Ninfa's on Navigation

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2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003 (at Canal Street)
Houston, TX 77003

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(713) 228-1175
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Ninfa's on Navigation - Houston, TX
Ninfa's on Navigation - Houston, TX
Ninfa's on Navigation - Houston, TX
Ninfa's on Navigation - Houston, TX
Ninfa's on Navigation - Houston, TX
Ninfa's on Navigation - Houston, TX
Ninfa's on Navigation - Houston, TX
Ninfa's on Navigation - Houston, TX
Ninfa's on Navigation - Houston, TX
Ninfa's on Navigation - Houston, TX
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Reviews
( 27 )
( 7 )
( 7 )
( 6 )
( 13 )

Best

such great food and atmosphere! all the reviews say it's not what it used to be, but to me its still wonderful! highly recommended!

Worst

Those looking for authentic Mexican dishes need to look elsewhere. Seems almost everything here is drowned in melted cheese. The prices are high and the service is overwhelmed by ...

Event turned out great thanks to Ninfa's on Navigation! 4/2/2007

I wanted to let you know that our event turned out great, and Ninfa's was a huge factor in how nice everything was! Your staff was so efficient and friendly, they were great! The food was displayed in such a nice way, and as usual, your food was delicious too! Pros: Ease of ordering more
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Great Experience! 3/13/2007

I was very, very impressed with the service. I didn't really know the type of event I was looking to have and PK did a wonderful job of walking me thru the process. The food was great and the service was even better. I will definitely reorder from Ninfa's more
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Best Mexican Food In Town!!! 1/28/2007

ive been going to Ninfas since i was 12 years old, and im now 22 and i still go as often as i can. mostly every weekend. the food is great and service is just as good. at times there may be a long wait but trust me please.. trust me the food is worth it. standing in line conversating as the sizzling fajitas, cheesy enchiladas, or tasty tamlaes pass by just adds to the suspense of sitting down and finally getting your meal. and the sceanery is great nothing fancy this restraunt is as authentic as is food! and its nothing like the other Ninfas's you see around town. Ninfas on navigation rd. is the real deal and if you dont know spanish its alright the wait staff is ""user friendly"". So if your in town or live in town stop by you wont be disappointed. oh yea if you see a waiter by the name of Jose Cruz tell him the Aguilar Brothers said HELLO!!!! Pros: Service, friendly wait staff, Food, Appeitizers, Ambience Jose Cruz!! Cons: small parking but free and under patrol more
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Best in Houston! 3/5/2006

I must admit, I had eaten at several Ninfa's in Houston prior to eating at the original Ninfa's and I wasn't too impressed. I was kind of skeptical about going to the orginal Ninfa's on Navigation because I assummed that I'd get the same average tasting Mexican food from all the other Ninfa's.......WAS I WRONG!! This might be THE best Mexican food I've ever tasted in my life. The service was great, the food came out fast, it was piping hot, and tasted exquisite. I'm a hard judge when it comes to Tex-Mex and Ninfa's in hands down the best place I've ever been to for Mexican food. The sopapillas i had to cap off the meal were better than......let me just say they were reeeally good. Pros: Service , Promptness , Taste Cons: lack of parking more
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User review by shisitsu 1/30/2006

Great fajitas,great queso. Wonderful tortillas and great atmosphere. A must try ***** 5 stars more
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Don't waste time with other loctions 10/3/2003

This is the original and the only location still owned and controled by Ninfa's family. And what a difference! The food is great (queso flamiado and flan) and the setting is what makes it a real adventure. Be prepared to wait a while on the weekends, but it is worth it. Pros: great food Cons: can be crowded, parking more
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A bit Pricey 3/2/2003

Good restaurant - maintains authenticity the food is consistently good but a bit pricey. I always look forward to going. It's a treat Pros: parking Cons: expensive more
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alright 2/10/2003

the food was good....very small portions though for the price...i paid eight dollars and something for one beef taco (ground meat), one cheese enchilada, and rice and beans...several other places have much more food for the price Pros: good green sauce Cons: price, value, parking more
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Over priced!! 1/2/2003

Ninfa's has always been the most over rated and over priced Mexican food restaurant in Houston. This original on Navigation is OK, but the other Ninfa locations caused the reputation of the original to go down. They also caused the company to nearly go out of business. Again, OVER PRICED AND OVER RATED! Pros: ambience, good salsa Cons: costs too much, small servings, expensive margaritas more
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The very best in the world 12/29/2002

I am so happy to be back in my native Texas after 10 years away. How marvelous to know I am back in the cradle of Ninfa's Mexican food. This is absoultely the best mexican food outside of Mexico City. The carnita's are the best. The Taco's Al Carbon just as good. You name it and it is well worth the trip the the original restaurant on Navigation. Pros: variety, authenticity, flavor more
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Tex-Mex's Signature Restaurant 12/25/2002

I have been eating at Ninfa's for years and years. When I moved to Chicago, Ninfa's was the one thing about Houston I really missed. I have been searching for something comparable up here, but to no avail. Now the only time I get to go to Ninfa's is when I visit Houston, and that's not nearly often enough. Pros: Good food, Good drinks, Great service Cons: Iffy area of town, Not in Chicago, Relatively cheap! more
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The Original = The Best 12/11/2002

