Finding the best taco in Houston means discovering Doña Lena’s story that started selling tacos in Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico in 1985.
This Spring Branch gem at 8788 Hammerly Boulevard has served authentic street tacos since 2020 with recipes perfected over four decades.
Doña Lena continued her taco business from her Houston home after moving to the USA in the 1990s before finally opening her restaurant.
What Makes Tacos Doña Lena the Best Taco in Houston
The secret to earning the title of best taco in Houston lies in 40 years of recipe perfection passed down through generations.
The Quesabirria combines crispy griddled tortillas stuffed with birria meat and melted cheese, served with rich consommé for dipping perfectly.
At $16 for three hefty tacos, the value becomes clear when you realize these aren’t standard-sized portions but substantial servings.
The Story Behind Houston’s Best Taco
Doña Lena began her taco journey in 1985 in Salamanca, Guanajuato, perfecting recipes through daily practice for decades.
When she moved to the USA in the 1990s, she continued cooking from her home, building a loyal customer base.
In 2020, after years of hard work and sacrifice, Doña Lena’s dream of opening her own restaurant finally materialized successfully.
Houston’s Favorite Menu Items
Food Highlights
- Quesabirria: Three hefty tacos feature crispy griddled tortillas stuffed with tender birria meat and melted cheese with rich consommé. The outside achieves perfect crispiness while the inside stays moist and juicy at $16 for substantial portions. 🧀
- Birria Street Tacos: Traditional corn tortilla tacos filled with slow-braised birria meat deliver authentic Guanajuato flavors beautifully. The meat practically falls apart, tender from hours of braising in rich broth at $15 per order. 🥩
- Torta: Mexican sandwich on perfectly crisped bread gets stuffed with your choice of meat, beans, cheese, and toppings. Pairing it with consommé for dipping elevates the experience at $13 for a substantial sandwich. 🥖
- Gordita: Thick handmade corn masa pocket gets stuffed with meat, beans, cheese, and toppings for authentic street food. At $6.50, these provide affordable options for sampling multiple menu items with fresh daily masa. 🌽
- Desayuno Doña Lena: This breakfast plate at $12 delivers a complete morning meal representing family recipes perfectly. Available Saturday-Sunday starting at 8 AM at the Spring Branch location only for traditional flavors. 🍳
- Chilaquiles: Fried tortilla chips get tossed in salsa and topped with eggs, cheese, and crema for classic comfort. At $15, the generous portion satisfies hearty morning appetites with traditional preparation done authentically. 🌶️
Specialty Items Worth Trying
- Birria Ramen: Creative fusion combines birria broth with ramen noodles for unexpected deliciousness with very generous portions. This innovative dish shows willingness to create new items while maintaining quality throughout every bite. 🍜
- Tostada: Crispy flat tortilla gets topped with beans, meat, lettuce, cheese, crema, and salsa for textural perfection. At $6, these provide affordable sampling opportunities with contrast between crunchy tortilla and creamy toppings. 🥗
- Fresh Aguas Frescas: Pineapple, mango, and cucumber pineapple drinks taste like they’re made with love daily. Made fresh with real fruit, these refreshing beverages complement spicy foods perfectly throughout your meal. 🍹
Atmosphere
The restaurant occupies a location in a Spring Branch shopping center at 8788 Hammerly Boulevard with easy parking access.
Inside, colorful decor creates a lively, inviting atmosphere that feels authentically Mexican without being kitschy at all.
The moderate noise level comes from happy diners and bustling service, creating an energetic vibe rather than overwhelming chaos.
Bottom Line
Visit Tacos Doña Lena for the best taco in Houston featuring 40 years of recipe perfection from Salamanca, Guanajuato.
Handmade gorditas and sopes prepared daily, six house-made salsas ranging from mild to fiery, and genuine hospitality always.
Multiple national awards and two thriving locations prove Doña Lena’s home kitchen recipes deserve their legendary status completely. 🌟
Address: Tacos Doña Lena
Spring Branch: 8788 Hammerly Blvd, Houston, TX 77080 📞 (713) 993-6486
The Heights: 1805 W 18th St, Houston, TX 77008 📞 (713) 485-0504
🕔 Mon-Thu: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Fri: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Sat: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Sun: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Breakfast served Saturday-Sunday at Spring Branch only