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3,314 Views | 32 Replies | Last: 2 days ago by fullback44
One-Eyed Fat Man
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10:59a, 1/21/26
AG
In early June I'm going to Houston for the Gulf Coast Cruinniu, a 3 day gathering of Irish trad musicians. I'm particularly excited because my teacher, Caroline Keane is coming to teach the concertina course.

I'd like to take her for some good Mexican food and bbq. The gathering is at the University of St. Thomas in Montrose. For Mexican I'm thinking of Ninfa's on Navigation. I saw there's a Truth BBQ fairly close to the university and Pinkerton's BBQ has opened a new location pretty close.

We'll have limited time for lunch and dinner so I'd like to stay in the general vicinity. Can you comment on the two bbq joints or any other in the area, as well as other Mexican options (I'm from Pearsall so I have expectations.

If anyone is interested, here's the website link for the gathering. https://gulfcoastirish.org/

There will be an instructors' concert on Saturday evening, on campus, and nightly trad sessions at Hugh O'Connor's , Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.


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carl spacklers hat
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11:13a, 1/21/26
The Pit Room is right around the corner and is solid. Looked like Pinkerton's was still finishing out their space in the old 59 Diner but I'd think they will be open by this summer.

Little Pappasito's is down the road at Kirby and Richmond, there's a Lupe Tortilla on 59 between Shepard and Kirby, and my old late-night favorite, La Tapatia, is also on Richmond a few blocks away. But, the orginal Ninfa's might be fun for your crowd given the history of Ninfa's restaurants in Houston.
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Marauder Blue 6
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11:25a, 1/21/26
AG
The Pit Room and Candente are what you're looking for. Same owner. Nearly same location within a block of each other and close to UST.
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TXAG 05
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In reply to Marauder Blue 6 • 11:59a, 1/21/26
AG
Marauder Blue 6 said:
The Pit Room and Candente are what you're looking for. Same owner. Nearly same location within a block of each other and close to UST.


This is the answer. Both are basically across the street from St Thomas
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One-Eyed Fat Man
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12:16p, 1/21/26
AG
Great. Thanks.
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Chewy
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12:22p, 1/21/26
AG
Pinkerton's new location opened yesterday. They do have a whole hog which isn't Texan but interesting.

Truth BBQ is the best "experience" if standing in line is part of it. Great BBQ and sides though with a nice dining room.

As referenced though if it's location and convenience then you can't go wrong with The Pit Room.

Also, Ninfa's on Navigation is unique since it's where fajitas were first introduced to the masses. So there's a little history there.
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MAROON
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In reply to carl spacklers hat • 1:02p, 1/21/26
AG
Pinkerton's opened yesterday

Candente is great if you want to mix the BBQ/Mexican cuisines. Their Brisket enchiladas are the bomb
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One-Eyed Fat Man
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In reply to Chewy • 1:03p, 1/21/26
AG
Chewy said:
Pinkerton's new location opened yesterday. They do have a whole hog which isn't Texan but interesting.

Truth BBQ is the best "experience" if standing in line is part of it. Great BBQ and sides though with a nice dining room.

As referenced though if it's location and convenience then you can't go wrong with The Pit Room.

Also, Ninfa's on Navigation is unique since it's where fajitas were first introduced to the masses. So there's a little history there.


I've been to Ninfa's on Navigation a number of times and it has what I'd call a "South Texas" vibe which I like. I'll have a car so it might be our choice.
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CowtownAg06
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1:30p, 1/21/26
AG
Pinkertons and Pit Room (especially Pinkertons) are very good BBQ. Truth is a step above both in my opinion. If you are taking a non local get the best experience, Truth and Nnfas can't be beat.
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Chewy
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10:12p, 1/21/26
AG
Looking at the schedule more, I'd hit Ninfa's for dinner on Saturday.

The Astros are in town and they have a game at 3:00 that day. You can hit Ninfa's while the game is still going on.

I wouldn't go near Ninfa's before or after an Astros game as it's very crowded.

As for the BBQ, if you only have 90 minutes for lunch, I'd definitely hit The Pit Room as Truth will take too long with their line.

Can't speak to their dinner lines.
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TarponChaser
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9:01a, 1/22/26
The beef dino rib at The Pit Room is 2nd to none, IMHO.

