onions, and red serrano peppers; while the 2nd is a green sauce / salsa verde, with mellow vegetal zesty tangy sour herbal spice flavour from the blend of tomatillos, cilantro, and green chili peppers. Highly recommended!

Nachos (USD $Complimentary)

Nachos

Nachos

Loved the Refried Beans (USD $Complimentary With Specific Dishes Ordered), with its creamy grainy smooth texture and deep earthy savoury salty flavour. This was partly a side dish, partly a condiment. Good!

Refried Beans (USD $Complimentary With Specific Dishes Ordered)

Refried Beans

The Spanish Rice (USD $Complimentary With Specific Dishes Ordered) was so nice, with its fluffy moist soft texture and bright grainy vegetal sweet spice flavour. Having eaten it twice though, I noticed there was chunks of carrot and other vegetables the 1st time, but not the 2nd time. Still pretty tasty, though this was positioned as a side dish or a condiment, rather than a staple. Worth ordering!

Spanish Rice (USD $Complimentary With Specific Dishes Ordered)

Spanish Rice

The Enchiladas De Pollo Con Mole / Enmoladas / Mole Enchiladas With Chicken (USD $20) was more filling than expected, though it's just 2 pieces. Cutting in, I appreciate the thick chewy tender soft creamy crunchy textures, and the unique bready sweet savoury vegetal sour spice salty earthy chocolatey herbal flavour. This dish stands-out because I think most won't be exposed to savoury chocolate gravy. Worth ordering!

Enchiladas De Pollo Con Mole / Enmoladas / Mole Enchiladas With Chicken (USD $20)

Enchiladas De Pollo Con Mole / Enmoladas / Mole Enchiladas With Chicken

Enchiladas De Pollo Con Mole / Enmoladas / Mole Enchiladas With Chicken

The legendary Fajitas / Tacos Al Carbon (USD $21) that inspired similar dishes all over the state. The spread includes chewy toasted flour tortillas with bready sweet flavour, fluffy moist soft Spanish rice with grainy vegetal sweet spice flavour, creamy grainy smooth refried beans with deep earthy savoury salty flavour, thick sour cream with milky sour flavour, juicy pico de gallo / salsa fresca with vegetal sweet herbal flavour, chunky juicy gloopy thick guacamole with vegetal sweet sour earthy herbal spice flavour, tender caramelised white onions with vegetal earthy sweet flavour, and chewy strips of grilled beef skirt steak with smoky meaty savoury salty peppery spice flavour. Stack it all together as you wish. Highly recommended!