Sunday Brunches sponsored by Rainbow Lodge Reviews / Profile Sunday Brunch / Menus Website 1308 Cantina, El Tiempo Hours: See Profile   1308 Montrose Blvd Houston TX 77019 713.807.8996 You might also be interested in these:     Mexican Food Restaurants    Outdoor Dining    Sunday Brunch    ZIP 77019 Profile Description: Fresh made Mexican food. Specializing in woodfired grill items like fajitas and seafood.   Add Review PROFILE     MY REVIEW: My wife and were going here several times a month, until recently... For the last 6 months the qualtiy has been going down steadily. It culmintated last night when my wife's chalupa was soggy and my pork fajitas were not cooked. What's more is the restaurant was not even busy when we were there. The waiter was very helpful and the manager paid for our entrees but it was the last straw. It's a very sad situation to see a once splendid restaurant deteriorate so acutely. NAME: busakisama SUBMITTED: 1/12/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 1/2008 FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name... MY REVIEW: Two weeks ago, I took two guests to 1308 la Cantina, intending to use a $25 restaurant.com certificate I'd purchased for $10, on line. I confirmed the certificate's validity on entering the restaurant (hostess even went off and asked someone else and came to our table to affirm), had about a $70 meal (no alcohol included) and was then told at bill time by the manager that the restaurant no longer accepted these discount coupons but would grant me a "courtesy" 6% off my bill. I did not want to embarrass my guests so I paid but am not inclined to use Restaurant.com, again. I later sent an email to Restaurant.com and requested reimbursement of the $10 I'd paid for the certificate and $10 for another certificate bought for the same restaurant that would presumably also be rejected if presented. Restaurant.com emailed me a $25 certificate to any of its participating restaurants, which was fine, but I still probably will not return to 1308 Cantina because, without a certificate, the food's not worth the price. NAME: silver screener SUBMITTED: 11/13/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: October 2007 FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times MY REVIEW: The food here is entirely mediocre which is inexcusable for their extremely high prices. (You can pay up to $40 per entree if you are curious enough to see what a restaurant that makes mediocre TexMex will do with lobster.) Their sister restaurants "El T*iempo Cantina" have always been somewhat pricey, but very well worth the splurge. I cannot say the same about 1308 Cantina. I've been 3 times and service ranged from adequate to terrible. (On our last visit we made the mistake of going in 30 minutes before closing. The waitstaff was far more interested in closing activities than bothering to help us. His tip was based on $20 less of a tab since he neglected to get our 2nd round of drinks. Strong points: Nice atmosphere, bar area, free valet parking. That's about it. Weak points: Everything else. Mediocre food at outrageous prices served by indifferent wait staff. (I don't mind outrageously priced food that's FANTASTIC. This is forgettable.) NAME: festusbodine SUBMITTED: 11/8/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 10/2007 FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times MY REVIEW: I visited 1308 twice in September; once for Sunday brunch and another for Happy Hour and dinner on a Friday. Both times, the service was slow and there were not many people in the restaurant or on the Patio. Also, both times, a waiter dropped an entire tray of glasses! The first time I went, I found the fajita marinade absolutely delicious. The second time I went, the fajitas did not taste the same at all and were undercooked. For a Laurenzo restaurant, the service needs to be better as well as the consistency. My friends and I have given this place a try and we will not be going back. NAME: Fleurdelis SUBMITTED: 10/10/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: Sept 2007 FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times MY REVIEW: The jalapeno sausage is great - worth going back for all by itself!!! I had it with the fajitas and an appetizer of ceviche. Others had pork fajita, beef taco, cheese enchiladas & drank Sangria. All of the food/drink was very good. The atmosphere at a weekend peak period was somewhat loud, and the service could have been more attentive, yet I still did not feel ignored. The left-overs from my own appetizer and meal was enough for a whole 'nother meal! I will be back. NAME: John Q. Publique SUBMITTED: 4/16/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 04/14/07 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: The place is laid back and a bit casual for the prices charged. We went on a week nite so getting seated was no problem. The waiter was a bit inexperienced. Our appetizers arrived with our entree. Otherwise we thought the food was excellent. We had the Spicy Snapper & Beef Fajita..enough for two to share. Also had the ceviche. Matre D' was great ( & cute), he ended up giving us our appetizers for free because of the inexperienced waiter. We will definitely be back. NAME: Charles SUBMITTED: 2/26/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 02/07 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: Saw the interview (did someone call it a 'review'?) with Jon Paul in the Houston Press and was curious; so stopped in for lunch and was well taken care-of, although the sweetbreads were missing, and I received fajitas instead of the ordered carnitas. But hey, it will take some time to work out the kinks, I guess. One thing I'd like to taste more of is heat, and bold flavors. God knows we don't need another wimpy, dumbed down Tex-Mex joint, even if the service is stellar. NAME: Candida SUBMITTED: 2/4/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 1/07 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: I wanted to try this place after I saw the review in the Houston Press earlier in the week, so I convinced a friend of mine to go come with me on a Saturday evening. Evening though the place was packed, we were able to seated immediately. A really busy atmosphere, so if you are coming for a nice, quiet meeting, then this is not the place to be. However, this is not an ultra-chic or pretentious dining ambience, so don't feel like you have to dress up to come in. Once seated, we