Having eaten at the original Ninfa's on Navigation once a week for the last ten years, I feel somewhat qualified to unreservedly recommend this location as the best Mexican restaurant in town. The menu provides great variety--tacos a la ninfa, enchiladas, combination plates, appetizers, and grilled items. An absolute sleeper item is the Pescado--grilled fish (usually tilapia) topped with a chipotle sauce with grilled veggies. Add waiters who have been there for decades and you've got the best spot in town. On weekend nights, expect a wait, but you won't be disappointed. (Please note that these words of praise apply ONLY to the Ninfa's on Navigation). more
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Over-rated 11/27/2002

Maybe ""back in the day"" this was a nice place with good food but let's face it - today, Ninfa's on Navigation is old, over-priced, and with nothing special going for it other than it was the original restaurant of a now unsuccessful chain of mexicanamerican food restaurants. The Ninfa's chain has failed because the food quality doesn't match the (high) price. The service doesn't stack up either. For a real value, great prices, service and the BEST margarita's - checkout Cinco de Mayo in Conroe. Most newer mexican food restaurants far exceed Ninfa's in terms of quality and price. Ninfa's on Navigation should not be in the top 10. Pros: Landmark Cons: Prices, parking, Food Quality, Service more
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Muy Bueno! 11/25/2002

As a hispanic with Mexican heritage raised in Texas, there couldn't be better, more authentic Tex-Mex than Ninfa's on Navigation! There are few Ninfa's in Houston that meet the same standards as the original. It's a great blend of my momma's cooking, with great Texas taste! And the margaritas! WHOO! They are the best! more
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Bad news 10/4/2002

Bad news Review of The Original Ninfa's on Navigation by LarryBrown October 05, 2002 I've been to Ninfa's various times over 20 years, I've never liked it much. Tex-Mex is my fave food tho. Around 2000 we went to Ninfa's in the Galleria and it was great. Later we went there and it was awful. I heard all the fuss about Navigation, so we tried that in 2001 and it was no good. Why bother? We have scads of excellent Tex-Mex that never miss. 2009 addition: We just enjoyed an event that was catered by Ninfa's. My wife (very particular about food) said that the beef fajita's were the best she ever had. Tender, delicious, with no fat, cartilege, or tendon. When Ninfa's is good, it's great and that's why it's famous. Unfortunately they've never been able to even it out and make it good every time, that's always been they're reputation. * Pros:Lots of hype, houston institution, bird logo * Cons:lousy food, inconsistent at best, remote location Pros: Lots of hype, houston institution, bird logo Cons: lousy food, inconsistent at best, remote location more
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Still Great! 9/14/2002

This place provides great food and adequate service. Even the beer seems better here. Pros: Great food Cons: Out of the way, Parking more
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The Original 8/27/2002

This is the only place to eat TexMex in this city. The other resturants in this chain don't hold up unfortunately. I can't believe Adobes is rated so high on this list. Thats place is about as original as Taco Bell. more
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absolutely heavenly 8/16/2002

I enjoyed this experience more than anywhere i have been in the last year! They are wonderful there, they make you feel like family and the food is to die for, so fresh and so the taste everyone is looking for in Mexican Food. more
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bad, bad, bad, boo, hiss 8/8/2002

Went to Ninfa's on Navigation with some family members, 4 and a high chair. Asked for non-smoking and all they wanted to do was seat us in a crowded corner or smoking. No one was waiting and there were empty tables that could accomodate a high chair, but everyone of them just happened to be reserved. This was at 6:00 in the evening. Left and went to another restaurant, probably won't go back, not very accomodating, guess we didn't look like the kind of folks that would have had lots of margaritas. Too bad, so sad. Cons: Not friendly to famil more
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muy bueno 8/5/2002

Ninfa's like I always remember it - great tortillas, great green sause and great queso. It is a fun place and good for groups. thanks. more
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Menu for Ninfa's on Navigation


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The original Ninfa's in Houston Serving Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Owner Message

  • Located on Navigation Boulevard just minutes from the heart of downtown Houston, the Original Ninfa's was all started with Mama Ninfa Laurenzo's creative TexMex recipes. These led to the introduction of fajitas & Mexican cuisine to North America which gained immediate success.

    If you're looking for a Houston Mexican restaurant, Ninfa's on Navigation is not only a local icon, having serviced politicians, celebrities & even visiting royalty, their Mexican food is unbeatable. Chef Alex Padilla uses only top quality ingredients, like Mama Ninfa herself did, & fresh Gulf of Mexico seafood like red snapper, jumbo shrimp & more.

    Voted Best Margaritas, you can enjoy Ninfaritas on the outdoor deck, dine on the best Mexican dishes & fajitas around & truly enjoy the great restaurant experience.

Editorial
Additional information
  • Hours: 5pm to 1am daily
  • Payments: American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: South Central, Second Ward, Northwest, Spring Branch East
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