Ninfa's on Navigationamazing fajita as alwaysWas there for some folks to meet for the first time...not the greatest place for conversation its so loud inside but the food was good as usual.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMOpt for the Original!This is the original Ninfa's -- the one that preceeded all the others. Great food, great drinks, relaxed patio dining on a Sunday morning. A great way to end the weekend!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went for brunch on Mother'sWe went for brunch on Mother's Day - when there also were Astros and Dynamo games. It was crowded, but our reservation was honored quickly, and it was a pleasant day to sit outside. The only strange thing: they had "run out" of nachos. How can a Mexican restaurant not be able to make nachos in the middle of the day??5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful Mother's Day BrunchI always love going to the Original Ninfa's. The outdoor eating area is beautiful. The staff went out of their way to make us comfortable even though we brought a stroller. The brunch menu is small but everything I've had on it was great. This time I had the Mexican French Toast. The bread was amazing. And the scrambled eggs that came with it were creamy and delicious.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMothers Day TraditionFood is always great. Tried jalapeno margaritas. Sorry to see that one of our favorites, stuffed jalapeno's were no longer available. Second time to use open table but our table was not ready at time promised. They got us in within 15 minutes though.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were there on cinco deWe were there on cinco de mayo and they food came out very quick. The service was good especially because they were so busy. Will be back very soon.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMNinfa's for Excellent FoodThe food and margaritas are excellent! The service is attentive even when crowded, as it was for Cinco de Mayo. The reservation system is a bit of a mess. We arrived 15 minutes early for our reservation, and then we wanted almost 45 minutes to be seated. It was very busy, but there seating system needs a little work.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMOrdered one of the currentOrdered one of the current specials: ceviche tostadas, which were absolutely delicious. The Original continues putting out great food.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMTex Mex at its bestGreat combination of delicious food and comfortable ambience. Authentic Tex Mex experience!5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMSlightly slow service withSlightly slow service with ordering. Other than that, very good4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMUnfortunately when we gotUnfortunately when we got to the restaurant they did not have our reservations even though I was sent a confirmation email. We had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated outside. Otherwise the food, service and atmosphere was all wonderful. The complimentary valet parking was also nice as well since I did not know the area.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMBest steak fajitas I've everBest steak fajitas I've ever had! The seviche was also amazing!4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThe weather was perfect onThe weather was perfect on the day we went, so we sat outside. The service was leisurely which was fine, because we had a great time visiting. The food was delicious as always. One great thing: $19.99 pitchers of margaritas until 2:00 for brunch!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome Fajitas! Loved theAwesome Fajitas! Loved the homemade tortillas! Soooo good.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWe celebrated by startingWe celebrated by starting with the queso del mar [an off the menu version of queso flameado that replaces the chorizo with seafood] and then moved to one of Chef Alex's new specials--the outstanding ceviche tostadas. Delicioso!4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMDiablo Shrimp Tacos made forDiablo Shrimp Tacos made for a lighter yet completely filling dinner. The Original keeps cooking right along getting ready to celebrate its 40th anniversary.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThe deck/patio on NavigationThe deck/patio on Navigation is made for Spring Sundays--whether it be brunch [which we thouroughly enjoyed] or a pre-Astros lunch or a late afternoon repast. The Mexican cornbread with chili con queso is a GREAT dish.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMThe best!Ninfa's is the best Mexican food in town. It is so much fun, the food and drinks are excellent, the people are so nice, and it is loaded with the character and history that Houston so often lacks. It has been one of our favorite restaurants for years, and I highly recommend it4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMHad a really outstanding meal.Had a really outstanding meal. Menu is filled with traditional items but puts a nice twist on others. Great service. Overall, an excellent meal!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWent with an off-the-menuWent with an off-the-menu favorite from the old days and started with the always excellent queso flameado.
Although known of course for its margaritas and cervezas, Ninfa's pours some pretty good wines too if that should be your pleasure.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMworth going backcame here before a concert one evening, made a reservation so there was no wait. service was fast, food was delicious.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMRecommended by the locals.Recommended by the locals. Excellent food, service, and drinks! We will be back the next time we visit Houston.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWhile we continue to go forWhile we continue to go for lunch and dinner, weekend brunch at Ninfa's has become one of our new hangouts. The torta diablo [an omelette with bacon wrapped shrimp], breakfast tacos, and fried quail with grits are just three of our favorites. Add a delicious side of Mexican cornbread topped with chili con queso--or get that topped with an egg as an entree. The only quibble is with the migas--way too many tortilla pieces.
Also there's less hustle and bustle and crowd on the weekend mornings, so you can have a leisurely and relatively quiet start to your day.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Casual Dining ExperienceWe were so pleased with everything including the short time we waited to be seated. It pays off to have reservations and of course the food and margaritas were excellent! Could not have had a better experience for a casual fun evening filled with fantastic Mexican food ~ probably the best in Houston!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMhave not been to ninfas onhave not been to ninfas on navigation in a long long time, truly missed it will be back soon!!!!!!3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had our 3 daughters & aWe had our 3 daughters & a girlfriend. We took them to Ninfa's on Navigation for an authentic Mexican meal as the friend is from Colorado & she was visiting our family as part of spring break. The two college girls ordered 1/2 lb fajitas to share. Next our 2 younger teenage girls ordered the same thing. I asked the waitress would t it be better to simply order 1 lb of fajitas for all 4. She said it was the same. My husband said no it isn't & switched it to one order for the 4 girls. She brought out 1 small side dish of guacomole, sour cream & pico de gallo for all 4 girls. We asked for a little more & she charged us. We felt that was not right.
