With so many Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in The Woodlands area, it might be difficult to identify the difference between authentic Mexican and Texas flavors. Community Impact Newspaper has compiled a guide of flavors and cooking styles that distinguish Texas preferences from south of the border dishes.
Types of meat and cooking styles
Al Pastor
Pork is marinated in chilies, spices and pineapple and slowly cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The style of cooking was developed in central Mexico and derived from the
Lebanese dish, shawarma.
Barbacoa
Similar to cooking barbecue-style, barbacoa is made by slow-roasting meat—traditionally whole sheep—in an underground pit covered with leaves. The dish is common in many parts of Mexico and the Caribbean.
Carnitas
A term that literally translates to “little meats,” carnitas is made by slowly simmering pork in oil or lard until it is tender. The dish originated in western Mexico.
Chorizo
Pork is ground and mixed with spices before being stuffed inside a sausage casing. When prepared, the meat resembles ground beef and is popular as a breakfast meat and taco filling. Many cultures have their own version of chorizo, with different styles of preparation.
Popular desserts from south of the border
Capirotada
The traditional type of bread pudding is made with toasted bread, syrup, cinnamon, nuts and fresh or dried fruits. Capirotada is traditionally eaten on Good Friday.
Flan
Made with evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk, flan is a dense custard topped with caramel sauce. The delicacy originated in Rome but has since become a traditional dessert in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines.
Sopapillas
Similar to a doughnut, sopapillas are made from dough cut into triangles and then fried, causing them to puff up and create a hollow center. Sopapillas can then be stuffed with meats or cheese, but in the U.S., they are often topped and served with powdered sugar and honey.
Tres Leches Cake
Meaning “three milks cake,” tres leches cake is made by soaking a butter or sponge cake in three types of milk—sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream.
Where to eat?
Alfonso’s Mexican Restaurant
3126 Sawdust Road, The Woodlands
281-298-8032
Casa Imperial Mexican Restaurant
387 Sawdust Road, The Woodlands
281-298-8195
www.casa-imperial.net
Casa Medina
28777 I-45 N., Shenandoah
281-298-9866
www.casamedinarestaurant.com
Central Taco
19075 I-45 N., Ste. 752, Shenandoah
936-206-5936
www.centraltaco.com
Charro Potato
8423 Cinnamon Run, The Woodlands
281-730-7373
www.charropotato.com
Cyclone Anaya’s
20 Waterway Ave., Ste. 110, The Woodlands
281-419-5771
www.cycloneanaya.com
Compadres Texas Cafe
26797 Hanna Road, Ste. 1&2 Conroe
281-292-0333
www.compadrestexascafe.com
El Bosque Mexican Restaurant
19073 I-45 S., Ste. 135, Shenandoah
936-321-9860
www.elbosquemexicangrill.com/site/woodlands/
El Chaparro Mexican Bar & Grill
5405 FM 1488, Magnolia
281-259-6769
www.elchaparro.net
Guadalajara Hacienda
27885 I-45 N., The Woodlands
281-362-0774
www.guadalajarahacienda.com
Herrera’s Mexican Grill
9420 College Park Drive, Ste. 300, The Woodlands
936-273-5466
www.herrerasmexicanrestaurant.net
La Bikina
4223 Reseach Forest Drive, The Woodlands
281-419-1985
Los Cucos
4775 W. Panther Creek Drive, Ste. 200, The Woodlands
281-296-2303
www.loscucos.com
Mario’s Mexican Restaurant
610 Rayford Road, Ste. 650, Spring
281-367-9336
www.mariosmexican.com
Mi Rancho Mexican Grill
19189 I-45 S., Ste. A, Shenandoah
281-651-4856
www.miranchomexicangrill.com
Pallotta’s Mexican Grill
2211 Rayford Road, Ste. 119, Spring
281-362-1114
www.pallottasmexgrill.com
Ranchero’s Mexican Grill
32517 FM 2978, Magnolia
281-259-8701
Rico’s Mexican Grill
6777 Woodlands Parkway, Ste. 100, The Woodlands
281-292-2222
8000 Research Forest Drive, Ste. 200, The Woodlands
281-465-4820
www.ricosgrill.com
Taco USA
7 Switchbud Place, Ste. 194, The Woodlands
281-292-8226
www.tacousa.com
Texas Taco Company
6606 FM 1488, Magnolia
936-231-8332
www.texastacocomagnolia.com
Torchy’s Tacos
4747 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands
281-465-8918
www.torchystacos.com
How to make tortillas[/caption]
