Las Colinas Neighborhood Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Hot Springs Village

I've given it two chances, the first was several weeks after it opened. I liked what they have done on the interior. The food was "ok", worth another visit. On that visit it was apparently our servers first day, we were there at lunch, but he charged us at the dinner prices, which he corrected. But worse, my lunch partner did not get what she ordered, she chose not to say anything and paid the higher price. I felt if you don't speak up nothing will be corrected. Neither meal was hot, like they had been sitting out for while. The chips and salsa were good. Went back for a second visit on 2/25...which was and will be my last time. I ordered a chili relleno and tamale..I specified NO sauce on the relleno. She asked what did I want in my relleno, chicken or ground beef! 🤔 I was surprised and asked again...the only protein I've ever had in a chili relleno was Jack cheese. But I figured they made them different in Arkansas, I'm from California and married into a Hispanic family..but what do I know! My meal came drowned in cheese sauce, both the tamale and the relleno. When I cut into the tamale I was again surprised and asked what was the "stuff" inside. I was told it was pork, I beg to differ, but by now I had decided I'd never be back. I was unable to enjoy the chili relleno because of the sauce I asked not to put on it but just as well because the ground beef inside was horrible and the batter on chili relleno, where I could see and taste it tasted like corn meal!🤮 I'll never go back, the gal that waited on us on the 25th did not understand or speak English, that's probably why I got sauce on the relleno. The fellow that waited on us the 1st time was also English challenged, and didn't know how to charge. Thank you, Kathy...

We were really hungry for Tex Mex being from Houston but have been worried we would be disappointed if we tried somewhere near our home in Hot Springs Village. Boy! Were we surprised when we decided on Las Colinas for dinner tonight. When we walked in we were greeted by a sweet hostess that seated us immediately. The bar to the right seemed very modern with several TV screens and seating for at least 10 people. The colors were bright and very traditional. I like that their salsa was spicy and served in a carafe. Chips were fresh and pretty good! My husband had the carnitas which were tender and tasty. His beans had a good flavor (he declined the tortillas so no reviews on those). I was pleasantly surprised by my three Birria tacos! The marinated beef was fabulous. They were a tad greasy but delicious. Served with purple onion, cilantro and and Birria dipping sauce. As good as anything in Houston. Honestly. Our food came out quickly and the wait staff and bartender were Latina and knew the menu well. They had a special margarita for less than $4 so I had one. And the rim was covered with Tajin! My favorite. The only two things missing on the menu were Chicken Enchiladas Verdes, and Tecate beer which no Tex Mex restaurant would be without in Houston. BUT…it’s not Houston so I’d say they are doing...

Checked receipt and they charged more for my meal than the menu price (menus were newly printed). I let it slide the first time but this is clearly deliberate, and they once charged us $4 for refilling our salsa. When I complained about the additional charge the waitress refused to refund me and tried to tell me it was including tax--when tax is a separate line item on the receipt. We always tipped 20% or over and were easy customers to deal with with no demands. They view repeat customers as people to shake down and think they can get away with it. This incident was the last straw -- East Gate food is lacking enough as it is and Las Colinas is no longer under consideration. They ABSOLUTELY know what they are doing, and other reviews Indicate they do this to other people and refuse to refund. Again, they absolutely know what they are...