"The original Ninfa’s On Navigation runs like a well-oiled machine. From the service, to the food, to the atmosphere, everything is a well-choreographed dance. The classic establishment thrives on being fast-paced, wheeling out plates of sizzling fajitas, preparing queso flameado tableside, and keeping the pitchers of Ninfaritas flowing. The original Ninfa’s in the Second Ward has been open since 1973, and it’s a cornerstone of Tex-Mex history (there’s a second location in the Galleria). Mama Ninfa, the original owner and restaurant’s namesake, is credited as the inventor of the fajita. While the fact check hasn’t come back, we do know that the steak fajitas here are serious business. It’s customary to see staff carrying enormous trays full of fajitas every few minutes like they’re the only thing on the menu. After a while, the constant sizzle of the skirt fajitas whizzing by your head becomes a part of the ambiance. And if it isn’t fajitas flying by, it’s plates of tacos al carbon overflowing with yellow rice and refried beans. Or maybe it’s fajita burgers piled with peppers and onions ready to be devoured. The Tex-Mex cantina remains true to its roots, with the original dining room from the ‘70s still being a part of the restaurant today. And with murals of Mama Ninfa and family photos throughout the interior, Ninfa’s feels vibrant, bustling, and alive. No one swings by Ninfa’s for a quiet dinner. On most days, Ninfa’s feels a bit like a party. Because if it isn’t the boisterous laughs of large crews that you hear, it’s the clank of glasses in celebration filling the room with so much activity, you can hardly hear the music playing in the background. Ninfa’s has become the catch-all for Houstonians looking for good Tex-Mex, regardless of the occasion. Ninfa’s serves as the default destination for hungry Astros fans, and will often transform into a sea of orange on game days. Devoted regulars looking for a good lunch fill the bar seats as they tear into brisket enchiladas. And of 15+ people get rowdy in the back rooms as they pass around bowls of chile con queso. No matter who comes to Ninfa’s or when, they slip into the rhythm of the restaurant and come out satisfied. " - Gianni Greene
