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El Jardin Mexican Restaurant

MY REVIEW: I moved to the East End about 5 years ago which is when my education in authentic good Mexican food began. This restaurant started being one of about 5 my neighbor and I would hit, but now I eat here 3 times a week. OK, I am lying, it's more than that. I take my friends here. I introduce EVERYONE to this place. I frankly don't want to wreck it by telling anyone it exists. I don't think you could get a bad meal here if you tried. Everything is excellent. They will change dishes for you which I do on a regular basis. The Camarones a la Plancha I ask to have done with garlic "con aho", I like the Trompo which is donner kabob type dish only using pork, excellent. I don't do Tex Mex anymore. Just had the Cabrito the other day, it's unusual and EXCELLENT. In the past two months I have quit going anywhere else to eat in the East End even though it is the farthest away. Bad points? It's not next door to my house and writing this review will make me have to stand in line if more people start going but I promised them I would try to get them more business as they frankly deserve it for their top quality food and service.

NAME: jsc
SUBMITTED: 6/2/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: June 2011
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: We are ADDICTED to their salsa with it's smoky flavor derived from Arbol peppers. My husband worked for 8 years just right next door for the Houston Fire Deparement Haz Mat team and at that time, ElJardin was open 24 hours a day. There were many times they would return from a tanker explosion, Ship Channel MisHap, etc, and thank their "Lucky Enchilada" that El Jardin was right there.

He introduced me over 15 years ago and I have usually ordered their Tex Mex plates, and found them to be excellent. Having moved away, I have gone 3 or 4 years without visiting the place, but went a a couple of months ago, THEN, again last month to introduce several members of my family to the experience. It WAS a Friday night and it WAS loud but it WAS FUN, although it seemed to bother my 5 and 7 year old grandchildren a LOT! Hands over ears!!

I was QUITE DISAPPOINTED on this trip, by the tastless cheeze enchiladas, which I have never faulted in the past. My sis and Brother-=in Law, fell IN LOVE with the ground been Nachos and have since gone to M*amacitas for more of the same, and commented that they were GOOD there, but didn't seem to have the excellent flavor they'd enjoyed at El Jardin.

I asked to buy a large jar of their WONDERFUL salsa, which they GAVE to me. I will go back and ATTEMPT to pay again, because we HAVE TO HAVE IT. I brought that 48 oz jar home to the Hill Country and he spiced up our eggs in the morning and was drizzled over other foods, as well, as being enjoyed with chips. Lasted only 2 weeks.

Thanks Juanita! Your kindness is appreciated, BUT NEXT TIME, PLEASE LET ME PAY FOR THE SALSA!!!

NAME: Sandra
SUBMITTED: 10/19/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 9 09
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: The fajitas are definitely the strong point. I found the Jardin deluxe mixed plate to be good too. They are not always 100% consistent, some trips have been better than others. They have a super strong margarita called the millinium,

It is kind of fun to go to since it is loud and colorful. We joke about it being dinner and a floor show. Service is usually good. Certainly beats the young kid waiters at the chain joints. They are a little stingy on the tortillas so you usually have to request additional ones when you place the order. Overall though, yes, I definitely recommend it. Fun almost carnival like atmosphere, cold strong margs, very good fajitas. Fridays are usually the most colorful nights to go.

NAME: Lindaler
SUBMITTED: 9/21/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 9/2009
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: A buddy of mine suggested we go to the barrio, where he grew up, for some good Mexican food. So he took me to El Jardin (my 1st visit). Interesting place, colorful, large and loud. Turns out, a few weeks ago I stumbled across a review on El Jardin in The Houston Press written by Robb Walsh. So when my friend suggested we go there, I read the review again to refresh my memory. Walsh had never heard of the place until The New York Times published a piece touting El Jardin as the best Mexican retaurant in all of Houston. The Times article was written by a staff writer with Texas roots.