were quickly taken care of. The entire meal went without a hitch, though it did appear the staff was extremely busy, as obviously they were. The food was brought out quickly and very hot, just like I like it. The combination platters are probably the best value, and they did not dissappoint. I would totally recommend eating here and will come again. The only issue is parking - not in the best part of town for sure, but that won't stop me from coming again! NAME: Anonymous SUBMITTED: 1/28/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 01/07 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: It was good to eat again at the location of the old La J*alisiencia (Jolly Science!). I never went to it while it was S*abor so this was my first time being in the location since it is a new resturant. Fun atmosphere like La J*alisiencia but with food that is WAY better. I ordered the number Seis while my friend had the 1308 Dinner. Lots of food for the money. Excellent margaritas. The service was also excellent! Chips and drinks were refilled without asking as well as several waitstaff dropping by asking if we needed anything. This is not like many resturants where you know you better get what you need when they bring your food because you will not see them again ever unless you flag them down if you can only make eye contact. Great first experience which means I will definately be back. NAME: FredinMontrose SUBMITTED: 1/28/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 01/28/07 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: We just moved into the Montrose area and decided to stop by 1308. We were cravng Tex-Mex and thought this place would serve ordinary Tex-Mex food...little did we know that the food was very good and of good quality. I had the 1308 combination plate and my husband had the Jon Paul plate...we were pleasantly surprised...the plate was gigantic which is always a plus...and the enchiladas were really good...the chicken fajita was fair for me as I felt it was a bit bland in flavor, but the taco was yummy! Definitely will be back. NAME: nabby SUBMITTED: 1/22/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 1/2007 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: Went there for lunch today. Unlike it's predecessor, Sa*bor, this place is a bit more casual and the menu is a lot less expensive. However, I think the food is every bit as good as Sa*bor, though the servings seem bigger now. I had the 3108 Plate and couldn't finish it even though I wanted too. My lunch companion had the chicken tamales and they were extremely good as well. The food and service were very good. Go now, before this place gets discovered. It won't be long before there'll be a line out the door. NAME: Sealock SUBMITTED: 1/15/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 01/07 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: Highly recommended - a rather extensive menu and nice surroundings, but the best part is the service, which is absolutely five-star. For food in this price range, you can't beat it. NAME: dirigo SUBMITTED: 1/8/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 1/07 FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times MY REVIEW: This is NOT Sabor. Sabor is still open. Loved this place. Who puts artichoke hearts in the rice dish? Fabulous. We had the basic beef & chicken faitas and I loved every bite. The chicken had some kind of lime infusion that really brought out the flavors of the chicken and the lime. I am an old time Montrose resident and missed seeing the old place go BUT the food here was very fresh, very flavorable, and I will tell everyone I know. Have dinner here! NAME: k. lindberg SUBMITTED: 1/6/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 01/06/07 FREQUENCY: Visited once MY REVIEW: Taken over by the El Tiempo/Ninfa people. You decide. If you want exotic, different, unusual cuisine like Sabor had, forget it. If you like rather typical Tex-Mex, the kind we can eat anywhere, in a room with remnant exotic decor, try it. It is not terrible but in selling out yet again, we are turning the restaurant industry, even within the Loop, into one big series of chains. NAME: wfxs SUBMITTED: 1/3/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 1/2007 FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times MY REVIEW: Disapointed, very disapointed. Sabor had unique menu items that you could get in very few if any Houston restaurants. Seafood was excellent and plenty of variety. The appetizer, campanchana, was supurb. All this is gone now that Sabor is 1308 Cantina. What is left is one of a hundred Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston. Did they lose the chef? Why the change from great to average? NAME: Gail & Steve SUBMITTED: 12/23/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 12/20/06 FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times MY REVIEW: When I heard that Sabor changed it's name to 1308 Cantina and had a new menu, I had to check it out. I'm not sure what it was like as Sabor but it is now upscale Tex-Mex with nachos, tacos, enchiladas, tamale, rice, beans, etc. There are also more pricey shrimp, quail, and even a lobster dish but it is a large menu with enough to satify all Tex-Mex lovers. I chose the 1308 combination plate with beef fajitas, cheese enchilada, taco, rice, and beans. First off the portions are very large and I can't believe I managed to finish the whole thing! The fajitas were tasty, tender, and cooked perfectly. Even the crispy taco was extremely good ... probably because instead of hamburger it was made with ground sirloin I think it said. The beans were so good I kept thinking how great it would be take a big bowl home to eat with corn bread. Even the rice was tasty which I normally avoid at all Mexican restaurants. I'll definitely be back and do recommend it to others. Oh, I forgot to mention the Sangria made with lots of brandy. Too bad I had to return to work or another or two would have been in order. NAME: klm SUBMITTED: 12/13/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: Dec 2006 FREQUENCY: Visited once If you don't agree with these comments, agree with them or have additional comments, click here to Add Your Review. Restaurant Owners & Managers Curious about your Activity and Ranking on b4-u-eat? Want to Create or Update your Free Profile Page? Click here to Login. ©Copyright 1991 - 2008 B4-U-EAT.COM. All rights reserved. Design and database by B4-U-BUY