El Tiempo Cantina Menu USA Prices 2026
If you are looking for the El Tiempo Cantina menu, then you landed at the right place. Here, you can easily explore the El Tiempo Cantina menu with prices along with images and full details. All images and prices are taken from official sources and updated for 2026. This Houston legend claims to be the family that popularized fajitas in the United States, and after 75-plus years of sizzling skillets, Tex-Mex fans still pack their dining rooms every single night.
So what’s the real story behind El Tiempo Cantina menu prices in 2026? Honestly, this isn’t a budget taco joint. It’s a sit-down, celebration-worthy Tex-Mex institution where the fajitas arrive still crackling and the margaritas are genuinely strong. But here’s the good news: the $12 Meals are one of the best lunch deals in Houston, and the by-the-pound fajita packs let you feed a family for less than you’d expect. Let me walk you through every section of the menu with real 2026 prices.
What Are the Cheapest Meals on the El Tiempo Cantina Menu?
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Straight answer: the $12 Meals are the cheapest full plates at El Tiempo Cantina, and they’re a steal. Four plates, twelve bucks each, and they come with all the fixings. If you want a proper sit-down Tex-Mex lunch without the splurge, start here.
These are the plates Houston office workers have been ordering for years. The Pork Tamales Plate is my pick if you’ve never tried them. Dense, steamy tamales with that corn masa you can actually taste, plus rice and beans that are anything but an afterthought.
| Item | Details | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flautas Plate | Crispy rolled flautas with rice, beans, and garnish | $12.00 | ~850 |
| Beef Picadillo Crispy Tacos Plate | Two crispy tacos with seasoned picadillo beef, rice, and beans | $12.00 | ~900 |
| Pork Tamales Plate | Steamed pork tamales with rice, beans, and salsa | $12.00 | ~950 |
| Ranchera Chicken Crispy Tacos Plate | Crispy tacos with ranchera chicken, rice, and beans | $12.00 | ~880 |
How Much Do Fajitas Cost at El Tiempo Cantina?
The fajitas are the whole reason this place exists, and they’re sold by the pound so you can scale up for the whole table. Chicken starts at $24.69 for a quarter pound and tops out at $61.59 for a full pound. Beef steak fajitas run $58.29 for a half pound and $83.99 for a pound.
Let me be real with you: this is where El Tiempo Cantina shines. The meat hits the table on a screaming-hot skillet, the onions and peppers are still charring, and the tortillas come out warm in a cloth-lined basket. Order the mixed Beef Steak & Chicken if your table can’t agree. And if you only ever order one thing here, make it the fajitas. The mesquite smoke is the flavor that built this empire.
| Item | Details | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Fajitas – 1/4 LB | Sizzling mesquite-grilled chicken with peppers, onions, tortillas, rice, beans | $24.69 | ~700 |
| Chicken Fajitas – 1/2 LB | Sizzling mesquite-grilled chicken with all the fixings | $44.79 | ~1,400 |
| Chicken Fajitas – 1 LB | Full pound of mesquite-grilled chicken fajitas for sharing | $61.59 | ~2,800 |
| Beef Steak & Chicken Fajitas – 1/2 LB | Half pound of mixed steak and chicken fajitas | $50.39 | ~1,500 |
| Beef Steak & Chicken Fajitas – 1 LB | Full pound of mixed steak and chicken fajitas | $72.79 | ~3,000 |
| Beef Steak Fajitas – 1/2 LB | Half pound of mesquite-grilled steak fajitas | $58.29 | ~1,600 |
| Beef Steak Fajitas – 1 LB | Full pound of mesquite-grilled steak fajitas | $83.99 | ~3,200 |
| Filet Mignon Fajitas – 1 LB | Premium filet mignon fajitas, the top of the line | $106.39 | ~3,100 |
Is the Guacamole Worth It? Guacamole & Chile Con Queso Prices
Yes. Short answer: yes. The guacamole is $5.59 and the chile con queso is $5.59, which makes them the cheapest way to start your meal. For a table of four, order both and fight over the last chip like a family.
The guacamole is made fresh and chunky, the way it should be, and it arrives with warm chips that don’t shatter the second you dip. The chile con queso is rich and creamy, though one honest review called it close to “canned nacho cheese” on a delivery order. Dine in, where it comes out bubbling, and you’ll have a much better experience. The CCQ Joey at $6.79 is the loaded version with extra toppings.
| Item | Details | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chile Con Queso | Creamy melted cheese dip with warm tortilla chips | $5.59 | ~450 |
| Guacamole | Fresh-made chunky guacamole with tortilla chips | $5.59 | ~400 |
| CCQ Joey | Loaded chile con queso with extra toppings | $6.79 | ~650 |
| Tortillas | Basket of warm flour tortillas | $2.99 | ~300 |
What Appetizers (Botanas) Does El Tiempo Cantina Have?
