Houston has thousands of restaurants and we could send you to a different one every night for a year. If you only have one night, though, go here. Ninfa’s on Navigation is where Mama Ninfa Laurenzo started serving grilled skirt steak in flour tortillas in 1973, which is roughly how the modern fajita came to exist. It is a Houston institution, and unlike many institutions it still deserves the name.
Order the tacos al carbon, which is what they called fajitas before anyone else did. The green sauce, an avocado and tomatillo thing, arrives with the chips and you will want more of it. The margaritas are strong and the queso flameado is worth the calories. Portions are Texan.
It is a big, loud, cheerful room and it works for families, groups and people eating alone at the bar. Nobody is dressed up. Expect a wait on Friday and Saturday nights; go early or on a weeknight, or put your name down and have a margarita on the patio.
From our Houston homes it is a straightforward drive up Highway 288 and across, or a short rideshare. If you would rather not go out at all, Kelly can also arrange a private chef to cook at the house.
