Hidden in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood, Tex-Chick Puerto Rican Eatery has served authentic island comfort food since 1982 and is now lovingly run by the welcoming duo Titi Marilu and Titi Grace. Walk through the door and you’ll instantly feel like you’ve stepped into someone’s kitchen in San Juan, with the smell of slow-roasted pork and garlic-mashed plantains filling the air. The portions are massive, the prices are budget-friendly, and every plate is cooked with the kind of love that makes you want to come back every single week.
1. Pernil That’ll Make You Rethink Every Pork Dish You’ve Ever Had
Pernil is the crown jewel at Tex-Chick, and once you taste it, you’ll understand why people plan their entire week around Saturdays just to get their hands on this slow-roasted masterpiece. The pork shoulder is marinated for hours in a blend of garlic, oregano, and spices that seep deep into every fiber of the meat. Then it’s roasted low and slow until the outside becomes crispy and caramelized while the inside stays impossibly tender and juicy.
What sets Tex-Chick’s pernil apart is the balance between that crunchy, flavorful skin and the melt-in-your-mouth meat underneath. Each bite delivers a punch of garlicky goodness that’s never greasy or heavy. The ladies serve it up in portions so generous you’ll be taking leftovers home, and trust me, those leftoaves taste just as amazing the next day.
Pair your pernil with a side of arroz con gandules and some tostones, and you’ve got yourself a plate that feels like a warm hug from abuela. The pork is so tender it practically falls apart with your fork, and the seasoning is spot-on without being overpowering. Whether you’re Puerto Rican and craving a taste of home or you’ve never tried island cuisine before, this pernil will become your new obsession.
Saturday is Chinchorreo Saturday at Tex-Chick, which means pernil is the star of the show. Get there early because once it’s gone, it’s gone. The owners post their weekly menu every Tuesday on social media, so you can plan ahead and make sure you don’t miss out on this legendary dish.
2. Mofongo That Brings The Island Straight To Your Plate
Mofongo is one of those dishes that sounds simple on paper but requires serious skill to get right, and Tex-Chick absolutely nails it every single time. The dish starts with green plantains that are fried until golden, then mashed together with garlic, olive oil, and crispy pork cracklings to create a flavor bomb that’s both hearty and satisfying. The texture is what really makes it special—slightly chunky with pockets of garlicky goodness throughout.
At Tex-Chick, you can get your mofongo topped with your choice of protein, and the camarones al ajillo (garlic shrimp) is a crowd favorite that adds a buttery, garlicky sauce to the mix. The shrimp are plump and perfectly cooked, swimming in a sauce that you’ll want to soak up with every last bite of mofongo. Another popular option is the mofongo con pernil, which combines two of the restaurant’s signature dishes into one epic plate.
The beauty of mofongo is that it’s comfort food at its finest—filling, flavorful, and completely authentic. Reviewers rave about how moist and garlicky it is, with just the right amount of seasoning to make every bite memorable. It’s the kind of dish that sticks with you long after you’ve finished eating.
Mofongo is typically available on Saturdays, so make sure you check the weekly menu before you go. The portions are huge, so come hungry or plan to share. And if you’ve never had mofongo before, this is the place to try it for the first time—you won’t find a better version anywhere else in Houston.
3. Portions So Big You’ll Need A Game Plan
One thing every single reviewer mentions about Tex-Chick is the sheer size of the portions, and they’re not exaggerating. When your plate arrives at the counter, your first reaction will probably be wide-eyed shock followed by pure joy. We’re talking heaping mounds of rice, generous servings of beans, a protein portion that could feed two people, and sides that spill over the edges of the plate.
The best part? All of this comes at incredibly reasonable prices, making Tex-Chick one of the best food values in Houston. College students even get a 10% discount, which makes it even more budget-friendly for those watching their wallets.
You’re essentially getting two meals for the price of one, and the quality never suffers despite the quantity.
The huge portions reflect the Puerto Rican tradition of hospitality and making sure no one leaves the table hungry. Titi Marilu and Titi Grace treat every customer like family, and that means feeding you until you’re completely satisfied. Don’t be surprised if they throw in a little extra something on your plate or offer you a taste of whatever special they’re cooking that day.
Pro tip: bring containers or be prepared to take leftovers home, because finishing one of these plates in a single sitting is a serious challenge. The food reheats beautifully, so you’ll get to enjoy authentic Puerto Rican flavors all over again the next day. Many regulars actually plan on having lunch and dinner from a single order, which makes the already-great prices even better.
4. Alcapurrias That Deliver The Perfect Crunch
This is one of Puerto Rico’s most beloved street food, and Tex-Chick makes them just like you’d find at a beachside kiosk on the island. These torpedo-shaped fritters are made from a mixture of grated green plantains and yautia (a starchy root vegetable) that forms the outer shell, which is then stuffed with seasoned ground beef and deep-fried until perfectly crispy.
The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the savory, well-seasoned meat filling is what makes alcapurrias so addictive. Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by the warm, flavorful meat inside. The ladies at Tex-Chick season their filling with just the right amount of sofrito, giving it that authentic Puerto Rican taste that transports you straight to the Caribbean.
What reviewers love most is how crispy the outside stays without being greasy or heavy. The frying technique is spot-on, creating a golden-brown shell that’s light and crunchy rather than oily. These make perfect appetizers or snacks, and they’re also great for taking to-go if you want something handheld and delicious.