Botanas is the appetizer section, running from $7.89 for the Ratones to $20.19 for the ceviche. These are proper starters for sharing, not afterthoughts. Two botanas plus the $12 meals can easily feed three people.
The Xochitl Chicken Soup is the one regulars swear by. It’s a rich, savory chicken soup that hits different on a chilly Houston evening. The ceviche is fresh and citrusy, generous enough to split. And the Ratones? Crispy, cheesy, dangerously snackable. Don’t skip them.
| Item | Details | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceviche | Fresh fish ceviche with lime, cilantro, and crisp tortilla chips | $20.19 | ~380 |
| Albondiga Soup | Hearty Mexican meatball soup with vegetables | $10.09 | ~420 |
| Xochitl Chicken Soup | Signature savory chicken soup, a house favorite | $10.09 | ~450 |
| Ratones | Crispy cheese-stuffed bites with dipping sauce | $7.89 | ~620 |
| Spinach Veggie Dip | Creamy spinach dip with warm chips | $15.69 | ~700 |
| Veal Mojellas | Crispy veal sweetbreads, a house specialty | $13.49 | ~550 |
What Are Quesos Flameados and What Do They Cost?
Quesos flameados are flamed, bubbling cheeses served skillet-hot, priced from $19.09 to $23.59. Think of it as the Tex-Mex answer to fondue, except with chorizo or brisket melted right in. This is the shareable dish that gets the whole table quiet for a minute.
The Choriqueso ($21.29) is the classic: spicy chorizo folded into molten cheese. The Brisket Queso ($23.59) leans smoky and rich. If you’re feeding a crowd, one queso flameado plus a fajita platter covers it. Scoop it up with warm tortillas and try not to fight over the crispy bits.
| Item | Details | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choriqueso (Chorizo) | Flamed cheese with spicy chorizo, served skillet-hot | $21.29 | ~950 |
| Brisket Queso | Flamed cheese with smoked brisket | $23.59 | ~1,000 |
| Chicken Fajita Queso | Flamed cheese with fajita chicken | $21.29 | ~900 |
| Poblaqueso | Flamed cheese with roasted poblano peppers | $19.09 | ~880 |
El Tiempo Cantina Quesadilla Prices: Are They Big?
Yes, they’re big. Quesadillas range from $20.19 to $33.39, and these are full-plate, stuffed-to-the-edges quesadillas, not the skimpy triangle appetizers some places serve. One quesadilla with a side of rice and beans is a full meal.
The Steak Fajita Quesadilla ($26.89) is the most-ordered for a reason: that same mesquite-grilled steak, melty cheese, crisped tortilla. My personal favorite is the Jumbo Lump Crab & Bacon ($33.39). It’s the priciest quesadilla on the menu, but real lump crab meat in a quesadilla? That’s a flex worth paying for.
| Item | Details | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Fajita Quesadilla | Grilled fajita chicken and melted cheese in a crisped tortilla | $24.69 | ~1,100 |
| Steak Fajita Quesadilla | Mesquite steak fajita with melted cheese, most ordered | $26.89 | ~1,250 |
| BBQ Brisket Quesadilla | Smoky BBQ brisket with melted cheese | $25.79 | ~1,200 |
| Pork Carnitas Quesadilla | Slow-cooked carnitas pork with cheese | $23.59 | ~1,150 |
| Spinach Artichoke Quesadilla | Creamy spinach artichoke filling, vegetarian | $20.19 | ~950 |
| Red Ranchera Chicken Quesadilla | Ranchera-seasoned chicken with cheese | $20.19 | ~1,050 |
| Jumbo Lump Crab & Bacon Quesadilla | Real lump crab with crispy bacon | $33.39 | ~1,150 |
| Shrimp & Bacon Quesadilla | Grilled shrimp with bacon and cheese | $29.19 | ~1,100 |
How Much Are Nachos at El Tiempo Cantina?
Nachos run $19.09 to $32.49 and arrive loaded, not the sad chip-with-a-drizzle situation. The Jumbo Lump Crab Nachos at $32.49 are the splurge pick; the Chicken Fajita and Ranchera Chicken nachos at $19.09 are the value play.
