Hoppes Cantina — Restaurant in Texas City

Walking into Hoppes Cantina on Easter morning around 10:30am, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The place was completely empty, which can go either way but any doubts were immediately put to rest thanks to Jazmin, the bartender, who greeted us with a genuine smile and effortless charm. She was not only friendly, but also a great conversationalist who set the tone for what turned out to be a fantastic meal.

We started off with something I’d never had before: fried tamales. Yes, you read that right…hot, crispy tamales that were crunchy on the outside while still soft and savory inside. Unique, and absolutely delicious.

After reading rave reviews about the carne asada, I couldn’t resist and I’m so glad I didn’t. The steak was perfectly juicy, rich with flavor, and clearly cooked with care. Paired with charro beans that had a delightful jalapeño kick, it was a seriously satisfying plate. Their salsa brought a nice spice to the table too fresh, flavorful, and balanced.

My husband ordered the birria tacos, and they did not disappoint either. They were tender, flavorful, and came with just the right amount of melty cheese and savory broth for dipping. Absolutely worth coming back for.

To top it all off, we split a plate of sopapillas, which came out as a massive portion and dusted with just the right amount of sugar and cinnamon. The sides of chocolate and strawberry dipping sauces were a fun, indulgent bonus.

On the drinks side, Jazmin made me a killer Michelada, well-balanced, refreshing, and one of the better ones I’ve had in a while. They also had a great beer selection on tap, including some fun local brews. The Ghost in the Machine was fantastic.

Even though the place was empty when we arrived, it quickly became clear that Hoppes Cantina is a total hidden gem. The food? Top notch. The vibe? Laid-back, friendly, and full of personality. If you're looking for bold flavors and warm service, don't pass this place up. We’ll...

Went for dinner with my 2 year old & sister one night at 6pm. Right when you park , you can hear the music blaring from the building. We walk in & find a table. It’s not busy , 1 other table , a single guy sitting at a table drinking a margarita and a few guests at the bar. There’s 3 bartenders. Nobody wanted to even acknowledge we were there. 1 of the girls went to drop off a single drink to the table , then right back to the bar and to the guy drinking the margarita by himself. He asked her to “close out” she repeated what he said because that’s how loud it was in there , then went right back to the bar. We sat there with no menus and unsure if we would even be greeted. My 2 year old is starting to get very antsy , as he was hungry. So we got up & left to gringos. As we were leaving , still nobody saying anything to us! I see a man outside turning on heaters. Which also confused me as it was 85 degrees outside. I asked if he was the manager & he said “baby I own this place” I said “well that’s great . We were ignored so we are leaving.” He then shouted at me , begging me to stay and that “everything would be free”. I am a bartender myself and can imagine how awkward it would’ve been to stay & eat. I will never be back & will be sharing my experience with all of my friends/family. Also this isn’t a child friendly Mexican restaurant. One of the girls was wearing a bikini with her...

Saturdays are Bike nights! Everything was fine and dandy for my hubby and I until we closed the tab. Three budlights at $4.50 each, two double grey goose n pineapple juice @$16 and some change each, Birria taco $16 and Birria quesadillas$13 came to $100.16. Why tho..that didn’t add up even with added tax so hubby asked for itemized receipt and lo n behold our waitress that started out awesome added a $15 automatic gratuity tip to our tab! I can understand for large crowds but for two people?? Diners beware! She scratched off the $20 tip we initially left since she helped herself with the $15 tip! And then we were not told that paying with CC comes with added fee as opposed to paying cash. The waitress asked for a card to “open our tab” when we initially ordered the drinks even though we were not sitting at the bar. Nowhere on the menu or signage or on the actual receipt shows that automatic gratuity is added nor she mentioned it to us verbally prior- isn’t that against...