La Carreta — Restaurant in Houston

Delicious but skimpy servings. ... :( . The sign says "since 1973", but it was my first visit despite spending a lot of time in the neighborhood over the last 20 years I Stopped by on a Friday evening. It was Cinco De Mayo and with everyone on the prowl for margaritas, I was avoiding most of my regular places. At first I was only one of two tables in the place. With an hour before closing it seemed to be winding down when I first entered. But it filled up pretty ok after I got there. Small dining area with subdued lighting and decor. Definitely been there for a while, so I felt right at home and had high hopes the establishment's longevity fortold of a great off the beaten path experience. Alas, it was not to be. I so loved the food, BUT for a full price ($12) evening dinner plate ... I can honestly say I've had more rice and beans on a kids plate at most other restaurants. Which is sad cause the food was soo good. The Carne Guisada was obviously slow cooked with care and the gravy was thick, flovorable and excellent. The rice had a great roasty toasty flavor but was entirely tender and moist. The homemade guacamole was nice fresh and chunky. The salsa was of the warm stewed variety and had it's own unique seasoning and the chips were hot and fresh The staff was very friendly and attentive, but the sodas were single served in a can. No refills. Despite the minor drawback I was ok with all except the size of the plate. I seemed like a single spoon of rice, a single spoon of beans and a single spoon of Carne Guisada .... as I wrote earlier, It was almost kid sized in so many ways. I'll probably try it again a few more times to see if it was just an...

Aight so this bad boy been open up since 1973. I had seen a lot driving by and was very much intrigued! Has the aesthetic I like and I’m Mexican, they’re Mexican, amonos!

I’ve had better parking situations in dirt lots than here. Not a lotta space and watch out for that empty spot you gotta 4 point reverse to get out of, it’s a handicap.

Walk in and they got a little Tejano playing. A little Joe Lopez (fuck him tho) and I seat myself. LOVE THAT. The waitress comes up and takes my order and I’m set. This little “Weekend special” of Huevos Rancheros and Barbacoa was looking at me like the Green Goblin mask.

Ham and Egg taco 7/10 - nothing bad to say but nothing good either. The plate was literally a porcelain magma plate. 3rd degree burns.

Asada a la mexicana 8/10 - if I was Portnoy and only took 1 bite (he doesn’t) I’d have given this a 5. Maybe I was in the wrong frame of mind bc as I kept eating I was like oh yeah. Def recommend!

Breakfast Special 7.8/10 - Came another time for the breakfast special bc that looks like a banging deal and it is! Barbacoa was a little dry but hey what can you do. My girl for the barbacoa tacos with a menudo and she rather enjoyed it.

So you can both be pleased is the way to go!

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There are so many wonderful Mexican restaurants in the area. This is unfortunately not one of them.

The refried beans are practically just water with rehydrated bean flakes, the side of tortillas were so rubbery it was comical how long it took to cut through it, and both meals we ordered were hecka bland.

We ordered delivery so I cannot comment on whatever charm restaurant provides as some reviewers have noted the experience being nice. Instead, our experience was just watery breakfast slop on top of a tortilla. Either way I don’t think I will be dining in anytime soon unless I forget about writing this review.

I seriously debated writing a review at all but the high rating at this establishment compelled me to at least provide an account solely based on the food which can best be described as “edible”. “4 star” was the furthest thing from my mind.

However my belly required sustenance and chose to ignore the questionable presentation and general lack of flavor, and it wasn’t horrifying at least, so uhh...