El Tiempo Cantina - Richmond

This El Tiempo is my favorite location. The interior is so well decorated and so colorful. I literally dream about the stairs to second floor.

As all El Tiempos go, it's a safe bet you're going to have a yummy Tex Mex experience. Pretty standard, but pretty good. It's like... have I had better Swiss enchiladas? Yes. But it's still good. Still gets the job done.

Haha I will say depending on which floor you sit will be a factor in the service you will receive. The second floor is a little neglected but it's also quieter so it's better for talking.

Service was excellent. Menu is a bit confusing and did require some help explaining by the server. He was incredible and beyond helpful!

The only removal of stars is because I was excited to try tex-mex here but felt like I've had better. I usually am someone who devours their meal, but I had a lot of leftovers and didn't leave that impressed.

Ambience is what would be expected - nothing too crazy.

While living in Houston, I was a regular patron of El Tiempo, coming in to this location at least twice monthly and often more. Since leaving (almost 10 years ago), I have been back a handful of times. On this most recent visit, I was kind of... Well, disappointed. The memory of El Tiempo was better than in was in actuality. Maybe El Tiempo has changed... Maybe I have... Probably both.

From a food perspective - Good (not amazing). Still difference makers: #1 The warm, spicy red salsa contrasted with the chilled, creamy green salsa served with their thin, crispy chips. #2 Tender, fresh tortillas served alongside the fajitas. Otherwise, everything else was no better than we can get in Michigan. And, the skinny margarita was notably worse than memory and others I have had.

The restaurant dining room was extremely loud with conversation and I found it very difficult to hear my husband sitting across from me. When we arrived, there was essentially no wait but by 6pm a large number of people had congregated in the bar area waiting for tables. Service was impatient, clearly trying to hurry us through our meal to turnover our table.

In the end, I wish that we had visited at off-peak hours, but even if we had, the food was still just "good."

While in Texas we wanted some Tex-Mex food so decided to check El Tiempo Cantina out. I came as a party of 4 on a Saturday night without reservations and we didn't have an issue with a wait.

We were instantly given their house made chips and salsa. They were delicious and we all were loving them. To start we shared their Chile Con Queso. The Queso came out with some thicker crispy chips which were really good as well. For dinner we shared their Chile Relleno a la Ninfa and their Old School Carnitas. Each dish came with rice and beans. The rice was a cilantro lime rice which was good. The Chile Relleno a la Ninfa we got came with meat inside. I thought it was pretty good except I did not like the raisins, pecans & cinnamon in it. it is simply not my thing. The Old School Carnitas were good though. It was slow cooked pork served with some sliced avocado, sour cream, and salsa. It came with some bomb ass house made tortilla and sauce.

The portion for everything was huge and definitely shareable. Presentation of everything was also really nice. Our waiter was very attentive and welcoming. The food came fairly fast. What I did not like was that our Queso appetizer came out after our entrees. But other than that we were pretty satisfied.

The restaurant is nice and I like the ambience. It has a high energy vibe about it which I like. Parking is easy since it is valet parking only.

5 star customer service for sure!
I randomly decided to stop here while in the area.. a peak at their great reviews didn't make the decision hard.
We were greeted upon entry with big smiles and welcoming vibes.

They have outdoor seating with a nice view, but I chose to sit inside.
It wasn't overly crowed, but definitely busy.
Our waiter was absolutely amazing! There was a different man who refilled the waters without us having to ask, just great service all around.

The food was a 5/5 for me, the person that accompanied me gave the brisket nachos a 4/5.
I ordered a single soft taco since this was my first visit... once it came out I was shocked to see how huge it was!
Sorry guys, I started devouring it before I could take a proper picture!
But here's half of it! It was the softest and juiciest soft taco I've ever had.
I'll definitely be returning when I have a bigger appetite, thanks guys for the awesome experience!
The parking area is pretty spacious as well.

They've changed the crabmeat in the nachos and there's absolutely no taste. Not good.

So impressed with El Tiempo Cantina! Probably the best Tex Mex restaurant I've tried in Houston so far. The vibes are immaculate--not too fancy, but still nice and well-decorated--and the service was very friendly. The prices are also very reasonable considering the portions and quality of the food.

The highlight of the night was definitely the Old School Carnitas. We got the crispy option, and it was so incredible. The texture was amazing, with a perfectly crunchy outside and tender and moist inside. The flavor was bursting and paired well with the accompaniments of the dish (my favorite being the butter sauce).

Overall, I really recommend El Tiempo Cantina if your looking for some great Tex Mex!

Always an easy and classic restaurant to go to. Service was super quick and kind. The margaritas always hit too.

Went for dinner last night with some friends and I pulled up to a full parking lot but was able to find one at the very back. I walked in and noticed they had valet and a small tent set up for to go orders so people could just pull up like a drive through style.

It smelled great when I walked in and the atmosphere was more authentic to the Mexican culture than some other places I have been to.

I was seated right away and greeted and waited on. I ordered a margarita while I waited for my friends and based on how I read the menu, I thought that the frozen margarita mix was without alcohol and then you could order a shot of the tequila you preferred, but I was wrong. The frozen margarita already has tequila (not sure what kind) and then I had ordered another shot of the corralejos tequila. The mix is not that great so overall the margaritas was not very tasty.

The chips we're good, not too salty or oily and the red and green salsa was good as well. I also ordered a chili con queso which was ok but not worth the price.

For my meal I ordered the tacos Al Carbon, one chicken and one beef. They are really big and the tortillas are very thick so I had to take the tortillas off, it was going to be too much to eat. The meat was ok, I've had better fajita and the chicken was good but a bit dry, and the rice was really good. The charro beans were also just ok but not super good.

Last I ordered a tres leches cake and was very disappointed, im not sure what type of cake they used but it was super spongy and not like a normal tres leches cake.

Overall I give three starts because the food is overpriced and not that great but their service was really good. Also, it could just be my taste because I know this is a very popular place so if you like Mexican and haven't tried it, I say you should still give it a try.

A favorite party joint about 20 yrs ago, the place has seen better days. Yet their food is still hot and fresh and plentiful, even if standard Tex Mex, and they keep their pricing low. Their waitstaff are kind and courteous and you get better service than at other, pricier places.