A juicy burger with fries and an iced cold soda is what instantly comes to mind when we think of drive-thru restaurants in Houston. Savvy foodies know the options go well beyond burgers. You can find drive thrus in many different global cuisines. We are fortunate to live in the Tex-Mex capital of the world and we searched for the most popular drive-thru Mexican food restaurants in Houston to share with you.

According to the National Restaurant Association, Mexican food is one of America’s top favorite global cuisines.

Mexican food is the 3rd most popular menu type in the U.S.

You’ll find tacos, tortas, tamales, burritos, grilled meats, handmade tortillas and more offered directly to your car’s front seat for immediate gratification. Which restaurants in Houston do you sneak away to for a quick fix?

Why We Love It

Mexican cuisine promises robust flavor and healthy options at the same time. From your first bite into any authentic dish your mouth will burst with different tastes from unique spices. Prominent in Latin American and Mexican cuisine is freshly grilled meats and vegetables and unique cheeses. Anyone on a Paleo, Vegetarian or Keto diet can find plenty to eat at local Houston Mexican Food restaurants.

Amid the pandemic, many Americans have turned to healthier lifestyle choices, with fast food and quick serve restaurants being a significant part of it. We aim for a more balanced and nutritious diet on-the- go. Mexican restaurants offer what people are looking for. Their dishes have at least one element from core food groups like meat, legumes and cheese for protein, tomatoes, avocado, lime, etc., in a variety of vegetables and different types of grains.

Many restaurants also locally source produce and are consciously moving to non-GMO, organic and other unique food preferences.

Thanks to COVID-19, drive-thru, curbside and delivery are here to stay. Restaurants have morphed to accommodate a safe, convenient, personalized experience.

To help you quench your craving for an on-the-go great street taco and some guac, we’ve compiled a list of local drive-thru Mexican food restaurants in Houston.

 

1. El Rey Taqueria – Multiple Locations https://www.elreytaqueria.com/menu/

El Rey is a local Cuban-Mexican food chain known to be one of the best among Houston’s drive-thrus. It offers various food options, ranging from their authentic ropa vieja (shredded beef stewed in a tomato broth Cuban style), fresh marinated ceviche, classic chicken tortilla soup, and rotisserie chicken, to name a few.

Their breakfast menu has tacos, fresh hot tortillas and beans, crispy bacon, and an extensive coffee menu with hand-crafted lattes and cappuccinos made-to-order. For your sweet cravings, too, their in-house bakery offers assorted muffins, flan, and tres leches.

People love to drive-thru this restaurant for its delicious authenticity and an array of food options to choose from at pocket-friendly prices. Now, who doesn’t like that? We found them with 4.4 Google Stars.

2. Taco Cabana – Multiple Locations https://www.tacocabana.com/

You spot a pink banner on a Texas highway; you instantly know it’s Taco Cabana. It’s one of the oldest fast-casual restaurant chains in the U.S. specializing in Mexican cuisine. They take pride in preparing fresh Tex-Mex food every day from authentic recipes and ingredients that reflect the culturally rich Tex-Mex history.

The menu includes a range of tacos, flame-grilled fajitas, enchiladas, quesadillas, Cabana bowls, freshly-made flour tortillas, and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. The restaturant features open-display cooking so you can watch your food being prepared, convenient drive-thrus, and open-air patio dining. Google Reviews vary by location.

3. Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant – 13083 W Lake Houston Pkwy, Houston, TX 77044 https://www.facebook.com/Manuelsmexican/

No-frills family run restaurant serving Mexican standards, breakfasts & street food in a simple setting. Specialty dishes include: Fajitas Poblanas, Bistec Ranchero, Alambre (a grilled shish kebab) Yum. 4.4 Google Stars

4. Dichos Taqueria – 614 S. Wayside Suite 101. Houston TX. 77011 http://www.taqueriadichos.com/menu/

It is your go-to place for all food Mexican offering a wide variety of traditional Mexican cuisine. Known for their desayunos traditionales, you can get your huevos any kind of traditional way! The restaurant services include drive-thru, delivery, and catering. 4.4 Google Stars

5. Taco Palenque – 3000 Woodridge, Houston, TX 77087 https://www.tacopalenque.com/

Originally from Sinaloa, Mexico, Don Pancho first founded El Pollo Loco, which was such a success. This led him to open another restaurant, Taco Palenque®, in 1987 in Laredo, Texas. It has become the ultimate location to spend time with family and friends while enjoying a delicious, unforgettable and authentic Mexican food. 4.0 Google Stars

6. Taconmadre – 610 Crown St, Houston, TX 77020 https://taconmadre.com/

With over 18 combinations that include fries and a drink, this authentic Tex-Mex is drive-thru heaven. Generously filled with meats and cheeses, you’ll need to pull over to get two-hands on the tacos or tortas to be sure you get every bite! 4.4 Google Stars

7. La Cruderia Micheladas & Grill – 8394 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77036 https://www.lacruderiabar.com/

Located in the edges of Houston’s “Chinatown”, La Crudería Michelada Bar brings you an authentic Mexican flavor. Inspired by Chef Norma E. Loredo

La Crudería Michelada Bar opened its doors in October 2019, located in South West Houston on the edge of Chinatown. With Chef Norma’s creativity and originality the Michelada Bar offers an explosion of authentic Mexican flavors in its famous and extravagant Micheladas as well as in its delicious and genuine dishes. 4.7 Google Stars

8. El Oasis – 1418 Holland Ave, Houston, TX 77029 https://www.facebook.com/El-Oasis-277629892335660/

Refresqueria deluxe! Folksy, rustic locale with down-home Mexican bites & cocktails, plus a drive-thru & outdoor seating. Delicious refreshing cocktails piled high with fruit and rimmed with michelada salt. 4.2 Google Stars

9. Don Rey Mexican Restaurant – Multiple Locations https://donreyrestaurant.com/

Specializing in breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night cravings. Fast food offerings such as tortas, gorditas, flautas and more make this the place to go when you need it to go! Kid-friendly kid’s plates mean grown-ups can have spicy and kiddos can have it their way. Over 1,000 Google reviews with a 4.3 rating speaks for quality food fast.

10. DBL2 Drive-Thru – 804 Preston Rd, Pasadena, TX 77503 http://houstonmicheladas.com/

Shrimp-lined cocktails, micheladas, piñas locas, ceviche, caldo de marisces are on the drive-thru menu. With over 11,000 Facebook fans and 4.1 Google Stars means a trip to Pasadena may be just what you need.

 

What’s Your Fav?

We get it. We’re just so happy that these restaurants get that winning the fast-food and quick-serve restaurant game requires a drive-thru. We want to also support our local restaurant owners, many who are family businesses employing generations of family members. If we missed your favorite Mexican food restaurant that features drive-thru service, we’d love to know who they are. If you’ve been to any of these great featured drive-thrus, share your positive experience with us and let us know what’s good to go! Houston es el mejor lugar para la comida Mexicana. ¡Comparte tu experiencia con nosotros!