Doña Leti’s — Restaurant in Houston

This is usually my go-to place for the birria tacos.... it WAS the best in the Southside of the city UNTIL this new management. Went yesterday and the first thing you are hit with from the waitress is "There are no refunds or exchanges on orders!" My sisters and I come regularly and had never been told this. Spidey senses started tingling. We all order our regulars..... first sign the waitress is gone for long periods of time she takes the drink order. She brings the drinks one at a time with several minutes between each trip where 5 were ordered between 3 people (one is a 3 drink special). Spidey senses really tingling. Ordered the birria tacos plates and surf n turf egg rolls and finally birria surf n turf tacos (first big problem). The waitress argued that this dish doesn't exist of which my sister shows on their Facebook page a whole advertisement of same dish name 😳🙄 (remember we are regulars) After several trips to the kitchen to confirm she's not making this up finally got the right dish ordered. Now to the most major issues. The egg rolls..... normally have rice in the sauce mixture that you can both SEE and TASTE. My sister notices there's more dough in the egg roll than the mixture and surf n turf. She cracks it open there's no rice. Call the waitress back and inform her that there's no rice. She states that it is.... my sister cracks open another piece to reveal no rice. She ask for a manager and the waitress goes to the kitchen. Then the lies start. One came back from the kitchen talking about the kernels of rice were extremely small..... while the other returns claiming because she didn't want cilantro GARNISH they removed the rice because of that request. After going in circles because they didn't want to remake NOR refund the food they finally buckled and took them off the ticket. SMDH and normal stuff like consomme was watered down not flavorful.... they also didn't put as much surf in the surf n turf dishes. OVERALL NEW MGMT SUCKS.... and trying to cut corners. Do yourself a favor and go to the OTHER...

During my visit to Houston, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to explore Dona Leti’s especially after stumbling upon numerous glowing TikTok reviews praising their Birria. With the quest for the ultimate Birria still ongoing, this Mexican restaurant had to be on my list.

Arriving on a bustling Saturday at lunchtime, the exceptional service ensured a swift seating process, setting a positive tone for the culinary journey that awaited. Opting for the quesadillas Birria and the surf and turf egg roll, accompanied by my daughter's choice of a colossal burrito, we eagerly anticipated the flavors that would unfold.

The standout star of the meal was undeniably the surf and turf egg roll—an exquisite creation that showcased a unique twist. The generous shrimp, perfectly sized and flawlessly cooked, stole the spotlight, earning its place as the highlight of the dining experience. The creativity and distinctiveness of this dish truly set it apart.

The quesadillas Birria maintained the high standard set by the egg roll. The beef, tender and expertly seasoned, delivered a burst of delightful flavors, confirming that Dona Letis' culinary prowess extended beyond a singular standout dish.

Not to be overshadowed, my daughter's choice of the burrito proved to be a monumental decision. Described as both massive and delicious, it earned an unequivocal 10 out of 10 from her, solidifying the restaurant's consistency in delivering top-notch Mexican cuisine.

In conclusion, Dona Letis emerged as a culinary gem in Houston, offering not only a welcoming ambiance but also a gastronomic adventure that surpassed expectations. From the swift and accommodating service to the exceptional surf and turf egg roll, the flavorful quesadillas Birria, and the colossal burrito, every aspect of the dining experience earned a resounding recommendation. For those seeking an authentic and delectable Mexican culinary journey, Dona Letis is undoubtedly a must-visit establishment, deserving of its high praise and enthusiastic...

If you don’t want to read everything, feel free to skip right to the last paragraph.

I first came across Doña Leti’s on Instagram, and I remember thinking that their birria tacos look absolutely delicious, so I went to try it out.

Upon stepping in, I was surprised by the amount of space there was. It was a lot more spacious than I was expecting. We were guided to our seats and didn’t wait too long for our food to come.

The first thing that arrived was their mangonada. Let me tell you, I thought I wouldn’t like it that much. After trying Zero Degrees’ mangonada, it became a drink I tended to avoid. However, believe me when I say this, their mangonada is supreme! And by supreme, I mean delicious! It was so good that we decided to buy another large sized one on top of the small size we got in the beginning. A side note I might add, the larger size has extras on top of it like little gummy strips as opposed to the small, but they’re both great.

Then the main meal came. We ordered birria taco plates with three tacos each. It is laid out with a bunch of other foods like cucumber, bacon wrapped jalapeño, and lots more. When I dipped the taco into the consome, I thought it was pretty good. I don’t know what I was expecting to eat, but the actual taco shell was a lot harder to chew than I was expecting. I get that it’s a taco with a hard shell, but a normal taco shell has a crunch to it, this is kind of in between crunchy and soft. Other than that though, the meat was absolutely amazing, the cheese in my opinion was delicious, and it was overall a nice dinner.

If you want to come here, I instantly recommend getting their mangonada. It is absolutely delicious, especially eating the mango bits with chamuy. So so good. Their birria tacos were pretty good, make sure you eat it with everything they provide on the plate and dip it in the consome. I will try them again and explore their menu, but for now this place comfortably sits at a 4/5...