When you walk in to this place, the original Ninfa's, you are immediately struck by two things: a large beautiful oil painting portrait of Mama Ninfa (the owner) and the tortilla station where three women are rolling out flour tortillas. Both of these things are very nostalgic for me, as I went to Ninfa's on Richmond almost every Friday when I was between the ages of five and ten. I used to see Mama Ninfa herself more Fridays than not, and every Friday those nice ladies at the tortilla station and would give me a ball of tortilla dough in the shape of a swan. So when I walk in to Ninfa's on Navigation, my heart swells a little.
Start with guacamole. Do it because you won't be sorry. This is the only place in Houston (the world?), with the exception of other Mama Ninfa joints, where you get to mix your own guacamole. You get a big plate of mashed avocado and tomato and then you decide how to mix in the onions, jalapenos, cilantro and garlic. It's fun, and it's good.
Then just order anything on the menu that you like: enchiladas, fajitas, whatever. It's all good. The rice and beans are just average, but by the time your attention falls on them, you should be hella full anyways.
The rest of the Ninfa's in town (the world?) are not like this Ninfa's. Go to this one. It's just east of downtown. It has a patio. It is what all the other Ninfa's should be.