These are built for sharing, but let’s be honest, you won’t want to. The Steak Fajita Nachos ($25.79) layer that mesquite steak over every chip. If you’re going with a group, order two different kinds and swap halfway. Problem solved.
| Item | Details | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Fajita Nachos | Loaded nachos with fajita chicken, cheese, and toppings | $19.09 | ~1,300 |
| Jumbo Lump Crab Nachos | Loaded nachos with real lump crab meat | $32.49 | ~1,350 |
| Steak Fajita Nachos | Loaded nachos with mesquite steak fajita | $25.79 | ~1,450 |
| Shrimp Nachos | Loaded nachos with grilled shrimp | $25.79 | ~1,300 |
| Ground Beef Picadillo Nachos | Loaded nachos with seasoned picadillo beef | $19.09 | ~1,400 |
| Ranchera Chicken Nachos | Loaded nachos with ranchera chicken | $19.09 | ~1,350 |
| BBQ Brisket Nachos | Loaded nachos with smoky BBQ brisket | $23.59 | ~1,450 |
| Veal Sweetbread Nachos | Loaded nachos with crispy veal sweetbreads | $31.39 | ~1,400 |
El Tiempo Cantina Taco Prices: Crispy vs Soft
Both crispy and soft tacos are priced $21.29 to $25.79, served as plates with rice and beans. The crispy tacos shatter when you bite them; the soft tacos are warm, pillowy flour tortillas. Pick your texture, the fillings are the same stars.
The Beef Steak Fajita Crispy Taco ($25.79) is the move if you love crunch. The BBQ Brisket Soft Taco ($22.39) is pure comfort. And don’t sleep on the Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage ($21.29), it’s the sleeper hit of the taco section with a little kick in every bite.
| Item | Details | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beef Steak Fajita Crispy Taco | Crispy shell with mesquite steak fajita, rice, and beans | $25.79 | ~950 |
| Chicken Fajita Crispy Taco | Crispy shell with fajita chicken, rice, and beans | $21.29 | ~850 |
| Beef Picadillo Crispy Taco | Crispy shell with seasoned picadillo, rice, and beans | $21.29 | ~900 |
| BBQ Brisket Crispy Taco | Crispy shell with smoky brisket, rice, and beans | $22.39 | ~920 |
| Red Ranchera Chicken Crispy Taco | Crispy shell with ranchera chicken, rice, and beans | $21.29 | ~870 |
| Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage Crispy Taco | Crispy shell with spicy sausage, rice, and beans | $21.29 | ~900 |
| Beef Steak Fajita Soft Taco | Soft flour tortilla with steak fajita, rice, and beans | $25.79 | ~900 |
| Chicken Fajita Soft Taco | Soft flour tortilla with fajita chicken, rice, and beans | $21.29 | ~800 |
| BBQ Brisket Soft Taco | Soft flour tortilla with brisket, rice, and beans | $22.39 | ~880 |
| Beef Picadillo Soft Taco | Soft flour tortilla with picadillo, rice, and beans | $21.29 | ~850 |
| Red Ranchera Chicken Soft Taco | Soft flour tortilla with ranchera chicken, rice, and beans | $21.29 | ~820 |
| Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage Soft Taco | Soft flour tortilla with sausage, rice, and beans | $21.29 | ~850 |
What Are Pechugas de Pollo and What Do They Cost?
Pechugas de Pollo are grilled chicken breast plates, priced $26.89 to $38.09. “Pechuga” means chicken breast, and these are the dishes for anyone who wants Tex-Mex flavor without the deep fryer. Each one is a full dinner plate with its own sauce and style.
The Mesquite Grilled Chicken Breast ($26.89) is the simplest and, honestly, one of the best values on the dinner menu. The Pechuga Monte Mar ($38.09) is the premium pick with seafood on top. These plates are huge, flavorful, and proof that grilled chicken doesn’t have to be boring.
| Item | Details | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesquite Grilled Chicken Breast | Mesquite-grilled chicken breast with rice and beans | $26.89 | ~750 |
| Pechuga Monte Mar | Chicken breast topped with seafood, the premium pick | $38.09 | ~900 |
| Pechuga Rodriguez | Chicken breast with Rodriguez-style sauce | $35.89 | ~850 |
| Pechuga a la Tana | Chicken breast with house Tana sauce | $32.49 | ~820 |
| Pechuga a la Mexicana | Chicken breast with Mexican-style peppers and onions | $30.29 | ~800 |
| Pechuga Domenico | Chicken breast with Domenico sauce | $34.79 | ~850 |
| Pollo Tropical | Chicken breast with tropical-style sauce | $30.29 | ~800 |
| Pollo Neopolitana | Chicken breast with Neopolitana sauce | $31.39 | ~830 |
El Tiempo Cantina Salad Prices: Any Healthy Options?
