Family brings California brand to Tomball

After living in Tomball for two decades, Laura Wilson decided it was time for her family's West Coast restaurant to migrate to Texas. Cisco's Salsa Company started serving Baja-style Mexican cuisine and top shelf margaritas in 1971 in Westlake Village, CA, and made Tomball its second home in late 2011.

Laura and her brother, Bob Wilson Jr., decided to open up shop when Bob came to visit and the pair saw a run-down building for lease on Commerce Street.

"I have always liked the 'old town' part of Tomball and its vintage character," Laura said. "I've always wanted to open something here. We thought, if we could [build] the right type of restaurant, people will come because they love old-town Tomball."

Thus after major exterior and interior renovations, Cisco's opened in August 2011 under the ownership of the siblings and Laura's husband, Dennis Henderson. Live music entertains guests outside on the expansive patio on the weekend with no cover, and specific dates, lineups and times are listed on the website.

One of the eatery's most popular dishes includes the Baja Bob's Classic Fish or Shrimp Tacos ($8.50) topped with pico de gallo with salsa verde on the side, Laura said. The restaurant offers a large dinner menu as well as a lunch menu with smaller portions.

"We have more than 20 types of tequila, and our margaritas are made with homemade sweet and sour with real lemon and lime juice," Laura said. "There is no artificial flavoring, so you are really enjoying the taste of the tequila."

Happy hour runs 3–7 p.m. Monday through Friday and features $3 cocktails and appetizers. The recently added Tiki Bar serves guests outside on the expansive patio area and offers Texas beers along with hand-crafted margaritas.

Owner's recommendations

• Cisco's Seafood Vera Cruz—Fresh salmon filet or grilled shrimp topped with the specialty Vera Cruz sauce, regular or spicy, with avocado slices and melted jack cheese. Served with two sides. (salmon $13, shrimp $16.50, both $16.50)
• Cisco's Seafood Diablo—Fresh salmon filet or grilled jumbo shrimp and bacon topped with the Spicy Habanero Vera Cruz sauce, with melted jack cheese and jalapenos served with a choice of two sides. (salmon $13, shrimp $16.50, both $16.50)
• Baja Bob's Fish Taco Combo—One of all three baja tacos. Choices include classic or Cajun grilled fish or shrimp, Sam Adams beer battered fish, or shrimp and tequila lime shrimp. ($10)

Signature Mixes

• Cisco's House Margarita—With gold tequila, Triple Sec, sweet and sour with fresh lime. ($7.50, regular, $9, grande)
• Cisco's Fruit House Margarita—Add strawberry, mango, banana, raspberry, passion fruit, peach or coconut to the house margarita. ($7.75, regular, $9, grande)
• The Pinkie Margarita—The house margarita shaken with cranberry juice and fresh limes. ($7.75, regular, $9, grande)
• The Mayor—Milagro Super Premium Silver Tequila served on the rocks with a splash of sweet and sour with lime. ($9.75)
• Skinny Margarita—Made with El Jimador Tequila, Cointreau and fresh lime juice. ($9.75)

Hosting an event

• The Sol de Luna—the banquet room holds about 100 guests. Cisco's provides the room, food, table and chairs, linens, setup and cleanup as well as a bartender serving the restaurant's signature drinks. Costs are available upon request.
• The Party Caboose—for small groups of about 20, the caboose offers a comfortable space for private parties. Costs are available upon request.

Cisco's Salsa Company, 209 Commerce St., Tomball, 281-351-7572, www.ciscosalsa.com

Dining:

• Sun. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Mon. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Tue.–Thur. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.