The Original Ninfa's on Navigation in Houston is Ninfa Laurenzo's 1973 Tex-Mex room, the birthplace of the restaurant fajita, still serving skirt steak tacos.
Editorially verified May 18, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
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Address: 2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003
El Tiempo Cantina on Navigation in Houston is Roland Laurenzo's Tex-Mex room (son of Ninfa Laurenzo) next to the Original Ninfa's, with fajitas.
OrderFajitas, the beef rib parrillada, a stacked margarita.
TipThe Navigation flagship is the original; other locations exist citywide. Patio in cool weather.
Himalaya in Houston is Kaiser Lashkari's Pakistani-and-Indian room on the Southwest Freeway since 2004, a James Beard semifinalist kitchen with lamb biryani.
OrderLamb biryani, hunter's beef, chai-glazed lamb chops, garlic naan.
TipWeekday lunch buffet is the value entry. BYOB, with a corner liquor store across Hillcroft.
London Sizzler in Houston is the British-Indian-Pakistani room in the Olympic Center on the Southwest Freeway, with mixed-grill sizzlers, tandoori lamb chops.
OrderMixed-grill sizzler for two. Tandoori lamb chops. A sweet lassi.
TipKitchen runs late on weekends, to 11pm. Closed Mondays Walk-ins usually OK.
The Original Marini's Empanada House in Houston is the Argentine family kitchen on Westheimer in Westchase since 2007 (1971 in Montrose), with 80 savoury.
OrderClassic beef empanada (baked, the original), the corn empanada, the dulce de leche dessert version.
TipOrder half-dozen mixed (savoury) plus a single sweet to taste. The fried versions are heavier; baked is closer to the Argentine original.
Lankford Grocery & Market in Houston is the 1939 corner-store-turned-burger-shack on Dennis Street in Midtown, with the Grim burger, weekday breakfast.
OrderThe Grim (a Hatch chile burger with American cheese, jalapenos and house sauce).
TipCash and card. Closed weekends. Sit at the picnic tables outside; the indoor counter is a single bench.
Eight Row Flint in Houston is the Heights icehouse from Agricole Hospitality in a converted Citgo gas station on Yale Street, with brisket tacos.
OrderBrisket tacos, the frozen-tied-with-Topo-Chico margarita, queso fundido.
TipThe patio under the old gas station canopy is the seat. East End second location for a different crowd.
El Tiempo Cantina on Navigation in Houston is Roland Laurenzo's Tex-Mex room (son of Ninfa Laurenzo) next to the Original Ninfa's, with fajitas.
OrderFajitas, the beef rib parrillada, a stacked margarita.
TipThe Navigation flagship is the original; other locations exist citywide. Patio in cool weather.