Texas boy or not, that's a pretty big claim. This town has a bunch of good TexMex joints. I have not eaten at some of the more famous ones, such as I*rma's and S*ylvia's, to name a couple. But after only one visit, I am not prepared to put El Jardin at the top of my list. Way too premature for that----will have to return for a few more visits to sample various dishes. My buddy said to come back and try their seafood caldo. Their menu is extensive. Walsh's article said to stay away from their combination platters and go instead with the grilled meats. So that's what we did, ordering the Fiesta mixed grill for 2 featuring beef & chicken fajitas and plumb shrimp wrapped in bacon. VERY GOOD! The fajitas were smokey and tender. The shrimp were large, fresh and wrapped in crispy bacon with a bit of jalapeno stuffed in there. The onions were perfectly camalized. Sides were excellent refried beans (retro style with some lard for amazing flavor), good guacomole and just ok rice. Good as the sides were, for the BEST beans, rice and guacomole travel another 15 minutes to El R*anchero in LaPorte.

Usually when I go to a Mexican restaurant the first time, I order a combination plate so I can sample a variety of TexMex goodies such as tacos, queso, enchiladas, tamale, rice and beans. So I broke my cardinal rule by ordering fajitas on my 1st visit here. As a result, I have no idea what these "basics" tastes like at El Jardin. According to The Houston Press, avoid the combinations dinners here. But wait a doggone minute, not so fast. El Jardin is owned by the same family that has the M*amacitas, which the one I'm familar with is on NASA Rd. 1 (I think there are 2 more). And the combination plates at M*amacitas are pretty darn good.

So, like I said, I'll have to return to the barrio to try enchiladas, etc. at El Jardin. Like Jimmy Buffet sang, "It's my own damn fault."

NAME: Sandy from League City
SUBMITTED: 5/13/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 5/09
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: The food was excellent. I had the crispy beef taco plate. The rice was very good. Unfortunately, I didn't get the meal I was after. I read another review that stated" They have puffy tacos made famous in San Antonio ". They do not have " Puffy Tacos " and they didn't even know what I was talking about. Rats! Foiled again! I'll continue the quest for the elusive " Puffy Taco " in Houston.

NAME: Puffy Taco Hunter
SUBMITTED: 7/25/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 07/25/08
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: I love this place. I have been going here for years and in fact we go for our anniversary every year. El Jardin is a very welcoming place, with a friendly staff and excellent food! Very reasonably priced! They do have some Tex Mex flair for us gringos, but also make homeade Menudo on the weekends and other authentic dishes as well everyday. Saturday nights you can pay a little $ for some songs played at your table by the Mariachis. The fajitas are excellent, as well as the original quesadillas, enchiladas, tacos, frijoles and carnitas! The best Mexican Food in Houston! They have a Security Guard that watches the parking area and will walk you to your car if you need that, but we love it just the way it is! A+++

NAME: Deana
SUBMITTED: 2/12/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 10/06
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: Great food and for people who know of M*amacitas this restaurant is own by them, only twice as good and more reasonable. I recomend the Mole and the tortas. As for atmosphere in response to the review by Bern It's a Mexican restaurant in a Mexican neighborhood us Mexican's don't have any complaints, what do you expect. Must add very clean.

NAME: A. Jaquez
SUBMITTED: 6/4/2004   LAST VISIT WAS: 05/04
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: I LOVE this place! This is authentic mexican food, the green enchiladas suizas and the sour cream enchiladas are the best in Houston. Also the margaritas are delcious and cheap. The staff is friendly and very efficent, and the mariachi really liven up the place. I've been eating here for at least 10 years and I love it.

NAME: Alex
SUBMITTED: 11/18/2003   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/2003
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: last went over 10 years ago and same good food as this time. tres leches was a disappointment though. service excellent, but 5 piece band too loud!

NAME: TacoLover
SUBMITTED: 10/27/2003   LAST VISIT WAS: 10/03
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: This place is very good for high quality fast food. The service is quick as well as the food getting to you. M-Th from 11A to 7P is the best time to go. Two words, "Happy Hour". I've tried other places and I've heard about other people's margaritas, but for some reason I come back to these. They're small, refreshing, and best of all potent. Did I mention that they're only a dollar a piece? Downside to the eatery is location and atmosphere. If you're willing to put up w/ cheesy decorations and some Tejano on the jukebox this place is pretty good

NAME: Bern
SUBMITTED: 12/31/2000   LAST VISIT WAS: 08/2000
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

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