Ayala's Cafe — Restaurant in Hempstead

So this is not entirely fair — I’ve eaten at Ayala’s for years and years so this is not a drive-by review. I’m a regular. My ordinary schedule is I eat lunch out 7 days per week. I’ve eaten in 99% of the restaurants within 20 miles. There’s a reason I keep returning to Ayala’s in Hempstead. Ready? It’s always great food. Always.

Naturally being in Texas, Mexican food restaurants are as common as signal lights. They are everywhere and many are very good. So what distinguishes Ayala’s, you ask.

First, walking into the restaurant one immediately senses that cleanliness is a priority. This is a carry over, I think, from traditions in Mexico where all really nice restaurants are impeccably clean. It’s a status symbol of sorts. “We are clean here.” Second, the menu has a broad offering of traditional Mexican cuisine, including beef, chicken and pork dishes with excellent sauces that must come from somebody’s abuelita decades ago. My personal favorite is the Verde Carne Asada plate: diced pork, served in a scrumptious verde sauce that I could drink with a straw it’s so good. Mexican rice and choice of beans either refried or charro (get the charro beans). Their breakfast menu is quite broad and offers both traditional Mexican plates along with a few American favorites. Coffee aficionado? Their coffee bar will thrill you. Know that the owner is working, milling about, checking, tasting, helping so that a quality dining experience is delivered to everyone. If you are in Hempstead for only two meals, Ayala’s must be one of those two. The restaurant is a local favorite in a crowded Mexican food market. It is centrally located, has convenient parking, the service is attentive, the food is delicious, the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere both clean and inviting. I simply can’t imagine anyone not having a great...

Husband & I stopped in to try lunch buffet on way home from Houston, & SO glad we did. Real Mexican Food, Chicken & Beef Fajitas, hot, home made flour tortillas, perfect cheese enchiladas, all the fixings to go with, beans, hot wings,salad,and largest glass of freshly made iced tea of any restaurant I've been to in a very long time. filled my plate twice. Husband laughed at me because he claims he's never seen me eat so much & we've known each other since 12/16/66..count um, nearly 50 years...Lemon pound cake & fresh sliced oranges for desert. total for bill? Under $22..try to find that in Houston! Oh yes, I can't forget ,Kindest, friendliest staff around. AND they are ALL family. Now live 16 miles past Hempstead & will definitely be taking a little ride back to have lunch again, but probably stop with one plate (& they are talking about having buffet on Saturday, so when you pass thru Hempstead heading to all the little antique stores and my favorite shopping..First Saturday on the Square in Bellville) plan to stop for lunch..You...

Went back this last week for the first time in probably over 5 years and let me say how much it has changed in a good way. It has evolved and it is like a fuse still of a small hole in the wall restaurant with finer Mexican food dining. They have changed from buffet style to ordering of menu and have started using fresher and better ingredients. Presentation of the plates is also nice. Makes you feel like you are eating in a nice Mexican restaurant in a bigger city where presentation of the food matters. And the inside had also been remodeled as well and is more open. Also has a new coffee bar inside that I didn't get to try in this visit but will next time we come back. Staff is very attentive and nice. Would definitely recommend folks to check it out. If they haven't before or if they have like me a long time ago. Looking forward to...