Otherwise the ceviche I had was some of the best I have ever had!3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMI love Ninfa's queso flameado.I love Ninfa's queso flameado. Sunday was beautiful weather and everyone was eating on the patio. The waiters were very attentive and accomodating.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMTorta Diablo [shrimp omelet],Torta Diablo [shrimp omelet], Mexican Cornbread and some mimosas made for a great start to our Sunday. The Original keeps going strong!3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service was ultra-fast,The service was ultra-fast, the food was very good. The masa in the tamales was light and fluffy - perfectly cooked. Hugo was our very attentive server. We hadn't been here in several years - it was nice to see that the restaurant was as busy as ever.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGood true Mexican fare, greatGood true Mexican fare, great service, a Houston tradition3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMCircled back to the diabloCircled back to the diablo shrimp tacos this week. Delicioso! And though there may be a new kid on the block, the Queen is still going strong in its 40th year.3/9/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Dynamo home opener createdThe Dynamo home opener created an imperfect storm of a huge early arriving dinner crowd that was in full force when non-Dynamo diners started coming in. Food and service were remarkably prompt all things considered. Just plan ahead a little on big event days/evenings.3/2/2013 12:00:00 AMOn the first Sunday in monthsOn the first Sunday in months without football, we hit Ninfa's shortly after its 10 a.m. opening for some mimosas and Mexican brunch. On this day, it was a slow arriving crowd and things were much quieter than usual. Which, come to think of it, might not be that bad for a Sunday morning. We had breakfast tacos and the Diablo Shrimp omelette respectively and then shared the favorite item of the morning--the mexican cornbread topped with chili con queso. It also comes with a fried egg on top if you want to order it for yourself as your meal. All in all, a very pleasant way to ease into our Sunday.2/10/2013 12:00:00 AMTried one of Chef Alex's newTried one of Chef Alex's new specials--the Mexican paella [for two as it is billed] and was not disappointed. Chorizo takes the place of the standard chicken and pork from a Spanish paella but the seafood abounds especially a nice ring of mussels that surround the plate. I easily could have finished off the dish that evening but thought that I would enjoy having half of it for a leftover lunch. Other new specials include a lamb shank and rabbit.
But if all you want is your Tex-mex fix; don't worry all your favorites are still right here waiting for you.2/2/2013 12:00:00 AMTacos a la Ninfa, chips andTacos a la Ninfa, chips and green sauce and some red wine made for a perfect Saturday evening on Navigation.1/26/2013 12:00:00 AMFajitas on Navigation areFajitas on Navigation are a long and strong suit for this East End institution. I have often had mine with the "a la Mexicana" toppings but on this night opted for "a la Berry" to try something different. While the onions, jalapenos and mushrooms of the Berry were flavorful, I prefer how the tomatoes, onions and cilantro are more diced up in the Mexicana. Still that's a minor quibble in what was yet another great night at The Original.1/18/2013 12:00:00 AMCeviche is filling and lightOn a New Year's resolution to lose weight? Not a problem at Ninfa's where there are several great options that will fill you up. On this day I went with the ceviche--pieces of shrimp, calamari and fish mixed with pico de gallo, jalapenos and avocado--piled high in a "sundae glass." You will not leave hungry.1/11/2013 12:00:00 AMSometimes, you just want goodSometimes, you just want good old fashioned Tex Mex. And Ninfa's delivers that too in the form of great cheese enchiladas. Or maybe you can go with the classic taco/enchilada/tamale combo. But if you still want some fajitas with your Tex Mex, try the Tejas combo which replaces the tamale with fajitas [either beef or chicken].1/4/2013 12:00:00 AMA Great Welcome Home from collegeFor my daughter's first meal back in town from college, we headed to Navigation to get her a needed Ninfa's fix. A couple of margaritas later, we had made quick work of a couple of baskets of chips with green sauce followed by nachos, chicken tacos a la Ninfa and queso del mar.12/21/2012 12:00:00 AMMet up with some old friendsMet up with some old friends for a week-before-Christmas lunch and had an old standby: the chicken fajitas ala mexicana. Simple and simply delicioso!!12/19/2012 12:00:00 AMhow to order your fajitasorder them RARE - they will continue to cook on that sizzling platter. They marinate them well, so they have mucho sabor.
Their frozen margaritas ROCK , AND they are powerful.12/16/2012 12:00:00 AMAs the holiday season kicksAs the holiday season kicks into high gear, diners start packing Ninfa's for their holiday celebrations. It's a good thing to be able to reserve a spot through OpenTable to get your fix of fajitas and margaritas. Try one of the mixed grill platters like the Nopalita combo for 2 and you won't be disappointed.12/8/2012 12:00:00 AMSunday brunch on NavigationSunday brunch on Navigation is a nice change of pace to start a new week. Ordered the Torta Diablo, an omelet with the bacon wrapped shrimp, and the breakfast tacos. And we shared a side of the Mexican cornbread topped with chili con queso--OUTSTANDING!! Throw in a couple of mimosas and it made for the perfect sleepy Sunday wake up.
Just as a heads up: the restaurant serves its brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and its regular menu from 11 a.m. through closing. If you've got folks who want to order off the regular menu, wait until 11 because from 10 to 11 it's brunch only.12/2/2012 12:00:00 AMI wanted something a littleI wanted something a little on the lite side and so went with the ceviche along with the seasonal special pumpkin soup. Both hit the spot. But I'll probably be back to the queso flameado, nachos, tacos or fajitas on our next visit.11/16/2012 12:00:00 AM