Alcapurrias are typically available as part of the rotating menu, so check the weekly specials to see when they’re being served. They pair wonderfully with a cold Malta or Kola Champagne, both of which are available at the restaurant. If you’ve never tried alcapurrias before, you’re in for a treat—they’re the perfect introduction to Puerto Rican fried foods and showcase the island’s love of bold flavors and satisfying textures.
5. Bistec Encebollado That’s Tender And Flavorful
Few dishes capture Puerto Rican comfort food quite like bistec encebollado, which explains why Tex-Chick features the flavorful steak-and-onions classic several times each week. Thin-sliced steak is seasoned with adobo and other spices, then pan-fried and topped with a mountain of caramelized onions that have been cooked down until they’re sweet, tender, and absolutely irresistible.
The magic happens in the way the onions are prepared—they’re cooked low and slow until they develop a rich, almost jammy texture that coats the steak perfectly. The combination of savory meat and sweet onions creates a flavor profile that’s both comforting and crave-worthy. The steak itself is always tender, never tough or chewy, which shows the care that goes into the preparation.
Served alongside white rice, red beans, and your choice of tostones or amarillos (sweet plantains), this dish is the definition of comfort food. The rice soaks up all those delicious juices from the steak and onions, while the beans add a creamy, earthy element that rounds out the plate. It’s the kind of meal that makes you slow down and savor every single bite.
Regulars know that bistec encebollado is one of the fixed menu items available Wednesday through Friday, so you can count on it being there when you visit during the week. The consistency is impressive—every plate comes out just as good as the last. It’s a great choice if you’re new to Puerto Rican food and want something that feels familiar but still delivers those authentic island flavors.
6. Family Warmth That Makes You Feel Right At Home
Walking into Tex-Chick isn’t just about getting food—it’s about experiencing genuine Puerto Rican hospitality that makes you feel like you’ve been invited into someone’s home for Sunday dinner. Titi Marilu and Titi Grace greet every customer with warmth and enthusiasm, often engaging in conversations about family, memories, and Puerto Rican culture while they serve your meal.
The counter-service setup means you get to see all the freshly prepared dishes right in front of you, and the owners are more than happy to explain each item and offer recommendations based on your preferences. If you’re craving something that’s not on the day’s menu and they have time, they’ll often make it for you anyway—that’s just the kind of place this is.
Multiple reviewers mention feeling transported back to Puerto Rico or reminded of their grandmother’s cooking, which speaks volumes about the authenticity and heart that goes into every aspect of the experience. The owners remember regular customers and their favorite dishes, creating a sense of community that’s rare in today’s restaurant scene.
Even if you don’t speak Spanish, you’ll feel completely welcome—the staff speaks great English and loves sharing their culture with anyone who walks through the door. They’ll chat with you about the ingredients, tell you stories about growing up on the island, and make sure you understand what you’re eating and why it’s special. This personal touch is what transforms a simple lunch into a memorable experience that keeps people coming back week after week.
7. Empanadas And Pastelitos That Disappear Fast
The empanadas and pastelitos at Tex-Chick are the kind of handheld treats that you order as an appetizer but end up wishing you’d gotten more of. These golden, crispy turnovers come with various fillings, and each one is made fresh to order. The empanadas de yuca are a particular standout—the yuca dough creates a slightly different texture than traditional wheat-based empanadas, with a subtle earthiness that complements the savory fillings perfectly.
Reviewers rave about the mahi mahi empanadas, which feature flaky fish seasoned with Caribbean spices and wrapped in a perfectly fried shell. The pastelitos de arroz rellenos de carne ahumada (rice fritters filled with smoked meat) are another Saturday special that regulars plan their visits around. These little flavor bombs are crispy on the outside with a soft, savory center that delivers big taste in a small package.
What makes these empanadas special is the attention to detail in both the dough and the filling. The shells are fried to a perfect golden brown without being greasy, and they stay crispy even after sitting for a few minutes. The fillings are generously portioned and well-seasoned, so you’re not just getting a mouthful of dough with a tiny bit of meat—every bite is packed with flavor.
These make great additions to any meal or work perfectly as a snack if you’re just stopping by for a quick bite. They’re also ideal for takeout since they travel well and maintain their texture. Check the weekly menu to see which varieties are available, as the offerings rotate based on what’s fresh and what the owners feel like making that week.
8. Arroz Con Gandules That Tastes Like The Island
Packed with savory pigeon peas and rich seasoning, arroz con gandules is Puerto Rico’s signature rice dish and a beloved Saturday favorite at Tex-Chick. The rice is cooked with pigeon peas, sofrito, and a blend of spices that give it a beautiful golden color and an aromatic flavor that fills the entire restaurant. Each grain is perfectly cooked—fluffy and separate, never mushy or sticky.
The secret to great arroz con gandules is in the sofrito, and Tex-Chick’s version is clearly made from scratch with fresh ingredients. You can taste the peppers, onions, garlic, and cilantro in every forkful, creating layers of flavor that make this so much more than just plain rice. The pigeon peas add a slightly nutty taste and a creamy texture that balances the brightness of the sofrito.
Often cooked with chunks of pork or longaniza (Puerto Rican sausage), the rice becomes a complete meal on its own, though it also works beautifully as a side dish to accompany pernil or mofongo. The longaniza version is particularly popular, with the sausage adding a garlicky, slightly spicy kick that takes the dish to another level.
Multiple reviewers mention how this rice reminds them of their grandmother’s cooking, which is the highest compliment you can give to any Puerto Rican dish. It’s comfort food that connects people to their heritage and introduces newcomers to the warm, welcoming flavors of the Caribbean. The generous portions mean you’ll have plenty to enjoy, and it reheats wonderfully if you have leftovers to take home.