Mexican Food Sponsored by Tila's Restaurante and Bar Reviews     Profile     Website     Menu     Reservations

Donnelly's Mexican Restaurant

MY REVIEW: Love it, try it. Like being in a home kitchen! They really take care of you, owner is awesome! Tostada was made to order, husband had chili and the homemade tamales. Loved all of it. Try it and keep them open, so nice to eat a place that is not "chain food"!

NAME: DPGirl
SUBMITTED: 4/24/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: 04/2012
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Been going to this iconic Baytown landmark since the mid 60s when it was owned by and named P*ace's. Donnelly bought it in the mid 70s and the food tastes exactly the same. Handmade tamales and chili are their staples, but they also offer Mexican plates and even chicken & dumplings.

Located on the railroad tracks about a block off downtown's main street (Texas Ave.), the area has seen better days. But Donnelly's keeps on hanging in there, attracting a loyal following.

The old brick building is about the size of a postage stamp, but it exudes character, changing little from when I started going there 45 years ago. The homemade chili breaks all the rules governing Texas chili. It's pale. It's bland. It's runny. It's GREAT!! Maybe it's the nostalgia factor clouding my taste buds, but I can't get enough of it. It covers almost everything on the menu like Frito pie and enchiladas, but my favorite thing to order is the Chili Burger. Chili is ladeled over a toasted hamburger bun that has only minced onions & iceburg lettuce (which wilts under the hot chili). Get a couple handmade tamales on the side and you are in heart-attack heaven! Sit at the old original lunch counter and banter with Mary who continues to be voted "Best Waitress" in the Baytown Sun's reader's poll.

A buddy once told me decades ago, "Sandy, your idea of a good restaurant is if the front screen door has a hole in it". Donnelly's is THAT place!

NAME: Sandy from League City
SUBMITTED: 1/4/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 1/11
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

If you don't agree with these comments, agree with them or have additional comments,
click here to Add Your Review.