And for a classic Tex-Mex spot in the area, check out Chapultapec. It's on Richmond a few blocks east of Pit Room.

Both are basically across the street from UST.

Sadly, the Black Labrador Pub closed forever about 5 years ago.
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Milwaukees Best Light
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9:13a, 1/22/26
AG
Hugo's
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Max Power
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10:26a, 1/22/26
AG
Pinkerton's would be my vote just because of their smoked boudin. It's one of the best bbq foods I've ever had and what I recommend everyone get a link of if they go there.
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Jefe07
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10:36a, 1/22/26
AG
I want to give a vote to El Tiempo for tex-mex.
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Claude!
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In reply to Jefe07 • 12:53p, 1/22/26
Jefe07 said:
I want to give a vote to El Tiempo for tex-mex.


It's Spanish for The Tiempo.
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RightWingConspirator
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1:14p, 1/22/26
AG
Corkscrew is worth a drive. Can't speak for mexican food.
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TXAG 05
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In reply to RightWingConspirator • 1:37p, 1/22/26
AG
RightWingConspirator said:
Corkscrew is worth a drive. Can't speak for mexican food.


He's looking for something close by. Corkscrew is good but not worth driving out to the boonies when Pit Room is across the street and they would have to pass Pinkerton's and Truth to get here.
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ttha_aggie_09
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7:33a, 1/23/26
AG
Pit Room is good but not great… it is a step below:

Truth
Pinkertons
Corkscrew
Tejas (although haven't been there in years)

Although thanks to Texas monthly and Michelin stars, corkscrew and Truth are insanely busy now. It was nice when no one made a trip just to go eat at one of these places and line wasn't more than 30 mins long.
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CowtownAg06
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8:55a, 1/23/26
AG
Truth does have the option to order ahead online and pick up.
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TarponChaser
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In reply to ttha_aggie_09 • 11:30a, 1/23/26
ttha_aggie_09 said:
Pit Room is good but not great… it is a step below:

Truth
Pinkertons
Corkscrew
Tejas (although haven't been there in years)

Although thanks to Texas monthly and Michelin stars, corkscrew and Truth are insanely busy now. It was nice when no one made a trip just to go eat at one of these places and line wasn't more than 30 mins long.


Having been to all of those except Tejas, I don't think there's a nickel's worth of difference between any of them on any given day.

I certainly wouldn't pass any one of those to drive to another one farther away unless I'd had one recently and wanted to try another one.
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Marauder Blue 6
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In reply to TarponChaser • 12:14p, 1/23/26
AG
TarponChaser said:
ttha_aggie_09 said:
Pit Room is good but not great… it is a step below:

Truth
Pinkertons
Corkscrew
Tejas (although haven't been there in years)

Although thanks to Texas monthly and Michelin stars, corkscrew and Truth are insanely busy now. It was nice when no one made a trip just to go eat at one of these places and line wasn't more than 30 mins long.


Having been to all of those except Tejas, I don't think there's a nickel's worth of difference between any of them on any given day.

I certainly wouldn't pass any one of those to drive to another one farther away unless I'd had one recently and wanted to try another one.

True. And I doubt Caroline Keane's palate is sensitive enough to tell the difference between any of them.

The Mexican suggestions could be a different experience for her. The food quality at Candente is head and shoulders above anything else suggested but unfortunately the price is too. El Tiempo and Ninfa's have more authentic Tex-Mex atmospheres, though.
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to TarponChaser • 12:31p, 1/23/26
AG
The difference boils down to the type of person going. I take clients regularly to those and some folks want to get a bunch of ribs and don't give a crap about brisket. Others just want a beef rib or a link of sausage to cover in bbq sauce. Some just want to get awesome sides but don't care as much about the meat.

Each one of those places has advantages and differences depending on what your style is, except the cover in BBQ sauce person… the can just go to Rudy's or wherever else.
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ThunderCougarFalconBird
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12:56p, 1/23/26
AG
Pit Room is the best BBQ in town where you don't have to be in line at 11:00 am sharp to get brisket. It's right by where you're going to be at in Montrose.

Speaking of, I live about 5 minutes from UST and my son goes to school right across the street. If you want to grab a beer, let me know.
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fullback44
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In reply to Jefe07 • 1:03p, 1/23/26
AG
Jefe07 said:
I want to give a vote to El Tiempo for tex-mex.

definitely cant go wrong with El Tiempo.. those steak fajita nachos may be at the top of the nacho food chain.

