Välkommen Senor Ostiones. I think we’re going to have a slurpin’ good time here.
Although I have no idea what the OP is talking about and would much prefer to quibble, here goes:
I swore off Tex-Mex about a half dozen years ago, figuring I’d had enough of it in my life and what with all the other great cuisines to try here in Houston. Actually, for years leading up to that, I had indulged very infrequently. The only Tex-Mex I go to these days (and I haven’t been in a couple of years) is El Real and I only go for the classic dishes section of the menu which recreates the dishes from some classic Tex-Mex joints of the 30s and 40s (before my time). It’s the best Tex-Mex I’ve ever had, certainly better than what was available in the small home town where I was first exposed to Tex-Mex when it was just known as Mexican food.
In thinking about this thread I also realized in recent years I have mostly gone to taquerias, carnicerias and taco trucks. I wish I could be more familiar with the offerings at some of our more upscale interior Mexican eateries like Hugo’s, Caracol and Cuchara, but I’m not. And for some reason, many of the taquerias I’ve frequented have either changed hands or gone out of business. But the great taco trucks seem to persevere.
I like El Ultimo on Long Point; anything on the truck is good but they have some items not found that often, like orejas (ears) and cachete (cheek) that are really a treat.
Likewise at Tacambaro, behind Canino’s, most anything is good but they have the famous Mollejas (sweetbreads) and I have also liked the Buche (which I’ve been told means pig’s esophagus), although its not the best I’ve had - that’s one taco truck that’s disappeared.
Tacos Tierra Caliente, on W. Alabama, is perhaps the most famous taco truck in town and has great barbacoa but there are many trucks in town who do a great job with that. Another I like is El Mapache on Gulfton where they also do great tortas.
For Pollo Asado (en estilo Monterrey) I like the El Norteno units on the west side or the La Silla units on the east side.
For breakfast tacos, the Super Bacon at Villa Arcos on Navigation is the best there is (that’s not a truck, btw).
Closer to home, the mobile Tacos La Bala on S. Post Oak has much of the great stuff from the La Bala brick and mortar locations and is more convenient to me. I like the Al Pastor and Cochinita Pibil and Pollo Asado.
That and Amigos Supermarket on W. Bellfort are probably the two Mexican places I’ve frequented the most in recent years, partly just because of proximity. While I wouldn’t urge people to drive half way across town for Amigos, I go there for the platillos. It’s the best taqueria-in-a-carniceria I’ve found in this part of town. Most of their mains are good; the refritos unfortunately are as runny as any I’ve ever had but the arroz is always good, the tortillas are hecho a mano and awesome and they have the best tamales I’ve found on this side of town.
Is that three yet? I forgot to count.