Salads range from $26.89 to $33.59. Yes, you can eat reasonably healthy here. The Grilled Chicken Parrilla Salad ($26.89) is loaded with grilled chicken and fresh vegetables, and it actually fills you up.
The Cancun Salad with Salmon or Ahi Tuna ($33.59) is the lightest premium option on the menu. Fair warning: the salads here are still Texas-sized, so “light” is relative. Ask for dressing on the side if you’re counting calories.
| Item | Details | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grilled Chicken Parrilla Salad | Grilled chicken over fresh greens with house dressing | $26.89 | ~650 |
| Grilled Chicken Ceasar Salad | Grilled chicken with romaine, parmesan, and Caesar dressing | $26.89 | ~700 |
| Cancun Salad with Salmon or Ahi Tuna | Fresh salmon or ahi tuna over greens | $33.59 | ~600 |
Does El Tiempo Cantina Have Catering? Executive Mixed Fajitas Prices
Yes, and it’s built for crowds. The Executive Mixed Fajitas feed groups of 5 to 30, priced from $145 to $725. That’s roughly $24 to $29 per person, which is genuinely competitive for catered fajitas in Houston.
These packs include the fajitas with all the fixings, so you just set up a buffet line and look like a hero. The Fajita Party Packs ($28.99) are the smaller-scale version for family nights at home. Planning a birthday or office lunch? The Mixed Fajitas for 15 at $405 works out to about $27 a head. Not bad for real, restaurant-quality fajitas.
| Item | Details | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed Fajitas for 5 | Fajita spread with fixings for five | $145.00 | ~2,500 |
| Mixed Fajitas for 10 | Fajita spread with fixings for ten | $275.00 | ~5,000 |
| Mixed Fajitas for 15 | Fajita spread with fixings for fifteen | $405.00 | ~7,500 |
| Mixed Fajitas for 20 | Fajita spread with fixings for twenty | $525.00 | ~10,000 |
| Mixed Fajitas for 25 | Fajita spread with fixings for twenty-five | $630.00 | ~12,500 |
| Mixed Fajitas for 30 | Fajita spread with fixings for thirty | $725.00 | ~15,000 |
| Fajita Party Packs | Take-home fajita pack for family nights | $28.99 | ~2,000 |
El Tiempo Cantina Drink Prices: How Much Are the Margaritas?
The famous House Margarita comes in jugs: 64oz for $55 and 128oz for $80. If you’re doing the math, the big jug is the better deal per ounce, and reviewers consistently call the margaritas strong and worth it.
Happy hour is where the real savings live. Events listed at the POST Houston location have included $5 Margarita Mondays and Dom’s Fajita Wednesday For Two. The Platinum Margarita in mango, strawberry, and sangria flavors gets rave reviews from delivery customers. One honest tip from reviews: the skinny margaritas get mixed feedback, so order the classic house if you want the full experience.
| Item | Details | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Tiempo Cantina House Margarita – 64oz | Signature house margarita, serves a group | $55.00 | ~1,600 |
| El Tiempo Cantina House Margarita – 128oz | Double-size jug, best value per ounce | $80.00 | ~3,200 |
El Tiempo Cantina Nutrition Information
El Tiempo Cantina does not publish a single official nutrition PDF online, so the calorie counts in this guide are realistic estimates for planning purposes. As a rule of thumb: the $12 Meals land around 850 to 950 calories, fajitas by the pound scale from about 700 calories for a quarter pound of chicken up to 3,200 for a full pound of steak, and the loaded nachos are the heaviest items at 1,300 to 1,450 calories.
If you track macros closely, your best bet is to ask your server at the restaurant. Portions are generous, so splitting a fajita platter or boxing half for tomorrow is the easiest calorie hack there is.
El Tiempo Cantina Deals & Money-Saving Tips
You don’t have to break the bank at El Tiempo Cantina. Here are the moves that actually save money:
- The $12 Meals are the deal of the decade. Four full plates at twelve bucks in 2026? In this economy? Unmatched for a sit-down restaurant.
- Go by the pound. A quarter pound of chicken fajitas ($24.69) with extra tortillas feeds two light eaters. The per-person cost drops fast as you scale up.
- Happy hour hunting. Look for $5 Margarita Mondays and Fajita Wednesday specials at participating locations. Drinks are where the bill usually balloons.
- Split the queso flameado. One $21.29 Choriqueso feeds the whole table as a starter. Way cheaper than individual appetizers.
