Nothing beats a delicious meal at a local family-owned restaurant. Houston's booming Latino population has fueled a vibrant culinary scene bursting with flavor and these family-owned eateries have been a big part of building it.
Understanding how important these Hispanic-owned businesses are to our communities, PepsiCo launched Juntos Crecemos, a program dedicated to helping these businesses thrive, offering grants, mentorship from experienced professionals, and even marketing help to reach more customers. Many of the businesses on the Juntos Crecemos platform are key players in Houston’s fascinating food scene.
From Mexico's rich, regional dishes to the pupusas of El Salvador, Latin American cuisine in Houston offers a delicious journey south of the border. Buckle up for a taste of tradition, with a Texan twist.
Typical local dishes include sizzling fajitas piled high with grilled meats and peppers, cheese enchiladas smothered in zesty sauce, and breakfast tacos brimming with fluffy eggs and chorizos.
Bold flavors are the heart of Houston, with restaurants offering a casual and friendly atmosphere perfect for satisfying a variety of Texas-infused Latin comfort food cravings.
It’s time to put a spotlight on these delicious establishments. That’s why—along with Pepsi® —Chef Aarón Sánchez visited four Juntos Crecemos restaurants in the area to take a bite, along with his amazing guests, renowned Chef Wes Avila and superstar Olympic boxer Marlen Esparza.
Get to know these incredible places!
Las Mamalonas Burger
Craving a juicy burger with a Latin twist? Las Mamalonas Burger offers exactly that. Hailing from Monterrey, its owners serve up gourmet burgers infused with bold regional flavors with… 23 burgers options to pick from! A delicious example: the La Mamalona isstacked with a beef patty, pork meat, chicken, red Mexican sausage, ham, salami, white cheese, bacon, onion rings, and more!! Whichever dish you choose, Las Mamalonas Burger promises a unique and mouth-watering experience for any burger enthusiast.
Barcenas Restaurant
For a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine in Houston, look no further than Barcenas Restaurant. This family-owned establishment serves generations-old recipes, from sizzling fajitas to rich mole sauces.
Their star dish? Homero’s Favorite Enchiladas: Enchiladas made with corn tortillas filled with homemade barbacoa (beef cheek meat), topped with salsa (made of pure jalapeños, butter and garlic) and melted Monterey jack cheese.
With a warm atmosphere and friendly service, Barcenas offers a delightful and genuine Mexican dining experience.
Guanatos Grub
Embark on a culinary adventure to the best of Regional Mexican food. From Tacos de Birria to Carnita en su Jugo, a traditional soup dish from Guadalajara made from beef steak cooked in its own juices, along with bacon, beans, other seasonings, and tomatillo salsa, its dishes express the “complex simplicity” of this amazing cuisine, as Chef Aarón puts it.
Happy Takos
As the name suggests, Happy Takos is all about celebrating the joy of tacos. This Tex-Mex eatery offers a wide variety of delicacies, from the classic carne asada taco (grilled steak) to their ultra-famous Hurricane Taco (we’ll just tell you that it includes seasoned potatoes and a over-medium egg) and their specialty Costillas Verdes: baby back pork ribs, smothered in a serrano and tomatillo based green salsa served with homemade whole beans.
With fresh ingredients, quick service, and an upbeat atmosphere, Happy Takos is the perfect spot for a satisfying and affordable taco fix.
These restaurants all pack a flavorful mouthwatering punch and what better way to complete a meal than with an ice cold citrusy-sweet Pepsi Zero Sugar®.
Which one are you going to taste first? Any of them will have you Talking Sabor!