Mama Ninfa started El Tiempo as their "upper scale" Mexican food restaurant, not sure how all that is owned these days. OP, the original El Tiempo is right there next door to Mama Ninfas on Navigation
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One-Eyed Fat Man
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7:02p, 1/23/26
AG
The song I was learning this past week is called Bothar o Thuaigh aka The Road to Tralee. Phonics doesn't work with the Irish language. I told her I was going to laugh at her trying to pronounce the names of the Mexican menu items.
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mwm
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7:18p, 1/23/26
Off topic, but there used to be a BBQ place on Telephone Road real close to Hobby Airport. They'd take a half-loaf of unsliced white bread, carve out the "inerds", and fill it with chopped beef. Pretty darn good with a bag of chips and a root beer.
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aggiebrad16
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In reply to ThunderCougarFalconBird • 7:32p, 1/23/26
AG
I spot a fellow toffee in the wild
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JuCo CH46
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9:08p, 1/23/26
AG
Roast away, but Truth isn't that good.
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ValleyRatAg
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In reply to Chewy • 7:55a, 1/26/26
AG
Chewy said:
Pinkerton's new location opened yesterday. They do have a whole hog which isn't Texan but interesting.

Truth BBQ is the best "experience" if standing in line is part of it. Great BBQ and sides though with a nice dining room.

As referenced though if it's location and convenience then you can't go wrong with The Pit Room.

Also, Ninfa's on Navigation is unique since it's where fajitas were first introduced to the masses. So there's a little history there.


Now I know who's ass to kick. Fajitas used to be dirt cheap. My dad would cook them on turn row during harvest season to feed everyone and keep things moving. He'd have coolers of them seasoned and rolled up and ready to go. Now it's priced like steak due to these jerks.
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Gunny456
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In reply to Marauder Blue 6 • 6:55a, 2/1/26
AG
I'll third this. But been a while since being at either.
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One-Eyed Fat Man
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In reply to Marauder Blue 6 • 10:06a, 2/1/26
AG
Marauder Blue 6 said:
TarponChaser said:
ttha_aggie_09 said:
Pit Room is good but not great… it is a step below:

Truth
Pinkertons
Corkscrew
Tejas (although haven't been there in years)

Although thanks to Texas monthly and Michelin stars, corkscrew and Truth are insanely busy now. It was nice when no one made a trip just to go eat at one of these places and line wasn't more than 30 mins long.


Having been to all of those except Tejas, I don't think there's a nickel's worth of difference between any of them on any given day.

I certainly wouldn't pass any one of those to drive to another one farther away unless I'd had one recently and wanted to try another one.

True. And I doubt Caroline Keane's palate is sensitive enough to tell the difference between any of them.

The Mexican suggestions could be a different experience for her. The food quality at Candente is head and shoulders above anything else suggested but unfortunately the price is too. El Tiempo and Ninfa's have more authentic Tex-Mex atmospheres, though.


My palate is. Our late friend, Wadd96, gave me a list of the best bbq joints in Texas to visit years ago when we were home from Zambia traveling around speaking at churches. He didn't let me down with his list.
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Ducks4brkfast
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In reply to fullback44 • 12:45p, 2/1/26
AG
fullback44 said:
Jefe07 said:
I want to give a vote to El Tiempo for tex-mex.

definitely cant go wrong with El Tiempo.. those steak fajita nachos may be at the top of the nacho food chain.

Mama Ninfa started El Tiempo as their "upper scale" Mexican food restaurant, not sure how all that is owned these days. OP, the original El Tiempo is right there next door to Mama Ninfas on Navigation

What? Mama Ninfa went bankrupt in 1998 and her son opened the first El Tiempo on Richmond Ave in 1998... The location on Navigation was built in 2013.
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fullback44
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In reply to Ducks4brkfast • 9:25p, 2/1/26
AG
I know it was part of the Ninfa family per the manager at the Richmond site… didn't know Richmond was before Navigation- I drank plenty of margaritas at the Richmond site …. Richard (think that was his name) the manager expected us there every Thursday and Friday, and we didn't let him down … that place was always packed. Some of the Richmond guys moved over to Washington site
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