- Delivery vs dine-in. Delivery prices run a bit higher than in-restaurant prices. If you’re nearby, pickup saves you the markup and the delivery fee.
El Tiempo Cantina Opening Hours
Most El Tiempo Cantina locations follow these hours, but call ahead because times vary by location. The POST Houston downtown spot keeps slightly different hours.
| Item | Details | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM | ||
| Friday | 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | ||
| Saturday | 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM | ||
| Sunday | 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM |
Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM at participating locations. That’s the move if you want chilaquiles-style morning Tex-Mex without the dinner crowd.
About This Houston Tex-Mex Institution
El Tiempo Cantina is a family-owned Houston Tex-Mex institution with more than 75 years of history. The family behind it claims to have popularized fajitas in the United States, and they’ve spent over six decades perfecting mesquite-grilled meats, fresh tortillas, and margaritas that people drive across the city for. Today the brand runs 18 locations across the Houston area, from the original Navigation Boulevard cantina to newer spots at POST Houston downtown, plus stadium and airport locations. It’s loud, it’s festive, and it’s as Houston as it gets.
El Tiempo Cantina Menu FAQs
What is the most popular item on the El Tiempo Cantina menu?
The mesquite-grilled fajitas are the signature dish and the most ordered item, especially the Beef Steak Fajitas ($58.29-$83.99 by the pound) and the Steak Fajita Quesadilla ($26.89). The family claims to have popularized fajitas in the US, so this is the dish their reputation is built on.
What are the cheapest items at El Tiempo Cantina?
The cheapest menu items are the Chile Con Queso and Guacamole at $5.59 each, plus the CCQ Joey at $6.79. For a full meal, the $12 Meals (flautas, tamales, or crispy tacos plates) are the cheapest complete plates on the El Tiempo Cantina menu.
Does El Tiempo Cantina deliver?
Yes. El Tiempo Cantina delivers through DoorDash and Uber Eats across the Houston area. Delivery menu prices run slightly higher than in-restaurant prices, so pickup is the cheaper option if you’re close to a location.
How much does catering cost at El Tiempo Cantina?
The Executive Mixed Fajitas catering packs feed 5 to 30 people, priced from $145 (for 5) to $725 (for 30), roughly $24-$29 per person. The Fajita Party Packs ($28.99) are the smaller take-home option for family nights.
Does El Tiempo Cantina have a secret menu?
There’s no official secret menu, but regulars know the tricks: ask for the queso flameado with mixed meats, request extra char on your fajitas, and ask about off-menu margarita flavors like mango and sangria. The $5 Margarita Monday events are the closest thing to a hidden deal.
What are El Tiempo Cantina’s opening hours?
Most locations are open Monday-Thursday 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday 11 AM to 10 PM, Saturday 9:30 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday 9:30 AM to 9 PM, with weekend brunch from 9:30 AM to 2 PM at participating locations. Hours vary by location, so check before you go.
Are there healthy options on the El Tiempo Cantina menu?
Yes. The Grilled Chicken Parrilla Salad ($26.89, ~650 calories), the Cancun Salad with salmon or ahi tuna ($33.59, ~600 calories), and the Mesquite Grilled Chicken Breast ($26.89, ~750 calories) are the lightest picks. Ask for dressings and sauces on the side.
How much are margaritas at El Tiempo Cantina?
The signature House Margarita comes in a 64oz jug for $55 or a 128oz jug for $80. Individual margaritas at the bar typically run around $8-$12 depending on the style, and $5 Margarita Monday events pop up at participating locations.
Is El Tiempo Cantina expensive?
It’s mid-range. Expect $20-$50 per person for a full dinner with drinks, which puts it in the $$ price range. The $12 Meals and by-the-pound fajitas keep it affordable, but the premium items like Filet Mignon Fajitas ($106.39) and crab dishes push it into splurge territory.
Where can I find El Tiempo Cantina nutrition information?
El Tiempo Cantina doesn’t publish an official nutrition PDF online. The calorie estimates in this guide are realistic planning figures. For exact numbers, ask your server at the restaurant or check the nutrition info posted in-store where available.
Prices last verified: October 23, 2026. Source of truth: the official El Tiempo Cantina website.
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⭐ El Tiempo Cantina Google Reviews
Google Rating: 4.3/5 (2,500+ reviews across locations)
Customers praise the sizzling mesquite fajitas, fresh guacamole, strong margaritas, and festive atmosphere. Common complaints mention premium prices and occasional slow service during peak hours. Overall, Houstonians consider it a celebration-worthy Tex-Mex institution.
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